Selphie Kinnneas

"Journey To The Past"

Chapter Eight- Esther's Gossip

Rin opened her eyes. The room was still slightly dimmed. She pulled off her thick sheets and sighed. Her eyes wondered about the room as they fell on her nightstand. A large silver ring with a carving of a lion sat there. Rin gripped its smooth surface as she attempted fitting it upon her finger. Obviously it proved too large for any of her fingers.

She groaned disappointedly as she stood. She paced the area as she reached the vanity table. A thin silver chain glimmered from the small amount of light produced by the window. Rin held her hand out and lifted the agile chain into the air. An idea hit her, almost akin to a light bulb flashing on!

She placed the chain though the ring's hole and placed the necklace around her collar. She glanced at herself in the mirror and grinned. She peered to a clock and noticed it was almost 4:00 in the morning. It wasn't a dream… She stepped back to her bed and concealed herself with the satin covers.

Thank you, Hyne.

oooo

A few hours later

Squall combed his wet hair as he looked himself through his reflection. A small knocked sounded at his door. "Come in." Squall shouted. He heard a small squeak as someone made his or her entrance. Squall curved around and met eyes with his father. His father was always busy and was usually only seen around mealtime. Him paying a visit to Squall's room was a bit… rare.

"D-dad?" Squall questioned aloud to himself.

"Squall, you could've told us first." Laguna said with a smile. Squall raised his eyebrows and gave his father an odd look. Laguna chuckled, "Don't try to hide it. We're bound to find out anyways." Squall's confused expression didn't alter. Laguna shook his head and took his leave.

After he was ready, Squall left his room. He pressed the command button on the elevator before he paused and thought of Rin. He spun quickly to the door across his. He reached for the doorknob then stopped. What is going to happen, Rin was supposed to leave today, they'll be suspicious. Well duh we're telling them. But how? Squall knocked politely as the door opened almost immediately. Rin was in the doorways wearing a long white skirt with a turtleneck sky blue sweater. Her hair was neatly brushed and rung around her neck was a silver chain with his Griever ring hanging off it.

"Morning Squall!" She greeted cheerfully. Squall shook his head as he held out his palm.

"May I escort you to breakfast?" He said with a profound tone. Rin laughed shortly.

"I'd be delighted."

The two reached the second floor. Squall griped the handle to the dining hall. He observed Rin's clothing, "Hey Rin, why do you look like you're still leaving today?" He asked pointing out her sweater.

"I like this sweater! It's sooo pretty!" Rin sarcastically. "It's so I don't have to explain right when I get in. 'How come your not ready' kinda thing." Squall nodded in "Whatever" sort of way as the two entered.

"SURPRISE!"

Rinoa and Squall looked around the room. It was decked with colored balloons and confetti and a large banner literally shouting "CONGRATULATIONS!" loudly. Raine, Laguna, and Ellone stood at the front of the room with wide grins. Irvine, Selphie, and Zell and friends of the family and close executives filled the room.

"… What's going on here!?" Squall clamored in awe.

Ellone nudged Squall gently as she laughed. "How long were you going to wait before telling us? We all know you two are ENGAGED NOW!" Squall blushed as did Rin. Raine came close to Rin and hugged her kindly.

"Oh I'm so happy Squall chose someone as nice as you Rin. I couldn't be happier for the both you." She announced. Rin smiled bashfully. Everyone crowded the couple quickly with questions and congrats phrases.

"I knew you liked her!" Selphie winked.

"Man I knew you two were gonna get together but, Marriage? Ya'll really love each other!" Irvine joked.

"You both look like you were made for each other!" Ellone cheered.

"I'm going to have a daughter-in-law, I thought I'd never hear those words." Raine sighed in joy.

"STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The room went quiet at once. Squall paced the room looking at everyone's surprised façade. He gulped loudly as he spun around. "How do ya'll know!?" He shouted. The room was still for another moment then suddenly burst into laughter. Raine stepped to Squall as she explained.

"Oh Squall, this is the Presidential Palace!" She chuckled, "Arthmas was patrolling the gardens yesterday and saw you and Rin. He told us immediately figuring something bad happened. Of course you were both gone by that time so we checked the security cameras. Oh Squall why didn't you mention anything to us?!"

"Damn cams." Squall muttered inaudibly.

