Disclaimer: I might not own Final Fantasy VIII, but I own Toby!
Author's notes-I'll keep this brief because I really don't feel good.
"..." represent spoken words
'...' represent thoughts
~*~*~*~ is a jump in time
______ change in character pov or situation
Fall's Omens
Quistis sat cross-legged on the fuzzy rug in the middle of Selphie's floor. She watched as Toby went through whatever he could find.
"I think we're going to go out this afternoon on a picnic," Selphie said as she combed Quistis' hair back. "Do you think its still warm enough?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Quistis asked as she silently winced at how roughly Selphie pulled at a knot.
"I mean its fall, and I don't want to get Toby sick or anything."
"Toby will be fine. We're at Balamb and the temperature's still in the eighties," Quistis said as she watched Toby tug at the robe that was draped over a chair. The pale yellow garment fell on top of his head. She muffled a laugh as he fought to get out from under it and reappeared with hair standing on end.
"I guess you are right," Selphie said from behind her. "Think Irvine will like it?"
Quistis smiled from her seat on the floor and rested her arms on her knees. Toby walked over with the robe dragging behind him and laid it in her lap. She watched him as he bent down and stumbled as he tried to pick up a pair of fuzzy slippers. He succeeded in getting one and handed it to Quistis as he hurried back to the other and sat down beside it. "I'm sure he will."
"I hope so," Selphie ran the comb through Quistis' long hair one last time as she proceeded to separate it and twist it into braids. "I don't know. He's been really stressed lately. Mainly because of the exam's coming up. Do you think he'll do all right?"
"He'll do fine," Quistis answered. "He may gripe and complain about learning it all but he knows what he's doing."
Across the room Toby stuck one hand in the slipper and stroked its fuzzy exterior with his other hand. He then stood unsteadily and walked over to Selphie's side. "Mama mamama....," He sang as he watched what she was doing to Quistis' hair. Quistis tried to look down at him quickly.
Selphie turned her head forewords again. "Look straight ahead or else the braid will be crooked."
"Did he just call you his mother?" Quistis asked.
"Yeah," Selphie smiled at her answer. "He sure did."
________________________________________________________________________
Irvine followed Zell through the maze of small shops in Balamb. He was astonished that these shops were so crowded, much less actually there.
"Why didn't I see all these shops last time I was here?" Irvine asked.
"Its an end of summer thing," Zell answered as he pulled Irvine over to another food stand. "Its a small festival that we have to signify the start of fall." Irvine grimaced as he noticed the mass amount of candy Zell had already purchased and was putting it in a cardboard box.
"That's why you're so hyper," Irvine said to himself.
Zell grinned goofily. "Oh yeah." Irvine watched in disbelief as Zell bought some more candy from another vender.
"Don't ya have enough?" Irvine asked as he watched his blonde friend in disbelief.
Zell took on a serious tone. "Didn't you know that Balamb is not only the metal forging capital of the world but also the hand made candy capital?" Irvine gave him a funny grin as he shook his head. "This is the only time of the year you can purchase this much candy at such a low price." Zell waved to the salesman as he lifted his two boxes from the ground and lead Irvine towards his house. Irvine stopped at a clothing booth. "Hey yo!" Zell called to him. "What're you doing?"
"I'm lookin' at somethin'," Irvine answered as he examined an article of clothing lying on a table.
"That's cool. I'll just drop these off with Ma and be right back." Irvine waved to acknowledge he heard him and then lifted the emerald dress to better look at it. "Ya don't by any chance have this here dress in a size six do ya?"
The lady behind the dress looked up and smiled. "We have one just a tad duller than that. Would you like to see it?" Irvine nodded and waited while the lady thumbed through a few hanging garments before she pulled out the dress. "Here you go."
"Thank ya ma'am," Irvine said as he looked over the garment and tried to decided whether or not Selphie would like it. His gaze then shifted over to a few of the toddler outfits. "Ma'am?" The lady behind the makeshift counter looked up. "I'll take this dress and these two outfits."
