EPILOGUE:
The past two months had flown by. Avalena and Squall were constantly busy. Her with planning their wedding and him soothing over the aftermath of what had happened at Garden.
During that two-month time span, Squall got to sit down and talk with Geoffrey and Misha DeMarco at greater length and got to know the two men better.
After his surgery Geoff returned to himself. He promised Squall that he would never mention what he had seen to anyone ever again.
Dr. Kadowaki was serving a life sentence in prison for her crimes against children. Seifer had searched her quarters and found journal after journal of the hypnotic suggestions that she had infused on the children over the past several years. Nowhere in them did he find anything referring to him or any of the other children that had been at the orphanage. That was a secret that she had taken with her.
Quistis Trepe had been made Headmistress of Balamb Garden, a position that she easily stepped into.
Zell and Chyna had went to Deling for a weekend and had come back married. His mom had boxed his ears quiet soundly for it, but after she meet Chyna Dincht nee Trenton she easily forgave her son, welcoming the bubbly girl into the family.
What had been a shock to everyone was when Raijin and Fujin declared their feelings for each other and announced that they too were going to be getting married.
Seifer and Rinoa were dating, they both seemed happy. But every now and then Seifer would get a look of wanderlust in his eyes. He would get really frustrated with her because all she could talk about was the latest fashions and who or what was hot and what was not. Hyne it was a wonder he hadn't become an alcoholic. He was spending more time with Squall, Avalena, and Tristen then he was with her. At least he could have an intelligent conversation with them.
Irvine Kinneas was slowly starting to get his life back together. He was seeing a therapist three times a week to help him cope with everything that had happened. Squall had healed him before they had left Garden. Everything was back to normal physically but he had nightmares that would have him screaming himself awake. He was happy that he made the decision to go and talk to Squall. At first he was miserable and he blamed himself for everything that the doppelganger had done. He felt three sets of arms go around him, one soft and feminine, one hard and muscular, and the last small and sturdy. That hug was all it took for him to realize that they didn't blame him.
Selphie had been a real trooper with helping to get Garden ready for what promised to be the wedding of the century. She had planned several festivals so she was in her element. She badgered cadets and drove some to the point of tears. She wanted Squall and Avalena's wedding to be perfect and if someone had to die so it would be, so be it.
She and Laguna had been spending a lot of time together and one day came out to the house and spoke to Squall at great length.
"I love her son." Laguna grinned foolishly at him.
"Squall, please try to understand I've been in love with him for years." Selphie said.
"She keeps me young." Laguna offered.
Squall smiled across the table at them, he was so gaga in love with his Avalena that nothing could shatter that happiness. He rose and walked around to where they were sitting. "One thing. I'm not going to call you mom." He said and kissed Selphie on the cheek, "Welcome to the family Selphie. Hyne help you."
So when the big day came everything was perfect. The ballroom had been transformed into a chapel to hold all the guests that would be there.
The quad had been festooned with streamers and wedding bells. Tables had been sat up to hold the food that had been prepared and the wedding guest when they got around to sitting down to eat.
One table had been sat aside to hold the wedding gifts and was now overflowing with them. There were so many that they had spilled out across the ground.
On the morning of their wedding, Avalena and Squall were sitting out on the porch cuddled in each other's arms watching the sunrise.
Avalena snuggled in closer to Squall and whispered to him, "I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sunrise."
"Neither have I my sweetheart." He replied softly and kissed her neck then chuckled.
"What?"
"The cook at Garden came to see me in my office yesterday and threatened to quit if Selphie Tilmitt stepped one more foot into her kitchen. Who would have thought that perky little Selphie would be such a slave driver?"
"She's been a great help Squall. Although I think she missed her calling. She should be a party coordinator. There were times when I wanted us to elope like Chyna and Zell did. But she was there and made phone calls to florist and whoever else needed a dressing down and threatened them that this wedding was going to be something that every little girl dreamed about or she would make sure that they would be sorry." Avalena smiled up at him. Hyne how she loved him, she loved him more and more everyday and knew that he felt the same.
"Well Mr. Leonhart I think that we need to get out to Garden and start getting ready." Avalena said and pulled out of his arms and stood up.