It wasn't long before everyone was making toasts, chatting endlessly, and having a good time.

Selphie pulled Rin to a corner as she began chattering non-stop. "OH my gosh! I never saw Squall fall head over heels over anyone since Nir-"

"Selphie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ellone shouted as she shoved the puny brunette to the wall. "Don't talk about her! Rin might feel uncomfortable." She hissed in a loud whisper. Rin pretended not to notice but grew extremely curious. Selphie turned back and grimaced widely.

"So how'd he propose! Was it real simple? Did he ask you in your roo-! HEY that's Squall's ring. Man he wouldn't let ANYONE touch it!" Selphie babbled.

"He used it to propose!" Rin squealed happily. Selphie clasped her hand over her mouth.

"OH MY GOSHHHHHHHHH HOW ROMANTIC!"

Ellone tucked her hair behind her ear as Selphie turned to leave. Rin herself was about to leave, Ellone cleared her throat loudly grabbing Rin's attention. She looked to Ellone and smiled.

"Rin… promise me something." Ellone whispered. Rin nodded.

"Sure, anything."

Ellone took a deep breath as she wet her lips to answer, "Please, take care of Squall. Squall has always been there for me, but he truly never had anyone to lean on. I was never much support. But, for the past years Squall has been so depressed. You don't understand how much it hurts to my brother like that. So… promise me you'll always be there for him."

Rin fell melancholy for a single moment as she acknowledged the words. "I will. I swear." With that, Rin turned and passed the crowd. Everyone was too busy celebrating to notice her slip out. She went to the gardens. The fresh air felt warm on her cheek. She walked along the curving path still she met up again with the statue of Hyne. She bent to her knees and clasped her hands together.

I couldn't find a person better then he one I have now. Thank you Hyne. Please bless my marriage.

oooooo

Squall sipped champagne from the crystal goblet. He looked around the room, Rin didn't appear anywhere. Squall stood and left his glass on the table. Before he could take another step the room went quiet and Raine's voice overpowered the quiet stirrings.

"For our only son, I have decided to make this wedding the largest wedding in Esther! I'll start the preparations immediately!"

Squall turned around hastily. They couldn't get married yet… his promise to Rin, it'd be broken.

ooooo

The next morning

Rin sat before the mirror looking at the reflection of Squall's ring around her neck. News in Esther traveled so quickly by that day everyone in the city knew that the president's son is getting married. By the end of the week half the continent would know.

"Rin!"

Rin curved to the accent. Raine had entered the room, following her was a lady dressed in long elegant clothing. She stepped gracefully behind Raine.

"Yes?" Rin asked; a bit irritated though.

"Rin, I want you to meet Lady Alana. She is the highest Priestess in Esther." Raine introduced the graceful female. Rin bowed her head politely.

"A priestess you say?" Rin interrogated now realizing the purpose.

"Yes dear child. I've come to bless you and your fiancé for a peaceful marriage. Tell me now, when does this wondrous celebration take place?" Lady Alana said in low voice that sounded like the singing of a Siren.

"We're not sur-" Rin started.

"Two weeks." Raine interrupted. Rin's mouth dropped as she looked at the happy facial appearances the Lady and Raine had. Rin turned her head, maybe Squall had forgotten through all of the excitement. Raine began muttering about as if it were her wedding. Rin shook her head and left the room.

She wasn't ready to get married, not just yet. Squall knew that, or maybe he didn't. Rin needed to yell, scream, breathe. She began rushing down the hall before she was abruptly stopped.

"Whoa! Sorry bout' that Rin." Irvine said as he lent a hand. Rin took it gratefully. She brushed herself off. "You looked like you were in a hurry. Anything I can do to help?"

Rin thought for a moment, "Actually yeah. Can you take me to Squall's office?" Irvine tipped his dark colored hat, which looked rather odd with the rest of his outfit, a professional type ensemble.

"Sure no problem. I'm just here cause Ellone invited Zell to something. Zell got so excited he showered in cologne. Then his car broke down so he felt screwed." Rin giggled shortly as Irvine led the way out. They made their way to the parking lot, Irvine unlocked the doors and the two went inside.

"So why do you need to go see Squall?" Irvine asked gradually.

"… I need to talk to him. And this can't wait." Rin replied.

