Disclaimer - These are getting so mind numbing. If I ever inherit Final
Fantasy VIII's rights.....you guys will be the first to know.
Back to the Beginning
The room was simply decorated but still didn't look too plain. Squall figured it was appropriately adorned to Irvine's taste if not Selphie's. It would probably make the wedding guests feel more comfortable as well. He carefully straightened his collar as he leaned against the table behind him. Across the room, Zell swatted at the air in a frustrated frenzy.
"I just don't get it!" Zell exclaimed as he crossed his arms over his chest. Squall stared at him passively as he continued his complaining. "I mean we're his pals, his cronies, we're his two best friends! And who does he pick to be his best man? Why the one and only person who took over his home Garden and then attacked him with it! For crying out loud!" Zell threw his hands up in the air and slumped down in the nearest chair.
Squall continued to stare at him passively.
"You can't honestly tell me that you're cool with Seifer being best man!" Zell looked over at him in disbelief.
Squall shrugged. "It was his decision."
"You're takin' Seifer's side!" Zell jumped up from his chair.
"What?" Squall asked in astonishment.
"Ya heard me," Zell responded quickly. "You're takin' his side!"
"Am not," Squall dismissed him. "When we first met Irvine I basically looked over him and you held some sort of grudge against him."
"So what?" Zell countered. "When he first met Seifer he was attacked by him!"
"Zell."
"What?"
"..."
Zell narrowed his eyes at his now silent friend. "It's just not fair. I mean I figured for sure one of us would be his best man. I just don't see why he picked Seifer. I'm so confused."
"As you should be," An all to familiar voice interrupted their conversation. Zell forced back a groan and turned at the same time as Squall to see Seifer stride through the door. His footsteps created faint creaking noises as he walked across the aging floor. Without a word he leaned over the table Squall was leaning on and picked up a red rose. He deftly pinned it onto his tux and made sure it was secure. Squall looked on silently and then tilted his head at the sight of Toby that wasn't far behind him. Seifer shot the boy a quick glance and then picked up a small pillow from the table. Squall looked at him questioningly and received a smirk in response.
"Hey Little Dude!" Zell called out. Toby looked over at him quickly and grinned. "What're you doing hanging with him? Come over here." Toby took a few steps forward.
"Toby," Seifer spoke. Toby stopped and turned around. "Come on little man," Seifer handed Toby the pillow and walked out of the room. Zell watched in dismay as Toby quickly turned around and followed Seifer.
"He left me," Zell said as his shoulders slumped in defeat. Squall remained silent but didn't try to hide his surprise. "How could he just leave me?" Zell pouted.
"Zell. You really have a knack for the dramatic," Squall stated as he wiped at his glasses and then slipped them on.
________________________________________________________________________
The room echoed with laughter as the girls continued their scheming. Selphie sat down on her parent's couch and covered her face. Her body shook with the fits of laughter her friends had induced.
"Oh poor Squall," Her voice cracked. "He has no idea does he," Her face was bright red.
"Not at all," Rinoa answered in between laughs. "I mean he's looking forward to having the baby but its like pulling teeth to get him to go with me to one of my doctor's appointments. I'm going to have to talk him into going with me to an art gallery or something just so I can turn around and trick him by arriving at a lamaze class," Her voice cracked with laughter.
"That is so awful," Quistis tried to keep her voice even. It took every thing she had to keep from bursting out in laughter.
"He knows nothing about this class," Ellone stated as she covered her mouth with her thin fingers. Rinoa looked up at her with as straight a face as she could muster and shook her head no.
"Are you sure lamaze is a good thing to introduce him to?" Quistis chewed on the tip of a hairpin as she studied Rinoa.
"No not really," Rinoa answered as she poured out her makeup on the table. She took a deep breath.
"MEN," Fujin finally spoke from her place along the wall.
"He's not typical like most men," Rinoa said softly. "He's...he's...um..."
"DIFFERENT," Fujin finished.
