Premonitions IV: Dirge of Cerberus Chapter 55: New Beginnings, a final fantasy vii fanfic

Chapter 55: New Beginnings

May 31, 0004

It was ten-thirty in the morning.

Riggs stood at the gazebo where his bride would shortly join him. Cloud and Milton stood by his side. All three of them were dressed in white suits that were surprisingly comfortable in the heat.

Today was the day, just hours after it had been announced. Cloud and Milton kept an eye on Riggs, making sure his suit was clean and his tie was straight.

There was an incredible view of the sea from the gazebo. A twenty-yard mahogany carpet led up to it, situated between many rows of seats.

Despite all the seats, Cloud, Milton, and Tifa would be the only guests.

A sole minister was provided by the hotel.

Thus, only four individuals will see the moment.

They would be married at noon, and that time was fast approaching.

MEANWHILE….

It was now eleven in the morning.

Tifa stood in the room, wearing the blue, spaghetti-strap dress that had been selected for her.

Miranda stood by her side. She was wearing a white, strapless wedding dress.

"Just one hour to go," Miranda said.

"You sure you're ready to do this?" Tifa asked.

"I'm sure," Miranda replied. "He needs a family, and I'm happy to step in."

Tifa nodded; she had agreed to support her friend no matter what.

"You know," Miranda continued, "I'm surprised you haven't tried to talk me out of this. Most people would be questioning if I actually love him, or if I'm crazy."

"You're giving him your whole life so he can have a family," Tifa pointed out. "You obviously love him."

"I never thought of it that way," Miranda admitted.

"I married my best friend," Tifa pointed out. "I have no regrets. I'll admit, to this day I can't determine exactly what my love for Cloud is. Honestly, I don't think it's ever typical. I think it's unique to everyone."

"It's good to have someone who doesn't think I'm crazy," Miranda said. "Milton looked at me like I had twenty heads when I told you all."

"I did push my cousin into doing this," Tifa pointed out. "Cissnei came to our wedding as his best friend and left as his wife. There were no regrets from anyone. Honestly, I don't even think there's such a thing as crazy."

Miranda smiled, and hugged her.

"Thanks for all your support," she said.

Tifa then applied lipstick and mascara to her friend.

"There's another girly thing you can cross off your bucket list!" Miranda laughed.

The two friends then began to watch the clock.

Miranda then looked up at the ceiling.

"My reasons for doing this aside," she said, "this is another day I thought would never come. I don't know how much time I'll have with Riggs, but he'll spend every minute of it knowing he's loved."

She paused.

"Damn, I really have to control myself not to cry. I can't ruin my makeup!"

Tifa, while she would not admit it, was trying not to cry herself.

Miranda truly was a wonderful person.

Finally, it was 11:55.

"It's time," Tifa said.

"Okay!" Miranda replied. "Let's do this!"

Tifa led her friend out of the room.

LATER….

The noon sun shone over Riggs as he gazed at the end of the aisle, waiting for his bride to appear.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Riggs was completely oblivious to what would happen today.

Now, he was waiting for his bride.

She would show up any moment.

Or would she? Riggs thought to himself. Will she get cold feet?

He trusted Miranda with his life, but he was not wrong to consider his concern. She had decided she wanted to marry him so quickly, and to give him a family.

It's not something most people would do.

Then, something worse crossed his mind.

She told me from the beginning that her heart could give out at any time. What if that was now? What if it happened while she was walking down the aisle or while she was reciting her vows?

Then again, what if it didn't?

Anything's possible in this strange world.

Whatever happens, happens.

Suddenly, music began to play.

Riggs, Cloud, and Milton looked to the opposite end of the aisle.

Tifa appeared first, carrying a bouquet of flowers. She winked at Cloud.

Cloud blushed in response; she looked amazing in the blue dress she was wearing.

Tifa reached the altar, and stood opposite of the three men.

The music changed.

And then, finally, Miranda appeared.

Riggs's heart skipped a beat.

She began to walk down the aisle.

She made it, Riggs thought.