"Uh huh, does this have anything to do with a certain wedding?" Irvine interrogated slyly. Rin turned her head,

"Maybe…"

Irvine spent the next few minutes with his eyes glued to the road ahead of him as they arrived at a very tall silver building. They entered and Rin found Selphie hidden behind a secretary's desk.

"Your break ended 10 minutes ago Irvy." Selphie said in boredom without staring up.

"Yeah, yeah! You with your breaks. I need a visitor's pass for Rin." Irvine replied with aggravation.

"Wha?" Selphie peered up and stopped at Rin. "Oh hey! Here sign this and I'll get a pass for ya!" Selphie winked and hand Rin a clipboard. Rin signed it in haste as Selphie passed a bright red clip on badge that read, "VISITOR" in bold black letters. Irvine pointed Rin into the direction of Squall's office as she made her way through the silenced corridors.

There were many doors all with a strip of gold with elegant blue letters spelling out the office owner's names. Rin found the name Squall Leonhart Loire at the end of the hall and quietly knocked. A soft answer came clearly as she turned the knob. Squall didn't peer upwards, he eyes were glued stiffly to stacks of character filled papers.

"Can I help you?" Squall said in a monotone accent.

"I hope." Rin said as she grinned prettily. Squalls dropped his pages as he listened to the voice he set one pupil up ogled the brunette.

"Rin?! What an Hyne's name are you doing here?!" He shouted in complete awe. Rin gazed at the handsome decorated room. In front of the average sized mahogany desk, there were two royal blue leather seat with brass buttons. Quietly Rin sat down and slowly batted her chocolate brown lens at Squall.

"… When did you want to get married Squall? Honestly tell me." She whispered in a humble tone.

Squall stared blankly as he scratched the back of his head. He immediately abandoned his professional outfit. "Me? I…well I'm ready whenever you are."

"GOOD! THEN TELL THAT TO YOUR MOM!" Rin shouted unconsciously. She quickly cupped her hands over her mouth to halt herself. Squall raised his right brow then gave a thin smile.

"My mom? She'll be your mom soon."

"I know, and I can't wait… BUT TWO WEEKS!? That is toooooo rapid!"

"Two weeks? Damn! Irvine and Selphie have been engaged for half a year and they still don't think they're ready to get married."

"My point exactly Squall!" Rin hung her head as she thought for a moment. She glanced again at Squall and soft softly, "I'm sorry. If you want to get married Squall… I am too. I've been so selfish! My dreams are coming true and I don't even try to cooperate! I'm sooo sorry Squall!" Tears fell from her eyes as she smeared them. Squall rushed by her and pulled a tissue out and wiped the remaining wetness from her cheeks. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her in the air.

"Rin, when have you been selfish? Cause you said you don't want to get married in two weeks? Rin, my dreams are coming true. My model girl has come before my eyes and I actually seize the chance to pop this question. And guess what, she says yes! I'm being selfish Rin. I promised you something and I nearly forgot about it in all this excitement. Can you forgive me?"

A joyful smile touched Rin's lips as she hugged Squall tightly and pierced him with a kiss. "Of course Squall! I was never mad at you." Squall smirked as he rested her down on the ground.

"Now that you're here, I'm going to show you off everywhere! You're finally going to find out what FAME is." He gripped Rin's wrist and led her out of the office.

Squall took one step past the doorway as someone with a newspaper came running by. Squall pushed Rin back and shut the door quickly.

"Hey Squall!" the employee said excitedly, "How come you never told anyone you were engaged? It says here you did yesterday!" He peeped as he held a large front page article before Squall's eyes. Squall muttered the title aloud.

"President's son is getting hitched." He said loudly. He examined the picture, it was black and white and had scribbles proving it was taken from a video camera, the safety cameras. Rin's arms were around his neck and her feet weren't touching the ground. Squall was holding her and they were twirling in the moonlight. "Man, I don't get to tell anything do I?" He pulled Rin from his office and ignored the short male who was literally exploding with questions.

"We made front page Rin." Squall laughed.

"We what?! I can expect your dad there, but us?! Oh my GOSH!" Rin squealed.

"You have been spending too much time with Selphie," Squall said as he swept Rin off the ground and kissed her passionately.

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I am… SOOOOO SORRY for the loooong wait. School started and entered a contest and alllll this junk got mumbled together. Hopefully I will be able to update every week, if I receive at east five reviews.

Thanks for your patience!