Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1
Bad News
Chapter Five
Irvine seeks out Selphie. With Squall and Rinoa's up-coming marriage he felt totally left out. How was it that Squall, who had been an unsociable get at the best of times, had managed to get himself engaged to one of the most beautiful women around? Where as, Irvine, a womanizer, well known through out Garden as the number one flirt, hadn't even managed so much as a kiss? Selphie basked in the early morning sun in the Quad; a new stage was being built for Gardens new rock band. Selphie was going to paint it. Irvine removed his hat and sat down beside her. Selphie squinted and smiled at her flirty friend. "Hey Seffie," he smiled and realizing he couldn't see, he replaced his hat, "stage's looking good," he complimented.
Selphie nodded. "Gold, or silver?" she asked holding up two cans of paint. "Huh?" Irvine asked in confusion, the question breaking him from a sudden thought that had popped into his head. "The paints! I don't know which colour I should use to paint the pattern on the stage with," she explained. Irvine sighed, yet he knew it would be foolish to dismiss the subject for the one he wanted to bring up, however boring it was. "I think silver, seeing the colour scheme is blue and black, but then again...both together might work well," Irvine suggested.
Selphie looked at him with interest and Irvine how explained how it might work. Irvine quickly realized that if he were to make his moves with her, he would have to take her away from everything and be alone together. It had been a while since he had tried to woo Selphie, a year in fact; he had given up quite a while ago now. However, he still held a spark for her, he did love her, it was more then the loneliness of a sharpshooter now. He really wanted to be with her. Like Rinoa and Squall.
"Irvy, going to help?" it had been a long time since she or anyone had called him by his kiddy name, it reminded him of the good times they had as young kids back at the orphanage. Irvy... "There's going to be the rock band here on my stage...." she jumped excitedly up and down. She was as excited now as she had been when Cid had given her the job to organize the band and everything else. The festival had been brought forward in conjunction with the party which would be held after Squall and Rinoa's wedding, held exactly a day after Squalls return, which meant he could not return to Garden straight away. "Yeah sure Seffie," he replied-anything to hurry up, paint the stage and have Selphie all to himself.
After stenciling in the curvy vine-ey pattern, they quickly and carefully began to paint them in. Irvine did the silver parts and Selphie did the golden parts. Selphie chatted constantly through out the job, mostly of how great it was going to be.
After six hours of agonizing (for Irvine anyway) labour, of painting and constructing the rest of the stage along with putting the decor up, Irvine clicked his spine and walked slowly up to Selphie, who was admiring their hard work.
"It's been hard work, Seffie, but it looks beautiful now, beautiful. Like you," Irvine stood closely to her, thinking carefully of what to say to her. Selphie seemed shocked. The compliment that Irvine had just bestowed upon her showed that he still cared for her.... she thought he had stopped all this a year ago. Yet this time she felt something strange and different, her body felt light and carefree, but in a different way then her mood was. It was like a bird, being set free from captivity. She must have matured an awful lot over the past year.
Selphie didn't respond, she stayed silent, not even looking at Irvine but at the stage. He waited until the Quad was deserted; it was getting dark, bringing a rather romantic effect, with the half moon glowing in the back ground and a cool breeze blowing through them, stirring Selphie's brown hair, making little wisps of Irvine's long hair float gently in the light wind.
"Isn't it wonderful, Squall and Rinoa are going to get married in the ballroom. You and Quistis as bridesmaid, myself as the best man, and with the promise to Zell that he will be the godfather of Rinoa and Squall's kids. The ballroom, that will be beautiful, decorated with all those balloons, lacy frills and ribbons with ivy too. "
"Eyes On Me will be played, preformed by the excellent singer, Faye Wong, it's going to be so romantic! After they're married, with Rinoa in a wedding dress.... that'll be as beautiful as her no doubt, with everyone else in ball gowns and smart suits, maybe SeeD's in SeeD uniforms Squall will be wearing his! Though the female SeeDs in ball gowns...those uniforms they wear are totally out of it...eeegh!!! It's going to be like a dream come true for Rinoa and Squall, a dream for everyone else too! it's going to be like a really cool dream, only better!" Irvine said a glow in his eye. Selphie listened silently, imagining how it was going to be.
Yes Squall and Rinoa's wedding will be perfect, like a fairy tale but real. She imagined herself getting married, but not to Squall, to someone else. But who? Irvine? Do I love him? Selphie looked at him; he was handsome, especially in the moon light. Could I marry him? Marriage! That was so final! You were forever attached to some bloke! I'm way too young for that...only nineteen I'm not even sure I want to marry! But Irvine....he's lovely....I liked him since childhood, he liked her even more. Do I though...love him? Could I marry him? Am I the girlfriend type… am I even the wife type? Is this a proposal...or is it just a burst of feelings from him to me? Selphie thought to herself. Irvine slipped his arm around her waist; Selphie didn't refuse but let herself become smothered by Irvine's strong masculine body. She let his arms wrap around her neck while hers curled around his. Selphie felt a sudden feeling...a feeling which took over her body totally, telling her that they belonged together.
