Disclaimer: I own the world, as I now have all the instruments for world domination except a banana (anyone? A little help here people!). I don't, however, own ff8. Decide which is true and which is false, it's a game in a fan fic!
~*Chapter 11*~
Squall brushed the damp hair from her forehead, worried at what could have caused such a violent state in his normally tranquil girlfriend.
"What was that?"
"I…I had a nightmare. I get it sometimes. My mom the night before she died, then the morning I found out she was dead. I think sometimes it was my fault that she died. That if I hadn't wanted that bike so badly, maybe she'd still be here. Maybe I would have had a brother or sister. Maybe my life would have gone in a different direction." Her face was contorted with pain at the hurtful memories.
"Maybes won't change anything Rin. It wasn't your fault. I read what happened, you know yourself. You had nothing to do with it. Do you regret the way your life has turned out? Do you regret meeting me? If all this…stuff hadn't happened to us, it's unlikely we'd have ever met." He was hurting at her speculation, but pride would not let him show it. By attacking her with questions, he made her realise his pain.
"Of course I don't regret anything. I wouldn't change it for the world. I wouldn't change you for anything. I just wish I could've spent more time with her. I know I'm selfish, you never even knew Raine, but…" He bristled at the mention of his mother's name, but relaxed almost immediately.
It was becoming easier for him to talk to her about things she noticed. He chuckled her under the chin and she giggled. He was so like her father, maybe that's why she was so opposed to him to begin with, she mused.
"Well, if I can be the girlfriend of one of the most stubborn men in the world, I'm sure I can be the daughter of the other." The words were hanging in the air between them before she realised it, and she covered her mouth, eyes wide in horror. He just laughed.
"You're right as always Miss Heartilly. And I'm sure that since I'm the boyfriend of the most stubborn woman in the world, I can learn to get along with her equally stubborn father."
An incessant pounding at the door startled the couple and Squall dropped her hand quickly, she hadn't even realised he had it. She pouted a little, but painted her face with her normal bright smile to cover her feelings. An even more bouncy than usual Selphie, if that was even possible, burst into the room, a bashful cowboy and a bemused hand in hand Quistis and Zell trailing after her. Selphie's grin spread from ear to ear and she bounced happily on the spot for no apparent reason. She made no move to tell them why they were all here, contented just to dance and break into spirited laughter every few seconds.
It was Quistis who finally spoke, clearing her throat she announced, "Selphie said she had something important to tell us that couldn't wait. Apparently, we have all got to hear it together."
Her tone was apologetic, she was still feeling bad at holding back Rinoa's departure and now they had intruded on what was obviously a private moment between the two. Squall glanced at her briefly, a look that indicated it was ok and not to worry about it and she nodded gratefully, a smile playing about her lips.
Selphie nodded in agreement, still bouncing and not explaining. Squall's patience began to fray and he prodded her gently. "Selphie? What's so important that couldn't wait?"
She stopped dancing and the grin was replaced by a look that could only be described as pure joy. She regarded her friends warmly and moved to Irvine's side, snuggling into his body as he held her in his arms. Her voice rang out clear as a bell around the room, stunning her friends into shocked silence.
"We're getting married!" She chirruped, Irvine beamed down at his fiancee.
Zell recovered more quickly than the others, though it still took him several seconds. "Say what? The consummate ladies man is settling down? Of his own free will? You ain't pregnant, right Sefie?" He stumbled over the words in his haste to get them out.
Anger flashed in Irvine's eyes, "Don't go disrespecting my woman, Dincht. We're in love, that's why we're getting married."
Zell held his hands up in surrender, "Sorry man. It was just a shock y'know? But it's great news! Who'd have guessed you two would be the first to take the plunge? I always thought it would be this loser asking Rin that would lead the way!" He ruffled Squalls hair; he in return swatted him off like an annoying bug.
