FF8: story 3
Like I said before, the characters and places in this fanfic aren't mine.
They belong to Squaresoft. I'm using them in this fanfic because I like
Final Fantasy 8. Secondly, Nightmare helped me work on this story. This
is our third attempt at a fanfic. And like the last two, we hope you like
the story. The story line is mixed together with different ideas we had.
Email any and all comments (even burns) to Silver_Wolf1_99@yahoo.com
Now on with the story.
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A New Beginning
(sequel to Together...Forever)
Chapter 1
"Come in," Squall said as he heard a knock on the
door. He looked up from his desk as a young girl walked into the room.
"May I help you?" Squall asked. "I hope so instructor Leonheart," the girl
said, "My Instructor wanted the class to do a report on someone that we
consider a hero." Squall smiled as he asked, "What's your name?"
"Laura," the girl said. "And who's your report
about?" he asked. "Your wife, Rinoa," Laura said. He leaned back in his
chair and sighed, "First of all, you can call me Squall." She smiled and
said, "Ok Squall." He motioned her to sits down and said, "Secondly, I
can answer any question from the time I met her till now. As far as her
past goes I know a little bit, but it would be easier to ask her. That
way you'll get it right."
As she settled herself into the chair across
from him, she asked nervously, "Isn't there any one else I could talk to
about her past?" Squall sat there silently watching her for a few seconds
then asked, "Why do I get the impression that you don't want to ask her?"
Laura blushed, then with a shy smile she told him, "I don't. You see, Rinoa
is the instructor that gave us this assignment. I chose her and in doing
so I thought that I would surprise her."
Suddenly, Laura looked worried. "Oh! I hope she
doesn't get mad. Do you think she will?" With a shake of his head, squall
told her, "No, Laura. She won't get mad. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, she'll
be flattered."
"You sure?" she asked. He smiles and said, "Yeah,
I'm sure. Now we better get started on this report because we're losing
daylight." She returned his smiles as she opened a notebook and said, "Ok."
* * *
"Are you sure you want me to finish your class
schedule?" Selphie asked. Rinoa smiled and said, "Selphie, don't worry
about it. This is the last class I have today, so you'll be fine. If you
need any help, just ask Squall. He's right next door." She placed a hand
on her stomach as Selphie said, "All right. Are you sure your ok?" Rinoa
nodded and said, "I'm fine. I just haven't been able to hold anything down
this morning." Selphie placed a hand on Rinoa's shoulder and said, "Rinoa
you better go to the infirmary and see if something's wrong. I'll take
care of your class."
Rinoa smiled and said, "I will Selphie, and thanks."
She walked towards the door as Selphie said, "You can thank me by finding
out what's wrong. I'll see you after class." Rinoa gave a slight wave and
walked towards the elevator. With luck they can tell me what's wrong.
Chapter 2
Selphie sat down in a chair and sighed.
I
hurt all over, she thought as Squall walked in the room. "Did you know
your shadow is alive?" she asked, referring to Laura. Squall smiled and
said, "Selphie, I'd like you to meet Laura. She's been assigned to do a
report on someone who she considers a hero." Selphie looked at Laura and
said, "Please tell me your reports NOT about Zell."
Laura laughed as she said, "AS IF! My report's
on Rinoa." "Speaking of Rinoa, where is she? I thought she'd be here,"
Squall asked. "Oh, she went to the infirmary. For some reason she said
she wasn't feeling well," Selphie said. "When did she go?" He asked worriedly.
Selphie looked up at the clock and said, "About an hour ago."
"I hope she's ok," Laura said as Squall left
the room running. Selphie let out a sigh as Zell walked in and said, "Hey
Selphie, do you know where Quistis is?" She smiled as she said, "If I tell
you, are you going to ask her out, loverboy?" "Can it Selphie and just
answer my question, ok?" Zell told her looking discussed. Chuckling and
trying to look innocent, Selphie told him she was in the computer lab.
"Thanks Selphie," he said as he turned to leave.
As he reached the door, he turned back to ask, "Didn't I just she Squall
running out of here?" "Yeah that was him. He was looking for Rinoa," Selphie
told him. "Figures. Oh well, see ya later," Zell said walking out the door.
After Selphie and Laura watched Zell leave, they looked at each other and
broke into laughter. Finally getting themselves under control. "Well. Now,
where were we?" Selphie asked Laura, still chuckling.