Selphie awoke, feeling fresh, Irvine lay beside her, naked, it was too hot to cover themselves. There was a new feeling between them, apart from love, there was a passion, it was a passion Selphie never knew she had.
"Irvine," she whispered to him, still feeling an enormous amount of pleasure, "it's nine in the morning," she said. Irvine turned his head to look at her, loose hair sprayed out like a fan over the pillow. Oh… how he loved her!
"Are we supposed to decorate the ballroom?" he asked, Selphie nodded. "Pity, just think how we could spend the rest of today together....." with this, Irvine smothered Selphie with kisses, slowly placing his lips upon her skin, tasting her flesh, breathing in her scent.
Selphie wrapped her self in a silky robe and got out of bed, not daring to look at Irvine, knowing a single glance would throw decorating the ballroom out of the window. Irvine used the bed sheet to wrap himself up in and wondered off into the bathroom to make himself at least a little presentable, seeing his hair was a mess...
Looking in the mirror, Irvine studied his face, his chin had grown a few measly whiskers, hardly worth bothering about, this would not grow into a beard probably for the next few years. Irvine however rubbed shaving foam around his face and shaved off his little stubble. After cleaning the sharp razor, Irvine submerged himself in the bath he had run for himself.
Is this love? Am I truly in love? Did Squall ask himself this...or didn't he need to? Then if Squall didn't ask himself, then why am I? I know I love Selphie.. what else can this feeling be...it's love. Maybe after two years....one year of chasing one year of dreaming. I just can't believe it...I finally have the girl of my dreams.. Irvine thought as he bathed himself and washed his hair.
Selphie stared at herself in her long mirror in her room. Am I beautiful? What does Irvine see in me...why not Quistis or some other girl? There are loads prettier then me? Then it must be love...true, true love! We knew each other as young kids.....very young and....he had always liked me then! This must be love...I know it is...yet.. I don't know... if it isn't love...then please God tell me what it is! Selphie thought, fiddling with her hair.
Irvine and Selphie walked to the ballroom together, hand in hand. People looked... people stared, but Selphie felt proud, finally, they were a couple, like Rinoa and Squall, only that they weren't married yet. What am I thinking...yet.... yet? Will we get married? I wonder if it will be as great as this!?
The ballroom floor had been polished and people walked around without shoes, but socks or slippers. Selphie and Irvine removed their shoes and entered.
"Irvine! Selphie! Could you help with the balloons" yelled a young SeeD cadet named Simeon.
They worked all day in the ballroom, until it looked beautiful. Soft comfortable chairs were laid out for people to sit on, enough to seat all in Garden, family and friends, with people standing. The walls were decorated with balloons, ribbon and ivy. Along the isle that Rinoa would walk up, was a gold rimmed red carpet with silver embroidery.
"It's beautiful," Selphie said, looking breath taken with the whole place. Irvine placed his arm around her shoulders, their lips parting into a strong kiss. They felt that heat...that immense heat which told them that they need to do what came natural. What two people had to do together.
"Yes, but it isn't as beautiful as you, Seffie," he said and they continued their kiss.
"Irvine! Selphie! Where's Zell?" came voice, it was Cid. The headmaster, almost flying into the room, skidded to a halt at Irvine's feet.
"Sir?" they said together. Cid stood up, breathing heavily.
"It's...it's...important...it's Squall!" he heaved," here look at this Nida sent it to me...Hyne help us...!"Cid fell to his knees but signaled that he was alright to panicked on-lookers. Cid shoved a letter in their faces, his hand shaking, he was a nervous wreck.
Irvine took the letter and after reading it to himself briefly he read it out aloud to everyone, his face pale with shock.
Dear Headmaster Cid,
I have urgent news that I have to inform you of. It is about Squall. The enemy gang has captured him after an attempt by Squall to rescue the other captives Javi and Reene that you have already been informed of. Dollet and Galbadian forces now hold Squall as a hostage; his condition is as yet unknown to us other then that he is alive.
We have not managed to come to and agreement yet, all offers to disarm and retreat have been ignored. It maybe that the Galbadians/Dollet have further ideas for what they are going to do with Squall.
Please inform Squall's friends of his current state. Secondly I would like to ask for more forces and to send message to Esthar for further help, the Galbadian forces are the main threat not Dollet.
Yours Faithfully,
Nida.
Irvine almost dropped the letter. Squall… are you alright? Selphie looked up at him, her lips quivering with fear.
"Squall…oh Hyne..!" she almost choked. Selphie grabbed onto Irvine's arms, their fear reflecting off from one another. "I'll go find Zell....you get the train tickets and we'll meet you there…" Selphie said, both rushed off in the directions they need to go in. Irvine to the exit and Selphie to the café.
After Selphie disposed the bad news upon Zell they rushed to the station to find Irvine. Zell was struggling not to look upset, though his eyes had turned into wet pools.
While waiting for the train to arrive, an old lady approached them, noticing the youths scared expressions upon their faces.
"What is it m'dears?" she asked, "have you missed your train..?" her tone of first genuine concern turned to genuine curiosity.
