Chapter 89: The Wedding
Inside the Highwind, Rosso woke up on her cot to see two figures standing outside her cell.
One was a blond man.
Rosso immediately recognized him as Cid.
The other was a raven-haired woman in a leather tank top, leather knee shorts, and a leather back flap.
Rosso quickly recognized her as President Strife.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting married?" she asked as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Not anymore," Cid solemnly replied. "We discovered that Shera freed Sephiroth. Then Sephiroth killed her when he realized she could reveal his location. Then President Strife turned him into a ten-year-old."
"Turned him into a ten-year-old?" Rosso asked skeptically.
"It's a long story," Tifa replied. "And I mean a long one. But now, we have another matter. Not wanting the wedding to go to waste, Cid was kind enough to let Zack and Yuffie get married at the resort today."
Rosso looked at Cid with sympathy.
"I'm sorry about your fiancée," she said.
"Don't worry about it," he assured her. "I wouldn't be with a traitor. I would be with a criminal, because at least they're honest about it."
It could not be any more obvious that Cid did, in fact, like Rosso.
"So here's the deal," Tifa said. "Cid needs a date for the wedding. I'll tell you what. I'll issue you a temporary pardon, under two conditions. One, you go to the wedding with Cid as his date. Two, you return to your cell once the wedding is over. Deal?"
"Deal," Rosso replied.
"Good," Tifa replied as she opened the cell drawer. "I'm placing a dress for you to wear and passing it to you, along with some makeup. Why don't you shower and put it on? We'll give you your privacy."
With that, Tifa led Cid out of the room.
An hour later, Cid and Tifa returned to the cell, and a surprise sight greeted them. Rosso was standing there in a teal spaghetti-strap dress that flattered her figure. She was in full makeup. But what really stuck out was her hair. As it had turned out, the red was spray-dye; Rosso was a natural blonde.
"Is it me?" she asked with a smile.
Tifa opened the cell door.
Rosso slowly made her way toward Cid.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Rosso," he said. "If that is your real name."
"It's not," Rosso said with a smile. "My real name is Ivana. Ivana Kuchakakov."
Both Cid and Tifa gave her a skeptical look.
"Alright," said Rosso. "My real name for real. Annika. Annika Osenova."
"It's nice to meet you, Annika," Cid said.
In response, Annika threw her arms around him and hugged him. She then broke the hug, and looked at him sincerely.
"Okay," she said. "Let's go and have fun."
AT THREE
The wedding venue was in the back of the resort, with a view of the sea behind the altar. There was enough room to hold five hundred people, and the chairs were neatly set up, with an aisle with nothing but the sand as the floor in the middle.
There were pictures of the dearly departed on a nearby table. They included Angeal, Denzel, and, of course, Aerith. There was also a picture of Miranda as well.
This was, by the way, an open wedding, meaning that anyone could come. The people Zack and Yuffie knew about only made up about fifty of the guests. Over four hundred strangers arrived. They all had to go through security, as the wedding would be officiated by the President of the Western Continent; they all found it worth it. There were some background acquaintances as well, including Polk, Billy Bob, and Nayo.
The Downings also came; all of them, to be exact. Upon hearing it was an open wedding, they had originally come to protest Shera and her career, as they were notorious for their patriarchal views. Now, they were here out of interest. They wondered how Yuffie felt about being married.
Finally, when the venue could not hold any more people, the crowd-teasing music began. Marlene, now seven years old, walked down the aisle. But she was not a flower girl; she was a ring-bearer; it was what she had wanted.
Cid seemed to be doing fine when he took his seat next to Annika.
Annika proved to be a kind, caring woman. She held his hand and often checked on him, just to make sure he was okay.
Zack was standing at the altar. Instead of a tuxedo, he was wearing an untucked button-down and khakis; that was typical in that kind of weather. He had two honor attendants; one was Cloud, and the other was Cissnei. He considered them both his best friends.
Yuffie's matron of honor was Tifa, but, as she was also performing the ceremony, was dressed in her leather presidential outfit, and stood behind a podium with the presidential seal on it.
Soon, the hour arrived, and everyone stood. A moment later, Yuffie appeared at the back end of the aisle, carrying a bouquet of flowers and in her wedding dress.