* * *
Rinoa was just walking out of the infirmary when
Squall came running down the hall. Skidding to a stop in front of her,
he wrapped his arms around her giving her a tender kiss. Leaning back so
he could see her face, he gently asked, "Sweetheart, are you ok? What did
the doctor say?" Rinoa laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "I'm ok,
just tired," she reassured him with a yawn, "The doctor ran a bunch of
tests, but they won't have the results until tomorrow."
Squall sighed as he hugged her. "Squall?" Rinoa
asked with another yawn. "Yeah, angel?" "Can we go home now?" Rinoa asked,
leaning into him. Squall kept his arm around her as he turned her toward
home. "Sure princess. Anything you want." Rinoa rest her head on his shoulder
as they walked down the hall toward home.
"Squall?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm hungry."
Squall chuckled and said, "Lord woman, how I
love you. We'll have something delivered. how does that sound?" She smiled
and said, "Like we have a plan." Squall just laughed.
Chapter 3
Zell walked quietly into the computer lab. It's
now or never, he thought as Quistis turned and looked at him. "Oh ,
Zell I'm glad your here. I wanted to ask you a question," She said. He
cleared his throat and said, "Really? Because I've got something I want
to ask you." She smiled as she said, "Then why don't you go first. My question
can wait."
He took a deep breathe and said, "Well, I was
wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me tomorrow night." After a
few seconds, she took a step towards him as she said, "Your asking me out
to dinner?" He smiled and said, "Yeah. Do you have some sort of problem
with that?" Quistis looked at Zell and slowly smiled as she said, "Only
if you change your mind. I'd love to go to dinner with you." Zell blinked
then grinned even broader and said, "Great! Now, what were you going to
ask me?"
"Oh it was nothing. When do you want to have
dinner together?" she asked, not looking at him. "Quistis, what were you
going to ask me?" Zell asked as he took her hands in his. "Oh... Well,
if you must know, I was going to ask you over for supper one night," Quistis
said as she blushed and looked shy up into Zell's eyes. Zell lowered his
head to give Quistis a kiss. Suddenly the PA system same alive. Startling
them both, they jumped apart.
"Attention everyone. Zell please report to Cid's office.
Repeating. Zell report to Cid's office immediately!"
Zell turned to her saying, "Ok. So how about tomorrow
night we go out to dinner and maybe either go see a movie or go dancing
afterwards?" Just as she was about to answer, the PA system came alive
again. This time it was Cid. "ZELL NOW!" it exploded. Zell jumped
and giving Quistis a quick hard, yet gentle, kiss ran for the door.
"I'll call you later, ok? Later hon," he called
over his shoulder. Quistis touched her fingers to her lips and dazedly
called back, "Ok. Later." Slowly sitting down in her chair, she softly
whispered, "Wow." Then yelled, "YES!" and laughed happily.
Chapter 4
Laura closed her notebook
as she said, "Thanks Selphie. You've been a great help." "I'm glad she
helped you out. Now maybe she can help me with something in the bed room,"
Irvine said as he walked into the room. Selphie turned bright red as she
yelled, "Irvine!"
Laura busted out laughing
as Irvine said, "What?" trying to look innocent. Unfortunately it didn't
work, the twinkle in his eye gave him away. Turning his smile on Laura,
he asked her, "Doesn't she blush pretty? By the way, I'm her husband, Irvine.
And you are?" He held out his hand while he tried to protect himself as
Selphie swatted him in his arm, laughing at his antics. Finally getting
her laughter under control, she introduced herself.
"I'm Laura. I was just
interviewing your wife for a report I'm writing. She was very helpful."
Irvine smiled as he grabbed Selphie's hands. Holding her around her waist,
he gave her a quick kiss then jokingly asked Laura if the report was on
marriage. Selphie gasped and tried to turn around so she could see his
face. Irvine just held her tighter. Keeping his feet out of range as well.
Laughing, Laura told him
about her report. "Too bad, he said with a wicked smile, "Selphie and I
could've told you a great deal about honeymoons." "YOU ARE SO DEAD!" Selphie
yelled as Laura and Irvine erupted into laughter again. "Calm down sweetheart,"
Irvine chuckled wile Selphie twisted back and forth trying to get loose,
giggling helplessly. Laura giggled, "Irvine, would you mind answering some
questions for me?"
