Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8. Or a banana.
~*Chapter 18*~
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, welcoming Squall back to consciousness with a slight warmth on his cheeks. He glanced at the clock and groaned softly. Six thirty; he was meeting Laguna in ten minutes and he was still entwined in his lovers arms. He carefully removed Rinoa's arms from his torso and replaced his body with that of Angelo. The dog settled happily, nuzzling into her mistress and smiling up at Squall. He shook his head and wondered how he could think a dog could smile. He pointed an accusing finger at Rinoa, mouthing "You!" at her prone frame silently. He dressed quickly and made his way to the cafeteria where he found Laguna sharing a cup of coffee with a hung over Kiros whilst teasing him mercilessly.
"Heh heh! Hey kiddo, did you see this guy last night? And he says I'm the embarrassment!"
Squall's mouth curved at the corners slightly, "Couldn't really miss him, could I? Not while he's molesting one of my best Instructors…"
Kiros groaned and drank deeply from his cup of coffee. "Not you too. Show some respect for your elders Squall."
This time the grin broke through, "I think Xu showed you enough respect for the whole Garden last night."
Laguna stared at his son open mouthed for a second before bursting into uncontrolled laughter. Kiros looked stunned before getting up hastily and muttering about going to find Ward so he could get "Some damn peace."
"You have got to teach me how to do that!" Laguna hooted, "I have never seen Kiros speechless before, that was priceless!"
Squall's usual cool mask was back in place and he simply nodded, "Someday. Where was Elle last night? I thought Selphie had asked her to be a bridesmaid?"
Laguna pulled at his tux collar; he hadn't been to bed that night. The dark circles told their own story. "It was the anniversary of her parents death yesterday. She wanted to be back in Winhill with them, she likes to be alone on that day. Not even I see her. She gets pretty upset."
"You went up there?"
"No. She called, crying. Not a damn thing I could do except listen. I wanted to go get her, but she insisted she stay alone. It's her pilgrimage I guess."
"That's deep coming from you." Squall mused.
"I'm not quite as stupid as you think. Nearly, but not quite." Laguna smiled wryly and Squall blushed.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." Laguna nodded and Squall changed the subject hastily, "Matron said I had to see you."
"Yeah. I get the impression that you're planning something big for Rinoa."
"Uh huh. I asked her father for her hand."
"When are you gonna pop the question?" Laguna leaned forward eagerly like a child impatient to learn.
"Today. I'm heading into Deling first to try and find a ring but…" He hung his head and looked deflated somewhat.
"But what?"
"I don't know what to look for. What if she hates what I get?"
Laguna leaned back in his chair and smirked. Squall scowled at him. "What are you looking so damn happy about? You like to see me struggling?"
Laguna held up his hands in mock surrender and laughed. "No Squall! I can help you. The thing I have to give you…I think you'll like it."
Squall narrowed his eyes and looked at him with suspicion. "What is it?"
He didn't reply. He reached into his inner tux pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch, handing it to the young man with a smile.
Squall tugged at the ties keeping the pouch closed and tipped a cool metallic object into his palm. Cupped in his hand lay a small platinum band, inlaid with a perfect square cut diamond. Engraved inside the ring were the words, Never Forget. He raised a questioning eyebrow at Laguna who went on to explain.
"It was your moms. It was the ring I gave her the night I proposed. When I left to go get Elle she gave me it back. She couldn't wear it then, her fingers were all swollen, but she gave me it so I'd have a piece of her with me."
Squall was turning the ring over in his hands, "The inscription?" He breathed.
"I wanted her to never forget how much I loved her. I wanted her to never forget me." Laguna grinned at the memory of the night he proposed. It had been perfect, but then all the males in his family had been perfectionists.
"Why are you showing me this?"
"I want you to give it to Rinoa. Only if you want to though! If you'd rather find your own I understand." He had hastily corrected his mistake and thanked Hyne.