Yuffie's wedding dress was cute and elegant at the same time. It stopped above her knees, revealing her lower legs completely. It was one of the rare occasions that she was in full makeup; Tifa herself, again embracing her long-oppressed femininity, had applied it.
She was barefoot as well, and her toes were painted a beautiful red. The aisle had no floor, Yuffie's bare feet gently touched the sand as she made her way towards her destiny.
She looked at the beaming Zack, who was waiting for her at the altar.
Thanks for saying yes, she thought to herself. Right now, I want nothing more to be your wife.
Both Zack and Yuffie were amazed of how they had no idea this would happen just twenty-four hours ago. It was very reminiscent of an occasion three years earlier when another couple had a surprise wedding; that couple was in attendance, and seated in the second row.
The only difference in this situation was Zack and Yuffie had been a couple (albeit off and on) for three years.
Tifa stood at the altar to officiate the wedding. Cloud was seated in the front row, with their now-two-year-old daughter on his lap.
Finally, Yuffie arrived at the altar, and stood across from Zack.
"I love you," she mouthed to him.
Tifa then began to address Zack and Yuffie.
"Please face each other and hold hands," the president ordered.
Zack turned to face Yuffie, who excitedly almost grabbed his hands and squeezed them in hers. She smiled, and did everything she could to fight back the tears.
"Zack, please repeat after me," President Strife began. "I, Zachary Thomas Fair," began the chief executive.
"I, Zachary Thomas Fair," he repeated.
"Take you to be my wife," she continued.
"Take you to be my wife."
"To have and to hold."
"To have and to hold."
"For better or for worse."
"For better or for worse."
We proved that with Deepground, Zack thought.
"For richer or poorer."
"For richer or poorer."
"In sickness and in health."
"In sickness and in health."
"And forsaking all others."
"And forsaking all others."
"To love, honor, and cherish."
"To love, honor, and cherish."
"For as long as we both shall live."
"For as long as we both shall live."
Tifa then turned to her old friend.
Yuffie had an eager look on her face; it was obvious she was truly in love with him.
"As requested by both yourself and your father, your vows will be in your native language.
"Awesome!" Yuffie replied.
"Watashi, Kisaragi Tamako Yufuko," Tifa began.
"Watashi, Kisaragi Tamako Yufuko," Yuffie repeated.
"Anata o watashi no otto ni shite kudasai," Tifa continued.
"Anata o watashi no otto ni shite kudasai," Yuffie followed.
There was no translator, although it was obvious to everyone what she was saying.
"Motsu koto, motsu koto," Tifa continued.
"Motsu koto, motsu koto," Yuffie repeated.
"Yoku mo waruku mo."
"Yoku mo waruku mo."
"Yūfukuna hito ni tottemo, mazushī hito ni tottemo."
"Yūfukuna hito ni tottemo, mazushī hito ni tottemo."
"Byooki no toki mo kenkōna toki mo."
"Byooki no toki mo kenkōna toki mo."
"Soshite hoka no subete o hōki shimasu."
"Soshite hoka no subete o hōki shimasu."
"Aishi, uyamai, taisetsu ni suru koto."
"Aishi, uyamai, taisetsu ni suru koto."
"Watashi-tachi ni-ri ga ikite iru kagiri."
"Watashi-tachi ni-ri ga ikite iru kagiri."
Yuffie then tirned to Tifa, and smiled.
"Anata wa Nihon-go ga totemo joozuda to iwazaru o emasen," she complimented.
"Arigatoo," Tifa replied. "Watashi wa nishi tairiku de no kunren-choo ni sore o gaku bimashita."
Yuffie giggled, and turned back to Zack, who was moments away from becoming her husband.
"May I please have the rings?" Tifa requested.
Marlene handed her the rings.
Tifa then handed the first ring to Zack.
"Yuffie Kisaragi," he began, doing his best on such short notice, "when I first met you, something told me you would be in my life forever. As the years passed, you grew from a casual friend to my girlfriend. You were there for me in my weakest moments, and you forgave my worst mistakes. And I do mean my worst. As a sign of my love, that I have chosen you, above all else, with this ring, I thee wed."
