Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII or the computer, or the truck I drive. What do I own? Looks around I own the cat....
Author's notes- I have a little extra time now so hopefully I can get the chapters out quicker. Unfortunately life's happened here lately and I've had to juggle watching my cousin, helping my grandparents and managing my parent's house. I promise to update soon.
Element6- hehe....yeah I actually called my boyfriend at 4 am....too bad he was already awake....took all the fun out of it.
Aratcorien- "Don't eat my bagel"....lol That just popped into my head when I was finishing it. I don't even like bagels.....lol
Dreams and Premonitions
In a dream of the past, the warm summer's breeze blew Selphie's strands of brown hair around her face. Kneeling down by the water's edge she looked under a pile of drift wood. Glancing around to be sure no one was watching she laid down on her stomach and crawled under the pile.
"Ready or not here I come!" Quistis yelled at the top of her lungs to forewarn the three other players.
From the kitchen window, Matron watched Quistis chase Irvine from his hiding place as she talked on the phone. "Its starting to cloud up. I think a storm's coming in. Yes Dear. I'll call you back once I get the children in. I love you too," Edea hanged up the phone as she stepped out onto the cottage's back porch. "Come on in!" She called for them.
"I can't believe she didn't see him hiding there," Seifer said as he stretched out on the tree branch. "Zell's not even good at hidin'." Above him Squall held onto the tree's trunk tightly.
"Its getting awful windy," He said as he looked down at Seifer.
"You're not afraid of storms are ya?" Seifer grinned as he watched Squall gaze out at the scenery.
"Nah," He answered as he leaned forward a little. "That's Sefie!"
"Huh?" Seifer asked as he looked in the direction Squall pointed. "Selphie!" He screamed as he dropped down to the ground and began running towards the water.
"Wait up!" Squall shouted as he carefully lowered himself from the tree and rushed to catch up. They ran. As fast as two barefoot four year old boys could across wet sand they ran. "Sefie can't swim! I'm gettin' Matron!" Squall shouted to Seifer as he ran up the hill to their home. Seifer heard him but ignored him nonetheless. He was so close to reaching her.
The water was cold. A lot colder than he'd originally thought as he stumbled into the two foot deep water. The waves were also a lot stronger than he'd thought and they swept him out past her.
"Selphie!" He cried out to the thrashing girl as she reached for him.
"Supher!" She gasped in between breaths. Their hands met and he pulled her to him as best he could. His feet barely brushed the sandy floor but he managed to get a little footing as he stumbled forward. She clung to him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she cried. Another wave washed under him and pulled them back again. He was on the verge of crying himself when he felt two firm hands lift him from the water and carry them both to shore. Coughing from the amount of salt water he'd swallowed, Seifer looked up to see a man clad in a white uniform holding Selphie.
"Come on boy. Get up," The man took hold of his shirt and gently lifted him to his feet. "Edea's going to throw a fit."
"Seifer! Selphie!" Edea called as she rushed down the hill towards them, Squall and Ellone not far behind.
"They're okay," He answered.
"Oh thank you Martine," She cried as she took Selphie into her arms and then knelt and picked up Seifer. "You two scared me," She said as she held them as close to her as possible. "Let's get inside before the storm gets here. Please stay away from the water," She whispered in Selphie's ear as she carried them back up the hill.
"Come on boy," Martine said as he hefted Squall up and followed Edea and Ellone's lead. "Its a good thing I chose to come today or else things could've been worse."
"Right now let's just be thankful that you arrived in time," Edea said quietly. "We live in troubled times, thank goodness the ship was finished ahead of schedule. If not, " She stopped talking and then thought silently to herself. "You didn't choose to come here early. You were meant to be here," She stopped and looked him over. He paused and looked back at his ship. In his arms, Squall too looked upon his majestic, white-sailed ship. "These are special children. I can feel it. They are all meant to do something great." Martine shifted uncomfortably as he took a few more steps towards the cottage.
The dream shifted to a later time...
"Na na na na nah! Cry baby Zell, why do you always cry?" Seifer taunted. Zell's only response was to continue to bawl his eyes out. Seifer crossed his arms in annoyance and disbelief. "Don't your throat hurt yet?"
