Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ A Little Calm ( Chapter 14 )

When I first awoke, I did not realize that Tidus was no longer beside me. It was the sort of half-sleep you have waking dreams in; you remember them, can think about them, but don't particularly realize you're not sleeping anymore. My head was nestled comfortably into the pillow and the blankets were snug around me; moving from my spot didn't even occur to me as an option.

So I lay there, half-waking, letting my mind wander. This was a rare, peaceful moment; all was quiet. There were so few of these chances to simply relax. But after a few minutes I did finally reach out for Tidus, and to my mild confusion found nothing.

"Tidus?" I called lightly, not bothering to open my eyes.

"Oh, you're awake. Morning," he answered happily from somewhere across the room, to my relief. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Mmhmm. You?" I turned over to face where my ears told me he was and stretched lightly.

I yawned, opening my eyes to see him grinning fondly at me. "Yeah." he nodded. "It's nice watching you sleep, Yuna."

I nestled into my blankets, assuming a near-fetal position with an amused smile. "What, do I snore?"

"Nah. But you can tell when you're having a good dream."

"Oh, how's that? I don't remember having a particular dream last night. I think I was too busy sleeping,"

Tidus chuckled. "Well, you curl up all of a sudden, kinda like you are now. And you sigh all slow, sorta, with this little smile on your face."

"Well, it's unintentional..." I stretched again once and sat up, reaching out my hand to him.

"Hey, I don't mind." He took my hand, pulling me up and into his arms, to his credit almost effortlessly. I slipped my arms about his waist and pressed my cheek against his shoulder, happy to feel the heat of him.

"You smell good." I commented, which made him laugh lightly.

"I do, huh?"

"Yes. Tidus..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm very happy..."

I felt him plant a soft kiss on my forehead. "I'm glad. You're going to get your dress today, right?"

"Yes..."

"I'll pay. Make sure it's super expensive."

That made me laugh. The thought was silly - choosing a wedding dress solely because of its high price tag? "What for?"

"Oh, I dunno. Get whatever you want. Get one made just for you, I don't care. Er, as long as making the dress doesn't take a year and a half..."

"Oh, no, a fine wedding dress only takes about six months..." I replied nonchalantly, until I realized he'd been kidding. Then I laughed. "Or maybe I should just take a look at what they already have, hm?"

"Nah. Do whatever you want. I'm just impatient," he smiled. "and a whiner. I'll wait, but not without complaining about it. I don't really mind...that much, anyway."

"But you'd rather have it as soon as possible, I know."

"If only we had a drive-thru chapel and an Elvis impersonator, we'd be all set..." He smirked.

"Huh? Who's...Elvis?"

That made him laugh, though I didn't realize what was so funny. "Nobody. Sorry, I'll tell you about that some other time. We have to get you a ring, too...do you want to do that today?"

"Well...if there's time. We don't *need* an engagement ring you know...you don't have to spend all this Gil -"

"You, milady, are nuts." He smiled and kissed me lightly. "Of course you do. I wouldn't cheat you out of having a ring to show off. Besides, any wandering reporters seeing the shiny thing on Maestress Yuna's finger will just eat it right up. And we need a wedding ring, too."

"I wish we didn't have to worry about them..." We. All of a sudden, that's what it was. And it just happened without thought - had happened for a good portion of the conversation. We. Not I, not he - both of us, acting together, not as two, but one. It was wonderful.

"Yeah, I know. Me too. They're annoying, even as few as they are. But they're there, and they love you." At that, Tidus' lips curved up in a smile. "Don't worry, though. I'll protect you. Spira's paparazzi mob isn't half what Zanarkand's was."

"You're still my guardian, then? Even now?"

He frowned, his mockingly guardian-like look of concern and his almost fatherly tone just barely masked his laughter. "Of course, Yuna. Just because Sin's gone doesn't mean you're safe from other dangers, like fiends, or reporters, or shoopufs -"

"Oh, hush, you." I laughed and kissed him lightly once. "Stop picking on me! You make it sound like I'm defenseless!"

"Yeah, I know you're not. But you're cute when you get miffed like that. Didn't mean to actually bother you," he chuckled sheepishly.

