Chapter 10: New Lives And Old Pains
Setting: Squall and Rinoa's Apartment
Two Years Later
"Mommy! Daddy!"
Squall and Rinoa stirred from their sleep. "Mommy! Daddy!" the little voice cried again.
Squall glanced at the clock. Twenty-three fifty. I just got to sleep, too. "I'll go," he said sleepily. "You have to meet Quisty early in the morning."
"Okay," yawned Rinoa. She rolled over as Squall got up out of bed and padded on bare feet to the nursery.
He walked up to the crib and looked down at their daughter, Alexa. She looked at him with sad, frightened little hazel eyes. Her hair, jet black like her mother's, was tousled and clung to her scalp.
"What's wrong, Lexie?" he asked, picking her up and cradling her in his arms.
The little girl just sniffled and snuggled her head in the crook of her father's arm. "Bad dream?" he asked.
"Uh huh," she said. He looked down at this little person. His daughter. His and Rinoa's daughter. For a child of two, she was very intelligent. Their friends had just attributed it to her parents' genes, but only Edea, Squall and Rinoa knew why she was really so mature at such an early age.
"You gonna tell me about it?" he asked her, wiping a tear from her cheek. He held her upright, against his shoulder, and rocked gently.
"I saw...meen lady, she said I messed up time come-seshun. Then she made yoor lion fight me."
Did...did she just say Time Compression? "It was just a..."
"Then Mommy waz in bed. Yoo tawkd to her, but she din't say ennything. Yoo were sad." The little girl looked ready to burst into tears again.
"Shh, shh," said Squall. "It was just a dream, sweetie. Everything's okay."
"I scared, Daddy."
"Okay, well, you can sleep with Mommy and me tonight, okay?"
The little girl smiled a little. "Okay."
He carried her back to their bedroom, laid her down in the middle of the bed, next to Rinoa, and then he lay down on his side of the bed.
I heard what she said, came Rinoa's voice in his head.
In the two years since Alexa's birth, Rinoa and Squall had learned to speak to each other telepathically. Because of Rinoa's powers and the strong bond they shared, they were able to link minds. At first they'd only sensed each other's emotions, but they had eventually taught themselves how to speak without any audible conversation. It had been an immensely useful skill for when they wanted to have a private conversation in a crowded room, or if they didn't want their daughter to hear what they were saying.
Sounds like she had some kind of flashback to our battle with Ultimecia, and then to the time you were in the coma, replied Squall.
I'm really starting to think she inherited some of my memories when she got my powers, thought Rinoa, feeling her heart ache with guilt. She's told me about these dreams before. None of them have been pleasant ones.
Squall, sensing her pain, reached over and took her hand. You didn't know, Rin. Neither did I. But, would you have changed your mind about having children if you had known?
No, I wouldn't have, she replied, without hesitation. I love Lexie too much, and I couldn't imagine life without her. She makes our family complete.
And you both make my life complete, thought Squall. He felt Rinoa's pain lessen as she gripped his hand.
Thanks, Squall. For always being there for me.
We'll get through this all, I promise. Sweet dreams, my angels.
*The next morning, Squall shot awake, his heart beating rapidly and his breath shallow. Rinoa, who'd just been getting out of bed, turned to him with a start.
"Squall? What's wrong?"
Squall looked at her, his eyes wide with fear. He looked at her for a second. She's...real? She's still alive? He sighed with relief. Only a dream... He ran his fingers through his hair.
Rinoa circled the bed and knelt at his side. "Nightmare?"
Squall nodded.
Will you tell me about it?
He looked at Alexa, still soundly asleep next to him. You sure you want to know?
Yes, replied Rinoa. Whatever it was, I can tell how much it upset you.
Okay...
Squall took Rinoa's hand and squeezed his eyes shut. He tried to summon up the fleeing memories of his dream. As he did so, he invited Rinoa's consciousness into his mind to view them, as if they were a slide show.
Rinoa's breath quickened. I looked so...dead...when I was lying there in that coma. I didn't realize how brokenhearted Squall was. I was so scared then, but so was he.
Then, she saw images of herself, lying in the same bed, but covered in blood. Her skin was pale white, and not even the movement of breath was visible in her chest.
The slide show faded away as Squall's memories of the dream dissolved into his conscious mind. Rinoa gripped his hand tightly. Squall, it was only a dream. I'm here now, and I'm alive.