The other two women regained their faculties and crowded around Selphie to coo at the ring and ask how romantic the proposal was. The men laughed uneasily. Squall broke the testosterone-induced gridlock and shook Irvine's hand. Zell did the same and it ended in the three of them slapping each other on the back and hugging. When Zell and Irvine started talking about favourite positions, Squall stalked off quietly to the group of crowing women. He came up behind Rinoa silently and nuzzled her ear, narrowly missing a large diamond in his eye as Selphie thrust her hand in his face,
"Look!" she commanded, giggling at the shock registered on his face from such a near miss. He dutifully looked at the ring and found himself surprised that Irvine would have picked something so tasteful. Well, he reasoned, it must be true that still waters run deep. He hugged Selphie and wished her well, catching sight of a wistful looking Rinoa out of the corner of his eye. Was she upset that he hadn't been the first out of their group to ask their other half to marry them? He realised that she was staring out the window, and he looked to see what could be the reason for her nostalgia. Deling loomed ahead. She was afraid, thinking about the coming encounter. He crossed the room and held her wordlessly, deaf to the sounds of his friend's exuberance behind him. She was all that mattered at this moment. She was all that ever mattered.
~*~*~
Rinoa paced the halls of her father's residence, nervously awaiting his arrival. "Always keeping people waiting, it's ridiculous!" She grumbled to no one in particular.
Squall looked on amused; he had never seen her this nervous. "Will you calm down? You're going to give yourself a heart attack at this rate!" He stood in front of her to block her pacing.
She merely paced around him. The doors behind them opened with a creak, and a distinguished man entered the room, the military air surrounding him apparent. He regarded Squall coolly, nodding to acknowledge him, before turning to his daughter.
"You're late, young lady." He stated. It wasn't a challenge, merely a fact.
"So are you." Defiance was apparent in her tone. She softened her face to counteract her sharp retort.
He glanced at Squall again, "I can't say I approve of the company you keep these days Rinoa. At least those bumbling buffoons in the resistance were harmless." He remarked coldly.
She bristled, her face contorted with rage. "You don't know anything about him! All you know is that he's a SeeD."
He interrupted her impatiently, "That's all I need to know."
"Don't you even care that this is the man I love? The man I want to spend the rest of my days with?" She flung the words at him like ammunition and he visibly recoiled.
Rage flared in his eyes, "Is this true Leonhart?" Squall opened his mouth to answer; a look from Caraway told him it would not be wise and he shut it again.
"He'll break your heart. He's no good."
Tears ran freely down Rinoa's face, "You're right, he is no good. He's perfect! He's good, and kind, and gentle. He's saved my life on so many occasion, he protects me!"
"Well, he'd need to wouldn't he? Seeing as it's his fault you were in danger in the first place!" Her father broke in angrily.
"It' not his fault! Don't blame my mistakes on him! You always blame my shortfalls on other people! It was my choice. This is my choice and I choose Squall!" She screamed at him venting her frustration.
"Don't you take that tone with me young lady! By Hyne, what would your mother think?"
"Don't bring mom into this. You can't guilt trip me this time." Squall looked at Rinoa with pride in his eyes. She was finally standing up for herself against her father, she was getting stronger.
Caraway hung his head, defeated. "What are you here for Rinny?" He was weary and it came over in his voice.
"I, I came to…I came to ask I if can be a daughter to you again. If anything should happen, I don't want us to be on bad terms. I wanted to let you know about me and Squall, I respect you enough to not want you to find out from someone else."
Her father looked up at her, seeing his daughter in a new light. She had grown, matured in the past months, probably due to this Leonhart. He was good for her. Squall earned a small amount of grudging respect from the older man.
She continued on, her tone a little gentler, "Did you know I helped to defeat Ultimecia?" He shook his head dumbly, "Well, I did. I helped save the world, Dad."
His eyes brightened at the use of that name, "How? You're a good fighter Rinny, but not nearly as powerful as those who grace the ranks of SeeD."
She hesitated, fearful of his reaction; "I'm pretty good with magic. In fact, I'm excellent with magic. But then, most sorceresses are."
His heart jumped into his throat, "You, you're a sorceress? Then, Leonhart…is your knight…" he rasped.
She merely nodded, her head bowed. He took her in his arms as he had when she was a child, a little hesitantly at first, the embrace growing warmer by the second. She relaxed in his arms, tears staining both fathers and daughters face.
"I love you Rinoa."
She choked, she hadn't heard those words from him in so long, "I love you too."