Zell shook his head and then sniffled loudly.
Seifer stared at him. "Why do you cry so much? Why don't you grow up and be strong?"
"No!" Zell shouted. "Yur just mean!" Seifer looked a little surprised at first by the statement.
"You are too!" Seifer shot back. He stopped arguing when he saw Edea enter the room. As quickly as he could he slipped out the door and left her to Zell. Off in his own little world, he tripped and landed hard on his forearms. "Why'd you trip me?" He asked.
"You weren't looking where you were goin'," Was Squall's only reply.
Seifer frowned as he stood up, "You're acting weird."
"So. You're loud," Squall responded.
"All you do anymore is sit on that porch. Your no fun anymore. Your still waiting for Sis to come back aren't you?" Seifer said. "She's not ya know."
Squall looked away to hide his tears.
"Oh no," Seifer moaned. "Your not going to cry too? Cry baby Squall and cry baby Zell!" He shouted. "Your both just alike. Always crying or pouting about something. I thought you were stronger than that."
"She'll come back!" Squall shouted. "You just wait and see. She said she loved me," Squall whimpered.
"That don't mean nothing in a children's home! Don't you see? We're in a place where unwanted kids go," Seifer raised his voice.
"No!" Squall shouted as he tackled Seifer, pinning him to the ground. Shouts from the other children could be heard as they realized what was going on.
Being a little larger, Seifer didn't have much of a problem pushing Squall off. He then knocked him down and hit him across the face. Squall retaliated by kicking Seifer's leg, knocking him to the ground.
"Take it back!" Squall shouted as Edea finally managed reach them.
"Stop it both of you," She warned as she separated them. "We are a family here and family members don't fight each other." Seifer frowned at the statement.
"Whatever," Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Whatever," Squall replied. "Whatever to you too. We're wanted. Matron wants us," Squall whimpered. Seifer left knowing that he wouldn't be able to fight with Matron there. "Matron," Squall started. "What does whatever mean?"
"It means that you don't care," She answered as she picked up the small little boy and carried him inside. The dream began to grow hazy as he awakened. Sitting up in bed he looked around.
"Squall?" Rinoa asked as she put a hand on his arm.
He turned to her, still in a daze. "That had to have been Ellone's doing."
"I have a feeling it was," She said as she brushed her fingers through his shoulder length hair. "Get your clothes and glasses on and go talk to her. I know she's awake." Groggily rising from bed, he looked around. His gaze fell on his son, sitting in the middle of the floor with Angelo.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he pulled her closer to him.
"Not too bad," She smiled as she brought her hands up behind his head and kissed him lightly.
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"You only wear that expression when in the dream world," Seifer said as he sat her breakfast on the night stand beside where she lay. She smiled knowingly as she slowly rose to a sitting position. Crawling up on the bed he lay down beside her. She leaned back into his arms and closed her eyes. "Not too long left," He said as ran his hand along the small bulge of her stomach.
"Things will work out fine," She said as she placed a hand on his. "I just know it." She turned her attention to her food. "Courtesy of Kiros I presume."
"Come on Hun, do ya really think I could make breakfast look that good," She laughed lightly as the memory of his first cooked breakfast came to mind. "I still feel like I've screwed things up..." He paused. "I'm still not sure about having kids...I mean I want them it just hasn't quite sunk in that I'm going to have them in a matter of months."
"Don't worry," She covered his hand with hers. "You'll love being a father."
"Think so huh"
"Yeah. You'll be a good one...but I have a feeling it'll be sooner than a few months."
"Why do you say that?" He asked as he raised up on an elbow to better look at her.
"Call it mother's intuition or my sixth sense but I don't think I'm going to carry them a full term."
"Have you told the doctor?"
"I have an appointment in a few days. I'll tell her then."
"You need to," He said as he dug in his pocket.
"Don't worry I will," She said as she let him wrap his arms around her. Held between two of his fingers she caught a glint of something shiny. "What's..."
"I was originally going to save this for our anniversary next month but I thought you might like to have it now," He said as she took the small ring from his hand.