"In a good way!" Rinoa tossed a tube of lipstick at her and stuck out her tongue playfully. Fujin caught the flying object and eyed it suspiciously. "That'll match your complexion nicely." Fujin shot her an unsure look. "What?"
Fujin stared at her sternly and then let her arms fall to her side. A smile pulled at her lips. "I have no complexion," She waved the lipstick around and then threw it back.
"So is Zell the kind of boyfriend to surprise you with gifts or is he the type to invite you over to watch sports and then offer you nachos?" Selphie asked to change the subject.
"You're being nosy," Rinoa said under her breath.
"No I'm not," Selphie insisted as she stared at Fujin. "I just can't picture Zell being romantic. I can't really picture him being anything but rambunctious....Come on Fujin. Just tell us just a little bit?"
"NEVER KISS AND TELL," Fujin answered as she frowned at the yellow dress she had to wear.
"No Fujin! Tell us something! Please?" Selphie begged.
"NEGATIVE."
"Roger that," Selphie replied somewhat set back.
"Oh get over it," Quistis teased her. "What are you worried about Fujin's relationships for? You're getting married today."
"So. Its in my nature to be inquisitive," Selphie chimed as she sat up straight.
"Can you even spell that?" Quistis teased.
"Why yes I can. And right now I wish to I-N-Q-U-I-R-E about your L-O- V-E L-I-F-E." Selphie crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
Quistis's jaw dropped. "I, for your information, am too involved with grading papers and training cadets to lead any kind of life outside of my work."
"Mmm hmm, sure. You're keeping him a secret right?" Selphie teased.
"If she is she has her reasons," Ellone piped up. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. She looked to the floor.
"Ooh, someone has a secret boyfriend," Rinoa managed to say before Selphie.
"Who is it?" Selphie asked.
"No one. I didn't say I had one," Ellone looked uneasily at Quistis. "Oh my gosh we are getting nothing done!" Ellone laughed as she blew on her freshly painted nails. "The wedding starts in an hour and a half!"
"Has that much time really passed?" Selphie asked as she looked for a clock.
"AFFIRMATIVE," Fujin stated.
"You guys! We still have to finish doing each other's hair and makeup!" Selphie cried out.
________________________________________________________________________
Laguna watched quietly as last minute adjustments were made to the wedding decorations. From his spot under a generous shade tree he had a perfect view of what was going on at the small church. He leaned against the tree's rough trunk and closed his eyes. A cool breeze stirred his hair and the grass around him. In his hands he cradled one of the best gifts anyone had ever given him. He opened his eyes and glanced down at the book that contained pictures of Squall and Ellone when they were little. He then turned back to her form as she too watched the preparations.
"I should've realized back at Squall's wedding who you were. Its quite interesting that you're the same man that came to my house so long ago looking for a special little girl that wasn't even yours." She smiled warmly. "Speaking of special girls, I think I need to get back to my apartment. I believe mine is still trying to prepare herself for her wedding."
Laguna nodded. "Thanks."
"Anytime," She answered as she walked opposite the church to where Balamb Garden rested on the edge of town. Laguna watched her go for only an instant and then turned back to his newly acquired treasure. Kiros and Ward, who'd been standing not far off joined him. "You know everything that's happened is really quite interesting."
"What are you talking about?" Kiros asked.
"Everything," Laguna jumped up to his feet and looked around. "Us. Our military careers, the cliff incident, Winhill, Balamb Garden," He motioned to the enormous airship less than a mile away. "The first sorceress war that led to the second sorceress war, which altered time and in turn took the second sorceress back to the time of the first war." Kiros and Ward stared at each other blankly. "Don't you guys see the opportunity?" Laguna fumbled in his pocket for a pin and then began scribbling in the back of the book Edea had given him.
"We think you've lost it," Kiros said bluntly.
