Taking Care of Reno: Meteorfall
Epilogue
Kalm – Four Months Later
Rude snickered as, for what had to have been the hundredth time, a blur of red and black flashed by him, trailed by an increasingly frustrated, and very pregnant, Lira.
“I can’t do this… Why the hell’d you let me look out there? How the fuck can we have invited that many people? How do we even know that many people?!”
The bald Turk rolled his eyes. “Reno… there are exactly twenty three people sitting out there. The way you’re carrying on, you’d think half of Edge had showed up. Besides… aren’t you always saying how you love to be the center of attention?”
“Ugh… Will you hold still?!” Lira demanded. She set her hands on her hips, one of them still gripping the narrow strip of black fabric she’d been waving, and looked over at Rude. “Or better yet, you hold him still! How the hell am I s’posed to get this on him if I can’t even catch him?”
“I’m gonna fuck this up… I fuckin’ know it,” the redhead continued, oblivious to her pleas. He rounded on his partner, eyes wide. “I can’t fuck this up, Rude! I just can’t… It’s too important to ‘Lena…”
The door to the room opened, and Tseng stepped inside, leaning heavily on a dark mahogany cane. Though the injuries inflicted upon him during his brief confrontation with Sephiroth were largely mended, the blade had damaged a number of nerves in his back, leaving his right leg weak. Ward, however, was confident – and adamant – that in time, he’d recover fully. He paused in the doorway for a moment, watching the spectacle.
Reno suddenly froze in the middle of his frantic pacing, his face going pale as he patted his pockets.
“Where the fuck’d I put the ring?!”
“For Odin’s sake,” Rude laughed, shaking his head in amusement, “You gave it to me. Two hours ago. Remember?”
Lira took advantage of the man’s unexpected stillness and went for his neck, looping the bowtie around it, and tying it before he could take off again.
“Finally!” she cried, triumphantly. “At least now he’s dressed like he’s ready to get married…” She breathed a sigh of relief and pressed a hand to her lower back as she shuffled towards the divan in front of the window and planted herself on it, her job done. Tseng chuckled and stepped farther into the dressing room, closing the door behind him.
“I see you’re perfectly calm and collected, and behaving like a seasoned Turk under pressure,” he said, smiling warmly at his lieutenant. Rude snorted in laughter.
“It’d be hilarious if we weren’t so pressed for time,” he said, as Reno flitted past him yet again, a bundle of nervous energy. “I’ve seen him calmer facing certain death. If he doesn’t settle down soon, I’m gonna go find Ward and see if she brought any sedatives with her.”
“There is a far simpler solution, I think,” Tseng replied. He shifted his weight to his good leg, and lifted the cane, and as Reno drifted by again, used it to hook his ankle, sending him to the the ground. The Turk leader dropped to the floor as well, pinning him in place long enough to fasten a pair of handcuffs around his wrists.
“The fuck?!” the surprised groom cried, suddenly finding himself immobile. Tseng, with some effort, got to his feet again.
“You brought cuffs to a wedding?” Rude queried, an eyebrow rising behind his ever-present sunglasses.
“To Reno’s wedding? Yes. I’m also armed… just in case,” the Wutaiian said with a mischievous smile. “Would you mind?”
The other Turk smirked and obligingly bent down and picked his friend up, slinging him over his shoulder.
“Hmph… You couldn’t have done that for me ten minutes ago?” Lira asked, annoyed as she put her feet up on the little coffee table in front of her.
“Put me the hell down!” The redhead squirmed ineffectively in Rude’s grasp for a minute or two before finally conceding defeat and going limp with a quiet groan.
“Works every time,” Tseng commented. “Set him on the couch, Rude… but… leave the handcuffs on for now.”
Reno’s best man was quick to obey, ignoring the scowl on his friend’s face as he placed him at one end of the overstuffed sofa that took up most of the back wall. Tseng made his way over and sat down beside him with a soft grunt of discomfort when his leg protested. He let his hand rest between the redhead’s shoulder blades, and gently rubbed his back. Reno closed his eyes, exhaling a long breath, but the tension remained.
“What in Leviathan’s name has got you so thoroughly on edge?”
