If Tomorrow Never Comes

Chapter Nine

Written by: FuuMegami

Email: FuuNeko@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Magic Knight Rayearth, all characters and their likenesses and respective names belong to CLAMP. The song I'll Never Not Need you belongs to boyzone/realsongs boyzone's official site is: http://www.boyzone.co.uk, do not visit boyzone.com please ^_^;; And the wedding vows were taken from the United Methodist Hymnal uh no idea what edition, my dad has so many ^_^;;

She was replaying what had happened when Ferio asked Fuu's parents if he could marry her. Fuu had come in with Ferio after he had dried his tears and calmed his temper.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hououji, I would like to ask if I could marry Fuu, with your permission," Ferio said with a lot more courage than he thought he had.

"By next week," Fuu added.

Her mother gasped and her father frowned. "But Fuu dear, do you really want to spend your last few months as a married woman instead of a care free girl?" Her father questioned.

"I do father. Ferio-chan is my sun, my life, the last thing on my mind before I got to sleep at night. He's always there when I'm in need, when troubles are on my mind he puts my soul at ease there is *no* one in the world who could love me like he does. And those are the reason I want to spend the rest of my life with him, be it short as it is."

Fuu's mother laughed, "spoken like a girl who knows how she feels. And if this is what will make you happy then I give you my blessing."

Her father was silent in thought for a few seconds and then he nodded. "I also give you my blessing."

"Yes!" Fuu cried out excitedly as she leapt into Ferio's arms and hugged him tight.

"We'll get to work on it right away. One small but formal ceremony in the church and a tiny reception in the yard." Fuu's mom said with a smile.

Fuu snapped back into the present as a white butterfly fluttered inches from her nose.

Fuu knew she should be more worried about the present, her family was urging her to tell her friends that she was dying. But if she could die and leave her friends with only memories of her being healthy, happy, and in love, wouldn't that be better? Not to mention dropping something like this on them would also put a strain on her friends and their boyfriends. No one wants to get to know a girl who's worried all about her friend.

On one hand Fuu wanted the support of her friends, but on the other hand, she didn't want the pity that comes along with it.

She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the warmth of the sun. All she needed was Ferio and a way to stop time. Just then she heard the floor board squeak and the opened her eyes.

"How's my bride-to-be?" Ferio asked as he sat down next to her.

"Happy." Fuu replied simply.

"For the past few months I've been dreaming of getting married, though the most focused on part is the wedding night." Ferio admitted with a slight blush.

Fuu sat up and smiled. "Mmm it's the little things that only I know, those are the things that make you mine."

Ferio kissed the back of her hand.

"Girls talk about their dreams and hopes all the time- it's natural. They'll tell anyone who will listen, or at least pretend to listen. But guys, they're not usually as open." Fuu paused to stare into Ferio's breathe taking gold eyes. "But I know we have something special."

"We do have something special, and I thank God every chance I get for giving us the time and love we have." Ferio said as he pulled Fuu into his arms. "But don't let word get out about my sensitive side."

Fuu kissed him on the nose. "I love you, and you scars too," she said with a giggle.

"I love you too," Ferio replied.

"I hate to interrupt such a sweet moment, but mother sent me to get you, she's getting ready to go to the store so you can pick out a wedding dress." Kuu said as she poked her head outside.

Fuu smiled, "thank you Kuu," she said with a smile. Then to Ferio she said, "I'm so excited! I hardly ever get really excited, but I am right now!"

Ferio laughed. "Oh I wish you could always be this excited," he gave her wink.

She messed his hair and then went inside.

During the car ride to the store Fuu decided it was now or never to ask a certain question. "Are Ferio and I going to be allowed to go on a honey moon?"

"Of course dear, we figured you could spend the week at Ferio's family's beach house." Her mom replied.

"I still can't believe it, my own little sister, getting married, and before me too!" Kuu said from the back seat as she crossed her arms.

"You're also marrying before Ferio's older sister Emeraude." Fuu's mom teased.

Fuu blushed and look down at her hands, "I will also die before Kuu and Emeraude-san."

The smile on Kuu's face melted away. "I didn't mean to bring that up." She said very softly.

Fuu nodded, "I know, but it's on my mind all the time."

"Oh! Look! We're here!" Fuu's mother said with a renewed excitement.

Fuu too was a gain focused on finding the perfect dress. They met Ferio's mother and Emeraude outside the store.

"Fuu-chan!" Emeraude cried as she hugged Fuu.

