Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 or the song "Always Know Where You Are" by John Rzeznik.
Author's Note: Well, here it is, the last chapter. I had such a great time writing this fic and I just want to thank every single person that reviewed this fic: icedragon6171, SummonerYuna, Squall's angel, Iaya, Aqua Marina, Tracy Winston, digi*girl, Me, myself, and I =), Renegade Seraph, C.G, Z Blade, Chibi Tsuki, Baby Rose, Thunder Of Two Moons, Exhile87, WolfGirl, Diamondflame, XZero6, Mystik Amethyst, Person37, Embodyment of the Inferno, Lady Aliena, Phoenix Blade, The Angel of the Lion, Kayah, James, SilverSwan, MusicFreakCQL21, zktlsc, Chang, spot, Evangelion361, Tiger Eyes, litoblueanjel, krnman, Orian, The Key Bearer, me, Rinoa Leonhart73, Naurwen, Angelwhispher, Lunar-Girl, Tora Zume, Yadda, CTHKSI, Twin Blades, REM, Hiasha, cyrstal-clear-crimson-chik, sam, egwg, Cats eye, Blade, townberry, jkgl, herher, rebekka, Bianka, Tiy Undus, rnrje, Dean Garrison, luna twinkle, Lost Soul, asdf, Shinji-Ikari-2040, Sammy-Chan, Galdrix, Riona, Selphie Tilmitt, Emma, twiglet, Elbart, Meisekiyume, IP, and Mariko (btw, on every chapter I write a disclaimer at the top, where I put the name of the song and the artist...sorry if you didn't see it before). Thank you all so much!
Rhapsody
Chapter 17- Always Know Where You Are
Four Months Later...
"Oh, Rinoa, you look wonderful!" Quistis beamed at her friend.
"Thanks, Quisty. I'm just so nervous!" Rinoa exclaimed.
"Hey, you don't have to be nervous, Rin!" Selphie assured her. "This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life!"
"It is! I'm so happy that I can't contain myself!" Rinoa grinned as she twirled around. "But that doesn't mean that I'm not extremely nervous."
Quistis embraced her friend. "Don't worry. Everything will be over before you know it, and then it will just be him and you."
"Yeah, and then the real party begins!" Selphie teased.
"Selphie!" Rinoa laughed as she sent a pillow flying in her direction.
"We'll leave you alone now, Rin. We better make sure that everything is taken care of." Quistis told her.
"Okay. I guess I'll see you in a little while then."
Quistis and Selphie exited the room, and Rinoa turned to the full length mirror, studying her reflection. She was wearing a long, gorgeous, wedding dress. The top was off the shoulders and had long sleeves, while the rest of the dress was elegant and sophisticated. As soon as she had spotted it in a store window, Rinoa knew it was the dress for her.
Rinoa smiled to herself, finding it hard to believe that today was her wedding day. Squall had proposed to her two months ago, and they had wanted to get married soon. The day he had proposed to her was one that she would never, in a million years, be able to forget. She had been performing at the Star, and the night after she finished her last song, he came up on stage, got down on one knee, and popped the question right there. Needless to say, she didn't have to think twice about saying yes. Her and Squall had definitely come a long way. Their feelings for each other were stronger than ever and they had come to realize that nothing could keep them apart.
As for Seifer, they had received word a few months ago that he was still in jail and in a psychological recovery group. Sadly, he wasn't making much progress and people were starting to say that he was insane. Seifer had even tried to commit suicide, but was found just in time. It was unfortunate, but Rinoa didn't let it bother her. He was the one who had brought it all on himself.
"Rinoa?" There was a knock on the door and then Quistis let herself in. "It's time."
******************************************************************************************
"Hey man, how you feeling? Today's the big day." Irvine grinned.
"You're single days are over." Zell reminded him. "Are you sure you're ready for the commitment, Squall?"
"Now Zell, don't try to talk him out of it. Rinoa's a great girl. If you don't want her, I'll take her."
Squall just shook his head. "I'd worry about Selphie if I were you."
"Selphie's great, but you can never have too many women!" Irvine exclaimed.
"That's exactly why you're never going to get married." Squall told him.
"So, are you nervous?" Zell asked. "I mean, you're going to be married."
"I'm not nervous at all. What's there to be nervous about?" Squall asked.
"You're not nervous at all?" Zell asked incredulously. "Not even the tiniest bit? I find that hard to believe."
"Alright, you really want to know the truth? I'm nervous as hell." Squall admitted.
