Listening to God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. Well, raining. Again. I wish it would stop, I'm sick of all the flooding. Still, can't do nothing about it. Thanks to those who reviewed. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.
Chapter 29:
"No."
"Lloyd, just tell me."
"I have none."
"Of course you do, now just tell me." Colette laughed at her husband's frustration. The wind shook the overhead canopy, making the shadows dance across the couple curled up under the tree.
Lloyd had his back resting against the trunk of the tree, Colette sitting half on his lap, her legs curled around as she leaned against him. His chin rested on the top of her head, his arms wrapped around her, resting on her pronounced baby bump.
Colette shifted slightly, taking his hand with hers and running her fingers along his palm, tracing the lines. He tilted his head slightly, watching her with a slight smile. Gently he folded his fingers around her hands, turning it over to brush his thumb over the ring.
"You no longer hide it."
She shook her head slightly, rubbing against his chin. "I don't see why I have to."
"Has anyone asked about it?" he asked, still rubbing the smooth metal.
"Only Raine, but she only mentioned it. I think she knew. If the others have, they haven't said anything." He could hear the smile in her voice and he closed his eyes, laying his cheek on her head, pulling her closer against him.
"You changed the subject again, Lloyd. That's the third time in one hour." Colette reached up and tugged at his hair, twisting her head so she could smile at him.
"You are the one that allows the subject to be changed," he smirked.
She gave his hair a sharp tug, then giggled and leaned back against him. "So what about Lauren?"
"Do you like it?"
"Lloyd, you always ask that! I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't," she sighed.
"I told you, I am content to let you choose the name."
Colette sighed again. "Okay, well. I don't mind, Lauren. Or Melanie. Or perhaps Alexa-... Lloyd are you listening?"
"Avidly."
With a touch of irritation, she tugged his hair again. "Well, what do you think?"
"They're lovely."
"Lloyd..." Colette sighed.
Lloyd closed his eyes. "Alexa is a strong name. It means to defend. I believe Lauren is taken from the laurel plant. They would make crowns for heroes out of the leaves." He paused for a moment. "Melanie means blackness."
Colette blinked, looking up at him. "Do you know everything?"
Lloyd chuckled a bit. "No, not everything."
"Hmm." She smiled and shifted, back to playing with his hand. "Alexa sounds nice, don't you think?"
"Yes, I suppose it does."
"Are you just saying that so I'll stop nagging you?"
Lloyd chuckled again, leaning his head back against the tree. His hand slowly rubbed across her belly, his eyes staring up into the branches above them. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling. Excitement was there, but so was apprehension. He wasn't ready for this, but after being gone for months and returning, sitting with her right now...
His eyes closed, feeling the soft breeze wash over them. Right now, anything seemed possible. Everything felt right.
"They are all girl names." He spoke finally.
"Oh...you're right." Colette agreed. "Well. Do you have any ideas for boys? You seem to know all the meaning of the names."
Lloyd only smiled, his head still tilted back and eyes closed.
Colette huffed slightly, turning his hand over and back, bending and unbending his fingers. "What about after your father?"
Lloyd hesitated a moment, then shook his head. "It would become a little complicated. Perhaps as a middle name."
"Hmm, alright. How about Luke? Or Alexander? Kane is different too—"
"Leon," Lloyd muttered to himself.
Colette stopped and turned her head slightly to look at him. "What was that?"
"Nothing. Why did you choose those?"
Colette paused, eyeing him, but Lloyd didn't return her look. "Well, Alexander because you seemed to like Alexa. I like Luke and Kane because they are simple and sound well..." she looked up at him curiously, then smiled softly. "Never mind. You seem distracted."
Lloyd hesitated and finally met her eye. He was distracted. He had been trying to avoid thinking about it, but the name 'Luke' reminded him of Luin. He sighed and shifted his legs. "I didn't want to tell you right away."