He then took Yuffie's left hand, and gently slid the band on her ring finger.
Yuffie gazed at her ring finger. She wanted to do so for hours, but she knew she had something to say as well. So she accepted the other ring from Tifa.
"Zack," she began, "I'll never forget the day we met. I was a bold, sassy, nine-year-old girl. I couldn't believe how much you tolerated me. You tolerated me when I stole your cloaking bracelet. You tolerated me when I kept pestering you online. Flash forward to the day you needed to take Cloud to the Eastern Continent. I said you could have the ticket I stole in exchange for one date. That date would not happen until over a year later, but when it did, our lives would never be the same again. We remained a couple. We broke up and got back together three times. There were times it was a bumpy ride. But here we are, Zack, ready to walk into the rest of our lives. As a sign of my love, that I have chosen you, above all else, with this ring, I thee wed."
Yuffie then slipped the ring on Zack's finger, struggling to get it on, as her hand was shaking.
Now, thought Yuffie, in less than ten seconds, everything will be said and done.
"By the power vested in me by the authority of the Western Continent," Tifa announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Yuffie immediately threw her arms around Zack and happuly pressed her lips agains his.
Tifa then turned to the crowd.
"It is my honored privilege as President of the Western Continent," she began, "to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Fair."
Cheers and applause sounded the venue.
LATER….
Zack and Yuffie disappeared for an hour as they were getting their pictures taken. Towards the end of that hour, everyone began to gather in the reception area, which was just to the left of the outdoor chapel. It was also outdoors, though the floor was wooden.
Yuffie and Zack promptly made their entrance and shared their first dance as husband and wife. The party began immediately afterward, with all the fast dances and alcohol consumption.
Then, it was time for the slow dances. Cloud and Tifa danced together, as did Tseng and Elena, Reeve and Parker, Barret and Jessie, and Tobin and Cissnei. Reno and DiStefano also danced. Even Cid and Annika did, and Tifa, out of the corner of her eye, saw them locking lips.
"She's a fast mover," Tifa whispered as she continued to dance with her husband.
"I heard they liked each other from when they met," Cloud whispered back as he rocked his wife. "Besides, it's probably the last time she kisses anyone before she goes to jail for the rest of her life."
Tifa became quiet. Cloud was right; Annika had committed crimes, and would need to pay the consequences for them. She would be taken to jail, and Cid, who obviously had strong feelings for her, would be brokenhearted all over again. It would be another sting after all he had been through.
Unless….
There was one option, but she knew she could put her hopes of a second term on the line for it.
And then, the noise suddenly died down.
Everyone stopped dancing.
Tifa looked into the sea, and saw what she had not seen in years.
It was the swan.
It was slowly sailing by.
Tears welled up in Tifa's eyes, and she quickly clutched Cloud's hand, knowing all too well that what was mortal of Miranda and Riggs was on board.
After a few minutes, the swan had passed, and the party resumed.
Then, it was time to cut the cake. Zack was a gentleman about feeding the cake to his wife, but Yuffie, quite predictably, shoved it into Zack's mouth.
After that, it was time for Zack and Yuffie engage in their traditional tossings.
It was Lucrecia who caught the bouquet.
Amusingly, Vincent caught the garter.
There was a lot of murmuring after that; it was obvious what everyone was thinking.
And then, the finale.
Yuffie stood at the altar banging on a wine glass with a fork.
"Attention, everyone!" the bride called out. "Everyone, attention please!"
Everyone was silent. All the guests took their seats, and directed their attention to the bride.
"I have a few things to say," Yuffie announced. "Most of them are suitable for children."
There was some laughter from the guests.
"First, I wanted to thank Cid, for very kindly letting Zack and I use this venue to start the rest of our lives."
Cid gave her a wave with his free hand; his other was locked with Annika's.
"I want to thank President Strife for performing the ceremony, and Mr. And Mrs. Fair for giving me my boy."
Everyone turned to Zack's parents, who naturally blushed.
Then, Yuffie suddenly became solemn.
"I also want to thank Vincent and DiStefano for accompanying me on what turned out to be my last adventure."