"Very well Miss DeMarco. I suppose you're right. Selphie would have my hide on her bedroom floor if we're late." Squall rose gracefully to his feet and embraced her one more time and brushed his lips over hers. "I love you Avalena."
"I love you too Squall." She replied and hugged him tight.
When they arrived at Balamb Garden Selphie was waiting by the gate with Seifer. "No! No! No! Don't you know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?" She chastised Squall. Turning to Seifer she ordered, "Take him and start getting ready and when I see you again you had best be wearing a tie Mr. Almasy. Avalena and I didn't spend two days picking out tuxedos and ties for you and the rest of the groomsmen to have you not dress properly."
"Yes mam!" Seifer groaned. He was going to kill Selphie. The tux he would gladly wear, because he knew he looked damn good in it. He also knew that he looked good in black. Not as good as Squall. But he carried it off. But a tie any kind of tie always felt like a noose to him. And the one that Selphie had picked out he knew fit tighter then most. Why in Hyne's holy name hadn't they worn their dress uniforms was beyond him. At least then he wouldn't have to wear that garrote disguising itself as a bowtie.
"Come along Avalena everyone's waiting for you in Quistis's quarters." Selphie said and grasping Avalena by the elbow led her away.
"Well come on Nicky you heard Commandant Tilmitt. If we do anything to ruin 'her' wedding she'll find new and interesting ways to torture us." Seifer flung his arm around Squall's shoulders. "So are you nervous?"
"Hell yes." Squall replied and allowed himself to be led to his quarters.
Avalena, Ambyr, Ruth, Quistis, and Selphie of course had spent a month looking for the perfect dress, and had no luck. She was getting ready to go and meet them again they had planned another day of shopping. This one in Deling, she had just opened the front door and was greeted by her brother Misha.
"I have something for you." He offered, after he had been released from the hospital he, Squall, and Avalena had spent a day together where they told him their story. He had also told them what had led to his behavior that day. He was happy that Squall didn't hold a grudge and had forgiven him.
"What?" Avalena asked glancing down at her watch. Shit she was running late and Selphie would kill her if they missed the train to Deling. She was beginning to regret taking Selphie up on her offer to help coordinate (see hostile take over) the wedding.
"This." Misha replied and held the dressmakers box out in front of him. "It was mom's and I thought that you would like to wear it."
Tears filled her eyes, "I thought Zane had gotten rid of this?"
"So did he." Misha offered simply.
Quistis, Ambyr, Ruth, and Avalena's sister-in-law Lydia greeted Selphie and Avalena when they arrived at the Headmistresses quarters.
Avalena returned hugs and kisses and stepped back, "Where's Tristen?"
"Your brother Travis took him and is getting him ready. Don't panic Selphie he knows not to get dirty." Quistis reassured the panic stricken woman. She and Avalena had become fast friends after the dust had settled. It was she that had kept Avalena from strangling Selphie on several occasions.
Avalena smiled at Quistis she looked stunning, her hair had been curled and was flowing down her back and the ice blue of the bridesmaid dress only enhanced her prettiness.
Avalena had decided that even though it was her special day she wanted her bridesmaids to have pretty dresses. She remembered the butt ugly things that Lydia had hers wear, the only descent thing to do to those eyesores would have been to burn them, but they had been made from flame retardant material and nothing short of dropping them an active volcano would destroy them.
"So are you nervous?" Ambyr asked her. Drawing her into her arms for an extra long hug. She looked equally as stunning in the sapphire blue dress that she had picked out for herself.
"Hell yes." Avalena replied the same way that Squall had when Seifer asked the same question. She pulled away from Ambyr and walked over to where her dress was hanging. There had to be a few alterations done to it since she was shorter then her mom. Luckily the bodice had a generous seam allowance to allow it to be expanded since her breasts were fuller then her mothers had been.
Ruth walked over to her and draped a friendly arm around Avalena's shoulders, "That is the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen Avalena." She had told Avalena and Squall that her wedding gift to them would be that she would decorate the nursery for them when they finally had another baby.
"It was my moms." Avalena replied a little sadly. Wishing that her parents had been alive to see her on her wedding day.
Ruth whispered into her ear, "They can you know? They may not be here in body but they are in spirit."
