The gang had just arrived at Lindblums docking station as Eiko came out to greet them. Sadly, she was with a letter from Garnet, which meant some good news and bad. Eiko was now 24 and still single. She looked the same in the face, but she now wore her long blue hair in the ribbon Mog gave her. Her horn was slightly larger and she wore a light blue dress. She was now considered the princess of Lindblum and she showed it proudly.
"Hi Aunt Eiko!" Diane greeted hugging Eiko and taking the thick envelope. Diane opened it and found the wedding invitations. She sighed and passed it to her father.
"Ahh, wedding invites. Here Eiko, and I'll give Cid and Hilda theirs." That's when something crossed his mind. "Hey do you know if Vivi is still alive?" Zidane asked handing a white letter to Eiko.
"According to your friend in the Black Mage Village, yes." Eiko said looking at the invitation. Her eyes lit up after she read it. She turned to Diane. "Oh you're getting married to Jupiter huh? Oh what a cute couple."
"We think so too." Diane said as Jupiter came up behind her holding a sleeping Zane. Eiko noticed this.
"Oh is that Zane! He's grown a lot since I last saw him!" Eiko screeched grabbing Zane from Jupiter. Zane didn't even stir as Eiko tossed him over her shoulder and hugged him tightly. They walked off to the guest room
Once at the guest room, they started unpacking. Jupiter and Diane would share a bed. Sally, Zidane, and Zane would take the other three beds. Once settled down, they began to file out of the room. All, that is, except for Jupiter and Diane.
"Well, we we're alone." Jupiter said.
Diane rolled her eyes. "Yeah, thanks for stating the obvious."
Jupiter chuckled. "I saw that one coming. So, Diane, know that we have some alone time…" He trailed off.
Diane got the message, walked up to him, and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and started kissing back. There kiss intensified, and once again they found themselves on the bed again. Jupiter was on top, again. They continued to kiss.
Eventually, Jupiter moved his hand under Diane's shirt, and started feeling her breasts. That's when Diane threw him off of her. Jupiter landed on the ground. He looked up at Diane.
"What was that for?" He said, utterly shocked at what Diane had done.
"Jupiter, we can't do that-" he interrupted her.
"What do you mean we can't? Of course we can. We've done it before. You wanted it, I wanted it; there's nothing wrong with having sex with the person you love." He said.
"I mean we can't do that here. Suppose someone walks in on us. Did you stop to consider that?" She said.
Jupiter thought about this for a moment. Finally, he sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. I…I got caught up in the moment."
Diane smiled. "Don't worry about it…now, were did we leave off?"
Jupiter smiled, got back onto the bed, and the two of them resumed their kissing. However, before they were even two seconds into the kiss; someone behind them cleared their throat.
Jupiter broke the kiss off, and turned to see who was there. Diane looked over Jupiter's shoulder to see who it was. Her heart froze, it was her father. He was standing there looking at them with his arms crossed over his chest. His mouth was just a thin line, and his eyes showed little emotion.
"Dad…uh, when did you get back?" She asked, trying to act innocent.
"A few minutes ago." He said. His voice was completely deadpan.
Diane realized that he had heard everything. She knew that her secret had been discovered. She knew that she and Jupiter were in deep shit, and that there was no way of getting out of it.
"Dad…I-" he interrupted her.
"You're coming with me to invite Cid, Hilda, and Artania to the wedding. Jupiter, you're staying here." He said. He still spoke with a deadpan voice. He turned to leave.
Diane was terrified. Her father had never spoken to her like that. She expected him to be angry, but this was…different.
"Father, I'm sorry!" She yelled.
"Come on Diane, you're holding us up." He still spoke with that deadpan voice.
Diane wanted to cry, but she knew that to do so would only make things worse. She got off the bed. Before she left, Jupiter grabbed her arm.
"Diane, I'm sorry. I didn't-" She interrupted him.
"It's alright…well, I better get going." Jupiter let go of her, and she walked down the stairs to join her father.
Zidane walked out of the room. He couldn't believe what he had heard. He couldn't believe that his daughter had sex before marriage. Not only that, but she and Jupiter intended to hide it from everyone. What was worse was that they were in the middle of an adventure with a crazed madman after them. If Diane got pregnant during the adventure it'd hinder her in battle, and she could very well die. He thought his daughter had more sense than to do something like this; especially with the way things are now. They'd have to wait her a few months and see if Diane becomes pregnant
Zidane was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he nearly ran over Zane as he was walking down the hall. Zidane stopped just before that almost happened.
"Watch were you're going, son." He spat out.
Zane was shaken by his father's voice. Zidane noticed this, and tried to calm down. After a few seconds, he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Zane. Look, I'm going up to see Cid. Hilda, and Artania; you said you wanted to see them." Zane nodded.
"Yeah, but dad why are you angry at me?" he asked.