"Sure. I'd be--Now sweetheart
watch where your putting those dainty little feet of yours. Glad to help
you out. Ofh!" Irvine dodged Selphie's feet but not her elbow. "HA!" she
yelled triumphantly as he doubled over, one hand on his stomach.
* * *
Zell knocked on Quistis's
door and sighed. Of all the times to be assigned to a mission, he
thought as he shifted the pizza box to his free hand. The door opened as
Quistis said, "Who-Oh! Hi." He smiled and said, "Hey. Um-we need to talk."
She took a few steps back as she asked, "About what?"
"I've gotta leave in the
morning for a mission. So I hope you don't mind, but I thought we'd have
our dinner date tonight," he said as he walked in and indicated the pizza
box. "Ok," she said as she closed the door. "Is there a place where I can
put this?" he asked. "Besides in your stomach?" Quistis asked trying to
look innocent.
"Very funny woman. Are
you going to show me where to put this pizza down or are you just going
to stand there looking sexy?" Zell quipped. "Pizza? You actually eat something
besides hot dogs?" "Quistis," Zell warned playfully. Giggling, Quistis
lead the way into the living room. "You know sugar," Zell chuckled as he
hesitated in the door way, "I could just take my pizza and go home."
She looked up at him and
with a twinkle in her eye she asked, "You'd just leave and let me starve
while you eat that alone?" Zell laughed and shook his head. Man. Why
didn't I ask her out sooner? I'm such a chicken-wuss, he thought as
he watched her. "And what makes you think I'd do that?" he asked as he
placed the pizza on the coffee table. She sat down on the couch and said,
"Because the only time I see you actually stop and talk to a girl is when
they buy you hot dogs."
He sat down next to her
as he said, "Nobody bought me hot dogs when I stopped and talked to you."
"True," she said as Zell opened the box.
Chapter 5
Quistis walked into the
cafeteria the next morning and sighed. She sat down at an open table as
she thought, I wonder if Zell is all right. An unfamiliar feeling
seemed to fall over Garden. A feeling that slowed not only everyone, but
everything down. Almost as if it was waiting.
Waiting for something,
but not knowing what. Quistis looked out the window and watched the students
as the walked across the courtyard. Just as Selphie was walking into the
cafeteria, there was a loud crash in the kitchen. Everyone jumped and turned
in time to see one of the cadets running as fast as he could out of the
door with a cook right on his heels. "Get back here you terrorist!" the
cook yelled as she ran.
Laughing, everyone turned
back to what the had been doing. But the feeling of waiting was as strong
as ever. Selphie spotted Quistis across the room. "Hey girlfriend, what's
up?" she called as she approached. Quistis looked up and smiled. "Not much.
What's up with you?" Before Selphie could answer the PA system squawked
to life.
"Attention! Would SeeD's Quistis, Selphie, Irvine, Squall
and Rinoa please report to Headmaster Cid's office immediately!"
The PA system repeated the message a second time
as Selphie and Quistis were leaving the cafeteria. "I wonder what's up,"
Selphie said as the boarded the elevator. "Beats me," Quistis answered,
"But it sure sounded urgent. Don't you think?" Selphie nodded, then they
both were silent for the rest of the trip. Quistis kept thinking, I
hope Zell is all right.
* * *
Squall, Rinoa and Irvine
were already assembled when the walked in. Selphie walked straight to Irvine
as she greeted the others. Quistis had just finished greeting them when
Cid walked into his office. "WHat do you need, sir?" Squall asked. Cid
took a deep breathe then said, "Earlier this morning, a group of SeeD's
left for Deling City. They were supposed to arrive in a few hours, but
I'm afraid that won't be happening."
He took another deep breathe
then said, "I just received word that the train they were on somehow went
off it's tracks." Quistis very quietly backed up against the wall as her
mind screamed, NO! She tried to put a voice to her thoughts only
to have it come out as a whisper. Irvine looked at Quistis out of the corner
of his eye as he said, "Zell was on that train, wasn't he?" Cid sat down
in a chair as he said, "Unfortunately, yes. He had been assigned to the
mission yesterday and left earlier this morning."