"Well I suppose I should start getting ready since you all seem to be." Avalena said cheerfully the doldrums gone thanks to Ruth's words of wisdom. She grabbed the bag from Linforts Lingerie and stepped into the bathroom where she quickly shed what she was wearing. She pulled out the white lacy bra and panty set and stepped into them. She hooked the garter belt around her waist and rolled the white silk stockings up her legs. Lastly she took the simple cotton robe out and put that on as well. She still needed to do her hair and makeup and didn't want to get anything on her dress.
Meanwhile in Squall's quarters the men had finally gotten dressed. They made a handsome lot, with the black tuxedos and blue silk shirts. The groomsmen had shirts that were the same ice blue that the bridesmaid's dresses were where Seifer's shirt was the same blue of Ambyr's dress. He had stopped squirming around long enough for Squall to tie his tie.
Seifer looked at himself in the full-length mirror. Yep he was right, he looked damn good. He wondered if Selphie would kick his ass if he smoked. Fuck it, he needed nicotine. He was as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night. Hell and damnation you would think that he was the groom instead of Squall.
Seifer looked over to where Squall was standing calm and collective. He wondered briefly how Squall was managing it. Oh yeah! That shot of scotch that he had taken on the way up to his quarters had probably helped.
"I'll be back I'm going to go smoke." Seifer said and headed out the door. When he got down to the first floor he was brought up short when he saw Rinoa.
Rinoa saw him and ran over to where he was, "Oh Seifie you look so handsome." She gushed.
Seifer pushed her away from him and glared down at her. He ignored that annoying nickname that she had saddled him with. He was incensed, "What the fuck do you think you're wearing?"
Rinoa giggled, "A dress silly."
"Yes I know it's a dress. But it's also a white dress. Cristos Rinoa I thought you knew better." He snapped.
"What's wrong with me wearing a white dress?" Rinoa asked petulantly sticking her lower lip out in a pout.
"If I have to tell you then you're stupider then I thought." Seifer glared down at his watch and then at her. "You have one hour to get your skinny ass back into town and change into something more appropriate. What you have on now is gauche and an embarrassment. You're deliberately trying to ruin Avalena and Squall's wedding by your childish display. Now go!" He growled at her. Not waiting to see if she complied or not he continued his previous journey outside.
Rinoa was confused her games didn't work on him. If he did something she didn't like she would start to cry and all he would do is give her a bored look and hand her a tissue. She would whine and he would give her a dark look and ask her what kind of cheese she wanted. She didn't understand why her tricks worked on Squall but not on Seifer.
She knew not to push him to far, she was truly afraid of Seifer Almasy. She didn't know why but she was. Deciding not to push him she did as he had ordered and went back to Balamb to change. As she drove she thought about the conversation that she had with Avalena last week.
"Rinoa, you know that I love Seifer he has quickly become one of my best friends. He has talked to me about some of the problems that you and he are having." Avalena stated kindly.
"Like what?" Rinoa replied instantly on guard.
"Oh, like why you pull away from him when he tries to get a more intimate with you."
"His number."
"Excuse me?"
"The number of women he's been with. I'm afraid I won't be able to compete."
Avalena knew about Squall's reputation from Garden of being a lady's man. She, Squall, and Seifer had gotten a good laugh over it when they had talked late into the night one night. She knew it was his secret and that if he wanted everyone else to know he would tell them. "Why does Seif's number bother you where Squall's didn't?"
Rinoa had grown silent she knew the answer she didn't want to admit it out loud but she did anyway. The reason Squall's conquest hadn't bothered her was the fact that she had never really been in love with him. Oh she loved him and she was grateful for everything that he had done for her. But she wasn't in love with him. She had still been carrying a torch for Seifer Almasy.
When she had seen Seifer and Squall out on the training ground she had sent Angelo to help protect him. Even though he had hurt her with the cruel things that he had said she still loved him. Then later at the dance she saw Squall leaning up against the wall and recognized him as the guy that Seifer had been fighting with. She had been hurt earlier but now she was angry. She had asked around Garden about Seifer and was told several different stories. Most centered on his rivalry with Squall Leonhart. One of the girls even showed her a picture of Squall. It was that guy from the training ground.
The wheels in her head started turning, what better way to get back at Seifer then to get with his most hated rival? After getting to know Squall she had grown to love him and a small part of her was in love with him. Squall was more infatuation and revenge then love.
