Sorry for the delay...enjoy the next installment! I'm glad this fanfic is becoming so popular! ^_^ - Chevi-Chan
Final Fantasy 8 Modern Fanfic Part 14:
"And I don't know what to do!" Rinoa sobbed, wiping her eyes with a tissue as she finished the whole story to her Uncle on the phone.
"I...I should be there now...I need to be there for you. That's what I'm here for!" Uncle Cid's voice was raspy.
"It's not your fault...I just...don't know what to do! I feel so confused and I don't know how to deal with this, Uncle Cid. I gotta learn to take care of myself." she sniffled.
"You do not. You need me to be there like I promised I always would." he said softly.
"Squall says he is coming here for Christmas, but Seifer says he won't give up and I know he means it."
"Well.." Cid stopped to think. The last thing he wanted to do was give bad advice. "Well...maybe you should let him come. It'd be the perfect opportunity to find out how he really feels for you and how you really feel for him. Just hold Seifer off for now without losing him and see what happens. I wish there was more I could tell you."
"I understand."
"Just know I am here for you, whenever you need me. I'm just a phone call or plane trip away and if it gets too rough for you there, you let me know and I'll be on the next flight to you. You know you can count on me." Cid said assuringly.
"I know, Uncle...thank you. I feel a little better now." she took a deep breath and sighed softly.
"Good. You go get some rest now. You sound like you could use it, okay? You better listen to your wise Uncle!" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Of course, Uncle." she smiled a bit. "I'll call you later. Tell Edea I miss her."
With that Rinoa hung up, and she knew what she had to do now.
*LATER...*
Time passed and Seifer was just as diligent as he had always been. Rinoa kept Cid up to date and Seifer in check. The two went out and spent time together, an occasional hug or kiss couldn't be helped. Still, Rinoa did her part in deciding. She eagerly awaited Squall's arrival.
As December 22nd FINALLY rolled around, Rinoa was so nervous she didn't know what to do or say. She drove silently by herself to the airport. She didn't listen to her radio or CD's or make a sound the whole trip. She was far too busy and lost in her thoughts. As she arrived and found a parking space, she slung her bag over her shoulder and looked around, taking a deep breath of cold air that stung her lungs slightly. She puffed out a soft breath of white cloud as she made her way to the terminal. She stood unsteadily on her high white pumps as she felt almost like she would faint. Her heart was fluttering as she leaned up against the wall near the gate where he would arrive. She took a final look at herself in the mirror, inspecting her very light make-up and her hair.
"Flight 609 has now arrived at gate 77." The announcer echoed over the loud speaker.
Rinoa gasped as a cold rush of adrenaline washed through her body causing her to feel numb all over. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to wipe her sweaty palms off on her pant leg. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head, trying to look over the people's heads.
Rinoa's eyes locked on Squall's as he came through the gate. Oh she had forgotten how handsome he was. He dressed in a pressed white shirt that buttoned neatly up the front with a tie! She'd never seen him dressed up like this. He wore a black vest over top and black slacks with dress shoes. So much for his normal black leather jacket with the feathered collar!
She pushed her way through the crowd, stepping in front of Squall. He looked somehow shocked as the two stared at each other silently for a moment, it was if nothing else existed. Squall bit his lower lip a bit nervously. Rinoa smiled, thinking he looked so cute. Suddenly he grabbed her up into his arms, hugging her tightly against him. It took her body a minute to respond as she slowly brought her arms up to wrap around him in return. It finally felt so right again. The feeling that they fit together like a puzzle was all too clear again as she held him, resting her head on his shoulder smelling his sweet, familiar cologne. The part of her she felt was gone was right where it should be again and she held it in her arms at that very moment.
Rinoa led Squall into her apartment, taking his coat and bag to his room first. Squall looked around, studying his surroundings.
"Can I get you anything?" Rinoa smiled softly.
"I know you're still mad at me." Squall looked to her seriously.
"What?" she blinked, the comment catching her off guard. "Mad? No.." she finished.
"Listen, the reason that I said that...well, the truth is..." his voice trailed off.
"Yes?" Rinoa looked at him curiously.
Squall's fingertips touched Rinoa's hand gently. He ran his fingers over the back of her hand slowly as if it were his eyes seeing it for the first time. The touch made her feel awkward. It was an eerie feeling involved somehow as crazy as it seemed. He took in every detail with his eyes.
