Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Final Fantasy VIII.
"How long has she been in labour?"
"Ten hours. The water broke at dawn."
"How far apart?"
"About five minutes."
"Get me some more warm water. The rest of you get out of the room and watch the little girl! Don't any of you dare come in here without my permission! You! Close the door after them and stay. I may need some help."
I screamed again. The pain was shooting through me and all I could do was moan. Dear Hyne, where is he? I need him!
"Where's the water, damn it? She's about to give birth here!"
"Take it easy now, dear. Breathe slowly. Don't exert yourself so much."
The pain struck again. I clutched wildly at the sheets. Where is he??
"Keep her calm and don't let her faint. She has to stay awake!"
"Just follow me, dear. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. In…out…in…out…"
I tried to follow but my strength was already waning. Judith was sponging my face and Mrs. Lacey was holding my hand tightly. Another contraction came.
"The head's coming out. Push now, push!"
"Come on, dear. You're going to have to push."
I strained with all my might. Throwing back my head, I cried out long and hard.
"Hyne Almighty! Spare her and the baby!"
No! Our baby can't die! It mustn't! I gripped her hand tightly and bore down. I was already hearing the beginnings of a wail. Inhaling deeply, I gathered up every bit of strength I had left and pushed hard.
"Laguna!!!"
"Her hips were too narrow and the doctor couldn't do anything about it. Deling City was too far away for them to take her there."
"But how did she…"
"She lost too much blood in her labour. We couldn't stop the bleeding and she was going fast."
"What did she say about the baby?"
"When we told her that it was a boy, she said that we were to tell his father that his name was Squall. She said that when the storm clouds and the waters came together, a squall would be formed. She was so tired but she wouldn't rest."
"Did she…did she say anything before she died?"
"Only that she forgives you."
"I'm sorry I have to go but I have to get Ellone back. I can't let those bastards take her."
"I know, Laguna. I understand."
"Do you truly?"
"She is like your daughter. You love her. What is there that I cannot understand?"
"But aren't you angry that I have to leave you here all alone?"
"I'm not alone, Laguna. Judith will come and stay with me to keep me company. Ellone is the one who needs you more."
"You're so unselfish, Raine."
"You taught me to share what I love most. Who I love most."
"I promise Raine, I'll come back to you. I'll bring Elle back and we'll be together again like a family. Our family."
"I know you will, Laguna. I trust you."
"Uncle Laguna…you have a son by Raine."
"What?!"
"Its true. Raine gave birth to him two weeks after you sent me back to Winhill."
"T-that can't be! W-why didn't anyone tell me?"
"We tried to tell you but there wasn't any way. Aunt Judith and Mrs. Lacey were the only ones who wanted to tell you. The others didn't let them. They hated you."
"Then is he…alive?"
"Yes. Aunt Judith couldn't take care of us because they said that Estharian soldiers were on the way. She took us both to Matron, Edea. She had an orphanage on Centra."
"Where is he now?"
"In Balamb Garden. He's the Commander there."
"What is his name?"
"Squall Leonhart…"
"Hang in there, Mr. President! We're getting you back to Esthar straight away."
I squeezed my eyes tightly and groaned softly. Or so I thought. I felt someone hovering over me. I opened my eyes.
"President Loire, drink this." A hand shoved a bottle of the liquid I had come to know very well into my face. I made a horrible grimace and pressed my head backwards. The hard floor wouldn't allow me to sink through it though.
"You have to drink it, sir. It'll heal your injuries until we get you to a doctor."
I shook my head and my face was twisted into a worse grimace. I could feel it working deep inside of me and I did not want it to go to waste. I gestured to him that I was fine and waved him away. He hesitated but when I pointed at him to leave, he did. I have to bear this out myself.
A sudden feeling of nausea took over me and I fought the urge to pour my guts out on the floor. Must not attract attention. My stomach rumbled and the ache in my side grew steadily stronger. I ignored the pain and concentrated on my dreams. Even now, I could still feel the aftermath of it all.
Elle must have sent them. I rarely remembered past history with such clarity. It was almost as if I was there in the living flesh. Is this what she calls sending people to the past? I don't know. This is the first time for me. Perhaps that was the only way for her to find out where we were. I only said one sentence to her before I was sent into another dream.
Raine…I felt your pain. I felt it so vividly that I broke down and cried while I was still in you. Although I shared it, I wish I could have taken it all from you and bore it myself. I don't deserve to live after what you went through. But I'm bearing the pain now. Like you, I am brave enough to face up to it. I can't redeem myself wholly but at least I know that I've tried.
I mustn't give up now. I still have a long way to go. It's not over yet. It will come soon but until then, I will bear it. I only have a little while more before… I have to see them again one last time.
Another wave of nausea swept over me again and it was all I can do from not contorting into a sick ball of vomit. The soldier standing guard at the doorway was staring curiously at me.
Voices surrounded me and I was driven to confusion. Yet out of the clamoring din, I managed to pick their voices out.
"Uncle Laguna, please open your eyes. Please?" I know that voice. It was the voice that pleaded with me when she wanted things her way.
"Laguna! Stop lying there and scaring us!" That one often tried to drive me insane but now…it was like music to my ears.
I can't hear the third voice but its only because it isn't there. I can only imagine what he's trying to say to me.
I know why they sound so worried. Perhaps it was the doctors that finally realized that something was wrong with me. Perhaps it was the soldier that was worried about me. Perhaps it was because they found the two bite marks on my right side. Perhaps they put two and two together to find out the truth. It doesn't matter; it's late for them to do anything.
The pain which had at first been fresh stings that shot through every nerve of my body had turned into a slow, ceaseless ache. It was torture and sometimes I felt like screaming out. But now I'm too weary and too sedated with every known anesthetic and morphine to kill the pain. It's almost time but I have one last thing to do.
I forced my eyes open and stared upwards at the ceiling. My vision was hazy and I couldn't see straight. Someone cried out that I was awake and the voices increased. Hyne! Get them all out of here!
I willed my arm to lift itself but it felt like a huge block of granite that would not move no matter how hard I tried. I gave up after a while and tried to look around the room. Someone must see what I'm trying to say.
A moving flash of blue and green. Ellone? Surely the green is her scarf? Who is it? I can't see clearly.
"Uncle Laguna!"
"All of you get out now! Leave us with President Loire." Someone ordered. Kiros, I think.
"Laguna…how?" A face loomed near mine and I thought I saw something sparkle on it. Tears? "Why didn't you tell us about that?"
I shook my head but Kiros had already cut in.
"Damn it Laguna! Why didn't you tell them that you were poisoned??" Vaguely, I saw Ward nodding his head and gesturing. I don't know what he's saying. I can't see anything but colors that had little shape.
My lips parted and I tried to speak. I have to give them the message before I go.
"Tell…Squall. This…is how much I love him."
Everything in the room began to fade and I closed my eyes. The drugs were working their effects on me.
Notes: Only a few more chapters to go before the ending! Anyone care to guess what it's going to be?
