Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...
Author's Note: Well, here it is. This is the last installment of "Never Free." Thank you to everyone who reviewed this: Minan, Summoner Yuna, exhile87, Athena88, Renegade Seraph, Phoenix Blade, Dr4c0, Hiasha, Sailor Krypton, AngelicSiren, Squall's Angel, Rinoa41269, Dragon Kunoichi, Saltar, Tiger Dauthi, XZero6, PERSON37, Spork, FloralBlackMoon, Dreamdancer, Squall Leonhart, Neoshipper, stardays13, Andreas Heartilly, New Bedlam Rest Home for the Emotionally Interesting Escapee, Kayah, Pink Cherry Blossom, Dangerous Draconian, Ancient Waters, Angel, Gryffindor011, and Diamondflame. Thanks for sticking with me! You all rock!
Never Free
Epilogue
Three Years Later...
"Are you ready?" Squall Leonhart asked his wife, smiling gently.
"Yes. I can't wait to see how everyone has been. It's been a while, hasn't it?" His wife, Rinoa, said.
"Yeah, it sure has." Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, they walked into the ballroom at Balamb Garden.
Three years had passed since that fateful day in which Galbadia Garden had been defeated. Everyone had been living in peace since then. A month after that day, Squall had proposed to Rinoa and a few months later, they had had their wedding. It had been a beautiful ceremony, with her father there and all of their friends. Her and Squall were still completely in love, and now they had someone to share their love with.
"Rinoa, Squall! You guys look great!" Quistis exclaimed, Seifer close behind her. They had been dating for a while now. Rinoa had always had a hunch about those two. "Oh my God, is this Julia? She's adorable!" Quistis said, gesturing to the bundle in Rinoa's arms.
"Yes, this is Julia." Rinoa said beaming. "She's our pride and joy."
"How old is she?" Seifer asked.
"She's two months old." Squall said happily. He adored his daughter. He couldn't get over how perfect she was. Julia had her father's deep blue eyes, but her mother's raven black hair. She truly was a beauty.
"Hey guys!" Selphie exclaimed as she joined them. "I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you, too, Selphie! We really need to get together more often." Rinoa told her.
"Well, I'm sure you and Seffie will be seeing a lot of each other. She's going to need your help." Irvine told Rinoa.
"What do you mean?" Rinoa asked, confused.
"Irvy and I are getting married!" Selphie exclaimed, flashing her ring for everyone to see.
"Congratulations! This is awesome!" Rinoa said genuinely. She had had a hunch about them, as well.
"When's the wedding?" Squall asked.
"We haven't set the date yet, but it's going to be in the Spring." Selphie said happily.
"Yo!" Zell called. "Have you guys tried the hotdogs here? They're amazing!" After Galbadia Garden had been destroyed, Zell had joined Balamb Garden as a photographer. He was a big help in photographing evidence that was very useful.
"You still haven't gotten over that obsession, Zell?" Squall asked, disbelievingly.
"Nope! Never have and never will!" He said as everyone started laughing.
"May I have your attention please?" Cid asked from the stage. The crowd quieted down and everyone's attention was focused on Cid. "The reason why we are all here celebrating is that because of the defeat of Galbadia Garden three years ago. Galbadia Garden was able to be defeated because of many people. Tonight, we are here to recognize one of those people who especially gave it everything she had. Here to present this award is General Caraway."
Rinoa watched proudly as Caraway took the stage. When Squall and her had gotten married, they had moved to Winhill. They enjoyed the peace and quiet of the small town. Her relationship with Caraway was stronger than ever, and to prove it, Caraway had moved to Winhill as well. In Rinoa's opinion, she loved having him around. Caraway made a wonderful grandfather.
"Hello everyone. I am extremely proud and honored to be presenting this award today. The recipient of this award has had an impact on many people's lives, including mine. She has continually fought for her country. She managed to defeat Galbadia Garden and escape from a building that was about to be blown up, while breaking every single protocol rule in the book. She disobeyed Cid and me by continuing her relationship with Squall Leonhart, who is now her husband. In the process, she managed to save us all. That is why it is my honor to present this award to Rinoa Leonhart, my daughter."
The crowd erupted in applause. Smiling, Rinoa handed Julia over to Squall as she took the stage. Caraway put the gold medal around her neck and she hugged him tightly. Taking the microphone, she fought back tears. "Thank you all so much for honoring me with this award. I'm really speechless right now...but I don't think that I deserve this award at all. Like Cid said, I was not the only one who fought to bring Galbadia Garden down. That's why I want all of my friends to come up here and be recognized. My husband, Squall, for being my savior. I couldn't have done anything without him. Come on up here, and bring the baby, too!" Rinoa said, smiling as Squall stood beside her, cradling their daughter. "My amazing friends that stood by my side: Seifer Almasy, Quistis Trepe, Irvine Kinneas, Selphie Tilmitt, and Zell Dincht. Get your asses up here, you guys!" Squall shot her a look. "Oops...guess I shouldn't say that in front of Julia, huh?" She smiled sheepishly as everyone took the stage. "And, to the person on my left...my father. I love you, Daddy." She kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks again everyone and have a great night!"
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"Goodnight, precious." Squall cooed to Julia.
Rinoa smiled in the doorway. Who would of thought that she'd ever see the day when Squall Leonhart cooed to a baby...their baby. Rinoa walked into the room, joining her husband. "Hey." She whispered.
"Hey." He whispered back. "She's so amazing, Rin. I mean, is she really ours?"
Rinoa grinned. "Yes, she really ours, Squall."
"I don't know what I did, but I must have done something right. I'm looking at my two angels." Squall told her.
Rinoa smiled again, she was completely filled with love, joy, and happiness. "I love you, Squall."
Now it was his turn to grin. "I love you, too, Rinoa."
And there they were. Squall, Rinoa, and Julia Leonhart. A family...
Author's Note: That's it! I really had an amazing time writing this fic and I'm very proud of it. Keep an eye out for my upcoming fic, "Rhapsody," and don't forget to review this one last time. Thanks again to everyone. Love ya!