And I thank God for that, said Squall. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you.
Rinoa smiled at him. You won't. I promise.
Squall smiled at her, the sweat on his cheek catching the morning light from the window. I'm gonna go make us some breakfast. Before Rinoa could argue, Squall got up out of bed and headed for the kitchen.
Rinoa took a breath, trying to clear her mind of the disturbing images of herself that she's seen in Squall's dream. She headed for the vanity and started to get dressed.
Rinoa was buttoning her blouse when Alexa jumped off the bed, very much awake.
"Hi Mommy!"
"Hi, sweetie!" said Rinoa. "Go into the kitchen. Daddy's making you breakfast."
"Where ya goin', Mommy?"
"I'm going to meet Aunt Quisty soon," replied Rinoa. She took her brush and smoothed out her hair.
"Why?"
"Because her wedding's today, silly," said Rinoa. She glanced around the floor and found her brown slip-on sandals. She walked over and slid her bare feet into them.
"Wat's a wetting?" asked Alexa.
"Wedding, Lexie," corrected Rinoa. "You were just at one a few months ago. It's, uh...ask Daddy. I have to go."
At that moment, Squall walked in, still wearing his pajamas. "Do you want something to eat before you go, Rin?"
"No, thanks," she replied. "Quisty and I are going to grab a bite in Balamb before our appointment."
"What's a pointmint?" asked Alexa's little voice.
"That's when you have to be somewhere on time, or you get in trouble," explained Squall.
"Ohhh. Don' want Mommy in twuble."
Squall smiled and picked their daughter up in his arms. "Have a good time," said Squall, giving Rinoa a kiss. "See you later. I can't wait to join you in the aisle again." He winked.
Rinoa kissed Alexa on the cheek. "Bye Lexie. Make sure Daddy behaves, okay?"
"'K," said Alexa. "Bye Mommy!"
Rinoa quickly went out the door, tucking her white blouse into her jeans as she walked.
"Ok, little one," said Squall. "We have to hurry up and eat so I can get you to Aunt Selphie and she can dress you up and do your hair."
"Oh, 'k." said Alexa. Squall set her on the floor and she scampered into the kitchen.
What a little bundle of energy, thought Squall, heading toward the kitchen. She reminds me of...
"Unca Zell!"
"Hey, kid! How ya doin'?"
Squall turned around to see Zell, who had just come into the apartment.
"Hey, Zell. What's up?"
Zell shrugged. "Not much. Got a lot of nervous energy I'm trying to work off."
Squall smirked. "It's not even your wedding."
"I know, I know, but it's just so exciting, man! Quisty's getting married! And to Seifer, no less! Think you'd have guessed that three years ago?"
Squall shrugged. "You hungry? We have extra, since Rin had to run out to meet Quisty."
"All right! Don't mind if I do!" Zell rushed over to the table and plopped down into the chair right next to the beaming Alexa.
Squall smiled and shook his head. Zell will never change. He walked up to the table and started placing the slices of French toast on Alexa's, Zell's, and his own plates. "How are you holding up with, you know...?"
Zell hesitated for a second. "Ok, I guess." His head drooped.
When Christine was sent on her mission to Esthar Garden two years ago, it had only been for a few weeks. However, that Garden's new Headmaster offered her an Instructor's position if she stayed there. As much as she missed Zell, she had to take the job. She and Zell had been having a long-distance relationship, and trying to visit each other when they could, but as time went by and they both got busier, they drifted apart. They had mutually decided to break up just last week, and it was still hitting Zell hard.
Alexa stopped eating her breakfast long enough to make a pouty face at Zell. "Unca Zell sad? I make yoo feel better?" She made a funny face.
Zell looked at the toddler, and couldn't help but smile. He ruffled her hair with a gloved hand and said, "Thanks. Lexie. I needed that. You excited about the wedding?"
"What's a wetting?"
"Oh, well, it's like..." Zell tried to search for the right words to describe it. "When you and someone else are in love, you decide to spend the rest of your lives together and have a family, you know? So you get married at a wedding. Like your mom and dad. And Aunt Selphie and Uncle Irvine."
"Oh," replied Alexa. "Daddy, yoo and Mommy have a wetting?"
Squall swallowed a mouthful of French toast and said, "We sure did."
Alexa gave him a pouty face. "I din't go."
"We had it before you were born," said Squall. "You weren't even conceived yet."
"What's kinseev?"