Zell was at the end of his tether, the bastard Dollet gangs and those Galbadian freaks had stolen away one of his best friends and all this old lady could care about was another round of gossip.
"What is it with you old crinkles!? Why is when you se someone who might give you something to gossip to you crinkly old friends with, do you have to bother them!? All you do is make everything worse!" Zell yelled. "Ohhh... what is it m'dears.." he began to mimic old people with a squeaky voice," 'awe...take a look at you!'" Zell screamed, "'here, come and have a cup of BLOODY tea!' What is it all about? Tell me!!!?" Zell spat in the poor old crones face.
"Psst Zell, leave it...the trains here...let's go..." Irvine said, tugging at Zell's elbow. Zell stepped up into the train, still enraged but looking a little more calmed then before.
"Yah might as well go broadcast it around!" Zell suddenly yelled out of the doorway at the old woman, who quickly scurried off with fright. Irvine and Selphie pulled him in and sat him down.
"Cool down will you," Irvine said, "We're all upset....it hurts us too, but yelling and screaming at some poor old lady doesn't help, Zell."
"Guys...do you think Squall will be OK?" Selphie asked, hugging her knees to her chest.
Zell and Irvine looked at her silently, neither knowing what to say, neither wanting to thing the worth, but both knowing they already had and it showed in their faces. They sat in silence, the deep sadness and fear portrayed all too well in their faces, all dreading having to tell Rinoa. They would ruin her present happiness, filling it with dread, a worse dread probably then they were already feeling.
The three friends felt sick, sick with the knowledge that Squall might be killed knowing that as they lived and breathed now, Nida could be writing another letter, a tear stained letter telling everyone that the Galbadians had killed Squall and that his body was being sent back to Garden in a coffin.
Rinoa laughed merrily, a glass of her father's own red wine held to her lips. Laguna, Ellone and General Caraway sat around the dinning table after they had finished their meal
"We better return to Garden after we have the dress and the rings," Laguna said, "when will the rings be ready, Rinoa?" Laguna asked.
"Oh, I think tomorrow, "Rinoa answered, "Ellone and I are going to find my wedding dress tomorrow and then pick up the rings...if they're ready," Rinoa answered.
"Would you like to come, Laguna...father..?" Rinoa asked. General Caraway shook his head.
"Umm...no, shopping with a couple of women...I don't think so, Rinoa!" Laguna replied, Rinoa and Ellone laughed.
Rinoa thought of the wedding rings. They were platinum versions of Squalls Griever ring, only smaller and Rinoa's were going to have a few, not many so it wasn't over-crowded, diamonds inlayed in them. They were going to be beautiful.
Ellone sighed." Wonder if I'll ever get married..."she said, thinking out aloud. Laguna stroked her head affectionately, like a father would to a daughter.
"Of course you will, you'll find the man you'll want to spend the rest of your life with one day!" he reassured her, though he dreaded this happening.
Ellone was like his daughter, she was devoted to him as he was to her...if she got married, who else would he have by his side...apart from Kiros and Ward, he would have no one close who loved him. The only other person, the only other person he had loved more then Ellone....was Raine, but Raine was dead. She had died soon after the birth of Squall; he had never been with her when that had happened.
Raine had called his name out; she had yelled his name out. 'Laguna!' she had shouted out so loudly, he could hear her now, in his head. 'Laguna!' Laguna had been at Esthar though, saving Ellone. What else could he of done? Stayed with Raine...seen his son, been with her when she died? Ellone would of been lost to him...them, killed by that birth Adel. If it wasn't for her.....he would have brought Ellone and Squall up, held Raine and cried on her when she died. Yes, he would have had Squall...his son, he would have brought him up in Winhill, in constant fear of Sorceress Adel. So many consequences....to save the word from Adel he had lost almost everything he had loved and was close to.
Yet, if he had stayed with Raine, lost Ellone, let her be killed and brought up Squall....Squall would never have been a SeeD, he would never have met Rinoa....
What was the point, there was so many of these... 'what ifs' The fact was tough, that these never did happen, what happened is what led them here today, Laguna chose that path and at this moment, he knew it was the right one. He had Ellone back and Squall. He still loved Raine, he would never stop loving her and one day, he knew, they would meet again and he would be happy. Though, why all of these thoughts, why all these memories all of a sudden? Why?? Why those painful memories? Like the time he had returned to Winhill, to be re-united with Raine, Ellone, to meet his new born baby. Only to come back to nothing, no Ellone, no baby, only a grave with the name, Raine Loire on it. It hurt, it hurt now to think of that loss, the loss of his wife.
"Laguna?" Rinoa broke him from his thoughts. There was a hint of concern in her voice, it stayed but she didn't mention anything.
"Yes?" Laguna replied, grateful that she had broken him from his painful thoughts.
"I've discussed it with everyone.... and I would like you to give me away, at my wedding, if you don't mind," Rinoa said. Laguna's face broke out into a smile.
"Rinoa....thank you! It would be my honor!" he hugged Rinoa tightly. Squall was lucky, he would never let Rinoa die and never alone. Never.
