Laguna sighed trying to focus on the computer terminal. He rubbed
his eyes with his hands thinking that he probably should have his eyes
checked out, even though he refused because of Kiros and Ellone's urging.
He chuckled at his own stubbornness. "Ah, it will do for now," he blinked
several times and then focused back on his report reading.
A soft knock sounded at his door. Thankful for the distraction he called for the visitor to come in, "Ellone, good morning." He smiled at his beloved adopted daughter.
"Uncle Laguna, are you busy?" she asked.
Laguna laughed, "I'm always busy. But I could really use a break."
She walked over to him. She picked his hands up and brought him to his feet, "then let me treat you to some tea."
"Tea? Your treat?? Is the world going to end?" He asked teasingly. Although, the thought struck him, usually if Ellone wanted to discuss something important she would take him out on a walk, for a drink, or a place to eat. And of course, usually it involved his estranged son, Squall.
"No, not yet, but you never know," she smiled brightly. She tugged him along after her, "come on."
"Hang on, I need to lock my terminal..." he pulled away and typed a bit at his computer and turned to follow Ellone.
"Mmmmm," Laguna sipped his warm soothing tea.
Ellone chuckled at Laguna's overreaction, but she was waiting for the perfect time.
"My tea is almost gone..." Laguna watched Ellone. She was rubbing her fingers together, which reminded him of how Raine used to act when she was nervous.
"We can get more..."
"Not necessary, however, I would like to know what it is that you want to talk about," Laguna encouraged.
Ellone smiled, "Okay... Well, it's about Squall."
"Kind of guessed that..." Laguna took another sip of his tea.
"Well, he's now a daddy..."
Laguna choked on his tea and started coughing. The teacup spilled its contents and crashed on to the floor causing an earth shattering splintering sound.
"Laguna!" Ellone stood patting him on the back.
Laguna made a few gagging noises and stopped. He raised his hand indicating he was all right and cleared his throat. Several onlookers stared as their President make such a commotion. The waitress quickly rushed in to clean the mess. "Would you like some water, sir?"
"No," he croaked, cleared his throat,..."Never mind, I'll take a water, and a shot of scotch if you have it."
"Laguna!" Ellone scolded.
"Any Liquor is fine, then..." Laguna shrugged.
"Water is fine," Ellone corrected. She stared at him as the waitress scurried off with a grin.
Laguna pouted, "Fine I will wait until I get back to my quarters."
Ellone sighed, "aren't you happy?"
Laguna stared down at the table and smirked, "Well, I suppose I am. I guess this makes me a grandfather. Hurray for me! Not only can I suck as a father, but I can really suck as a grandfather." The waitress dropped off his water.
"Cheers!" he said raising his glass.
"Do we have to go through this again," Ellone warned.
"Go through what? I tried to make things right with Squall."
"It's not your fault..." Ellone started.
"Ha!" Laguna shook his head, "I leave my wife..."
"To find me!"
"I send you back..."
"To keep me safe from Adel!"
"And then I go on this damned fool crusade against this sorceress bitch, who ends up being resurrected and almost ending the world!" He slammed his fist on the table.
"Which would have happened sooner if you did not seal her away to begin with," Ellone sighed. This was a common discussion between the two of them.
"I should have been with her, Elle, I should have kept you from being taken away. I was a horrible protector. So, Squall grew up on his own. He resents me as well he should," Laguna finishes his water. His face faltered as the anger slipped away, "I'm sorry, Elle." He propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands. "So, I'm a grandfather, eh. I guess that means I'm pretty damned old."
"You have never been old, Uncle," Ellone patted his arm.
"I've tried with Squall. I was there when he and Rinoa got married, but he didn't say two words to me. I was there when he finally left Balamb Garden to seek a peaceful life in the country, and he barely said a word to me," he rubbed his eyes around the bridge of his nose. "I've sent him invitations to all the stupid ceremonies and such we do out here, and even when Rinoa manages to drag his ass in here, he completely avoids me at every turn. I've given up trying to have a relationship with him. I'd just would like to have a conversation with him, perhaps two sentences..."
"Well, this may be different. We need to go see the baby," Ellone smiled.
"What?" Laguna scoffed. "No, Ellone, it's time I leave him in peace. He loves you; you should go. But, I have given up."
