Author's Notes: This is a short chapter that has the events of what happened just before Quistis left. It will be useful when reading the next chapters. And thanks for the reviews! Oh, and for grrl gamer, I manage to upload my chapters daily because I already know what I want to write in my head and all I need is to type it down. I also have the upcoming chapters written in a notebook and I all I have to do is to type it up.

PART 7 Wedding Present

Quistis went up to her hotel room, set her bags down and sat on a chair by the window, admiring the view. She sighed and looked sidelong at one of her bags. After a moment of contemplation, she got up and took a lovely lavender dress out of her bag. It didn't look as good as when she got it from Rinoa but after a little trip to the dry cleaner's, it'd look much better.

She sighed and placed it neatly on the bed. 'Rinoa gave me this dress for one reason and one reason only. But...should I...?'

She sat back down on the chair by the window and looked out. She let out a sigh again and slowly began to recall what had happened not long before she had left for Timber.

(flashback)

"Quistis!"

Quistis looked up from her cup of coffee and saw the cheerful bride-to-be of Squall's. "Rinoa. How are you doing?"

Rinoa's smile widened as she took a seat next to Quistis. "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"

"All packed up and ready to go," Quistis replied as she took a sip of her coffee.

Rinoa stuck out her lower lip as if she were pouting. "Aw... It really hurts when you talk about leaving! Why can't you stay? Please, please, please, please, PLEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE??????????"

"Rinoa, you know I'll miss you all but I just...I just can't stay here."

"Not even for my wedding?"

Quistis felt a pang of heartache but kept a smile on her face. Rinoa took Quistis' hands into her own.

"Well, if you're not going to stay in Garden," Rinoa said. "Please do me a favor."

"What is it?"

"Please be my maid-of-honor!"

Quistis eyes grew wide. "M-M-Maid-of-honor???!!!"

"PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE???????????????"

"Can't you ask Selphie instead? I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of work..."

"Selphie's already busy as it is. You know how she's organizing the wedding and all. Besides, I want YOU to be the girl! Please? As a present for me and Squall?"

Quistis pulled her hands away. "B-But...I don't think..."

"I'll be so happy if you do! I'll even supply the dress and let you keep it!"

"Rinoa, I..."

"I only ask that you come to my wedding as the maid-of-honor. Squall and I would really appreciate it."

"I don't know if I can..."

"Please?"

Quistis lowered her gaze so she would not have to see that pleading look on her friend's face.

"I'll give you the dress. Just say that you'll think about it. Please?"

Quistis looked up at her again and bit her lower lip. After a long pause, she sighed. "All right, Rinoa. I'll think about it..."

Rinoa jumped out of her chair and embraced the older teenager. "Thanks so much! I love you! You're great!" She finally let go. "Now, come on, let's get that dress fitted on you. Selphie would kill us if we came late. She's so high maintenance nowadays!"

Quistis stood up and they left.

(end flashback)

She looked at the dress lying on her bed. 'It is a beautiful dress... I wouldn't want to see it get wasted...'

~*~*~*~

A wedding present
For couple I care for
Congratulations!
I hope you like it
I hesitated giving it
When I thought of the groom
I love him, too
I wish this was a wedding present for us