Chapter IX ~ A Secret
Hours flew by on wings of ancient dragons. It took longer to get to the orphanage than the friends had remembered. By the time they arrived at the orphanage it was getting dark and everyone was tired. To there surprise, Edea was outside waiting for them. She had fixed up the orphanage into a little house for her and her husband.
"Hello my children," Edea said in a soft, gentle voice. The voice of their Matron. She had gone back into wearing that old black dress she once wore.
"Hi!!!" Selphie cheered. At first Selphie paused, then she hugged Edea tight. It had been over one month since their last meeting.
Zell smirked. " Hey there," he wiped his hand on his pants and then offered it for a shake. Edea laughed and then hugged him instead. She stood still and looked past the happy two, at Squall. She could tell he seemed different then usual. He too, seemed happy. Squall looked her in the eyes then glanced over at the vast flower field. Edea smiled and lead the group inside.
Two couches took the place of the beds that once laid there. A small round coffee table was between them, and there were end tables on both sides of them. Edea motioned for the trio to take a seat.
"Well," she started,"I have heard that something troubles my dear Squall." She paused and looked at him; he looked away. "...But it seems he is in the happiest state I have ever seen him in. What confusion people must have had to say that something was wrong. Though I sense a feeling of hope, I fear I cannot aid you very well in your search." Edea looked out the window and sighed. "She was taken away from here when you were only 4. They thought she had received sorceress powers... I'm sorry..." Edea looked down and started crying.
"Ah...oh...well, what's wrong?" Squall asked trying to figure out why she was crying. "And how do you know who I'm looking for?" Squall was more confused than he was when this thing started.
Selphie went over to Matron and hugged her. Edea looked up at Selphie and Selphie wiped away her tears. "Please don't cry Matron... I hate when people cry..." Selphie stood straight up and closed her eyes. Selphie needed to sort out her thoughts.
"Forgive me... I should have told you all sooner..." Edea sniffled and stood up. "Follow me." Edea walked down the stairs into a small study type room. She went over to a bookcase and pulled out a dark blue book. The book looked very old, but it didn't seem like it ever had been used. Edea held out the book in front of her so everyone could see. She slowly opened the cover to the first page. There, in the book, lay a photo of a little girl. The girl looked about 3 years old. She had a white dress on with little red bows and ribbons. Her hair was golden-blonde, and was braided down her back.
"Who is that?" Asked Zell.
Squall picked up the picture and examined it closely. The little girl was wearing a necklace that looked very familiar. "It's her." Squall dropped the picture and stood in shock. "I thought she wasn't real... just a figure of my imagination... Who is she?" Squall looked Edea in the eyes.
Edea said nothing. She looked very sad.
"Who was she?!?!?!" Squall yelled at her. He just had to figure out who it was.
"She," Edea's voice was slow and shaky," she was... my daughter."