[A/N sob,sob Wah! My fanfic's last chapter... Unless I decide to make an alternate ending for those who were unhappy with this ending. I hope you guys are happy with the way I made things turn out... I bet you're wondering "Does Rinoa come back?" Well... You'll have to see! Mwahaha! Read on! ]

We were back.

Seifer was fine. Quistis was really happy.

"Seifer!" She had run into the room so quickly. A smile quickly spread to her face as she saw Seifer sitting up in the bed and talking to Raijin, not to a wall as he was last time.

"Quistis..." He smiled as well. Quistis ran to him so quickly when she heard her name. She fell into his arms and hugged him tight. I swear, I saw actual tears in her eyes. I've never really seen Quistis cry though.

Laguna... He... he wasn't as lucky.

"Ellone... We did it." I said to her. We were out of time compression and back in the Garden. While Quistis was in the Infirmary with Seifer. I had run to find Ellone and tell her everything. She didn't seem completely happy though.

"I'm glad, Squall." It was late. It was night. We were standing just outside of her room and then I saw something shine. Her eyes. They were bright, sparkling with tears.

"Sis'... What's the matter?" I asked, on guard again. I put my hands on her shoulders and looked at her straight. Immediately the smile disappeared and she let loose a quiet sob.

"Sis'? What is it?!" I said more urgently.

"Squall..." She began softly. I knew then that I wouldn't like what she was about to tell me. "Laguna... I... Some people from Esthar were here just a while ago. They... they had to tell me..." She paused. "Oh, Squall. I didn't want to spoil your celebration so early but... Laguna's dead."

Laguna was dead. Laguna was gone. Rinoa was dead. No, they weren't gone. They were somewhere, someplace. Just not where I could see them.

I blamed myself when I heard about the reasons for Laguna's quick death. Ellone explained everything to me soon enough.

While Area was slowly destroying Laguna and removing him from our lives she had a connection. They were connected.

The moment I killed Area, the connection was destroyed so suddenly that all of Laguna's life's energy... left him. Making him lifeless and... dead.

It's hard for me. I lose my angel. I lose my father. But I still have them. They're still there. I know it. I just have to wait until I find them.

It was two days after the defeat of Area. Laguna's burial was going to be held in a week.

Squall was at the garden in the orphanage.

"Rinoa..." He held the necklace in his hands and smiled. "You saved my life... a lot of times. I guess we're even now."
"I'm still waiting..." He began. "For whenever or if ever you decide... to come find me in the future."

"I'll be here." He finished.

He stared at the beautiful garden where their promise was made. It was beautiful to him again, memories weren't such a bad thing, he had decided. Still, there was an empty space in his heart that pained him. Only Rinoa could fill it up again.

"Laguna..." Squall was struggling to hold back a smile. "I hope Rinoa's surviving with you." He laughed suddenly. He laughed. It felt unfamiliar but strangely comforting. "No, really, I'll miss having you around... I'll miss knowing that my father's here... I..." Squall was unable to finish his sentence but felt he didn't need to. "And don't worry about Esthar. You don't have to. Kiros is on his way to making a fine president."

He stood for a few more seconds just remembering and recalling everything that had happened.

Rinoa... I love you.

After a long moment of staring and remembering he placed the necklace into his pocket and began his way back to the house.

'Squall...' He heard the voice in his head. It was felt so real. An angel. He closed his eyes and he could almost imagine Rinoa with him in that garden.

"Hi, Squall..." He froze.

That voice was real. Was it? Or was he dreaming? Was reality just playing a cruel joke?
He turned around slowly.

No, he wasn't dreaming.

An angel was in front of him. Just a few feet away, she was smiling at him. He didn't need to imagine... She was already there.

"Rinoa...?" He whispered.

The angel nodded. She took a few stepped towards him.

"Are you real...? How...?" He began, still not sure if he should believe what he saw. He wanted to believe but was afraid to wake up and realize everything was a dream.

"Area's magic wasn't perfect, you know." Rinoa said, her smile growing wider. "She may have taken my powers and my life, but not everything."
Squall just kept staring, unsure of everything.

"I was still alive... I was always alive. In spirit. In soul. That's why you always saw me in your dreams and in your thoughts. I couldn't see you in person but I was able to in those ways." She took a few more steps towards him.

"Didn't you feel me helping you along? Like when you collapsed in time compression... I was there. I helped you to wake up." Her eyes began to gleam and filled with tears.

"That was you...? I always thought I was just dreaming." Squall looked at the ground and frowned.

She laughed. It was still a delight for Squall. It was her laughter that confirmed that it truly was Rinoa there with him.

"When you killed Area... My powers returned and so did all of me. I'm here." She took another step towards Squall so they were just inches away.

She lifted her hand slowly and placed it to Squall's cheek. "Believe me, now?" She asked, smiling.

Squall put his hand to hers and touched it softly. He nodded, a smile forming on his face.

Her tears spilled and she fell into Squall's arms. He held her tight and she pushed against his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. He placed his head on top of hers. All his fears disappeared, Rinoa was with him for real.

He stroked her hair softly, trying to comfort both himself and her at the same time.

"You were right..." Squall whispered to her. "Angels are forever."

They moved apart, both smiling, tears still spilling down Rinoa's pale pink cheeks.

Squall reached into his jacket and pulled out Rinoa's necklace. He placed it around her neck and smiled.

Rinoa held it tight and hand in hand, they both made their way back.

My angel... forever.

[A/N Wah! It's really ending... well, not really but still! I hope you liked this, especially those people who asked me if Squall and Rinoa live happily ever after. =) Now you know! Hehe, love you guys! Readers & Reviewers!]