Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII....

Author's Note: Woo-hoo, I'm on a roll! Updates two weeks in a row! Of course, instead of writing this chapter I was supposed to be writing my eight page history paper, but I figured that this was more important ^_^ Consider this my Easter gift to all of you. Happy Easter!

To Love You More

Chapter Thirteen

"What?" Rinoa asked in disbelief. "What do you mean I can't leave?"

Leanne smiled. "Relax! I only meant that you couldn't leave today. It's really important that you don't."

Rinoa frowned. "I don't understand. Do you need to run some more medical tests? Is that why I can't leave?"

Leanne shook her head. "No, nothing like that. All of your tests turned out fine. You're perfectly healthy, Rinoa."

"If I'm fine, then why can't I leave?" she demanded.

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but you're just going to have to trust me."

Rinoa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I've had no reason not to trust you so far, Leanne. It's just...you're really freaking me out. I just want to go home and see my friends. I thought you understood that."

"I do," she assured her. "Believe me, Rinoa, this is not something bad. You can leave tomorrow, can't you? One more day won't make a very big difference. It would really mean a lot to us, especially Marianna, if you stayed. Please?"

Rinoa sighed. "Okay. If it really means that much, then I'll stay. One extra day, that's it."

Leanne nodded. "Wonderful! I promise, you won't regret this. Now, why don't you return to Marianna's house? I'm sure she has been wondering where you disappeared to."

Rinoa agreed and said goodbye to Leanne. As she walked back to Marianna's house, she pondered what on Earth was so important that she couldn't leave. The people of Zuwang had been more than hospitable to her. Could they have a reason to hate her? But why? The only reason Rinoa could come up with was her being a sorceress. However, as far as she knew, none of them knew that. Maybe she was overanalyzing the whole situation. Like she had said, Leanne hadn't given Rinoa any reason not to trust her. She really didn't have a justifiable reason to be suspicious.

Sighing to herself, she once again entered Marianna's house. She silently hoped that the family was still asleep because she really didn't want to go through a round of questioning. The smell of something delicious wafted through the house, a sure sign that at least one person was awake. Irvine was also missing from his place on the couch.

"Rinoa," a voice called, sounding like Marianna's, "Is that you?"
"Yes," she answered. "Are you in the kitchen?"
"Uh-huh. I'm making bacon and eggs for breakfast. Do you like bacon and eggs?"

Smiling to herself, Rinoa entered the kitchen. Marianna was shuffling around the room busily. "Yes, bacon and eggs are fine."
"So, where did you run off to this morning? I was beginning to think that you had left us."

Rinoa shrugged. "I just went for a walk. I, uh, saw Leanne."

"Oh?" Marianna said. "I suppose she told you that you couldn't leave."

Rinoa looked at her in surprise. "Yes, that's exactly what she told me."

Marianna chuckled. "That's Leanne for you. Making demands without telling you why." She shook her head. "Well, this was going to be a surprise, but...we're having a celebration in your honor tonight. That's why Leanne said you couldn't leave."

"A celebration? Really, there's no need for that."

"Oh, nonsense! You are a true survivor, Rinoa, and a real gift from Hyne. Do you think we would just let you go without any festivities? Obviously, you don't know how we operate in these parts."

Rinoa chuckled. "Obviously not. Okay then, this celebration sounds like it could actually be fun. Like I told Leanne, though, I can only stay for today. Tomorrow, I have to head home."

"I understand. You're anxious to see everyone again. I don't mean to be negative, but tell me this. What will you do if, when you return, things are not as you left them?"

Rinoa looked at her sadly. "I don't know. All I have to go by right now is what Irvine told me. I can't know for sure until I go back, right?"

"Of course. Just know...if things don't work out for you, you will always be welcome here."

"Thank you, Marianna," she said sincerely.

Just then, Irvine entered the kitchen. "Rinoa, you're up."

"Yup! So are you." She chuckled. "You seemed to be sleeping pretty heavily this morning."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you making fun of me?"

She continued to laugh. "No, of course not!"

"Well," he said as he approached her, "I don't quite believe you."

"Irvine, it's not my fault that I find your snoring amusing!" she grinned.

He shook his head. "Well, it looks like you're asking for payback."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes." With one quick motion, Irvine grabbed Rinoa and began to tickle her mercilessly.

"Ah, Irvine!" she exclaimed. "Stop! That tickles!"

"Are you going to take back what you said about my snoring?"

"Nope!"

Marianna smiled sadly as she watched the two of them. Things were about to get even more complicated.

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Meanwhile, in Dollet, Squall and Quistis were enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. The weather was beautiful and the salty smell of the ocean, mixed with the warm breeze, was lulling them both to sleep. Quistis, in that moment, felt pure bliss. It was a feeling she had yearned for ever since she had met Squall, so long ago. Although she had hoped and dreamed that they would one day be together, she had never imagined that it was a possibility. It was funny how things turned out sometimes.