"You didn't. And I can take care of myself, thank you!"

"Aww..." Tidus drooped, and I stifled a giggle. "You're no fun."

"But you can stay close to me anyway. Alright?"

He laughed quietly. "Got it."

I thought then about what had seemingly changed overnight between us. There had never been more than a blurb or two of lighthearted play during the pilgrimage, especially between Tidus and me. But now, in this little lull, playful banter came as an easy and welcome excuse to spend that many more seconds close to each other before having to start the day. And there was a flutter of kisses, freely and happily given by both of us; I still found myself unsure whether such shows of affection were something I forbidded of myself during my pilgrimage, or if there was just plain not enough time. Probably both. But however important it was, it wasn't our immediate concern. Perhaps it was just that we were settling in to a semi-normal life...together. Whatever it was that made us that much more relaxed and happy together, it was magnificent.

"Well...we should get going, shouldn't we? We have a lot to do today." I said quietly.

"Yeah, I guess." Tidus shrugged, and the way he was still favoring his injured shoulder caught my attention.

"Tidus...let me fix that." I placed my hand on his shoulder, light enough so it wouldn't hurt. "Please."

"It'll be fine in a day or two anyway, y'know. It wasn't a bad pull at all. But you can if you want."

"I'll feel better if I know it's all healed up. If a fiend came along..."

Tidus chuckled. "You forget that one of Lulu's *dolls* could kick a Mi'ihen fiend and it would die. I could cast Hastega on the party and the backwash from the spell could knock out the fiends. Kimahri could roar at them and they'd all roll over dead. Rikku could -"

"Alright, alright, I get it!" I grinned. "Just let me be a squabbling, overprotective *woman* for once. It's not fair that you can fend for yourself." I laughed.

"Yes, ma'am."

I healed his shoulder swiftly - he was right. The injury had, for the most part, healed itself since I'd gotten my first glimpse of it.

"Heyyy..." He rolled his shoulders smoothly, looking delighted. "Works like magic!"

"Gee, Tidus, I wonder why."

He grinned and kissed my cheek, muttering into my ear. "Thank you, magician."

"The *term,* dear Tidus, is *summoner,* thank you very much." I scoffed hotly, making him chuckle.

"Alright, alright. Wizardess."

"Oh, come on..."

"Enchantress?"

I had to laugh at the thought. "Hardly."

"Sorceress."

"Tidus, you know better," I scolded playfully.

"Fiance."

I felt a smile creep onto my face. "That's better..."

"Mm..." His breath was soft against my ear, and he sounded amused. "Wife?"

"I like that a lot, actually...but you're a bit early in calling me that, not to mention you're in the wrong category altogether." I pinched his side lightly and he grinned, shrugging.

"Well, it was worth a shot."

"Come on. I'm hungry. Let's go get some breakfast, and we'll just see how many passes and shots you can make at me with Lulu looming over you," I chirped jovially, delighted to see him look playfully horrified.

"You're mean this morning," he chortled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, I am not."

"You are too."

"Hm...well...sorry." I had to raise up onto my toes to do it, but I kissed him softly in apology, happy to feel him smile.

"It's absolutely fine." he grinned when I pulled away. "Think nothing of it."

"Can we go eat now?"

"Definitely."

Breakfast was uneventful, and Tidus, I was amused to see, behaved himself perfectly. After the meal, I rounded up the women and kissed Tidus goodbye; it would be a morning without him.

The air was cool and crisp, holding a slight morning fog and whiffs of ocean salt. It was early, but not too early - the dressmaker's shop that I had in mind would be open.

"You really know where you're going, huh, Yunie?" Rikku joked at my fast pace.

"Yes...Lulu, you'll find this a bit of a surprise, too. Here, down this way." I spotted a familiar street leading off the main commercial road. I had only been to Meema's shop once, when I was a child, but I could never forget the way there. Meema had taken me on somewhat of a vacation to Luca to get me fitted for a proper dress when I was accepted into the temple as a summoner-in-training; she'd led a younger me, hand sticky with a delightfully tasty lollipop, through busy streets, telling me a wonderfully funny fairy tale about a shoopuf as we went. I remembered it all perfectly.