"Good afternoon Emeraude," Fuu replied.

Emeraude had blonde hair that fell just at her hips. She had on a long skirt with flowers and a white tank top.

Ferio's mother looked much like Fuu's mother, the same blondish/grayish color, and the short hair cut. But Ferio's mother had blue eyes unlike Fuu's mother who had green eyes.

Ferio's mother smiled. "How are you?"

"Still alive," Fuu replied with a bright smile.

"Glad to hear it," Ferio's mother replied.

"Shall we go in?" Fuu suggested.

"We shall," Fuu's mother replied before giggling like a school girl. "I keep slipping back to when I was picking *my* wedding gown!"

"Me too!" Ferio's mother said as she let out a slight squeal.

"Oh goody," Emeraude grumbled.

Hot involuntary tears filled Fuu's already sad eyes. It had occurred to her that even though she was going to marry her beloved, there were so many things they'd never do. She'd never been in her 40's helping her daughter or daughter in law to be, pick out their wedding dress. She'd never be saying 'I remember pick out my dress....' She'd never be that old.

"Fuu, honey, what's wrong?" Her mother said with a worried look in her parental eyes.

"I am never going to grow old..... I am never going to bear children. I am never going to be able to tell my daughter I remember picking out my dress. There are so many nevers." Fuu said as she held back her tears.

"Oh Fuu, don't think about that stuff right now." Ferio's mom replied as she hugged her.

Fuu had to smile, Ferio's mother was so understanding and helpful.

The girls then went into the bridal dress shop. Fuu kinda wished she had brought sun glasses, there were a *lot* of white dresses. Fuu didn't want anything too big or puffy. She wanted something that was simplistic, elegant, sleek, something that said look at my great figure...

She finally happened upon and fell in love with a gown. It had sleeves that were slightly sheer, they didn't cover her shoulders and the neckline was slightly deep. The skirt was form fitting and then had a few layers of the same sheer fabric the was parted in the center. It all came together in the middle and then puddled at her feet.

While her mom aid for the dress, Fuu, Kuu and Emeraude hung out outside the store.

"I'm so happy for you and my brother, I don't know that I'm going to do though if he remarries. I just can't see him with anyone else." Emeraude said with a sigh.

A chill came over Fuu. She had thought about the fact that she was going to die and leave him. That she would never give him any children. That they would never grow old together, and she was slowly excepting all of it. But the idea that Ferio would fall in love with anyone else and marry anyone else had just never occurred to her.

Kuu frowned at Emeraude who immediately realized her mistake in what she had said. "Like I said Fuu-chan, I can't see Ferio with anyone else."

Fuu smiled, "It's ok, you don't have to baby me. And please, please, don't pity me."

Emeraude nodded, "fair enough."

Hikaru was jumping around like a cheerleader after 12 cups of coffee.

"This is soooooooooooo exciting!" Hikaru cried as she twirled around in her prom dress.

Umi was... A bit less excited. "I can't believe your parents let you do this." Umi said as she looked a bit worried. "You're so young."

"Zip it," Fuu snapped.

Fuu's mother came back finally, "it's show time ladies."

Fuu began to tremble and she was covered with goose bumps. "Wow.... This is for real now..."

Fuu held in her hands a bouquet of gold roses as she peaked out to see Ferio at the alter with Lantis at his side. As the wedding march began to play over the huge pipe organ Umi and Hikaru went ahead of Fuu, who was frozen in place. She stood there clutching her bouquet.

"Fuu?" Kuu said as she tapped Fuu on the shoulder.

"I'm so happy, it's all so perfect, I can't move forward." Fuu said tearily.

"Why Not?" Emeraude said as she pointed the video camera at Fuu.

"If I stand here forever I never had to leave it all." Fuu replied. "And yes I know it is absolutely illogical."

"Fuu, move you butt!" Kuu said as she gave Fuu a shove.

Ferio waited to see Ferio in her wedding gown for the first time. He held his breathe until she awkwardly appeared in the door way. Once again he was breathless, captivated by her beauty.

She walked down the isle trying hard to smile and not cry. There were tears of joy, but still she held them back. She neared the end of the church's isle and stood before Ferio and the priest.

"Who give this woman to this man?" The priest asked.

"Her mother and I," her father replied.

Tears sprung into her eyes as her father gave her hand to Ferio. Ferio gave Fuu's father a slight nod and smile.

Fuu and Ferio then both turned and faced the priest once more.