Avalena gave her a tight smile, "Rinoa you need to tell Seifer the truth."
"Why?"
"Because he has feelings. And his feelings matter. I've tried to like you. And it's not just because you have history with Squall that I can't. It's because I think that you are a manipulative little bitch that plays games with peoples emotions. I'm going to tell you this one time and one time only, when Squall and I get back from our honeymoon if you haven't told Seifer the truth by then I will. One more thing now that I'm aware of this the only reason that you are still invited to my wedding is because you are with Seifer and I would never do anything to hurt him. Excuse me please."
Rinoa was jerked from her thoughts. She looked at the clock on the console and saw that she was running short on time.
Avalena piled her hair on top of her head and secured it with pearl tipped hairpins. Next she put on just the lightest traces of makeup, a little blush, mascara and lipstick. Rising from the table she walked over to where her dress was hanging.
It was a beautiful creation, the bodice was sweetheart cut and had hand beaded rose buds on the brocade. It had long sleeves ended in V's over her hands. The full skirt was silk covered with lace that matched the pattern of the bodice. It also had a Cathedral length train attached to the shoulders.
Avalena slipped on her high heels and removed the dress from its hanger. Ambyr and Ruth helped slide it over her head without messing up one curl or smudging her lipstick.
Ambyr stepped behind her and started buttoning up the dozens of pearl buttons in the back, while Ruth fidgeted around getting the veil straightened out before it was placed on Avalena's head.
The only jewelry that Avalena wore was her engagement ring and her necklace. Selphie had tried to get her to take it off but dropped the subject when Avalena glared at her.
Quistis brought the bouquet over and handed it to Avalena. Like everything else it was perfect made up of pink and white miniature roses. The pink was Avalena's favorite where the white was Squall's.
Selphie seeing that everything was under control went and found Tristen although she didn't have to far to go Laguna was leading him up the stairs.
"Hi angel." Laguna greeted her and gave her a quick kiss on the mouth. Hyne how he loved this young lady, he was right when he had told Squall that she kept him young. Her effervescence and bubbliness that had the tendency to annoy some people he found enduring.
"Laguna could you go see if the guys are ready. Because Avalena almost is." Selphie replied and returned his kiss.
Laguna went to Squall's quarters and saw that yes he was ready. He had seen Seifer and the others in the hall and they were a handsome lot. But his son was even more so. The black tux that he was wearing only accentuated his good looks. Unlike the groomsmen who were wearing blue shirts Squall's was the pristine white of new fallen snow. The bow tie and cummerbund matched the stark black of the tuxedo.
"You look wonderful son."
"Thank you father."
"So are you nervous? I know I was when I married your mother and ours was just a small ceremony." Laguna smiled at him.
"Yes I'm nervous. I'm just afraid something is going to go dreadfully wrong." Squall replied. He clasped his hands behind his back and held them together tightly so no one would see that they were trembling. He had come close to asking Seifer for one of his cigarillos, but knew that it wouldn't help. So after he was dressed he started pacing back and forth in his quarters.
Zell had tried to get him to sit down and relax, comparing him to a long tailed cat in a roomful of rockers at the geriatric ward.
That hadn't helped he had snapped, "If my pacing bothers you so much then get out." Letting out an exasperated breath he told everyone to leave. He wanted a few minutes alone.
"Well come along my boy. The girls are ready, and if you're late that angel of mine will find a way to blame me." Laguna offered with a cheerful grin. Walking over he grasp his son firmly by the elbow and lead him out of the room and downstairs.
Squall let out a relived sigh when he saw that with the exception of Avalena and their son everyone else was waiting for him.
Seifer, Irvine, Zell, and Travis were waiting on one side of the door while Ambyr, Ruth, Lydia, and Quistis were on the other. Selphie was standing back waiting for them to enter. She would make her entrance right after Avalena did, she wanted to make sure that the veil was hanging just right and the train was straight.
Squall opened the double doors and entered the newly decorated ballroom. He walked down the aisle towards the makeshift alter. At the front he saw that there were 10 SeeDs dressed as honor guards. He bit back a groan of course Selphie would insist on an honor guard.
