Chapter 4: Surprise Guests
Scene: The Balamb Garden Ballroom
Later That Afternoon
Zell stood up and held the microphone unsteadily. Standing up at the head table in front of the dozens of tables set up in the ballroom, he felt quite awkward. He just looked over the crowd, saying nothing.
"Jeez, I didn't think there'd be this many people here!" said the expression on his face.
Squall and Rinoa looked at each other with amused looks on their faces. Who'd have thought? Mister Energy Zell has stage fright!
After a few more seconds of silence, someone shouted from one of the tables in the back, "Speak up, we can't hear you!"
That caused nearly everyone in the ballroom to erupt in laughter. Quistis, trying unsuccessfully to stop laughing at her friend, tugged on his arm and signaled him to give her the microphone. Zell shook his head adamantly.
"Okay, okay, everyone, okay," said Zell. "I, uh, wow, uh, anyway, I just want to say congratulations, uh, to Squall and Rinny, uh, Rinoa. They, uh, really love each other…"
Quistis covered her face with her left hand as she tugged at Zell's sleeve with her right.
"No, Quisty, I can do this," Zell said, right into the microphone. The laughter was starting to rise again, but Zell tried to speak over it. "They're both really cool, and, us, we fought in a lot of battles together. And I'd feel safe, uh, leaving myself in either of their hands, uh, not literally, of course…"
Squall rubbed the back of his head. You're dying up there, Dincht.
"Uh, anyway, I want to say, uh, congratulations, and, uh, lots of happy years together, okay?" With that, Zell sat down quickly and handed the microphone over to Quistis.
A few people started clapping, then a few more, and seconds later, the entire ballroom roared with applause. Zell turned to Squall and Rinoa and gave them a thumbs-up.
"Thanks, Zell," said Rinoa.
"You ought to try being a DJ on the side," said Squall.
"R-really? Ya mean it?" asked Zell.
Squall and Rinoa just laughed and took each other's hand.
As Quistis finished clapping, she stood up and cleared her throat. That brought silence to the ballroom.
Squall thought, Hey, she can still quiet a room. I ought to get Cid to reinstate her Instructor license.
Quistis smiled at the attention she'd gotten, and started, "Anyone who know Squall knows he's a man of few words, and doesn't like to talk about himself. Fortunately, I'm up here to talk about him all you want."
That got some laughter from the crowd.
"I've known Squall for as long as I can remember. In all that time, he's been like a little brother to me. He kept to himself a lot. Ok, heh heh," she chuckled, "he always kept to himself. But he was a role model for everyone that knew him, and he was dedicated and loyal to his friends and colleagues.
"Then, after he and Rinoa met, I started to see a change in him. She brought out the best in our Squall, and seemed to fill a void he had in his life. I can't think of a more perfect couple," Quistis' eyes started to tear, "and I'm very proud to be their friend. Squall, Rinoa," she choked back a small sob, "I wish you all the best life has to offer, and many happy years together, building your family. I love you both!"
Rinoa stood up and gave Quistis a hug. "Thanks, Quisty. You're the best friend I've ever had."
Squall stood and embraced her also, whispering to her, "Thanks, Quist. You've always been a good friend, even when I wasn't."
That made Quistis smile even wider than she had been before. She wiped a tear from her cheek and gave Squall a small kiss on his.
At that moment, Selphie stood up and cheered. Everyone at the head table followed, shortly before the whole ballroom started applauding Quistis. When the cheers died down, Selphie signaled to the DJ, "Let's boogie down!"
Suddenly, wild dance music began to blare over the speakers. Selphie grabbed Irvine's arm and physically dragged him out onto the dance floor. She started dancing, and poked him to get him to do the same.
As more people started heading for the dance floor, Squall said something to Rinoa. She couldn't hear over the loud music, and said, "What?"
Squall said more loudly, "I said, isn't the dancing supposed to be later?"
Rinoa shrugged. "I think Selphie decided to improvise!" she shouted. "Come on, I guess this is our first dance!"
She grabbed his uniform sleeve and pulled him out to the dance floor. They started fast dancing together, although neither really knew what they were doing. SeeD training hadn't prepared him for this.
"Oops!" said Selphie. She did the throat-slash gesture to the DJ, indicating she wanted the music stopped.
As quickly as the music had filled the ballroom, it disappeared. People who were dancing stopped suddenly, sending questioning looks to the DJ. The DJ just shrugged and gestured to Selphie.