"I love you." he whispered.
Too stunned from this touch and the confusing and overwhelming feeling that went along with it Rinoa remained silent. She breathed softly in time with him as he stared into her eyes. For the first time Rinoa could see everything. It was like a door was opened that led straight to his soul. His eyes spoke the words that he could not. They cried out in pain and anger while somehow echoing shades of love and truth. The light of the room hit her face just so.
As Squall stared at her lovely face he couldn't believe how he'd never seen such angelic qualities before. Be it the light surrounding them or the light that seemed to radiate from within her, her whole face seemed to sparkle and glow.
Her eyes were stunning as he saw such love, hope, understanding and life. The feeling was so strong and so different, Squall was almost afraid. Still he couldn't look away. Something in her eyes, something about her...He'd never felt such a warm, content feeling in his whole life.
As he leaned closer to her the feeling was only more intense. As if sealing his fate, he softly brushed his lips to hers, feeling her warm sweet breath against his own. It sent a warm sensation through Rinoa's entire body. This angel was his and he wanted nothing but to be with her forever.
He parted his lips and kissed her fully. The kiss ranged from passionate to sweet and innocent. Rinoa knew it had to be destiny stepping in. So much she wanted to tell him, so much she wanted to know...but the words just refused to come as they relied on their heart's to speak their desire's through the kiss.
"My angel, forever." he finally whispered.
*DAYS LATER*
Something had happened that night between Rinoa and Squall but neither talked about it. Squall never even told her his explanation for that one terrible phone call that had caused so much trouble, and Rinoa never asked. Instead, they laughed, joked around, and generally had fun together. They went here and there, seeing the sights that Squall hadn't got to do.
Squall had a half sister who lived not far from Rinoa who she took him to see. She was introduced to the family. They spent quality time together, just the two of them. Sharing secrets as the days went by. With Seifer out of town she didn't have a care in the world.
The feeling that Squall would have to leave her again soon was the only thing that darkened Rinoa's mood now and again. She didn't like the thought of missing him all over again. The past months had been hard enough. She tried to shake the thoughts from her head and keep living it up in the present time she had with him. She was doing quite well at hiding how bad she felt. The last thing she wanted to do afterall was depress Squall on his vacation.
*CHRISTMAS DAY*
Christmas day finally arrived and Squall was invited by his half sister to her house for a Christmas lunch. Rinoa was invited to come along although she felt uneasy. As they arrived, family of his half sister that Squall didn't even know were assembled there. Rinoa looked uncomfortable at the situation but did her best to be personable with everyone and polite.
Her family was comprised of many nice people who welcomed both Rinoa and Squall in with open arms. They were friendly, hugging the two of them and giving them plenty to eat and drink. Rinoa didn't feel comfortable though unless she was very close to Squall, and he kept her that way.
"Squall!" a voice called as he turned and looked into the other room.
"Laguna!" Squall smiled brightly as he ran up to the young man who had entered.
"Damn, boy I was looking for ya! I just remembered you were gonna be here." he grabbed Squall in a tackle type hug, slapping him hard on the back. Squall returned with the same.
"Yeah? Ellone told you?" Squall asked, referring to his sister.
"Sure did." he laughed, looking over to Rinoa who was watching sheepishly in the corner.
"Hey..who's this?" he pointed to Rinoa, she blushed slightly under the scrutiny.
"Oh this is my girlfriend, Rinoa." he motioned for her.
She slowly stepped into the light, fidgeting nervously as she made little eye contact with the handsome young man she didn't know.
"It's nice to meet you." he extended his hand to her. "I'm Ellone's, father Laguna." he smiled.
"Nice to meet you too, Laguna." she smiled up at him.
"She's a real catch." Laguna leaned over, whispering to Squall. "How did you find someone as beautiful as this? You, the lion-hearted?" he teased.
"Shut up!" Squall shoved him jokingly.
"Rinoa, have a seat." Laguna motioned to the couch.
"Thank you." she sat down, folding her hands in her lap.
Laguna smiled. Laguna had known Squall since he was little. When Squall got to be about 16, Laguna and Ellone moved here. He was glad to be visiting for the holidays. He and Squall hadn't seen each other in years. Rinoa was happy to see them together.