Seifer and Ambyr followed Squall in before she took her place to Squall's left she gave him a chaste kiss. Irvine and Ruth were next, followed by Zell and Lydia, ending the precession was Travis and Quistis.
Selphie would discreetly enter after Avalena and Tristen had, after they had exchanged their vows she would exit just as quietly to make sure that everything was perfect for the reception. Her mouth dropped open in shock when she Rinoa approaching her wearing a black skin tight dress and 3" spiked heels that would have been more appropriate for a night of dancing or street walking. She stomped over to where Rinoa was and grasp her firmly by the elbow and drug her into an alcove.
"What in Hyne's holy name do you think you are wearing?" She hissed.
"Well duh. A dress." Rinoa answered snidely.
"What could have possible possessed you to wear that…that…thing?" Selphie growled. She was so angry with Rinoa right now that all she wanted to do was shove her in the nearest trash compactor.
"Well if you're going to blame anyone you can blame Seifer. He made me go home and change. He said that my other dress wasn't appropriate." Rinoa said with a sulky pout. "Now if you will excuse me I need to go in and sit down. These shoes are hurting my feet."
"Absolutely not! The next person that walks through that door is going to be Avalena. Not you. So why don't you go find a nice quiet corner to sulk in and wait until after the ceremony is over." Selphie snapped.
"Uh…what I'm I supposed to do?" Rinoa wailed.
"To quote Seifer, I don't give two shits and a giggle. I can't believe you Rinoa. Now go and do what ever it is you do." Selphie ordered.
"Fine." Rinoa turned and tried to stomp away but the high heels that she had so petulantly wore made it impossible. She managed to make it outside to the front steps where she sat and brooded.
"Mama, you're so beautiful." Tristen said his blue eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Why thank you. Did I tell you that you are very handsome?"
Tristen shook his head no.
"I didn't? Why Tristen I think you are very handsome. So my little lion, shall we go?" Avalena smiled down at her son. Hyne he looked adorable, he was dressed in a black tuxedo with a pale blue pleated shirt under it. The miniature bow tie was tied perfectly and Avalena knew that Squall had done that. The cummerbund was also adjusted perfectly. Like his father there was no help for his hair. They both had adamantly refused to shellac it down with the hair goop that Selphie had provided.
When they arrived downstairs Avalena had Tristen place his hand on her elbow and led her over to where Selphie was standing.
Selphie flitted around her and made sure that her veil was hanging right and that the train would drag like it was supposed to.
Reaching up she pulled the short part of the veil over Avalena's face, gave her a quick hug and whispered in her ear. "You are stunning."
"Thank you."
Selphie walked over to the door and gave a quick rap on it signaling that it was time for Victor to start playing. Opening the double doors she stepped back and watched as Tristen led his mother down the aisle.
When the music started the people who were gathered regained their feet and watched as Tristen led his mother down the aisle.
Squall saw them approaching and was stunned. She was so very beautiful and he said a silent thank you to Hyne for bringing her back into his life. He tore his gaze from her and looked at his son. He stood so proud as he walked his mother down the aisle towards him. He felt doubly blessed for having his son and his Avalena.
When Avalena and Tristen arrived at the alter she knelt down and gave her son a quick kiss on the cheek.
Tristen knew what he was supposed to do. He pushed the veil back from her face and helped her stand back up. Then he placed her hand on his daddy's arm. After he had done that he stepped back and sat down.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony." The ceremony went on and finally got to the exchanging of vows.
"Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?"
Tristen knew that this was a very important part of the ceremony stood and said, "Me. Tristen." And sat back down and breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that he would forget what to say but he hadn't.
The minister managed a half smile and continued, "Do you Squall Nicoli…"
"Excuse me, but it's Nicole." Squall interrupted him.
He looked down at his notes and saw that yes indeed it did say Nicole, he had thought it was a typo.
The minister smiled and restarted, "Do you Squall Nicole Leonhart take this woman Avalena Katryna DeMarco as your wife? Do you promise to love and honor her for the rest of your days on Gaia? Cleaving only on to her and no other?"
"Yes, I do." Squall's voice rang out.
The minister turned to Avalena and asked, "Do you Avalena Katryna DeMarco take this man Squall Nicole Leonhart as your lawfully wedded husband to love and honor for the rest of your days on Gaia? Cleaving only on to him and no other?"