Selphie said to everyone, "Sorry, tee hee! I forgot, the first dance has to be slow and romantic-like." She signaled the DJ again, who cued up Eyes On Me, sung by Julia Heartilly.
Squall and Rinoa smiled at each other. He offered his hand, which she accepted. They moved together, Squall's hands at Rinoa's waist, and hers at his shoulders. They gazed into each other's eyes.
Gradually, other couples began to slow dance too. Selphie and Irvine. Zell and his girlfriend from the library. Even Cid and Edea. Soon, the dance floor was filled with couples, all making sure to give the bride and groom enough room for their first dance.
Quistis watched the dancing and suddenly felt very alone. Is this what Squall used to feel like, alone in a crowd?
Quistis looked around for any guy that happened to be alone. Dammit, she was going to dance with somebody. As she scanned the sparse group of people that weren't dancing, she caught sight of a very familiar, very unwelcome face.
What the…? What the hell is he doing here?
Quistis strode off to the table in the back of the ballroom, near the exit to the corridor. Sitting there, looking as smug as ever in his overcoat and spiky blonde hair, was Seifer Almasy, former SeeD candidate and Knight of Ultimecia.
Seifer saw her coming, and made no effort to stand up or otherwise physically acknowledge her. When she got to him, she just stood there, her hands at her waist. Seifer took a drink from the wine glass in front of him, but did not look at her.
Quistis said, in her sternest voice, "What are you doing here, Almasy? Planning to cause trouble?"
Seifer just smirked and said, "Good to see you too, Instructor. Looking nice today, I might add."
Quistis repeated herself, even more impatiently, "What are you doing here?"
Seifer looked in her eyes, showing that smug sense of victory he'd had every time he'd managed to push someone else's buttons. "I have a right to be here."
Quistis narrowed her eyes. "Like hell you do, traitor. I swear to you, if you're here to cause trouble…"
"Stop sweating it, Instructor. All Garden staff and students were invited. That includes me." He smiled at her and leaned back in his chair. "Besides, I have a score to settle with Mister Commander."
Cid, who had seen Quistis approaching to Seifer, had walked up to them and overheard their conversation. He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "He's right." Quistis turned to him, a puzzled look on his face. "Edea pled his case, that he was under Ultimecia's control, and not acting of his own accord. Because Seifer still had six months left to graduate, I saw no reason to not give him one more chance," he gave Seifer a strict look, "Provided he causes no trouble."
"I won't let him ruin Squall and Rinoa's wedding, sir," said Quistis, gritting her teeth.
"You are right, of course," agreed Cid. "Seifer, you should go back to your dorm. I understand all students were invited, but because of your recent history with Squall and with this Garden, I think it best you not show yourself until tomorrow. I'll have someone bring dinner to you."
Seifer's face went from grinning triumph to bitter anger. Quistis, on the other hand, smiled in triumph at the cadet.
"Fine," said Seifer, standing up. "Who wants to stay at this dull waste of time you call a 'party', anyway." He stormed out in a huff, nearly knocking over a student loitering in the doorway.
Quistis turned to Cid, who just looked down and shook his head. "What was I thinking? I should have talked to him about this earlier."
Cid and Quistis headed back to the dance floor, just catching the end of the first song. When the music ended, everyone turned to Rinoa and Squall and clapped for them. Rinoa waved a thank you to everyone, and Squall rubbed the back of his head shyly.
Suddenly, the fast-paced song that had started playing earlier blasted from the speakers again. Everyone laughed, and began dancing to it. Squall and Rinoa danced together for a few moments, until she caught a glimpse of someone in the crowd.
Oh my God, he's here. They invited him? Rinoa wasn't sure what she should feel. Should she be glad he came, or did he do it to further his political status?
His daughter did just marry the Commander of SeeD, after all, she thought. She broke away from the dancing crowd and headed toward her father, President Caraway. Squall followed, trying to keep up with her quick pace.
"Hello, Mister President," Rinoa said coolly. "I'm honored that you could come to our humble ceremony."
Caraway smiled at her. "Good to see you too, sweetheart. Commander Leonhart."
Squall nodded at him and replied, "Mister President." Oh shit, Squall thought. They were supposed to ask him to stay out of sight.
"How are things in Deling City, Mister President?" asked Rinoa.
Caraway nodded at her. "Very well. The citizens have been very supportive of our decision to withdraw from the territories we had invaded under Deling. And, Parliament is pushing to rename Deling City back to Galbadia City. Good for patriotism."
