The group followed the woman into the back where the dinner tables were. She seated them at a large rectangular table that was obviously two smaller square tables pushed together. The waitress handed each a menu.
"Would you like me to divide the check?"
"Yes, we're-" Squall pointed his finger around the table. "-all separate."
"All right. Can I get you something to drink?" She turned to Irvine.
"Mmm...Just water, please."
Laguna quickly turned to the waitress. "Wait!"
She stopped writing suddenly, a little startled by his outburst.
"I'm sorry, Irvin-"
"Irvine," he corrected.
"You see, Irving, I gave to the Don't Waste Our Water Foundation, and if someone saw me around people drinking water, well..." He chuckled. "I'd be kicked out."
The waitress erased the order as Irvine got ready to argue with Laguna. "Why did you join that club?"
"Because I'm president and I have to do all that presidential 'I love blah blah' stuff. Wasn't my choice, I love water....but don't tell anybody..."
After Irvine agreed and ordered a Pepsi, the woman took their drink orders and reassured she be back in a little bit to write down their dinner orders.
Zell didn't even glance at the list, he knew exactly what he wanted. "Spumoni," he said, knowing no one cared.
"You can't have ice cream for dinner!" Selphie snapped.
"Sure I can! It's not like you're paying for it."
"Actually," began Laguna, "she's right. The Dinner Before Desert Committee's laws clearly state that no sugary foods may be eaten before the main meal." He whipped out a small pamphlet from his jacket pocket and pointed to the first paragraph. "Right there in black and white."
Zell shook his head. "I don't belong to that committee."
"Well, I do. Sorry, kid," he said as he patted Zell's back.
Zell rolled his eyes at Squall, who nodded slightly, saying he agreed.
Selphie closed the menu and set it in front of her. "Homemade cheese lasagna for me!"
The president shook his head in disapproval. "Lasagna is baked, and therefore the cheese is melted."
"You figured that out all by yourself?" Kiros asked half smiling.
"Ha ha, funny." He cleared his throat. "Quit Melting Mozzarella donated to my campaign and I told them I'd stay away from melted cheese, as it is such an awful fate for a dairy product."
Squall let his head hit the table. A few minutes later, when he felt that his stress had been lifted, he picked up the sheet in front of him and thought out loud as he read the menu. "Lamb chops or pasta...."
"You can't eat lamb chops," Laguna stated, not looking up from his menu.
"Why not?"
"I'm a part of an animal rights group."
He sighed. "Fine. I'll have the pasta with pesto sauce."
"Pesto? Er....."
"PESTO."
"I'm afraid that's not possible. You see, the Protect Our Pesto Foundation wouldn't like-"
"I'm having pasta with pesto, dammit! Don't tell me what to eat!"
Not having any past experiences with children to fall back on, Laguna had no idea as to how to handle Squall. He was unsure about which action to take. On one hand, Squall was a responsible young man, and could make his own decisions. On the other hand, he was naive and too young to realize the importance of pesto in society.
Squall's face was still red with anger, and Laguna decided to let him make his own choice; no matter how wrong it was. He nodded his head. "Okey dokey."
It had been fifteen minutes since the woman had taken their dinner order, and, considering that the crowd had gone, Squall wondered what had happened to Seifer and his posse.
He wondered no longer, as he caught sight of them casually strolling into the dining room behind a blonde waiter. Squall noted that they were coming awfully close. In fact, the man seated them right across from him. When so many tables were empty, why didn't the waiter seat them away from his table?
'Oh, I see.' Squall grumbled to himself as Seifer slipped the man 10 gil. "Geez, get a life," he groaned, falling back into his chair.
"That's not very nice!" Rinoa screeched.
"Huh? No, not you, Seifer. He's sitting right behind me." He motioned to his back.
"Oh...." she responded sheepishly. "Let him be. He isn't disturbing anyone."
She spoke too soon, for Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin each got up and walked over to Laguna.
Seifer almost passed by, when he stopped suddenly and, in mock surprise, said, "Hey, look who it is! Fancy meeting you here....erm, again...once more....for the second time..."
"Fancy? Did he just say fancy?" Squall asked the group around his table. They stared at him, oblivious to what he was getting at.
"Hey, why don't you guys pull up a table?" Laguna offered.
"No, we couldn't-okay, if you insist! Fuj, Raij, bring that table over here!"
Zell sat with his mouth agape as Squall remained stiffly upright.
"I....don't think there's enough room..." Squall said.
"Ah, sure there is, Puberty Boy!"
"Is that your nickname?" Laguna asked cheerfully as he scooted closer to Squall, making room for the other table. "I used to have a nickname when I was in school.... What was it?....."