“Today’s gotta be perfect…” he replied. “… and so far it’s been perfect. Which means that’s it’s only a matter of time before somethin’ goes horribly, disastrously, unimaginably all kinds of fuckin’ wrong. This is her wedding, Tseng! ‘Lena’ll never forgive me if I fuck somethin’ up…”
“Unless plans have drastically changed in the approximately two hours it took me to retrieve Viridia in Junon, it’s your wedding, too,” Tseng pointed out.
“And Elena would forgive you for… well, for pretty much anything anyone could ever think of… but definitely for makin’ a little mistake during the ceremony,” Lira added. “So stop freakin’ out already.” She grinned widely. “Tell ya what… if things look like they’re goin’ south, I’ll pretend to go into labor.”
“My luck you’d actually go into labor,” Reno countered, at last managing a smile, “So… uh… memorable as that’d be, let’s not not do that.”
Lira giggled, and tried to get up, only to find herself stuck. “Dammit… Why’s having a kid gotta turn a girl into an upside down goddamn turtle every time she gets comfortable!?” She tried again and, failing to do much more than rock from one side to the other, glanced over at the trio. “Okay, seriously… one of you. Little help?”
Rude smirked and crossed the room, helping her to her feet.
“Thank you.” She walked over to Reno and bent down slightly, kissing him on the cheek. “If you’re finally done wearin’ holes in the carpet… I’m gonna go check on your bride now.”
She left the three men on their own and wandered down the hallway. She rounded a corner, preparing to knock on the first door she came to… only to nearly be trampled as a young woman, dressed in the same pale pink chiffon she herself was wearing, rushed out in front of her. It took her a moment to recognize her as Elena’s maid of honor. She was pretty sure she’d been introduced as Chai… but as they’d only meet a little over three hours ago, and hadn’t seen much of one another since, it was very possible she’d misheard.
“Sorry… Shoe emergency!” she shouted over her shoulder as she all but ran towards the front door of the little church. Lira blinked in surprise, but simply shook her head and pushed the door open.
“What’s a shoe emergency?” she asked, spotting the bride sitting in front of a large mirror, putting on a pair of earrings. Elena laughed and turned around to face her. She lifted her dress, revealing the shoes in question… one of which had a dark streak across the toe.
“It got a little trampled while we were unpacking. Really, I don’t know why she’s so worried about it. My dress is so long, no one’s ever going to see it.” Elena looked up at her and grinned. “Oh, Lira… you look amazing!”
“I look like a whale in a dress,” she replied, laughing softly, “But thank you. And thanks again for askin’ me to be a bridesmaid. It means a lot to me bein’ part of this… ‘specially after all the hurt I put Reno through after he… well, after Sector Seven.”
“How could I not? If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be having a wedding, because Reno and I would probably still be just friends.” She giggled and stood up, walking over to her bridesmaid. “Besides… someone has to walk down the aisle with my brother, after all. He’s really looking forward to it, you know.” she teased. “He’s still got a little bit of a crush on you…”
Lira grinned somewhat lewdly. “He’s not so bad himself. And maybe it’s just the hormones talkin’, but dear Holy, I could really use a man right about now. Think he’d ever consider movin’ to Kalm?”
“I… kind of doubt it. But you’re welcome to try and talk him into it,” she said, laughing.
Lira giggled softly. “Maybe I’ll do that…” She sat down on the dressing room’s chaise lounge, with a sigh. “Well, I’m glad to see at least one of the people gettin’ married today isn’t losin’ their damn mind.”
Elena frowned and joined her. “Is something wrong?”
“Nah… Just Reno bein’ Reno,” Lira snickered. “You know how he gets… He’s worried somethin’s gonna get fucked up and it’ll be all his fault and you’ll be pissed at him. It’s just nerves. He’ll be fine once things get started.”
“Oh… Maybe I should go talk to him…”
Lira quickly sat up… or performed some semblance of the maneuver. As much as her overly large belly would permit, at any rate.
“No! Absolutely not!” she said, “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony… and that poor boy is freaked out enough without convincin’ himself that he’s jinxed the whole thing. ‘Sides… I left him with Tseng and Rude. He’s fine. Anyway… Stand up. Let me get a good look at that dress of yours.”