"Laguna, this wasn't my idea," Ellone said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Laguna looked into her sparkling brown eyes.
"Squall wanted me to ask you to come."
* * *
"KIROS!!!" Laguna pounded on the door of his next in command. "Wake the hell up, Kiros!"
"Go away, Laguna," the drowsy voice behind the door yelled.
"It's important!" Laguna insisted still pounding. A tall muscular tan man with a sheet wrapped around his waist yanked the door open.
"What is it," Kiros asked through gritted teeth.
"Wha..." Laguna looked in and saw Erica, a petite redhead, also one of the counsel members in bed holding a sheet over her chest, "oh hello, Erica."
"Good morning, Mr. President," she nodded.
"Staff meeting?" Laguna looked from Erica's eyes to Kiros.
Kiros cleared his throat, "You were saying?"
"I'm a grandfather, Kiros!" He patted the half naked man's arm.
"What?"
"Rinoa had a baby, so I'm taking off to visit them!" he added excitedly.
"In Windhill?"
"Yes, so you're in charge, okay?" he smiled and nodded, "Great," he waved at Erica, "Bye, Erica, I hope the rumors are false about his inability to perform under pressure."
Kiros' face faltered and slammed the door. He turned to Erica, "That is not true..."
"Did he just say he was going to be a grandfather?" Erica asked as Kiros climbed back onto bed.
"Yeah, long story, I'll explain later..."
"I hope you don't feel any pressure, since you are in charge now..."
Kiros looked down at himself and then looked back up and grimaced, "Okay, I guess I will explain now."
* * *
Since the Ragnarok had been found, several other transport ships had been made in its likeness. The people offered to make the president his own personal one, but he refused. He felt in unnecessary to make a ship only for himself since he really didn't travel that much. But on the occasion where he did travel, he usually had a ship to himself.
In this particular instance, it was the Rangnarok. Laguna felt a bit at home in the ship his son had recovered from space. He stared out the window at Windhill approaching.
Squall and Rinoa decided that after they were married they would leave the Garden and live a life to their own in Windhill. An area remote to what they were used to, but the peace and quiet was fulfilling. Squall also remembered Laguna's feelings of the place, and he himself felt rather attached to it in some way.
The ship landed out by the hills, so that Laguna could say hello to a special person on the way. As he walked along his wife's marker and blew a kiss. "I'm going to see our grandchild now," he smiled, "wish me luck."
"Come on, Laguna," Ellone gently urged.
"Yes, ma'am." Laguna grinned after her.
* * *
Ellone rapped softly on the door of a modest cottage in Windhill. Laguna clicked his tongue nervously. He tapped his foot, cracked his knuckles, and random other annoying activities out of nervousness. Ellone grabbed his hand and glared at him, "It's going to be okay."
Laguna gulped and nodded as the door opened softly and Rinoa's sweet smiling face peeked through the crevice. "Ellone! Laguna!"
Ellone bowed, "Good morning, Rinoa, I hope the day finds you well."
"I'm so happy to see you," she brought her finger to her lips, "we have to be quiet though, Squall and the baby are asleep."
Ellone and Laguna nodded acknowledging that they understood. They followed Rinoa into the cottage.
"What's the baby's name?" Ellone asked.
"Raine, after her grandmother," Rinoa smiled and pointed.
Squall was fast asleep on the couch. His hand cupped the back of a tiny baby wrapped in pink blankets.
"She's beautiful," Ellone breathed.
Laguna stood in shock. It took all of his energy to not rush and embrace his children. Rinoa recognized the expression and slowly eased the baby away from Squall. Squall rustled slightly in his sleep and repositioned himself.
"Here..." Rinoa motioned for Laguna to sit down. Ellone pushed to shocked man to his senses. He sat down trembling. Rinoa gently placed the sleeping bundle in his arms, after a brief lesson in holding babies.
"Raine..." Laguna sighed. "She's so beautiful." He held her softly and cautiously. He wasn't familiar with this, but it definitely felt right. The baby snuggled up to him and slept. He softly touched the baby's cheek and held her hand. His eyes blinked away the emerging tears.
Ellone sat down next to him, "how does it feel, grandpa?" Laguna grinned, but never took his eyes off baby Raine.
