Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it. Yep, another long one. Sorry, Rori's too young to sign autographs. Sadly, I'm going away... -wails like an infant-

Chapter 17: The Long Road to Home Part 2

"Congratulations!" They said in unison at the newlywed's doorway. Rori's voice overshadowed both Squall and Rinoa's, causing Selphie to laugh heartily.

"Oh thanks, you guys! I'm so touched!" She said, beaming with grace as she widened the opened door and allowed them to enter. Selphie hugged Rinoa first and then felt a little hand tapping the back of her thigh. When she looked down, she saw Rori smiling from ear to ear.

"It's my turn!" She said, forcing Selphie to end Rinoa's hug to drop down and embrace the little girl. Rinoa stepped back and grinned at Rori, watching Selphie squeeze her in her arms. Rori's laughter into her shoulder became a soft mutter, "Sefie, I can't brea-the!"

"Sorry!" The young woman chuckled, releasing the girl from her arms. She had then looked up from the floor before standing at her normal height and smiled at Squall. "Long time no see, Squall!" She laughed, opening her arms and walking toward him. He had stepped into her embrace with a smile, and was surprised to hear her saying, "Why didn't you stop by to say hello?"

"Well…" He muttered, slowly backing away from her, "I…"

"Ah, it's okay!" Selphie smiled, "Don't be a stranger! You're like family to Irvy and me."

He sighed in relief, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let me close the door, it's cold outside." She said, watching them entering her house like a model family: husband, wife, and kid.

Squall had taken each of their coats, including his own, but Selphie gathered them from him and hung the pieces from the coat hanger, placed to the right of the doorway. Rinoa and Rori greeted Irvine and had quickly found seats at the square table that Selphie had decorated with red and green mossy drapery, dangling off its edges.

Irvine approached Squall with an extended hand, "Hi, Squall."

The brunet looked down at his hand first and then lifted his own to shake it slowly. "Congrats," Squall said.

"Thanks." He responded coolly, releasing Squall's hand with a smirk across his face and added, "It should've been done a long time ago…Had I waited any longer she would've gotten a way from me—"

"Okay, okay, the food's getting cold!" Selphie shooed them along with her hands pressed against their backs, apparently she was fixated with getting the guests out of the doorway and into the warmness of their dining room. The ecstatic woman began biting her gums about the delicious cakes she had made up in less than fifteen minutes, and how she had gotten the recipe from a restaurant in Deling City. As she ushered them out of the walkway, Squall had eyed Irvine quizzically from which he received a wryly grin.

Eventually, she and Rinoa had left the table and walked out into the living room that was open in view to those left behind, where they lost themselves in the details of her 'beautiful' red and green party setup. Rori, sitting beside Rinoa's empty seat that was across from Irvine, had busied herself in the sweets bunched together on her dinner plate, leaving Squall and Irvine to stare at each of them with great concern. Aside from the mellow big band jingles playing from the stereo behind, Irvine and Squall sat adjacent to one another at the square table in total silence. Squall would've said something sooner just to get time moving, but Irvine had already found another means to waste time. He feared if things continued the way they were, he would join him.

After ensuring that every lick of icing had melted from the plastic fork, Irvine removed the fork from his mouth, sighing as he tossed it back onto his plate. "I don't understand where all that energy comes from," He stated, staring blankly at the women who were seemingly chatting about everything in line of their sights. "…They've been talking for decades without even stopping to breathe."

Squall frowned, "Who are you kidding?" He pulled his plastic cup from the table, bringing it to his mouth to finish the last of the mystery punch inside. If it weren't for the specific colors, could anyone possibly distinguish the difference between any of the punch flavors?

"So Squall…" Irvine had interrupted the man's somewhat amusing thought, "…Is everything good?" He inquired, his gaze straying across the room from Selphie in the next room and toward the brunet sitting adjacent to him.

Squall pulled the red cup away, looking at Irvine quizzically. Although the two were good friends, he had rarely discussed his personal life with Irvine. However, seeing as Irvine was now married to Selphie, he understood that everything she knew, he would know also. Yet before he could give an answer, they each heard the sound of a plastic plate sliding across the table cover.