Rinoa could just hear trumpets playing "Cactus Jack", the Galbadian national anthem, behind Caraway's words.
"Well, enjoy yourself, and help yourself to some hors d'ouvres," said Rinoa, starting to turn away.
"Wait a second, Rinoa, please," said Caraway, touching her elbow. Rinoa shook his hand off and turned back to him, waiting for his canned reply.
"Rinoa, the least you could do is thank me for being here. I'm taking a risk, you know. SeeD still isn't very popular with the people of Galbadia. No matter how evil Deling was, they all still lost sons and daughters during the Second Sorceress War, in which SeeD was our enemy."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mister President," said Rinoa sarcastically. She took his hand and placed it on her forehead, as if asking for a blessing. "Thank you so much for risking your political career to come to our lowly Garden and see your only daughter be married to the Commander of the elite force that single-handedly saved the world a year ago. The same force that you, by the way, hired to assassinate Galbadia's leader. Is that adequate, your lordship?" Her glare shot daggers straight into his eyes.
Caraway shook his head and sighed. "Rinoa, you are my princess. You always will be. I came because I wanted to see you one last time, because I know you probably won't come to see me ever again."
"Probably right," said Rinoa. "If you'll excuse me, Mister President." She turned away again, but Caraway held onto her hand.
"Just one more thing. I wanted to apologize for not being there when you needed me. You've done very well for yourself, and I'm proud of you. And, I wanted to wish you good luck and happiness in your life." Caraway released her hand.
Without turning back to him, Rinoa said, "Thank you…father." Then, she walked away, back toward the dance floor.
Squall started to follow her, but Caraway grabbed his arm. "Take care of her, you hear?" he said to Squall. "She may not understand, but she's still my precious jewel. Give her a good life."
"She and I will make one together, Mister President," said Squall. Once Caraway released his arm, Squall followed his wife back to the party.
Squall caught up to her just as she reached the last table before the dance floor. He took her hand, and she stopped walking, turned around, and hugged him.
"He does care for you, even though he has a funny way of showing it."
Rinoa looked Squall in her eyes, all the pain from them gone. "I don't want to talk about my father, 'k? This is our day. Let's make the best one we can."
Squall definitely could not argue. Rinoa led him back onto the dance floor, where they caught the last few seconds of the fast dance before another slow song started.
*
Several hours later, the reception was winding down. Squall sat at one of the large round tables with Zell, Irvine, Cid, Laguna, Kiros, and Ward, discussing past events and plans for the future. The mute Ward was able to join in the conversation using a vocoder, which Esthar's scientists had designed at Laguna's request. Most of the guests, those not family or personal friends of Squall or Rinoa, had already left, so the ballroom was nearly empty of people.
As he listened to the conversation, Squall reflected on the day's events. He was now married to the most wonderful woman he had ever known, or could ever hope to know. She'd made him feel complete. Yet now, after the spectacular dinner, cake cutting, gift opening, and photograph taking, he felt no different today than he had yesterday. Marriage felt no different than being single.
Maybe it's more of a gradual thing, he thought. We'll probably both spend a lot of time getting used to parts of each other we don't usually see. Like sleeping together every night. Making meals for each other. Having children.
He felt nervous about that last part. He'd never really considered being a father before. Then again, until he'd been with Rinoa, he'd never considered being a husband. But being a father…
Would I be a good one? I know I'm not really good at opening up to people. Would my children love me, and would I remember to show them I love them?
"Squall? Squall? Earth to Squall?" Zell snapped his finger in front of Squall's face,
Squall suddenly returned to the present. "Huh? What?"
"You've been sitting there for like ten minutes, not saying anything, man." Zell looked at him with one eyebrow raised.
"He's just thinking about later tonight, that's all," said Irvine, giving a wink. Squall wasn't surprised to hear that comment come out of Irvine, but he just rubbed the back of his head with his hand.
That gesture got Zell, Irvine, Laguna, and Kiros teasing him about wedding night jitters and making other male sexual jokes. Ward just laughed along, and Cid pushed his glassed up his nose and blushed slightly.
Rinoa, Quistis, Selphie, Edea, and Ellone were sitting at another table, their shoes all piled up next to the table. They were having a conversation similar to the one the men had originally been having, about where they'd been, and where they were going. Quistis, Selphie, Edea, and Ellone talked a lot about the orphanage, with Edea and Ellone filling in most of the details for the two younger women. Quistis and Selphie were very interested in filling in their gaps in memory.