"He had so many, they almost put him in the Guinness Book of World Records," Kiros whispered to Ward. Ward nodded, remembering the time some men came to their grade school and tallied up Laguna's nicknames. All 56 of them. But in the end he was two short of the record. Poor little Laguna was heartbroken. He worked hard for those names, but now all he had to show for it was constant teasing that would last throughout highschool. No world record.
"Hey Fujin! Get a picture of me and the president!" Seifer stood behind Laguna, giving him bunny ears. From out of nowhere, Fujin pulled out a camera and took a shot. "Thanks, Mr. President!"
"No problem! I'm glad some people are interested in politics...."
Seifer grinned obnoxiously at Squall, then sat down next to Laguna. "Say....Mr. President?"
"Yes?"
"I've been thinking-"
"Congratulations," Squall murmured.
".....and...I'm truly sorry for trying to help takeover the world an' all....Do you think you could pardon me?"
"Aww....Of course! You're such a nice, responsible young man!"
"W-wait a minute!!" Squall pounded his fist on the table. "He is NOT a responsible young man! He's not even all that nice! What's wrong with you?!"
"He said he was sorry, son-"
"That doesn't make up for anything!"
"Shut your trap, Squall! Your father can OBVIOUSLY see that I have changed my ways, and that I deserve a second chance."
"This isn't The Price is Right! There are no second chances!"
"Calm down, your father knows what he's doing," Rinoa said softly.
Seifer stuck his tongue out, which went unnoticed to everyone except Squall.
"TOO"
"Fujin wants to be pardoned, too."
"Surely, dear!.....What did she do again?"
"You don't kno-erm...nothing, really....."
"Yes she did, Seifer! Don't'cha remember when we- OWW! Fuj, that hurts!"
"QUIET, IDIOT"
Laguna kept his smile even though Fujin had just crippled Raijin with a kick. ".....Hey! Seeing as you're such good friends with my son-"
"Seifer's not my friend!" Squall objected.
"You can call me 'Dad'. Okay?"
"Well, if you think it's appropriate.....Dad."
Squall fell down into his seat and stared wide-eyed at Laguna and Seifer. "Bu-na-ugh-nee-"
"Can I call you 'Dad', too?!" Selphie squealed.
"Sure! You all can!"
So, the night went on; Squall twitching uncontrollably as the others enjoyed their dinner, Laguna cracking one too many jokes, and Seifer anxiously waiting for a chance to use his rat poison.
Squall cut open the child-proof cap of his asprin (one could die before untwisting it) and wearily popped one in his mouth. He was now counting down the hours to Friday. Luckily for him, Laguna went shopping with Kiros and Ward and insisted that Squall stay home. With the extra time, he was seriously contemplating moving the Garden, but Quistis would hear nothing of it. To make sure he didn't, she sent Nida off with Laguna. Nida was the only one who could fly the Garden, and although others had training, they still needed his supervision.
Rinoa handed him a glass of water. He swallowed the pill, then set the bottle back in the medicine cabinet. "What's bothering you, Squall?" she asked. "Are you annoyed because your father acts more like a teenager than you?" She smirked.
"No, I'm annoyed because they canceled The Smurfs! Honestly, I don't understand how he ever-"
"He'll be gone tomorrow, so just hold out until then," she sighed and walked to the door. "I know it's none of my business, but....maybe you should....forgive him. He means well, Squall, and I know more is bothering you than his attitude."
He opened his mouth to object, but she quickly cut him off. "Just think about it, okay? I'm sure you'll feel better." She kissed him lightly on his cheek and walked out.
'You're a fine one to talk. At least I call my father by his first name.' He switched his weight to his left leg. '....I could call him "that guy that's somehow related to me" or "the man that claims I'm his offspring"......' He shrugged. 'Why didn't I think of that sooner?'
Nida struggled to keep up with Laguna as he ran rampant through the aisles. "Thanks, guys," he muttered to the ceiling. Kiros and Ward were right behind Laguna, carrying any items he picked up and catching those he dropped.
"Hmm....shampoo? Do you think he'd like shampoo?" Laguna asked, turning to Nida.
"I'd think he'd have enough of that already."
"Oh." The president set the bottle of Suave down and scanned the store. He caught site of something and started toward it. "Stay here," he ordered, and Nida was happy to oblige.
"Geez," he sighed, slumping over. "Is he always this hyper?"
Kiros glanced at Ward. "Yeah. All the time."
Nida shook his head. He looked over to where Laguna had headed and saw that he was coming back with a large white bag over his shoulder. "Good, he bought something. Now we can go."
"Okay, all done!" Laguna smiled.
"What's in the bag, man?" Kiros questioned.
"A....present for Squall...."
