AN: Thank you, readers, for sticking with me to the end! Just wanted to thank Turk 4 Life and Keep Calm and Be Ninja for your reviews. They were so encouraging and they were what kept me working on this story so this chapter is dedicated to the two of you :) Happy reading!

Despite Yuffie's words of comfort and Vincent's news of a rescue plan, Raine couldn't hold back the tears. Now that it was the fateful day, Raine began to panic. Marrying a complete and total stranger was terrifying.

"Stop it! You're supposed to be happy on your wedding day, damn it!"

Raine ignored her mother's words as she sobbed into her gloved hands. She was dressed in a beautiful white wedding dressed and her hair was pinned back in elegant curls while glittering diamonds adorned her neck and ears...but Raine wasn't happy.

"I don't want to do this!"

"It's for your own good, Raine. Trust your father. Now get up! Your makeup needs to be fixed again!"

Raine resisted when two bodyguards pulled her up and sat her down on a stool. The makeup artist quickly removed the ruined makeup and applied new makeup.

The church was filled with family members and important guests guests and business partners. Raine wasn't upset that her friends didn't show up. She didn't want them to see her suffering. There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen and the wedding officiant was none other than the town mayor. Raine's heart welled with agony and disappointment as she walked down the aisle with a bouquet of white roses in her hands. The groom was standing at the altar dressed in a sharp white suit and white shoes. Her heart ached even more; it wasn't Cloud. Following the tradition of his family, the groom wore a mask to cover his entire face. He had blonde hair but that was all that Raine could make out from behind her veil.

Raine willed herself not to cry once she stood on the altar.

"Cloud will come," she whispered to herself.

She had faith that he would come. Vincent said he would come. It was was a part of the plan.

But Cloud never came.

Even after the officiant asked if there was anyone who wanted to oppose the marriage, no one spoke up. The doors didn't burst open and Cloud didn't come rushing in to declare his love for her. Avalanche didn't storm through the doors and raise chaos. There was only silence.

The officiant said a few words before Raine and her groom spoke.

"Do you vow to take Raine Lorazen as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And do you, Raine Lorazen, vow to take Edgar Rose as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"...I do."

Raine felt disgusted with herself for allowing the words to fall from her lips so easily. She wanted to say them to Cloud. She began to cry when the officiant spoke.

"Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The groom lifted Raine's veil over her head. Raine wondered if her makeup was running. The groom removed his mask and smiled at Raine.

The whole church was filled with grumbling, angry murmurs, and gasps of surprise. Raine was dumbfounded.

"Cloud!"

Cloud smiled and held her hands.

"I can kiss you now, right?"

Raine squealed with delight and she jumped into Cloud's arms as she kissed him joyfully. Raine laughed when she heard loud cheers and whistles; the Turks and Avalanche members were standing in a large group at the doors and they were the only ones cheering.

"All right, everyone! Move out!"

Chaos ensued when Cloud swept Raine into his arms and ran out of the church with the bodyguards hot on his trail. The Avalanche members easily blocked their way while the Turks escorted Raine and Cloud to the getaway vehicle, which was Reno's helicopter. Reno kissed Tifa before he climbed into the pilot seat.

"I'll see you later, babe!"

"You better!"

Reno saluted Tifa as he took control of the helicopter.

Raine and Cloud were dropped off by Zack's memorial. Fenrir was waiting for them and Cloud helped Raine on before he sat in the front and drove away. Raine heard a loud explosion behind them and she looked back, surprised to see fireworks coming from the place where the church once stood.

"How the hell did you pull that off?" Raine asked.

"It was Cid's idea. We'll have to thank him later. Also, that was Rude's bomb."

"The guy-"

"The Turks took care of him."

They arrived at a secluded cabin hidden in the mountains and Cloud led Raine in. It was fully furnished and Raine was surprised to see a suitcase of her clothing sitting on the couch.

"How-"

"Yuffie."

Raine grinned. No wonder she was a ninja.

Cloud took Raine's hands and he kissed them.

"We didn't have time for vows earlier, so I'll say them to you now. I love you, Raine. I will love you to the end of our days and even then, I will continue to love you. No matter what comes our way, no matter who tries to take you away from me, I promise I will protect you. You're the light to my darkness and you're the air that I breathe. I love you, Raine Lorazen, with all my heart and my soul."

"Oh, Cloud! I love you, too"

Raine cupped Cloud's face and kissed him passionately. She'd never felt so complete and satisfied before. She knew that with Cloud by her side, life was complete.

As Cloud kissed Raine's neck and slipped off Raine's gloves, the door burst open and the Turks and Avalanche walked in.

"The party's here!" Barrett declared.

Rude held two armful of drinks and Yuffie had an armful of snacks in her arms while everyone else carried gifts.

"We stole these from your wedding, Raine. Well, I guess it's not stealing since it's your wedding anyway but whatever."

Cloud sighed and Raine laughed at his expression.

"Go away." He mumbled.

Cid pointed an accusing finger at Cloud.

"Hey, you two can have as much sex as you want after we're done partying, okay?"

"Sex? EW!" Yuffie grimaced.

Raine laughed as everyone began setting up.

The honeymoon would definitely have to wait.

The end