"Here." I turned down another, smaller street, the smooth concrete of the road giving way to cobblestone. "Lulu, does the name Meema ring a bell?"

"*Meema!* She's *here?*"

I nodded. "She took me here once when I was little. That's how I remember. If there's anyone that's going to make my dress, I want it to be her."

"But Yuna, she has...oh, never mind, you'll see."

I stopped in front of the shop I was sure was hers - not a large one, just a teeny little two-room store, large enough to take measurements and sew and change outfits.

"I haven't seen Meema in ages," I smiled to Lulu. "Haven't you missed her, too?"

"Yes," Lulu's eyes twinkled in amusement. "But don't you think we should do something more than sit outside her shop and reminisce?"

I nodded, chuckling. "You're right. Come on!"

Upon opening the door and stepping into the shop, my senses were instantly bombarded with memories. The shop had always smelled like cinnamon - not the manufactured cinnamon but the cinnamon of the earth, a good, hearty smell. That had not changed. I remembered sitting in her lap at the shop's single window, a beautiful oriole, and curling against her happily as she spread open a large, illustrated storybook and read to me. I remember...I always wanted the same story over and over, and she never said 'no, not again' like I thought she would. It was a story about Lady Yunalesca and Lord Zaon. Short; I could likely still recite it word for word.

Meema wasn't anywhere in sight, but I heard her voice from the back of the shop. "I'll be right with you!"
"Oh, that's fine..." I grinned to myself. "Take your time!"

I heard an 'urk' of effort - undoubtedly Meema getting up. The poor woman had long suffered from aches and pains, even when I was a child. "Bah, nonsense. These old bones just aren't what they used to..."

Her unnatural pause made me look up. And there Meema stood; short and skinny and frail but somehow not small, frizzy red hair tied back with a leather thong, dressed in a work apron, looking as if she'd just been sideswiped by a Macalania snowmobile. There was a smile there, though. I laughed.

"It's good to see you again, Meema." I smiled.

"Well I never...oh, Yuna. Yuna." She covered her mouth with her knuckles, and I thought I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Her voice cracked, just a little. "You've grown so much. And Lulu...oh, look at you two. You've grown up beautifully. It's been too long since I've seen you both."

She walked over somewhat stiffly, and embraced us both very tightly. "I'm so glad you came to see me. So tell me who your companions are, Yuna!"

"This is Rikku, my cousin..." I gestured to Rikku; she beamed and shook Meema's hand happily.

"Great to meetcha!" she chirped.

"...and this is Amia, my soon-to-be mother-in-law...you see, that raises the subject of why I'm here. I know we both never thought I'd be saying this, but...I'm here for a wedding dress."

Poor Meema looked like she was about to faint. "*Married!* Oh, Yuna, who?!"

"You haven't heard?" Rikku's nose crinkled up slightly. "Geez, I thought *everyone* had heard by last night, the way the people at the cafe were rambling on."

"I don't go out much."

I smiled and tried not to let my inner joy get the better of me. "Well...ahm...Tidus."

Meema frowned. "But...he's -"

"Not anymore!"

"What do you mean?"

"He's back!"

"And you didn't *bring* him here?!"

I laughed. "You're not supposed to let the groom see your dress!"

"I know, but still...! *Tidus!*"

Lulu chuckled. "It's not a very big surprise, Meema."

"Totally." Rikku agreed. "Those two are absolutely *googly-eyed* about each other!"

"Rikku...!" I blushed.

"Well you *are!*"

"Well it's a surprise to me," Meema mused. "I haven't seen either of you since I moved here. Oh! Where're my manners today? I'm glad to meet you both, Rikku, Amia. All of you, why don't you join me in the back while I get this little lady measured up?"

"Thank you," I bowed slightly. "I don't have that much time to dawdle and chat today, I'm afraid. My Uncle Cid is coming in the early afternoon to meet us before we head out to Guadosalam."

"Oh, that's a shame. Well then, we should get down to business, shouldn't we? If you'd like, you can look at some of the dresses I've already made and see if there are any you like. And you can tell me all about this fiance of yours!"

"Of course," I smiled.

***

"It's this one," I said decidedly. "Definitely this one."