"Its beautiful," She said as she turned it to see how the light reflected off its three diamonds.
"Glad you like it," He said as he carefully took it from her and slid it on her left hand. "But I think it looks better right here."
She was silent as she realized what the gesture meant. A broad smile crossed her face. "Ellone Almasy," She said quietly to herself. "I could get used to that." It was his turn to smile as she pulled his head down so that she could kiss him.
In the doorway, Squall cleared his throat. Clearly surprised, Ellone and Seifer looked up at him. Ellone motioned for Squall to come sit by her bed as Seifer rolled off of the bed and stood up.
"How long were you there?" Seifer asked as he looked around uncomfortably.
"Not long," Squall answered equally uncomfortable.
"I'll be back," Seifer said to Ellone as he stepped out of the room.
Sitting next to Ellone Squall found a distraction in looking at her breakfast.
"It was just a little kiss," She teased him.
He looked back at her and grinned.
"What?"
"I feel like a little kid who just walked in on my older sister making out with her boyfriend," He closed his eyes and shook his head at the thought.
"Squall Loire!" She swatted at him. "He's not my boyfriend he's my fiancé," She said as she showed him her hand. Squall looked at the ring with surprise.
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A black all terrain vehicle slowly pulled up in front of the manor. Kiros, still not allowed to keep any guards there, watched from the window. Behind him, Ward watched anxiously as well.
"What?" Seifer asked as he entered the front lobby where they stood.
"Someone's here," Kiros stated. "Expecting anyone?" Seifer shook his head as he lifted one of his gunblades from its hook on the wall. Kiros raised an eyebrow.
"Look I know it ain't Hyperion but it'll have to work," Seifer said as he flung the front door open. The man on the otherside stood unfazed but eyed the gunblade suspiciously.
"There's either a lot of traveling salesmen in this area or your not accustomed to getting visitors," President Caraway replied stalely.
"Smart ass," Seifer said as he stepped to the side and let the man in. Kicking the door to, he hung his gunblade and sat down in the nearest seat. Caraway ignored his comment. "I don't mind you being here but the first Galbadian guard I see on my property gets shot."
Caraway grinned. "Please, knock yourself out." He turned to Seifer. "I came here alone."
"Why are you here?" Seifer asked as he watched Kiros and Ward quietly back into the hallway. "I figured with the assassination attempts you'd be under lock-down."
"I was," Caraway confessed. "But no one knows my home better than I do and I have plenty of hidden escape routes." Seifer grinned. "In all honesty," Caraway looked up at the small boy coming down the stairs with his mother's guidance. "I came here to see my grandson." Seifer raised an eyebrow.
"Sure you did," Seifer frowned as he watched the older man lift Tempest up in the air. "So how did you know to come here?"
Caraway stared at him disapprovingly. "I may not get along that well with my daughter but I do listen to her when she speaks to me. She told me about this place not long after she found out." Caraway watched as Seifer stood up and started to walk off.
"Right," Seifer said. "Just don't touch anything and don't go beyond this room," He warned as he stepped into the hallway. Rinoa watched him leave and then crossed her arms.
"Why are you here?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"He's trying to find Laguna," Seifer said as he stepped into the bedroom where Laguna still lay unconscious.
"What'd you tell him?" Kiros asked.
"I gave him a hard time and let on to nothing," Seifer said as he examined the shelves along the wall. Kiros and Ward looked at each other as he dusted off a bust on the end. "If something should happen," Seifer started as he pushed the bust's head down into its base. Both Kiros and Ward watched as the shelves slid to the side to reveal a doorway. "Down this stairway is a second basement. In the corner is another door. There's only one key to unlock it. Its buried underneath the stone in the corner under the desk. From there its uphill until you reach the surface. You'll come up inside an old crypt. Its door will slide open and then you'll find yourselves in the cemetery we passed on the way up here."
Ward looked at Kiros. "I agree," Kiros said to him. "Mind if I check it out?" Seifer shook his head.
"Just hope you have a flash light," He said as he opened the door and stepped out into the hall. "Push the other bust down whenever your ready to close it." Kiros nodded as he lifted an oil lamp from the table.