Rinoa only half-listened to the conversation. Instead, she watched Squall, sitting at the men's table. The other men were talking up a storm, but Squall seemed to just sit there, staring out into space.
What are you thinking, dear? she thought.
She felt Squall's introspection into how he didn't feel any different being married than he did before being married. She also felt his wonders about how good a father he'd be.
Oh, Squall, you're going to be a great father, thought Rinoa, wanting to send some more self-confidence.
Just then, she saw Zell put his hand in front of Squall's face. Squall suddenly took notice of the other men. She heard Irvine say something, after which Squall rubbed the back of his head, like he did when he was feeling shy and didn't know what to say. That got most of the other men going. She noticed Cid seemed to become as embarrassed as Squall, which she thought was funny. She thought of Cid as kind of old school, and very reserved when it comes to sexual matters. It wasn't her business, but she imagined that Edea had had a time getting him out of his shell.
"Oh, no, Rin, I'm sorry," said Quistis, as if she'd just realized Rinoa was there. "Here we are talking like you're not even here. This is your reception."
"Hmm? Oh, it's ok, Quisty. I'm just…thinking."
"Yeah, I see," said Selphie, giving her a wide, knowing smile. "Thinking about your knight, huh?"
"Yeah," said Rinoa, smiling. "I just can't believe that we're married. It's a wonderful feeling."
"Well, don't forget there will be hardships, child," said Edea, "but I can tell how much you mean to each other, and your love is a bond that nothing can break."
"Yes, exactly," said Ellone. "You found your soul mate in Squall, and I know you'll have many happy years together."
Rinoa gave her an anticipative look. "Do you mean, you know…?"
Ellone held up her hands. "No, no, I haven't looked at your future or anything like that. I can just see it in the way you look at each other. You're both in it for the long haul."
Rinoa placed her cheek in her left hand, her elbow resting on the table. "Thanks, Elle. I know that we're right for each other. I've known it ever since we met, even though I had to nudge him a bit. Then nudge him a bit more. And finally hit him in the head with a sledgehammer. Then, he realized we were meant for each other."
The other women laughed. Rinoa loved having such good friends. She'd fought alongside them on the battlefield, shared the good times and bad, and they had come out on top. She looked at Quistis for a second, and remembered how she had told Rinoa that she was in love with Squall. It had been the better part of a year since then, and Rinoa was glad she had helped Quistis get over her crush. After all, she wanted to be a good friend, but she didn't plan on sharing her man with anyone else, beyond friendship. She knew she was allowed to be selfish about that.
Quistis still felt that slight pang inside her every time she thought about how she had never had the chance to be with Squall. Yet she couldn't answer the one question that haunted her: Was it a missed opportunity, or one that was never meant to be? When she saw Rinoa and Squall together, she imagined she could se herself in the picture in Rinoa's place. Yet, she couldn't realistically see how she and Squall could ever have gotten together.
Until Squall and Rinoa became a couple, Squall treated everyone like dirt. He snubbed everyone, especially me. God, I don't think he realizes how much he hurt me that night. I'd lost my teaching license. I thought my world was over, except for the faint glimmer of hope that Squall would see me in a different light when he and I were professional peers. I'd hoped, maybe there was a chance I could get inside that guarded heart, and he would love me as much as I truly loved him. But when I lost my higher rank, all he did was stop treating me with the respect one gives an upper-ranking officer.
Why, Squall? What had I done wrong to be hated so much by you? Damn, I think I'm just lonely. I shouldn't be thinking about his kind of thing today. It's their wedding day! I should be happy for them. I am happy for them. But I can't help but feel sorry for myself.
"You two are a match made in heaven," said Quistis, giving Rinoa a slightly forced smile. "I couldn't imagine either of you with anyone else."
"Yeah," said Selphie. "You really turned Mister Doom-And-Gloom around! You made him into a nice guy. Who would've thought?"
Rinoa smiled at her friends. She felt truly blessed.
A second later, she stifled a yawn. "Oh my," she said. "I think Squall and I had better get going. We don't want to oversleep tonight and miss our train tomorrow."
"Yeah, it is getting pretty late," said Selphie. "I think everyone else wandered home."
Rinoa stood up, found her shoes amongst the pile next to the table, and carried them in her hand as she walked stocking footed toward the men's table.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, but I must retrieve my husband. We have an early train to catch tomorrow in Balamb." Rinoa took Squall's arm and picked him up out of his seat.
"Well, guys," said Squall, "she's right. We'll see you all when we get back."
