Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy 8, hence why this is fan fiction.

~*Chapter 16*~

"Selphie? Calm down!"

Selphie looked up from the brown paper bag she was currently hyperventilating into and choked out, "Can't. Go wrong. Bad feeling! Trip. Laugh."

She gasped for air and Edea smoothed her hair, a comfort she had provided to all her children. "Selphie. Everything will be wonderful. You look stunning. The man you love is waiting for you; he wants to marry you. All your friends and family are here to share your joy on this special day. We all love you and it will go perfectly."

Her calm voice soothed the panicking girl and she crumpled the bag in her small fist. "Really?"

"I promise."

Selphie grinned and stood up, defiantly crushing the paper bag underfoot. The bridesmaids exchanged relieved smiles and looked at the blushing bride. She was beauty itself in her gown, insisting that her hair and make up be left untouched.

Her proclamation earlier that morning had been, "Irvy fell in love with me the way I am. If I turn up with a face of war paint and my hair scraped back he'll run a mile!"

Rinoa hugged her friend, tears glistening in her eyes. "This is it Sefie. You ready?"

Cid entered at that moment, and inhaled sharply at the sight of his "daughter". "Selphie, you look beautiful my dear. Irvine's a very lucky man. Are you ready to go? The quad's packed with all your friends and Irvine's there too, waiting for your grand entrance."

Selphie nodded, for the first time in her life she looked peaceful, serene. This was right. She was sure. This is it. "Well, it's been nice knowing you guy's but Selphie Tilmitt will soon be no more. Make way for Selphie Kinneas! New and improved Selphie!" She done a little twirl on the spot followed by one of her patented "happy dances".

The other women laughed and Quistis fixed a yellow flower in Selphie's hair. "What's this for Quisty?"

She loved it, but she was confused. Quistis had always been of the "flowers in your hair only attract bite bugs, and where the good in that?" school of thought.

"Well, you need something new, so a flower fits that criteria; and it makes you look pretty." Selphie squeezed the air from Quistis as she spoke and gave a little squeal of delight.

Next, Rinoa presented her with a blue piece of lace. Selphie looked at her quizzically; she just giggled and explained. "It's your "something blue"! It's a garter; every bride has to have one so the bridegroom can rip it off with his teeth at the reception. Make's for great photographs!"

She helped Selphie slip it on as Cid turned away, a faint blush colouring his cheeks. Again, Selphie nearly killed Rinoa with her version of thanks. Xu and Fujin approached Selphie cautiously and offered her a small box. Inside were a set of keys and a small note stating, "We need these back!"

"What are these for?"

Fujin and Xu grinned at each other and nodded before turning to Selphie. "They're for the Garden's convertible. It's "something borrowed". We can't have you driving off to your honeymoon in Irvine's old banger!"

Selphie jumped up and down, punching the air. "Woo hoo! You guys are the best!"

"Remember Selphie, Irvine drives, not you. We all know what happened the last time, don't we?" Xu warned. Selphie just grinned and fiddled with the keys, worrying Xu a little.

Finally, Edea pulled Selphie in a warm embrace and kissed her forehead. From around her neck she produced a dainty golden chain, on which hung a small antique pearl. She fastened it around the girl's neck and smiled.

"Matron, I can't take this! It's too much, what if I lose it?" She protested.

"It is yours to lose. It is your "something old". This was amongst your things when you came to me at the orphanage. I decided then that it would be given to you on your wedding day as per your mother's instructions. I have with me the letter she had written to be given to you on this day with me. You may read it after the ceremony my child."

Selphie just smiled, tears threatening to spill over. Edea wiped them away with a deft finger. "No tears darling. This is a happy day, engrave this day onto your senses so it may remain with you forever."

"I love you matron." She whispered.

"As I love you child. Now go. There is another who loves you, and he is waiting patiently for your arrival." Selphie nodded and took the arm proffered by Cid. A deep breath and the door's were flung open, daylight flooding the previously murky room. She stepped out of the gloom, out of her childhood, and into the sun.

~*~*~

"Is she there yet? She picks this one day to be late, women!" Irvine fretted, hand nervously tapping his leg. Squall caught the hand and laid it gently against Irvine's side.

"Stop it. You're making me nervous and it's not even my wedding." Irvine grinned sheepishly and glanced at Zell, who had a glazed over look on his face.

"Zell?" Zell shook his head, clearing away whatever daydream he had been indulging in.

"She here?" He glanced wildly around and being satisfied Selphie was not yet arrived, went back to the same dazed appearance.

"Zell, what are you doing?" Irvine was desperate, the nerves could only be contained so long and he needed conversation to keep his mind off things.

