You Are The One For Me
Chapter Eight
Since Squall left, Rinoa had only received two postcards from him. Always written was that she take care and not to strain herself. But the words she longed for him to tell her were not there.When she confessed her feelings for him, he only kissed her as a response. For Rinoa, that kiss was not enough. She wanted to know if he too felt the same way about her.
She was in a very complicated situation, one without certainty. Yes, they were married but what was the importance of that single sheet of paper if there was never any commitment between them in the first place, that they did not share the love between married couples.
Rinoa read once again what was written on the two postcards. Why had not he phoned her? Was he afraid of talking to her? Maybe Squall did not want to hear her say that she loves him. They got married without love. Each of them had their own reason, their own selfish reason. But in Rinoa's case, her reason had changed.
Sitting on the chair at the terrace, she glanced at her parents. Her mother was tending the roses in the garden while her father helped. The old couple had a very strong relationship. They had gone through a lot of hardships but they still remained together. Rinoa felt envious.
Julia finished with what she was doing and walked towards Rinoa.
"When will Squall arrive?"
"Next week, Mommy."
"Are we going to fetch him at the airport?"
"According to his last postcard, Zell will fetch him. They'll come straight here."
"Ask Zell again when is the exact date when Squall arrives so that I can prepare him his favorite meal."
Rinoa smiled. Julia was the first who considered Squall as a son-in-law. Vincent was still not that close to Squall because he had seen Squall in his dark moods. Aside from that, Vincent was used to treating people like Squall as an employer. Her father was still having a hard time to bear in mind that Squall is already family.
"How's my grandchild? Giving you a hard time?"
Rinoa shook her head.
Julia sat beside her.
"Did you know that I did not have difficulty when you were still in my womb? When you were born, that's when all the problems started!" she joked.
Rinoa knew what her mother meant. When she was a young girl, she was very naughty. She always got into trouble. Many of their neighbors complained because of the nuisance she brought. Rinoa caressed her bulging stomach. Their baby is a boy, and if their son will inherit her and Squall's characteristics, she would surely get a headache!
"The good thing about you is that you are a strong child. You never went to us crying and asking us for help. As long as you can solve the problem by yourself, you keep you problem to yourself. If time will come and your father and I will be gone, we know you can make it on your own." Julia stopped, and her eyes widened. "Isn't that Zell by the gate?"
Rinoa looked at the gate and saw Zell. She felt uneasy and nervous as she saw the look on Zell's face. She immediately stood up.
"Rinoa…" Zell said inaudibly. His eyes welled up with tears.
"S-Squall?"
Zell held her by the shoulders.
"His business conference finished early so he decided to come home early, he wanted to surprise you. But the airplane he was on got engine trouble."
"Hyne!"
"I just learned about it a few minutes ago. The plane exploded. There were no survivors."
Four months had passed since the accident. There was a search party on the part of the ocean where the explosion took place. A number of corpses were found. But Squall's body was never found. They said that the fishes ate the corpses of the other passengers.
At first Rinoa couldn't accept the truth. She believed that Squall is still alive, that he will come back to them. But with the passing of days, she slowly accepted everything. She had to be strong, for the sake of their son.
She gazed at the little baby boy at her side. He was sleeping soundly after she breastfed him. The baby had Squall's blue eyes, she did not have to guess that he will look like his father someday.
At least Squall left her something to remember him by. She named him Julien, a name Squall chose for their son.
The door slowly opened. A nurse came in to bring back Julien in the nursery. But she was not the only one who went in. An elderly man walked in.
"Your son is very healthy. Unlike Squall who was underweight… many thought he would die as a baby," the man said.
As she handed her son to the nurse, she asked him, "Umm… do I know you?"
"I have to introduce myself since the two of us never met. But I think you have heard of me. I am Laguna Loire, Squall's father."
The nurse quickly got out of the room, sensing that the conversation will be personal.
"Why are you here?" Rinoa directly asked. Basing on the facts that she knew of Squall's father, he was selfish and he valued money and reputation over the sake of his own son.
"I came here to offer you one million gil in exchange for Squall's son. My son may be dead but his son will live and continue our legacy."
All the blood rushed to Rinoa's head. All the pain and sufferings she kept inside since Squall died surfaced.
"How dare you! You disowned your son and now that Squall is gone you want to buy our son? My son is not for sale, Mr. Loire! And I will never allow him to experience what Squall did when he was under your care! My son will be loved and cared for! He will not be a robot that you will control his every movement!"
"Two million gil."
"Even if you make that ten million, I will never accept that!"
"How would you provide for your son? You are an undergraduate! And the money that Squall left, I am sure it's almost gone by now! Are you going to let your child die of hunger just because of pride?"
"My son will not die of hunger, Mr. Loire, because I will do everything for my son. The important thing is that he will be loved and he will live with the people who love him. Unlike you and your sister, you are not people because you do not know how to love!"
Laguna's face darkened.
"You better watch your mouth, young lady," he said sternly.
"I will say what I want to say. I am not afraid of you or your money like other people. I think it's time for you to know what you really are. You are nothing! I think this conversation is over. You can leave now, Mr. Loire," Rinoa coldly said.