There were murmuring among the guests.
"Last?!" Red XIII could be heard saying.
"Yes," Yuffie continued. "This was my last adventure. I'm Mrs. Fair now, and I'll be giving up the life. I'm no longer an adventurer or a ninja, just like I'm no longer a Kisaragi. A new life began today, and I'm looking forward to living it."
An applause could be heard; it was coming from the Downings.
"But most of all," Yuffie continued, "I want to thank Mr. Zack Fair for marrying me."
At that moment, Zack joined her at the altar, whereupon Yuffie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
She then turned to the audience once more.
"So this concludes the wedding," Yuffie continued. "Of course, the afterparty's going to go on for as long as it has to. But we won't be there. We both like the idea of running from here all the way to the nude side, stripping off our clothes at the boundary, and doing….you know, what married couples do."
The audience began to laugh, with a few whistles. The Downings looked disgusted.
"But we don't want our clothes stolen," Zack added.
"So we're going to need someone who can keep up with us," Yuffie continued. "To follow us to the boundary and take back our clothes once they're off. Do we have a volunteer?"
Nobody raised their hands.
Yuffie shrugged, and sighed.
"I guess I'll have to pick somebody, then," she announced. "How about Miss Sage Tuesti?"
Sage quickly shook her head.
I don't want to see Yuffie's vajayjay again! the fourteen-year-old girl thought to herself.
"I promise you'll only see our butts!" Yuffie assured. "Plus, we'll give you a hundred gil."
That changed the teen's mind quite quickly.
Why not? Sage thought to herself. I'll get to see Zack's butt. It's the most I'll ever get to see of him.
"I'll do it," the teen agreed.
"Alright," Yuffie said as she took her new husband's hand. "This is it!"
With that, Zack and Yuffie walked hand-in-hand to the other end of the aisle.
"Sage," Zack said, "you might want to kick off your heels."
Sage kicked off her heels.
Zack and Yuffie got into a running position.
"Good-bye, everyone!" Yuffie called. "Thanks again for coming! It's been real!"
And then, Zack and Yuffie began to run, with Sage in hot pursuit. All the guests waived the happy couple good-bye.
About half an hour later, Sage returned, carrying Zack's tux and Yuffie's wedding dress.
"I only saw their butts," Sage confirmed, in front of everyone. "I also saw the twin peaks swinging from behind."
Everyone laughed.
This included Annika, but that did not last. She was still seated with Cid, and, out of the corner of her eye, noticed Tifa approaching with two security guards.
So this is it, Annika thought in her native language. My last breath of freedom before I spend the rest of my life in jail.
And then, Tifa arrived.
I knew this moment would come tonight.
Annika stood up, and held out her arms, surrendering, with tears threatening her mascara-filled eyes.
"Well," she began, "I guess it's time."
But Tifa simply smiled.
"Actually," the president said, "I came her to give you a permanent presidential pardon."
"A what?!" Annika exclaime, as her arms dropped to her side.
"A full, free, and absolute pardon," Tifa repeated.
"Seriously?" the prisoner inquired.
"Just a few conditions," Tifa continued.
"Of course!" Annika agreed. "Anything!"
"Could you and Cid….remain a couple?"
Annika took one look at the man she had been having the hots for since she met him.
"Of course we can!" Annika replied enthusiastically. "What else?"
"I love Cid like a brother," Tifa replied. "This means don't hurt him in any way. Understand? And I don't care what this may do to my chances for a second term."
"I understand," Annika replied. "Thank you."
A tear rolled down Annika's eye, but it was a tear of happiness. She was faining both her freedom and the man she wanted.
"Well?" Tifa continued. "Don't couples usually kiss?"
Annika nodded enthusiastically. She then turned to Cid, and pressed her lips against his.
Cid lifted Annika off the ground, causing her to squeal in delight.
He was a whole man again.
RENO AND DISTEFANO
At this point, the sun was down, and the stars were out. All of the strangers and some of the extended family were gone, and only friends remained.
Reno admired his date, DiStefano, as she stood in the moonlight. He had never seen her in a dress, and she looked stunningly beautiful. They did have a good time together, but it left Reno sad, as he knew their parting was at hand; within an hour, all the remaining guests would be gone.
