Cid sat in the pilot's chair. The Garden hadn't been airborne since his predecessor passed away, giving him the role of Headmaster. He thought about his wife, Edea. She was a good wife, he thought to himself. Knowing Squall and his fellow SeeD classmates were off to assassinate her left an empty pit in his stomach.
He stood and walked toward his desk. He opened the topmost right drawer and pulled out a photograph he told himself he should have destroyed long ago. He stared at an image of himself thirteen years younger. A flatter stomach and more jovial face stared back at him. His left hand was waving to the camera, his right was resting in his wife's. Edea. Sorceress Edea. She was called Matron back then by the kids at the orphanage. Her smile was nurturing, her gaze caring.
His eyes traveled down to the kids standing around their feet. They all carried the same expressions now as they did then. Squall had a serious face, but still stood slightly behind Quistis so you couldn't see his whole face. Zell had the energy that never faded, trying to escape the frame, but Seifer was holding onto his shirt so he couldn't. Selphie was on the balls of her feet, trying to give Irvine a kiss on the cheek. Ellone stood taller than the others, standing right beside Edea, holding her hand. She had a forced look in her expression that always upset Cid.
Cid sighed and rubbed his eyes. He readjusted his glasses and set the picture in the trash. He stood and stared out the window toward the ocean, hoping his wife's death would be quick. He sighed and stood in front of the trashcan. He pointed and whispered, "Fire," casting the spell that lit the photo ablaze. He watched the flames as they crackled and spit, waiting until the fire got lower and lower, the memories crumbling to ash.
He walked out of his office and stepped onto the elevator, punching the button marked '1F.' He walked toward the cafeteria, hoping there were still some hot dogs left.