Joy is a wonder. When truly pure, the human mind can only perceive it as laughter, a melodic laughter that fills the air. Joy like that captivates. It comes so seldom, that when it does come, you would think it was planning on setting up permanent residence, you feel so blessed to have it with you.
No wonder Squall's soul was singing.
They hadn't wasted a moments time. The second they'd released each other from their passionate kiss, Rinoa had dashed out the door to tell the others. After hearing the news, Selphie raced off to get Edea and Cid, Laguna went to call Ellone, and the rest went back inside to congratulate the groom-to-be.
Deep down, both Squall and Rinoa, as well as the others, knew that this marriage might not survive an entire day. They knew. But it didn't matter. This was something that Squall and Rinoa needed, and they were going to have it.
In an hour's time, everything was ready. The whole setup was pretty impressive, actually. Zell was best man, with Irvine and Seifer the groomsmen, and Quistis was maid of honor, with Selphie and Ellone the bridesmaids. Edea gave the ceremony right from Squall's room in the Infirmary, and President Caraway gave the bride away. Besides them, there was Cid, Sora (the pig-tailed girl), Doctor Kadowaki, and Raijin & Fuujin.
It was nothing fancy, nothing grand, but to Squall and Rinoa it was the most beautiful wedding in all creation. Rinoa even wore her mother's wedding dress. Squall wasn't able to wear a suit, he couldn't even stand on his own, but with his father's support, he was on his feet when he said, "I do,"
As much as he would have liked to carry his bride over the threshold, Rinoa was the one to carry Squall. Well, she was the one who pushed him through the door in his wheelchair, anyway.
"If these are your...last nights...then you're not spending them in one of those tiny beds in the Infirmary!" Rinoa stated, wheeling Squall into his dormroom.
"...wouldn't...be enough...room...for tonight...anyway...right?" Squall grinned.
Rinoa blushed. "It was a lovely wedding, wasn't it?" she said softly, purposely avoiding the subject.
"...perfect..." Squall replied, reaching out to stroke her face. "...because of the...beautiful bride..."
Rinoa took his hand from her face and brought it to her lips, kissing his fingertips. Her lips were like feathers on Squall's skin, sending a chill down his back. She continued to caress his hand, to kiss it, and didn't stop, even as she spoke. "You seem a bit exhausted, Mr. Leonheart," she whispered seductively. "Are you quite tired?"
Squall closed his eyes, trembling slightly from her touch. "...not...not at all...Mrs. Leonheart..."
Rinoa's grin widened and she released his hand. Neither spoke as she pulled back the covers on the bed, nor did they as she helped Squall from the wheelchair over to it. Squall sat down on the edge, insisting on laying himself down and moving his legs under the covers on his own. He didn't lay down completely, though, but remained more upright against the headboard.
"...what...should we do now...Mrs. Leonheart...?" Squall asked, teasingly.
"Gee, Mr. Leonheart, I don't know," she teased back, standing there beside the bed, still dressed in her mother's wedding gown. It was very sleek and simple; all satin, off the shoulder, flowing about her slender ankles. Her raven hair was even pinned up.
"...perhaps...we should do something...we've never done before..." Squall said thoughtfully.
"Never?" Rinoa asked. "With...anyone?"
Squall caught her hidden meaning. They had already talked with each other about this long before. They both already knew that truth of each other, as well as all others, but he played along anyway. "...no...never," he replied. "...and...you...?"
"No. Never," she repeated simply.
"...then...there's nothing...to be...afraid of...if neither of us...has done this...before..." Squall stated, just as plainly.
"Exactly..."
Rinoa reached a hand up behind her head, freeing her pin from its place in her hair. The dark locks fell shimmering upon her bare shoulders. She placed the pin on the nightstand, and then turned away from the bed. Bringing her hands behind her back, she slowly began to unzip the long, white dress, slipping it off and stepping out of it as it collected at her feet. She shivered a little, nervous and frightened, despite Squall's words of comfort, as well as her own.
Still with her back to Squall, she slipped her bra off over her head, tossing it to the floor, and then gradually slipped her underwear off, past her legs and away from around her ankles.
Squall had watched her with growing anticipation, and was just as nervous and frightened as she was. They loved each other unconditionally, but the first time is always the hardest.
Rinoa stood still a moment, gathering her confidence, but soon she began to turn around, slowly, an almost lost look on her face. She couldn't help it, but her biggest fear had always been that he wouldn't like what he saw somehow, when this time finally came. But love is stronger than anything, and she was most definitely wrong.
"...I've seen much...beauty in my life..." Squall began, looking up into her enchanting eyes. "...but...only now do I...truly know...what beautiful means..."
Rinoa smiled, her cheeks flushing with color, and she stepped forward to accept the hand Squall offered her. He took her in his arms, and time stopped for two, newborn lovers, caught up in their moment of passion and love.