"It's...ah...I'll tell you when you're a little older," said Squall.
"Oh, 'k!" Alexa continued digging into her breakfast, getting most of it into her mouth.
Squall just watched her for a second as she ate. Man, Edea was right. She's only two and she's already like a five-year-old. What will she be like when she's a teenager? I hope we can give her a chance to have a childhood before she grows up.
"Hey, Squall. Earth to Squall."
Squall snapped out of his thoughts. "Huh?"
Zell had already finished eating. "I said, thanks for breakfast. But you'd better hurry up and get dressed, so you can get Lexie over to Selphie's."
Squall looked at the wall clock. "Oh, yeah." He got up and went into the bedroom, closing the door.
"Unca Zell, yoo gonna have a wetting?"/p>
Zell looked at the child, unsure what to say. She's only two. She doesn't understand what I'm going through.
"Probably not for a while, kid. There's nobody I'm in love with."
"I luv yoo," said Alexa, giving him a big smile.
Zell returned the smile. "Thanks, but I don't think your dad would like that."
As if on cue, Squall emerged from the bedroom, wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and black sneakers. "C'mon, Lexie. We gotta get you cleaned up so you can see Aunt Selphie."
Alexa, her face smeared with maple syrup, slid out of her high chair and ran toward her bedroom cheering, "Yaaaaayyy!"
"Hey, little girl," said Squall. "The bathroom. I gotta clean you up first."
"'K!" said Alexa, switching directions and scrambling excitedly into the bathroom. Squall smiled and shook his head. "Your uniform ready?" Squall asked Zell.
"Yeah," Zell replied. "I'm kinda glad they decided to go with uniforms for both the ceremony and the reception. That tux I had at your wedding didn't fit right."
Squall shrugged. "You should have said something about it."
"I did. That psycho you guys found to do the tuxes threatened to hang me from the roof with his tape measure."
Squall laughed, in spite of himself. As he walked into the bathroom to clean up Alexa, he said, "You could have taken him."
Zell shook his head. "Hey, I'll see ya later. I'm gonna go help get the ballroom ready for the reception. See ya, Lexie!"
Squall was wiping his daughter's face clean with a wet washcloth. "Bye bye, Unca Zell," said Alexa through Squall's scrubbing.
"You must have liked your breakfast," said Squall. "You're wearing half of it."
Alexa just gave him an innocent smile. She looks so much like Rinoa, it's uncanny, he thought. She's even got the cute little grin down pat.
"All right, let's go get some clothes on you so you can see Aunt Selphie."
*"Heeeeey! How are ya Lexie?"
Alexa ran into Selphie's waiting arms. Selphie scooped her up and lifted her high above her head.
"Hi Aunt Sefie! Hi Unca Irvy!" Alexa waved her hands excitedly. Selphie spun her around in the air, giving her butterfly kisses.
Irvine stepped out of the bathroom in his pajama pants and muscle shirt, with a towel around his neck. "Hey, kid! How are you doing?"
"Good!" said Alexa. She grabbed Irvine's beard and gave it a little tug. Irvine responded by making a funny face. Alexa giggled at him. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Huh," said Squall. "Don't remember you ever getting that excited about seeing me."
"Oh, sorry," said Irvine. He walked over to Squall and tried to kiss him. Squall just backed away, defending himself with his hands.
"Don't even think about it, Cowboy," said Squall.
"Hah! Still the same old Squall!"
"Whatever."
Irvine laughed, and headed back for the bathroom. Selphie had ignored the exchange, and was instead talking with Alexa.
"So, are you ready for the wedding?"
"Yah, I ready! What I gotta do?" asked Alexa.
"You're gonna be the flower girl! You get a basket full of pretty flower petals, and you get to throw them on the floor of the chapel, like this!" Selphie pranced across the room, pretending to hold a basket in one hand and toss flower petals in the other.
"Like this?" Alexa tried to copy Selphie, dancing and skipping across the room.
"Yeah!" Selphie continued doing her "flower girl" dance, inciting Alexa to continue copying her. They both giggled at their own silliness.
"Hey Irvine," said Squall. "You better come out here and check on your wife. I think she's lost it."
Selphie, not wanting to give Squall the satisfaction of stopping, stuck her tongue out at him. "You're just jealous. You oughta try this! It's fun!"
Squall put his hand to his forehead. "You're gonna teach my daughter bad habits, Instructor. I can't imagine what your kids will pick up!"