Author's notes- I have a little extra time now so hopefully I can get the chapters out quicker. Unfortunately life's happened here lately and I've had to juggle watching my cousin, helping my grandparents and managing my parent's house. I promise to update soon.
Element6- hehe....yeah I actually called my boyfriend at 4 am....too bad he was already awake....took all the fun out of it.
Aratcorien- "Don't eat my bagel"....lol That just popped into my head when I was finishing it. I don't even like bagels.....lol
Dreams and Premonitions
In a dream of the past, the warm summer's breeze blew Selphie's strands of brown hair around her face. Kneeling down by the water's edge she looked under a pile of drift wood. Glancing around to be sure no one was watching she laid down on her stomach and crawled under the pile.
"Ready or not here I come!" Quistis yelled at the top of her lungs to forewarn the three other players.
From the kitchen window, Matron watched Quistis chase Irvine from his hiding place as she talked on the phone. "Its starting to cloud up. I think a storm's coming in. Yes Dear. I'll call you back once I get the children in. I love you too," Edea hanged up the phone as she stepped out onto the cottage's back porch. "Come on in!" She called for them.
"I can't believe she didn't see him hiding there," Seifer said as he stretched out on the tree branch. "Zell's not even good at hidin'." Above him Squall held onto the tree's trunk tightly.
"Its getting awful windy," He said as he looked down at Seifer.
"You're not afraid of storms are ya?" Seifer grinned as he watched Squall gaze out at the scenery.
"Nah," He answered as he leaned forward a little. "That's Sefie!"
"Huh?" Seifer asked as he looked in the direction Squall pointed. "Selphie!" He screamed as he dropped down to the ground and began running towards the water.
"Wait up!" Squall shouted as he carefully lowered himself from the tree and rushed to catch up. They ran. As fast as two barefoot four year old boys could across wet sand they ran. "Sefie can't swim! I'm gettin' Matron!" Squall shouted to Seifer as he ran up the hill to their home. Seifer heard him but ignored him nonetheless. He was so close to reaching her.
The water was cold. A lot colder than he'd originally thought as he stumbled into the two foot deep water. The waves were also a lot stronger than he'd thought and they swept him out past her.
"Selphie!" He cried out to the thrashing girl as she reached for him.
"Supher!" She gasped in between breaths. Their hands met and he pulled her to him as best he could. His feet barely brushed the sandy floor but he managed to get a little footing as he stumbled forward. She clung to him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she cried. Another wave washed under him and pulled them back again. He was on the verge of crying himself when he felt two firm hands lift him from the water and carry them both to shore. Coughing from the amount of salt water he'd swallowed, Seifer looked up to see a man clad in a white uniform holding Selphie.
"Come on boy. Get up," The man took hold of his shirt and gently lifted him to his feet. "Edea's going to throw a fit."
"Seifer! Selphie!" Edea called as she rushed down the hill towards them, Squall and Ellone not far behind.
"They're okay," He answered.
"Oh thank you Martine," She cried as she took Selphie into her arms and then knelt and picked up Seifer. "You two scared me," She said as she held them as close to her as possible. "Let's get inside before the storm gets here. Please stay away from the water," She whispered in Selphie's ear as she carried them back up the hill.
"Come on boy," Martine said as he hefted Squall up and followed Edea and Ellone's lead. "Its a good thing I chose to come today or else things could've been worse."
"Right now let's just be thankful that you arrived in time," Edea said quietly. "We live in troubled times, thank goodness the ship was finished ahead of schedule. If not, " She stopped talking and then thought silently to herself. "You didn't choose to come here early. You were meant to be here," She stopped and looked him over. He paused and looked back at his ship. In his arms, Squall too looked upon his majestic, white-sailed ship. "These are special children. I can feel it. They are all meant to do something great." Martine shifted uncomfortably as he took a few more steps towards the cottage.
The dream shifted to a later time...
"Na na na na nah! Cry baby Zell, why do you always cry?" Seifer taunted. Zell's only response was to continue to bawl his eyes out. Seifer crossed his arms in annoyance and disbelief. "Don't your throat hurt yet?"
