---Chapter 6---

Quistis looked at the clock and saw that minute hand was near the top and Seifer would be returning from work soon. She looked at the elegantly prepared dinner table. Everything was in place and prepared to perfection. In her hand was a long rectangular box wrapped in foil blue wrapping paper and a silver ribbon decorated the top of the box. She wanted this day to be perfect. She knew he specifically asked her not to do anything for his birthday, but she couldn't resist.

The sound of foot steps approaching the front door brought Quistis back from her thoughts. She stood in place and adjusted her dark navy blue dress and straightened her hair quickly before Seifer entered the room.

Seifer entered the room thinking this would be like any other day, but he was quite surprised to see Quistis all dressed up. Then again he knew she wouldn't be able to resist doing something for his birthday, but he didn't expect it to feel so romantic at the same time. Quistis had made the setting perfect for the surprise he had planned in mind for her.

"Welcome home," Quistis greeted him with a smile. "I know you specifically said we wouldn't celebrate your birthday. So just see this as any other day only that it seems slightly more nice then usual and it happens to be on the day of your birthday."

Seifer couldn't help but smile at her simple but some what logical reasoning. "I'm not angry," he reassured her. "It's just that the presentation is quite…not what I expected. Then again I didn't really know what to expect from you, since you're no Selphie Tilmitt."

"Well, it is still a bit early for dinner, so I thought...," she trailed off and handed him the elegantly wrapped box. "Happy Birthday," she wished him with a sweet smile.

"What's in the box," he asked while shaking the box like a child. "Aw, it's clothes," he said with a frown and pouted like a little boy. Quistis chuckled at his very un-Seifer-like expression. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"Well I did so you better like it," she teased.

He carefully removed the ribbon and pulled off the wrapping paper to open the box revealing grey material. "Grey my favorite color," he winked. Then he pulled the material out of the box to reveal that it was a trench coat that looked exactly like his trademark grey coat that he use to wear constantly years ago. Even the Hyperion Crosses were stitched on like the original.

Looking at the coat made Seifer's eyes water from the memories it brought back to him. The feeling of the new material in his hands brought back memories of when he first got this coat, before he went Balamb Garden. He remembered this coat was his best companion. It never judged and always stayed with him. The coat gave him an identity. After the war the identity he made for himself as the tough guy in the Garden's Disciplinary Committee shattered. He hid it in the back of his closet and left his past behind him, and it left him empty.

Now Quistis was here giving him a new coat to replace the emptiness left by the old one. Just like she came and filled the emptiness in his life. He was given another chance to make something of himself.

"Do you like it?" Quistis's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I didn't know how you would feel about it, but…I didn't mean to…" her rambling just trailed off.

"I love it, thank you," he said while pretending to clear his throat as he steadied his voice. "I don't know what to say. It just brings back memories."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Quistis dropped her head down slightly in disappointment.

"No, they are mostly good memories."

"Oh," she smiled in relief. "Why don't you try it on to see if it fits?"

He slipped into the coat and it fit perfectly. "Like a glove," he said.

Quistis's smile grew. This was a good start she thought to herself. This evening should definitely go well.

After dinner Seifer noticed it was a clear and relatively warm night for winter and suggested to go out a nice stroll under the moonlight.

"You know it has been a long time since the last time I've seen you wear that coat," Quistis noted as she dug her toe into the cool beach sand as they continued walking along the shore hand in hand.

Seifer looked down at the coat he was wearing, "Well it has been a long time for me too."

"I know this might sound stupid, but how come?"

He hesitated, "Some things in the past need to stay in the back of the closet, but some things from the past need to be brought out of the past to make a new future."

She gave him a puzzled look. "You're speaking in riddles. Did you drink too much wine?"

He stopped in his tracks and faced Quistis. "What I'm trying to say is that you are from my past, and you are the key to my future."

"What? That is nonsense. I don't know what you are talking about. Maybe I've had too much wine." She rambled.

"Quistis, I've thought about this a lot, and you probably won't agree. Hell I know you won't agree. But…Will you marry me?"

Quistis pulled her hand away in shock. "What?! You know I can't marry anyone. I thought I asked you to not—"

"No," he interrupted her. "No, you can't marry anyone," he agreed. "But you can marry me. Please Quistis hear me out. I know the circumstances make it look like I'm doing this out of pity, but I think I love you. No, I know I love you."

"Think? You are not thinking straight. By this time next year I will be six feet under!"

"But you're not six feet under now," he sighed. "If it's because you don't love me, I understand, but let me love and take care of you. You deserve that much at the least. I want to do it whole heartedly, and you know I'm not lying."

"I know you are not lying. I trust every word you say, and it's not because I don't love you. It's because I don't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?" She nodded. "It's too late you've already hurt me. Every time I see you cry I hurt. Every time I see you in pain. I feel in pain as well, but what hurts the most is when you push me away. If you don't to hurt me, let me love you. Please." His hand came up to touch her face. Her eyes glistened with tears around the rims.

She was about to pull away again, but before she could he pulled her closer to him until their lips met and he kissed her. He waited for her to react and pull away, but none came. He ventured to kiss her again, and he realized she was kissing him back.

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered. "And I do love you."

"Then marry me." He kissed her again pulled a small velvet jewelry box from the coat pocket. He flipped open the box to reveal a simple engagement ring topped with a heart-shaped sapphire stone. "I was about to get you a diamond one, but when I saw the sapphire it made me think of your eyes, and how they sparkle like sapphires when you smile." He smiled and removed the ring from its box and slipped it onto her finger.

Now tears of joy filled her eyes as Seifer kissed her again and pulled her into his arms.

A/N: Sorry about the delay. Stupid classes required me to write two 10 page papers, but now that I'm done with school forever for reals this time I can focus on writing. Well my goal is to finish this fic before I go on vacation next month, so the last few chapters will be up soon. Promise.

Sorry about the short chapter. I'll get chapter 7 up ASAP to compensate for the shortness of the upcoming chapters. Thanks for those of you still sticking around! I love you guys!