They stood silently.
"Well, can we see it?"
"Maybe later....When I give it to him," he responded slowly.
Nida stood up. "Fine, let's get outta here!"
By the time Laguna, Kiros, Ward, and Nida got back to Garden it was late at night. The fact that Laguna made them get on the wrong train (bound for FH) made the gang backtrack. It was another two hours until they reached Balamb, seeing as Laguna wasn't familiar with the area, but insisted that he drive.
At the front gate, Nida explained to the gatekeeper what had happened and the man kindly let them pass.
Each hurried off to their room (special exceptions were made for the president and his body guards) before another guard stopped them in the halls.
DAY 5!
Bright and early, Laguna arrived at his son's door. He was amazed to see Selphie, Rinoa, and Zell there, also.
"Good morning, Sir Laguna!" Selphie greeted.
"Good morning! What are you all doing outside Squall's door this early?" he asked.
"We're waiting for him to get up," Zell said as he removed his ear from the door.
"That's nice of you." Laguna smiled watching the three stake out in front of Squall's dorm. "When does he usually wake?"
"About 9:30," Rinoa informed.
Selphie pranced around Laguna, staring at the giant white bag. "What's in there?"
"A present for Squall."
"Ooh! Let me see!"
He swiftly pulled it out of her grasp. "Wait until Squall gets up."
"I'll get him up!" she squealed with excitement. Pounding furiously on his door, Squall finally gave in and got out of bed. He sleepily came to the door, squinting his eyes so the light wouldn't bother him.
"What?" he asked gruffly.
"Good morning, son!" Laguna yelled as he patted his back. "Look! I've got a present for you, since I won't see you for a while!" He handed him the heavy bag.
"Why is it moving?"
Laguna grinned widely. "Oh, you'll see..."
Squall shook his head attempting to ward off his tiredness. He untied the knot of string and opened the bag to reveal-
"A turkey!" Selphie jumped giddily.
"You got me a turkey?"
"Yeah, isn't it cute?"
"......"
"I named it Marvin, but it answers to Marv, too."
"......"
Laguna kneeled down and stretched out his arms. "C'mere Marv!" The turkey waddled over, leaving feathers where he tread. "Good boy, Marv!" Laguna clapped.
"What am I supposed to do with a turkey?" Squall asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Love it, and care for it, and take it for walks! A kid should have a pet!"
"A kid should have a dog, or hamsters, or fish! Not the main course of a Thanksgiving Day meal!"
Laguna stood up and dusted off his pants. "I thought he was cute." He shrugged.
"It was very nice of you to give Squall a....turkey," Rinoa thanked. "But...I'm afraid they don't allow pets at Garden..."
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that..."
Zell looked down at the walking poultry. "I'll take it off your hands," he grinned.
"No! You'll just eat it, you barbarian!" Selphie screamed as she stood in front of the giant bird, shielding it from harm.
"That's okay, Selphie, I'll take it back." Laguna turned to Squall. "Sorry, son. I know how much you always wanted one."
Squall sighed. "I'll try to pick up the pieces and go on."
"Laguna!" Kiros yelled as he and Ward came running from the main hall. Kiros slowed down in front of him and between breaths said, "Something's....come up in Esthar....They....need you back to sign.....some papers...."
"It's that urgent?"
"Actually....you were given the.....papers to sign a while ago....They are very important, deciding trade with some....countries...."
Laguna stood quietly in thought. "Are they the ones in the green envelopes?"
Ward nodded.
"I thought those were early Christmas cards. Whoops," he laughed.
Kiros swallowed, and regained a steady rate of breathing. "Only you, man," he said, shaking his head. "Anyway, we need to get going."
"Yes, of course."
Squall helped to get Marvin back in the bag and handed it to his father. ".....Um.....Thanks for coming, and all.... I had a lot of fun...."
"R-really?"
".....Sure, whatever."
"Aww!"
Squall back-stepped, attempting to escape the oncoming hug. He didn't succeed.
"I'll miss you, son! Remember to call, or write, or email, or something!"
"Yeah."
The president walked to the hallway then turned around. "See you next year!" he said as he waved cheerfully. Squall waved until he was out of sight.
He hastily turned around to face his teammates. "Okay, we've got 365 days! Zell! You find a map and locate a flat patch of land surrounded by mountains! Selphie! You work on driving the Garden in case Nida would happen to be sick when we move! Rinoa! You call the phone company and change my number, then get on the internet and give me a new email address! Let's move! Go! Go! Go!"
I don't know why, but Nida's becoming one of my favorite characters. I even gave him a starring role in Pip!... Well, I hope you enjoyed, 'cause that be the last chapter! Yes, it's true!