Baby Raine cast a spell on Laguna and he knew it. He watched her sleep soundly and then perk up awake. He smiled at those beautiful eyes as they stared back into his face. He began to make noises and sounds just to see the baby react. He laughed several times, and lifted her up gently, supporting her neck (as Ellone kept warning him to do...) "How's the most beautiful baby girl in the world doing?" he chirped.
"As nutty as always," he heard a familiar voice say to him. Laguna slowly turned to where he thought Ellone was sitting, and instead he saw the weary look of his estranged son. He wasn't quite sure what to say so; instead he looked back at the baby.
"I'm sorry..." he shook his head thinking, once again, he had blown it.
"No, that's okay," Squall answered quickly, "I think I understand now."
"Understand...?" Laguna frowned, cradling the baby once more. She cooed a couple of times reaching up her hand. Squall let Raine clasp his finger.
"It's okay, I'm the one who should apologize..." Squall said quietly. "Being a father, now, I understand..."
Laguna nodded, "There's so much I..."
"It's okay," Squall interrupted.
Raine started a small whimper into a cry, "Oh, what do I do?" Laguna looked around for help.
Rinoa walked over to him and picked up the baby, "Nothing, right now, she's hungry." Rinoa picked her up. "I will be back shortly," she grinned. "Ellone, would you like to come with me?"
Ellone walked out of the room leaving Squall and Laguna alone.
The silence was deafening. Neither of them said a word. Laguna kept on trying to think of the right thing to say, but was at a loss.
Squall shifted uncomfortably, "I'm glad you came. I wasn't sure you would, considering..."
"Anytime you call, I will come for you. I can't apologize enough for the past, but I will do all I can to be a father and a grandfather now," Laguna looked into his son's eyes. "You do have a lot of Raine in you."
Squall chuckled, which surprised Laguna. This was the first time he's ever heard him chuckle, "Rinoa thinks I have a lot of you in me."
Laguna smirked and the both of them shook their heads, "Nah..." they said in unison.
Their continued silence was suddenly broken by an ear-piercing scream. The two of the stood and ran into the room where Rinoa and Ellone were. Rinoa laid down unconscious, blood seeping from her forehead. Ellone was slumped against the floor. Squall ran to Rinoa's side inspecting the wound, "Where's the baby??" He yelled.
Laguna ran to Ellone whose breaths became shallow. "They took her..." she whispered.
A soft knock sounded at his door. Thankful for the distraction he called for the visitor to come in, "Ellone, good morning." He smiled at his beloved adopted daughter.
"Uncle Laguna, are you busy?" she asked.
Laguna laughed, "I'm always busy. But I could really use a break."
She walked over to him. She picked his hands up and brought him to his feet, "then let me treat you to some tea."
"Tea? Your treat?? Is the world going to end?" He asked teasingly. Although, the thought struck him, usually if Ellone wanted to discuss something important she would take him out on a walk, for a drink, or a place to eat. And of course, usually it involved his estranged son, Squall.
"No, not yet, but you never know," she smiled brightly. She tugged him along after her, "come on."
"Hang on, I need to lock my terminal..." he pulled away and typed a bit at his computer and turned to follow Ellone.
"Mmmmm," Laguna sipped his warm soothing tea.
Ellone chuckled at Laguna's overreaction, but she was waiting for the perfect time.
"My tea is almost gone..." Laguna watched Ellone. She was rubbing her fingers together, which reminded him of how Raine used to act when she was nervous.
"We can get more..."
"Not necessary, however, I would like to know what it is that you want to talk about," Laguna encouraged.
Ellone smiled, "Okay... Well, it's about Squall."
"Kind of guessed that..." Laguna took another sip of his tea.
"Well, he's now a daddy..."
Laguna choked on his tea and started coughing. The teacup spilled its contents and crashed on to the floor causing an earth shattering splintering sound.
"Laguna!" Ellone stood patting him on the back.
Laguna made a few gagging noises and stopped. He raised his hand indicating he was all right and cleared his throat. Several onlookers stared as their President make such a commotion. The waitress quickly rushed in to clean the mess. "Would you like some water, sir?"
"No," he croaked, cleared his throat,..."Never mind, I'll take a water, and a shot of scotch if you have it."
"Laguna!" Ellone scolded.
"Any Liquor is fine, then..." Laguna shrugged.
