Vagaries of Fate

Vows

A/N: Two things, first I want to apologize that the wedding was broken between this chapter and the next, but this is already long. Secondly, I wanted to note that the vows they use are not ones I've made up. But I did feel that these worked better for them than traditional ones. Anyway, I hope you are all as excited about this chapter (and the next one) as I am! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 14 

The next two days went by so fast that all the Firsts were not sure where the time had gone. Somehow, they still managed to get everything ready even though Genesis and Clarissa were going to have to leave the day after the wedding. To help things go a little more smoothly, Aerith and Elmyra had agreed to stay with Clarissa the night before the wedding. The only caveat was that neither woman would allow Genesis to see Clarissa from the point they got there. They said it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, and he would just have to wait to see her walk down the aisle.

Clarissa still had the keys to her apartment, despite the fact that she had all but given it up, so that was where they stayed. Even though he was right next door, the two women were active in keeping him out. The only males allowed in were Zack and Sephiroth, which only served to irritate Genesis further, but he still didn't get in. Clarissa understood his irritation a little, as she didn't really want to spend the night apart either, but they had more than enough to keep her busy while they prepared.

The wedding was scheduled to be late that afternoon, so those involved would have a chance to at least try and be productive before they had to leave, but Clarissa was kept ensconced in her rooms. They spent the morning working on each other's makeup and hair. Not that any of them were particularly skilled at it, but between them, they managed to make it work. Clarissa insisted on the least possible makeup. She told them all that it was highly likely that she would end up crying, and the last thing she needed was her mascara to run. They all laughed, but no one pressed her on it.

Cissnei had also come to help, even though she wasn't part of the wedding. Clarissa was glad that she managed to stop by. When she told the girl that she had originally wanted her to be part of the wedding too, Cissnei was glad it hadn't worked out. She hated wearing dresses. She still made sure to genuinely wish Clarissa happiness before she left them to finish.

The wedding was supposed to be held in the smaller of the two ballrooms, and the reception in the larger one, mostly because the larger one had the bar. They had verified that the seating was all ready to go as well. Genesis had shown his softer side when he insisted on it being set up so that there was one group instead of two. He felt it symbolized the fact that they were all one big family, but Clarissa knew it was because there was no bride's side of the family. It was one of the things she loved about him, even when he insisted on playing it off, he still showed how much he cared in so many little ways.

When it was almost time for the wedding to start, Elmyra left, and Sephiroth came to escort Aerith and Clarissa to where the rest of the wedding party was waiting. Clarissa nearly laughed at the sight of him in red gloves and a red bow tie. It wasn't that he looked funny, but it was a color she never expected him to agree to wear. It was the colors of the wedding. When they arrived outside the doors, she realized she was more nervous than she had ever been. It wasn't helped when everyone turned to face her. It was a small group of people, but she loved each of them like family, and that helped calm her. Angeal gave her a soft smile, and Shelke squealed at her dress. "You look so pretty!"

Sephiroth gave the small girl a soft smile as he added his own opinion. "She does, doesn't she. I think she looks angelic."

Shelke nodded her agreement enthusiastically. Clarissa had ended up deciding on a simple, yet elegant design. It was cream-colored satin, with gathered, off the shoulder straps and an empire waist. The train was barely noticeable. No one else was able to comment before they all heard the music start. Shelke had already been told what would be expected of her, so she grabbed the basket next to her feet and raced to stand in front of the closed door. Angeal held out his arm for Aerith to take, and she turned one more grin to Clarissa before she took it and went to stand behind Shelke with Angeal.