"It's okay. It's natural to be nervous before your wedding. As long as you know you're doing the right thing, you'll be fine." Irvine assured him.
"I know I'm doing the right thing. Nothing has ever felt more right. I'm so in love with Rinoa...I'm just really afraid that I'll screw up, you know?"
"You screwed up before and that didn't stop you. The truth is, you two have a bond that no one can break. I've seen it, Irvine's see it, hell, we've all seen it. I envy you, man." Zell told him.
"Don't. You'll find someone someday, Zell. When you least expect it, love will be right there, looking you in the face." Squall said sincerely.
"Alright, Squall, you ready?" Irvine asked.
Squall nodded. "Yeah."
"Then let's do this!"
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"One, two, three, four, five..." Rinoa counted as she tried to calm herself down.
"That's right, just breathe, dear." Edea said from behind her. "I just wanted to tell you that you look lovely and I wanted to wish you good luck before you get out there."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kramer. If Squall and I can be half as happy as you and Cid are, then I will truly be blessed."
"Squall adores you, you know." Edea told her.
"I know." Rinoa said as she started to get choked up.
"Now dear, don't cry. You'll ruin your makeup." She smiled. "I'm going to go in there now, okay? You'll be fine." Giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Edea entered the quad, where the ceremony was being held.
The music started up and all eyes turned to the door as Edea walked down the aisle, escorted by Cid. Next, came Quistis, who was being escorted by Zell. Finally, Selphie walked down the aisle, on the arm of Irvine. There was a halt in the music and then the traditional bridal march began to play. Every eye was on Rinoa as she walked through the door on the arm of her father. Their relationship wasn't perfect, but it was definitely getting better. Squall stared at Rinoa from his place at the altar. He was mesmerized by her beauty, and the idea that she was going to be his wife still amazed him.
Having reached the altar, Caraway kissed his daughter, and just before walking away, whispered in her ear. "Your mother would be so proud."
Rinoa smiled, her eyes filled with tears, as she took her place next to Squall at the altar, holding his hands for support. He smiled reassuringly at her even though he was shaking inside. She found herself smiling back, caught up in the warmth of his smile. Any doubts that she had completely vanished.
"You ready?" Squall whispered.
"Yes." Rinoa said confidently.
The priest began, but Rinoa and Squall were barely listening. They were too caught up in the wonder of the moment and of each other. Neither tore their eyes away from the other as they said their "I do's."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest announced.
Squall was so wrapped up in staring at Rinoa that he didn't hear a word that the priest had said.
"Squall?" Rinoa nudged him gently. "You're supposed to kiss me now."
And he did. He kissed her, alright. The most amazing kiss she had ever had.
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"Excuse me everybody!" Selphie shouted from up on the stage. "May I have your attention, please?" The crowded ballroom quieted down and everyone looked towards the stage. "Thank you. I'd like to present Squall Leonhart, who will be singing a special song to his bride. Let's hear it for Squall!" The crowd applauded wildly as Squall took the stage nervously.
"First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for coming here and helping us celebrate. Like Selphie said, I'm going to sing a song for my wife, Rinoa. I wrote this for you and...well, I hope you like it. I love you."
The music started up and Squall started singing:
"It's good to see the sun
And feel this place
This place I never thought would feel like home
And I ran forever
Far away and I
I always thought I'd end up here alone
Somehow
The world has changed and
I've come home
To give you back the things they took from you
And I feel you now
I'm not alone I'll
Always know where you are
When I see myself I'll always
Know where you are
Where you are
And I found something
That was always there
Sometimes it's got to hurt before you feel
But now I'm strong and
I won't kneel
Except to thank who's watching over me
Somehow
I feel so strong and I've begun
To be the one I never thought I'd be
And I feel you now
I'm not alone I'll
Always know where you are
When I see myself I'll
Always know where you are
Where you are
Now, it's all so clear and
I believe
That everything's been opened up to me
And I feel you now
I'm not alone
I always know
I always know where you are
When I see myself I'll
Always know where you are
When I feel the sun I'll
Always know where you are
When I see myself I'll
Always know where you are
Where you are"
Rinoa grinned as Squall finished singing. Who would have thought that Rinoa's singing would rub off on him? She couldn't wait to see what other surprises were in store for them, and they had the rest of their lives to find out. This was their beginning. This was their rhapsody.
Author's Note: Woo-hoo, it's finished! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and this fic, in general. Again, thanks to everyone who stuck with me and encouraged me with their reviews. I love you all!