Zidane sighed. "I'm not angry at you." He turned his head and saw Diane leave the guest room. "I'm angry at Diane."
Zane looked over at Diane and saw her approach them. He also noticed that she seemed very disturbed and sad.
"What did sissy do?" he asked.
"I'll tell you when you're older." He said.
Zane nodded. "Oh, is it grown up stuff?"
Zidane nodded. "Yes, Zane…yes it is grown up stuff."
After a few seconds, Diane was standing next to them. Zidane looked at her, and the walked off towards the elevator. Diane walked beside him, and Zane brought up the rear.
After they rode the elevator to the top floor, they got off and went to the throne room. The guards let them pass since they knew who they were. After a few seconds, they reached the doors to the throne room. They opened the doors, and walked up the stairs that lead to the throne.
When they got there, they noticed that everyone was there. Minister Artania looked at them with a surprised look, Lady Hilda was standing right next to him, and Cid was sitting on the throne looking bored. Hilda smiled at them and walked over to greet them.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Hello Zidane, Diane, and Zane." They each nodded. Hilda noticed that Diane seemed saddened.
Zidane nudged Diane. Diane got the message. "Uncle Cid, Lady Hilda, Uncle Artania... um... you are invited to my wedding of me and Jupiter... There I asked it." Diane said, staring at the ground.
"Oh really! That's great, Princess! We'll be sure to come, right Cid?" Lady Hilda said hugging Diane and taking the invitations. She turned to Cid and gave him a 'you-better-say-yes' glare.
"To Jupiter?... You mean Blanks son right? I saw this coming." Cid said sleepily.
"That means yes Princess." Artania added looking at Zane.
"Well is that all you came for?" Cid asked while Zane tapped his foot.
"No, Zane wanted to see you, and DIANE decided she was old enough to try to get knocked up and now we have to stay a couple a months to see if she is pregnant." Zidane said in a harsh voice. Diane couldn't take it anymore. She burst into tears and ran out of the throne room.
Zidane looked back at his retreating daughter. He hadn't meant to say that. Now he felt ashamed. He had just humiliated his daughter. No one spoke for some time. Finally, Zane spoke.
"Daddy, what's 'knocked up' mean?"
Zidane frowned; he had forgotten that his son was in the room. "I'll tell you when you're older." He turned to Cid and Hilda. "I'm gonna go tell Blank and Ruby about their son." He turned to Zane. "You stay here, alright?" Zane nodded, and Zidane left the throne room.
Silence filled the room. Hilda looked around desperately for a way to brighten things up. Her eyes fell on Zane, and she got an idea. "Zane how are you? How have you been the last four years?" She asked looking down at Zane. Zane brightened and started explaining. The two of them chatted away.
Diane ran down the hallway towards the guest room. She couldn't believe her father had said that, and right in front of everyone. She was so upset that she didn't watch were she was going, and ran into someone. She fell on her butt, and looked at who she had run into; it was Sally.
Sally became alarmed when she saw Diane. "Diane, what happened? You look terrible." Instead of responding, Diane threw her arms around her friend, and cried on her shoulder.
Now, Sally was very worried. "Diane, what's wrong? Tell me." Diane told her everything.
After Diane told her, Sally was shocked. "Your father said that right in front of everyone. I can't believe him. No wonder you're so upset. Here let me get you back to the room." Diane nodded, and Sally helped her to the room
Meanwhile, at the Tantalus Hideout…
"He was trying to do what?" Blank yelled standing up.
"How long as he been trying to do this is a better question?" Ruby asked also standing up.
Baku blinked surprisingly at Zidane who was sitting at the circular table as the bell started ringing. Marcus and Cinna were right beside Baku. Both of them were sleeping.
"From what I've heard they've done it before; though, how many times…I have no idea. It'll be a miracle if she isn't pregnant." Zidane said putting his head on his arms.
"Oh he is going to get it! I'll chase him down with a metal bat!" Ruby threatened grabbing her bat from under the table.
"No we will just threaten his life for now. If he does it again we'll kill him." Blank said taking the bat.
"Fine, but I have to go. I'll be back in a week to stay for a month if chances come to that." Zidane said walking out.
As soon as he walked out, he saw Jupiter round the corner. Jupiter spotted him, but Zidane just walked right past him. Zidane decided that he'd let Ruby and Blank deal with their son
After a few seconds, he heard yelling and a crash. After a few more seconds, Jupiter went running right past him. Blank and Ruby were in hot pursuit.
"YOU GET BACK HERE!" Ruby and Blank yelled running after him.
Zidane smiled and entered the air cab station.
A few hours later, night had fallen. Everyone was back in the guest room. Zane was sleeping right next to Sally, and a badly beaten and bruised Jupiter slept in another bed. Diane and Zidane sat watching the moon.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Zidane asked his tail waging slightly.
Diane played with her tail for a second before responding. "It is Father." She said plainly.