"Water is fine," Ellone corrected. She stared at him as the waitress scurried off with a grin.
Laguna pouted, "Fine I will wait until I get back to my quarters."
Ellone sighed, "aren't you happy?"
Laguna stared down at the table and smirked, "Well, I suppose I am. I guess this makes me a grandfather. Hurray for me! Not only can I suck as a father, but I can really suck as a grandfather." The waitress dropped off his water.
"Cheers!" he said raising his glass.
"Do we have to go through this again," Ellone warned.
"Go through what? I tried to make things right with Squall."
"It's not your fault..." Ellone started.
"Ha!" Laguna shook his head, "I leave my wife..."
"To find me!"
"I send you back..."
"To keep me safe from Adel!"
"And then I go on this damned fool crusade against this sorceress bitch, who ends up being resurrected and almost ending the world!" He slammed his fist on the table.
"Which would have happened sooner if you did not seal her away to begin with," Ellone sighed. This was a common discussion between the two of them.
"I should have been with her, Elle, I should have kept you from being taken away. I was a horrible protector. So, Squall grew up on his own. He resents me as well he should," Laguna finishes his water. His face faltered as the anger slipped away, "I'm sorry, Elle." He propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands. "So, I'm a grandfather, eh. I guess that means I'm pretty damned old."
"You have never been old, Uncle," Ellone patted his arm.
"I've tried with Squall. I was there when he and Rinoa got married, but he didn't say two words to me. I was there when he finally left Balamb Garden to seek a peaceful life in the country, and he barely said a word to me," he rubbed his eyes around the bridge of his nose. "I've sent him invitations to all the stupid ceremonies and such we do out here, and even when Rinoa manages to drag his ass in here, he completely avoids me at every turn. I've given up trying to have a relationship with him. I'd just would like to have a conversation with him, perhaps two sentences..."
"Well, this may be different. We need to go see the baby," Ellone smiled.
"What?" Laguna scoffed. "No, Ellone, it's time I leave him in peace. He loves you; you should go. But, I have given up."
"Laguna, this wasn't my idea," Ellone said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Laguna looked into her sparkling brown eyes.
"Squall wanted me to ask you to come."
* * *
"KIROS!!!" Laguna pounded on the door of his next in command. "Wake the hell up, Kiros!"
"Go away, Laguna," the drowsy voice behind the door yelled.
"It's important!" Laguna insisted still pounding. A tall muscular tan man with a sheet wrapped around his waist yanked the door open.
"What is it," Kiros asked through gritted teeth.
"Wha..." Laguna looked in and saw Erica, a petite redhead, also one of the counsel members in bed holding a sheet over her chest, "oh hello, Erica."
"Good morning, Mr. President," she nodded.
"Staff meeting?" Laguna looked from Erica's eyes to Kiros.
Kiros cleared his throat, "You were saying?"
"I'm a grandfather, Kiros!" He patted the half naked man's arm.
"What?"
"Rinoa had a baby, so I'm taking off to visit them!" he added excitedly.
"In Windhill?"
"Yes, so you're in charge, okay?" he smiled and nodded, "Great," he waved at Erica, "Bye, Erica, I hope the rumors are false about his inability to perform under pressure."
Kiros' face faltered and slammed the door. He turned to Erica, "That is not true..."
"Did he just say he was going to be a grandfather?" Erica asked as Kiros climbed back onto bed.
"Yeah, long story, I'll explain later..."
"I hope you don't feel any pressure, since you are in charge now..."
Kiros looked down at himself and then looked back up and grimaced, "Okay, I guess I will explain now."
* * *
Since the Ragnarok had been found, several other transport ships had been made in its likeness. The people offered to make the president his own personal one, but he refused. He felt in unnecessary to make a ship only for himself since he really didn't travel that much. But on the occasion where he did travel, he usually had a ship to himself.
In this particular instance, it was the Rangnarok. Laguna felt a bit at home in the ship his son had recovered from space. He stared out the window at Windhill approaching.
Squall and Rinoa decided that after they were married they would leave the Garden and live a life to their own in Windhill. An area remote to what they were used to, but the peace and quiet was fulfilling. Squall also remembered Laguna's feelings of the place, and he himself felt rather attached to it in some way.
The ship landed out by the hills, so that Laguna could say hello to a special person on the way. As he walked along his wife's marker and blew a kiss. "I'm going to see our grandchild now," he smiled, "wish me luck."