Elena got to her feet and smoothed out the skirt of her dress before turning in a slow circle.
“So? What do you think?”
“Gorgeous…” Lira replied… and then giggled loudly. Elena rested her hands on her hips.
“What now?”
“Nothin’…” the other woman replied, trying to keep a straight face, “I was just thinkin’… after dating Reno as long as you have been, do you really think you can get away with wearin’ white?”
“Lira!”
“I’m just sayin’…” She smiled teasingly and pushed herself more upright. “Anyone who’s met him is gonna know that the honeymoon’s definitely not gonna be your first time…”
Elena laughed, blushing faintly. “… You may be right about that. But I think it’s a little late to consider a wardrobe change.”
“Seriously, though… You look amazing. Reno’s gonna be speechless.”
“Oh, dear Shiva, I hope not… He’s got vows to take,” the bride sniggered. Without warning, the door burst open, and Chai rushed back inside.
“SHOES!” she cried, brandishing the new pair like some sort hard-won battle trophy. Elena doubled over laughing.
“Now, now… don’t be nervous, m’boy,” the elderly chaplain of the church whispered. “You’re gonna do just fine.”
Reno looked out at the sea of faces watching him and swallowed sharply before responding with a half-hearted chuckle. Sure… he’d be fine. If he didn’t fuckin’ pass out before Elena made it down the aisle. He felt an all-too-familiar tightening sensation in his chest, and quickly reminded himself to breathe. He hadn’t had a panic attack in months, and he sure as fuck wasn’t going to have one at his own wedding. But dear Ifrit, this waiting was killing him.
A slight movement to his right caught his attention, and his gaze shifted over the the front row of chairs where Elena’s grandmother… his grandmother… was waving to him. She smiled warmly at him, and he felt himself relax a little. These were his friends. His family. There was no reason to worry about being up in front of them.
He scanned the rows again, this time looking at the individual faces, and not just the amassed crowed. He spotted Kel and his daughter Mirian near the middle of the room. And Viridia, looking far less military than usual, in an ocean blue dress. Talia and her little girl. The Doc. And, hiding somewhat off to one side in the back, Rufus… who of late had felt the need to avoid public appearances, as Shinra Company’s reputation was less than stellar at the moment.
A subtle movement in the shadows snapped his eyes to a darkened corner, where Reno was slightly surprised to see the figure of Vincent Valentine lurking. They’d sent the former-Turk an invitation, but in all honesty hadn’t expected him to turn up. Reno was rather glad he did. He’d become something of a go-between for them with Avalanche as they and Shinra Company worked together to help the people of Midgar recover from the aftermath of Meteor’s near-collision and construct the new city of Edge outside of the ruins. The redhead had to admit… he liked the guy.
Reno very nearly jumped out of his skin a moment later when the music started and the doors at the back swung open.
The first to enter was Rude, with Elena’s friend, Chai, on his arm, followed shortly after by her brother, Del, and Lira. They took their places beside him at the altar. Rude gently elbowed him, grinning widely, as the music changed and Reno’s eyes went wide, his jaw dropping slightly.
Elena had never looked more beautiful. She’d refuse to let him even see photos of her dress, and now he was grateful she hadn’t, because it would have utterly spoiled the surprise. The bodice was tight, hugging her body in all the right places with shimmery white material held up by a narrow strap that circled around behind her neck. The skirt moved like water as she walked forward, clinging to her with each step and then flowing, wisp-like, behind her.
Tseng, dressed to perfection as always, smiled as he escorted her. It had taken a little convincing to get him to do it. He’d argued that his injury would make the trip unbearably long for her, and that it really ought to have been her brother walking her down the aisle, anyway. Elena had countered that Del would be happier walking with Lira… and that since her own father wasn’t alive to give her away, nothing would make her happier than if Tseng would do so in his place. The Turk leader had been thoroughly unable to refuse after that.
When they at last reached the altar, Tseng placed Elena’s hand in Reno’s, and smiled as he took a seat next to Nana. The music ended, and the chaplain turned to the guests.
“Friends and family… We are here today to witness the joining of Reno and Elena. Two souls who, by fortune, fate, or grace, have found love with one another.” He chuckled warmly. “And, as this lovely young couple has no desired to hear an old man ramble on… they’ve written their own vows.”