She continued on her way, smiling.

We're really doing this, he thought to himself.

Miranda was steadily approaching her destination.

Will we kiss? Riggs thought. I doubt it. We didn't kiss last night. Why would we now?

And, finally, Miranda arrived at the altar.

The minister then began to address Riggs and Miranda.

"Please face each other and hold hands," he commanded.

Riggs took Miranda's hands in his.

"Riggs, please repeat after me," the minister commanded.

Riggs nodded.

"I, Riggs Maynard," began the minister.

"I, Riggs Maynard," he repeated.

This is too good to be true, he thought.

"Take you to be my wife," he continued.

"Take you to be my wife."

Will she change her mind at the last minute?

"To have and to hold."

"For better or for worse."

I couldn't blame her if she did, he realized. It was a sudden decision.

"For richer or poorer."

"In sickness and in health."

Easy come, easy go.

"And forsaking all others."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For as long as we both shall live."

The minister then turned to Miranda.

"Please repeat after me," he commanded.

Miranda nodded.

"I, Miranda Rosaline Kisaragi," began the minister.

"I, Miranda Rosaline Kisaragi," she repeated.

Hang on, Riggs, she thought. In a few moments, you'll be whole again.

"Take you to be my husband," he continued.

"Take you to be my husband."

I thought this day would never come. But I'd rather share it with you than anyone else.

"To have and to hold."

"For better or for worse."

We did that as friends. We will as husband and wife.

"For richer or poorer."

"In sickness and in health."

My sickness is completely invisible on the outside, but I know you'll be by my side no matter what.

"And forsaking all others."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For as long as we both shall live."

I don't know how long that will be. I don't know when my heart is finally going to quit. But I do know I'll cherish every day I have with you.

They placed the rings on each others' fingers.

Then, the minister spoke the words everyone had been awaiting.

"By the power vested in me by the authority of the world powers," he declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

And then, before Riggs could decide what to do, Miranda pressed her lips against his.

She kissed me! Riggs thought. She actually kissed me!

And then, he realized it.

She's definitely more serious about this than I thought!

The three guests stood up and applauded.

Cloud and Tifa both felt deja vu evoked in their minds.

It was not the first time they saw a couple get married so suddenly.

It would not be the last, either.

And then, Miranda raised both of her arms in victory.

We did it! she thought.

MEANWHILE….

It had occurred to Lynn that Riggs, Miranda, Milton, "Matt," and "Julie" had not been on campus for days. Lynn, while a criminal, was not stupid. She was quick to deduce that they were all using their allotment of vacation time and were off campus.

"Now's the time to rob those sick, stupid fucks," she said to herself.

At two, she finished her last class of the day. She then went straight to the dorm, stopping at the door to Milton and "Matt's" room.

She pulled something out of her pocket.

It was the remains of a wired hanger.

She inserted it into the lock, and, a few seconds later, opened the door and led herself inside.

Closing the door behind her, she quickly trotted over to Milton's side of the room. She rummaged through all of his drawers, but only managed to find thirty gil.

She then made her way to "Matt's" side of the room. She rummaged through his drawers as well, but only found a few sets of clothes.

She lifted up both mattresses, hoping to find more money, or possibly drugs, but she found neither.

"The incestuous rednecks are flat broke," Lynn said to herself.

She stuffed the gil into her pants pocket and left the room.

She would try Julie and Miranda's room later on.

MEANWHILE….

Riggs and Miranda had shared their first dance. Then, they cut the cake.

Miranda took the liberty of shoving it in Riggs's mouth.

Food had been served, and drinks had been imbibed.

The sun had just finished setting when Miranda stood up from her seat.

"I need everyone's attention for a moment," she suddenly announced.

Everyone looked at her as she made her way back to the gazebo.

"This time, I actually planned something," she continued, referring to her eighteenth birthday.

Everyone looked on, realizing that she had something important to say.

