INT. COFFEE HOUSE-- MORNING

(Cloud and Vincent are sitting together, sipping espressos.)

CLOUD: So what do you think, Vince?

VINCENT: I don't know... Are you ready for it? Do you think she's ready for it?

CLOUD: (Putting down his cup.) I don't know! But all I know is I'm crazy about her, and I just want to spend the rest of my life with her.

VINCENT: Well, for Aeris that sounds great, but as for Yuffie... Hoo boy... Listening to her snoring every night, and her whining every morning...

CLOUD: (Laughing.) Well, Aeris isn't like that... She's the sweetest girl on the planet.

VINCENT: (Smiling at Cloud.) Well, if you go ahead with it... I'm really proud and happy for you.

CLOUD: (Finishing his coffee.) Thanks, man...

VINCENT: So how are you planning to pop the question?

CLOUD: No idea.

VINCENT: Gonna go for the traditional 'get down on one knee and propose'? Or something more surprising and unusual?

CLOUD: Well, I want it to be the most romantic proposal possible...

VINCENT: Hmm, that will be tough.

CLOUD: I'll need to think about it.

VINCENT: (Snapping his fingers.) I know, how about you have one of those sky writing planes write out: "WILL YOU MARRY ME, AERIS GAINSBOROUGH?"

CLOUD: That would be great!! But expensive... About 25,000 GIL?

CLOUD AND VINCENT: Ouch.

VINCENT: Well... How about an announcement in the paper?

CLOUD: No, no, I want to be able to say it myself...

VINCENT: Well, how about you... Uh... Well, it would so great to do it in front of all of us, and surprise Yuffie and Tifa!

CLOUD: They'd be so shocked... Well, let me think... I could take us all on a hot air balloon ride...

VINCENT: (Sarcastic.) Yeah! And you can propose while Yuffie is throwing up!

CLOUD: Ok, then no...

VINCENT: How about you buy three small bouquets, and one huge one... Yuffie, Tifa and I can give the small bouquets to Aeris and tell her congratulations throughout the day, and she'll have no idea what we're talking about... Then at nightime, we're all at her house as usual, and you hand her the huge bouquet... And then you give her the diamond ring and propose...

CLOUD: No, because then we'd have to let Yuffie and Tifa in on it, and I want them to be surprised, too.

VINCENT: Ok... You jump out of a giant cake...

CLOUD: No way.

VINCENT: Well, then you put *Aeris* in a giant cake...

CLOUD: NO CAKES.

VINCENT: Well... How about you just invite us all to a friendly get together at our place... Have champagne, candles, soft music, everything... And then, get Aeris to stand up, then get down on your knee...

CLOUD: Yes, and then I can hand her a single red rose... Tell her just how wonderful and extraordinary I think she is... Then I take out the ring, and ask her to marry me!

VINCENT: Yes, but that's not all... If you want, I'll loan you some money so you can get a blimp in the sky to spell out "Cloud loves Aeris"...

CLOUD: Ok, that sounds great! Thanks, man... (They give each other a high five.)

INT. CLOUD AND VINCENT'S APARTMENT LIVING ROOM-- EVENING

(The place is lit with candles. Cloud and Vincent are standing nervously next to the door... Cloud is extremely nervous. Vincent is reassuring him.)

CLOUD: I don't know, is it too soon? What will she say? What if she turns me down? Oh, Vincent, what am I doing?

VINCENT: She's going to say yes! She loves you, Cloud...

CLOUD: Maybe I'm going too fast... Maybe I'd better just call the whole thing off... No, I can't! I love her... And I... I think I'm doing the right thing... Or not... (Putting his face in his hands.) What am I doing!?

(The doorbell rings.)

CLOUD: DON'T ANSWER IT!

YUFFIE (OUTSIDE): Why not? It's only us!

VINCENT: (Going to answer the door. Whispering.) It's going to go great. (Out loud.) I'm coming! (He opens the door. It's Aeris, Tifa and Yuffie.)

AERIS: Hey, how's it going! (She walks up to Cloud, and kisses him. He's a little stiff.) You ok, sweetie?

CLOUD: (Shakily.) Fine. Let's go eat?

TIFA: (Shrugging.) Sure.

VINCENT: Sit down... Just at the couch.

YUFFIE: Uh... Ok... (They enter. They see the candles.) Wow! What's with the candles? (She sits down, and Aeris and Tifa follow.)

CLOUD: Uh, just nice lighting... Vincent and I will go and get the appetizers... We'll be right back. (Practically drags Vincent into the kitchen.)

YUFFIE: So, Aeris, Tifa, what do you think of all this?

TIFA: Think of what?

YUFFIE: The candles... The music... The fancy food... They're planning something...

AERIS: Something like what?

YUFFIE: Like... Maybe... (Gets excited.) Maybe Vincent's going to propose!

TIFA AND AERIS: (Surprised.) No way!