"Friends, we are gathered together in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Fuu and Ferio in marriage. I ask you now, in the presence of God and these people, to declare your intention to enter into union with one another," the priest said in a formal and loud voice. "Ferio, please repeat after me."

Ferio nodded.

"I Ferio, take you, Fuu, to be my wife," the priest said.

"I Ferio, take you, Fuu, to be my wife," Ferio echoed.

"To have and to hold from this day forward,"

"To have and to hold from this day forward,"

"for better, for worse,"

"for better, for worse,"

"for richer, for poorer,"

"for richer, for poorer,"

"in sickness and in health,"

"in sickness and in health,"

"to love and to cherish"

"to love and to cherish"

"until we are parted by death."

"until we are parted by death."

"This is my solemn vow."

"This is my solemn vow."

"I Fuu, take you, Ferio, to be my husband,"

"I Fuu, take you, Ferio, to be my husband,"

"To have and to hold from this day forward,"

"To have and to hold from this day forward,"

"for better, for worse,"

"for better, for worse,"

"for richer, for poorer,"

"for richer, for poorer,"

"in sickness and in health,"

"in sickness and in health,"

"to love and to cherish"

"to love and to cherish"

"until we are parted by death."

"until we are parted by death."

"This is my solemn vow."

"This is my solemn vow."

"These rings are the outward visible sign of inward and spiritual grace," the priest said.

"Fuu, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you," Ferio said as he slipped a ring on Fuu's finger.

"Ferio, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you," Fuu said as she slipped a ring on Ferio's finger.

"You have declared your consent and vows before God and his congregation. May God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace." The priest said. "Now that Fuu and Ferio Have given themselves to each other by solemn vows with the giving and receiving of rings, I announce to you that they are husband and wife; Those who God has joined together, let no one put asunder." The priest said.

And with that Fuu and Ferio kissed, the kiss was beyond powerful. Beyond joyful. It locked them in a moment of time so sweet, so perfect, that neither of them, for the rest of their lives, would ever mark time without thinking of this moment... Of this hour... Of this day. For a moment, it felt to them both like an oasis of perfection, a bubble in time that, if it were completely up to them, would never be broken.

Fuu sat in a gray metal chair with her hands folded in her lap. Ferio came out with Eagle, the two had with them pieces of the stereo. Ferio also had on top of the speaker he was carrying, he had a CD.

Fuu got up and went across the yard to where they were setting the stereo up on a folding table. She hugged Ferio from behind. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"Setting everything up for our first dance as husband and wife." Ferio replied.

Fuu smiled, "You two are so sweet."

"Yes," Ferio replied as he turned around to face her. "But you only married one of us." He said with a wink.

Fuu pulled Ferio's lips against her wanting to taste the sweet lips that belonged to her, and only her. Everyone around her whistled, but she didn't care!

"And now, it's time for Fuu and Ferio to have their first dance as husband and wife!" Eagle said as he held a microphone that was attached to the stereo.

Then the music began to play, and the song brought a smile to her lips.

I may not need to sail the ocean

I've got no need to climb a mountain high

But there'll be no time I won't need you by my side

You can depend on my love forever

You can be sure baby, sure baby

I'll never not want you

Never not care

Never not need to always be there

No I'll never stop loving you the way that I do

No matter what you'll do, I'll never not want you sharing my life

Never not need to feel your touch at night

No there's one thing I will never not do

I'll never not need you

Never not need you baby

I won't want no one else's kisses, I'll never hunger for another's touch

And they'll be no one else this heart will ever love

You can be sure I am yours forever

'cause you are my world baby, world baby

I'll never not want you

Never not care

Never not need to always be there

No I'll never sop loving you the way that I do

No matter what you do, I'll never

Not want you sharing my life

Never not need to feel your touch at night

No there's one thing I will never not do

I'll never not need you

Never not need you

Never not need you baby

Don't need the whole world at my feet

But I will always need you loving me

You're just so much a part of me

I'll stop breathing before I ever stop need you

"Don't ever let go," she whispered.

"Ferio-chan!" Fuu yelped.

"I told you that you look hot in white," he said referring to the icing.

She laughed and shook her head, and then smashed his piece in his face.

She made a soft sighing noise and rubbed her eyes in her sleep.

the afternoon sun illuminated Fuu's golden hair, Ferio could only glance at her though, else he'd lose the road. He couldn't wait to get there and see her strip out of her white pleated skirt and green tank top- and into a cute little bathing suit.

When they arrived it was now 8:00pm. Fuu opened one eye, "I'm not dreading am I?" She said groggily.