"It's perfect, I'd be honoured. But, are you sure you want to part with this?" Squall was momentarily worried he'd want it back. Rinoa would love it and he could never find something as perfect as this if he searched the world for eternity.
"I'm sure. I keep my memories up here, not in a trinket." Laguna tapped the side of his head and chuckled. He got up to leave and Squall stood as well. He tried to keep the shock from his face.
"Let me know how it goes Squall, I need to head back to Esthar." Squall nodded and watched his father walk away. He hesitated before calling after the retreating figure.
"Laguna!" He spun round to see Squall running to catch him.
"Yeah?"
Squall held out his hand for his father to shake and held his gaze. Gripping his son's hand tightly, he pumped the limb and was surprised to hear the young man utter the words,
"Thanks…Dad." Squall walked off to prepare the next phase of his plan leaving a bemused Laguna in his wake.
Kiros stalked up behind him and startled him, "That was…unexpected." Laguna nodded vigorously.
"Unpredictable. Like his mother." He turned to face Kiros and was surprised to find a red faced Xu hiding behind his friend. He looked pointedly at Kiros.
"Xu's coming for a vacation to Esthar." He stated defiantly. Laguna nodded, his eyes sparkling in amusement.
"No probs. Remember though Kiros, separate rooms!" He ran off laughing to tell Ward, leaving the two lovebirds in awkward silence.
Kiros cleared his throat nervously, "So…"
Xu smiled weakly, "So…"
"What's good to eat round here?"
She thought for a moment, "Hotdog's?" He looked at her in horror.
"At seven am?" He exclaimed.
"Well, yeah…"
He sighed and a grin tugged at the edges of his mouth, "Sounds…great."
~*~*~
"Come on Rin! The car's got to be back for ten, we can't be late!"
Rinoa stuck out her tongue at his back, hopping on one foot trying to pull her other shoe on. "Yeah, yeah. Keep your shirt on, I'm nearly ready!"
He looked at her in exasperation, "You said that ten minutes ago!"
She smiled sweetly and he threw his hands in the air in defeat. "I give up! Heartilly, you may easily be the most infuriating person in the world."
She planted a soft kiss on his lips and snaked her arms around his waist. "Ah, but you still love me!"
A growl surfaced from the back of his throat and he nuzzled her neck. "Ready?"
She dusted down her blue slip dress and smirked at his impatience. "Well, I dunno…do I look fat in this?"
He looked at her incredulously for a moment before picking her up and swinging her over his shoulder, her tiny fists pummelling at his muscular back.
"Is that a "no" then?"
He shook his head in amusement and dropped her unceremoniously in the seat of the convertible he'd hired for the day. She grinned as he entered the car and turned the keys in the ignition, surprising him with a peck on the cheek. He rubbed his cheek thoughtfully, wishing he'd had time to shave that morning.
"What was that for?" He paused at the junction before roaring off in the direction of Balamb beach.
"Because you're you. I thought we were going into town?" She watched as they whizzed by what she thought was to be their exit and looked at him in confusion.
"Change of plan, we're going to the beach." He looked over at her momentarily and his breath caught in his throat. She looked gorgeous, her hair flying freely in the wind, dancing around her shoulders. She was barefaced, clear of any traces of make up, save a light cherry lip-gloss. She looked free.
"But I'm starving!" She pretended to sulk, crossing her arms like a spoiled child. He gestured to the seat behind her. A wicker picnic basket sat there tantalisingly, beckoning her to open it. She looked at Squall; a small amount of residual shock still registered on her petite features.
"You made a picnic?" He had the good grace to look slightly abashed.
"I bought it in Balamb. Hope you don't mind." She responded by snuggling under his arm, causing him to swerve.
"Sorry, I'll behave. Promise!" She shot him an endearing look and he couldn't help smiling, the rare smile that was reserved for her moments of madness. The moments that reminded him of exactly why he was so in love with her. He indicated to turn off for the beach and tried to steady his nerves. He steeled himself as he brought the car to a halt on the cliff top.
"This is it." He whispered.