"There's so many people I want to thank in this world," Miranda began. "Most of all, I want to thank my husband and best friend, Riggs Maynard, who accepted me for who I was right when he met me. It was when I met him that I knew I was going to be okay. I also want to thank my friend Milton, who slowly but surely accepted me as well."

Cloud and Tifa sat in silence. Tifa had her hand on Cloud's. Both were awaiting their acknowledgment.

"And, of course," Miranda continued, "I want to thank those who couldn't be here. Like my parents, and all my other relatives. I know you all want nothing to do with me, but, somehow, I hope you all know I forgive you."

There was applause from the three guests.

"And even to people like Lynn and Amy, you all shaped me into being a better woman," Miranda continued.

Cloud then looked at Tifa as if to say, "She skipped us!"

And then, Miranda made eye contact with both of them.

"But I especially want to thank Cloud and Tifa," she continued. "One of the advantages of such a small wedding is that I can share your story. Once upon a time, in the year 0011, Tifa was President of the Western Continent, and Cloud was the First Gentleman. The pressures of being president put strain on Tifa, so she decided to take her husband on a sailing adventure. Before they had time to enjoy that, they encountered their old enemy Sephiroth, who turned them into children. They decided to go back in time and allow themselves to grow. But it wasn't easy. Being children, they no longer felt any romantic feelings, and were reduced to friends. Eventually, they grew into teenagers, and fell in love all over again. Cloud and Tifa, I can never say how wonderful your story is."

Tifa squeezed Cloud's hand; she was beyond touched.

"That said," Miranda continued, "you have not completely returned to normal."

Tifa and Cloud gave each other a skeptical look.

"We've come a long way," Miranda said, "but, as I look at your hands, something is still missing."

Both Cloud and Tifa knew exactly what she meant; they were still not wearing their wedding rings.

Suddenly, the minister appeared again.

Tifa clutched Cloud's hand once more.

She knew exactly what her friend was leading up to.

Her heart began to race.

Miranda was right; there was one last step to take.

And she was about to invite them to take it.

"Which is why I'd like you both to come up to the altar and renew your vows for us," Miranda finished.

Tifa gasped.

Cloud was speechless.

"Come on!" Miranda insisted. "I'll lend you my bridal veil!"

Cloud and Tifa slowly rose up and made their way to the altar.

Miranda gave Tifa her bridal veil, which she immediately placed in her hair.

The minister then began to address Cloud and Tifa.

"Please face each other and hold hands," he commanded.

Cloud took Tifa's hands in his.

Tifa squeezed them in pure joy and excitement.

"Cloud, please repeat after me," the minister commanded.

Cloud nodded.

"I, Cloud Strife," he began.

"I, Cloud Strife," he repeated.

"Take you to be my wife," he continued.

"Take you to be my wife."

"To have and to hold."

"For better or for worse."

"For richer or poorer."

"In sickness and in health."

"And forsaking all others."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For as long as we both shall live."

The minister then turned to Tifa.

"Please repeat after me," he commanded.

"Sure thing," Tifa replied.

"I, Tiffany Claire Lockhart," began the minister.

"I, Tiffany Claire Lockhart," she repeated.

After all this time, she thought. After eight long years, we'll be fully back to normal as a couple.

"Take you to be my husband," he continued.

"Take you to be my husband."

It was a scary eight years. It was a roller coaster. But I don't regret the outcome!

"To have and to hold."

"For better or for worse."

The last eight years fulfilled it.

"For richer or poorer."

"In sickness and in health."

"And forsaking all others."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For as long as we both shall live."

I love you, Cloud. Now and forever.

"May I have the rings?" the minister requested.

"Here they are!" Miranda announced as she handed them to him.

"You had our wedding rings the whole time we were on the trip?" Tifa asked.

"Yeah," Miranda laughed. "Riggs wasn't the only one getting a surprise wedding here!"

Tifa smiled. She was way too happy to object to Miranda taking their wedding rings.

They placed the rings on each others' fingers.

Then, the minister spoke.

"By the power vested in me by the authority of the world powers," he declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Tifa threw her arms around Cloud and kissed him deeply. Tears immediately rolled down her cheeks.

