Guilt’s Cost: Part LXX

Wedding Day

Vincent awoke in the morning finding that Tifa was gone. She left a note on the dresser saying that she had to go take care of some last minute arrangements and that Reno would be by to get him.

He sighed and dropped the letter back onto the dresser. Why of all the people in this base she felt the need to send Reno for him he did not know. He dressed in the same outfit that Reno had gotten him for earlier. After brushing his hair he looked around for something to tie it back with. The scarf that he had last remembered tying to his gun was missing and he searched the room for it. Tifa’s pack was sitting open in the corner and the color red caught his eye. He went over and reached into the bag, pulling out the crimson strip of fabric. Vincent couldn’t help but smile to himself as he realized that she had taken it when he had gone into stasis.

"You are a sentimental creature aren’t you?" Vincent sighed as he secured it around his head.

A knock came at the door and Reno let himself in. "Hey Vinny."

"Reno." Vincent replied, not showing much excitement in his voice. "What’s the plan?"

"We got to go up to town and hit the tux shop. I need to pick up mine and we’ll get one for you at the same time. I figure if we leave now that we’ll be able to get to the place early enough that we can say howdy to our guests." Reno picked up Tifa’s note from the dresser and began to read it.

Vincent snatched to note from his hand. "Where is this thing happening? Please tell me it’s not in a church."

"No way." Reno smiled to himself. "I got us a nice little place being loaned to us by one of those old men’s groups. And there will be a Justice of the Peace doing the honors. I wasn’t about to have some big old religious wedding, no way."

"Good." Vincent was relived and it showed.

Reno cocked an eyebrow. "I’m sure I could find some one of your Buddhist persuasion if ya’ wanted."

"No, the judge will be just fine." He knew that Reno was just trying to get a reaction from him and Vincent wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

"All right then, let’s go." Reno opened the door and stepped out.

As they walked, Vincent thought of some questions. "How is this going to work?"

Reno rolled his eyes, wishing that Tifa would have let Vincent in on this earlier so they could have come to the rehearsal the night before. "It goes down like this. I’m standing up there with the Justice, and you will be walking Angel down the aisle so you can give her away to me, or some such stupid thing. Then you just stand over to the side, and Tifa comes on down the aisle with whoever in the Hell she has giving her away. Once both happy couples are up there, you, me, Tifa, and my baby, then the Justice gets to marrying us all. Me and Angel do our schpeal, and then it’s Tifa and your turn. After that, we get drunk. Got it?"

Vincent nodded. This was all just a little too sudden for him, but he would manage. If wearing the tux didn’t kill him, he would make it through the rest just fine. He worried in silence that Tifa would change her mind.

Reno and Vincent got to the tux shop just as it opened. Vincent had to subject himself to the humiliation of being fitted and stood rigid while the tailor sized him up. Reno and him were both taken to fitting rooms and given their outfits to try on. Vincent donned his quickly and once convinced that it fit took it off again hurriedly.

Afterward, they made their way to the wedding hall and went inside. There was a room in the back where all the men involved were gathered getting ready. Vincent was surprised at the number of people milling around.

"How many people did you manage to invite in just a few days?" Vincent asked.

Reno shrugged. "Well Hell, I don’t know. Just everyone that I could think of that might like to see the four of us do this thing."

"Like who?" He narrowed his eyes.

Reno thought for a moment. "Cid, Shera, Barrett, Nanaki, Elmyra, all of Angel’s girlfriends, Tseng got some of your relatives from Wutai to show up and they brought Yuffie, and just a bunch of other people."

Vincent was impressed. "Oh…"

"Come on, go get dressed." Reno pushed Vincent away from him.

Vincent made his way through the dressing room spotting Cid and Jaras standing together in a corner. "Cid."

The pilot turned to face Vincent. He was chewing on about three pieces of nicotine gum. "Sue, how the Hell are you."

Vincent cringed at Cid’s new pet name for him. "Fine, a little surprised, but fine."

Cid patted him on the back. "Aw hell, if I could make it through one of these things, then you can too."