Laguna stood there, estimating Rinoa. But Rinoa held her head high and looked straight at the man in front of her.
The old man turned and hastily walked out of the room.
Squall's body was like a ball as the waves tossed him back and forth. He kept on shouting.
"You abandoned me, Father!"
Laguna suddenly woke up and sat up. He felt as if he was the one who was drowning and breathed heavily. That same image of Squall came to his dreams every night since the day he learned that Squall died. Another dream that haunted him was that the one who was buried was himself. Everyone he knew was there, but they were rejoicing. Not a single soul was crying.
"Did I really make a mistake?" he asked himself softly.
His green eyes landed on the full length mirror in his bedroom. He gazed at himself.
What his eyes saw was a very old man, full of sadness.
He recollected his life. All his time was spent on his job, on expanding his business. The little things that brought happiness to ordinary people were not part of his memory.
He deserted his son. He never saw Squall as he grew up and became a man. Laguna saw the importance of Squall when he knew that he can use and take advantage of his own son.
He was like a machine. He had no feelings. He did not have a heart. Rinoa was right.
He got up from bed. He could not do anything for Squall. But there was still Rinoa and his grandson. With them, he could make up for all his losses. He could make up with Squall's family.
It was still five in the morning, but his decision could not wait.
Zell, who just woke up, was surprised when he received a phone call from Laguna Loire.
Rinoa could not believe the amount of money written on the check that Zell gave her.
"Accept this, Rinoa. This is Squall's money. He had himself insured so that whatever happens to him, he will not leave you penniless."
"Why did this just arrive now?" she asked while patting Julien on his back.
"You know insurance companies, they want to be very sure that their client is indeed dead before they send this out. Four months of searching and no body is found, they said that that is enough for a proof that Squall is indeed dead."
The last words Zell said brought sadness to Rinoa, but she kept that to herself.
"Thank you, Zell, for being a friend. I owe you too much."
"That's nothing, Rinoa. Besides this is just my way of paying up. Did you know that I did everything just to stop Squall from marrying you? I thought you were not good enough for him. Then I realized that you were just what he needed. I have never seen him happier since we became friends."
"Please hold your godchild for a while. I'll just put this check in my bag," she said as she gave Julien to Zell.
When the three of them arrived at the small chapel where a mass will be celebrated for Squall's soul, there were already many people inside. Almost everyone were Squall's officemates.
Rinoa willed herself to be strong. It was really sad now that Squall is gone from her life, but as his wife, she had to do everything to make sure Squall is in his proper resting place. She won't be able to visit his grave but Squall would be always in her memory.
The mass started.
She did not know whether Julien was grieving or just hungry because he suddenly burst into tears. Rinoa readily solved the problem because she had a bottle of milk in her bag.
The mass was halfway finished when Zell lightly tapped her arm.
"Look at who came to offer his condolences."
She turned her head and looked at the person who had just arrived.
Seifer.
He sat down at the back of the chapel but he never took his eyes off Rinoa and her son.
When the mass ended, Seifer approached Rinoa. He extended his hand to her.
"Condolence," he said.
Rinoa couldn't do anything but accept his hand. A lot of people were there and she did not want them to think that she is rude.
"We were not exactly friends but Squall and I went through a lot," Seifer continued.
Rinoa remained silent.
"If there is anything I could do to help, just call and I will do the best I can."
A/N: First of all, my deepest apology to everyone! After hibernating for more than three months, I had just posted the latest chappy! Please please don't be mad at me! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it!
Fuuga Kumi: Yes, she's pregnant! Thanks so much!
Kayuri: Hope you enjoyed this chappy!
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hilary: Two more chappies and this story will come to an end. Thanks!
KimBob: Thank you! Great rhyme!
SoulSwhispers666: I'm sorry… but cliffys are great, imo. Hehe!
r1za cam1le: I am the one who is late in updating. Sorry for that. Thanks for the review!
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Kupo: Thank you so much! I have not yet read and reviewed your fic! And for that I am very sorry. I'm still catching up with my reading!
Fr33k SYl3 23: Kabayan! Kumusta? I'm from Bulacan. Sad to say but I do not watch Filipino telenovelas. Hehe! Thanks so much!
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Melian and Luthien: Woah! I'm so overwhelmed with your review! I am so sorry for the super late update! I'm currently working on Chapter Nine… I hope I'd be able to post it ASAP! Thanks for your never ending support!
Rhi-an: Well, Seifer's back! And he's going to make a lot of appearances in the next chappy!
Etherealist: Hehe! wink Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing!
PasifikStaR: Thank you so much! I'm really sorry I haven't started reading and reviewing your new fics! I still have a long way to go! Lots of new FF8 fics! I love your works! Thanks again!
FrOm ABovE: Squall looks so adorable in a baby store! Thanks for the review!
anonymous: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you appreciate the scenario and the story! Thanks for the review!
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LionHeart823: I am so sorry for the delay of the update! Really I am! Hope you liked this chappy as well! Thanks again!
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