Selphie just smiled and kept prancing around the room with Alexa, now holding her hands. "Well, I'm only a few weeks along, so I gotta practice with Lexie. Right?"
"Right!" said Alexa.
Squall sighed. This is a conspiracy against me. "Lexie, I have to go take care of a few things. I'll see you just before the wedding, okay sweetie?"
"'K, Daddy!" said Lexie, running up to him. Squall kneeled down, and she hugged his neck tightly. "See yoo later!"
*Seifer stood in his dorm room, staring himself down in the mirror. He had on his trousers and favorite dark blue shirt with the white cross, emblazoned on the front.
This is the last time I'll be living in this room, he thought. After today, I'll be married. Married. He shook his head. Man, this is just crazy! Never thought I'd actually be married!
He studied himself in the mirror. Is this right? Should we be getting married? I mean, what if...
There was a knock at his door. Seifer stepped over and opened it. "Hey, Seifer," said Squall, his visitor. "How you doing?"
"Oh, just great," said Seifer, trying to put on his normal confident tone.
"Sounds like the wedding day jitters," said Squall. He spread his hands. "Normal, trust me." He closed the door behind him.
"I just can't believe it," said Seifer, shedding his haughty air. "I'm gonna be married. Mister and Missus Almasy. This is just...too much." He sat down on his bed, looking at the floor.
"Hey," said Squall, putting his hand on his friend's shoulder, "try not to worry about it. Everything will be fine. Everybody knows you and Quistis are perfect together, and I bet you're gonna grow old together in Balamb with lots of grandchildren."
Seifer snorted. "That supposed to make me feel better?"
Squall gave a half-smile. "Not really. But if it does make you feel any better, I went through the same thing the morning of my wedding."
Seifer looked up at him. "You did? That kinda surprised me. You and Rinoa were always...you know..."
Squall raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Ask Zell. He practically had to drag me out of bed that morning. Don't tell Rinoa about that. But seriously, let me ask you a question. Are you sure you still want to do this?"
"Well, yeah, I'm sure! Pretty sure. I guess..."
Squall sat down on the bed. "Well, if youre not sure, then I guess I should go tell Quisty the wedding's off."
Seifer shot up and towered over the seated Squall. "What?"
Squall looked up at him calmly. "You obviously don't want to marry her, so it'd be better to tell her now, instead of at the altar."
"Don't you dare tell her that! I love her, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her!" Seifer stopped as he realized what he'd just said. I love her? Yes, of course I do! "I...love...her. I want to...spend the rest of my life with her."
Squall stood up, facing Seifer. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Can I assume the wedding is still on?"
Seifer looked off into space for a second, then turned to Squall and nodded. "Yes, it's still on."
Squall smiled. "Zell pulled the same trick on me when I was in your position. I said about the same thing you just did."
Seifer looked him in the eye for a second. Then, he laughed and said, "Damn, Squall, when did you get to be a psychologist?"
"Just after I finished puberty." They both laughed.
"Come on," said Squall, "you should start getting ready. I'll meet you in the back of the chapel in about an hour."
*About four hours later, Quistis stood in the vestibule at the back of the Garden Chapel, chewing nervously on the inside of her cheek. She looked at herself once again in the mirror, drinking in her full image. She wore a lacy white gown that seemed to shimmer in the light. The hem at the front stopped mid-calf, while the train dragged a foot behind her. The bouquet in her hands, consisting of bright red roses and bold purple violets, brought brilliant color to her ensemble. Her hair and makeup, professionally done in Balamb that morning, accentuated her natural beauty and gave her the air of a goddess. A single tear ran down her cheek as she contemplated what she was about to do.
"Quisty, you okay?" asked Rinoa, stepping up beside her. Rinoa wore a shiny purple gown that stopped just above her ankles. Red frill at the bottom hem, sleeves, and bust line contrasted sharply with her fair skin. She also held a bouquet, but this one was smaller and consisted of red and purple carnations. Her hair, normally straight, had been curled, and her bangs had been teased so they stood out from her forehead.
"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Quistis, wiping the tear away with a lacy-gloved hand. "She said the makeup is waterproof, right?"
Rinoa chuckled. "Yeah. I think every bride cries on her wedding day."
Xu stepped up to the bride. He also wore a purple bridesmaid dress, nearly identical to Rinoa's. Her dark hair had been released from her normal tight braid and flowed down half the length of her back. "Nervous?" she asked.