"Well you're wrong," Laguna assured him. "This would make a fabulous story if someone could present it correctly. I mean, everything we've been through. Our military careers led us to that cliff, that cliff separated us, we were rejoined and went on a quest to find Elle, which by the way landed us in Esthar, thrust us onto the front lines of the first sorceress war, made me the leader of the strongest world power," He took a quick breath, "Which kept me away from Winhill long enough for Squall to be born and sent away without my knowledge that he was even conceived, just so we could meet him just in time to face the second sorceress war, only to defeat her and realize that it was her that transferred her powers Edea Kramer twenty years prior to now, which in turn was fuel for the second war before the first ever ended." Kiros held up a hand to stop him.
"I'm sure whatever it is that you just said will make a great story. How about you just scribble down some notes and write it out so I can read it. Right now however, we have a wedding to attend." Laguna smiled at his friends and then looked down the hill.
"You guys really didn't understand all that? Do I really have to write it all out for you?" At Wards flabbergasted expression Laguna sighed. "Good thing I used to be a journalist."
________________________________________________________________________
The early evening sky was a magnificent illustration of nature's beauty. Irvine and Max stood leaning on the church's fence and stared at the light pink whisps of cirrus that seemed to dance across the dark orange sky. Behind them, on the church's playground equipment, what few children were attending the wedding played together.
"Remember back when our only cares were finding dimes to cash in at the cafe?" Max asked as he leaned against the fence.
Irvine smiled at the memory, "Yup. Things have changed a lot since then."
"Yup," Max answered. "This town's goin' nowhere but down." Irvine turned to look at him. "I used to take pride in the fact that I was content in a borin' little community where I knew I could safely raise my family. But things have been goin' downhill fur a long time now. Since before we were born that's for sure."
"What's your plan?" Irvine asked.
Max leaned on the fence and watched the children. "I don't know yet, but we have to get out of here while we can." Irvine stared at him while he waited for him to continue. "There's hardly anyone left here. A few of the older folk, but that's it. I told myself I'd look after them when they couldn't do it for themselves, but I can't keep my kids here. There's not even an elementary school anymore."
"They closed it down?" Irvine asked.
"Yup. It went a few months ago. There's nuthin' here. It's worse than when Toby and Isaac were just a few weeks old. At least then we could barter with people and walk to the next town to get supplies. Now, there's not even a next town. Not until Winhill."
"That's at least an eight hour drive," Irvine stated.
"My point exactly. We have to get out of here but I don't know how, or to where we'd go. We don't have a vehicle and we can't make it in a big city. I'd go to Winhill, but what if the same happens there?"
"It won't," Irvine stated. Max shot him a questioning look. "Let's just say I know a man who's makin' it a priority to see to it that Winhill is looked after. You should go there."
"Why's that?"
"They have plenty of ancient old buildings that could use some repairs so you'd have work, and the florist would be more than happy that Jenny has a green thumb. There's a few other families with children from what I've seen, and there's a school. A lot of older folk live there, but so do a lot of people our age."
"I don't have the means to get there," Max responded.
"Ya have my truck," Irvine answered.
"What will you drive then?"
"I don't have to," Irvine answered. "Besides, I can afford to get a new truck later on." Max smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
"Anytime," Irvine pulled him into a hug.
"Papa! Papa!" A two small voices called out. Max and Irvine looked down to see Isaac and Toby looking up at them.
"Time to go," Toby grunted as he pulled at Irvine's sleeve. Irvine smiled in response and lifted his son up.
"I guess it is isn't it," He smiled.
Max picked Isaac up as they started towards the church. In the building's doorway, a short little blonde headed girl motioned for them to hurry.
"Hurry up Pa! They're waitin' for ya!" She called out.
Max grinned. "I'm comin' Sierra."