The men all stood up, and were joined by a group of stocking footed women, all coming to see the bride and groom off. They all exchanged hugs and handshakes, where appropriate. When it came Quistis' turn to say goodbye to Squall, she hugged him tightly, and whispered to him, "Show her some real magic every day that you're together. Not the stuff we draw from monsters. I mean the magic of love."
Squall was slightly confused that Quistis was giving marriage advice, considering she'd never had a relationship that he could remember. However, he attributed it to her being close to Rinoa, and to her understanding what a woman needs from a relationship. "I will, Quist," he responded.
I love you Squall, she thought as she broke the hug. Damn me. I really hate myself sometimes.
When Squall and Laguna shook hands, Laguna drew him into a hug. Squall, surprised by the move from the father he'd never known, returned it as best as he could.
"I'm proud of you, son," whispered Laguna. "I want to make things right between us, somehow. I know I can't make up for abandoning you, but the fact that you've made so much of yourself shows how strong a person you really are. I want to get a chance to be in your life, if you'll have me."
Squall patted Laguna's back lightly. "We'll talk about it later. But I…I'd like that…father."
Laguna's smile widened. He'd prayed so hard his son would forgive him, even after all these years. Now, it looked like that prayer would be answered.
"C'mon, guys", said Zell. "Your bags should already be loaded in the car, and yours truly will be your chauffeur."
Quistis leaned over and whispered into Rinoa's ear, "Better make out your will before you go." Rinoa giggled.
"Whazzat?" asked Zell.
"She told me your driving has improved a lot," lied Rinoa.
"Oh. Hey, thanks, Quist!" said Zell.
Rinoa slipped her shoes back on, and took Squall's arm when he offered it. They waved goodbye to everyone one last time before leaving the ballroom, with Zell following at an excited pace.
"Clean up time!" said Selphie, starting to gather up the opened gifts from the main table. "Let's put them in their new apartment! Then tomorrow we can move in all their stuff from their dorm rooms! Tee hee! They're gonna love it!"
"Well," said Cid, taking Edea's hand, "Looks like we'll finally have some company in our section." A new area recently added to the second floor contained apartments for married couples, and thus far had only been occupied by Cid and Edea.
"It will be nice," smiled Edea. She scooped up an armload of gifts from the table and handed them to Cid. He grunted slightly, not being quite as physically powerful as his sorceress wife.
"Yeah, we can fill it with flowers, and hearts, and little teddy bears!" said Selphie excitedly.
"Well, uh," said Quistis, echoing everyone else's reaction to Selphie's statement, "Maybe we'll let them handle their own decoration."
*
Squall, carrying Rinoa in his arms, stepped over the threshold into their suite in the Balamb hotel. Although he was quite thin, Squall was very strong, and had no difficulty supporting the weight of the petite Rinoa.
When he reached the bed, he laid her down on the end. She spread her arms and legs, getting comfortable, and closed her eyes, drinking in the full reality of it all
We've finally done it! We're married! No matter what happens, we'll always be together!
She then looked down and smiled as she felt her shoes being removed by gentle, tender hands. As Squall removed each shoe, he caressed her calves, sending goose bumps up her legs.
"Now, now," she said, waving one foot in his face, "patience is a virtue." She rolled over and stood up on the floor. "You're going to have to wait, young man."
"Are you going to give me detention?" teased Squall. She's starting to sound like Quistis, of all people.
Rinoa started to undo her dress clasps behind her back, but she found them to be quite stubborn. Squall, ever her knight in shining armor, walked up, wrapped his hands around her, and began to help her open the clasps.
"Hmm," said Rinoa, smiling seductively at him. "You seem pretty handy. Maybe I'll keep you around."
Squall responded by pulling her close, the back of her white gown half-open. He said, "Not that you have a choice," and kissed her full on the lips. She returned the kiss eagerly, slipping her tongue into his mouth.
Rinoa then slid her hands under Squall's uniform jacket and caressed his back with her hands. As she did this, brilliant white angelic wings sprouted from her back, spreading across the width of the room. The mystical wings wrapped themselves around Squall and Rinoa, holding them together in their warm, loving embrace.
Squall broke off the kiss for a second to look at Rinoa's daintily feathered wings as they surrounded the couple. He smiled at her. "I'll never tell," he cooed.
As he said that, their clothes began to fall off of their own accord, without husband or wife even releasing their embrace. And as their final articles of clothing hit to the floor, they began to float in the air, on waves of supernatural energy and love.
But that night, their love was the one true magic to behold.