"A little, Headmaster," replied Quistis, giggling slightly.
"Oh, stop it, Instructor," said Xu, unable to contain her smile.
Edea and Ellone both walked up to them, admiring Quistis. Both wore formal attire, but were not part of the ceremony. "You certainly are beautiful, Quisty," said Ellone. "When Seifer sees you, his heart is going to stop."
"Everything will be fine, Quistis, dear," said Edea. "This will be the happiest day of your life, and you'll always remember it fondly."
Quistis smiled. "Thanks, Sis, Matron. I don't know what I'd do without all of you."
At that moment, Selphie rushed into the vestibule, with Alexa in tow. "C'mon, Lexie! It's almost time!"
"Hey, Mommy, look what I got!" Alexa ran up to Rinoa to show her the basket of petals.
"They're so pretty, Lexie!" said Rinoa.
"Aunt Quisty, Aunt Elle, Matron, look what I got!"
"Oh, they're so beautiful, Lexie," said Quistis.
"Are you going to be the flower girl, Lexie?" asked Ellone.
"Uh, huh," said Alexa. "I gonna throw all the flowers on the floor!"
"That's great, Lexie," said Edea. "Just remember to save some for after the ceremony."
Alexa looked at Edea quizzically. "What's a sare...moe...nee?"
"The wedding is a ceremony," said Edea.
"Oh. I don' get it." Before anyone else could explain further, Alexa skipped happily away toward Selphie.
"Five minutes, ladies!" said Selphie, her voice brimming with excitement. She wore a purple gown, very similar to Rinoa's but her hair was done in her normal fashion. Since she was directing the ceremony (as usual), she had opted to spend the morning preparing the Chapel instead of going with Quistis and Rinoa to Balamb. "Everyone ready?"
The women all replied affirmatively. Quistis walked up to Selphie. "Thanks, Sefie, for doing this all for us."
"Hey, no prob, Quisty!" replied Selphie. "Least I could do for my bridesmaid!"
Quistis' thoughts flashed back to a year ago. Selphie and Irvine were married in the Trabia Garden Chapel, and Selphie had wanted it to be the biggest ceremony anyone had ever seen. She had five bridesmaids, Rinoa, Quistis, and Ellone being three of them. It truly had been the biggest bash any Garden had seen, and it had cost Selphie and Irvine their entire savings. Oh, well, thought Quistis. Guess you only get married once. Hopefully.
"Okay, everybody get into position," ordered Selphie "Sis, you have to go sit down now! Matron, Nida will be here in a second to escort you to your seat."
Ellone gave Quistis one last kiss on the cheek before heading into the Chapel. Edea put her hand on Quistis' shoulder and said, "Enjoy your day, Quistis. And congratulations."
Quistis reached out and hugged Edea. "Thanks, Matron,"
At that moment, Cid arrived in his tuxedo. "Sorry I'm late," he said. "They gave me the wrong size jacket."
Edea stepped toward Cid and said, "They gave you the right jacket. You just put it on with the wrong body." She patted his belly.
"Hey, that's not fair," said Cid, blushing. The women all laughed. Alexa joined in the laughing, although she wasn't sure why.
Just then, Nida popped his head through the white curtain covering the doorway. "Ms. Kramer, are you ready?"
"Yes, Nida, I am." Edea walked up to him as he emerged from the curtain. He held out his arm, and she took it.
"Wait a second..." said Selphie. "They're supposed to start the music any time now..."
They waited, but only heard the lull of hundreds of quiet conversations in the Chapel. "Come on..." said Selphie, starting to stomp her feet. Her high-heeled sandals clacked against the tile floor, more loudly that anyone wished.
"Selphie, calm..." started Rinoa.
The music started suddenly. The Chapel organ, accompanied by a harpsichord, played a surprisingly cheerful medley.
"Go go go," whispered Selphie.
Nida and Edea stepped through the white curtain, as the conversations in the Chapel ceased.
"Okay, Xu, get ready!"
Xu stepped in front of the curtain, waiting for the "Procession of Witnesses" to begin. She looked over at Quistis and gave her a quick wink. "See you at the altar, Quist."
At the front of the Chapel, Zell, Irvine, Squall, and Seifer stood straight and proud in their SeeD dress uniforms. Seifer had opted not to wear his signature trench coat, but Irvine (as always) wore his hat. Seifer seemed the least comfortable of the four; he was wringing his hands and cracking his knuckles. Squall looked back at him. "You okay, Seifer?"