There was soft rippled of laughter from the pews, and Elena giggled quietly, as the chaplain gestured to Reno to go first. The redhead took a deep breath. He’d been rehearsing what he was going to say for weeks… And for weeks his greatest fear was, that when the time came, his mind would go blank. His bride squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“‘Lena… I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. Findin’ you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’ve made me whole. I don’t deserve you… but that’s never seemed to matter to you. I’m yours, and no one else’s… from today, ’til the end of time, and I promise I’ll always be good to you,” he said. His voice seemed thicker with every word, and by the end, a tear was threatening to drop from the corner of his eye. “I… I can’t imagine my life without you.”
He blinked, and it fell, and Elena’s hand rose to his cheek, carefully wiping it away. She smiled as he leaned into her touch, and he was almost certain he heard an almost inaudible ‘Awww…’ from Lira’s general direction.
“Oh, Reno…” Elena sighed, and then flashed him a somewhat impish grin. “When we first met… I couldn’t stand you,” she stated flatly, and the redhead laughed, as did several of those in attendance. “But… over time, I learned what a wonderful and kind person you really are. The kind of person who loves with all their heart. You became my best friend… and then my family. And then so much more. I’m as much yours as you are mine. You do deserve me, Reno, and one day I’ll make you believe that.”
She held his gaze, and in that moment, he really did finally believe it. The chaplain stepped forward again and glanced over at Rude, and then Chai.
“The rings, please.”
Reno turned and Rude placed it in his hand, grinning so widely the Turk almost had to wonder if his face was starting to hurt by now. He reached for Elena’s hand, and slipped it onto her finger, as she did the same to him.
“Do you, Reno James Donovan, take Elena as your wife?” the chaplain asked.
“You have no idea how much I do…” he said, unable to take his eyes off of her.
“And do you, Elena Elizabeth Brewer, take Reno as your husband?”
Elena smiled widely, her gaze just as completely locked on him. “Of course, I do.”
“Then, if anyone can show cause why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
The annoyingly pessimistic part of Reno’s mind that was still expecting something to go horrifyingly wrong waited in a state of abject dread for someone to stand up and object. When no one did, he slowly released the breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.
“In that case,” the chaplain went on, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Reno leaned in, capturing Elena’s lips with his own. One hand gently cupped her cheek, while the other pulled her body against his. He didn’t want the moment to end… but all too soon, it did. The pair slowly pulled apart.
“Ladies and gentlemen… It is my great pleasure to present, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Reno and Elena Donovan.”
Reno’s arm snaked around Elena’s waist as they turned to face the applauding crowd, and a moment later the redhead was prodded sharply from behind as Rude helpfully reminded him that he was supposed to walk his bride back up the aisle now.
Reno grabbed her by the hand and coaxed her along, passing by friends and family as they made their way out of the hall. As they passed through the doors and out into the corridor, he swept her up, lifting her into his arms.
“Mrs. Donovan,” he said, cordially, grinning from ear to ear. Elena laughed and hugged him tight as he carried her off to the little room she’d spent the last couple of hours getting ready in, and laid her down gently on the chaise lounge, stretching out beside her and leaving a trail of teasing kisses along her throat.
“So… we got a little while before the reception starts… What do you think about consummatin’ this marriage,” he asked, leering slightly as his fingers toyed with the zipper at the back of her gown.
“I think we have about fifteen minutes before the reception starts… and I’d like to actually enjoy consummating this marriage,” she snickered.
“Think of it as a preview… A quick teaser for our wedding night?”
“Get off me, you pervert,” Elena laughed. “Reception first… then honeymoon.” She kissed him deeply and before she pulled away again she set her lips next to his ear. “Besides,” she whispered, “The longer I make you wait, the more we’re both going to enjoy it…”
Reno moaned softly against her collarbone. “Then I hope you were plannin’ on bein’ ravished all night long by a sexual deviant…”
Elena gazed at him seductively, and pressed the most fleeting of kisses to his lips. It sent a pleasant shiver down the redhead’s spine.
“Oh… most definitely.”
~The End~
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