"All right," She smiled as she checked their prices. "That'll be one hundred and seventy-six gil." Irvine dug in his wallet and pulled out the money. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Irvine answered as he waited for her to finish placing the articles of clothing in a plastic bag. Once he had his purchase in his hands, he started for Zell's house. He slid in-between the mobs of travelers that had obviously came to Balamb for this one event and finally found the main road. He trotted past the blacksmith's and the weapon's supplier and stopped just short of Zell's house. It was a nice sunny day, and the shadow beside him told him what he already knew. He was being followed. He knew he had been for most of the morning.
"Nice dress," She said sarcastically. Irvine turned around and faced her. "But that's a bit small for me isn't it. You know I'm a size 8."
Irvine sighed. "Nikki, just tell me what you want so I can leave." She looked hurt as she closed the gap between them.
"I just want to see our baby," She crossed her arms as she stepped a little closer. "Maybe even make amends with his Daddy." He stiffened and then took a step back whenever she ran her hands along his shoulders.
He shrugged her off. "No Nikki." She stood shocked and searched him for an answer. "Leave my family alone."
"Your family?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around herself. "So you've found someone else willing to raise our baby." The wind blew her red hair wildly around her pale face. She looked around uncertainly before everything fell into place. "The brunette in the dorm room. That was her."
Irvine squinted at the rays of sunlight that had slipped under his hat's brim. "Yeah. Don't give her any trouble." Nikki tossed her arms out.
"What?" She rolled her light green eyes as she stepped towards him. "You're the one bein' difficult. I'm not the trouble maker here."
Irvine shook his head. "Look, ya had your chance."
"I had my chance," She laughed aloud as she kept constant eye contact with him. "I had no chance!" Irvine noticed that a few people were beginning to take notice of them and wanted nothing more than to end the conversation. He could only imagine the tabloids. He stopped at that thought.
"Ya didn't want him so I have sole custody now. I tried to get ya to come see him right before his first birthday, but ya weren't interested. Your chance is up."
"I know about old man Kinneas," She took hold of the unbuttoned collar on his shirt and ran her fingers along the fabric. "I've known for a while. Actually, I've known since it happened."
"So you wait 'til now?" Irvine tilted his head to the side thankful he'd had that talk with Cid. "That doesn't fit."
"Listen Papa, if you want to keep your baby.." He cut her off by raising a hand.
"Don't even start," For the first time in months Irvine began to raise his voice. "Ya didn't want him when ya first found out we were havin' him so I took him. Ya wanted nuthin' to do with him, so he's grown up without knowin' who ya are. I gave ya the chance to come back and be a part of his life but ya weren't interested. Its funny how things have changed since every other firearm company is trying to sign contracts with me and nearly every living soul at least knows there was a sharp shooter on the Ultimecia team."
She narrowed her eyes and looked him over. "Look, I came here wantin' to see our baby and to make things right with his father."
"No ya didn't," Irvine snorted lightly. "Ya came here when ya thought ya might be able to benefit from it. Ya really want to make things right? Then leave now and never bother me nor my family again."
She looked taken aback but still didn't back down. "You forget that in the old man's absence the baby's mine." About the same time she finished her sentence, Zell walked up. He froze in his steps unsure of how to act in the situation.
"The baby?" Irvine tossed Zell his bag and crossed his arms. "You don't even know his name. I'm not really that surprised." She crossed her arms and stepped closer to him. "And just for your information, Darlin', ya can't touch Toby. Ya see, I still have one of my guardians. And in a month and a half I'll be eighteen. Now, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
She narrowed her eyes further and then punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. "Don't ever call me Darlin' again."
Irvine looked up at her from where he lay and grinned. He dusted himself off as he stood and nodded. "Whatever ya say Sweetheart," He countered sarcastically. She started to say something but opted against it and then turned and left. With her gone Irvine massaged his temples and then wiped his hand across his cheek. "At least that's over with," He shrugged and smiled at Zell as he picked up his hat.
~*~*~*~
Selphie giggled uncontrollably as Irvine stumbled around in front of her. In Irvine's arms it appeared as if Toby were enjoying the walk even more. Selphie finally stopped Irvine at the spot she'd picked out on top of the hill and untied his blind fold.