Zell and Irvine looked back at Seifer as well. "Yeah, fine," Seifer said, a little quickly. "It's just my wedding, after all." He hoped no one besides his four friends could hear him over the music.
Squall gave a half-smile and pounded lightly on Seifer's shoulder with his fist. "Relax. Before you know it, it'll be over."
"Yeah," said Irvine in a stage whisper, "and then it'll be wedding night..." Seifer and Squall both shot him a look. "Jeez," Irvine sighed. "You guys have no sense of humor."
"Yer one to talk," said Zell. "Remember the night before your wedding, you got so nervous that you..."
"Okay, I surrender!" Irvine interrupted, raising his hands in defeat. "Ganging up on me," he muttered.
"Ssh," said Zell. "Matron just sat down. Our part's coming up!"
Just as he said that, the music ceased and the Chapel fell silent. After a few moments, a flowing melody swept through the Chapel. The white curtain in the back opened, revealing Headmaster Xu. She started walking down the aisle in an even wedding march.
"Damn," whispered Zell. "She's hot!"
Seifer had to admit Zell had a point. They'd never before seen Xu without her SeeD uniform. They'd figured she slept in it. Man, I wonder how many Trabia students will be ogling her after this, he thought.
When Xu reached the halfway point, Zell started marching toward her. This being his third time as a groomsman in only a few years, he'd finally learned to keep a steady pace during the procession. Once he reached her, he offered his arm, and she took it with a smile. Returning the smile, Zell walked with her toward the altar.
"Hey, I just had a crazy idea," said Irvine. "Zell and Xu, whaddaya think?"
Seifer made a face, but then furrowed his brow as he considered the pairing. "You know...that might not be a bad idea."
"You sure?" asked Squall. "They're complete opposites."
"Hey, opposites attract," said Irvine. "Look at you and Rinoa."
"Cowboy's got a point," said Seifer.
"Hmm...maybe..." said Squall.
"Selphie and Xu have gotten pretty close, and..."
"Shh!" said Squall and Seifer. Irvine looked in front of him just in time to see Zell and Xu walk past. Xu looked at the gentlemen and smiled, and Zell gave them a questioning look.
He knows we were talking about him, thought Seifer. With any luck, he'll forget by the time the ceremony's over.
The white curtain opened again. This time, Selphie stood there, beaming with pride and happiness. Happiness for Quistis and Seifer, and pride that the ceremony she'd arranged was already going so well. Irvine gave her a goofy smile, admiring her gown.
Seifer, noticing Irvine's expression, rolled his eyes and smiled. Those two should be the mascots for Garden. They're like human caricatures.
Once Selphie reached the midway point, Irvine started marching toward her. When he reached her, she took his arm excitedly, and he whispered something at her. She covered her mouth, but wasn't able to silence her giggles.
"I don't even want to know what he just said to her," said Squall.
"Likewise," said Seifer. Knowing him, it was either something sickeningly mushy or too dirty to be said out loud in public.
As Irvine and Selphie passed them, she winked at Seifer. Squall turned back to Seifer and said, "I forgot to tell you, there's a lot of winking that goes on at a wedding. I've never figured out why."
Seifer chuckled. He remembered being in the back of the Chapel during Squall's wedding, and the funny looks he'd given each of the bridesmaids as they walked past him.
The white curtain opened a third time. Out marched Rinoa, her hair curled and teased like none had seen before. Squall gasped when he saw this. I...I've never seen her with curly hair! It's kind of...sexy!
I heard that, replied Rinoa in his head.
Am I not allowed to say you're sexy? asked Squall.
Are you saying my hair isn't sexy when it's straight?
What? No, that's not what I meant! I was just saying... Squall tried to find the right words to keep himself out of trouble.
Hee hee hee, said Rinoa. You're too easy.
Seifer watched Squall as he stared at Rinoa. Man, he must be ultra-in love with her to be staring at her like that, thought Seifer. He almost looks like he's talking to her. Must come from being together so long.
Seifer looked away and lost himself in his own thoughts. This is it, Almasy. After today, you can't just think about yourself anymore. Not that you've been doing a whole lot of that lately.