Looking across the table, they saw Rori chasing her cake with a fork that had pushed the loose plate forward every time she went in to cut a piece from its edge. Squall had immediately reached over and stopped the plate, and held it in place while rising from his seat to take Rinoa's abandoned chair beside her. Rori looked into his eyes thankfully before focusing her eyes and digging her fork into the slice of yellow cake, finally able to enjoy and savor her bite. He smiled at her.

"…Yeah, it's fine." He answered, returning his face to Irvine's while maintaining a stiff hand on Rori's plate to keep it still.

He realized his new seat placed him directly across from Irvine. Taking advantage of Squall's new positioning, Irvine leaned forward, pressing his elbows onto the table to take advantage and squinting his eyes. "…Are you sure?" He inquired Squall, lifting an eyebrow.

Squall took a moment to himself, losing the smile he had given to Rori moments ago to the seriousness of Irvine's inquiry. Am I sure? He asked himself to be certain he could make since of his answer. Finally, Squall reached a conclusion.

"…No," He answered. "…But I'll make sure everything's fine for them." He said, tilting his head toward Rori, signifying Rinoa as well.

"Alright! That sounds good to me." Irvine said, falling back into his chair. He slapped an arm over his belly and roared, "Hey Selphie, is it time yet?!"

Selphie had been mumbling to Rinoa, "You mean she actually called him daddy?"

"Selphie!" Irvine called again, his voice booming over the music this time.

"—Oh!" The young woman howled. "What is it Irvy?" She asked sweetly, turning from Rinoa to pretend they were talking about anything but Squall and Rori's secret.

"Is it time for the You-know-what?" He had asked again.

"Oh!" Selphie exclaimed, smiling as she set her glass of juice onto the coffee table. "That's right! It's time for somebody to get something special!"

Rori immediately dropped her fork and sat up stiffly in her chair. She watched as Irvine jumped from his seat and ran out of the dining room to meet Selphie at the corridor to their bedroom. Rori turned around in her chair and looked at Rinoa out in the living room first, who smiled and lifted her cup, and then she looked at Squall beside her, who grinned and pointed toward the young couple as they emerged from the corridor with a large box covered in pink wrapping paper and strips of red ribbing that met together underneath a red bow at its top.

Rori smiled with yellow cake crumbs and white icing stuck to the corners of her mouth. She had instantly abandoned the cake at the table and made her way to the living room where her gift had been gathered. She was especially surprised to find that it was quite bigger than what she had already imagined.

Rinoa laughed, muttering that it had been the cutest display she had ever seen from her daughter.

The little girl's eyes lit up when Selphie said, "Rori, here's a little something from us." And when they placed the box down, Rori stared at it for a few moments as if waiting for someone to give her the okay to open the gift.

Almost reading her mind, Irvine urged her onward, "Go on Rori! Open it up!" He had yelled, looping in his arm around Selphie's waist, and watched the girl dig her fingers underneath the ribbon, ripping it from the side.

Squall stood from his seat and joined Rinoa who was watching the show from behind the couch where Selphie had left her before. They watched their daughter tear away the wrapping paper from the box. When she finally reached the layer underneath, Irvine had stepped in and lifted the top half of the box off, revealing a maple wooden rocking horse. It was the same horse he had been working on sometime ago, and had finally finished just a day before he and Selphie would leave for their trip to the city. He prided himself in his work while Rori stared at it silently. She was far from disappointed. The girl was so excited that she needed time to prepare herself for a celebration.

"A rocking horse!!!" She finally screamed, and jumped around as if she had won a million Gil in a game where her chances of winning were one to infinity. Irvine lifted the horse out of the bottom half of the box and placed it in the spaciousness of the living room. Rori ran over to meet him, stepping on her tiptoes as he was setting it up. As soon as he stepped away from the horse, she climbed aboard. She felt as though it had been crafted for her. Its size was perfect. Of course, it was purposely done. It might be years until she could outgrow the horse completely; a value that Irvine prided himself on.

"Aren't you forgetting something, Rori?" Rinoa asked, smiling at the little girl who was still lost in her gift.