Irvine stepped through the doorway first and looked at the guests that were already there. It was a small congregation, but it still filled the church nonetheless. When Irvine and Max reached their places, Seifer handed Toby his small pillow that held the rings. Irvine cast Squall and Zell a nervous look and then turned his attention to the end of the aisle. Everyone quieted down whenever Ellone began making her way down he aisle. She was followed by Rinoa and then a rather uncomfortable looking Fujin who appeared to be wearing makeup. Quistis was the last of the bridesmaids to make their way down the aisle. At last Selphie stepped into view. Irvine watched as Cid slowly escorted her down the aisle and to his side. Cid raised her veil and kissed her cheek before he shakily placed her hand in Irvine's. With his heart pounding in his chest, Irvine looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back in response as they directed their attention to the holy man standing beside them. As the man began speaking, Irvine stole a peek at the young woman beside him. He had been looking for her for most of his life and now that he had her with him he was never going to leave her side again.
************************************************************************
Ameli Stoncius - Glad you liked the story I created to make Cid and Edea seem like Selphie's parents. That alone took me hours....
element6 - I would love to be able to make a sequel to final fantasy VIII......
aratcorien - The Raijin bit in end of the last chapter was for you. I was originally thinking it would be Seifer.....who was tagging along hoping for a fight.....but then Raijin seemed to fit the situation better. Plus...I love making him give advice.
Dark Topaz - I believe that was an order..... Are you ordering me around? Okay okay...here you go.
Yukari - You reviewed again! :) I try to update every three to four days because I myself hate reading stories that are only updated every month or every other month. I figure if you're going to put a story up, you might as well be curteous to those who read and review it by updating as regularly as possible.
Barrett Machain - *grins broadly* Thank you. The possibility that Cid and Edea were her parents never crossed your mind but the thought that she might be related to Nikki did? *shudders* Okay.... Anyway, I tried to make the Cid and Edea scene feesable. The hardest part was figuring out when Ellone was at the orphanage....and when Edea got on that white SeeD ship.
Verdanii - :) Thank you and here you go. You're such a loyal reviewer. :)
************************************************************************
Well, there's the last chapter. Hope it didn't let you down. This story turned out to be a lot longer and more interesting than originally planned. I guess it didn't turn out too bad if all of you continued reviewing it. :) The epilogue will be up soon....its almost completely typed. Hope you all enjoyed.
Back to the Beginning
The room was simply decorated but still didn't look too plain. Squall figured it was appropriately adorned to Irvine's taste if not Selphie's. It would probably make the wedding guests feel more comfortable as well. He carefully straightened his collar as he leaned against the table behind him. Across the room, Zell swatted at the air in a frustrated frenzy.
"I just don't get it!" Zell exclaimed as he crossed his arms over his chest. Squall stared at him passively as he continued his complaining. "I mean we're his pals, his cronies, we're his two best friends! And who does he pick to be his best man? Why the one and only person who took over his home Garden and then attacked him with it! For crying out loud!" Zell threw his hands up in the air and slumped down in the nearest chair.
Squall continued to stare at him passively.
"You can't honestly tell me that you're cool with Seifer being best man!" Zell looked over at him in disbelief.
Squall shrugged. "It was his decision."
"You're takin' Seifer's side!" Zell jumped up from his chair.
"What?" Squall asked in astonishment.
"Ya heard me," Zell responded quickly. "You're takin' his side!"
"Am not," Squall dismissed him. "When we first met Irvine I basically looked over him and you held some sort of grudge against him."
"So what?" Zell countered. "When he first met Seifer he was attacked by him!"
"Zell."
"What?"
"..."
Zell narrowed his eyes at his now silent friend. "It's just not fair. I mean I figured for sure one of us would be his best man. I just don't see why he picked Seifer. I'm so confused."
"As you should be," An all to familiar voice interrupted their conversation. Zell forced back a groan and turned at the same time as Squall to see Seifer stride through the door. His footsteps created faint creaking noises as he walked across the aging floor. Without a word he leaned over the table Squall was leaning on and picked up a red rose. He deftly pinned it onto his tux and made sure it was secure. Squall looked on silently and then tilted his head at the sight of Toby that wasn't far behind him. Seifer shot the boy a quick glance and then picked up a small pillow from the table. Squall looked at him questioningly and received a smirk in response.