Zell shook his head and then sniffled loudly.
Seifer stared at him. "Why do you cry so much? Why don't you grow up and be strong?"
"No!" Zell shouted. "Yur just mean!" Seifer looked a little surprised at first by the statement.
"You are too!" Seifer shot back. He stopped arguing when he saw Edea enter the room. As quickly as he could he slipped out the door and left her to Zell. Off in his own little world, he tripped and landed hard on his forearms. "Why'd you trip me?" He asked.
"You weren't looking where you were goin'," Was Squall's only reply.
Seifer frowned as he stood up, "You're acting weird."
"So. You're loud," Squall responded.
"All you do anymore is sit on that porch. Your no fun anymore. Your still waiting for Sis to come back aren't you?" Seifer said. "She's not ya know."
Squall looked away to hide his tears.
"Oh no," Seifer moaned. "Your not going to cry too? Cry baby Squall and cry baby Zell!" He shouted. "Your both just alike. Always crying or pouting about something. I thought you were stronger than that."
"She'll come back!" Squall shouted. "You just wait and see. She said she loved me," Squall whimpered.
"That don't mean nothing in a children's home! Don't you see? We're in a place where unwanted kids go," Seifer raised his voice.
"No!" Squall shouted as he tackled Seifer, pinning him to the ground. Shouts from the other children could be heard as they realized what was going on.
Being a little larger, Seifer didn't have much of a problem pushing Squall off. He then knocked him down and hit him across the face. Squall retaliated by kicking Seifer's leg, knocking him to the ground.
"Take it back!" Squall shouted as Edea finally managed reach them.
"Stop it both of you," She warned as she separated them. "We are a family here and family members don't fight each other." Seifer frowned at the statement.
"Whatever," Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Whatever," Squall replied. "Whatever to you too. We're wanted. Matron wants us," Squall whimpered. Seifer left knowing that he wouldn't be able to fight with Matron there. "Matron," Squall started. "What does whatever mean?"
"It means that you don't care," She answered as she picked up the small little boy and carried him inside. The dream began to grow hazy as he awakened. Sitting up in bed he looked around.
"Squall?" Rinoa asked as she put a hand on his arm.
He turned to her, still in a daze. "That had to have been Ellone's doing."
"I have a feeling it was," She said as she brushed her fingers through his shoulder length hair. "Get your clothes and glasses on and go talk to her. I know she's awake." Groggily rising from bed, he looked around. His gaze fell on his son, sitting in the middle of the floor with Angelo.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he pulled her closer to him.
"Not too bad," She smiled as she brought her hands up behind his head and kissed him lightly.
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"You only wear that expression when in the dream world," Seifer said as he sat her breakfast on the night stand beside where she lay. She smiled knowingly as she slowly rose to a sitting position. Crawling up on the bed he lay down beside her. She leaned back into his arms and closed her eyes. "Not too long left," He said as ran his hand along the small bulge of her stomach.
"Things will work out fine," She said as she placed a hand on his. "I just know it." She turned her attention to her food. "Courtesy of Kiros I presume."
"Come on Hun, do ya really think I could make breakfast look that good," She laughed lightly as the memory of his first cooked breakfast came to mind. "I still feel like I've screwed things up..." He paused. "I'm still not sure about having kids...I mean I want them it just hasn't quite sunk in that I'm going to have them in a matter of months."
"Don't worry," She covered his hand with hers. "You'll love being a father."
"Think so huh"
"Yeah. You'll be a good one...but I have a feeling it'll be sooner than a few months."
"Why do you say that?" He asked as he raised up on an elbow to better look at her.
"Call it mother's intuition or my sixth sense but I don't think I'm going to carry them a full term."
"Have you told the doctor?"
"I have an appointment in a few days. I'll tell her then."
"You need to," He said as he dug in his pocket.
"Don't worry I will," She said as she let him wrap his arms around her. Held between two of his fingers she caught a glint of something shiny. "What's..."
"I was originally going to save this for our anniversary next month but I thought you might like to have it now," He said as she took the small ring from his hand.
