The Beginning of Forever
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or the lyrics to the songs by 'The Veronica's' or 'Evanescence'. But I do own the story!
A/N: Ok, guys. Here it is. The conclusion to 'Her Eternal Calm'. I apologize profusely for taking so long! Anywho, I hope you guys enjoy it, and I hope I make you proud!
P.S. I want to thank all of my readers for sticking with me this far. I can never say enough just how much I appreciate all the support and positive reviews. They mean so much to me, and are a driving force! I hope that you guys have enjoyed the journey from start to finish, and I hope to captivate you with all of my other stories. Thank you!
Tobli tapped his wand on the stand to ready the orchestra, and then raised it high into the air. After a few seconds of darting his eyes on the pit, he gave the command. The violinist strummed an upbeat tune, and Yuna turned her head to Paine. Paine twirled her sticks between her fingers and began playing, followed by Tidus strumming powerful chords on his guitar. Rikku's hips swiveled to the beat as her fingers tapped the keys in time with the rest of her friends.
Yuna looked out at the crowd and noticed how quickly they began to bop around to the music. She closed her eyes and let the music carry her away as her body began to move to the upbeat tempo. Tidus watched in awe as she grabbed the sphere mic once again and placed it to her lips. The most exciting part to him, was being able to hear his poem come to life with her angelic voice.
I go ooh ooh, you go ah ah!
L-l-l-la - ah l-l-l-la!
I can la, la, la, l-la, la!
I wanna, wanna, wanna get, get, get what I want, don't stop.
Gimme, gimme, gimme what you got (got). Cause I can't wait, wait, wait anym-more, more, more. Don't even talk about the consequence, cause right now you're the only thing that's making any sense to me.
And I don't give a damn what they say, what they think (think). Cause you're the only one who's on my mind. I'll never let you leave me, I'll try to stop time forever, never wanna hear you say 'goodbye' (Bye, bye...)
I feel so untouched and I want you so much that I just can't resist you - it's not enough to say that I miss you!
I feel so untouched right now. Need you so much somehow I can't forget you - I've gone from the moment I met you!
As the music quieted a bit, Yuna walked backward a bit. Standing in the middle of her friends, she tilted her head back a bit and closed her eyes.
Untouched...(Untouched)
And I need you so much...
See you, breathe you - I want to be you.
Ah l-l-la, ah l-l-la
You can take, take, t-take, take time to live, live the way you gotta, gotta live your life.
As she continued singing, she side stepped closer to Tidus and leaned in on his shoulder as he continued to jam out on his guitar.
Gimme, gimme, gimme all of you, you - don't be scared.
I'll see you through the lonely nights of wanting more, more, more.
Don't even think about what's right or wrong or wrong or right - cause in the end it's only you and me.
And no one else is gonna be around to answer all the questions left behind. And you and I are meant to be so even if the world falls down today, you've still got me to hold you up, up - and I'll never let you down! (Down...)
Yuna walked over toward Rikku as they harmonized another repetitive chorus. The lights on the stage danced around them, and the crowd cheered as loud as their voices allowed them. Wakka had even caught Lulu placing her fingers in her mouth to give a shrill whistle of approval.
I feel so untouched and I want you so much that I just can't resist you - It's not enough to say that I miss you!
I feel so untouched right now. Need you so much, somehow I can't forget you - I've gone crazy from the moment I met you!
Untouched (Un..)
Untouched (Untouched)
Untouched (Un-)
Untouched (Untouched)
Yuna walked back over toward Tidus, smiling. She had made sure to include a guitar solo of sorts, just to put him in the spot light. He smirked back at her - aware of her intentions - and leaned his back against hers. Their heads softly touched as she continued to sing, and he strummed away getting into the spirit.
Untouched (Un-)
Ah l-l-la, ah l-l-la
Untouched (Untouched)
Ah l-l-la, ah l-l-la
I feel so untouched and I want you so much that I just can't resist you - It's not enough to say that I miss you!
I feel so untouched right now. Need you so much, somehow I can forget you - I've gone crazy from the moment I met you!
As the music started to quiet down, everyone's eyes fixated on two people. Yuna and Tidus straightened out and faced each other. As Rikku backed her on vocals, Yuna held the sphere mic with one hand, and touched Tidus' face with her other hand. He just stared into her eyes, giving his widest boyish grin.
Untouched (Un-)
Untouched (Untouched)
Untouched (Un-)
The music faded, but the crowd kept cheering. Everyone on stage turned to them and bowed hand in hand. Yuna kept sneaking glances at Tidus and smiling, elated that they had managed to pull it off. After a few more bows, Tidus caught her looking and he winked.
Yuna took a few breaths to calm herself and waited for the audience to quiet down. Once they had, she brought the sphere mic to her lips once again.
"The song we just preformed for you, was a special one. I hope that it connected to you the way it has for me. Once again, I want to thank you all for coming here today and supporting my friends in my absence."
After a few more cheers, Yuna turned on her heels and started making her way off the stage when Tidus grabbed her by the arm gently. As she looked back at him with a puzzled look, he smiled again and took the sphere mic out of her hand and winked.
He was up to something...
"Before you all leave," Tidus started as he drug Yuna back to the front of the stage, "There's a surprise I want everyone to share with us."
Yuna looked at Tidus and then to Rikku and Paine. The two women behind them were giggling and smiling. Yuna's mouth opened and closed like a fish, but she couldn't seem to speak. Tidus grabbed Yuna's hand and turned her to face him.
"Before I continue, we're not all here yet." Tidus chuckled as he turned his head to the crowd, "Lulu, Wakka, Kimhari? Could you guys join us up here on the stage?"
Yuna pushed the sphere mic away from their faces and leaned in closer to Tidus, "What are you doing?"