Colette blinked then frowned in concern. "Lloyd? What's wrong?"
"Dad informed me that he is no longer supervising this area. Yggdrasill replaced him with Pronyma." He gripped her hand. "I think he has become suspicious."
The shadows that had protected them from the heat of the sun, now seemed to chill them. The expression of fear and helplessness that filled Colette's face made him pull her even closer to him.
"What do we do?" she asked quietly. "They don't know I'm here, right? I should still be able to stay here."
"Dad believes it would be safer for you to move to Luin. The city has been rebuilt and they have strong defenders there now." Lloyd rubbed her arm comfortingly, though he felt none himself.
"Luin?" She asked in surprise.
Lloyd nodded, brushing hair from her face.
Colette hesitated. "Are you sure it's safe for me to...Lloyd, I told you what happened in Triet—"
"What happened in Triet won't happen to Luin. They are much stronger now, Colette. The townspeople there will be able to protect you and the baby." His hand gently rubbed her stomach. "I never told you. Luin was the birthplace of my mother."
Colette looked up at him. "Really?" He nodded quietly. "Lloyd, are you sure? I don't want to endanger anyone—"
"Colette, I know you are strong. I know you fought off those Desian scouts. Raine told me. She also told me about your banishment." He felt her stiffen in his arms, but he'd kept his arms around her protectively. "I know you are capable of being on your own, but you shouldn't have to go through this alone. You shouldn't have to live in fear anymore. Luin will protect you and the baby."
Her chin quivered a bit and she laid her head against his chest, eyes closing. Lloyd stroked her hair, running his fingers through the golden strands. "I wish you could come with me. I wish you didn't have to live in fear either, Lloyd. I wish we could just stay here and be a family."
"So do I," he said softly. "One day, Colette, I'll come home and I'll stay. I won't ever leave you again. We'll raise our child together and be a family. I promise."
"I know, Lloyd," she said quietly.
His thumb rubbed against her hand and he looked down at the little ring, the gem glittering in the patches of sunlight. He smiled gently, remembering that night in Tethe'alla, getting down on one knee and looking up at her. The way her eyes shone and the lights illuminated her golden hair. The way she smiled at him. The way her hands felt so soft in his as he slid the ring onto her finger.
"Lloyd? What are you thinking about?"
"How beautiful you were the night I proposed to you," he replied softly, brushing his thumb over the ring.
She giggled quietly and caught his hand, tilting her head back to smile at him.
Lloyd smiled back gently and leaned down giving her a light kiss.
"I think...we should get married. Before I move to Luin," she said after a moment.
Lloyd blinked. "Already?"
Colette hesitated then pulled back from him, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Everyone is already here. Zelos and Sheena are staying nearby and we don't know when they'll be going back. Raine is always around and you could find Genis and Presea easily enough, right?" she smiled. "And, of course, Father is just in Iselia..."
"Colette..." Lloyd frowned slightly.
"I...I know, Lloyd. I know it's dangerous. But I want him to...to be there." She grabbed his hand tightly, looking up at him. "He doesn't even know about the baby and...I want us to be married before the baby comes and we might not get another chance like this. I want us to be a family, even if we can't be together all the time."
She looked up at him, her eyes glimmering, catching the small rays of light shifting through the leaves above. She was beautiful and perfect. He didn't deserve her, but here he was, holding her in his arms. Even if he wanted to, which he didn't, he would never be able to walk away now. He needed her.
Lloyd smiled, brushing her hair back from her cheeks. "Alright."
The way her eyes lit up made him chuckle and he drew her into a deep gentle kiss, only existing in the moment here and now. This is what he wanted. What they both wanted and right now, the risks didn't matter. He would give her whatever she wanted to make happy.
Colette pulled back, her face glowing and eyes bright. "One week."
Lloyd chuckled again, brushing her hair back again. "Alright."