~*~*~
Rinoa and Caraway had just returned from visiting Julia's grave, a sombre mood prevailed, but father and daughter were together and happy to be so. Both had acknowledged wrongs and mistakes, both had forgiven. Rinoa legs felt like lead, it had been a long day. For once, she merely smiled at Squall, mouthing "Good night" as she made her way heavily to her childhood room. Squall eyed Caraway warily.
"Don't look so worried Leonhart. I'm not quite the ogre you think me to be."
"With all due respect Sir, I'm not worried. I'm just glad to see Rinoa's happy, that you've been reconciled." He chose his words carefully
"I believe you had something to do with that. My daughter loves you; she'd go to the ends of the earth for you. Don't screw it up. If you hurt her, I'll kill you." The tone was friendly, the threat serious.
"I would never hurt her. I love her. Which is part of the reason I wanted this reconciliation. It is partly for my own selfish desires."
"And what would they be exactly?" Caraway looked at him, suspicion clearly written on his face.
"Look sir, I know you haven't known me for long. You're an intelligent man, you know the bond between a sorceress and her knight is strong, easily and quickly forged, impossible to break if it is true. Our bond is true; it was proven after we defeated Ultimecia. I was lost, broken. Dying. Your daughter found me, healed me. She changed me. She saved me, in every way a person can be saved. I want to seal that bond, but I want to do it with your approval. I believe she would have me, with or without your blessing, but I don't want her to regret not having your blessing in later years. I wanted this reconciliation so that I could ask you for your daughters hand."
"You're both so young. Why should I give my blessing to a man I hardly know to marry my daughter who is barely a woman?" He wasn't trying to throw the boy, he had decided he liked him. He did indeed know of the bond he spoke of. He knew their love was true. He wanted the man to prove himself worthy.
"I adore your daughter. I would willingly give my life for her. I know we're young, but life is too precious to waste time waiting. Waiting to live, waiting to die. It makes no difference. In the end, waiting is futile. Every moment is too short, every second is precious. I spent forever and a day without love, shutting myself off from the world. Rinoa changed that, changed me. When you find something this…amazing, you have to grab it with both hands and never let it go. She taught me that, she's taught me so much, so quickly, without even realising it. I don't want to waste anymore more of my life on regret, and I'll regret every second that passes without Rinoa as my wife. Life is too short for that." Squall spoke with a passion that surprised Caraway, and he grinned.
"Well, you convinced me. You remind me of myself, when I was your age."
Squall chuckled quietly, "Yeah, she says that a lot. Apparently we're as bad as each other, too stubborn for our own good. She gets mad at me for that."
"Just like her mother. Don't let her try and browbeat you, I don't think she'd succeed, but it's a bit of friendly advice anyway."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Look after her for me. She said you lost your mother, guess you have a lot in common." Caraway searched the young mans face for a reaction, puzzled when all he found was a tinge of sadness in his smile.
"Yeah. She died giving birth to me. I never knew her. My father was off at war, when he came back he was told I was dead. The villagers didn't like either of us much. That's how I ended up in the orphanage with Cid and Matron. I only found out who my father was last week."
"That must have been hard for you, son. Who is your father?" Caraway was impressed at the dignity Squall had shown. Squall cringed slightly,
"Laguna Loire."
"The President of Esthar? Come to think of it, you do look very alike, I don't know how I never noticed before."
"Well, it's not really something I'd like broadcast." Squall ran a hand through his hair, remembering all of Laguna's "best" moments.
"Wh…" Caraway cut himself off, he compared the son to the father and realised why he may not want the relationship to be common knowledge. The son was quiet and dignified; the father was a loud, bumbling buffoon. Definitely a difference in character. He squeezed the boys shoulder and headed up to bed.
"There's a guest room made up, make yourself at home. Good night, Squall."
Squall watched the retreating figure and shook his head. "So now I'm Squall? Well, better than Leonhart, I suppose." He mumbled. He lay on the couch to gather his thoughts and grinned widely. He had his blessing. He wouldn't ask yet. Soon, but not yet. As he thought of ways to ask her, his eyelids grew heavy. Sleep washed over him and he was soon sprawled on the couch, breathing deeply. Caraway saw the prone figure snoring lightly on the couch and smiled. Placing a blanket over Squall to keep the cold at bay, he made his way back up the stairs with the glass of water he had been down for. Young love must be tiring, he reflected with a chuckle.