"I do." Avalena replied softly.
"Squall and Avalena have prepared vows that they would like to share with each other."
Squall gazed down into Avalena's eyes said, "My darling Avalena I will cherish each moment that I spend with you so when I'm apart from you I can cling to those memories of you. I will honor you above all others, and I will worship your body with my own." Squall continued adding what he had said to her in the jewelry store, "I will love you even beyond my dying day. When this world that we live on has become nothing but dust floating in the cosmos I will still love you."
Avalena felt tears prickle the backs of her eyelids, reaching up her free hand she lightly ran her fingers down the side of his face, "Squall, my Lionheart, I will thank Hyne on a daily basis for bringing you back into my life. Today will always be very special to me. Not only do I marry the man that I love above all others, but it is also the day that I first met you. I will cherish you and honor you and I will worship you my love. You are my true north Squall, there when I need you and I know that I can always find you. And I will love you forever and always." She brought his hand that was clasping on to hers to her mouth and placed a quick kiss on it, careful not to smudge her lipstick on the stark whiteness of his gloves.
"Is there anyone here that sees why this man and woman can not be joined let them speak now or forever hold your peace."
When there were no objections he continued, "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Squall released her hand and bringing both of his up he gently cupped her face and pressed his lips against her. It was a chaste kiss, but more special to them then any that they had shared so far and any that they would share after.
"I love you Avalena Leonhart, my wife." He stated and kissed her again.
When they broke the kiss she smiled at him and said, "And I love you Squall Leonhart, my husband."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great honor that I present to you Squall and Avalena Leonhart, what Hyne has joined together may no one tear asunder."
Squall took her elbow and started to lead her down the aisle to where the honor guards had formed and arc with their swords. They were stopped when the first two dropped their swords barring the way.
"The toll to pass through this arc is a kiss. Are you willing to pay?"
Squall and Avalena smiled at each other and gave each other a kiss. As they moved through the arc Squall saw that the final two that they had to pass were Nida and his girlfriend Sable. Again they were stopped.
"The toll to exit this arc is a kiss. Are you willing to pay?"
Squall nodded and gazed down at Avalena and saw that her golden amber eyes were sparkling with mischief. He winked at her at the same moment they turned and Squall kissed Sable and Avalena kissed a startled Nida.
The last two swords raised and they passed under the arc, after they had passed under them Nida used the flat end of his sword to swat Avalena on the ass, which caused Avalena and Squall to burst out laughing as they made their exit form the room.
While Squall and Avalena were having pictures taken a very irate Selphie Tilmitt was confronting Seifer.
"Have you seen Rinoa?"
"Saw her earlier made her go home and change." He answered. "Why?"
"So you did make her change. What would possess you to make her change into that?" Selphie pointed behind him.
Seifer gave her a confused look turned and saw what Rinoa was wearing, "Selphie I swear to Hyne I had no fucking idea that she was going to change into that." He snarled.
"She told me that you told her that what she was originally wearing was inappropriate."
"That's because she showed up in white." Seifer hissed.
"She did what?" Selphie gasped out.
"She showed up in a white dress and I told her that she needed to go home and change. I didn't want her to ruin Squall and Avalena's wedding. Fuck me! I can't believe that little bitch."
"What are we going to do Seifer? If Squall sees her he's going to blow a gasket. And poor Avalena she'll hide it well but she will not only be hurt but be mortified as well."
"You still have part of your stuff here right?" At Selphie's affirmative nod Seifer continued. "Anything that would be suitable for a wedding?"
"Yes I have several nice things still here. Why?"
"Because you and I are going to waylay Rinoa and drag her skinny carcass upstairs and make her wear something a little more befitting." Seifer snarled. "I'm sorry Selph I'm not angry at you, I'm just ready to shove that bitch down the nearest trash compactor."
Selphie giggled, "I wanted to do the same thing myself." She gave Seifer a confused look, "I thought you loved her?"
"I do. I just don't like her very much right now." Seifer answered. "Come on lets get her before she makes a skeptical of herself."
With that Seifer and Selphie went and grabbed Rinoa and drug her upstairs to Selphie's quarters. Selphie pulled a pretty lavender dress out of her closet and held it out for Rinoa. She had bought it when she found out that Laguna loved any shade of purple. She hadn't had the opportunity to wear it yet. She also pulled out the shoes that she had bought to go with it.
