L – Happy

Here it is.

Here I am.

Here we finally are.

I stay stock still in bed and squeeze my eyes shut. Excitement and anxiety are beginning to trickle onto my heart. I've been waiting and stressing over this day for so long, and now, it's here. When I open my eyes, the gauzy white canopy and curtains are glowing from sunlight. My eyes travel over to the corner of my room, where the mannequin stands, wearing my gown. I can't help but smile. I've worn hundreds of beautiful gowns before this, but nothing will ever be able to compare.

My bedroom door opens and Aerith, Ysabelle, and Marlene come bustling in. "Good morning, darling!" madame Ysabelle says with her usual sophisticated voice. She shashays in her silk night dress and sits beside me. Aerith and Marlene launch themselves onto the space next to me and giggle. I smile and sit up. "Good morning, ladies." I say, hugging my knees.

"How are you feeling?" Aerith asks, looking bright and gorgeous with tousled hair. Marlene looks at me, then lets her face split into a wide grin. She's been staying with me ever since summer began – when the guest list had been finalized, and it's been nothing but a blast for this kid. I owe this kid a lot. She doesn't know it, but she played an important part in this love story. I'll never be able to repay her enough.

I let out a deep sigh. "I feel.. floaty. I can't describe it, really." I must be grinning stupidly now.

"Ah," Madame Y says, reaching for my hand. "Yes, I totally understand how you feel. It's like you've got a hundred butterflies in your stomach, right?" She smiles.

I wish my parents were here too. It feels so incomplete, no matter how much I try to look past it. They're with me in spirit, I'd chide myself, but I wish they were here. My mother would probably be crying already, and my father would be trying greatly to hold back his tears. But all I can have is them in my thoughts. In my mind, they're smiling and saying, 'we're always going to be here for you, no matter what, sweetie.' The thought tugs at my heart and I feel pinpricks spread throughout the tip of my nose.

"Oh, no... why are you crying?" Aerith asks, inching closer to me, her watery eyes wide.

"She's overcome with happiness!" Marlene bursts. I almost laugh. Perhaps I am.

"Tifa, don't cry! You'll have puffy eyes." Ah, now there's the madame Ysabelle I know! She rubs my back in soothing circles. "Ah but weddings are truly emotional... hm, why don't we get some breakfast in before we start?"

So we did. In the kitchen, they've already lain out a plate of toast, bowls of oatmeal, a platter of fruit, and tea. What time did they wake up?

I nibbled on the toast and sipped some tea. I couldn't make myself eat much. My excitement was preceding my appetite. Engulfing it.

"I think I'll go shower," I said as I rose from the table.

Fwoosh.

All those tears I'd shed weren't in vain. Maybe it's true that without sadness, you will never be able to know how happiness feels like. If I hadn't been betrayed, then I would not have found loyalty and sincerity. If you don't find yourself in the dark, good for you. But if you do, move, so you'll find your way out. Genesis... well, he's a lesson. Some dream men aren't supposed to be touched, I guess. And Cloud is my reward for learning. The best possible reward. Oh gee, why am I getting all scholarly in the shower? Hmm. I don't know.

"Are you finished, Teef?"

"Just a second!" I wrap myself in a towel and shuffle out of the bathroom.

Aerith smiles at me, then gives me a good, lingering look.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I wrinkle my nose and furrow my brows. She's being weirder that usual. Cute.

My quirky brunette friend simply shakes her head. "I'm trying to get a clear picture of you hours before you end this chapter of your life."

I raise my brow. "Why are you getting all sentimental?" We laugh.

"Well," Aerith sighs. "Becoming a married woman isn't just about changing your name and having rings, you know. There are some changes you won't really realize happening." She holds my hands and squeezes them.

She moves past me a moment later, and I head back into my room, where madame Ysabelle and my Lazard have already set up shop and are waiting. Lazard is wearing a shirt. I spy his tux hanging by a closet handle. "Oh doll, I can't believe this is happening," he simpers. A simpering Lazard is an alien sight for me. I stop in my tracks to take in his tears. His shoulders are shaking and I wonder if he'll be okay to fix my hair at all right now. I'm allowed to be selfish today, right? No, not really. A bit, maybe? I smile and rush to hug him.

"Lazard," I start to say, and then I'm lost for words.

"My little girl's all grown up!" he sputters.

A minute later, he starts to compose himself and act as if he hadn't gotten emotional. It's an emotionally taxing day. I am overloaded with feelings I can't even name. I sit, and study my reflection. Mme Ysabelle asks me how I would like my make up. I turn to face her and say, "Simple."

She tuts and says she doesn't do simple, but because it's me, she'll do it. Such is the level of her fondness, I guess.

I watch them work. They're treating me like a painting, their art. And I am so honored.

After everything I've been through... it's all been worth it.

If I hadn't gotten my heart broken, I wouldn't have found Cloud.

If I hadn't stood up for myself, I would be nothing but their puppet.

If I hadn't fought for my soul, I would be empty.

If I just shut off the world, where would I be now? Would I have been really happy?

"Alright, we're done, baby," Lazard says. "Time to get in your dress." He actually claps. I laugh at that.

Mme Ysabelle designed this the moment she heard about the engagement. It's actually her gift. It's a simple peach sweetheart ballgown. The bodice has intricate bead and pearl work that Mme Ysabelle claims to have done all by herself.

I stare at myself in my gown and can't help but think that I look like a princess. A childhood dream fulfilled. They move to attach my veil. My smile was reaching my ears. The photographer is documenting this furiously. Then they hand me my bouquet of roses.

"You are magnificent," Aerith says. She has changed into her gown.

"Like the star that you are," Mme Ysabelle agrees.

Lazard plucks out a yellow daisy from the vase and sticks it at the center of my bouquet. I grin.

We pose for pictures then head downstairs.

I'm going to miss this place.

The ride to the church is a breeze, because Rufus managed to get the route cleared of traffic.

Here I am, I think, as the car enters the church yard. I'm ready for you, are you ready for me?

The sun is high up now, and the bells are ringing. Everyone enters the church while I wait inside the car for a minute longer. I swallow and take quick breaths. This is it. The chauffeur comes around and opens the door. Without a moment's hesitation, I step out. I walk slowly towards the church's heavy wooden doors and wait for them to open. A light breeze runs by. The doors open and everyone is looking. But my eyes zero in on the spiky blond waiting for me at the altar.

Hello.

I'm crossing over to a new chapter of my life now.

END

Author's Note:

That's it... after four years. It's finally finished. Wow.

Back when I first started this, I was a really crappy writer. And now... I'd like to think that I'm less crappier.

Thank you so much for reading, whoever you are. THANK YOU - to the ones who stuck with this story since they found it, to the ones who suddenly jumped ship halfway or because the updates were taking so long, to the ones who simply liked it for its Young Adultness. I feel that this fanfiction is like my own personal timeline on how I've improved so far. So I feel proud of myself.

I'm going to miss you.

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Goodbye. This was a fun ride. I hope you enjoyed this one.

P.S.

There's a link in my profile for the wedding gown.