"Oh…" She froze trying to remember what her mother had meant, and then she brought her hands over her mouth. Rori immediately climbed off and ran to Irvine. "Thank you!" She said, reaching up as he slouched down and grabbed her from the floor. He smiled when she hugged him and then passed her over to Selphie's opened arms.

"You're welcome, Rori!" They said in unison, and Selphie placed her down. Afterwards, it was off to the rocking horse for Rori once again. She hopped on, rocking forward and backward while her tiny hands clung to the handles on the sides of the horse's head. Irvine had carved its mane out of wood and painted its wooden strands dark brown to match the brown and gray marbles inserted into its eye ducts. The straps across its face were painted scarlet red, complementing the ribbon that was tied into a bow at the top of its ponytail, courtesy of Selphie, who refused to allow the horse from her sight if it hadn't passed her cute little pony test.

"It's so cute!" Rinoa said, making Selphie's day. "I can't believe you made that Irvine!"

"Yeah, me neither." Irvine agreed.

Selphie laughed and slapped his arm playfully, "I knew you could do it, I mean you are a carpenter now!"

The shy man laughed, "Just an apprentice, but only until I find something else worthwhile."

"He could probably make all of your furniture, right Squall?" Rinoa said, tapping Squall, who had zoned out long ago. He had been watching Rori, believing that she would take off into space at any second.

Realizing Rinoa had tapped his shoulder, he snapped out of his zone."…Seriously, that's pretty good work." Squall recovered, "I think it's safe to say that Rori is your biggest fan." He said, pointing to Rori who had still been in a world of her own.

"Hah, you can say that again." Irvine laughed as they all focused on her.

"Ride 'em, Cowgirl!" Selphie yelled, sending the group into laughter; all the while, Rori was so excited about her new friend that she had forgotten about everyone else. She continued to ride the horse for the rest of the party.

When the adults gathered around the dinner table, raising their champagne glasses, Rori had finally fallen out of her playful trance and watched them standing together with raised glasses. She smiled and climbed off of the horse, running toward Rinoa and Squall. Because Rinoa had been talking with Selphie, she stopped beside Squall's left leg, lifting her eyes to make contact with his when he had felt her presence near him. "Are you toasting?" She whispered.

He smiled gently, wondering where she had learned the word, and answered, "Yeah." As he had spoken with her, he drew in everyone's attention, and they all noticed that Rori had been free from the rocking horse's spell for the time being.

Selphie placed her glass down and scampered off into the kitchen, returning moments later with a short glass filled with grape juice. "Here you go, Rori!" She said, lowering it so Rori could run over and claim the cup as her own.

"Thank you, Sefie!" Rori said sweetly, carefully making her way back to Squall's side with the cup lifted in her hands. He laughed softly and glanced at Rinoa, where their eyes surprisingly locked almost immediately. The room around them disappeared. Rinoa smiled embarrassingly, her cheeks filling with heat; she had been caught staring at him.

At that moment, Squall's eyes had gazed over to his champagne glass. He stared into the red wine inside, seeing the sizzling bubbles soar to its surface. Although in a state of bliss, his eyes had saddened almost instantly. It hadn't occurred to him that this glass of champagne would be his first taste of alcohol in a year. He had given up the drink in order to shape up and work on himself again; improving what was broken before he could make his way into her life again.

Rinoa saw the sudden meltdown in his spirit and was about to ask what had bothered him, but Squall cleared his throat and met Selphie's eyes briskly, "…You wouldn't happen to have any more of that, would you?" He asked, referring to Rori's grape juice.

Selphie smiled and nodded her head, "I'll get it for you."

"Thanks." He responded, looking down at Rori and flashing another smile to her.

With Selphie's return, they had all toasted to each other a happy, promising future and new lives together.

Squall was disappointed to see that Rinoa's smile was not as bright as it had been moments prior to his change of drink. He hadn't meant to spoil her mood with his decision. He knew it would undoubtedly raise questions later; nevertheless, he stared at her as she, her eyes scanning the floor and waited patiently until she lifted her eyes to meet his again. He titled his head to the side, as if questioning her trouble, making her smile instead. He was relieved when she fanned her hand through the air; in which to his understanding, meant that she was fine and he had no reason to be concerned.