"Tada!" She swung her arms out to motion towards the picnic setup. Irvine smiled in surprise as he sat down with Toby on the blanket. Selphie quickly joined her two guys and happily sat so that her new dress laid flatly across her lap. "I really hope you guys are hungry!"
Irvine watched as Selphie barely raised the lid to the basket, and indulged Toby as he tried to peer inside. He smiled as he wrapped an arm around her waist and then quickly opened the basket. Toby immediately began to lean in for the bowl of mashed potatoes. "Hang on there buddy. Let me get that." Irvine pulled out the sandwiches and then the mashed potatoes for Toby. "Don't that look good!" He exaggerated as his son sat down and reached for the bowl. "Ya do realize he's going to end up wearing that."
Selphie looked at the little boy who was sticking his fingers in the soft food and managing to get some of it in his mouth. "I should of brought the bigger bib." She smiled as she leaned against him.
"Ya sure should've." He smiled. Know what?" He asked as he kissed her forehead.
"What?" She asked as she handed him his lunch.
"I'm really glad your here for me...I love ya."
"I know," She smiled and then pulled him into a kiss. "I love you too." Toby, with his impeccable timing, chose that moment to reach out and try and get Irvine's attention. Naturally Irvine jumped at the soggy, warm sensation running down his cheek and turned quickly to see Toby laughing as he put his potato covered fingers back in his mouth.
************************************************************************
There's chapter 9. I apologize for not having the shout outs this time around. I'm still feeling ill and I really just want to go to sleep. I do appreciate all of your reviews and I'll try and have them back in the next chapter. As far as requests for the next story goes: I'm still open to anyone that would like to vote. So far Zell and Fujin are beating Quistis and Nida by one. I'll continue to take votes up until the end of this story.
Thanks for reading. If you've been reviewing since the beginning, I love ya. If you've been reviewing since Darkened Ice, I really love ya! And if your new, I still love ya! Anyway, please review. Pretty please. I'm doing this to make you guys happy even though I feel really bad.
Author's notes-I'll keep this brief because I really don't feel good.
"..." represent spoken words
'...' represent thoughts
~*~*~*~ is a jump in time
______ change in character pov or situation
Fall's Omens
Quistis sat cross-legged on the fuzzy rug in the middle of Selphie's floor. She watched as Toby went through whatever he could find.
"I think we're going to go out this afternoon on a picnic," Selphie said as she combed Quistis' hair back. "Do you think its still warm enough?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Quistis asked as she silently winced at how roughly Selphie pulled at a knot.
"I mean its fall, and I don't want to get Toby sick or anything."
"Toby will be fine. We're at Balamb and the temperature's still in the eighties," Quistis said as she watched Toby tug at the robe that was draped over a chair. The pale yellow garment fell on top of his head. She muffled a laugh as he fought to get out from under it and reappeared with hair standing on end.
"I guess you are right," Selphie said from behind her. "Think Irvine will like it?"
Quistis smiled from her seat on the floor and rested her arms on her knees. Toby walked over with the robe dragging behind him and laid it in her lap. She watched him as he bent down and stumbled as he tried to pick up a pair of fuzzy slippers. He succeeded in getting one and handed it to Quistis as he hurried back to the other and sat down beside it. "I'm sure he will."
"I hope so," Selphie ran the comb through Quistis' long hair one last time as she proceeded to separate it and twist it into braids. "I don't know. He's been really stressed lately. Mainly because of the exam's coming up. Do you think he'll do all right?"
"He'll do fine," Quistis answered. "He may gripe and complain about learning it all but he knows what he's doing."
Across the room Toby stuck one hand in the slipper and stroked its fuzzy exterior with his other hand. He then stood unsteadily and walked over to Selphie's side. "Mama mamama....," He sang as he watched what she was doing to Quistis' hair. Quistis tried to look down at him quickly.
Selphie turned her head forewords again. "Look straight ahead or else the braid will be crooked."
"Did he just call you his mother?" Quistis asked.