Are we gonna have kids, like Squall and Rinoa? Seifer chewed on his lip. We never even talked about that. But she loves Squall and Rinoa's kid so much and she loves it when I help her baby-sit Alexa. No, I can't be a father. That's not something I'd be good at. I couldn't even look after two grown adults.
He sighed. He acted like he no longer blamed himself for Fujin and Raijin's deaths, but deep inside, he knew it was his foolishness that got them killed. There's no way I could protect a helpless baby.
He snapped out of his trance when the music stopped once again. He looked up at the altar, and saw that Squall and Rinoa had already taken their places with everyone else.
Wake up, Seifer. This is it.
The Wedding March, masterfully rendered on the pipe organ and harpsichord, filled the Chapel. He watched the white curtain at the opposite end of the aisle. The curtain pulled back at either side, and Seifer gasped.
There stood the woman of his dreams. Even though Seifer knew that comparing a woman to an angel was an overused cliché, he couldn't help but think, She is an angel. I must have done something really good to deserve her.
Her honey-colored hair surrounded her head like a halo, spreading its golden light down her shoulders over the back of her gown. And the gown...the purest white he had ever seen. It was as if the gown drew its brilliance from the pure soul wearing it, and projected it for all the world to see.
The only disruption of her bright, pure appearance was the bouquet of red and purple flowers she held in one hand. He didn't really care what kind of flowers they were, but at this moment, they reflected the passion he'd seen in her eyes and in her heart. His bride was a strong woman, yet so delicate in appearance. Once again, she stole his heart. This time, it was from across a crowded chapel.
He finally noticed, in his peripheral vision, that Headmaster Cid was escorting her. Cid must give away every SeeD bride, thought Seifer. Then again, the only SeeD brides have been Selphie, and Quist, who are orphans, and Rinoa, who hates her father. I guess he's the closest thing any of us have had to a real father.
As Cid and Quistis marched down the aisle, Cid looked at Seifer. "He can't believe how beautiful you are," he said quietly to the Instructor. "You know, when I told you to take Seifer under your wing, I didn't necessarily mean this."
Quistis laughed. The quick show of emotion forced out tears that had welled in her eyes. This is the happiest moment of my life. I finally have someone that loves me for who I am, and that I can love back.
Seifer saw her laugh, and smiled. Cid must have told her some joke. He always throws out jokes in serious situations. Maybe that's why everyone likes him so much.
Suddenly, he realized that he needed to start heading toward them; she'd so captivated him that he'd forgotten. He gazed at her, mesmerized, as he made his way down the aisle toward her.
Once he reached Cid and Quistis, he just looked at his bride. She was crying.
"Are you ok?" Seifer asked.
Quistis nodded, flashing a bright grin. "I'm fine."
"Seifer," said Cid. Seifer took his eyes off Quistis for the first time since she'd appeared. Cid was giving him a proud smile, and, if Seifer wasn't mistaken, had a tear in his eye.
"Seifer, I am very proud of you. I want you to take good care of her. You make each other happy."
Seifer nodded, and the men shook hands. "Thank you, sir. I will."
Seifer offered his arm to Quistis, who gladly took it. She gazed at her groom. Seifer, I was so lost before I found you. Let's make it us, together forever.
They continued walking toward the altar, amidst the smiles of their friends. Quistis came to a realization at that moment. The old crew is together again. It's been such a long time. Friendship is such a wonderful thing. Almost as wonderful as true love.
The ceremony itself was rather short. The SeeD Chaplain, John Victor, gave a very concise, yet very moving, sermon on the love between two people and how love was what kept the world alive. Seifer and Quistis gazed at each other throughout almost all of the ceremony, both thanking God that, no matter how cruel fate had been, it had eventually brought them together.
Once they'd reached the end of the ceremony, the couple didn't even wait for the chaplain's permission to kiss. The chaplain merely smiled and said, "I would like to present to you all, my friends, Mister and Missus Almasy-Trepe!"
The crowd roared with applause.
*Hours later that evening, the wedding reception had dwindled down to a handful of people socializing in the Garden Ballroom. As always, Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Selphie, and Irvine would be the last ones to leave. Headmaster Cid and Edea had turned in an hour before, and Quistis and Seifer were on their way to their honeymoon, being flown by Nida in the Ragnarok. Ellone had taken Alexa to a seat in the corner, and both were fast asleep.
Rinoa gazed at her daughter, sleeping on Ellone's lap. "Ellone would make such a good mother," said Rinoa.