YUFFIE: Well, he has been dropping all kinds of hints and stuff..

TIFA: Oh god, you're so lucky! Like what?

YUFFIE: Like, he said that when he has kids, he's going to name one of them Valerie... And he also said that he wanted to buy a new tuxedo, his old one was getting worn out...

AERIS: (Pauses.) Wow! You are so lucky!

TIFA: (Skeptical.) Are you sure those are hints? Maybe just comments, maybe he was making conversation...

YUFFIE: No, this has got to be it! Well, I've got to think of what to say.

AERIS: Say yes! Say yes!

YUFFIE: Well, yes, but I've got to say it with style! Something like: (High-class accent.) "My dearest Vincent Valentine! I agree to take your hand in holy matrimony, and..." (She stops when Vincent and Cloud come out of the kitchen, carrying trays full of crackers, cheese and caviar.)

CLOUD: (Much calmer.) Ok, these are appetizers... We've got first class caviar, even!

YUFFIE: Oh, Vincent, I love caviar! (Meaningfully.) Is there some kind of special occasion?

CLOUD: (Quickly.) No! (Calmer.) Can't we just serve our dearest friends some caviar? Here, let me get you some, Aeris, sweetie... (He tries to spread some on a cracker, but it snaps in half. He grins nervously, and prepares her another one, correctly this time.) Here you go, honey. (He hands it to her.)

AERIS: Thanks, Cloud. You guys really went to a lot of trouble, didn't you? (Grins at Yuffie.)

CLOUD: Well, we wanted it to be special for you guys...

YUFFIE: (Meaningfully.) Isn't that right, Vincent??

VINCENT: Sure is, Yuff.

(The group eat in silence for a while.)

TIFA: Hmmm, this is *good*!!

AERIS: Yeah, it really is!

CLOUD: Let's get the drinks, Vincent?

VINCENT: Sure, why not? (Stands up, and him and Cloud walk out. The girls keep on eating.)

YUFFIE: Caviar?? Why would Vincent go through all this trouble??

AERIS: He is definetely going to propose!

TIFA: Yeah, maybe!

YUFFIE: (High-class accent.) "My dearest Vincent! I would love to take your hand and stroll through the merry, cherry forests of marriage!" (Normal voice.) How's that?

(Aeris and Tifa shake their heads, as Cloud and Vincent walk through the door with two bottles of champagne and five wine glasses.)

AERIS: (Gasping.) Champagne? Great! (Cloud sits next to her, and hands her a glass.)

CLOUD: (Smiling nervously at her.) Let me serve you, love. (He pours champagne into the glass, while Vincent serves Yuffie and Tifa.)

YUFFIE: This is great, Vinnie! (Smiles at him.) How did you know I loved champagne?

VINCENT: (Shrugging, and sipping.) Doesn't everyone?

CLOUD: (Puts the champagne down, and walks over to the stereo, where he turns up the volume.) Aeris, my sweetheart, would you like to dance?

AERIS: (Smiling.) I'd love to. (She puts her drink down, and gets up to start dancing with him.)

CLOUD: I love you, Aeris.

AERIS: (Kissing him lightly on the lips.) I love you, too, Cloud.

YUFFIE: (Pulling Vincent up.) Let's dance, Vincent!

VINCENT: (Shrugging.) Uh, alright.

(Tifa watches, grinning, as the couples dance for awhile. When Vincent and Cloud turn their backs, Tifa gives Yuffie the thumbs up sign. And while they're dancing, Cloud takes a red rose from a nearby vase, then nervously looks at Vincent, who gives HIM the thumbs up sign. Cloud kisses Aeris, then he stops dancing.)

CLOUD: (Handing the rose to Aeris. Stuttering.) Aeris... I love you, and you are everything to me. I can't think of waking up tomorrow without your beautiful face in my life, I can't think of living without hearing your voice... I might as well be deaf... And I can't even imagine life without your sweet kisses... (Aeris realizes what's happening, and she puts her hand up to her lips and gasps, as Cloud takes out the small velvet box.) Aeris Gainsborough... (He opens up the box, to reveal a heart shaped diamond ring.) Will you marry me?

(The audience, who I had personally bribed not to applaud and cheer, start applauding at cheering. I'll have have to change this studio to a CLOSED studio. Anyway...)

(Tifa drops her champagne glass, and Yuffie gasps, almost angrily. Vincent smiles at Cloud. Aeris looks like she is about to faint. She has tears in her eyes.)

AERIS: (Teary voice.) I'd love... I would love to marry you, Cloud Strife!

CLOUD: Oh, Aeris... (They run at each other, and kiss passionately.)

YUFFIE: (Turning to Vincent.) Well, Vincent, don't you have anything that you'd like to say to me??

VINCENT: Uh... I love you, Yuff. (Vincent stops speaking, but Yuffie expects more. She waits, and when he doesn't say anything...)