Rolling over to her side, Quistis propped herself up on one elbow. She studied her husband's face, a smile gracing her features as she did so. Squall's eyes were closed, his mouth slightly open. His face was relaxed and serene, something so rare to see in him. The slight breeze blew a single strand of his silky brown hair across his face. Quistis didn't want to disturb him, but she couldn't help but brush back the stray piece of hair and then lean over and kiss his soft lips.

Squall smiled and opened his eyes. "I was wondering when you would do that."
Quistis stared at him in surprise. "You knew I was watching you?"

He shrugged. "What do you think?"

"I think..." she put on an air of mock concentration, "That I have underestimated your sixth sense."

He raised an eyebrow. "My sixth sense?"

She smiled. "Forget it. Maybe you've just always had a knack for sensing things. Anyway, you owe me a swim."

He shook his head. "Oh no, definitely not. You know that I don't swim."

"Well," she said as she grabbed his hand, "There's a first time for everything."

Squall suddenly had an extreme sense of deja vu, involving a certain brunette at a certain inauguration party. Shaking his head again, he pulled his hand away. "Sorry, I just don't feel like swimming."

Quistis nodded, quickly masking the sadness and disappointment in her eyes. "Okay, I don't want to force you. I guess I'll go swimming by myself." Trying to make light of what had just transpired, she added, "Now don't go running off with any half-naked women while I'm gone."

He forced a smile and waved half-heartedly as she walked away in her red bikini. Any man would be attracted to her, that was undeniable. Squall wasn't oblivious to the appreciative glances the other men were throwing her way. They should have bothered him; make him want to beat them to a bloody pulp. However, he really didn't feel anything as he simply sat there, feeling dejected.

Nice going, Leonhart. You messed up yet again. Honestly, he had pretty much decided that he would go swimming with Quistis. That was, until the memory of her had taken over. The truth was, her memory was everywhere. Even there, on that beach, where they had never been together. Squall had tried, so many times, to bury the ghosts of his past. No matter what he did, however, they always seemed to resurface. What were you supposed to do when you looked right through the eyes of your wife, and into the eyes of a dead woman?

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Rinoa stared at her reflection in the floor length mirror. Once again, Marianna had demonstrated her kindness by purchasing a dress for her to wear to the celebration. It was a beautiful sky blue gown, made of pure silk. The dress clung to her every curve and had a plunging neckline that would make any girl blush. Unfortunately, the one person that she wanted to see her in the dress would not be attending the festivities. There was a knock at the door, and for a split second, Rinoa was transported back in time to all the times when Squall had come knocking on her door, waiting to escort her to various events.

Taking a deep breath, Rinoa opened the door. Irvine stood there, wearing a dashing black suit, and his trademark hat. "Wow, you clean up nice," she said appreciatively.

The cowboy grinned. "I could say the same for you. Although you look great no matter what you're wearing."

Rinoa's cheeks turned a slight pink, but she quickly composed herself. "Ever the flirt, I see."

Irvine chuckled. "Did you think otherwise?"

Rinoa shrugged. "If I did, I was obviously wrong." She decided to change the subject. "So, what has Marianna told you about this celebration she's having?"

"Sorry, I can't tell you," he said, his eyes twinkling.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course you can't, since everyone feels the need to keep things from me." She threw up her hands in defeat. "Come on, lets just go. I'm sure everyone is waiting for us."

He nodded, not wanting to fight with her. "Have fun tonight, Rinoa," he said quietly. "Enjoy it while you can."

Rinoa frowned, puzzled by his words. She had no time to decipher their meaning as Marianna came sweeping into the room, dressed in a dark purple gown. "Oh, look at you two!" she exclaimed. "You look stunning! Wait until everyone else sees you!"

They both looked away, embarrassed. "We were just about to get going," Rinoa told the older woman.

Marianna clapped her hands excitingly, much resembling Alanna, who had just bounced into the room wearing a pale pink dress. "Wonderful! Everyone is ready! Let's go!"

Marianna's husband met them at the foot of the stairs, also wearing a black suit. The five of them exited the house, walking the short distance down the street to where the celebration was taking place. Lanterns and colorful streamers lined the path that led up to over three dozen tables where the guests would sit. Rinoa took a seat between Marianna and Irvine, who had Leanne seated to the left of him. As everyone quieted down, Marianna stood up to make a speech.

"I would just like to take this time to say what an honor and blessing it has been to be in the presence of Rinoa Heartilly for the past three years. Rinoa came to us in the most dire circumstances, and her strength and will prevailed in the end. After spending three years in a coma, I am happy to say that Rinoa has made a one hundred percent recovery. Tomorrow, she will be leaving us to go back to the life she has been without for all this time. I will sincerely miss this girl, who, through these few years, remained something constant in my life. I am proud to say that Rinoa is my friend and I truly believe that she was a gift from Hyne. So, Rinoa, here's a toast to you, and to everything you have showed us. To Rinoa!"

Every person's glass was raised as shouts were heard from all around. "To Rinoa!"

~*~