DISCLAIMER: Don't own Final Fantasy IX…that's all.

Tsuki: *hiding behind Zidane* See, I told you it would get better.

Zidane: Yes dear, calm down.

Dagger: I had no doubt in my mind that it would, now get over here Zidane.

Zidane: Yes dear.

Tsuki: *narrows eyes* You're whipped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thobias sighed as he looked out the window, watching as rain bounced off the windowpanes.

"What are you doing Toby?"

"I'm waiting for dad to come home."

"How do you know daddy's coming back?"
"He promised. Dad never breaks his promises."

Brianna stood up, running to her mother who had appeared in the doorway.

"Hey baby, what are you doing?"

"Well I'm playing and Toby is watching the rain while waiting for daddy."

The smile on Dagger's face quickly faded at the mention of Zidane.

"Come on you two, it's time for lunch."

"Yeah food!"

"Come on Thobias."

"But mom...dad isn't back yet."

"He'll be back."

"Okay. What's for lunch anyway?"

"I don't know, why don't we go to the kitchen and see what Quina is cooking up?"

"Yeah the kitchen!"

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Zidane sent Choco off as he entered Alexandria's gates. He trudged his way through the streets, heading for the castle, hands in his pockets. He splashed through the deep puddles, finally reaching the boat dock.

"Evening Master Zidane, to the castle I assume?"

"Yeah."

Zidane boarded the little boat, closing in on his destination.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"Mom may I be excused?"

"Did you finish all of your food?"

"Yes."

"All right then."

Thobias ran off reassuming his position at the window.

"Mommy do you still love daddy?"

"Of course I do."

"Do you think he still loves you?"

"Yes."

"Do you still love Toby and me?"

Dagger put down her fork, sitting up straight. " Brianna, no matter how much your father and me fight we will always love you both."

"Okay mommy."

"Brianna how about you go get one of your books and we can practice your reading."

"Okay!"

"Tobias honey, do you want to join us?"

"No. Still waiting for dad."

Dagger sighed, leaving the room to go join her daughter. Thobias scanned the grounds as he saw the town boat approaching. His tail instantly perked up as he saw his father departing from the small boat.

"Dad's back! He's home!"

Thobias ran to the door, straining to open the huge doors as Zidane slowly pushed them open. He instantly latched to his father's legs, getting wet in the process.

"You came back dad! I knew you would!"

"Of course I did Toby, I promised you."
"Here's your knife."

"How about you keep it, ya know use it to protect yourself."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Wow thanks dad!"

"It's almost time for your nap isn't it?"

"Awww dad."

"Go on. Go get your sister and go take your nap. I'll tell you a story later."

"Okay dad, Bri!"

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Dagger and Brianna looked up as they heard her name echoing down the hall.

"That's Toby mommy."

Dagger stood up and Brianna slid off the bed as Thobias entered the room.

"Come on Bri, it's time for our nap."

"Ewww no."

"Your brother's right Brianna, go on."

"Okay mommy, let's go Toby."

"Strange, I usually have to fight with him to take a nap. Wonder what's gotten into him." Dagger walked over to the window, pulling it shut. "Terrible weather, I hope Zidane's all right. Zidane. I wonder where he is right now."

"I'm right here."
She turned around to see Zidane standing in the doorway, dripping wet. He walked in a little, shutting the door behind him.

"Zidane you're back."

He looked down at his feet, kicking at the floor. Dagger ran over to him, throwing her arms around his neck and softly crying into his shoulder.

"Dagger I'm-"

"I thought I lost you."

"Huh?"

"I thought I lost you, like before at the Iifa Tree. I was afraid you wouldn't come back this time."

Zidane wrapped his arms around her, his tail wrapping around her leg. "It's all right. Besides you couldn't lose me if you tired, you know that."

"I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions, and you're not a bad father and-"

"Shhh, quiet now. It's okay."

Dagger giggled a little, backing away from him. "You're soaking wet."

"Long trip, bad weather."

She walked to the bathroom, coming back with a towel and throwing it over his head.

"Hey!"

"You're cold and wet so dry off and get changed."

"Yeah, I love you too."

"Well you're not so cuddly when you're wet, especially your tail."

"I swear you married me for my tail."

"And various other reasons. By the way Zidy, you did deliver those invitations didn't you?"

"Yup."

%%% %%Two weeks later, a few hours before the party%%%%%

"Dagger..."

"Hush now, I think you look good."

"I feel...frilly..."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Don't look at me like that. You know I'm not used to this, I'm never going to get used to this fancy look."

"Look, I already fixed those pants for your tail."

"There you go with the tail again. I can live with the pants but...can't I change the shirt?"

"No, the shirt matched the pants. I fought with the kids getting them dressed, don't make me fight with you as well."

"I can dress myself."

"Of course you can dear, but please, just wear that."

Zidane walked up behind Dagger, lacing his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. "Please..."

"Fine, whatever, just be presentable."

Zidane smiled, walking into the closet.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"Prince Thobias please keep your shoes on. Princess Brianna don't mess with your hair."

"But this stuff is itchy."

"And the clips pull on my hair."

"Mama, do I have to go?"

"Yes you have to go."

Beatrix sighed as she once again put on Thobias's shoes and fixed Brianna's hair. "I swear you two have you father's sense of clothing comfort."

She gathered up the children. Ushering them out the nursery and down the hall.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Dagger looked her husband over. "I'm impressed."

"See, I told you I can handle dressing myself."

A knock was heard at the door. "Come in."

In came two energetic monkey-tailed twins.

"You look good dad." Thobias turned to his mother, giving her a slight bow and nod. "And you look fabulous mom."

"Yeah mommy, you're pretty."

Dagger picked up Brianna and looked over at Zidane. "Have you been teaching your son flattery again?"

Zidane shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe."

"Come my little monkeys, time to go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dagger: Okay you are forgiven ^_^

Tsuki: *sigh of relief*

Dagger: For the time being that is.

Tsuki: *faint*

Zidane: You killed her...

Dagger: Oh she'll be fine

Zidane: Yeah, sure she will.