He and DiStefano had danced together every chance they got. They talked. They flirted. DiStefano even made an attempt to catch the bouquet, indicating she wanted to get married eventually.
There was no doubt they had fun, but Reno knew that a good time did not always guarantee a next time.
And then, it popped in his mind.
Ask her! Show her you're interested!
Reno slowly approached DiStefano, and stood next to her.
DiStefano immediately turned to Reno, as if she had pre-prepared something to say to him.
Is this good or bad? Reno thought to himself.
"I really had fun today," DiStefano said with a smile. "After all that time in the military, I really forgot how to enjoy myself. I owe you big."
Now's your chance! As for another date in return!
Reno took a deep breath.
"Can we have a second date, DiStefano?" he asked.
And, quickly, the smile faded from her face.
That's bad. So be it. There plenty of other women out there.
For a minute, DiStefano gave Reno a neutral look.
Then, she smiled.
"Gwen," she replied. "It's Gwen."
She gave me her first name! Reno thought. That's a good sign! But I guess I better….
"Arthur," he said.
In response, DiStefano marched up to Reno, and kissed him.
"Does that answer your question, Arthur?" DiStefano asked with a smile.
CLOUD AND TIFA
It was now an hour after the wedding had ended.
Cloud stood in the sitting area of the hotel suite. Tifa then emerged from the bathroom as she held the Chronus Wand in her hand.
Cloud stood behind her, looking on.
Both knew the moment that would conclude their fourteen-year mission was at hand.
"Now to destroy this wand once and for all," Tifa announced.
With that, she threw the wand into the air.
She then leapt into the air herself.
"Hi-ya!" Tifa shouted as she karate chopped the wand, breaking it in half.
Both halves of the Chronus Wand and Tifa's feet landed on the floor simultaneously.
Tifa remained intact.
The halves of the Chronus Wand shattered to pieces.
And that was the end of an era.
Tifa turned to Cloud, and smiled.
"Up for the boardwalk?"
AN HOUR LATER….
Tifa, now dressed in a short spaghetti-strap summer dress, walked hand-in-hand with Cloud down the boardwalk. She was beyond amazed; Sephiroth had turned her and Cloud into children, and they went back in time to grow up together again. Now, after fourteen long years, they had resumed their old lives as if nothing had happened.
But, of course, it was not really like nothing had happened. Tifa was not the same woman she was when she had first been turned into a child. And her memories of her trip to the past would never fade from her mind.
"Thanks for growing up with me again," she said to her love as she squeezed his hand and smiled lovingly at him. "He may have been our enemy, and I know he did this with spiteful intentions, but I'm almost wondering if we owe Sephiroth a thank you for turning us into children."
"You know," Cloud said, "if that didn't happen, we never would have been able to grow up together again. Properly, this time."
"And we wouldn't have been able to give Miranda's life meaning," Tifa added.
"And we never would've been able to share our teen years," Cloud added.
"And I wouldn't have been able to get in touch with my femininity," Tifa said.
"And we wouldn't have been able to go to prom together," Cloud said.
"And we wouldn't have been able to save Eros Nova from Sephiroth," Tifa concluded. "And not to mention turn him into a child!"
"Hey," Cloud said, "do you think that's the last of that scumbag?"
"Nah," Tifa dismissed. "He'll be back. But he won't get far as long as we both keep vigil together."
With that, she stopped walking.
Cloud did the same.
Tifa then turned to her love, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She then pressed her lips against Cloud's.
Then, Tifa lowered Cloud's hand, and let it rest on her butt through her dress. She smiled seductively at him.
Cloud smiled back; he was well aware of what that meant.
When the embrace was broken, Cloud turned to see two familiar friends approaching them.
It was the Tseng and Elena.
Elena was wearing a white baby shirt that read "His Woman" on the front and a pair of light blue bikini bottoms, and completely barefoot. Tseng was more or less fully clothed.
"Hey guys!" Elena greeted.
"Hey!" Cloud greeted back.
"It looks like you were thinking what we were thinking!" Elena said.
"What's that?" Cloud asked.