After eight long years, they were finally back to normal.

Tifa then turned to the smiling Miranda. Before she could change her mind, she threw her arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you so much!" Tifa sobbed.

"Happy to do it," Miranda replied. "You deserve it."

Cloud and Tifa had their "first" dance, and had their own cake as well.

A couple of hours went by after that, and the sun was now long gone. The night sky was now lit with a blanket of stars that nobody could see in any town.

Riggs, Milton, Cloud, and Tifa gazed at the stars for a long time in sheer amazement.

And it was, at that point, the Riggs noticed that Miranda was missing.

Riggs immediately became concerned.

"You guys," he began. "Have any of you seen Miranda?"

The three of them eyed Riggs.

"Oh yeah," Tifa began in a coy tone of voice. "I know where she went."

"She told me to give you this," Cloud added as he handed Riggs a key.

"What's this a key to?" Riggs naturally asked.

"The wedding suite," Tifa replied. "It's at the top floor of the hotel. She went there early. Surely you don't want to leave your poor bride alone."

Riggs nodded and took the key.

He then headed for the hotel.

This is the end of the wedding, he realized. It served its purpose. Now, I suppose we will carry on as normal.

MINUTES LATER….

Riggs turned the key, and opened the door.

He was now standing inside the wedding suite. Miranda was nowhere to be seen, but it was a big suite, so she could be anywhere.

He was in a sitting area with a television, fireplace, and sofa. Beyond that was a dining-room, and beyond that was a large kitchen, complete with an island in the middle.

Beyond the kitchen was short hallway that ended in a closet. There were two doors on the side. The one on the left led to a large bedroom with a king-sized bed and a hot tub.

This is probably what Miranda's going to take, Riggs thought.

The door on the right led to a smaller bedroom with a fold-out sofa.

This is probably my room, he guessed. This wedding was to give me a family, and nothing more.

He then stepped out of the bedroom and turned to the larger bedroom once more.

He crossed the hall.

"There you are!" called a familiar voice, followed by footsteps approaching from the kitchen.

That would be Miranda.

"Don't tell me you got lost!" she continued.

Riggs turned around.

"Far from-"

There stood Miranda.

But it was a side of Miranda he had never seen before.

She was wearing a red solid contrast lace cami nightie that stopped well above her knees, greatly flattering her legs.

"S-Sorry," he began. "Is this your room?"

"Ours, silly," Miranda giggled.

"Ours?" Riggs asked.

Miranda put her hand on her hip.

"Riggs," she began, "you do realize what just happened, right?"

"Yeah," he replied. "We got married. But…."

He trailed off.

"But what?" Miranda asked. "We got married. That means everything that goes with it. That's why my name isn't Miranda Kisaragi anymore. It's Miranda Kisaragi Maynard."

Riggs scratched his head, unsure of what to say.

"I think I need to remind you of the circumstances," Miranda said.

She then took his hand and led him into the larger bedroom, closing the door behind her. She then placed her hands on his shoulders, and pressed her lips against his.

She broke the kiss, and gently stroked his hair.

"Now I'm going to kiss you again," Miranda announced. "And when I do, I want you to hold me. By the waist."

Miranda pressed her lips against Riggs's once more.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close as he continued to kiss her. The kiss became deeper and deeper until, instinctively, he pressed his tongue against hers.

He then broke the kiss.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't be," Miranda assured him. "We're husband and wife now. Just do what comes naturally."

She then kissed him again, and started to run her hands up and down his back.

Riggs then pressed his tongue against Miranda's once more.

Miranda then remembered what Tifa did.

She decided to borrow the idea from her.

She pushed his hand down from her waist and let it rest on her butt through her nightie.

It made her intentions for the night clear.

Riggs, meanwhile, began to kiss her down to her neck. With his free hand, he ran it up her back, and to her shoulder, finally reaching one of the straps that kept her nightie on her body.

"Take it off," she whispered.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I'm ready," she whispered.

It was the truth; he could tell with the hand on her butt that she was not wearing anything underneath.