He had then released a tranquil sigh.

----- ------ - - - - -

"G'night, you three!" Selphie yelled from the doorstep. She saw them off while Irvine stayed inside, exhausted from their nightlong festivities. "Come back and visit us!"

"Yeah, and thanks again, Sel!" Rinoa said, holding onto Rori's hand. "Goodnight!" She said for both Squall and Rori who had looked back at the woman as though they would bid farewell too, but were too tired to do so.

"Nighty-night!" Selphie yelled in an attempt to get a response from all of them, but was met with utter silence. She realized Rori had burnt all the extra energy she had gotten from the cake during the playtime afterwards and Squall was exhausted because Rori had forced him into various games involving the horse. The young woman yawned, watching the family until they crossed the street and reached the next block. After seeing them off, she closed the door.

"Finally…"Squall whispered, sighing in relief. I thought that door would never close. Rinoa, realizing why he had sighed, grinned and elbowed his arm hard. "Oww…" He groaned, "I'm sorry. I know she means well."

At his excuse, she smirked and said nothing in return.

Rori outstretched her free arm with a yawn, causing Rinoa to look down at her almost instantly. "…Tired, sweetie?" She asked, squeezing the girl's right hand in her left.

"A little..." She whispered, rubbing her eyes with a fragile hand.

"Come on." Rinoa said, quickly sweeping her up into her arms. Rori giggled, but was too sleepy to keep at it, and so she wrapped her arms and legs around Rinoa, and rested her face onto Rinoa's right shoulder.

Squall walked beside them carrying the wooden horse underneath his arm. He was amazed at how much the two had resembled, even though Rori had inherited his eyes and hair. Not wanting to stare, he compared from memory the similarities and differences of both Rinoa and Rori's faces. As his mind carried on, his eyes had fallen to the ground and he slid his free hand into his jacket pocket. When Rinoa noticed his peaceful silence, she brushed her arm against his and slowed her pace. Although at times it could annoy her, she loved whenever he had fallen into his own world. The mysteries his mind bade, it was all the more intriguing to her. She looked at his face once more, and saw a smile creeping across his lips. She smiled and leaned her head against his arm.

----- ------------------ --- -- --

The walk home was silent and passed by quickly. Reaching the house, Squall walked as far as the top step and set the rocking horse down onto the porch. He watched Rinoa toggle with the keys for a moment, balancing a sleeping Rori in her hold and unlocking the door at once. He had wanted to step in and take the keys from her, but realized she obviously had experience with this task, seeing as she handled it flawlessly without asking for hand. He was amazed and yet saddened somehow. Just how many times before had she performed this routine alone?

Rinoa kicked the door open and turned around quickly to push her back against it, keeping the door from closing them out so soon. Momentarily, she wondered why the light was already on inside, and then remembered she had forgotten to turn it off from their leave earlier. Rinoa walked backwards into the house, smiling at Squall as she asked in a whisper, "Can you bring that inside for me, please?"

He glanced down at the horse and back to her face again, "…Sure." He answered hesitantly. …Inside? He wondered: Only for a little while. His eyes shimmered softly, but Rinoa hadn't noticed, instead she maintained the smile. He grinned and grabbed the horse from the porch.

Squall carried the wooden horse inside; slowly placing it to the left of the door's entryway while Rinoa had gone further inside to put Rori to bed, the girl had fallen asleep on her shoulder long ago.

He waited at the opened front door, and stared into the yellow walls of their living room. He remembered when he and Rinoa had first put up the wallpaper, when he had asked what color she wanted and she told him yellow because it was a nice color. He remembered her explaining: …It's not empty or depressing like white and it's not too lively like red or orange. Inside, he knew the real reason. Yellow actually symbolized the sun on one fine day they both remembered; curiously the first time they had watched a sunrise together.

Squall moved his eyes around the walls of the room, noticing how small the place was than he remembered. Suddenly, the living room wasn't as spacious as he had remembered, and the couch was shorter, leaner than he recalled as well, even the kitchen looked smaller; however, disappointment hadn't gotten the best of him, he was grateful things weren't as he remembered. He feared remembering the exact shape of their house—the house of their past: his past, only to return and find it different. Somehow finding a major difference would have carved a deep wound into his heart, and he would waste the night comparing the past to the present.