"We could do it here." She smiled brightly. "Right here beneath the trees. So your mother can be here too. And everyone can come. We'll tell Sheena and Zelos, Raine is already here. You can find Genis and Presea. We'll bring Father and you can tell Kratos—"
Lloyd lifted his hand to her mouth, eyes glinting mirthfully. "Let's go inside so you can write this down. I have a feeling whatever you plan, something will be added to it."
Colette blinked then smiled tugging his hair. "You'll have to help me up.
Lloyd chuckled. "Very well." Gently, he slipped his hands beneath her arms and lifted her from his lap, allowing her to move her feet beneath her and stand. She smiled up at him as he rose beside her, one hand lying upon her belly, an action that had become something of a habit for her.
Slipping his hand into hers, Lloyd walked with her back to the house. He had reservations about her proposal. Marriage already? But she was right and he understood her logic. The child deserved to have wedded parents. And he wanted to have that claim on Colette. His wife...
It gave him an odd feeling. Another surreal sensation that none of this was real. The trepidation that he'd suddenly wake to find it all nothing but a dream agitated him. However, a part of him knew this was real. The years he had spent on Derris Kharlan were very real, though it had seemed like a nightmare. Now, somehow, it had become a beautiful dream, one he never wanted to wake from.
Raine looked up as the couple entered the house, her eyes glancing at their clasped hands for a moment then back up. She leaned back in her chair, closing the book she had been reading. The look she was giving Lloyd almost made him smile. She was curious and it was her pride that kept her from asking the obvious question that was taunting her.
Taking his time, he pulled out a chair for Colette, holding her hand as she sat carefully before taking a seat himself and looking up to meet Raine's gaze.
"We're getting married."
A flicker of pride, excitement and perhaps surprise made the couple chuckle together as Raine took a moment to process the sudden announcement. Her eyes immediately dropped to the small ring and then up at their smiling faces. Slowly she smiled, though she tried to mask it. "Well, it's about time you set a date. When are you planning it for?"
"The end of the week." Lloyd answered, another small smile twitching in the corner of his mouth as he watched his old teacher blink in surprise.
"A week—"
Colette smiled brightly. "We decided it would be best while everyone is around. We don't know when we'll get another chance."
Raine slightly lost for words, nodded but then frowned. "What about Genis and Presea. They left weeks ago."
"It shouldn't be difficult to track them down." Lloyd reassured her.
The way Raine looked at him, made Lloyd shift uncomfortably, almost embarrassed and he cough and rose from his chair. "I'm sure you and Colette can handle the preparations and list of what will be needed for the wedding."
Colette smiled up at Lloyd and nodded. "We can."
Lloyd returned the smile, giving her a light kiss before heading to the door. Just as he was about to leave he heard Raine's chair scrape.
"What about Dirk?"
Lloyd gripped the door handle firmly, but he spoke over his shoulder. "After I locate Genis and Presea."
He didn't wait for a response as he shut the door behind him, but he felt a slight heaviness in those three words Raine said. Lloyd knew avoiding his foster father was inevitable and he wasn't entirely sure why he was in the first place. He assumed it was that same fear that made him avoid his friends for all these months—years—and as he looked back on it, he saw immaturity and cowardice.
Lloyd smirked bitterly as he released his wings, letting them flap before pushing off the ground in single sweep. He understood now, that it was time to move forward. All this time, he never realized he was standing motionless as everything continued to move on around him. All this time, he had still be trapped in that room. Isolated and closed off. He understood that now. Now, he was able to move forward.
"Where is your son, Kratos?"
Yuan heard the irritated sigh and smirked as he strode into the room to sit on the edge of the couch.
Kratos didn't even bother looking up from the folders opened on the table. "Obviously not here, Yuan."
"Obviously."
"Then why are you here?" Kratos flipped a paper, his eyes scanning the page.
"Because you are his father and you are more likely to know his whereabouts." Yuan moved his head slightly, trying to make out the contents. Kratos merely shifted the papers in the opposite direction, still scanning them.
