Author's Notes: I think this chapter's kinda weird and not very good. The events are all messed up and...ugh. Any suggestions? Criticism welcome as usual!
PART 10 Reunion With the Past
"Who is it?" Quistis called out when there was a knocking on the door.
"It's me, Quistis," Cid replied.
"Oh!" Quistis rushed over to open the door. "Good morning, Sir! I must say, you've really surprised me!"
"Am I bothering you?"
"Not at all! I was just packing my things, Sir."
"Packing your things?! I thought that if you really did decide to leave, you'd leave with your fiance'."
Quistis bit her lower lip. "Er...of course... I...almost...forgot..."
"Anyway, you can forget about that because you're not leaving Balamb anytime soon!"
Cid brought the confused young lady outside and they headed for his office.
"W-What do you mean that I won't be leaving?!" Quistis questioned. "I don't know what you're talking about but I very much would like to know!"
"You'll find out soon enough," Cid replied.
Quistis, still quite bewildered, obediently followed Cid to his office.
As soon as they got to Cid's office, Quistis opened her mouth to speak but suddenly became speechless upon setting her eyes on a bunch of familiar faces.
"There she is!" the man out of the group exclaimed cheerfully as he stood up from his seat.
"What are you doing here?!" Quistis gasped.
"Is that any way to greet your father?!" the man asked with a chuckle. "Now c'mere and give your old man a hug!"
Quistis stood still in shock as her so-called "father" wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"I've missed you so much, Princess," he said softly as he let go. He gestured towards the red-haired woman in the group. "You remember Niang, don't you?"
Quistis eyed the frighteningly thin woman carefully. Remember her? She could never forget a woman like that. Sure, she did stand up to shake her hand but Quistis knew this was out of sheer politeness. She knew how Niang was deep inside.
The other woman, bearing blue eyes and auburn hair, surpassed the redhead's beauty but in her deep blue orbs, Quistis could see that this woman was far more miserable. She knew her better than anyone else. 'Mother...'
~*~*~*~
Quistis watched as her father looked through the menu while running his hand through his once raven-black hair. After a short moment, he finally ordered for them.
'This is so like him,' Quistis thought. 'He always has control of everything, doesn't he?'
Her father and Niang, who was sitting next to him, both focused their attention on her.
"So," her father said. "How have you been these past few years?"
"Fine, thank you," Quistis replied mechanically.
"I see."
"Have you found a nice man already?" Niang asked.
Quistis stared at her for a moment. Niang? Asking her about her love life? This was not the woman she had known so many years ago. Did she change? Or was there some kind of hidden motive...? "Um..."
"The Headmaster said you were pregnant," her father said. "Is this true?"
"I..." Quistis hesitated to answer. "I...am pregnant..." There was no use in lying. Niang was very observant and if she had though that Quistis was not telling the truth, she would immediately point it out.
"I see," was all her father said.
"Who is the father?" Niang implored. "Does he plan on supporting your baby? You are just seventeen, aren't you? Boys at that age will do anything they can to get rid of responsibility." There was the Niang that Quistis knew.
"I'm nineteen," Quistis said quietly, not wanting to get the older woman angry. "And...I'm...not sure... I..."
{riiing!!! riiing!!!}
Niang took a cellphone out of her purse. "Hello? Yes. Yes, he's here." She handed the phone to Quistis' father.
"Yes, this is Francis Berceuse speaking," he said. After a brief exchange of words, he turned to Quistis. "Princess, this will take a while so just wait here for the waiters to serve."
Before Quistis could reply, her father and Niang had gotten up and walked someplace more private.
"I knew she was good for nothing," Quistis could have sworn Niang had whispered to her father as they walked away.
~*~*~*~
'I have to leave as soon as possible!' Quistis told herself as she opened her door. 'I can't stay here any longer! First Squall, now my father and Niang... I won't let them me back!'
(flashback)
"You're coming home with us."
"What?!"
"I said you're coming home with us," her father repeated. "And that's that."
"But you can't control me! I can do what I please!"
"Quistis, you are still my daughter," he replied sternly. "And you will obey."
"This is not fair! I'm my own person and I have been that way ever since I left!"
"Look here," Niang cut in with a cold tone in her voice. "Your father and I have been out for MONTHS looking for you! And this will not be wasted. You WILL listen to your father and come back home with us!"
"But I--"
"I think this dinner is over," Francis said.
"Father, I--"
He ignored her and asked for the check.
(end flashback)
Her anger started to build up at the memory. 'He does NOT control me and I will NOT obey him! I'm my own person now! First thing in the morning I--'
Quistis stood at her doorway, staring at the woman in her dark room. Quistis turned on the light. "M-Mother?!"