"Really? Wonderful!" Meema called from outside the dressing room. "Come out and let us see it on you."

I took a deep breath, taking a last glance into the dressing room's mirror. The dress had appealed to me instantly, and I knew exactly what Lulu would say upon seeing it: 'It suits you.'

And it did; it was unimposing, but demanding attention, yet modest, but absolutely lovely. The dress wasn't sleeveless like the last; I had hated that one, but I had not had much of a say at all in things. This dress was not overly fluffy, not overly shiny or gaudy; simply...simple. Perhaps like me.

"It's funny. I feel so *fancy.* It's strange."

I could hear all of them chuckling. "You're *supposed* to feel fancy, Yunie!" Rikku giggled.

"Oh, hush."

"Let us see it already, Yuna,"

"Alright, alright."

I stepped out of the dressing room, careful to keep the hem of the dress off the ground, and looked up at them nervously.

"Well...?"

Lulu had the strangest expression on her face. Rikku was grinning.

"Yuna...turn just a bit..."

"Uh? Oh." I did a full turn, looking back at them when I finished. "Well...I wish somebody would *say* something!"

Lulu's expression changed from unreadable to wistful and proud. "You grew up way too fast, Yuna."

That made me laugh lightly. "That tells me plenty about my dress, Lulu!"

"Amazing. There. Now go back to being seven years old. Your getting married frightens me."

Rikku laughed along with me this time. "Lulu, come on! That's mean. At least give her some credit. You look gorgeous, Yunie."

"Indeed," Meema agreed, kissing my cheek."It suits you perfectly."

"I could have sworn Lulu would be the one to say that."

"Well Lulu's too busy wondering why you're all grown up all of a sudden." Meema smiled. "I'm having that trouble myself. But I've had daughters of my own, so I know how it is. You're beautiful, Yuna."

"Thank you all," I smiled gratefully. "I'm glad you like it."

"Do you want anything changed on it?" Meema asked, walking around me and inspecting the dress more closely. "Give me a day or so, and I can fix up whatever you need me to."

"No, it's all perfect."

"How soon will you be needing it?" she asked, eyes twinkling in amusement.

"I don't know. As soon as all the other preparations are finished with. I don't know what's going to happen at Guadosalam...and I don't know how long we'll be there. As soon as we have any kind of estimate as to when the wedding will be, I'll let you know. You've got to come, Meema...!"

"Lady Maestress, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Oh, don't call me that..."

"I'm just kidding you. So I'll keep the dress safe and clean, and you just tell me as soon as you want to prance down the aisle with that hunk of a man, ya?"

We all laughed. "I will. Meema...when all this is over with, when everything's taken care of, I promise I'll come back for a day or so to see you. We can talk more then."

"Oh, leaving so soon...?"

"I'm afraid so. There's plenty for us to do today."

"Hn. Alright. Go change, and we'll get you on your way."

That was Meema; not doting on one particular thing, always moving on. Always moving so easily. You could take a three-day trip to stay at her house for a month, and if once you arrived you decided that you felt like turning around and going right back, well, she'd just nod and wish you well. Meema was a woman who never asked questions; she always had been.

When I finished changing out of the dress and back into my normal attire, I handed it to Meema, gave her a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, and paid her. To begin with, she refused money entirely; I simply picked up her purse, added the money for the dress to it (as well as a few extra Gil. I hadn't even seen the dress' price, but I thought that twenty thousand was suitable.) and put it back down. Meema clucked her tongue and shook her head in disapproval, even though she had not seen how much I'd given her; I told her I would not under any circumstances take the money back, and so she was forced to accept it. Inwardly, I mused that I'd pay another five thousand to see her reaction when she found out the amount I'd paid - but alas, there was no time for that. We said our reluctant goodbyes and parted.

The morning was already well underway; Meema's clock had read ten thirty just before we left. There was not much time until Cid came. Perhaps enough to take Tidus to look for rings, if he still wanted to. Like any woman I alloted myself the little vanity of wanting to have such a thing to show off. I knew, however, that it was certainly not necessary, and perhaps a little selfish to want such things *now,* at such a bad time. So if there was no time, then that was alright.

