CHAPTER TWO
RELIEF AND HAPPINESS
"So what did you want to ask me Squall?" Questioned Rinoa as she stood in front of Squall leaning backwards against him with his arms wrapped around her waist.
The two of them were standing outside of the Ball Room in almost the exact same spot as the time when they had shared their first kiss one year before. The party was winding down and most of their friends had gathered in Irvine's Dorm to hang out.
According to Irvine it was just a chance for them all to relax and catch up on old times since it was a rarity for all six friends to be at Garden at the same time. Most of the time, at least one or two of them was out on a mission. Squall suppressed a small smile thinking that since it was Irvines' idea then there was a good chance it would be more than just relaxing. In fact, chances were Zell and Irvine were already heading for Balamb this very minute to pick up alcohol and snacks.
"Yoo-hoo! Rinoa to Squall. Anyone home?" Frowning Squall realized that he had been avoiding the reason that had Rinoa and him were standing out on the balcony.
"Oh sorry. I was just thinking about a couple of things."
How do I this? Should I do this? What if she says no? Yikes listen to me. Ok I can do this.
"Rinoa I had something I wanted to ask you… and… well I think that…well…uhmmm…I…"
Oh great job? Why don't you just stick your foot in your mouth while you're at it? It'll make more since. Where's Galbadia Garden when you need them. Garrghh! Quit stalling and just say it already.
Squall stepped out from around Rinoa and turned her so that she was staring right at him. Then kneeling down on one leg he pulled Rinoa's hand up to his chest and held it between both of his.
"Rinoa? I was wondering if you would…well…" Rinoa had been silent up to this point but as sudden understanding dawned on her she realized why Squall had been so distant lately. Then seeing Squall kneeling there like that with his cheeks the darkest shade of red that she had ever seen on a human she couldn't help but giggle quietly at the sight. She immediately held a hand up to her lips to stop them but Squall had already noticed and seeing the look on his face almost broke her heart.
"Go on Squall." Kneeling down so that she was eye level with him she placed both her hands back in his and nodded for him to continue. "What did you want to ask me?"
Squall peered back into her eyes and he could tell by the look in them that she had not been laughing at him at all, but most likely at the deep shade of red his cheeks must be turning. Suddenly he understood exactly how come he had been so scared to ask. It wasn't nerves or any of the other million things he had been pondering. It had been because he was afraid she would just laugh and walk away. Leaving him all alone again. But with one look into her eyes he could see that she had no intentions of doing that and that she was just as much in love with him as he was with her.
"Rinoa will you marry me?"
And suddenly he found himself sprawled out on his back with a laughing Rinoa hugging him fiercely. Unsure for a moment he carefully wrapped his arms around her and said nothing.
Then, just as quickly as she had started, she quit laughing and looked him in the eyes and said, "Squall Leonhart. Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to ask me that?"
And, just like that, Squall felt a ton of weight slide off of his shoulders and threw back his head and let out a deep-throated laugh that sent Rinoa into another fit of giggles. Then the two of them just laid together staring at the stars, neither of them needing to say anymore words.
"Irvine how much alcohol did you two think we would need?" asked Quistis as she picked through the multiple bags that had just been hauled in by Zell and Irvine.
"Hey you never know babe!" he exclaimed as he quickly tried to dodge a loaf of bread that Selphie had just winged at him from the kitchen area then added, "Uh, I mean Quistis. Sorry."
Quistis gave her head a slight shake and turned to examine the living room area of the apartment. Placed against the far wall, was a large entertainment center with a Big Screen TV and multiple other electronic devices and game systems. To the left on the next wall was a oversized black leather chair with a embroidered blanket on it that said 'COWPOKE SEATING ONLY! ALL VIOLATORS WILL BE EXETERED!' And next to where Quistis was standing by the kitchen entrance was a matching leather couch with another sign on it that stated 'THE THRONE OF LOVE!'. Turning back to the breakfast bar that divided the kitchen and living room she noticed that Irvine and Zell were busy making mixed drinks and Selphie was sitting up on the far counter slamming one they had already fixed her.
"Uhhhmm guys, don't you want to wait for Squall and Rinoa to get here?"
"Trust me, they might be a little while! Squall wanted to talk to Rinoa in private for a while before they came over. I can't say what just yet, but I can tell you that if she says yes then there will be another big party soon."
"OK never mind I asked then." Replied Quistis and then turned back to the living room to search for a movie to watch.
"Hey, Zell pass me a lime will you."
"Yeah hold on I need the Amaretto for this drink for Quistis."
"Me first!"
"No me first!"
"No me!"
Seeing the two of them start arguing over ingredients for the third time in an hour Selphie decided to help them out by getting the ingredients herself. Jumping down from the counter she began to walk towards them somewhat unsteadily when the doorbell rang and Irvine dashed over to get it.
Well, she thought to herself, since Irvine went to get the door I suppose he doesn't need his drink he just made.
Giggling to herself she snatched it up and drank half of it before anyone even noticed and then stumbled out into the living room to see who else had shown up. She heard the door pulled open and then a high pitched squeal. Picking up her pace she made it to the living room in time to see Rinoa come diving through the door and slam Quistis into a bear hug. Squall followed right behind but with a less dramatic entrance. He nodded at Irvine and Zell and then glanced at Selphie right as she tripped over the arm of the couch and fell over.
Glancing up from her new spot on the floor she noticed everyone staring at her in confusion until Quistis noticed her half empty glass of alcohol that she had held onto even during her fall.
"Irvine, how many glasses have you fed to poor Selphie?"
"Hey don't look at me! She kept asking for them." He replied with an innocent look as he reached down to help Selphie up. "So Squall, Rinoa, would either of you like a drink. You know, something to drink for a toast." He added with a wink in Squalls direction.
Rinoa looked at Squall with a sort of 'How does he know?' look before finally nodding and walking towards the couch to sit next to Selphie.
Squall on the other hand looked at him with an attempted annoyed look but it quickly melted into a smile that surprised everyone in the room.
Yes, actually we would like that very much because we have some very good news to tell you guys."
"Ok, is everyone seated?" asked Squall as he surveyed the room. Quistis, Selphie and Zell were all seated on the couch and Irvine was sitting in his chair with his legs stretched up over the side of it.
Everyone nodded at him and Rinoa who were standing in the center of the room. Seeing this he turned to Rinoa to see if she wanted to start or if he should. Seeing her grin at him he realized he wasn't going to get off the hook on this one so he started.
"As you all know, Rinoa and I have been seeing each other for just over a year now. A few months ago I started thinking about what our relationship meant to each other. I knew I was in love and I believed she felt the same as me. So I am glad to announce that earlier this evening Rinoa agreed to marry me."
For a moment there was only silence and then the room erupted into cheers as everyone jumped to their feet and congratulated the two.
"Go Squall!"
"Congratulations!"
"Go get em Cowboy!"
"Booya!"
THUMP!!!! Selphie who had stood to fast suddenly keeled over and passed out cold on the floor.
Quistis shot Irvine a glare that showed who she felt was responsible for the mess and then began to help Zell scoop her up and lay her on the couch.
Rinoa giggled and Squall just smacked his hand to his head to hide the grin he felt growing.
To Be Continued…..
Authors Notes
Well I hope everyone likes that chapter. They will get longer as I go. Also there will start being action in the next couple chapter as the actual plot starts to unfold. Until then, have a good night.
Oh yeah! Please feed a starving writers ego and review. (Sorry bad humor.)
See ya later and thanks to Angelprinczess29 for being my first reviewer.