"Hey Little Dude!" Zell called out. Toby looked over at him quickly and grinned. "What're you doing hanging with him? Come over here." Toby took a few steps forward.
"Toby," Seifer spoke. Toby stopped and turned around. "Come on little man," Seifer handed Toby the pillow and walked out of the room. Zell watched in dismay as Toby quickly turned around and followed Seifer.
"He left me," Zell said as his shoulders slumped in defeat. Squall remained silent but didn't try to hide his surprise. "How could he just leave me?" Zell pouted.
"Zell. You really have a knack for the dramatic," Squall stated as he wiped at his glasses and then slipped them on.
________________________________________________________________________
The room echoed with laughter as the girls continued their scheming. Selphie sat down on her parent's couch and covered her face. Her body shook with the fits of laughter her friends had induced.
"Oh poor Squall," Her voice cracked. "He has no idea does he," Her face was bright red.
"Not at all," Rinoa answered in between laughs. "I mean he's looking forward to having the baby but its like pulling teeth to get him to go with me to one of my doctor's appointments. I'm going to have to talk him into going with me to an art gallery or something just so I can turn around and trick him by arriving at a lamaze class," Her voice cracked with laughter.
"That is so awful," Quistis tried to keep her voice even. It took every thing she had to keep from bursting out in laughter.
"He knows nothing about this class," Ellone stated as she covered her mouth with her thin fingers. Rinoa looked up at her with as straight a face as she could muster and shook her head no.
"Are you sure lamaze is a good thing to introduce him to?" Quistis chewed on the tip of a hairpin as she studied Rinoa.
"No not really," Rinoa answered as she poured out her makeup on the table. She took a deep breath.
"MEN," Fujin finally spoke from her place along the wall.
"He's not typical like most men," Rinoa said softly. "He's...he's...um..."
"DIFFERENT," Fujin finished.
"In a good way!" Rinoa tossed a tube of lipstick at her and stuck out her tongue playfully. Fujin caught the flying object and eyed it suspiciously. "That'll match your complexion nicely." Fujin shot her an unsure look. "What?"
Fujin stared at her sternly and then let her arms fall to her side. A smile pulled at her lips. "I have no complexion," She waved the lipstick around and then threw it back.
"So is Zell the kind of boyfriend to surprise you with gifts or is he the type to invite you over to watch sports and then offer you nachos?" Selphie asked to change the subject.
"You're being nosy," Rinoa said under her breath.
"No I'm not," Selphie insisted as she stared at Fujin. "I just can't picture Zell being romantic. I can't really picture him being anything but rambunctious....Come on Fujin. Just tell us just a little bit?"
"NEVER KISS AND TELL," Fujin answered as she frowned at the yellow dress she had to wear.
"No Fujin! Tell us something! Please?" Selphie begged.
"NEGATIVE."
"Roger that," Selphie replied somewhat set back.
"Oh get over it," Quistis teased her. "What are you worried about Fujin's relationships for? You're getting married today."
"So. Its in my nature to be inquisitive," Selphie chimed as she sat up straight.
"Can you even spell that?" Quistis teased.
"Why yes I can. And right now I wish to I-N-Q-U-I-R-E about your L-O- V-E L-I-F-E." Selphie crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
Quistis's jaw dropped. "I, for your information, am too involved with grading papers and training cadets to lead any kind of life outside of my work."
"Mmm hmm, sure. You're keeping him a secret right?" Selphie teased.
"If she is she has her reasons," Ellone piped up. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. She looked to the floor.
"Ooh, someone has a secret boyfriend," Rinoa managed to say before Selphie.
"Who is it?" Selphie asked.
"No one. I didn't say I had one," Ellone looked uneasily at Quistis. "Oh my gosh we are getting nothing done!" Ellone laughed as she blew on her freshly painted nails. "The wedding starts in an hour and a half!"
"Has that much time really passed?" Selphie asked as she looked for a clock.