"Come on, Laguna," Ellone gently urged.
"Yes, ma'am." Laguna grinned after her.
* * *
Ellone rapped softly on the door of a modest cottage in Windhill. Laguna clicked his tongue nervously. He tapped his foot, cracked his knuckles, and random other annoying activities out of nervousness. Ellone grabbed his hand and glared at him, "It's going to be okay."
Laguna gulped and nodded as the door opened softly and Rinoa's sweet smiling face peeked through the crevice. "Ellone! Laguna!"
Ellone bowed, "Good morning, Rinoa, I hope the day finds you well."
"I'm so happy to see you," she brought her finger to her lips, "we have to be quiet though, Squall and the baby are asleep."
Ellone and Laguna nodded acknowledging that they understood. They followed Rinoa into the cottage.
"What's the baby's name?" Ellone asked.
"Raine, after her grandmother," Rinoa smiled and pointed.
Squall was fast asleep on the couch. His hand cupped the back of a tiny baby wrapped in pink blankets.
"She's beautiful," Ellone breathed.
Laguna stood in shock. It took all of his energy to not rush and embrace his children. Rinoa recognized the expression and slowly eased the baby away from Squall. Squall rustled slightly in his sleep and repositioned himself.
"Here..." Rinoa motioned for Laguna to sit down. Ellone pushed to shocked man to his senses. He sat down trembling. Rinoa gently placed the sleeping bundle in his arms, after a brief lesson in holding babies.
"Raine..." Laguna sighed. "She's so beautiful." He held her softly and cautiously. He wasn't familiar with this, but it definitely felt right. The baby snuggled up to him and slept. He softly touched the baby's cheek and held her hand. His eyes blinked away the emerging tears.
Ellone sat down next to him, "how does it feel, grandpa?" Laguna grinned, but never took his eyes off baby Raine.
Baby Raine cast a spell on Laguna and he knew it. He watched her sleep soundly and then perk up awake. He smiled at those beautiful eyes as they stared back into his face. He began to make noises and sounds just to see the baby react. He laughed several times, and lifted her up gently, supporting her neck (as Ellone kept warning him to do...) "How's the most beautiful baby girl in the world doing?" he chirped.
"As nutty as always," he heard a familiar voice say to him. Laguna slowly turned to where he thought Ellone was sitting, and instead he saw the weary look of his estranged son. He wasn't quite sure what to say so; instead he looked back at the baby.
"I'm sorry..." he shook his head thinking, once again, he had blown it.
"No, that's okay," Squall answered quickly, "I think I understand now."
"Understand...?" Laguna frowned, cradling the baby once more. She cooed a couple of times reaching up her hand. Squall let Raine clasp his finger.
"It's okay, I'm the one who should apologize..." Squall said quietly. "Being a father, now, I understand..."
Laguna nodded, "There's so much I..."
"It's okay," Squall interrupted.
Raine started a small whimper into a cry, "Oh, what do I do?" Laguna looked around for help.
Rinoa walked over to him and picked up the baby, "Nothing, right now, she's hungry." Rinoa picked her up. "I will be back shortly," she grinned. "Ellone, would you like to come with me?"
Ellone walked out of the room leaving Squall and Laguna alone.
The silence was deafening. Neither of them said a word. Laguna kept on trying to think of the right thing to say, but was at a loss.
Squall shifted uncomfortably, "I'm glad you came. I wasn't sure you would, considering..."
"Anytime you call, I will come for you. I can't apologize enough for the past, but I will do all I can to be a father and a grandfather now," Laguna looked into his son's eyes. "You do have a lot of Raine in you."
Squall chuckled, which surprised Laguna. This was the first time he's ever heard him chuckle, "Rinoa thinks I have a lot of you in me."
Laguna smirked and the both of them shook their heads, "Nah..." they said in unison.
Their continued silence was suddenly broken by an ear-piercing scream. The two of the stood and ran into the room where Rinoa and Ellone were. Rinoa laid down unconscious, blood seeping from her forehead. Ellone was slumped against the floor. Squall ran to Rinoa's side inspecting the wound, "Where's the baby??" He yelled.
Laguna ran to Ellone whose breaths became shallow. "They took her..." she whispered.