"Did you check Altamira? I hear he's quite fond of that place."
Yuan narrowed his eyes then chuckled, straightening his gloves with a sharp tug. "Yes, so I've heard. He's does seem to have a taste for blondes, doesn't he?" When his answer was met with silence, Yuan glanced over to see Kratos staring blankly at the papers, before shifting his eyes to meet Yuan's.
"I suppose he does." Kratos agreed stiffly.
"Where is he, Kratos?"
"I gave you my suggestion."
"He's not in Altamira."
"Isn't he? I was certain that's where the bunnies were."
Yuan scowled and rose from his seat. "Enough of this, Kratos. She's still alive, isn't she?"
"Who?" Kratos carefully returned the papers to their folders before looking up at Yuan.
The two men stared at one another before Yuan smirked. It was obvious. Yuan recalled when the time Kratos attempted to hide Anna from him. His lies were transparent when it came to these sorts of things; things Kratos wanted to protect, but was unable to defend with only a sword. And Yuan could almost see it, a small flicker and glint in Kratos' eye. A small fear and remembrance. Like father, like son.
Yuan smirked pulling back a bit, brushing aside his cape. "It is pointless to lie to me, Kratos. Considering I already know she's alive."
He waited while Kratos debated, knowing he was trying to decide if Yuan were trying to pull information from him.
"From who?"
Yuan closed his eyes, letting a smile twitch at the corner of his mouth. "A betrayed young friend. Emotions seem to be running high among teenagers it seems."
"Genis, then."
"So you are aware of this."
"I did not say that. I only assume, since Genis would be the emotional teenager you speak of."
"Hmm." Yuan glanced at him then stepped around to the front of the coffee table. "We are on the same side here, Kratos. Why is it you insist on treating me like the villain?"
"What occurs on Sylvarant is of no concern to you, Yuan. I do not question you about your dealings in Tethe'alla."
"Lloyd is hiding her, isn't he? He's finally betraying Cruxis." Yuan put his hand on the tabletop, forcing Kratos to acknowledge him. He felt a hope, a small hope of possibility that would ripple outward into a force strong enough to topple this damned organization. All that was needed was a push, something to initiate it.
"Stop bothering me, Yuan and ask Lloyd yourself, though I hardly think you will find out anything." Kratos shifted, returning to the folders the table.
It was clear the conversation was over and though Yuan wasn't satisfied completely he had at least confirmed more than he had known before. Not only that, he thought as he turned to leave, but he had also learned Kratos seemed to have a role in this charade as well. After all these years, Yuan could hardly believe to hope, but it was obvious.
Things were in motion.
"Genis, please put down the book and eat something. Your food is getting cold." Presea said, reaching pulling the book from his hands and setting a plate before him.
"Presea! I was just about done the—"
"Eat, Genis. The book won't have changed in the last five minutes." She carefully marked the page and closed it, setting it to the side.
Genis huffed a bit, but didn't argue. He knew she was right, but he had fallen behind on his studies since all the excitement with Colette and Lloyd had started and he knew he'd never be ready for the final examination next month. He sighed a bit, picking at his food, before catching the pointed look from Presea and started eating it.
"Do you not like it?"
"What? No. I do. It's good." Genis' cheeks reddened. "I'm just distracted."
"I can tell. What is distracting you?" She looked at him, the small tilt of her head, showing her genuine curiosity.
Genis couldn't help but smile. Everything about Presea was genuine. Every action held a purpose, helping her convey her emotions to others. It had been hard for the first few years, but gradually, Genis watched her become more and more herself. He learned that the little movements: the tilt of her head, the hard frown when she was upset and the way she'd turn her face aside when she was upset. He could read her now, just as she could read him. She cared deeply for him. At first, her actions almost felt motherly to him and it had taken time to understand how she struggled to convey her feelings. He realized now that it was the only way she knew how to act with him.