A tear ran down her cheek
as she asked, "Is he ok?" Cid rubbed his eyes and said, "We don't know
at this time. The final report hasn't come in yet." Cid closed his eyes
for a moment and sighed. "Unfortunately, they have yet to locate any survivors.
But they are still searching." Squall held Rinoa as she started to quietly
cry. Selphie took a hold of Irvine's hand, squeezing it as tears ran down
her face.
Quistis stood completely
still, stunned. Zell, NO! her mind screamed then went totally blank.
Slowly, as the tears ran down her face unchecked, she slid down the wall
until she was sitting huddled on the floor.
Chapter 6
"Laura, can I talk to you
for a minute?" Rinoa asked once class was over. The young girl walked to
the front of the class room and said, "Yes, Instructor Heartily?" She
hated it. "I take it you talked to my husband," Rinoa said calmly.
"Y-Yes ma'am," Laura managed to say.
Rinoa looked towards the
door out of the corner of her eye and said, "FREEZE LEONHEART!" Squall
stopped dead in his tracks as he thought, Busted...for what? I didn't
do it," he said. Rinoa pointed at an empty chair and said, "Sit there and
don't move." He did as instructed and said, "Yeas ma'am." Rinoa talked
to Laura for a few minutes more. After Laura left smiling, Rinoa turned
towards Squall. "Oh really?" she asked.
" I didn't get you sick
if that's what you're talking about," he said. Trying to keep a straight
face she asked again, "Oh really? Well that's very interesting Squall."
"It is?" he asked warily. "Oh yeah," she smiled sweetly, "Cause if you
didn't "do" it, then maybe you can tell me who the daddy is." Squall blinked
and slowly stood, never taking his eyes off her.
"Daddy?" he croaked. Rinoa
grinned and said, "Yes daddy. Squall we're going to have a baby. I'm pregnant!"
"Daddy?" Squall repeated, "I'm --- going to be --- a daddy?" Rinoa laughed
as he slowly started to sink back onto his chair again. Slowly he blinked
and then started to grin. Rinoa laughed as he suddenly jumped up and shouted,
"Yes! I'm going to be a daddy!"
Rushing over to Rinoa,
he scooped her up into his arms and twirled her around laughing joyously.
"Squall!" Rinoa giggled breathlessly as she clung to him, "Put me down!
You're crazy!" Squall suddenly stopped, looking concerned as he asked,
"Oh! Sweetheart! I'm sorry! Ae you ok? I didn't hurt you, did I?" He looked
to cute as he wavered between elation at becoming a father and complete
fear that he might have inadvertently hurt her and their baby. Dear lord
how she loved him. He was going to make a great dad.
She kissed him and said,
"Don't worry, I'm ok." He hugged her close as Quistis walked in looking
spooked. "You ok, Quistis? You look like you've seen a ghost," Squall asked.
She sat down in a chair and said, "M-more like h-h-heard one." He gave
her a puzzled look as Rinoa asked," What do you mean 'heard one'?"
Quistis handed Rinoa a
piece of paper with a phone number on it and said, "Call that number and
put it on speaker phone. You'll see what I mean." Rinoa did as instructed
as she said, "Ok, if you want me to." The phone rang twice then a voice
on the other end said, "S'up? This is Zell." Squall and Rinoa exchanged
a look as they said, "Zell?!?"
Chapter 7
Quistis quickly walked
passed the reception desk and entered the patients wing of the hospital.
Please
let it be him, she thought as she walked towards Zell's room.
If
it's him, I'll kill him. just who does he think he is making me worry like
that? She slowly entered his room and asked, "Zell? Are you awake?"
KA-THUNK! "I'm getting
there," Zell said as the lights came on. She looked to her right and saw
a plastic dart on the light switch. "Where did you get the dart gun?" she
asked as she looked at at Zell. His left arm was in a cast and a knee brace
was on his right knee. "I asked the doctor if there was anything to stop
my arm from itching and he said that a dart gun was in the top door of
the stand here," Zell said as he reloaded the dart gun.
"So, how many people have
you shot today?" Quistis asked as she sat down next to him on the bed.
Taking aim at the door, he fired just as Selphie and Irvine walked in the
room. BAP! The dart hit Irvine's hat, knocking it off his head and into
Selphie's arms. Irvine blinked, looked at his hat safely cradled in his
wife's hands.