She let go of his other hand, which quickly traveled to her other shoulder.

One swipe with both hands was all it would take.

She kissed him again, with her tongue meeting his.

He swiped his hands.

Her nightie fell to her feet.

They continued to kiss.

He wrapped his arms around her bare waist.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders.

They finally broke the kiss, and she smiled at him.

Miranda then felt a tingle as she realized she was now completely nude. But it was a welcome tingle; it was a sensation of closeness and excitement of sharing an intimate moment with the man she was with.

She stepped back, and continued to smile.

"Go on, check me out," she giggled as she turned three hundred and sixty degrees.

Riggs checked her out.

She then marched right up to him, kissing him again as she took his jacket off. She undid his bow tie, and began to unbutton his shirt. She slipped it off, and pulled his undershirt over his head.

She then kissed him again, and unzipped and yanked off his pants, only breaking the kiss when he stepped out of them.

Then, they gazed each other in the eyes.

"Thank you," Miranda said.

"For what?" Riggs asked.

"My third strawberry," she clarified.

As her eyes glistened, Miranda kissed Riggs once more. She pressed her tongue against his as he ran his hand up and down her bare back.

She broke the kiss, stepped back, and smiled at him.

Then, she looked down.

Her eyes widened.

"Wow!" Miranda exclaimed with a smile. "I really hit the jackpot there!"

"Thanks," Riggs said with a blush.

She then gave him a serious look.

"So," she began, "shall we do what married couples do?"

Riggs hesitated. He was not nervous, but he was somewhat apprehensive.

"It's my first time," he admitted, though it was obvious.

"Mine, too," Miranda replied as she turned to face the bed. "But there's a first time for everything."

Riggs realized he had to be honest with her.

"It's going to hurt," he warned.

"Yes, Riggs," she said as fixed her hair. "I know the first time hurts. For me, anyway. I'll admit, being a girl sucks sometimes."

"I know."

"Riggs," Miranda said, "I just thought of something. Remember last night, how you asked if I loved you?"

Riggs nodded.

"I remember."

"I just thought of the proper response to that," she informed him. "One that comes from my heart."

"What's that?" he asked.

"I married you so you could have a family. I'm about to painfully give up my virginity to you. Do the math."

She then turned her head, and smiled at him.

Riggs smiled back.

"It's worth it," Miranda said as she climbed up onto the bed. "Trust me."

She then turned and laid on her back.

"I'm ready," she said.

Riggs quickly joined his new wife on the bed.

MEANWHILE…

Tifa led Cloud into their hotel room.

As soon as she locked the door, she threw her arms around her love and pressed her lips against his.

"What an incredible day!" she exclaimed.

"You think it was a coincidence?" Cloud sheepishly asked.

"It was karma," Tifa replied. "Straightforward."

"Karma," Cloud echoed.

"Karma," Tifa repeated. "I mean, we pushed Tobin and Cissnei to get married at our wedding. Now Riggs and Miranda pushed us to get married at theirs."

"Renew our vows," he corrected. "Technically, we never stopped being married."

"True," she said with a smirk.

And then, Tifa pushed him onto the bed without warning.

He tried to say something, but she quickly silenced him with a kiss.

She then unzipped his pants, and yanked them off, along with his boxers.

"You didn't put my hand on your butt," Cloud pointed out.

"It's our wedding night," she replied. "It should be obvious."

She then pulled him upright, kissing him once more. She then pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.

Cloud raised his arm to try and take off Tifa's dress, but she stopped him.

"I want some CFNM time!" she commanded as she climbed up and knelt on the bed beside him.

"You're having sex with your dress on?" asked the perplexed Cloud.

"I've never done it before!" she laughed.

She then looked at her feet.

"And my heels. All I have to do is slide my panties to the side!"

Before the naked Cloud could say anything, Tifa pinned him him down by his bare shoulders, and suspended herself above him, pressing her lips against his once more.

"Just making sure you remember," she said as she began to lower herself down, "who's in charge!"