Vincent scoffed. "I have a feeling that you didn’t get married in front of a bunch of different people."

"Damned right I didn’t." Cid smiled. "Shera dragged me down to the courthouse. It was short and sweet."

Jaras just stood listening to them, expressionless. Vincent noticed the tension coming from his son and stepped closer. "Are you all right?"

Jaras flashed a weak smile. "Yes, it’s just that there are going to be a lot of people here today that are going to flip out when they see me." And I’m not real thrilled about watching the woman I’ve fallen in love with marry another man, even if it is you, father.

Vincent nodded shallowly; feeling something was not being said. "Yeah, but I’m certain that once they hear the story, they won’t care."

Cid sighed. "I’ve got to go put on my stupid monkey suit, so I’ll be back."

Vincent furrowed his brow. "Why do you have to wear one?"

"Cause Tifa asked me to walk her down the aisle to you. I get to play substitute dad. Aren’t I fuckin’ lucky?" Cid said, picking up his tux from where it was thrown over the back of a chair.

Vincent raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I didn’t know."

Vincent found one of the bathrooms attached to the dressing room and locked himself inside. He quickly put on his tux and leaned over the sink to examine himself in the mirror. He untied the red strip of fabric from around his head and tossed it onto the pile with his other clothes. There was a comb laying on the counter and he picked it up and ran it through his hair. Vincent studied himself in the mirror a while longer, regretting the fact that he hadn’t gotten his hair cut since coming out of stasis, but he didn’t think there would be time for that now. Besides, having short hair again would just remind him of his Turk days, and he didn’t need that.

He emerged and tossed his clothes into a corner. Cid too had come back dressed for the occasion. If Vincent thought he looked awkward in a tux, then Cid wearing one was downright unnatural. Cid seemed about ready to crawl out of his skin. Although he had attempted to comb his hair after discarding his flying goggles, it somehow didn’t seem to have done much good. Also, Cid had gotten shaved that morning, but already it looked as though he could do it again. Vincent and Cid stood staring at one another, each wearing smiles of amusement.

Reno came up to them after a while also having dressed. Despite the fact that Reno had actually put some effort into his appearance for once, the fact that he was sickly thin caused the tux to hang on his frame in such a way as to make him look shabby. At least his hair was combed and orderly for the first time in his life. "Hey Vinny. Want to go check on the girlie birds with me?"

Vincent narrowed his eyes. "I thought we weren’t supposed to do that?"

"You ain’t superstitious now, are you?" Reno nudged him.

"No." He replied flatly.

"Then come on." Reno tugged on the sleeve of Vincent’s tux.

Cid and Jaras looked on as Reno took Vincent away. Cid couldn’t help but laugh. "Who would have thought those two would ever be acting civil?"

Somehow the thought that he was standing with Sephiroth didn’t seem nearly as odd.

Reno led Vincent down a narrow hallway. There were two doors at the end of it and Reno pointed to the one on the right. "Yours is in there."

Vincent remained where he was as Reno disappeared through the other door. After a few moments, Vincent cracked open the door and peeked inside.

Tifa sat in front of a vanity with her head in her arms. She was wearing a wedding dress with its long train flared out behind her. Vincent’s heart sank as he realized that she was crying, and completely oblivious to the fact that he was there. He caught his breath and stepped back, closing the door again. He put his back against the wall and slid down to the floor. Vincent hung his head, feeling his heart wrenched within his chest. Tifa was having second thoughts, and it killed him.

Reno emerged from Angel’s room a little bit later and he almost tripped over Vincent. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Vincent looked up at him with his red eyes. "Tifa… I don’t think she’s going to go through with this."

Reno took a deep breath. "The Hell she isn’t."

Vincent failed to grab Reno before he turned and disappeared into Tifa’s room.

Reno found Tifa exactly as Vincent had seen her, sitting before the mirror crying. He pulled a stray chair from the corner of the room and turned it backwards next to her before straddling it and sitting. "Tifa?"