"Night date on the boardwalk," Elena clarified. "Completely forgetting that we're all parents."
"I didn't think of that," said Tifa softly.
Just then, Elena put her hands on her mouth.
"I'm so sorry," she apologized. "That was rude of me. I can't even imagine how agonizing it must have been without your daughter for fourteen years."
"It's okay," Tifa assured her. "Sometimes it was. Other times, I kept going. It was easier once I realized that she wasn't experiencing the same fourteen years without me, and that she would be waiting for me when I returned."
"You two!" interrupted a familiar voice.
Tifa peered into the distance down the boardwalk.
Behind Elena, Dirk Downing was marching toward the four of them. Behind him stood Danica and all of their children. Danica and the older children were all closing their eyes, and covering the younger children's with their hands.
Something was definitely going on.
After Elena had turned around to face the Downings, Cloud and Tifa quickly saw the cause of what had gotten their attention; Elena's bottoms turned out to be a thong that practically showed the totality of her butt. Although they were on the prude side, thongs were uncommon but tolerated.
"What's wrong with a full bottom?" Dirk Downing demanded. "Let alone more modest swimwear!"
"My husband thinks I look good in a thong," Elena replied as she rested her elbow on Tseng's shoulder. "And so do I. You're lucky I'm wearing anything at all."
"What are you guys doing down here, anyway?" Cloud inquired. "This is not exactly the resort that would suit you."
"We came here to protest Cid and Shera's wedding," Dirk honestly replied. "But at least the new Mrs. Fair is settling into her proper role as a family wife."
Elena sighed.
"She said she's giving up 'the life,'" she clarified. "She didn't say she's becoming a homemaker. Maybe she'll become a writer or start her own business."
"Time will tell," Dirk said. "Time will tell."
"But don't worry about us," Elena said as she turned to face Tseng, giving the Downings a view of the back of her thong again in the process. "Tseng and I have a very good marriage."
With that, she kissed her husband. She then continued to stand with her back turned toward the Downings. She rubbed her butt with both of her hands.
"Stop that!" Dirk demanded. "Aren't you a mother?"
"I am a mother," Elena replied, without turning around. "I'm also a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend. I don't let who I am decide what I wear."
Tifa grinned. She had heard that quote or something similar before, and not from Elena.
Meanwhile, all of the Downings were silent.
There was no arguing with Elena, so they quit.
TSENG AND ELENA
Half an hour later, Tseng and Elena entered their bedroom of their suite.
Elena, still in her "His Woman" shirt and thong, shut the door behind her and locked it.
"Well," she said with a smile, "we're here."
Tseng nodded back. It had been a long day.
"Listen," she began, "I know it was kind of a gray area going to Shera's bachelorette party."
"Don't worry about that," Tseng assured her. "Shera was always a strange one, and not in a good way, as we found out the hard way. But I swear I wasn't uncomfortable."
"Still," Elena said, "I won't feel right unless I make it up to you."
Then, before Tseng could say anything else, she wrapped her arms around him and lovingly pressed her lips against his.
"I'm yours tonight," Elena announced. "Whatever you want, you'll get. Dominate me. It's only fair."
Tseng shook his head.
"You don't have to do that," he assured her.
"I want it," she assured him. "Trust me."
Elena then loving stroked Tseng's hair.
"Kiss me," she commanded.
Tseng kissed her, with Elena pressing her tongue against his and running her hands all over his back.
"So when's your thong coming off?" Tseng whispered.
"It'll come off when you take it off," she whispered.
Smiling, Tseng ran his hands down to Elena's thong and gently pulled it down, with Elena elegantly stepping out of it as she continued to kiss her husband.
He then ran both of his hands over Elena's butt, immediately giving her goosebumps in the respective place.
"How does that feel?"
"Really good," Elena purred.
And they kissed again, with their tongues pressing even harder than before.
"I love how your lips feel on mine," Elena whispered as she passionately kissed Tseng once again.
"Where else do you want me to kiss you later?" Tseng whispered back.
"Everywhere," Elena whispered as she placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him more.
"Everywhere?" Tseng inquired.
"Everywhere," Elena confirmed before kissing him after every word she said. "My lips. My neck. My legs. My thighs. My butt."