Raine would often smile and tell him, Presea was exactly what he needed. Someone who could handle him; a more calm half to his more high-strung and forward attitude. He hated it when Raine would bring up how fortunate he was to have Presea put up with him. It made him wonder if he was dragging her down, holding her back, but Presea would only smile—that small, cute smile—and tell him she was glad to be with him.
Now years later, he couldn't really imagine his life without her there. She really was his second half and he didn't mind it at all.
"Genis, you are looking at me weird again." Presea's soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He blinked and reddened a bit, noticing the same smile as she tilted her head at him.
"Ah—Sorry, Presea. I was just thinking."
"It's alright," she said, taking a drink. "You are distracted about Lloyd and Colette?"
Genis stiffened a bit, then frowned, picking at his food.
"Genis?"
He hesitated looking at her. "Presea, do you...see me as a child?"
"You are still young, if that's what you mean." She lowered her cup, looking at him.
"No...I mean." He sighed. "Colette is...having a baby and Lloyd has...he has grown up. He's almost thirty already and I'm not even twenty yet. I just feel like I'm being left behind. That everyone else has moved on with their lives and I'm still stuck here, trying to catch up."
Presea stayed quiet for a moment, then reached over and grabbed his hand. Genis lifted his gaze. "I understand, Genis. I have been left behind too. Time only moves forward and some of us move quickly and others slowly."
Genis immediately regretted his selfish complaints. "I'm sorry, Presea. I wasn't thinking."
"You do not have to apologize, Genis. I have learned what it is to regret and long for things I can no longer have. However, sometimes it is worse to regret what you have been given, because it can be a gift." She smiled gently, but Genis only shook his head.
"I don't understand. How can...falling behind and losing so much be considered a gift?"
"For me, it is a gift, because if I had not been trapped by that Cruxis Crystal, I would not be here with you."
Genis reddened again, feeling Presea squeeze his hand as she smiled at him. "I—I guess you are right. I just can't see how, what happened with Lloyd and now Colette having some guy's—how can this be a gift?"
Closing her eyes, Presea leaned back, releasing his hand and returned to eating her meal. "Sometimes it can take us a while to see the gift, even when it's before us. Lloyd is struggling, Genis, just as you are. But as long as you both continue to try and work things out, you will become friends again."
She spoke with a certainty that startled Genis. Aside from stories he had told her about Lloyd—the Lloyd before Cruxis—Genis didn't think Presea knew Lloyd that well. He didn't think she remembered him very well in the short time they were in Tethe'alla and he couldn't help but look at her curiously.
Presea, however, offered no further explanation and completely ignored his questioning look. With a frustrated sigh, Genis looked back to his plate and finished eating, giving a little flushed growl as Presea smiled at his pouting behaviour.
The inn slowly became crowded as people began to file in to escape the humid afternoon heat. Genis noticed Presea's anxious glances as the noise level raised and he quickly smiled and tossed out some money, leaving it on the table as he gathered his books and nodded at her. The pair manoeuvred their way through the crowd and outside.
Genis sighed as he felt the heat drape around them like a wet cloth. It was humid for a change, his eyes darting to the sky. It was a little overcast and he figured it'd rain before nightfall. Still, they could wander around the city until the majority of the crowd left the inn.
Presea took his hand in hers, linking her fingers with his. His cheeked heated up but he tried to appear like it didn't bother him. They were nearing the small lake oasis when they saw him.
Genis stiffen, his eyes widening a bit, but he felt Presea squeeze his hand and he kept from shouting out. Hesitating a moment, Genis looked around, but few people were outside in this heat and he released Presea's hand to hurry over to him.
"Lloyd?" he asked tentatively.
Lloyd turned away from looking at the water and faced Genis. His eyes scanned him a moment before he allowed himself to relax slightly. Genis didn't feel quite the same, but he struggled to.
"Hello...Genis."