It took her several minutes to gather herself enough to look up at him. "Hi Reno."

"What’s going on?" Reno reached out and picked up her hand.

Tifa looked down to where their hands met and stared. It wasn’t Reno trying to get in a cheap feel; it was the grasp of a concerned friend. She knew that he was here to help. "I… I feel so guilty…"

Reno cocked his head. "And why the Hell is that?"

"Because…" Tifa picked up a tissue from the vanity and wiped her eyes. "Cloud…"

"Oh come on, Tifa!" Reno smiled briefly. "You said yourself a thousand times that he didn’t love you, so what’s the problem?"

"But he’s still alive and I ended our marriage without even getting the chance to talk with him one last time. If I hadn’t run out of the house after I thought he killed himself so quickly to go with Vincent…" She broke down again.

"Come on, little lady!" Reno scooted his chair closer. "You gave him how many years of you life? And he repays you by never acknowledging your presence? How many chances does that bastard deserve?"

"But I just ran away…" Tifa looked into Reno’s eyes, searching for any comfort there.

"And he deserved that." Reno brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Do you still love him?"

"No." Tifa shook her head slightly. "I just feel guilty."

"Tifa, Cloud has no one to blame for where he is or how he got there but himself." Reno reached out with his free hand and brushed back some of her hair from her face. "We can get him from that lab tomorrow, but you don’t honestly think that he’s suddenly going to want to make a go of that sham marriage you had with him, do you?"

She just shook her head again.

"So do you think it’s fair to beat yourself up with guilt after all you already went through for him?" He asked.

"I… I guess not, but…" Tifa dropped her gaze to the floor.

"Then but nothing." Reno furrowed his brow. "Cloud tried to kill himself because he was with you instead of Aeris. That sucks, I know, but it isn’t your fault and you did everything in your power to try and make him forget. Now there’s another man out there who will kill himself if you don’t marry him. Which of those two bastards do you think you deserve to be with?"

Tifa was taken aback by his words. To hear such a statement come from Reno was deeply moving. "Vincent loves me so much…"

"Yes, I never thought the creepy son of a bitch could be so lovey for someone, but he is. And for whatever reason, you seem to be pretty fond of him too." Reno kissed her hand again.

Fresh tears came to her eyes. "I do love him. But it’s different than with Cloud…"

"Let me tell you a little something I’ve actually learned over the years." Reno slouched down into his seat. "Every time you love someone it’s different. I never said anything about this to anyone, but I loved Elena more than anything in the world. To tell you the truth, she was the first girl I ever felt that way for, and after Shin Ra killed her, it felt like my heart was ripped out. I couldn’t eat or sleep for months, it was the worst thing that ever happened in my life. I swore that I would never allow myself to feel that way for someone else; not wishing to be hurt again. But then after I met Angel… God damned, I couldn’t help it, I fell in love with her. I tried not to, but there was nothing I could do. It would seem that one’s heart and brain don’t talk to each other so well. And although I can say that I love Angel with every fiber of my being, I don’t feel the same way I did for Elena. And if God forbid something ever happened to Angel and I started to have feelings for another woman, I know I would feel different again."

Tifa stared into his eyes, seeing the tears that begged release.

"But enough about me. Like I said, your heart and brain have nothing to do with one another, so tell me Tifa, what does your heart say to do? If it says wait to see Cloud before committing yourself to Vincent, then do that. Vinny’s a big boy, he’ll wait for you, but if your heart says screw Cloud and marry Marilyn Manson, then do that instead." Reno let her hand go. "So which is it? Cloud or Vinny?"

Tifa smiled. "Vinny."

"Then marry him." Reno stood up from his chair.

Tifa also stood and put her arms around him. "Thank you, Reno."

He returned her embrace. "Think nothing of it. Now get your sloppy self cleaned up so we can get this show on the road, all right?"

She stepped back, still smiling. "Yes, Sir."

"Okay, see you in a bit." Reno turned and left the room.

Vincent was still in the same place Reno had left him. He looked up with sad eyes. "She doesn’t want to do it, does she?"