"Well, you said there would be hotdog's at the reception, right? I was just thinking…"

Irvine threw up his hands in defeat, "Do you ever think about anything except hotdog's? Seriously man, it's a scary obsession. You should go see Doc Kadowaki about that."

Zell grinned, "I'll bear that in mind."

Another five minutes passed and even Squall was beginning to feel anxious. She was thirty minutes late. Surely this was not a good sign.

Irvine turned to him, eyes wide. "You don't think she's bailing, do you?"

Squall swept aside his own thoughts and pasted on a smile. "Course not. Just wait it out. Women are always late, especially at their own weddings. It's their thing I guess."

Irvine calmed slightly and glanced back. He did a double take when he saw yellow and black figures approaching. "It's them! Thank Hyne!"

Squall looked up at the sky and thanked his lucky stars, turning around also to watch his friend's approach.

Leading the wedding procession was Edea on the arm of Seifer, he looked dashing and was actually behaving. Weird.

Next came Rinoa on Laguna's arm. Irvine couldn't believe his eyes. From a distance, he would swear Laguna was Squall. The two looked happy in each others company and Squall could see what he and Rinoa looked like to the casual observer. Hyne, I'm a lucky man.

Fujin and Raijin followed up and everyone was surprised to see a smile on Fujin's face. It was rare and unexpected, and she looked quite beautiful minus the permanent scowl. She hadn't even kicked Raijin once today, a miracle in itself.

Xu and Kiros followed closely, looking very cosy and seeming to share a private joke,

Zell nudged Irvine, "You don't reckon they're…"

Irvine elbowed him, "Shhh! She's coming! And no!"

Ward and Nida barred the entrance to the ceremony, looking dapper yet intimidating. No one would dare even think about gate crashing while the man mountain was guarding the door.

Finally came the bride. Irvine had half expected her to run down the aisle dragging Cid behind her, yet here she was walking calmly toward him with the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He was aware his mouth was hanging open, and he looked around to see that the same could be said for the majority of the guests. He closed his mouth and grinned at his approaching bride.

"This is it Selphie. All the best, my dear. Irvine, take care of my daughter." Cid had a tear in his eye as he let Selphie go to her bridegroom.

"I will, I promise."

The ceremony went off without a hitch, Selphie and Irvine had written their own vows and made a few of their guests shed tears openly. Like Rinoa had predicted, once Irvine knew Selphie had a garter on, the first thing he did was to rip it off with his teeth. The scene was ingrained forever on many peoples memories, and even more peoples cameras and camcorders. Selphie was in a fit of hysterical laughter while Irvine grinned madly with the blue lace in his bared teeth.

The reception was one of the best parties ever seen at Garden. Yellow and royal blue decorations adorned the ballroom and hotdog's and alcohol were available in copious amounts. No one could get enough of the newlyweds. Irvine and Selphie both had the idea to shove huge pieces of wedding cake in each others face and the aftermath was hilarious, as Zell put it "Another Irvine and Sefie golden Kodak moment."

Zell nearly choked to death on the three hotdog's he was trying to swallow whole saved only by Quistis and her speedy intervention. Xu and Kiros surprised everyone by kissing openly, yet drunkenly on the dance floor.

"I thought you said there was no way those two could be together?" Zell slurred to Irvine, the combination of alcohol and hotdog's not doing much for his ability to speak.

"Well, guess I was wrong. First time for everything! Mrs Kinneas? Wanna go home?" He winked at his wife and she grinned wickedly.

"Of course! Enjoy the party guys!" With that, she jumped on Irvine's back with a whoop and they set off to their room.

Squall shook his head. "I can't believe she just done that."

Rinoa smiled and waved at the retreating figures, "Why not? You weren't expecting her to give up her favourite mode of transportation now she's a married women were you?"

"I guess not. What do you say we head back? The party's pretty much over. Besides, I have a surprise for you."

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him suspiciously. "Hmmm. Mr. Leonhart thinking up a surprise. This will be interesting. Ok, let me go to my dorm, I need to get a wrap."

He smiled mysteriously, "Whatever."

He put an arm around her shoulder and walked her to her room, barely suppressing his laughter as she got frustrated when her key wouldn't open the door.

"I've only had two glasses of wine. I cannot be that drunk! Squall, you try!" She stamped her foot and pouted.

"Just leave it Rin. Put this on." He handed her his tux jacket and tied a black piece of satin over her eyes.

"What are you doing?" She giggled. He took her hand and led her silently through the halls of the Garden. The scrape of a key opening a lock and she was lead into a room. Squalls voice whispered in her ear, making her skin tingle.

"Keep your eyes closed."