Diane turned to look at her father. "Dad, I'm sorry. I should've told you. Are you still mad at me?"
Zidane turned to look at her. He sighed, "You're right, you should've told me. I probably wouldn't have been as mad at you, and to answer your other question; I'm not mad at you I'm just very disappointed with you."
Diane nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I figured as much."
Zidane looked at her. "Look Diane, if you're pregnant…you're pregnant, and there is nothing you can do about that. I ask that next time you show better judgment."
She turned to him and smiled. "I will dad, I promise." Zidane smiled and hugged his daughter. She hugged him back, kissed him good night, got to her bed, and went to sleep.
A month passed and sure enough Diane was not pregnant which gave them a week before heading to Bermecia. They decided to spend the week with the Tantalus. Zidane spent the first two days teaching the kids mugging moves on Uncle Baku. Once they were accustomed, Zidane decided to take them out to a new bar that just opened where the theater use to be.
They walked in and took a seat at the bar. The bartender eyed Zane and put three glasses in front of the family.
"What'll have to drink?" The bartender asked throwing a white towel over his shoulder.
"I would like a scotch on the rocks. She will take a margarita and the little man here will take a chocolate milkshake." Zidane said looking at the menu.
"I'll take the blackened Mus meat, well done please." Diane ordered smiling.
"I'll take hot wings and nachos and he'll share with me." Zane said watching the bartender.
"You got it little man, pretty lady. It'll be here in a few." The bartender said nicely handing Diane her margarita and Zidane his scotch. He took a little while longer to make Zane's milkshake. Once he had it done, he handed it to the young boy.
While sipping on their drinks, Diane was sucking hers down. By the time the food came out she was on her third drink going on her fourth. The bartender noticed this and shook his head.
"No more for you. You've had enough, now, eat your Meat." Zidane said taking away her empty glass.
"No! Alcohol good for Diane, alcohol good!" Diane yelled silencing the bar.
"No, you will get drunk at the hideout not here." Zidane argued grabbing a glass of water.
Zane didn't even notice his sister, but his mind was occupied with a little girl right next to him. He flirted with her and shared his wings. Zidane noticed this and leaned into his ear.
"I see you flirting with that little girl. AND you're sharing your wings. That's my boy, keep it up you'll be just like me." Zidane praised rubbing his son's hair while Zane blushed.
Two hours later Zane and Diane were sleeping while the gang talked. Jupiter was by the door sleeping. Ruby left that morning to return to her theater and she was going to help prepare the wedding though that still was a year and a half away. Blank sighed and scratched his head nervously. "What I'm I suppose to do to stop her from helping your wife prepare something so early?" Blank asked taking a sip of Kerman coffee.
"Let them do everything. They know what their doing." Zidane advised also taking a sip.
"You know I think I should come with you, so I can watch Jupiter. Is that alright?"
"Yes, please. I have to watch Zane and I'm at the bridge most the time, so I lose track of the love birds." Zidane said looking at Diane then to Zane.
It was two days before the group had to leave. Sally was there and Jupiter was flirting with Diane while they drank suicides (a combination of alcoholic drinks). They were wasted and so were the adults. Zane was in a corner reading a book while drinking tea. He noticed Jupiter and put his book down.
"Why are you reading? You should be having fun with me and your sister, little man." Jupiter said almost all his words slurred.
"I'm fine over here. I don't like the smell of alcohol." Zane said innocently picking his book back up.
"Fine then. Do you like Lindblum?" Jupiter asked plopping on the edge of the bed.
"I like it and I met three girls already. All very pretty." Zane said opening the book.
"Coooooooolllllllll! Good job little man! You keep reading you deserve it, player." Jupiter said getting up and walking back to Diane.
Zane resumed reading while ignoring his sisters giggles and shouts. 'He talked to me without begging me to leave him alone or to leave. I'm so happy' Zane thought to himself happily.
It was finally the day to leave for Burmecia and everyone was at the docking station saying goodbyes. Diane gave wedding invites to the Tantalus gang and kissed each one goodbye.
"Have a safe journey and we'll see you at your wedding." Baku said hugging her.
"Thank you Uncle Baku, see you then." Diane said running onto the ship, Sally at her tail.
Blank was on board with Jupiter watching as Eiko came running onto the ship. "You're not leaving me!" She yelled.
Diane stopped and looked at her. "Why are you coming Aunt Eiko?"
Eiko boarded the ship, and stopped to catch her breath. "Your…father said…I could."
Diane smiled. "That's great, the more the merrier." Eiko smiled, and the two of them walked towards the bridge.
Zidane turned the ship on and started backing it up. Once out, he turned it to face the third kingdom. He slowly pushed it forward, so they did not rush to Burmecia. He looked forward to seeing Freya and her husband Sir Fratley, again. He hasn't seen them both since his wedding to Garnet and he was hoping to see if they were able to start things over. Hopefully they did,... hopefully.