Outside, clouds had formed over the once clear sky, thunder clapped in the distance, lightning flashed, and the heavens let go a fierce and driving rain.
-----
Rinoa listened to the sounds of her husband's ragged breaths as she lay there in bed with her head on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, though it didn't sound as steady and strong as it once had.
Reality very cruelly began to knock at the door, but Rinoa refused to answer. She didn't want to remember that Squall was dying, that they had so little time left. All she wanted to remember was their night together, and their undying love. All she wanted was to hold him forever, and to never let him go.
"...Squall...? You won't leave me, will you?" Rinoa asked gently, desperately.
Squall felt a pang in his chest at her words. How he wished he could truly stop time, holding everything still in that moment. "...never...my angel..." he whispered in reply. "...I'll...never...leave you..." A tear ran down Squall's cheek. He knew it was a lie. He could feel himself slipping away. "...I...I love you...Rinoa...my angel...my beautiful...my..." he broke off, losing himself to his tears, sobbing as he clung to her. Oh, how this pained him, how he suffered knowing he might leave her at any minute.
Rinoa just held him tighter, digging into his chest all the more. "Don't cry...don't cry..." she whimpered. "I love you, Squall. I'll always love you. Stay with me...please..."
(Oh, God...) Squall thought bitterly. (Why? Why give me this time with her only to rip it away? What have I done?)
But at that thought, Squall nearly shook his head, knowing that going down that path again was foolish. It wasn't because of something he had done, it just was. He couldn't change that, as much as he wanted to. Nothing could. Not even all powerful Love. No...though Love's power is great, the greatest, its only power here was that it would not die with Squall. Their love would survive beyond time, and somehow, that had to be enough.
"...I will never leave you...Rinoa..." Squall whispered. "...I will always be with you...my love..."
"I know, Squall," she whispered back. "I know,"
-----
Dawn was fast approaching, but the sun did not shine. The storm refused to pass, for it had good reason to remain.
Rinoa blinked her tired eyes as she awoke, digging into Squall chest a little more in defiance to rising with the coming day. As she did so, however, a startling realization struck her. He felt so terribly cold...
She jerked her head up suddenly, looking down at his still form. His skin held no color, his chest had ceased to rise and fall with his breath, and...she had heard no heartbeat pounding within his chest.
(No...) she thought tragically in disbelief. (God, no...please...it can't be...)
"Squall?" she squeaked out, tears forming fast in her brown eyes. "Squall? Squall?! Squall?!?!" she shouted, shaking him desperately.
He did not stir.
Rinoa couldn't believe it, she refused to believe it. She broke down completely into tears, and began pounding Squall's silent chest with her fists. "No! Squall!!" she screamed. "Squall...please don't leave me alone...don't leave me, Squall. Squall!!"
But it was too late. There was nothing she could do. No matter how hard she pounded, how loud she screamed, he could not answer her anymore.
Lost in her tears, she brushed a lock of Squall's soft, brown hair out of his face, bending close to him to kiss his cold mouth one last time with trembling lips. "....I will always love you...my brave, beautiful lion..." she whispered, after releasing from the kiss. "I will always love you,"
-----
Merciless. The wind, the rain, the bitterness hanging in the air. All of it was unbearably merciless that day--cold, unfeeling, and filled with utter despair. The sky wept tears of sorrow days after the death of its warrior, a man who once saved the world. He had some of the most amazing dear friends ever created in this cruel world, a wonderful father, a cherished true love, his wife, and so much of himself that for so long had been lost. He had everything a man could ask for, and in a single breath it had all been ripped away. How dreadfully unfair. But, then again, life isn't fair, is it? We may wish upon every star in the heavens that it could somehow be fair, but it never will be. Our only hope, our only defense, is love. Love cannot defeat death, but it can survive despite it. Love, hope, the promise of tomorrow, that is what was dwelled upon those days following such a tragic, young death. They wouldn't have had it any other way.
It was a very memorable funeral. Some would think the whole world had shown up, so many people filled the ballroom of Balamb Garden that day. Edea gave the ceremony, of course, Quistis gave the eulogy, having known Squall the best, and many others went forward to say their own words about such a remarkable man. There were tears, but much laughter as well, for many fond memories were shared, most having occurred during the past year.
It had been disputed a bit over how and where Squall should be buried. Some said he would have liked to be cremated, with his ashes spread out over the flower field behind the old orphanage. Others thought he would have liked to be buried with all the SeeDs who had lost their lives during the battles with the sorceress. But Rinoa had the final say, for she knew how Squall had truly wanted it to be. To rest beside his mother in the fields beyond Winhill.
No one spoke against it.
Rinoa and the others took comfort in each other's company, and didn't feel quite as hopeless and lost as they had expected. They knew he was still there, watching over them as he had promised.