Amia was silent; she had been for a long time. I turned my head to her. "Is something wrong?"

She shook her head, meeting my gaze with a quirky smile and a chuckle. "No, not at all. Just remembering my own wedding. This makes me feel...*old*..."

The way she said it - as if it were something that brought a bad taste into her mouth - made me giggle. "You certainly don't *look* old. I'm surprised someone doesn't mistake you for my older sister or something. Or maybe a sister of Rikku's."

"Well thanks, but when you're over a thousand years old it does kind of get to you..."

All of us chuckled a bit. "How old are you really, Amia? Not counting the...layover, of sorts?"

"Twenty-eight."

I was not the only one whose face froze for a moment with pure and complete surprise.

I found myself very grateful that Amia didn't know Lulu well enough to read her expressions. Lulu's face was like stone - however, her eyes told a different story. I knew what she was thinking. Twenty eight years. How short a life - even for Spira. She was indeed young enough to actually *be* an older sibling of one of ours. That means she would have borne Tidus less than two years after her twentieth birthday; if I remembered what Tidus had told me about Zanarkand correctly, then she had finished her education not five years earlier; her life had just barely *begun.* Lulu's expression was all pity, all pain of empathy. She knew what it was like. She and Chappu had planned a life together years before Chappu even got the notion to join the Crusaders. And to have all that cut short...

It had long since begun to sink in that second chances often meant much more than it at first seemed. Amia confirmed it; she had more or less been resurrected to be with Jecht, but that also meant she got another chance at living her life.

Perhaps for the first time...

"Jeez..." Rikku muttered. "You *are* old enough to be our sister!"

"I still bet I've got seniority on each one of you," Amia laughed cheerfully.

"Yes, you do," Lulu nodded. "Both Rikku and Yuna are younger than I, and I'm only twenty-four. You're the oldest."

Amia grinned and began to say something, but was cut off by a familiar call. I saw her face just light up at the voice; it was, of course, Jecht. He was sitting on one of the benches surrounding the great monument in the square, comically stuffing his face with some sandwich or another. It was amusing to see him so loose and casual; all that we'd glimpsed of him during the pilgrimage had been the grim face of a stern, dark man. But now...

Amia sped up her pace, walking over to him and promptly flopping down on his lap. Mouth full, he protested in incoherent grumbles, but she did not move - only laughed and kissed his cheek.

"You're heavy." Jecht complained after swallowing, obviously kidding. "Get offa me, woman!"

His wife shook her head, stifling another chuckle.

"What, isn't a man allowed to eat his lunch in peace around here?"

As if in answer Amia pointedly took a chunk off the end of his sandwich, popped it in her mouth, and grinned at him.

It was obvious Jecht didn't mind - but just for show, he sighed and shook his head.

"Women," he grumbled in mock exasperation.

"Don't you dare start your 'women' rant around me, mister," his wife warned good-naturedly. She flashed a smile. "or I'll start my rant about *you.*"

"Eegh. You, Mi, are a cruel, cruel person." Jecht chuckled, hand fitting easily on her waist. "Glad to see you're back okay. Did Yuna find something she liked?"

As they fell into conversation, I couldn't help but watch them, fascinated. It was something about them both - I didn't have a word for it. How easily they talked together, Amia only stopping to poke fun at Jecht or pick a piece off his sandwich. They both looked quite content, which was slightly surprising, for I had never seen Jecht look anywhere near content before. Or the way Jecht held her, kept her where she was with an arm around her waist, and neither of them noticed a bit. Each little movement was taken for granted but then again not, because they were so wrapped up in each other it looked as if they would not have been disturbed by a stampede of shoopufs rampaging through the city.

"Yuna, you're staring." Lulu's voice was near my ear, and that shattered my focus on the couple. I blushed.

"Ah...sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Be glad they're both too twitterpated to notice," Lulu laughed quietly. "It's nice to watch them though, isn't it?"

"Yes...oh...where's Rikku?"

"She ran off. Looking for Wakka, no doubt."

"I should go find Tidus..."

"Don't dawdle, Yuna. It won't be very long until Cid comes."

"I know..." I answered, heading for the inn.