To make up for that extraordinarily long chaptyr, I have made this one shorter, but not too short. Enjoy!

$, I still don't own these characters! Soon, my pretties. Soon.

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Rays of sunshine ran across Rinoa's body, awakening her. She smiled to herself and kept her eyes closed. She stretched a bit then rolled over and reached for Squall. Vacancy. Like so many other mornings Squall was already gone...

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Squall lent one knee to the soft ground and touched the engraved letters tenderly. The tireless breeze flowed gently over the grassy hillside. Laguna knelt next to Squall in the same fashion.

The two men were silent for some time until Laguna spoke up. "This is the very spot that I proposed to her at... I had just gotten back to Winhill with little Elle, and I only had a few days before I had to go. I promised myself that I would muster my courage and ask her." He looked around and noted the grassy hills with reverence. He chuckled, "Of course, I procrastinated till the end." He looked at the stone. "...That was the last time I saw her... I wish you could have known her, Squall. She was something else."

"In a way I have met her, thanks to Ellone." Squall stood up. "I could feel the love that you felt for her."

"The love that I feel for her." Laguna kissed the stone and rose to his feet to face Squall. "Squall... love is everlasting. It doesn't just let go of you when people pass on. It stays with you. That's why it hurts. Some are so lost without the ones they love that... they would end their lives or just slowly wither. They try to forget the ones that they've loved and that's what eats them up inside." Laguna began to walk in Winhill's direction, Squall following. "I've chosen not to forget and her memory is always a comfort."

There was a long pause. Laguna wrapped his arm around Squall and gave it a vigorous shake replying, "I've seen the way you look at Rinoa... there's something about her that just makes your face light up."

"...Yeah," he smiled as a memory of her face entered his mind. "It's so strange. I didn't even like her at first. She was always so laid-back and I was always so serious. I tried to push her away, but she made it clear that she wasn't going anywhere," he paused. "She was so genuine and it was just relaxing to be around her..."

Laguna smiled. "You two make a handsome couple."

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Rinoa came down the stairs to a small gathering. "Ey, the bride." Someone said from the barstool and brought his glass up.

"Hey," the crowd said and raised their drinks. Rinoa feigned a smile.

Selphie and Arari rushed up to her. "Booyaka!" they exclaimed in unison. "Hey, where's Squall?" Selphie asked.

"Tired him out, did you?" Arari teased and they both giggled amongst each other.

Rinoa blushed. Now she didn't even want to ask them to help her find him. She looked around asking, "What's all this?"

"It's a local thing." Selphie said.

"Celebrations last for 24 hours around here," Arari added, "so people are starting their drinking early."

"Both bars are pretty full. Many of them are from the Garden."

Rinoa frowned thoughtfully. "Weird. Is Quistis here?"

"No, she's back on the Garden, but if you wanna see her, you'll have to wait; the Garden is stopping by Timber and Dollet to drop off some of Trabia's finest technicians!" Selphie proudly replied.

"Oh..."

Selphie cocked her head. "Why so glum?"

"Squall was gone when I got up. I wasn't going to tell you because..."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just joking."

"It's okay," she smiled.

"We'll help you find him," Arari chirped.

"Right on!" Selphie chimed and they all smiled and left out the door.

Rinoa gasped and shoved the others back inside. Before they could ask what was going on, Rinoa poked her head out the crack of the door whispering, "Would you look at that..."

"What, what?" the two asked and then there were then 3 heads peering out the crack of the door. Together they watched Laguna and Squall walk towards them having a lively chat. Rinoa pulled the door shut and bounced around unable to contain her joy. Selphie smiled heartily. "What? Who are they?" Arari asked.

"Weren't you paying attention at all?" Selphie scolded.

"That's Squall and his father, Laguna. They had some differences, but I'm so happy to see their getting along." Rinoa chirped.

"Hurry, let's sit at a table before they come in," Selphie suggested and they all bolted to the nearest table and grabbed a seat.

"Act natural."

The door opened and the men came in. The 3 young women beamed brightly at them, all seeming very suspicious. Laguna and Squall exchanged glances and all 3 girls waved ecstatically. Rinoa stood up as Squall approached.

"The groom!" someone shouted from the bar.

Everyone raised their glasses with a, "Hey." Squall grabbed his bride and gave a passionate kiss on the lips. Everyone began to hoot and howl and he leaned deeper into the kiss.

When he pulled back Rinoa said the only thing that she could, "Woa." She smiled and played with the fur on his collar. "What was all that for?"

"Everything."

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That's right, guys, you owe everything to your women!

Hmm, I'm sensing this story needs a little something. A little upheaval. A little blood... No more mushy-squishy. In the next chaptyr, you will find out who is unhappy with President Dincht and someone (not saying who) just might get killed...