"Yeah," Selphie smiled at her answer. "He sure did."
________________________________________________________________________
Irvine followed Zell through the maze of small shops in Balamb. He was astonished that these shops were so crowded, much less actually there.
"Why didn't I see all these shops last time I was here?" Irvine asked.
"Its an end of summer thing," Zell answered as he pulled Irvine over to another food stand. "Its a small festival that we have to signify the start of fall." Irvine grimaced as he noticed the mass amount of candy Zell had already purchased and was putting it in a cardboard box.
"That's why you're so hyper," Irvine said to himself.
Zell grinned goofily. "Oh yeah." Irvine watched in disbelief as Zell bought some more candy from another vender.
"Don't ya have enough?" Irvine asked as he watched his blonde friend in disbelief.
Zell took on a serious tone. "Didn't you know that Balamb is not only the metal forging capital of the world but also the hand made candy capital?" Irvine gave him a funny grin as he shook his head. "This is the only time of the year you can purchase this much candy at such a low price." Zell waved to the salesman as he lifted his two boxes from the ground and lead Irvine towards his house. Irvine stopped at a clothing booth. "Hey yo!" Zell called to him. "What're you doing?"
"I'm lookin' at somethin'," Irvine answered as he examined an article of clothing lying on a table.
"That's cool. I'll just drop these off with Ma and be right back." Irvine waved to acknowledge he heard him and then lifted the emerald dress to better look at it. "Ya don't by any chance have this here dress in a size six do ya?"
The lady behind the dress looked up and smiled. "We have one just a tad duller than that. Would you like to see it?" Irvine nodded and waited while the lady thumbed through a few hanging garments before she pulled out the dress. "Here you go."
"Thank ya ma'am," Irvine said as he looked over the garment and tried to decided whether or not Selphie would like it. His gaze then shifted over to a few of the toddler outfits. "Ma'am?" The lady behind the makeshift counter looked up. "I'll take this dress and these two outfits."
"All right," She smiled as she checked their prices. "That'll be one hundred and seventy-six gil." Irvine dug in his wallet and pulled out the money. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Irvine answered as he waited for her to finish placing the articles of clothing in a plastic bag. Once he had his purchase in his hands, he started for Zell's house. He slid in-between the mobs of travelers that had obviously came to Balamb for this one event and finally found the main road. He trotted past the blacksmith's and the weapon's supplier and stopped just short of Zell's house. It was a nice sunny day, and the shadow beside him told him what he already knew. He was being followed. He knew he had been for most of the morning.
"Nice dress," She said sarcastically. Irvine turned around and faced her. "But that's a bit small for me isn't it. You know I'm a size 8."
Irvine sighed. "Nikki, just tell me what you want so I can leave." She looked hurt as she closed the gap between them.
"I just want to see our baby," She crossed her arms as she stepped a little closer. "Maybe even make amends with his Daddy." He stiffened and then took a step back whenever she ran her hands along his shoulders.
He shrugged her off. "No Nikki." She stood shocked and searched him for an answer. "Leave my family alone."
"Your family?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around herself. "So you've found someone else willing to raise our baby." The wind blew her red hair wildly around her pale face. She looked around uncertainly before everything fell into place. "The brunette in the dorm room. That was her."
Irvine squinted at the rays of sunlight that had slipped under his hat's brim. "Yeah. Don't give her any trouble." Nikki tossed her arms out.
"What?" She rolled her light green eyes as she stepped towards him. "You're the one bein' difficult. I'm not the trouble maker here."
Irvine shook his head. "Look, ya had your chance."
"I had my chance," She laughed aloud as she kept constant eye contact with him. "I had no chance!" Irvine noticed that a few people were beginning to take notice of them and wanted nothing more than to end the conversation. He could only imagine the tabloids. He stopped at that thought.
"Ya didn't want him so I have sole custody now. I tried to get ya to come see him right before his first birthday, but ya weren't interested. Your chance is up."
"I know about old man Kinneas," She took hold of the unbuttoned collar on his shirt and ran her fingers along the fabric. "I've known for a while. Actually, I've known since it happened."