Final Fantasy 8 Modern Fanfic Part 14:
"And I don't know what to do!" Rinoa sobbed, wiping her eyes with a tissue as she finished the whole story to her Uncle on the phone.
"I...I should be there now...I need to be there for you. That's what I'm here for!" Uncle Cid's voice was raspy.
"It's not your fault...I just...don't know what to do! I feel so confused and I don't know how to deal with this, Uncle Cid. I gotta learn to take care of myself." she sniffled.
"You do not. You need me to be there like I promised I always would." he said softly.
"Squall says he is coming here for Christmas, but Seifer says he won't give up and I know he means it."
"Well.." Cid stopped to think. The last thing he wanted to do was give bad advice. "Well...maybe you should let him come. It'd be the perfect opportunity to find out how he really feels for you and how you really feel for him. Just hold Seifer off for now without losing him and see what happens. I wish there was more I could tell you."
"I understand."
"Just know I am here for you, whenever you need me. I'm just a phone call or plane trip away and if it gets too rough for you there, you let me know and I'll be on the next flight to you. You know you can count on me." Cid said assuringly.
"I know, Uncle...thank you. I feel a little better now." she took a deep breath and sighed softly.
"Good. You go get some rest now. You sound like you could use it, okay? You better listen to your wise Uncle!" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Of course, Uncle." she smiled a bit. "I'll call you later. Tell Edea I miss her."
With that Rinoa hung up, and she knew what she had to do now.
*LATER...*
Time passed and Seifer was just as diligent as he had always been. Rinoa kept Cid up to date and Seifer in check. The two went out and spent time together, an occasional hug or kiss couldn't be helped. Still, Rinoa did her part in deciding. She eagerly awaited Squall's arrival.
As December 22nd FINALLY rolled around, Rinoa was so nervous she didn't know what to do or say. She drove silently by herself to the airport. She didn't listen to her radio or CD's or make a sound the whole trip. She was far too busy and lost in her thoughts. As she arrived and found a parking space, she slung her bag over her shoulder and looked around, taking a deep breath of cold air that stung her lungs slightly. She puffed out a soft breath of white cloud as she made her way to the terminal. She stood unsteadily on her high white pumps as she felt almost like she would faint. Her heart was fluttering as she leaned up against the wall near the gate where he would arrive. She took a final look at herself in the mirror, inspecting her very light make-up and her hair.
"Flight 609 has now arrived at gate 77." The announcer echoed over the loud speaker.
Rinoa gasped as a cold rush of adrenaline washed through her body causing her to feel numb all over. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to wipe her sweaty palms off on her pant leg. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head, trying to look over the people's heads.
Rinoa's eyes locked on Squall's as he came through the gate. Oh she had forgotten how handsome he was. He dressed in a pressed white shirt that buttoned neatly up the front with a tie! She'd never seen him dressed up like this. He wore a black vest over top and black slacks with dress shoes. So much for his normal black leather jacket with the feathered collar!
She pushed her way through the crowd, stepping in front of Squall. He looked somehow shocked as the two stared at each other silently for a moment, it was if nothing else existed. Squall bit his lower lip a bit nervously. Rinoa smiled, thinking he looked so cute. Suddenly he grabbed her up into his arms, hugging her tightly against him. It took her body a minute to respond as she slowly brought her arms up to wrap around him in return. It finally felt so right again. The feeling that they fit together like a puzzle was all too clear again as she held him, resting her head on his shoulder smelling his sweet, familiar cologne. The part of her she felt was gone was right where it should be again and she held it in her arms at that very moment.
Rinoa led Squall into her apartment, taking his coat and bag to his room first. Squall looked around, studying his surroundings.
"Can I get you anything?" Rinoa smiled softly.
"I know you're still mad at me." Squall looked to her seriously.
"What?" she blinked, the comment catching her off guard. "Mad? No.." she finished.
"Listen, the reason that I said that...well, the truth is..." his voice trailed off.
"Yes?" Rinoa looked at him curiously.
Squall's fingertips touched Rinoa's hand gently. He ran his fingers over the back of her hand slowly as if it were his eyes seeing it for the first time. The touch made her feel awkward. It was an eerie feeling involved somehow as crazy as it seemed. He took in every detail with his eyes.