"Depends on what you mean. Ferio replied.

"Am I married to you and on my honey moon?"

Ferio kissed her with a passion.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Fuu said with a grin.

"How about dinner and then a walk on the beach?" Ferio suggested.

"Sounds absolutely lovely," Fuu answered.

The two settled in and had dinner, then they went bare foot out onto the moon lit beach.

"So, here we are, married, and alone." Ferio said as he squeezed Fuu's hand.

Fuu nodded. "I know... And I'm sorry I'll never be able to give you any children." Fuu said as she lowered her head.

Ferio stopped walking and turned to face Fuu, who's face was lit by the moon.

"And I want you to know that you should have no regrets when you fall in love again and remarry." Fuu whispered tearily.

Ferio shook his head. "Remember the song I picked out?" He asked as he tilted Fuu's chin up with his finger. "There will never be anyone that I will love besides you."

Fuu smiled and was about to say something when Ferio pulled her down into the sand with him. She was shocked and almost scared, but she trusted Ferio.

"Look at all the stars, " Ferio whispered.

"They're beautiful," Fuu said in an awe filled voice.

Ferio pressed his lips to hers wanting to be as close as he could.

"Not on the beach," Fuu protested.

Ferio grinned and swept her up in his arms and carried her up to the beach house. Once back Ferio set Fuu down in the bed and climbed in with her. He turned out the light and began to kiss her.

"Ferio-chan, if I die to night, I'd go with no regrets, because if I die in your arms, I'd know that I was blessed. And if you eyes, are the last thing that I see, I'd know the beauty heaven holds for me." Fuu whispered.

Ferio's heart broke into mushy but torn pieces. This illness would never let him and Fuu live the lives they were meant to have.

"Fuu-chan, close your eyes, close your eyes and forget about time. Because to night, to night we have all the time in the world." Ferio whispered into her ear.

She ran her fingers across his face.

'If tomorrow never comes, will he know how much I love him? That I try everyday in every way to show him that he's my only one. If my time on earth was through, and he had to face the world without me, is the love I gave him in the past, gonna be enough to last... If tomorrow never comes.' Fuu asked herself.

Around noon Fuu finally woke up and realized Ferio was gone. She put on a white tank top and a pair of white panties and then she went and found Ferio out on the beach house's second story deck. he was facing forward leaving against the rail looking out over the ocean.

Fuu came up behind him and hugged him, burring her face in his back. "I love you."

Ferio took her hands in his. "I love you too."

"The water looks nice," Fuu observed.

"Mmm, not ever half as nice as you look," Ferio replied slyly.

"You think I look good?" Fuu said as Ferio turned to face her.

"Good enough to eat," Ferio replied with a leer.

He then began to kiss her neck, then he moved down- and so did his hands. Fuu guided his lips back to hers. And then she pulled away, stepped inside, and closed the door. Ferio laughed and let himself in.

Fuu put on her one piece dark green bathing suit, not what he had expected, but oh well. Ferio put on his green swim trunks and the two of them went out on the beach.

They were in a less visited part of the bach because there were so many residential houses and mostly that part of the beach was considered private.

"Can't catch me!" Fuu called as she tore off trough the waves that lapped at her ankles.

Ferio chased after her and easily caught up to her. He pulled her down into the small lapping waves with him. He kissed her on the lips tasting her sweetness along with the oceans saltiness.

"Mmm, you kiss so well my koi," Fuu said.

"Ahh, there is so much I can do so well my Fuu-chan." Ferio said with a wink.

Fuu laughed and gazed up into Ferio's golden eyes. "Mmmm, do I love you." She said.

Rain poured down making quit a racket on the roof, but Fuu and Ferio were cozy and warm on the couch. Fuu's feet were in Ferio's lap while her nose was in a book.

Ferio was feeling slightly bored, so he tickled her feet.

"Hey!" She yelped as she laughed.

Then Fuu grabbed a pillow from off the couch and hit him with it.

"How much do you love me?" Fuu asked.

"Sooooo much!" Ferio replied.

Fuu shook her head, "no, how much?"

"To the moon and back a hundred million times.... Naaaahhhh.... I can't thing of a number figure for how much I love you." Ferio replied.

"Ditto."

"Now there's a weird answer," he teased.

"Time for bed," Fuu announced.

"But Fuu, it's only three-" Ferio began and then he stopped and grinned.

He scooped Fuu up in his arms and then went into the bed room, where he closed the door behind them.