Squall nodded. "Wonder if she's seeing anybody in Esthar."
"She's a very pretty, very wonderful woman," said Rinoa. "I can't imagine any man that wouldn't want to be with her."
"Yeah, but she's kinda famous for having the time-travel powers, you know," said Zell. "I'd bet a lot of guys are scared of her."
Rinoa had no answer. Squall squeezed her shoulder. She looked at him, and took his hand in hers.
"Rinny, you okay? I say something wrong?" asked Zell.
"No, Zell," said Rinoa. "I just...feel sorry for her. All the tragedy she's had to live with since she was almost as young as Lexie, and it doesn't look like it'll ever end for her."
"She'll be okay," said Squall. "She's strong, to have made it through all that. Plus, Laguna loves her a lot. Knowing him, he's probably working on getting her blind dates left and right."
Rinoa gave a small laugh. Looking around, she decided to change the subject. "Looks like we're the last ones here. Guess that means we should probably turn in."
Irvine wrapped his arms around Selphie's waist. "Everything turned out great, Sefie."
"Tee hee," giggled Selphie. "It was great, wasn't it? Guess we have to clean up now."
"Nah," said Squall. "Do it in the morning. I'll get the custodians to help out, too. I think it's time we all turned in."
"I hate to disturb them, though," said Rinoa, gesturing toward Ellone and Alexa.
"Ah, why don't we just leave them there? They look comfy enough," said Zell, smirking.
"Yeah, until Lexie wakes up and thinks she can have the leftover cake over there for breakfast," said Rinoa.
"Hey, what's wrong with cake for breakfast?" asked Selphie. "I like cake for breakfast! All that sugar gives me energy!"
Squall coughed. So that explains it.
Rinoa yawned. "Come on, honey. Let's get Lexie and go home. See you guys later!"
The group all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Squall and Rinoa walked up to Alexa and Ellone, and studied them for a second.
It's ironic, thought Squall to Rinoa, before he realized what he was doing.
What is?
Huh? Oh, uh...sorry, replied Squall. I didn't mean to think that out loud.
Well, what did you mean? insisted Rinoa.
Squall sighed. It just kinda popped in my head how Lexie, the second most powerful sorceress in the world, has done what Ultimecia failed to do. Get close to Ellone.
Rinoa sighed. That's not something I really wanted to think about tonight.
Sorry, said Squall. You asked.
Remind me not to ask next time.
Squall wrapped his arms around Rinoa. She shut her eyes, a pained expression on her face. I wonder what the future holds for our daughter. She has some of the power that once existed inside Adel and Ultimecia. I've learned to deal with it, and I was so lucky to have you and Edea to protect me. But, what will happen when Lexie decides to go out on her own? She won't be a child forever.
Squall leaned his head into Rinoa's, and breathed in the scent of her hair. Lavender, so soothing, he thought privately. Then, to his wife, No, she won't be. I think the best we can do is try to give her a normal childhood, but teach her about who she is and what she can do, so she won't be surprised when her abilities manifest themselves. And then just do our best to keep her safe.
Rinoa tilted her head, feeling Squall's warm breath on the back of her neck. Let's take her home, she thought. As Squall released her, she put a hand on Ellone's shoulder. Ellone's eyes opened slowly, and she smiled when she saw Rinoa and Squall standing over her.
"It's way past her bedtime," said Rinoa. "Thanks for watching her."
"No problem," whispered Ellone. "She's really an amazing little girl. I'm glad I get to stay for a few more weeks, so I can see her. And all of you."
"You're welcome to stay as long as you want," said Squall. I want to get to know you again, Sis, he thought.
Rinoa gently lifted her daughter from Ellone's lap, being careful not to wake her. "We're both working tomorrow, but you can see her in Child Care. She'd love to see you."
"I think I will. Thanks."
Rinoa smiled. "Good night, Elle." Squall gave Ellone a smile.
"Good night, guys."
Squall and Rinoa walked out of the ballroom, Rinoa carrying the slumbering Alexa.
We're going to do everything we can to give her a normal life, right, Squall? Not like either of us had, but a normal, happy life, with a mom and a dad. I want her to be happy, Squall.
Squall squeezed her arm. She will be. I promise.
Author's note: I revised the Prologue, and plan to do that same to the first couple chapters. After finishing Chapter 9, I went back and re-read everything, and realized that I could have done much better with it. I hope you like it!