The greeting was stiff and awkward and Genis shifted on the sandy path as well. He heard Presea coming up slowly behind him, noticing Lloyd's eyes glance over, nodding a greeting to her.
"Hello, Lloyd. What brings you to Triet?" Presea asked.
Genis glanced at her and then back at Lloyd, knowing she was trying to break the awkward silence.
"I thought I would find you both here. I have something I'd like to ask you both." Lloyd answered, a slight hesitation in his voice.
Finally finding his voice, Genis frowned, though slightly curious. "Well? What is it?"
Lloyd's eyes locked with his and Genis found the look odd. He couldn't really explain it, but he thought he saw a glimmer in Lloyd's eyes, almost as if he was hiding some joke from them.
"Colette and I would like to have you at our wedding."
Genis' eyes widen and Presea smiled softly. Lloyd look at him anxiously, his hands tightly clenched around the hilt of his sword.
"Y-Your wedding?" Genis finally managed, blinking. "You mean, you and Colette—"
"Yes, Genis." Lloyd nodded slowly. "I asked her to marry me."
Genis' suddenly found himself staring at all the events up until then. All the moments of Colette and Lloyd, the way they would look at each other, the way Colette stubbornly defended Lloyd, regardless of what he had done and the way Lloyd acted around Colette. And the ring. He had seen it, but it hadn't clicked. What finger had it been on? How long had she been wearing it? Why hadn't anyone—
"When is the wedding, Lloyd?" Presea's voice interrupted Genis' torrent of thoughts.
"At the end of the week."
A week.
Genis swallowed, struggling to understand what was going on. A week? Why in a week? Weddings usually took months to organize. And when did this all happen? Why didn't anyone tell him?
"Colette wishes to have the wedding before the baby is born." Lloyd added quietly.
Genis's head lifted, locking eyes with Lloyd. The baby. Colette's baby—their baby—
"It's yours." The words weren't more than a whisper, but Lloyd heard them and nodded silently. Genis stared at him, frowning gritting his teeth but Presea's hand around his helped calm his anger. Genis took a shuddery breath, looking at Lloyd, suddenly seeing him, as if for the first time. He was scared, but excited and right now he was even more nervous. Lloyd...was getting married. He was going to be a father...
"I can't believe this..." Genis murmured staring at him. "Why didn't you tell me—l" he cut himself off, frowning. He already knew the answer to that. He swallowed again, remembering his conversation with Yuan. Lloyd had missed them. Had missed him, at least that's what Yuan said. Genis never trusted Yuan for much, but he didn't think Yuan lied about that.
His eyes lifted to Lloyd's face, looking to see if this was some practical joke. He couldn't really think of a reason for Lloyd to joke about something like this. And a part of him knew that it wasn't. It wasn't a lie. This was really happening.
He swallowed a bit, struggling to form a response, but Presea beat him to it.
"Of course, we'll come."
She said it with such simplicity that Genis could only stare at her as Lloyd nodded, but his hadn't left Genis. He was waiting for Genis to say it, for him to agree.
Hesitating only a moment, Genis nodded stiffly. "Yeah. Sure..."
Lloyd's smile came weakly and vanished quickly with his quick nod. "Colette will be pleased." He hesitated a moment longer. Genis shivered a bit, feeling the heat quickly lowering as the day drew to an end.
"So, it's in a week?" Genis asked tentatively, attempting to press forward. Presea was right. He needed to stop living in the past. Lloyd was making an effort, so couldn't he?
"Yes."
"Well," Genis smiled weakly. "I guess we can make it."
Lloyd nodded again, attempting a weak smile, but Genis could see the gratitude in his eyes. It felt nice, not to be yelling, to be fighting with him. He felt unsure and a little awkward still, but at least this meant Lloyd couldn't just run off anymore.
"I have one last request." His eyes focused on Genis, once again.
"What?" Genis asked slowly.
"Will you be my best man?"
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