Disclaimer: I got an Auron statue today. It's mine, all mine I tell thee! But ff8 is not.
~*Chapter 17*~
Selphie lay on the bed, a film of sweat covering her naked body. Irvine was away getting some ice and she smiled at the ring on her finger. "Mrs Selphie Kinneas. Hmmm. Sounds good." A timid knock at the door disturbed her thoughts and she threw on a robe.
She called through the door, "Irvy?"
A woman's soft voice replied, somewhat muffled by the heavy metal door. "Selphie dear? It's me."
Selphie squeaked and made herself decent before opening the door to face Edea.
"All is well then I see?" Edea teased, Selphie blushed and held the robe to her body tighter.
"Hi Matron. I'm sorry it's not so tidy, but…"
Edea waved off her apologies, "No need child. It's a flying visit only. I have a letter that must be delivered to you before this night is over." She kissed the girl on the cheek and discretely placed a folded letter in Selphie's hand before leaving silently.
She sat heavily on the bed and turned the letter over. A faint perfume radiated from the envelope and finally she couldn't wait any longer. She opened the letter carefully and studied the handwriting. A lazy, sloping looped script covered the page, much like her own and she gasped. She began to read, tears filling her eyes.
My darling child,
How I wish I could be there with you on this the most special of days. Life is not fair and I rail against the fates daily for cursing me to never be there to see you grow into the fine young woman I know you are. Selphie, the one thing you must know and keep in your heart always is that you were loved. You were our ray of sunshine in our darkest days.
I look at you now sleeping in your crib and my heart aches to know that these are my last few precious hours with you. This is not through choice. Your father, a great and noble man by the name of Jaren Tilmitt was killed during the Sorceress wars; the hand of Adel struck him down herself. He was so proud of you. The last thing he said was to make sure that you didn't forget your daddy, because he was going to bring you home the best toy he could find. He loved you so.
I will leave you in the care of Edea and Cid Kramer. They seem like good people and I've heard nothing but good reports about them. The children there are about your age. I hope you were happy there. Oh! I never told you about myself. Obviously, I'm your mother. You're just starting to talk; you're such a fast learner! You call me "Marmy" with that sunny smile. Never lose your sunny disposition Selphie. It draws people to you, that and your beauty and intelligence.
My name is Alexia Tilmitt, formerly Jepson. I met your father when we were both 17 in Galbadia's army. We fell in love and…well, the rest is history, and you were the result. I'm not with you now, not because I don't love you or didn't want you. I'm not there because I'm dead. It hurts to write this. I only have a few hours left; the disease has overtaken my body. It is not hereditary my darling so worry not. The army infected me; I'm just another experiment to them now. It matter's not that I have a child, a family I love. I pray you were not affected in the womb, but you seem well.
I asked a favour of Edea when I made the arrangements to enrol you at the orphanage. I asked her to give you this letter as well as my own mother's pendant, a gift to me on my own wedding day to let you know of your lineage on yours. It seemed fitting. I know that the man that you have entrusted with your heart will be a man of honour, faithful and true. A man who will believe the sun rises and sets with you. A man who loves you more than life. Whoever he is, as long as you love him and he loves you, you have your parents blessing. We are proud to have him as our son.
Edea has arrived and so I must finish this, my end draws closer still. I have another present for you when your first born has arrived into the light. Edea will convey this also. Take your time, enjoy life. Kiss joy as it flies. Life is fleeting; we are but a brief moment in time, a speck on the fabric of existence. Make the most of this time you have, fill it with love and friends. Heed my words my darling, I will be watching over you.
I will always be your mother.
My love always,
Marmy
Selphie pressed the letter close to her chest and sobbed silently. Composing herself, she filed the letter away in her keepsake box. The door opened and Irvine strolled in, pecking her forehead before noticing her red rimmed eyes.
"Sefie? Baby? What's wrong? I thought you were happy. You're not regretting this, are you?"
She giggled in spite of her tears and kissed his lips, salt mingling with his sweet taste. "Of course not! I'm not sad, I'm…happy. Matron brought me a letter my birth mother had written for me right before her death. I feel at peace now. It's nice."
He held her silently and kissed her. He understood.
~*~*~
The scene of the wedding reception played on a loop and the boy sat glued to it, looking at the smiling faces and hating every one of them with a burning passion. The black clad man walked into the small room the boy had progressed to from the cell for good behaviour.
He gestured to the screen. "You see that? They are celebrating your mother's death. They are rejoicing in your incarceration."
"I want to kill them all." The boy spoke with ice in his words.
"You can and you will. But you must first infiltrate them. They will recognise you as another and you must carry on that pretence perpetrated by them. But you must keep their friendship, lure them into a false sense of security. This one especially."
He gestured to a picture of a young woman smiling in a yellow gown. "You must pretend to love her. Once they are comfortable…crush them. Show no mercy."
The boy nodded, "It will be hard." He faltered.
The man struck him across the face, sending him sprawling across the room, hitting his head hard against the wall. "Insolent boy! You dare to question my plans? My intelligence?" He screamed at the boy, making him cower and hide his head.
"No master! I meant, it will be hard for me to hide my hatred, but I will do it for you, my father."
The man quietened, placated by the boy's words. "Very well. Prepare yourself, my son. The time for revenge draws near."
~*~*~
"Can I open them yet?" She giggled pulling at the blindfold.
He growled lightly and relented. "Ok. Open them."
She removed the blindfold to find herself in a large, airy room. The only source of light was tiny candles dotted around the room, sending shafts of iridescent floating up toward the ceiling. Plain, white cotton curtains stirred in the faint breeze blowing in from the balcony that overlooked the stars reflected in the cool waters of the ocean. A comfy looking cream couch blended in with the neutral walls, giving the room a homey feel.
Off to the left, a door lead to a bedroom containing a king-size bed covered with crisp linen and beech furniture. Her trinkets adorned various surfaces and make-ups and perfumes littered the dressing table. The final room was a small bathroom, decorated like the rest of the flat in warm cream and wooden floors. A powerful shower dominated the room and a glass shelf above the sink had more of the tiny candles. The whole flat was bathed in the soft light, meaning the last thing she noticed were the white petals crunching underfoot. She let out a squeal of delight and hugged Squall.
"Is this what I think it is?" Rinoa squeaked.
"Well, there's a set of keys for you and one for me, so…" He pretended to mull it over, and she gasped.
"You meany! Hyne, our own flat! You and me! You have no idea how much I love you!" She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled her head into his chest.
He kissed the top of her head and returned the embrace. "I love you too. Bedtime? We've got a long day tomorrow, I'm taking you out for the day before we get caught up in preparing to chaperone the SeeD exam."
"Where?" She looked at him, her head cocked to one side.
"It's a secret, a surprise."
She pouted and walked over to the bed, grumbling. "You're just full of surprises now aren't you?"
He blew out the candle at the side of the bed so she could not see the smirk on his face. "Well, you won't be expecting this one!" He thought, as he drifted off to sleep with Rinoa wrapped in his arms.
A/N: The title of this chapter, "Kiss joy as it flies" is from a William Blake poem.