Laguna returned to Esthar, and Caraway returned to Deling City, but both found themselves within the walls of Balamb Garden quite often. Rinoa stayed at the Garden with the others, thriving as a SeeD, and as an instructor to the younger classmen. Irvine kept his promises, getting his license, behaving himself, and growing ever closer to Selphie. Selphie kept hers, throwing an amazing Garden Festival in Squall's honor, and keeping Irvine in check. Zell had a few shaky first days as SeeD Commander, but he pulled through, proving to be the best man for the job with Quistis as his first officer. Seifer acted as a sort of right-hand-man for Zell, as well, and didn't even think about going back on his promise to Squall.
As for the rest, life went on, even a little unexpectedly.
-----
"How are you today, Squall?" Rinoa asked sweetly. "Keeping an eye out for me through those storm clouds overhead, right?"
She stood in a vast field, smelling madly of wildflowers. In front of her were the gravestones of Raine Loire, and her son, Squall Leonheart Loire. Rinoa came there as often as she could to talk with Squall. It hadn't been all that long since he had died, a few weeks only. She had visited just the day before, but had returned today for a special reason.
"I saw Dr. Kadowaki today," she began, sitting down in the grass. "I've actually been suspecting this for a while now, but I finally know for sure," Her smile broadened, and she passed a hand lovingly over Squall's gravestone. "You're going to be a father, Squall," she continued, beaming. "Isn't it wonderful? I know you're probably worrying about the baby inheriting your disease, but you don't have to. The doctor said that it's impossible for the defective gene to be carried over to our child, because I'm the sorceress. I was so happy when she told me. I wish you didn't have to watch over us from so far away, but you'll always be with us, won't you? Loving us no matter how long it takes us to reach you again..."
A gust of wind blew past Rinoa, rustling her hair playfully, and an echoing thunder rolled passed in the distance. Rinoa understood Squall's answer. He would always be there, always watching, always loving, living on through his loved ones, and through the storm.
-----
Five years have passed now since the death of an unforgettable lion, but he does indeed live on. Through friends, his father, his wife, and his daughter, Gale.
Four figures stood before the graves of Squall and Raine Loire one overcast day. No tears were being shed, no sorrow filled their hearts at all. They smiled, talking with their lost loved ones as they often did, their hearts filled with love and hope for another day.
"We should be going, dear, if we're to make it to the party on time," President Caraway stated warmly.
"I know, dad. You're right," Rinoa smiled in reply. "I'll see you soon, Squall, Raine. I love you," she added, turning back towards the Ragnorok. Laguna placed an arm lovingly on her shoulders as they headed back up the hill.
"Perfect day, isn't it?" he said brightly. "The sky after a summer storm always reminds me of Squall's eyes...his mother's eyes..."
"Yes..." Rinoa agreed thoughtfully. "This was always Squall's favorite type of weather."
"Ummm...dear?" Caraway started carefully. "I think we're missing someone,"
Rinoa stopped, turning back to face down the hill. Gale still stood before the graves, gathering flowers in her delicate, little hands. She had her mother's raven hair, which flowed like waves down her back, and like her father and grandmother, she had the most beautiful, large, blue-grey eyes.
"Gale!" Rinoa called tenderly. "Come on, sweetheart! You don't want to be late for Auntie Quisty's baby shower!"
Gale turned her head towards them, a large grin on her face. "I'm coming, Mama! Just a minute longer!"
Rinoa smiled down at her. "Alright, honey, but not too long!"
She turned back, and the three of them continued up the hill.
"Quistis told me the most wonderful news yesterday," Rinoa said, taking both of her fathers' arms. "Turns out, she's having twins!"
"That's wonderful!" Laguna proclaimed. "Does Seifer know yet?"
Rinoa giggled. "Nope. She's going to surprise him with it today,"
The older men chuckled.
"My, my," Caraway grinned. "That will be a surprise,"
They laughed again, trudging the last few steps up the hill.
Below them, Gale had finished collecting flowers, and her arms were completely filled. "Such pretty flowers grow here, Daddy," she said. "I know it's all 'cause of yoo and Gramma, too!"
She bent to place some on Raine's grave, the rest on Squall's, keeping only a few for herself.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to give some to Auntie Quisty and Uncle Seifer!" she beamed.
"Gale!" she heard her mother call again.
"Oh, I better go!" she exclaimed. "We'll come back soon. Goodbye, Gramma. Goodbye, Daddy," she brought her small fingers to her lips, and then touched them gently to the gravestones.
A small gust of wind rustled through her hair, and she felt a tiny drop of rain fall upon her nose.
"I love yoo, too, Daddy," she whispered, giggling. Then, turning around, she bounded up the hill to join the others.
owari
A/N: (sniffling) That's it. It's over. I'm finally finished. I hope all of you can accept how it ended, because to me, this was how the fic was meant to be. I beg of you to tell me what you thought! I love it, but I need to know the reader response. You've all been so great, and I love you all. It warms my heart, and yet I'm so sad that it's all over. (sigh) Well, till next time, everyone.
Crimson