The woman nodded and went over to Quistis to embrace her. Quistis could not control herself as she embraced back and tears fell.
"Quistis, I missed you so much!" her mother cried.
"M-Mom..." Quistis sobbed.
Her mother let go. "Let me take a good look at you," she said, looking her up and down. "Y-You look so perfect!"
"You, too, Mom!"
They embraced each other again and after a few moments, let go. Her mother wiped away her tears as Quistis did the same.
"Quistis, I'd like you to meet someone," her mother said. Quistis could see a small blonde-girl with wide, frightened eyes, clutching at her mother's dress. Finally, her mother was able to get her out. She pushed her a bit in Quistis' direction.
"Quistis," she began. "This is Coquelicot, your little sister."
"Are you," Coquelicot said quietly, "my big sister?"
"I...I guess so!" Quistis replied with a smile on her face. "My name is Quistis."
Coquelicot smiled.
~*~*~*~
"She was the daughter of Maria," Quistis' mother explained while stroking the sleeping Coquelicot's hair.
"Who's Maria?" Quistis asked, taking her eyes off the little girl on her bed and facing her mother.
"Shortly after you ran away," her mother began, "you father took another concubine, Maria. She had with her Coquelicot. Maria took her own life a year later and Coquelicot was left in my care."
"I see." Quistis lowered her gaze. "I'm...sorry about what I did..."
"I understand." Her mother paused. "Sometimes I wish I could get away..."
"Then why don't you?!"
"Because he supports me. And I love him."
"Mother, I'll support you!"
"There's also Coquelicot..."
"I'll support both of you! We can go to a nice place far away where father won't be able to bother us."
Quistis' mother picked up Coquelicot in her arms and carried her out the door. "Quistis, I just wanted to tell you that you should keep away from your father and Niang. I love him with all my heart but for the sake of your baby and your beloved, I'm telling you to keep away from him. I love you."
"B-But--"
"I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow morning."
Quistis watched as she walked out of sight.
~*~*~*~
"Seifer!"
Seifer opened the door. "Quistis, what're--" He stopped when Quistis came closer and buried her face in his chest.
"Seifer, you have to help me!" Quistis pleaded.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I don't want to leave! Not just yet, not like this!"
"Quistis!" He grabbed her shoulders firmly and made her face him. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
"M-My mother...a-and father...they're back and my father's going to force me to go back home..."
"Your mom and dad?! They're here?!"
"My adoptive mother and her husband... My mother said something about you...and the baby... I know my father's not a good man. I don't want anything bad to happen!"
"If that's all then there's nothing to worry about. I'll make sure nothing happens to your baby."
"But you..."
"Heh. What do you think I am? Weak?"
"I was concerned..."
"I'm flattered." He yawned. "But you should go to your room now."
Seifer pushed her outside and shut the door before she could protest. 'I won't let anything happen to you...I promise...'
~*~*~*~
"Quistis!"
Quistis turned around. "Hi, Selphie."
"How was breakfast with your family?" Selphie asked.
Quistis had a pained look on her face as she turned away.
"Quistis?" Selphie question worriedly. "Aren't you happy that you reunited with your family? Quistis, what's wrong?"
"I'm...getting married..."
"What?! What? What...what are you talking about, Quistis? What...?"
"My father is making me get married..."
"He can't do that! What about Seifer?!"
"Seifer's history." Quistis paused. "I...I had a miscarriage..."
"Tell me it isn't true!"
"It's true, Selphie. When they found out that Seifer was out of the picture, they told me about the man they picked out for me to marry."
"But why would they do that! They haven't seen you in years and the day after your reunion, they tell you about a wedding you never had a say in?! They have no right! Tell them they can't do that!"
"You don't understand, Selphie." Quistis searched her mind for an excuse to get out of talking about it. "I...I want to get married."
"But...why? You're still a teenager! Are you sure you're all right?"
"I know it sounds strange but I really do want to get married."
"But you don't even know the guy!"
"I talked to him on the phone. He was so nice. I really think he's the one! Besides, it will make my family happy. And I want that more than anything."
"Quistis..."
Quistis put on a smile. "I really want to make them happy. I know that when I get to know the man, we'll get along really well. My father said that he asked if he could marry me. Nobody has ever asked for me. He's also a very good person. I really think this is destiny! But...could you just...not tell anyone else? Especially Seifer. All right?"
"But, Quistis..."
"Please, Selphie?"
"O...kay..."
"Thanks."
Selphie smiled. "Just as long as you let me help organize the wedding!"
"I'd love that."