Reno smirked. "You’re a fucking pessimist, you know that?"

Vincent blinked up at him. "Yeah, so?"

"So she, for whatever reason, is going through with it, so get your ass up." Reno extended his hand.

Vincent took it and stood. "Really?"

"Yes really." Reno stared to walk away. "Come on you sorry son of a bitch, we got a wedding to go to."

Reno took Vincent back down the hall to where all the guests were now being seated. Barrett and Nanaki saw Vincent standing with Reno and left their seats and came over.

Barret’s face brightened upon seeing Vincent. "Hey man, how’s it goin’?"

Vincent smiled back. "Fine, I’m glad to see you’re here."

Nanaki sat and flicked his tail. "Cid called us after talking to Reno and told us that he was picking us up for this. We had no idea about Cloud and Tifa splitting up, or that you and Tifa were now together. It seems odd."

"Tell me about it." Vincent scoffed.

Reno laughed. "Vinny getting married is funny."

Nanaki narrowed his amber eyes. "You’re one to talk. I never figured that you would crawl back into our lives. But Cid filled us in on all that has happened during the trip over and we…understand."

Barrett tossed his head. "An’ what’s this bout Sephiroth being here?"

Vincent nodded. "He is here. Certainly Cid told you about what happened to him as well?"

"Yeah, but I want to see the fool for myself." Barrett rattled his gun arm at his side. "Make sure he don’t try somethin’ stupid."

Nanaki purred in agreement. "Yes, it will be hard to think of him in terms other than an enemy."

Vincent raised his eyebrows. "He is a much different person now."

"Cid told us he’s your boy. How come you didn’t ever say nothin’ bout that?" Barrett asked.

Vincent shrugged. The fact that he could discuss this freely was still new to him. "If he was your kid would you have said anything?"

"He has a point." The lion purred. "If one of my cubs tried to destroy the world I would not be quick to claim him."

Vincent’s eyes grew wide. "Cubs? I thought you were the last of your kind?"

Nanaki grinned widely. "Apparently we were wrong. She is back home in Cosmo Canyon, expecting our litter any day."

"Congratulations." Vincent patted the cat on the head.

"Thank you." Nanaki was proud of his wife and his soon to be children. "And congratulations to you on your daughter and newly rediscovered son. Tell me, will you and Tifa be having any kittens, I mean, children of your own?"

The vision of the demon child tearing its way from Tifa’s body flashed through his mind, and he shook his head. "I no longer can have children."

"Damn foo’ Hojo done messed with that too?" Barrett asked, growing angry.

Vincent dropped his gaze. "Yes."

Barrett sighed. "That’s too bad. Man, I don’t know what I would do without my Marlene… I guess she ain’t really mine, but still."

Vincent looked back up. "How is she by the way?"

"Real good." He smiled with pride. "Eleven years ol’ now. We moved to Cosmo Canyon with Nanaki and his wife. Marlene stayed behind to help Santicia."

"Santicia being your wife?" Vincent asked Nanaki.

"Correct." His amber eyes shone with pride. "You will come meet her some time, I hope?"

Vincent smiled and nodded. He knew that Tifa would love such a trip. "We most certainly will."

Jaras, now also dressed up came to them. "We are ready to start."

Barrett and Nanaki stared at him agog.

Jaras saw their expressions and looked at Vincent. "Are they who I think they are?"

"Yes." Vincent said. "Barrett, Nanaki, this is Jaras."

Barrett extended his hand. It was trembling slightly. "Nice to meet you."

Jaras accepted the handshake, forcing himself to smile. "I beg your forgiveness for my past actions, even though I do not remember anything."

Nanaki flicked his tail. "We will not hold anything against you. Those times are past."

"Thank you." Jaras nodded. "But again, they are ready to start, so if you will take your seats."

Barrett and Nanaki retreated back to where they had been before. Reno turned to Vincent. "Okay, go over by the door and wait for Angel. I’ve got to go up there and stand with the judge."