"What?" Rinoa snapped.
"Change." Seifer ordered.
"I will not."
"Rinoa, you have one of two choices and I suggest that you make the right one. Either change your fucking clothes or spend the rest of the day trying to figure out how to get out of a garbage shoot. Because I swear to Hyne woman, I will bind you, gag you, and shove you down the nearest trash receptacle."
"Fine I'll change." She whined.
"Good now get it done. I will be waiting out side to escort you back downstairs."
After photographs were taken of the wedding party and family they sat down to enjoy the meal that the cook and her assistant had been working on since the night before.
When everyone had finished eating the rest of the reception began. Tristen led his mother out on the dance floor and started dancing with her. His little arms hugging her legs as she swayed gently back and forth to the music.
Tristen felt a tap on his shoulder turned and looked up into the smiling face of his daddy.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" Squall smiled down at his son.
"No." Tristen answered and started to step away but was swooped up into his father's arms.
Squall held Tristen against one shoulder while his other arm encircled Avalena's waist and he led her around the dance floor.
"Do you know how very much I love you two?" He smiled at his wife and son.
"As much as we love you, isn't that right Tristen?" Avalena answered.
"That's right mama." Tristen smiled at her and holding out his arms was transferred back to her.
The three of them made several circles around the dance floor. Only stopping when the song finally ended.
When it came time to cut the cake the cook wheeled in the four-tiered masterpiece. After the cake was cut and goodbyes were said she was going to bed. She was exhausted she had worked until the early hours of the morning finishing decorating it. It was a truly a beautiful cake that had used the scheme of Avalena bouquet and had tiny pink and white roses on it.
After the top tier had been removed and boxed to save for their first anniversary, Squall and Avalena cut their cake. Squall had sat his foot down hard when Selphie had tried to wheedle them into doing a white cake. "Absolutely not. It is going to be chocolate."
"But Squall, traditionally it should be a white cake to signify purity." Selphie argued.
"It's going to be chocolate or nothing."
Squall removed his gloves and picked up the small piece of cake that he and Avalena had cut to share. He placed it up to her mouth and let her take a small bite. He handed the last little bit of it to her and she reached up and placed it against his lips. Meeting his mouth with hers as he took it sharing the frosting that clung to his lips.
"I think I prefer your kisses without the frosting. I feel like I'm going into sugar shock." He laughed.
After everyone had cake and toasts were drank to the bride and grooms happiness Avalena and Squall went out to his car a Cosmic Star Jumper, it was a wedding gift from Avalena. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it had been festooned with toilet paper and shaving cream. He knew who was responsible. During the reception he saw Seifer waylay several different people who were heading outside carrying suspicious looking packages.
He and Avalena had planned on leaving for their honeymoon on the following day. They needed to go home and change and get their luggage.
Later that evening they were sitting in the family room talking to Ambyr and Victor. They had made the decision that they would open the mountain of gifts when they returned from their honeymoon/vacation. Seifer had offered to watch Tristen for them while they were gone and to eventually meet up with them and drop off their son so they could have a family holiday.
Seifer came into the room carrying an elegantly wrapped box. "I know you said that you were going to wait until you got back to open your presents but I thought you might need this on your honeymoon." He smirked at Avalena and Squall.
Avalena gave him a questioning look but took the box and very carefully opened it. Removing the lid she burst out laughing.
"What's so funny sweetheart?" Squall asked.
Reaching into the box she pulled out a pair of black leather hip boots and a cat-o'-nine tails.
When Ambyr saw what she was holding she started to laugh as well and was soon joined by Seifer.
Squall looked at the boots and the whip and raised an eyebrow and said blandly, "I really don't want to know do I?"
"Probably not my love probably not." Avalena answered going off into more peals of laughter.
Two Weeks Later:
Seifer had returned to Balamb, he had just delivered Tristen to his parents. He had promised to meet Rinoa for dinner she had been calling him non-stop for the past two weeks telling him that they needed to talk.
He walked into Jinx's and saw her sitting at a corner table. He wondered what she wanted to talk about. In her phone calls to him she swore her undying love and eternal devotion to him. He smiled briefly at the memory. He did love her. But he really wasn't sure if he was in love with her anymore. He needed time to think and sort out how he felt about Rinoa and he would tell her that tonight after they had dinner.