As he turned to Zell he
quietly stated, "You scuffed my hat." "Oops!" Zell grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry Irvine, I thought Squall would be the next one in here." Irvine
growled at Zell and repeated, "You scuffed my hat." With an exasperated
huff, Selphie stuck his hat back on him, gave him a kiss on the end of
his nose and said, "Get over it cowboy."
Irvine blushed and grinned
as he said, "Yes ma'am." Zell and Quistis just laughed. "Anyway, what's
up cowboy?" Zell asked. Irvine couldn't help but smile as he said, "It's
been quiet without you, man." The four friends sat and talked for awhile.
After a few minutes Squall
and Rinoa joined them. An hour Later Selphie and Irvine got up to leave
as Zell started looking for his dart gun. Suddenly, Irvine ducked back
in the room and KABAP! he shot Zell in the forehead. "And that, my man,
is for scuffing' my hat." "Irvine!" Selphie suddenly hollered sounding
completely fed up. "Coming hon!" he grinned, touched the brim of his hat
and was gone. Everyone laughed.
"Hey Rinoa, I was wondering.
How did your class fare with that report they were to do?" Zell asked.
Rinoa smiled and said, "They all passed. Even the three cadets that wrote
reports on you." "Me?" Zell asked with a pleased grin, "They wrote about
me?" Quistis groaned, shaking her head saying, "Oh no. Rinoa, why did you
have to tell him? His ego was big enough already. Any more and no one will
be able to stand him!" "Hey!" Zell yelled as everyone continued to laugh.
Quistis took his hand in
hers and said, "Oh, come on Zell. We're just teasing you." "Yeah, I know,"
he grumbled. Rinoa sighed and said, "Well, I know something that will cheer
you up Zell." He looked at her and asked, "And what might that be, Rinoa?"
She smiled and said, "I'm pregnant."
Zell slowly looked at Squall
and said, "You've been busy." "Zell!" Rinoa said as she blushed. "Oh this
is great! Congratulations you two," Quistis said as she hugged her friends.
Rinoa returned the hug and said? "Thanks Quistis. Now all we have to do
is tell Selphie and Irvine."
"Tell me what?" Selphie
asked as she walked back into the room. "Hey Selphie, thought you two had
headed home," Zell said. "I thought I had better bring your toy back. Tell
me what?" Selphie repeated. "I wondered where that went." Hush Zell," Quistis
said. "Selphie, why don't we go get something to drink in the snack bar,"
Rinoa said taking her arm and heading out the door. "That's a good idea,
sweetheart. I think I'll join you," Squall said with a wave, "Take to you
two later."
"Later guys," Zell said
with a grin, watching them leave. "I wonder how she will take the news,"
Quistis commented with a giggle. "Wait," Zell chuckled as he started to
count, "Five, four three, two one." Suddenly they heard Selphie holler,
"WHAT?!" "Balamb, the Ragnarok has landed," Zell laughed as he grabbed
Quistis's hand and tugged her down to sit on the side of the bed.
"Zell!" Quistis said surprised.
"Don't go. Please," he said as he squeezed her hand. "Zell, are you ok?"
she asked. "Yeah. It's just that it gets lonely here with no one to talk
to. You know?" he said sheepishly as he held her hand, "I guess I'm starting
to go a little stir crazy, lying around here." Quistis smiled and jokingly
told him, "Too late. You're already crazy." Zell laughed and said, "Oh
thanks a lot, Quistis." "You're welcome," she laughingly answered.
Suddenly, Zell tugged her
hand causing her to loose her balance. With a startled squeak, Quistis
fell against his chest. "Zell!" "You don't have any idea just how beautiful
you really are, do you?" Zell quietly asked her as he held her in his arms.
Before Quistis could do more than blink, he kissed her.
His hand came up to cradled
her head as he deepened the kiss. They broke apart as a muffled chuckle
echoed in the room. They both looks towards the door. "Am I interrupting
something?" Irvine asked, slouching against the door frame. Quistis pushed
against the bed to get up as a blush crawled over her face, but Zell's
good arm held her tightly against him.
"Yes, you are," Zell said
plainly. He stared at Irvine as Quistis wiggled trying to sit up. "What
do you want?" he asked flatly. "Zell, let me go," Quistis whispered, pushing
against his chest. "I-uh-I was just wondering where Selphie went," Irvine
said surpressing a grin.