"You butt?" Tseng asked in between kisses.
"My butt," Elena repeated. "That would be so incredibly sexy."
In response, Tseng took his left hand and ran it over Elena's bare butt.
"Oh, that feels so good," Elena purred. "Do that again!"
Tseng ran his hand over her butt again. He then wrapped both of his hands around her waist.
The kissing continued, with their tongues wrestling, and their hands all over each other's upper halves.
"This feels so amazing!" Elena whimpered. "I never want to stop!"
The kissed more passionately as they both ran their hands over each other's backs through their shirts.
MEANWHILE…
On the beach, a wave began to rise. It grew to thirty feet. Then fifty. Then seventy.
The shoreline began to recede.
And then, the wave crashed powerfully onto the beach, washing away everything in its path.
MEANWHILE…
Elena gasped for breath she squeezed her husband's shoulders and struggled ti retain her balance.
Her exposed lower half was covered in sweat, and her shirt was sticking to her upper half.
"Oh my God!" an out-of-breath but very satisfied Elena exclaimed as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. "That can happen from just kissing?!"
"It appears so," Tseng replied.
Elena buried her head in Tseng's chest.
"I love you," she whimpered.
"I love you, too," he replied.
"Okay," Elena announced as she raised her head. "I'm ready."
She moved Tseng's hands down to her bare butt.
Tseng gave his wife a perplexed look.
"But you just..." he began.
"Yeah, but I'm a girl," she replied before kissing him again.
VINCENT AND LUCRECIA
Vincent and Lucrecia silently walked down the hall of their hotel room.
Lucrecia had been quiet the entire time, ever since she arrived. She was even mosty laying on her towel during the infamous bachelorette party; she blamed the whole thing on a bout of nausea she had been dealing with.
As soon as they were in their room, Lucrecia quickly shut and locked the door. She then turned to her boyfriend.
"We need to talk," she began, in a very serious tone of voice.
"About what?" Vincent asked.
In response, she slipped out of her dress, leaving herself naked as she had been at the bachelorette party. She then began to undress her love.
"What's going on?" he inquired.
"I want to be naked and holding you when I tell you this," Lucrecia began.
Soon, they were both naked, with Lucrecia's arms around Vincent's neck, and Vincent's arms around Lucrecia's waist.
"Vincent, listen," she began as she continued to hold him in the dark, "it's no secret that I'm madly in love with you."
"I'm madly in love with you," he echoed.
Lucrecia stroked his hair, and looked at him sincerely; it was now time to tell him.
"I want to talk about getting married," she announced.
Vincent gasped.
"Married?" he asked.
As she had resisted the idea for years, his skepticism was more than warranted.
"I know I was a reluctant for a long time," Lucrecia continued, "but I thought about everything. Yuffie's cousin was right. We don't know what the future holds. Why waste the opportunity?"
This was almost too good to be true.
His eyes immediately became wet with tears of happiness.
I want to say yes, Vincent thought to himself. I sorely want to say yes. More than anything else in the world.
But….
"Lucrecia," he began, but did not finish.
Instead, he suddenly broke the embrace and walked over to the window, staring outside.
Lucrecia kept her eyes on her naked boyfriend.
Something's wrong, she realized. I couldn't have made him uncomfortable. He wanted to get married long before I did. Could something have changed?
Lucrecia sat down on the sofa as she continued to watch Vincent stand naked at the window with his back turned to her.
Maybe I should be honest, she thought as she placed her hands on her bare knees. Maybe I should tell him the truth.
"Pregnant," she mouthed. "I'm pregnant."
Of course, Vincent did not hear her.
He had too much on his mind.
I would love nothing more than to marry her, he thought.
He then heard a sniffle, suggesting Lucrecia was moments away from beginning to cry.
No need to spoil the moment, Vincent realized. I'll deal with that problem tomorrow morning.
"I'd like to talk about that, too," he said.
With that, he made his way back to the sofa, and sat next to Lucrecia.
"Oh, Vincent!" Lucrecia said as she wrapped her arms around him from the side.
Vincent gently rubbed her upper thigh.
Tonight's not the night to hurt her, he realized.