"So you wait 'til now?" Irvine tilted his head to the side thankful he'd had that talk with Cid. "That doesn't fit."
"Listen Papa, if you want to keep your baby.." He cut her off by raising a hand.
"Don't even start," For the first time in months Irvine began to raise his voice. "Ya didn't want him when ya first found out we were havin' him so I took him. Ya wanted nuthin' to do with him, so he's grown up without knowin' who ya are. I gave ya the chance to come back and be a part of his life but ya weren't interested. Its funny how things have changed since every other firearm company is trying to sign contracts with me and nearly every living soul at least knows there was a sharp shooter on the Ultimecia team."
She narrowed her eyes and looked him over. "Look, I came here wantin' to see our baby and to make things right with his father."
"No ya didn't," Irvine snorted lightly. "Ya came here when ya thought ya might be able to benefit from it. Ya really want to make things right? Then leave now and never bother me nor my family again."
She looked taken aback but still didn't back down. "You forget that in the old man's absence the baby's mine." About the same time she finished her sentence, Zell walked up. He froze in his steps unsure of how to act in the situation.
"The baby?" Irvine tossed Zell his bag and crossed his arms. "You don't even know his name. I'm not really that surprised." She crossed her arms and stepped closer to him. "And just for your information, Darlin', ya can't touch Toby. Ya see, I still have one of my guardians. And in a month and a half I'll be eighteen. Now, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
She narrowed her eyes further and then punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. "Don't ever call me Darlin' again."
Irvine looked up at her from where he lay and grinned. He dusted himself off as he stood and nodded. "Whatever ya say Sweetheart," He countered sarcastically. She started to say something but opted against it and then turned and left. With her gone Irvine massaged his temples and then wiped his hand across his cheek. "At least that's over with," He shrugged and smiled at Zell as he picked up his hat.
~*~*~*~
Selphie giggled uncontrollably as Irvine stumbled around in front of her. In Irvine's arms it appeared as if Toby were enjoying the walk even more. Selphie finally stopped Irvine at the spot she'd picked out on top of the hill and untied his blind fold.
"Tada!" She swung her arms out to motion towards the picnic setup. Irvine smiled in surprise as he sat down with Toby on the blanket. Selphie quickly joined her two guys and happily sat so that her new dress laid flatly across her lap. "I really hope you guys are hungry!"
Irvine watched as Selphie barely raised the lid to the basket, and indulged Toby as he tried to peer inside. He smiled as he wrapped an arm around her waist and then quickly opened the basket. Toby immediately began to lean in for the bowl of mashed potatoes. "Hang on there buddy. Let me get that." Irvine pulled out the sandwiches and then the mashed potatoes for Toby. "Don't that look good!" He exaggerated as his son sat down and reached for the bowl. "Ya do realize he's going to end up wearing that."
Selphie looked at the little boy who was sticking his fingers in the soft food and managing to get some of it in his mouth. "I should of brought the bigger bib." She smiled as she leaned against him.
"Ya sure should've." He smiled. Know what?" He asked as he kissed her forehead.
"What?" She asked as she handed him his lunch.
"I'm really glad your here for me...I love ya."
"I know," She smiled and then pulled him into a kiss. "I love you too." Toby, with his impeccable timing, chose that moment to reach out and try and get Irvine's attention. Naturally Irvine jumped at the soggy, warm sensation running down his cheek and turned quickly to see Toby laughing as he put his potato covered fingers back in his mouth.
************************************************************************
There's chapter 9. I apologize for not having the shout outs this time around. I'm still feeling ill and I really just want to go to sleep. I do appreciate all of your reviews and I'll try and have them back in the next chapter. As far as requests for the next story goes: I'm still open to anyone that would like to vote. So far Zell and Fujin are beating Quistis and Nida by one. I'll continue to take votes up until the end of this story.
Thanks for reading. If you've been reviewing since the beginning, I love ya. If you've been reviewing since Darkened Ice, I really love ya! And if your new, I still love ya! Anyway, please review. Pretty please. I'm doing this to make you guys happy even though I feel really bad.