"She is in the snack bar
down the hall. Close the door when you leave," Zell said. "Oh, all right
your highness,?" Irvine chuckled as the door clicked shut. "Zell you are
terrible," Quistis said.
"No, I just don't want to see anyone else
but my beautiful captive."
"Captive? Oh, am I your captive?"
"Yes and no, You are my
captive right now, but I am your captive from now until forever," Zell
said tenderly placing a kiss on the end of her nose. "W-what are you saying?"
she asked nervously. He took a deep breathe and said, "I'm saying that
I love you Quistis. The more I've been here, the more I missed you. I was
about ready to sign myself out when you walked in." A tear rolled down
her cheek as she asked, "Y-You love me?" He wiped the tear away as he said,
"Yeah, I do."
Quistis buried her face
in his shoulder as she tried to stop the tears. "Hey now. What's wrong?
Are you ok?" Zell asked concerned. Sniffling, Quistis shook her head. Wiping
her eyes on his shirt, she slowly raised her eyes to his. She gave him
a watery smile then kissed him with all her heart. Slowly she broke the
kiss.
"Oh Zell," she sighed,
"I've waited so long, hoped even---but I never---Oh Zell, I love you too."
Zell hugged her close and released the breath he didn't realize he had
been holding. "Thank God. I thought that--something---You love me too?"
he said with wonder in his voice. Suddenly he gave a loud whoop of happiness
and kissed her deeply. Breaking the kiss Quistis giggled.
"Zell! Shh! We're still
in the hospital!" she said and punched him playfully in the arm. Zell grinned
as he said, "Marry me. Spring me from this joint and marry me. Now, tonight,
immediately. Ok? Please?" Quistis blinked a couple of times and said, "Zell
your crazy! You'll have to talk to the doctor about getting out of here."
"Ok," he agreed, "but you didn't answer my question babe. Will you marry
me?" Quistis stared at him for a few seconds the quietly asked, "Are you
serious?"
"Yes," he answered. "Oh--my--oh,"
Quistis stammered. With tears in her eyes, she placed her hands on his
face. Smiling sweetly she told him, "Yes, my love, I'll marry you." "Ya-hoo!"
Zell yelled again. "Zell! Shh!" "Let's find the doctor and then blow this
popsicle stand." Quistis gave him a hug and laughed joyously.
Chapter 8
They had been back at Balamb
for six hours and Zell was tired. For the past four hours, he had undergone
not only debriefing, but a complete physical. Plus he had spent half an
hour picking out the perfect ring for Quistis. Now he sat in his car in
front of her house just staring at the front door. Slowly he blinked, sighed
and got out of the car. One word slipped into his mind. Home. I'm home.
Grinning from ear
to ear, he stepped through the front door and called, "Hi honey, I'm home."
Quistis walked out the kitchen and saw Zell as he walked toward her. "Hi
hon, hard day?" she quipped with a grin. Zell took her into his arms and
gave her a passionate kiss. "You look beat Zell," she said as he sank onto
the sofa.
Pulling her onto his lap,
he held her close. She laid her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, I am," Zell
said and sighed. "Poor baby. Hungry?" she asked. Zell grinned and told
her, "Not tonight dear, I'm bushed."
Quistis softly punched
his shoulder as she said, "I was talking about food, you rat." Chuckling
tiredly, he hugged her saying, "I know, but I just couldn't resist. Oh
yeah, I have something that belongs to you." Reaching into his shirt pocket,
he brought out a small dark blue velvet box. As Zell opened the box he
softly said, "I hope you like it." "Oh Zell," Quistis said quietly as a
tear slowly slid down her cheek. Zell slipped the ring on her finger and
kissed her.
They sat there for a while
in a comfortable silence. Gradually, Quistis realized that Zell was fast
asleep. Slowly, she stood then looked at him as he slept. Gently she moved
him until he was lying on the sofa. "Sweet dreams, my love," Quistis whispered
then kissed his forehead and covered him with a blanket. Turning off the
lights as she headed for her own bed, she caught herself smiling.