"AFFIRMATIVE," Fujin stated.
"You guys! We still have to finish doing each other's hair and makeup!" Selphie cried out.
________________________________________________________________________
Laguna watched quietly as last minute adjustments were made to the wedding decorations. From his spot under a generous shade tree he had a perfect view of what was going on at the small church. He leaned against the tree's rough trunk and closed his eyes. A cool breeze stirred his hair and the grass around him. In his hands he cradled one of the best gifts anyone had ever given him. He opened his eyes and glanced down at the book that contained pictures of Squall and Ellone when they were little. He then turned back to her form as she too watched the preparations.
"I should've realized back at Squall's wedding who you were. Its quite interesting that you're the same man that came to my house so long ago looking for a special little girl that wasn't even yours." She smiled warmly. "Speaking of special girls, I think I need to get back to my apartment. I believe mine is still trying to prepare herself for her wedding."
Laguna nodded. "Thanks."
"Anytime," She answered as she walked opposite the church to where Balamb Garden rested on the edge of town. Laguna watched her go for only an instant and then turned back to his newly acquired treasure. Kiros and Ward, who'd been standing not far off joined him. "You know everything that's happened is really quite interesting."
"What are you talking about?" Kiros asked.
"Everything," Laguna jumped up to his feet and looked around. "Us. Our military careers, the cliff incident, Winhill, Balamb Garden," He motioned to the enormous airship less than a mile away. "The first sorceress war that led to the second sorceress war, which altered time and in turn took the second sorceress back to the time of the first war." Kiros and Ward stared at each other blankly. "Don't you guys see the opportunity?" Laguna fumbled in his pocket for a pin and then began scribbling in the back of the book Edea had given him.
"We think you've lost it," Kiros said bluntly.
"Well you're wrong," Laguna assured him. "This would make a fabulous story if someone could present it correctly. I mean, everything we've been through. Our military careers led us to that cliff, that cliff separated us, we were rejoined and went on a quest to find Elle, which by the way landed us in Esthar, thrust us onto the front lines of the first sorceress war, made me the leader of the strongest world power," He took a quick breath, "Which kept me away from Winhill long enough for Squall to be born and sent away without my knowledge that he was even conceived, just so we could meet him just in time to face the second sorceress war, only to defeat her and realize that it was her that transferred her powers Edea Kramer twenty years prior to now, which in turn was fuel for the second war before the first ever ended." Kiros held up a hand to stop him.
"I'm sure whatever it is that you just said will make a great story. How about you just scribble down some notes and write it out so I can read it. Right now however, we have a wedding to attend." Laguna smiled at his friends and then looked down the hill.
"You guys really didn't understand all that? Do I really have to write it all out for you?" At Wards flabbergasted expression Laguna sighed. "Good thing I used to be a journalist."
________________________________________________________________________
The early evening sky was a magnificent illustration of nature's beauty. Irvine and Max stood leaning on the church's fence and stared at the light pink whisps of cirrus that seemed to dance across the dark orange sky. Behind them, on the church's playground equipment, what few children were attending the wedding played together.
"Remember back when our only cares were finding dimes to cash in at the cafe?" Max asked as he leaned against the fence.
Irvine smiled at the memory, "Yup. Things have changed a lot since then."
"Yup," Max answered. "This town's goin' nowhere but down." Irvine turned to look at him. "I used to take pride in the fact that I was content in a borin' little community where I knew I could safely raise my family. But things have been goin' downhill fur a long time now. Since before we were born that's for sure."
"What's your plan?" Irvine asked.
Max leaned on the fence and watched the children. "I don't know yet, but we have to get out of here while we can." Irvine stared at him while he waited for him to continue. "There's hardly anyone left here. A few of the older folk, but that's it. I told myself I'd look after them when they couldn't do it for themselves, but I can't keep my kids here. There's not even an elementary school anymore."
"They closed it down?" Irvine asked.