"Seifie, I'm so glad you made it." Rinoa greeted him. "I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of ordering for us. Linguini with clam sauce, that's your favorite right?"
"Actually no Rinoa I can't stand clams. But I appreciate the gesture." He offered with a smile.
Oh! Okay. Seifie you and I need to talk. I have something I need to tell you. Something very important."
"Hold own just a second and let me reorder." Seifer interrupted her.
After Seifer had placed a new order he sat back and waited for Rinoa to tell him what she needed to.
Rinoa reiterated what she had told to Avalena. Somehow she had convinced herself that Seifer would be flattered. After all he was extremely shallow and self-centered.
Seifer looked across the table at her, a stunned expression on his face. How could he have ever thought that he was in love with her? He knew now that it was infatuation, nothing more nothing less. He heard once again those words that she had spoken in Avalena's kitchen, about him pretending to rape Avalena. Deep in his heart he knew that is what she saw him as a sexual predator. Seifer closed his eyes and when he opened them again he saw her for what she was. She was a manipulative bitch.
"Let me get this right Rinoa, you used Squall to make me jealous." He said coldly.
"Well yes! I love you Seifer, I was crazy with anger I wanted to hurt you like you hurt me."
"So you used him. God damn it Rinoa, what do you expect me to do?"
"Forgive me for it."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Because I can't trust you Rinoa. I can't trust you not to do something like this again. How do I know that you're not using me now?"
"But Seifie."
"Don't call me that. How could you use someone as coldly and callously as you did Squall? How am I supposed to believe that you won't do the same to me?" Seifer glared at her.
Rinoa was getting really angry, "Why should you give a shit about Squall Leonhart?"
"Because he is my best friend and he is my brother. He has feelings Rinoa you know that. You've seen how he is around people now. Especially Avalena and Tristen he is so open and giving now…"
"Yes and he should have been mine!" She screamed at him, "I should have been the one that opened up his feeling not some jaundiced eyed bitch."
"What did you just say?" Seifer's voice had taken on the icy depths that Squall's use to hold and still did, but only when he was extremely angry.
"You heard what I said. Squall Leonhart should have been mine. And Avalena is a yellow eyed bitch."
"So everything you said about how you felt about me was just a line of shit. Everything that you told Avalena was a line of shit. You're insane, that has to be it. You told me that you loved me. You don't even know the meaning of the word. Tell me something Rinoa do you honestly love anyone or do you just go around telling people that to get something from him or her? I'm just glad that I realized it before I took it too much further with you. I thank Hyne that Squall got his memory back and is with his Avalena."
"Don't you ever mention that bitch's name in front of me again. I hate her. It's all her fault. I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I hate her do you here me Seifer? I hate her!" Rinoa continued screaming at him.
"It's over." Seifer said and rose from the table and turned to walk away. But was stopped by the spiteful comment that Rinoa flung after him
"Why don't you just fuck her and get it over with Seifer. I know you want to. I know you want to fuck both of them. So why don't you and Squall just have a three-way with that yellow-eyed cu…"
She didn't finish, Seifer spun around with his hand drawn back to backslap her. But he stayed the blow, "You will never speak of Avalena and Squall that way again. You will not see them and you will not talk to them again. Believe me when I tell you this Rinoa, if any harm at-all comes to the…" Seifer paused for dramatic effect and maliciously finished, "Leonhart's, I will kill you!" He stomped over to the door stopping momentarily to throw a handful of gil down on the counter. He continued outside where he jumped in the Dollet Stinger and went home.
As she watched him walk out the dark place that was in Rinoa opened up and allowed all the hate and jealousy that she had towards Avalena, Squall, and now Seifer to come through and she became the evil sorceress that Squall had dreaded that one day she might become.
Not the end. To be continued in Part 2.
I would like to thank everyone that has read The Lady and The Lion you are all wonderful. Thank you so much. Hugs and kisses to all of you. I promise that I will try to have the first chapter of part two up by hopefully Wednesday of next week. Woo hoo the Fourth of July. What a great way to start a new story.
Thanks again,
Eddy Leonhartslover