"Its beautiful," She said as she turned it to see how the light reflected off its three diamonds.
"Glad you like it," He said as he carefully took it from her and slid it on her left hand. "But I think it looks better right here."
She was silent as she realized what the gesture meant. A broad smile crossed her face. "Ellone Almasy," She said quietly to herself. "I could get used to that." It was his turn to smile as she pulled his head down so that she could kiss him.
In the doorway, Squall cleared his throat. Clearly surprised, Ellone and Seifer looked up at him. Ellone motioned for Squall to come sit by her bed as Seifer rolled off of the bed and stood up.
"How long were you there?" Seifer asked as he looked around uncomfortably.
"Not long," Squall answered equally uncomfortable.
"I'll be back," Seifer said to Ellone as he stepped out of the room.
Sitting next to Ellone Squall found a distraction in looking at her breakfast.
"It was just a little kiss," She teased him.
He looked back at her and grinned.
"What?"
"I feel like a little kid who just walked in on my older sister making out with her boyfriend," He closed his eyes and shook his head at the thought.
"Squall Loire!" She swatted at him. "He's not my boyfriend he's my fiancé," She said as she showed him her hand. Squall looked at the ring with surprise.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A black all terrain vehicle slowly pulled up in front of the manor. Kiros, still not allowed to keep any guards there, watched from the window. Behind him, Ward watched anxiously as well.
"What?" Seifer asked as he entered the front lobby where they stood.
"Someone's here," Kiros stated. "Expecting anyone?" Seifer shook his head as he lifted one of his gunblades from its hook on the wall. Kiros raised an eyebrow.
"Look I know it ain't Hyperion but it'll have to work," Seifer said as he flung the front door open. The man on the otherside stood unfazed but eyed the gunblade suspiciously.
"There's either a lot of traveling salesmen in this area or your not accustomed to getting visitors," President Caraway replied stalely.
"Smart ass," Seifer said as he stepped to the side and let the man in. Kicking the door to, he hung his gunblade and sat down in the nearest seat. Caraway ignored his comment. "I don't mind you being here but the first Galbadian guard I see on my property gets shot."
Caraway grinned. "Please, knock yourself out." He turned to Seifer. "I came here alone."
"Why are you here?" Seifer asked as he watched Kiros and Ward quietly back into the hallway. "I figured with the assassination attempts you'd be under lock-down."
"I was," Caraway confessed. "But no one knows my home better than I do and I have plenty of hidden escape routes." Seifer grinned. "In all honesty," Caraway looked up at the small boy coming down the stairs with his mother's guidance. "I came here to see my grandson." Seifer raised an eyebrow.
"Sure you did," Seifer frowned as he watched the older man lift Tempest up in the air. "So how did you know to come here?"
Caraway stared at him disapprovingly. "I may not get along that well with my daughter but I do listen to her when she speaks to me. She told me about this place not long after she found out." Caraway watched as Seifer stood up and started to walk off.
"Right," Seifer said. "Just don't touch anything and don't go beyond this room," He warned as he stepped into the hallway. Rinoa watched him leave and then crossed her arms.
"Why are you here?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"He's trying to find Laguna," Seifer said as he stepped into the bedroom where Laguna still lay unconscious.
"What'd you tell him?" Kiros asked.
"I gave him a hard time and let on to nothing," Seifer said as he examined the shelves along the wall. Kiros and Ward looked at each other as he dusted off a bust on the end. "If something should happen," Seifer started as he pushed the bust's head down into its base. Both Kiros and Ward watched as the shelves slid to the side to reveal a doorway. "Down this stairway is a second basement. In the corner is another door. There's only one key to unlock it. Its buried underneath the stone in the corner under the desk. From there its uphill until you reach the surface. You'll come up inside an old crypt. Its door will slide open and then you'll find yourselves in the cemetery we passed on the way up here."
Ward looked at Kiros. "I agree," Kiros said to him. "Mind if I check it out?" Seifer shook his head.
"Just hope you have a flash light," He said as he opened the door and stepped out into the hall. "Push the other bust down whenever your ready to close it." Kiros nodded as he lifted an oil lamp from the table.