"I love you." he whispered.
Too stunned from this touch and the confusing and overwhelming feeling that went along with it Rinoa remained silent. She breathed softly in time with him as he stared into her eyes. For the first time Rinoa could see everything. It was like a door was opened that led straight to his soul. His eyes spoke the words that he could not. They cried out in pain and anger while somehow echoing shades of love and truth. The light of the room hit her face just so.
As Squall stared at her lovely face he couldn't believe how he'd never seen such angelic qualities before. Be it the light surrounding them or the light that seemed to radiate from within her, her whole face seemed to sparkle and glow.
Her eyes were stunning as he saw such love, hope, understanding and life. The feeling was so strong and so different, Squall was almost afraid. Still he couldn't look away. Something in her eyes, something about her...He'd never felt such a warm, content feeling in his whole life.
As he leaned closer to her the feeling was only more intense. As if sealing his fate, he softly brushed his lips to hers, feeling her warm sweet breath against his own. It sent a warm sensation through Rinoa's entire body. This angel was his and he wanted nothing but to be with her forever.
He parted his lips and kissed her fully. The kiss ranged from passionate to sweet and innocent. Rinoa knew it had to be destiny stepping in. So much she wanted to tell him, so much she wanted to know...but the words just refused to come as they relied on their heart's to speak their desire's through the kiss.
"My angel, forever." he finally whispered.
*DAYS LATER*
Something had happened that night between Rinoa and Squall but neither talked about it. Squall never even told her his explanation for that one terrible phone call that had caused so much trouble, and Rinoa never asked. Instead, they laughed, joked around, and generally had fun together. They went here and there, seeing the sights that Squall hadn't got to do.
Squall had a half sister who lived not far from Rinoa who she took him to see. She was introduced to the family. They spent quality time together, just the two of them. Sharing secrets as the days went by. With Seifer out of town she didn't have a care in the world.
The feeling that Squall would have to leave her again soon was the only thing that darkened Rinoa's mood now and again. She didn't like the thought of missing him all over again. The past months had been hard enough. She tried to shake the thoughts from her head and keep living it up in the present time she had with him. She was doing quite well at hiding how bad she felt. The last thing she wanted to do afterall was depress Squall on his vacation.
*CHRISTMAS DAY*
Christmas day finally arrived and Squall was invited by his half sister to her house for a Christmas lunch. Rinoa was invited to come along although she felt uneasy. As they arrived, family of his half sister that Squall didn't even know were assembled there. Rinoa looked uncomfortable at the situation but did her best to be personable with everyone and polite.
Her family was comprised of many nice people who welcomed both Rinoa and Squall in with open arms. They were friendly, hugging the two of them and giving them plenty to eat and drink. Rinoa didn't feel comfortable though unless she was very close to Squall, and he kept her that way.
"Squall!" a voice called as he turned and looked into the other room.
"Laguna!" Squall smiled brightly as he ran up to the young man who had entered.
"Damn, boy I was looking for ya! I just remembered you were gonna be here." he grabbed Squall in a tackle type hug, slapping him hard on the back. Squall returned with the same.
"Yeah? Ellone told you?" Squall asked, referring to his sister.
"Sure did." he laughed, looking over to Rinoa who was watching sheepishly in the corner.
"Hey..who's this?" he pointed to Rinoa, she blushed slightly under the scrutiny.
"Oh this is my girlfriend, Rinoa." he motioned for her.
She slowly stepped into the light, fidgeting nervously as she made little eye contact with the handsome young man she didn't know.
"It's nice to meet you." he extended his hand to her. "I'm Ellone's, father Laguna." he smiled.
"Nice to meet you too, Laguna." she smiled up at him.
"She's a real catch." Laguna leaned over, whispering to Squall. "How did you find someone as beautiful as this? You, the lion-hearted?" he teased.
"Shut up!" Squall shoved him jokingly.
"Rinoa, have a seat." Laguna motioned to the couch.
"Thank you." she sat down, folding her hands in her lap.
Laguna smiled. Laguna had known Squall since he was little. When Squall got to be about 16, Laguna and Ellone moved here. He was glad to be visiting for the holidays. He and Squall hadn't seen each other in years. Rinoa was happy to see them together.