YUFFIE: (Furious.) YOU'RE IMPOSSIBLE! (Throwing champagne in his face.) WHY CAN'T YOU BE LIKE CLOUD!?

(Cloud and Aeris stop kissing, and turn to Yuffie. Tifa is shocked, and puts her hand up to her mouth.)

VINCENT: (Shocked.) Yuffie...

YUFFIE: (Yelling furiously.) WE'VE BEEN DATING LONGER THAN CLOUD AND AERIS!! WHY HAVEN'T YOU PROPOSED TO ME!?

VINCENT: (Wiping his face.) I... I...

TIFA: (Trying to be calm.) Yuffie... Don't ruin Cloud and Aeris' special day...

AERIS: (Turning to Cloud.) Nobody could ruin this day... Not even if somebody murdered all three of you.

TIFA: (Sarcastic.) Gee, thanks...

CLOUD: (His watch starts beeping.) Aeris! Look out the window right now!

YUFFIE: (Surprised for a second.) Wha..? (Pulls open the curtain, to reveal a blimp with the writing: "Cloud loves Aeris". Now, furious, but quiet.) This is the last straw...

AERIS: (Excited.) Oh, Cloud, Cloud, CLOUD! (She jumps at him, and starts covering his face in kisses.)

VINCENT: Yuffie, you can't do this...

YUFFIE: (Storming out.) Just watch me!

VINCENT: (Turning to Tifa.) What did I do?

TIFA: (Biting her lip.) I think she expected *you* to propose to her.

VINCENT: (Nervous.) Do... Do you think it's over between us?

TIFA: I don't know...

VINCENT: (Chasing after Yuffie.) YUFFIE! (Runs out.)

TIFA: (Cheering up.) Well, Cloud and Aeris- CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm going to get you the BEST gift! Oh, and can I be a bridesmaid?? I would LOVE to be a bridesmaid!

AERIS: (Turning to Tifa.) Oh, Tiff, you'd have to be Maid of Honor!

CLOUD: I'd have you as Best Man, but that might be an insult, huh?

TIFA: Ooh! Maid of Honor gets to wear a gorgeous dress, right!?

AERIS: Sure, we'll get you the most gorgeous dress on the market!

TIFA: THIS IS SO GREAT! (She runs, and hugs Aeris. Then, she hugs Cloud.)

CLOUD: I guess Vincent'll be Best Man... If he's alive after what Yuffie's going to do to him...

TIFA AND AERIS: Ouch...

AERIS: (Everyone pauses for a second. Then, excited, and really high pitched.) I'M GETTING MARRIED!! (Runs, and hugs Cloud.)

INT. CLOUD AND VINCENT'S APARTMENT LOBBY-- EVENING

(Vincent enters the lobby, and looks around wildly for Yuffie, who's sitting in the corner, crying. He sees her, then walks over to her.)

VINCENT: Oh, Yuffie...

YUFFIE: (Between sobs.) Vincent, I overreacted...

VINCENT: Well... Yes, you did.

YUFFIE: I just embarrassed myself. I was so sure you were going to propose to me...

VINCENT: But that's not my fault, is it? (Sitting down next to her.)

YUFFIE: Why didn't you propose?

VINCENT: Because I'm not ready to propose to you. I'm not ready to live with you for the rest of my life. (He sighs.)

YUFFIE: See??

VINCENT: Uh... See what?

YUFFIE: We're not ready to have a serious relationship!

VINCENT: What?

YUFFIE: Our whole relationship is about sex! We never really do anything else!

VINCENT: (Looking around.) Yuffie, someone might hear you!

YUFFIE: (Calms down.) Don't be immature... I don't know, Vincent... Maybe... Maybe we should see other people...

VINCENT: (Surprised.) Other people!? (He lets the idea sink in.) Other people...

YUFFIE: Just until... Until you're ready to make a commitment.

VINCENT: Yuffie...

YUFFIE: Don't say anything else... I... I'm going home. (She stands up, and walks out. Vincent watches her, then sighs, and puts his face in his hands.)

VINCENT: Why, oh why? What did I do so wrong?

*SCENE III*

INT. THE GIRLS' APARTMENT-- EVENING

(Tifa and Aeris are looking through bridal magazines. Yuffie has gone to bed.)

TIFA: Man... Poor, poor Yuffie.

AERIS: Poor Vincent! I mean, he didn't do anything!

TIFA: Still... She cried herself to sleep.

AERIS: (Pointing at the magazine.) Here's a cool bridesmaid's dress!

TIFA: (Looks at it.) Ooh, that's gorgeous! Do they have it in green?

AERIS: It says it comes in Peach, Rose, Amethyst and Lavender.

TIFA: Ooh, Peach sounds nice...

(The girls pause.)

AERIS AND TIFA: (Jumping off their seats and hugging each other, excited.) I'M/YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!