He watched the rest of the guardians make their way to the stage and stood by Rikku and Paine, "Something I should have done a long time ago."
Tidus nodded his head at all of their friends. Rikku and Paine took their places again and waited patiently for his cue. Lulu, Wakka and Kimarhi took this time to embrace Yuna in a warm loving hug.
"As I said before," Tidus continued trying to sate the crowds curiosity, "My friends and I have put together a special surprise for Yuna, and I wish to share this moment with all of you."
He turned to Yuna once more and grabbed her hand softly, "Yuna, we've been through a lot together over the years. You've taught me so much in a short time, and I'd like to think I've done the same for you. That year we were apart...I felt like I had lost everything. Words couldn't describe how painful it was. This next song...expresses feelings not everyone will understand. The only person who will, is you. But, that's all that really matters to me."
Tidus smiled yet again, and left a very confused Yuna standing with the rest of her guardians as he took his position next to Rikku and Paine. With a small nod in Rikku's direction, she began fingering her keyboard once more in a bittersweet melody.
After a few seconds, the violins followed along softly followed by Paine. On cue, Tidus bursted in with his profound electric guitar.
You don't remember me, but I remember you.
I lie awake and try so hard not to think of you.
But who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do.
I believe in you. I'll give up everything to find you.
I have to be with you.
To live,
To breathe,
You're taking over me.
Have you forgotten all I know, and all we have?
You saw me mourning my love for you, and touched my hand.
I knew you loved me then.
I believe in you. I'll give up everything to find you.
I have to be with you. To live, to breathe.
You're taking over me.
Yuna stood there leaning against Lulu as the words poured from his lips. Every verse had a meaning, and that's when it hit her. The page from the notebook that had been ripped out. It was Tidus. He had taken it for this reason.
I look in the mirror and see your face.
If I look deep enough,
So many things inside that are just like you are taking over.
I believe in you...
I'll give up everything just to find you...
I have to be with you...
To live...
To breathe...
You're taking over me.
Each time he spoke, her heart grew bigger. Even though her eyes were glazed over with tears, she could still see him as clear as day. Never in her life could she have imagined herself being more in love with him than right now. She found herself unable to breathe as he stepped closer to her slowly.
I believe in you.
I'll give up everything just to find you.
I have to be with you. To live, to breathe.
You're taking over me.
The music started to die down each line, and before long it was barely audible.
(Taking over me)
You're taking over me.
(Taking over me)
You've taken over me...
Finally, the music stopped. There was no noise, and the Calm Lands seemed to be still. Tidus was now face to face with Yuna, and the rest had taken steps back. Yuna struggled to remember how to breathe, but before she could, Tidus finally stirred again.
Slipping his guitar off of his neck, he handed it to Paine. Taking Yuna's hand into his, he got down on one knee and pulled out a small box from his pocket. Upon watching him do this, Yuna inhaled sharply and brought her free hand to her mouth and her eyes widened.
"Lady Yuna," Tidus spoke just loud enough for a few people to hear, "Will you marry me?"
As he asked, he opened the box slowly to reveal ring. But this was no ordinary ring. The band was white-gold and slender, but otherwise simple. However, two gems rested at the top. The gems were held up by a design that looked like a pillar of water, and nestled on top rested a sapphire and an emerald.
Yuna whimpered softly and let the tears roll down her cheeks. Tidus pulled the ring out of the box and held it up for her to see. She looked into his eyes, and they seemed to be pleading with her. Yuna knew any second her heart would burst from being overwhelmed with the love she held within it for Tidus.
"Yes..." She whispered, "Of course I'll marry you!"
A tiny smile etched it's way across Tidus' lips and it was only now that he realized he'd been holding his breath. Once he allowed himself to, he slipped the ring onto Yuna's finger and slowly rose up taking her into his arms and twirling her around.
As the two laughed and clung to each other, the crowd erupted once more in rousing cheers. Lulu and Wakka resulted to whistling again; Paine nodded as Rikku jumped up and down squealing. Kimarhi attempted to smile again as he watched the couple before him.
Tidus finally stopped twirling Yuna and just held her in the air. Looking into each others eyes, they became lost in their happiness. After a few minutes, Tidus lowered her slowly catching her lips on the way down. Although Yuna's feet had touched the ground, she was oblivious to the fact. As they drew each other closer to deepen the kiss, their worlds came together as one. A utopia of love that only they knew existed.
"How bout that? He finally got the guts to ask her!" Jecht laughed.
"Did you doubt him, Jecht?" Braska turned to his former guardian and friend.
"Course not! I just...didn't know he'd ask her this soon, ya know?"
"You underestimate him." Auron mumbled, "He did beat you after all."
"He's my son! Did you expect any less?" Jecht scoffed, "Besides, I let him win!"
"Hmph."
"Don't you 'hmph' me, Auron!"
Auron turned to Braska and ignored Jecht, "I think they'll do just fine."
Braska nodded in agreement as the other two men walked away. He stood there watching from a distance as everyone celebrated the engagement. As he watched his daughter and soon-to-be son, he smiled.
"You guys did it together. Enjoy your Eternal Calm, Yuna."
A/N: Just need to tie off some loose ends.
Earlier in the story, Tidus had written something for Yuna in her notebook when he returned it to her. The first song, 'Untouched' by the Veronica's, was that poem. She of course added some flavor to it, but she sung that because it had inspired her.
The second song, 'Taking Over Me' by Evanescence, I felt described Tidus' situation when he found out Yuna had come back to Spira. I thought it was a nice little piece to use before he proposed to her. Yes, I know it was sung by Amy Lee who is in fact, a woman, but I decided to set that little fact aside for the greater good.
I really hope you enjoy the ending, and I also hope that you felt it was satisfying :)
Here's to more stories in the future!
Sincerely,
Yunasdestiny