Chapter 9
Rinoa calmly walked into
Squall's class room carrying a overnight bag. "Hi hon," she quietly said
as she touched his shoulder. He looked up into her eyes and smiled as he
said, "Hey Princess. You feeling ok?" She kissed his forehead and said,
"I'm fine. I just need a lift to the hospital." "Ok. just give me a min--Did
you just say hospital?" he croaked, looking like a deer caught in the headlights
of a car and looking very, very pale.
Rinoa smiled sweetly saying,
"Yes dear. It's time." Jumping up, he said, "Yeah. Right, let's go. Are
you sure you're ok?" She kissed him deeply and said, "I'm fine. I just-AHHH!"
She placed a hand on his desk as a small contraction hit. He quickly slipped
an arm around her waist as he said, "Class dismissed." She placed a hand
on her stomach as she said, "We have to go now."
* * *
Two hours later Squall
sat beside Rinoa smiling, holding his new born baby daughter while she
held their son. "They're perfect, sweetheart. I love you much. Thank you,"
Squall humbly said as a tear slowly slid down his cheek. Rinoa laid her
head on his shoulder and giving a tired sigh, she told him, "Yes, they
are darling. I love you too." Just then, the nurse came into the room.
"Time to take the little ones back for a bath," she quietly stated.
Giving the little ones
a gentle kiss, they laid their babies in their portable crib. Squall held
Rinoa as they watched the nurse wheel them out of the room. Yawning, Rinoa
laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Tired, love?" Squall
asked hugging her gently. "That's the understatement of the year," she
murmured, "Now comes the fun part."
"Fun part?" he asked. "Yeah,
naming them," she replied. "Oh yeah," he said, and with a soft chuckle,
he watched as Rinoa drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 10
Balamb Times October 21
Birth Announcements
Miss Sarah Raine and
Master Seth jacob Leonheart arrived late yesterday afternoon. Weighing
in a 7 lb. 8 oz each, they are doing fine. As for their Parents, Squall
and Rinoa, they are happily doing fine as well.
Selphie laid the paper on
the coffee table and sighed. I wonder what our baby will be, she
dreamily thought. I need to tell him soon. Just then, Irvine came
walking into the living room. "That was Squall on the phone. They just
got home and was wondering if we wanted to come over later. I told him
we'd be over after bit. I kinda figured you'd want to see the little ones.
Right?" he said.
Selphie smiled and held
her hand out to him. "Right. Babies are so precious. Squall and Rinoa are
twice blessed having twins," she told him as he sat down beside her on
the sofa. As he took her into his arms she said, "I'm going to tell Rinoa
anytime she needs a baby sitter, I'll gladly do it." Irvine chuckled and
tightened his hold briefly as he asked, "Wanting to practice, huh?"
"Well, after all we have
seven months before we have are own," she said. Irvine froze. Slowly, he
looked down at Selphie and stammered, "Wh--Wha--What did you just say?"
Selphie leaned back to look up at him and with a wary smile she said, "I'm
pregnant. We're going to have a baby. I'm going to be a mommy and you're
going to be a daddy." Irvine blinked as, slowly, Selphie's words started
to register. "Baby?" he whispered, I'm going to be a--a--daddy?"
"Yes, darling," Selphie
said smiling, "are you happy?" "A daddy," Irvine said as a smile started
to grow, "We're gonna have a baby! I'm going to be a daddy!" He suddenly
hugged Selphie tight. "Oh my love, I love you so much." Just as suddenly,
he let go of her. "Oh! I didn't hurt you or the baby, did I?" he asked
anxiously.
"No darling. You didn't
hurt us. You couldn't," she said as she snuggled back into his embrace.
"Hot damn! I'm going to be a daddy!" he said again, hugging her close as
he gently placed his hand over her stomach. Selphie giggled and laid her
hand on top of his.
* * *
Quistis and Zell pulled
up in front of Squall and Rinoa's shortly after Squall called Irvine. They
didn't know that the twins were here. After they had put the twins down
for a nap, the four friends sat and talked. "Hey Squall, did you tell Cid
where you were planning to go on your honeymoon?" Zell asked. " Of course
not," Squall answered with a chuckle, "If I had he would have probably
called and tried to convince us to mix business with pleasure. And with
his timing , he would have called at a bad time."
They all laughed in agreement.
"I know what you mean. I didn't tell him either," Zell said. Rinoa looked
at Quistis and giggling, said, "See, I told you they were trainable." Quistis
agreed laughing harder as Squall and Zell both hollered "HEY!" Then looking
from their wives to each other, they just grinned, shrugged and Zell said,
"Women!"
