The Price of Love

Chapter Six

Squall's POV

The cabin is beautiful. There is a large fireplace in the living room, and the design is flawless. You can tell Rinoa's uncle is really rich.

Uncle on her mom's side, of course. Her father has no siblings. Julia had a brother named Marcus. He got rich off of an inheritance after Julia's death.

We unpack our things, and I grab one of Rinoa's heavier bags to move into another room.

"No, Squall. Put that down. You just got out of the hospital." She says.

"I'm fine. I've got it." I insist as I begin to move the bag.

"No." She comes over to me and takes it, "I don't want you hurting yourself."

I roll my eyes. She is right, but it makes me feel so weak. How am I supposed to protect her if I can't even lift her bags?

She looks at me, noticing my disappointment. "Squall. I just worry, okay? I don't want you getting hurt because of me. That already happened once."

"Because of you? I wasn't hurt because of you, Rinoa."

She shakes her head, "If it wasn't for me, none of this would've happened to you."

She feels guilty. "No, Rinoa. If it wasn't for you, I would have nothing." I take her by the shoulders. "You have saved me in more ways than I can count. You were the only one who could lift me out of the pit I dug for myself. If you weren't here…my life would be horrible. I wouldn't be happy."

She looks at me, surprised, "R…Really?"

"Really."

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I sit on the large couch, in front of a fire we have built in the fireplace. The glow it creates around the room is beautiful.

Rinoa walks in from her room, having finished unpacking. I laugh to myself. It always takes women so long to unpack. She probably brought everything she had with her.

She sits on the couch by me, awkwardly.

"So. What do you think of the cabin?"

I smile, "I like it."

"Good."

Silence. Neither of us know what to say. She feels awkward. For some reason, I don't. I'm watching her face. I love the way the flickering flames cast a glow on her pale skin. She looks almost angellic.

She notices me looking at her. She smiles, "What?"

"Nothing. Just enjoying the view."

She scoots closer to me and leans against me. "Yeah?"

I wrap an arm around her. "Yeah."

"Squall, do you forgive me?"

"For what?"

"For what I said. About breaking up and stuff."

"Of course I do. Can you forgive me? I said some terrible things. I think I was more cruel to you than you were to me. Besides, I needed the wake-up call."

She looks at me, "What do you mean?"

"I was neglecting you, taking you for granted. I should never have let myself do it. You made me realize how much you really mean to me."

She smiles. "You are forgiven, Squall. Can we forget about it? Maybe rekindle some things?"

"Sure. I think things are being rekindled right now."

She takes my free hand and cuddles up close to me. Her touch is so gentle and sweet. It sends an incredible feeling through me.

"Do you feel it?" I ask.

She smiles, "Feel what?"

"You know. That feeling. The sensation that goes through you when we touch."

"You feel it too?" She asks. "Wow. I was wondering if I was imagining it."

"You aren't. Does it feel the same to you?"

"Almost a warmth. A tingling, comforting sensation. Like everything is right, and there is nothing else in the world but us. The pressure in your chest. Like your heart is…I don't know. I almost can't describe it."

I smile, "Yeah. That's the feeling."

"You know, it wasn't a coincidence that this worked out. I don't know if you believe in fate, Squall. I don't entirely believe in it either, but I think this was meant to be."

"Me too."

I kiss her forehead, and she looks up at me, bringing her lips to mine. The softness of her lips is wonderful. It sends shockwaves into every nerve of my body.

She parts her lips from mine, smiling.

"I love you." She whispers.

"I love you." I reply.

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I wake up to the sun shining on me. I feel a strange presence, and look over to see Rinoa sleeping next to me. No, we didn't 'do it'. We just held each other all night. I haven't slept that well in years. Forget sleeping in separate rooms while we're out here. There isn't anyone to be suspicious.

I hate that. Everyone acts like she and I must be knocking boots. It's so stupid. Why can't we just be happy together? It doesn't mean we need to have sex.

She stirs and yawns. Lifting herself up slowly, she stretches. She lays back down and looks at me. "How'd you sleep?"

"Wonderfully. Can we just do this from now on?"

"I don't want it to feel awkward. You know, sexual tension."

"I know. But it doesn't mean we need to do that. I just want to be close to you."

"You're sweet. Not like Seifer was. He was nice to me, but never respected my beliefs about it."

"What are your beliefs?"

She looks into my eyes, "I want to save myself until marriage."

I smile, "That's good."

"Yeah? You aren't disappointed or anything?"

"Not at all. Kind of relieved, actually. It's nice to know I don't have to be pressured into anything."

"Yep."

**************************************************

A wonderful day. She actually got me to play in the snow with her. It was fun. We built a snowman and had a snowball fight.

I'm worn out, but happy. After a wonderful dinner that she prepared, we sit on the couch together.

This is it. And folks, I'm not doing this because of the earlier conversation. It is time. We've been together for awhile now. We're prepared for this.

She is sitting next to me, looking at me.

"Rinoa, I want to talk to you about something."

She lifts an eyebrow and sits up a little. "What is it?"

I take her hand. "Things have been rough lately, but we got through it. I feel like we can take on the world, as long as we're together. I know we're young. Only nineteen, but that doesn't mean we can't feel love. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I want to grow old with you, to have a family with you. I want to take on life together, because I know we'll be happy. You are my happiness. You are my blessing from Heaven, and I won't let you go."

She is smiling, and I can almost see tears coming into her eyes.

I get down off the couch, and get down on one knee, with her hand in mine. She eyes widen in surprise.

"Rinoa, will you do me this honor? I promise to always be there, to treat you like the queen that you are. I will never neglect you again. Please be my bride, Rinoa. Will you marry me?"

I keep a calm face, but inside I'm terrified. What if she says no, it's too early or something? I feel like my heart is in my throat, and like my stomach is doing flip-flops. She's the only person who can do that to me.

Tears start to freely flow down her cheeks.

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Rinoa's POV

Those words, those beautiful words. I can't believe he is saying this to me. The feeling, it's incredible.

I open my mouth to respond, but the words won't come out. I'm too happy to speak.

I can see he's starting to get nervous, he thinks I'm rejecting him.

I nod quickly and my smile widens even more. I throw my arms around him and let him kiss me passionately. I feel him slide the ring onto my finger as we kiss.

"Yes, I will." I manage to choke after we part. "Sorry. I…I couldn't speak."

He smiles, sitting next to me again. "That's okay. I know what you mean."

"You are so understanding. I never have to worry. Maybe we've had some hard times, but we got through it. I'm ready. Ready to spend eternity with you. Squall, you're the love of my life."

He smiles.

Only then do I look at the ring. It is absolutely stunning. I don't know how he managed to buy it. He might be Commander, but with Garden in its recent financial shape, he earns next to nothing.

"Oh Squall. It's so pretty."

"Maybe, but it'll never be able to outshine the one who wears it."

I love how he can say those things.

"Rinoa?" he asks.

"Yes?"

"This isn't because I want to sleep with you or anything. I mean…after this morning. I was planning this for awhile."

I laugh. He's so cute, worrying about that. "I know, sweetie. That never even crossed my mind."

"Good."

"And besides, who says I didn't want to look forward to that?"

His cheeks turn bright red, which makes me giggle even more.

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I wake up by his side. Surprisingly, he's still asleep. He's usually up before anyone.

I'm so happy. We're engaged.

Rinoa Leonhart. It has a nice ring to it.

A/N: The End! Yay! Sorry, I had to make it a little fluffy. I just love that stuff! Thanks for reading, and reviewing!