"Yup. It went a few months ago. There's nuthin' here. It's worse than when Toby and Isaac were just a few weeks old. At least then we could barter with people and walk to the next town to get supplies. Now, there's not even a next town. Not until Winhill."
"That's at least an eight hour drive," Irvine stated.
"My point exactly. We have to get out of here but I don't know how, or to where we'd go. We don't have a vehicle and we can't make it in a big city. I'd go to Winhill, but what if the same happens there?"
"It won't," Irvine stated. Max shot him a questioning look. "Let's just say I know a man who's makin' it a priority to see to it that Winhill is looked after. You should go there."
"Why's that?"
"They have plenty of ancient old buildings that could use some repairs so you'd have work, and the florist would be more than happy that Jenny has a green thumb. There's a few other families with children from what I've seen, and there's a school. A lot of older folk live there, but so do a lot of people our age."
"I don't have the means to get there," Max responded.
"Ya have my truck," Irvine answered.
"What will you drive then?"
"I don't have to," Irvine answered. "Besides, I can afford to get a new truck later on." Max smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
"Anytime," Irvine pulled him into a hug.
"Papa! Papa!" A two small voices called out. Max and Irvine looked down to see Isaac and Toby looking up at them.
"Time to go," Toby grunted as he pulled at Irvine's sleeve. Irvine smiled in response and lifted his son up.
"I guess it is isn't it," He smiled.
Max picked Isaac up as they started towards the church. In the building's doorway, a short little blonde headed girl motioned for them to hurry.
"Hurry up Pa! They're waitin' for ya!" She called out.
Max grinned. "I'm comin' Sierra."
Irvine stepped through the doorway first and looked at the guests that were already there. It was a small congregation, but it still filled the church nonetheless. When Irvine and Max reached their places, Seifer handed Toby his small pillow that held the rings. Irvine cast Squall and Zell a nervous look and then turned his attention to the end of the aisle. Everyone quieted down whenever Ellone began making her way down he aisle. She was followed by Rinoa and then a rather uncomfortable looking Fujin who appeared to be wearing makeup. Quistis was the last of the bridesmaids to make their way down the aisle. At last Selphie stepped into view. Irvine watched as Cid slowly escorted her down the aisle and to his side. Cid raised her veil and kissed her cheek before he shakily placed her hand in Irvine's. With his heart pounding in his chest, Irvine looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back in response as they directed their attention to the holy man standing beside them. As the man began speaking, Irvine stole a peek at the young woman beside him. He had been looking for her for most of his life and now that he had her with him he was never going to leave her side again.
************************************************************************
Ameli Stoncius - Glad you liked the story I created to make Cid and Edea seem like Selphie's parents. That alone took me hours....
element6 - I would love to be able to make a sequel to final fantasy VIII......
aratcorien - The Raijin bit in end of the last chapter was for you. I was originally thinking it would be Seifer.....who was tagging along hoping for a fight.....but then Raijin seemed to fit the situation better. Plus...I love making him give advice.
Dark Topaz - I believe that was an order..... Are you ordering me around? Okay okay...here you go.
Yukari - You reviewed again! :) I try to update every three to four days because I myself hate reading stories that are only updated every month or every other month. I figure if you're going to put a story up, you might as well be curteous to those who read and review it by updating as regularly as possible.
Barrett Machain - *grins broadly* Thank you. The possibility that Cid and Edea were her parents never crossed your mind but the thought that she might be related to Nikki did? *shudders* Okay.... Anyway, I tried to make the Cid and Edea scene feesable. The hardest part was figuring out when Ellone was at the orphanage....and when Edea got on that white SeeD ship.
Verdanii - :) Thank you and here you go. You're such a loyal reviewer. :)
************************************************************************
Well, there's the last chapter. Hope it didn't let you down. This story turned out to be a lot longer and more interesting than originally planned. I guess it didn't turn out too bad if all of you continued reviewing it. :) The epilogue will be up soon....its almost completely typed. Hope you all enjoyed.