"Yeah, but, ya gotta love
'em," Squall replied as he hugged Rinoa and gave her a quick kiss. Zell
gathered Quistis into his arms and smiling lovingly into her eyes as he
said, "You got that right, buddy. You got that right."
Epilogue...
Selphie sighed as she felt
something brush against her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes to find
Irvine setting next to her holding their new born baby girl. "Did you have
a nice nap?" he asked smiling. She yawned and said, "Yeah. How is she?"
He kissed his daughters forehead and said, "She's like her mother. A perfect
angel, no matter what."
"That's not what the doctor
thinks about Irvine, Selphie," Zell said as he and Quistis walked into
the room. Selphie gently touched her daughters cheek as she asked, "What
do you mean?" Zell laughed as Irvine told her about ow she had suddenly
fell asleep right after the nurse took the baby to clean her up. "The doctor
was worried about you all right. But he was more worried about getting
shot by your husband," Zell laughed. Selphie looked from Zell to Irvine
completely dumbfounded.
"You mean to tell me that
you brought you rifle into the delivery room?" Selphie asked astounded,
"And threatened the doctor?" "Now Selphie, sweetheart, I did not bring
my rifle. I accidentally left that squirt gun in my jacket pocket and,
well, I stated to panic when you went out like that. I was afraid I was
loosing you. I just didn't think before I reacted. I'm sorry sweetheart,"
he apologized.
A tear slowly ran down
Selphie's cheek as she watched Irvine tell his side of the story. "Oh love,"
she quietly said, holding Irvine's hand, "That is so sweat." "At least
he didn't pass out," Squall joked as he and Rinoa walked into the room
with the twins.
"You mean like the way
you did?" Rinoa asked, poking him in the ribs. "And Zell passes out at
the sight of needles," Squall said. "I do not!" Zell retorted as he turned
red. Quistis punched Zell in the shoulder and said, "Would you keep it
down! The baby is trying to sleep." He rubbed his shoulder and quietly
said, "Sorry Selphie."
Rinoa slapped Zell's other
shoulder and said, "That goes double for the twins." They laughed as he
sat down in a chair and said, "Yes ma'am." Irvine looked at his daughter
and said, "Now, the only thing left to do is name you, little one." Selphie
smiled as she said, "How about Amy Alexandria?" He smiled and said, "It's
perfect."
"I think it's beautiful,"
Quistis said quietly. "Why Amy Alexandria?" Zell asked. Irvine handed Amy
to Selphie and said, "We couldn't agree on the same name for a girl, so
I guess we just came to a compromise." Selphie kissed her daughters forehead
and said, "In more ways then one." Quistis pulled a small camera out of
her pocket and asked, "Would you mind if I took a picture of Amy, Selphie?
"I don't see why not,"
Irvine said with a slight yawn. After Quistis took pictures of all the
babies and their parents, Squall said, "Now that you have pictures of the
twins and Selphie's little girl, when do we get to take pictures of you
and your new born, Quistis?" "Knowing Zell, it will be two years from now,"
Selphie said with an evil grin. "Would you quit giving Zell the benefit
of the doubt. It will be at least three years before he has a child of
his own," Rinoa said with a slight chuckle.
Everyone laughed as Zell
groaned and shook his head as he said, "Brother. Can you believe these
guys? And they are supposed to be my friends." Quistis just smiled mysteriously
and kissed Zell on his cheek. "Oh, I don't know," Quistis said, quietly
leaning on her husbands shoulder, "It might be sooner then you think."
Everyone suddenly stopped
and looked at Quistis and Zell. Zell slowly turned to look at his wife.
"Oh really?" Rinoa asked, "Just how much sooner?" "Yeah girlfriend, how
soon?" Selphie asked sleepily. Zell slowly looked at everyone in turn then
looked back at Quistis as she smiled.
"We have seven months of
baby sitting to get ready," she said and kissed him. "W--WH--What did you
say?" Zell stammered. "You're going to be a daddy in about seven months,"
she told him gently. Zell blinked, turned white and passed out cold. The
room was silent for about five seconds as everyone just looked at Zell
in the chair. "Well," Squall finally said, "at least we're in a hospital
when you told him Quistis."