Author's note: It's been ten years since I wrote this story, and I finally decided to go back to it. As some might have noticed, I changed the title, and did some editing to make the story better. I hope all fans will go back and read again and enjoy it just as much as they did before. Thank you for all your support!

Ten Years Later…

The group all stood patiently while she arranged them to fit in the picture frame. Although they were all adults now she was still Sis to them and they couldn't help but indulge her. After several minutes of balancing them out she finally seemed satisfied. The two tallest in their group were flanking either side: Seifer stood in his trademark white coat with a faint smile touching his scarred face while Irvine was cradling his hat in one hand so his long brown hair was exposed.

Irvine rested his other hand on Quistis's shoulder. Her hair was pulled up as always with square glasses perched on her nose. Standing next to Seifer was Squall, who chose to let his hair grow out so it was now covering his neck. Rinoa leaned next to him, one arm threaded through his, wearing a bright smile on her lips. Zell still chose to be the goofball of the bunch, crouching up front giving the camera a thumb's up. Ellone instructed everyone to hold their smiles then clicked the shutter to preserve their image.

Seifer separated from the group to take a walk. It was incredible to think that ten years ago he would've punched Zell in the face or attacked Squall with a gunblade rather than standing near either of them. It could've been chalked up to maturity, but Seifer knew there was another reason. As if his feet were following his thoughts, they steered him toward her grave.

He tried to visit her as often as he could, bringing her flowers and keeping her grave tended. Selphie Tilmitt-Almasy it read, followed by the dates of her birth and death. All these years later and seeing those numbers still made him choke up. It was hard not to picture her: her cute smile, the yellow dress and boots she always wore, the way her eyes twinkled… Seifer took a deep breath, his fingers touching the ring he wore on his left hand.

"Seifer! Seifer!" A child's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned, seeing Squall and Rinoa's son waving energetically with a toy gunblade. "I wanna play!"

"I'm coming, Gale." He approached the boy and obediently followed as Gale ran off to where the other kids were playing. Seifer remembered the day Gale was born and Squall asked him to be the child's godfather. Incredible how former rivals could grow that close. Just one of the things Seifer could thank Selphie for.

Once Gale was satisfied that Seifer would be close by, he rushed off to challenge one of the Garden children to a pretend duel. Seifer reflected on how many of these children were produced by students who he once tormented. That part of his past wasn't forgotten but everyone now respected him for who he became: an occasionally patient gunblade instructor and supervisor of the Disciplinary Committee.

Fujin and Raijin were an equally accepted presence in the Garden these days. Fujin found her niche acting as assistant to the Garden's pilot Nida. Seifer suspected long before it became public knowledge that there was more than a professional interest between his friend and the pilot. As for Raijin, he seemed to do well with the younger students. Of course, he and Fujin were always willing to act as sparring partners for anyone who needed them.

Balamb Garden was truly their home now. It was only because of Selphie that any of it was possible. Seifer missed her every day, but today was especially hard knowing she was a missing presence in the group picture. Still, there were some very good things in his life now.

"Hi, Dad!" Seifer instinctively cast his eyes on the boy calling to get his attention. This boy happened to be one of those very good things. In fact, he was the best thing that came into Seifer's life since he lost Selphie.

Soon after Seifer was accepted back in the Garden, he traveled to Trabia hoping to help them rebuild. Not many wanted his help and he was left wandering the streets aimlessly. He came to an orphanage and inside learned that all the children lost their parents because of the sorceress incident. Maybe it was because Seifer was an orphan himself, or because he wanted some way to redeem himself. Whatever the reason, he chose to adopt one of the children as his own.

Now Valer was nine years old and just as energetic as Selphie; maybe it was a Trabia thing. Exhausted for the day, all the children started wandering back to their parents. Valer ran up to his father, who lovingly hoisted the boy into the air.

"Whoa," Seifer grunted. "You're getting big, pal."

"Soon I'm gonna be old enough to start weapon training," Valer chirped. "I want to use the same weapon as Mom." Seifer couldn't help but smile at that. Valer knew he wasn't really Seifer and Selphie's child, but he was told the story of why he was chosen and liked calling Selphie "Mom" anyway.

"I bet that would make your mom very proud." Seifer set the boy back on the ground and they headed off toward the Garden together. Valer slipped his small hand into his father's and held on tightly. It was one of the best feelings in the world.

"Hey, Dad?" Valer swung the older man's arm back and forth. "Will you tell me a story about Mom?"

"Sure," Seifer agreed. "What story would you like to hear?"

"Hmm. How 'bout the story of you two falling in love!"

"It's kinda long," Seifer warned him. " And not all of it is very happy. You sure you want to hear it?" Valer took a moment to think about it before nodding to show his enthusiasm. "Okay. Now, let's see…" Seifer closed his eyes for a moment to think of the best way to start. Once he did he felt his thoughts drifting back to that time, Valer hanging onto every word.

And for a few precious moments, Selphie was alive again.

~fin