Vincent silently agreed and made his way to the entrance. He spotted Tseng sitting near the front of the room in a wheel chair with Dr. Arlin at his side. He was happy that his brother could make it.

Jaras came back next to him, with one of Angel’s female friends at his side in a bride’s maid’s dress. Some recorded music began to play and Jaras took the girl’s arm and headed up to where Reno was standing with the judge. He and the girl made their way to stand on either side of the Justice.

Vincent felt someone touch his arm and he looked to see Angel at his side. Her dress was similar to Tifa’s, and her long hair had been pulled up. She was absolutely beautiful. "Hi."

She smiled. "Are you ready?"

He looked at her, admiring how calm she seemed to be. "I think so."

The music playing changed, signaling that it was time for him to lead her out. As he made his way down the aisle all those in attendance rose. He scanned the crowd as they passed spotting Yuffie, Shera, and several Wutains smiling back at him. When he got Angel to Reno’s side, the judge spoke.

The Justice was an impressive man, and he stood before them in a black suit. "Who gives this woman to be married to Reno Sparks?"

Vincent almost laughed. Angel’s last name is going to be Sparks? What sort of stupid name is that? Reno Sparks? Aren’t those both towns in Nevada? What were his parents thinking?

Angel was worried by Vincent’s failure to answer and she nudged him.

Vincent snapped back to the present and cleared his throat. "I, her f… father do."

Angel kissed Vincent’s cheek before turning to face Reno. Then the music started again and Tifa emerged, clinging to Cid’s arm. Cid brought her up to Vincent’s side perhaps a little faster than he should have, but he hated being in front of crowds and wanted to get this over with.

The judge faced Tifa and Cid. "Who gives this woman to be married to Vincent Valentine?"

Cid regretted having tossed another piece of gum into his mouth before coming out here and he swallowed it hastily. "I, her friend do."

Tifa hugged Cid briefly before coming and taking Vincent’s cybernetic hand in hers. Cid quickly went over and sat next to his wife.

Vincent heard nothing as the judge began to address them, as he became lost in his own thoughts. He couldn’t believe that Tifa had agreed to go through with this after all that had happened. He gave little notice to Reno and Angel exchanging vows, and when the judge turned to him and Tifa, he was startled out of his reverie.

"Do you, Vincent Valentine take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The Justice asked simply; the ceremony having been made short and too the point per Reno’s request.

"Yeah… I do." He felt his heart racing within him as though it would burst.

A quiet snicker ran through the crowd at the tone of his reply.

The judge turned to Tifa, and asked the same.

"I do." She said without any hesitation.

Jaras reached out and handed Tifa and Vincent their respective rings.

"Place the ring onto Tifa’s left hand and repeat after me." The judge ordered. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Vincent slipped the ring onto her slender finger. "With this ring… I thee wed."

The judge nodded and turned to Tifa. "Place the ring onto…" his eyes went wide as he noticed the state of Vincent’s left hand.

Tifa looked at the judge and whispered. "Just say right hand."

He nodded and continued. "Place the ring onto his right hand and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

Tifa smiled and slid the ring onto him. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"If anyone here has reason to see these two not joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." The judge scanned the room.

The only sound was that of Jaras catching his breath. Tifa glanced at him noticing that his eyes were dimmed with tears. Her heart went out to Jaras, but she turned immediately back to Vincent. Nothing and no one would keep her from this.

"Then with the power vested in me, I pronounce both couples man and wife. You may kiss your brides." The judge closed the small black book he held in his hands.

Vincent turned to Tifa and looked into her eyes, finding them filled with tears of happiness. He closed his eyes and felt his lips meet hers. She parted hers, welcoming him in. Vincent’s arms closed tightly around her and he lifted her from the floor. And once more, Chaos’s evidence upon his body ceded just a little more back to Vincent.

When he finally put her down and opened his eyes, they turned to see Reno still making out with Angel. They didn’t finally separate until the recessional music started to play. Angel and Reno walked away together first, and then Tifa and Vincent followed.