OK Everybody, it's time for more.

SquallRinFF: Glad you think so. That last review did confuse me.

pinklove: No, look for where Raine said, "He must take after his father." It's an insult directed AT Laguna.

Cerulean Devil: I've been looking all over, but I still can't find where it says I can't respond to my reviewers. This is basically to let my reviewers know that their Reviews are appreciated.

JadeAlmasy: Whoa, Peptuck! I'd be honored if a big money player on the FF8 board like THAT gave me a good review.

Lady-Rinoa: No 14? 10-4 there, can do, over and out!

GG7989: Wow, you wouldn't believe how many time's I had to look at your name to get it right.

duke: No way, nobody dies in my fics unless I say so!

Jasmine32: Hells yeah to all 4 of your reviews!

CHAPTER 7: A DECISION MADE

A few weeks after Squall was born, Laguna and Raine woke up to a sound that they were going to have to get used to; a crying baby: THEIR crying baby. Both awakened as quickly as the other; Raine with a yawn, Laguna with a groan. Luckily, Raine was back on her feet because Squall's cradle was closer to her side of the bed. Squall seemed to quiet down considerably once he was in Raine's arms, still letting out a few sounds now and then.

"Aww, Squall just wanted his mommy." Raine whispered. By this time, Laguna had sat up.

"I know the feeling," Laguna mumbled as he started to grin. "I want Squall's mommy too."

"Oh, wipe that stupid grin off your face and be quiet." Raine said.

"Yeah sure." Laguna said as he put his dog tags around his neck. "I'm gonna go forage for food." As Raine did her motherly duty with Squall, Laguna wandered down into the kitchen to find some food.

"Ugh, need food, something breakfasty…" Laguna mumbled as his hands searched the confines of the refrigerator. His eyes rolled up when he didn't find what he was looking for.

"Just my luck, no eggs." He mumbled. He was soon interrupted from his thoughts as Ellone popped out of her room.

"Morning," She said as she rubbed her eyes. "What's for breakfast Uncle Laguna?"

"Since we're out of eggs, looks like cereal." Laguna said. "How ordinary, eh?" Ellone nodded her head in agreement. Soon, Raine came downstairs with Squall in her arms.

"What's the matter?" Raine asked.

"No eggs." Laguna and Ellone said together. Raine then sent Squall into the arms of his father, opened the fridge, and pointed to the inside of the door, where sure enough, 12 eggs sat. With his left arm supporting the weight of his son, Laguna formed his right hand into the form of a handgun, and made the motion of shooting himself in the face.

"How was I supposed to know to look in the door?" Laguna mumbled.

"I just wanted to see how frustrated you'd get." Raine said. "Sit down, I'll cook today."

"Yay." Ellone said. "I'm getting tired of Uncle Laguna's food."

"Hey, what's wrong with my food?" Laguna mused while sitting down, moving Squall to his lap.

"It's too different." Ellone said.

"Laguna, there is a such thing as spices." Raine said, cracking a few eggs into the frying pan.

"I know." Laguna said. "Too bad nobody told that to the Shumi's"

"Honestly, how did THEY learn to cook?" Raine asked.

"Honestly, I don't care." Laguna said as he used his index finger to tickle Squall's stomach, forcing the baby to smile. "What do you think boy?" Squall grabbed Laguna's finger with both hands, as if he was voicing his opinion. "So, Raine, what's on the agenda today?"

"I was going to take Squall to see his Grandmother." Raine said, referring to her mother.

"Oh boy, that's gonna be a blast." Laguna said sarcastically to his son.

"Relax, Laguna." Raine said, "You don't have to go. But honestly, you're married to me, she can't possibly hate you anymore."

"If I recall correctly," Laguna began, "The last words she spoke to me were 'I know you're married to my daughter, but I still hate you."

"Laguna, relax, I already said you didn't have to go." Raine said.

"Can I stay here with Uncle Laguna too?" Ellone asked.

"It's up to him." Raine said, sliding a plate of food under her face.

"It's fine with me." Laguna said.

Later that day, Raine and Squall had headed over to her mother's home while Laguna and Ellone stayed at the pub. Ellone was playing with her toys while Laguna was channel surfing on the television. Soon, a disgruntled moan came from the man who ended the Sorceress War.

"What's the matter, Uncle Laguna?" Ellone asked.

"I forgot how few channels there are in Winhill." Laguna replied as he turned the TV off. "I can't find anything to watch."

"Does that mean yoo're bored?" Ellone asked again.

"Yeah, but it's better than Raine's mom expressing her hatred for me." Laguna said, looking on the bright side. "She's been gone for a while now, I wonder what's going on."

Laguna soon got his answer as Raine burst through the door of the pub. As she sent Squall into the arms of his father, he could tell something had upset her. Raine hastily ran up the stairs as Laguna looked into his son's eyes.

"Not the best visit in the world, eh?" Laguna asked. Squall gave a squirm and a smile. "Yeah, well, I don't think you're mom thought so." Laguna then set Squall on the small sofa in the downstairs area.

"Ellone, why don't you keep Squall entertained while I go see what's bugging Raine?" Laguna said.

"O.K." Ellone said as she got on the couch next to her 'brother'. As she began to play with the baby, Laguna went upstairs and found his wife with her head buried in her pillows. He walked over and put his hand on the small of her back. Raine looked up to see who was with her, and that's when Laguna saw the tears in her eyes. Something had happened at her mother's home that really upset her.

"It's bad enough she takes shots at you," Raine began, "But why did she say a horrible thing like that?"

"Like what?" Laguna asked.

"It was awful." Raine said. "It was about how you were Squall's father."

"That couldn't have gone over well." Laguna said. "Well, at least Squall's too young to understand a lot of things."

"I still can't believe she said those things though." Raine sniffed.

"I take it she's not invited to Squall's first birthday party." Laguna mused.

"You know what?" Raine said, feeling less sad and more spiteful. "When Squall turns a year old, we won't be here anymore. I want to go so far away from her, she'll never find us!"

"What are you saying, Raine?" Laguna asked.

"Laguna, Take the job!" Raine said. "Be the Esthar President!"

"Are you feeling ok?" Laguna asked.

"I feel great!" Raine said, grabbing Laguna by the collar. "Take the offer, and I'll come to Esthar with you."

"You're so hot when you're minds made up!" Laguna said in the heat of the moment.

"Not right now, Casanova." Raine said, pushing Laguna away. "Give them a call and Arrange a ship to come for us."

"Yes ma'am, Commander ma'am!" Laguna said as he gave a military salute. He then went downstairs and dialed Kiros' Number.

"What's up, Laguna?" Kiros asked.

"How'd you know it was me?" Laguna asked.

"You called my cell-phone Laguna." Kiros said, "It has a built in caller I.D."

"That's irrelevant." Laguna said. "Send a Ship to Winhill. We're on our way to Esthar."