When Rinoa returned, she found Squall standing in the doorway. She could not understand why he hadn't taken another step into the house or why the door behind him was left unclosed. "Squall…?" She questioned, only to find herself embedded with silence.

She wanted to gain his attention, but soon realized he had gone aloft in his thoughts again. Rinoa inwardly sighed. Her heart ached for his response. She wanted to know what was troubling him; she wanted to understand his thoughts exactly.

Squall...what's the matter? Her mind cried. …What are you waiting for?

And then she sighed aloud, hoping to break his gaze away from the unknown figure across the room. What is he looking at? She asked inwardly, following his eyes to the empty walls near the kitchen where only holes remained from pictures that hang there long ago. She remembered taking the pictures down once Rori's first birthday came around, fearing the girl would see the unfamiliar man and later grow to question who he was.

It may have been selfish at the time, but she had kept Rori away from the dead man in those photographs because she believed at that time that he was never coming back. And if Rori had known the truth beforehand, she might have felt unwanted by her own father. What if it's about the pictures? Has he noticed that none of the pictures that remain are of him…? The young woman brought her gaze from the wall and set her eyes upon Squall, feeling them burn with sadness. I'm sorry, She frowned, Squall, look at you…you left this place a long time ago, and now that I understand why you had to leave, I feel so ashamed… You wanted to escape the pressures of our world, I know…but you were actually trying to protect me. You wanted to protect me just like I had to protect Rori from you…

Rinoa watched him a moment longer, noticing how his eyes grew poignant. In the midst of her inner pondering, she made a discovery. Or maybe it's… She sighed inwardly. How could I have forgotten? ...This is the first time I've let him inside of the house... My God, he hasn't been here in four years… Rinoa's heart cringed in pain as she stared at him, watching as his eyes innocently explored their home.

Squall was overrun with emotions, sensations rekindling in his heart once again. The longer he had been away, the more he became cold at heart; however, the familiarities of their home, the sweet smell he remembered, its coziness, its gentleness—all those elements were what made it so special and had warmed his heart over those lost years. He missed their home terribly, but no matter how much he longed to be home, he could never deny having yearned for Rinoa more.

Now he was there, standing inside of their house once again, with her. He closed his eyes, and allowed a little time to gather himself.

The brunet was lost in thought when Rinoa paced toward him. He hadn't heard her approaching. When she closed the door behind him, it startled him, and he immediately opened his eyes.

"I'm sorry…" Rinoa whispered, apologizing more out of guilt than her actions.

"…It's alright. I wasn't sure…" He said, rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous hand. "...Is Rori asleep?" He asked hurriedly, finding a greater means of conversation and less of what was currently on his mind.

The young woman smiled warmly, "…Rori was sleeping before she ever touched her mattress."

He laughed inwardly, hiding behind the grin."…Well," He groaned, "That sounds like a good idea. …I'll…" He said, turning away from her abruptly and reached for the door knob, but Rinoa moved his hand away.

"Wait…" She whispered, her soft voice freezing him dead in his tracks. "I…I have something I want to show you." She said, grabbing his hand from the door and pulling him away. Squall was helpless to stop her as curiosity forced his legs to abide in her strong demand.

She led him around to the couch, pushing him onto the sofa before turning away and finding the closet beside the kitchen. There in the kitchen closet and underneath her imperishable items was a large cardboard box, in which she had removed and carried carefully in her arms. She placed the box onto the coffee table and smiled at her accomplishment, but he stared at it quizzically for a moment.

"…What is it?" He asked, sitting upright on the sofa.

Rinoa took a seat beside him, placing her hand on his thigh and grinning, "Something you hated to be a part of for a long time…and also something that I frequently did to annoy you purposely."

He shrugged his shoulders and looked over at her. "I'm not sure if I want to know what's inside."

She laughed and watched as he reluctantly leaned over to peel back the folds that were nestled together to keep the box's contents hidden. Who knew what Rinoa had hidden underneath? More importantly, who was she hiding it from? Rori…? …Him?

Once the final fold had been lifted, he was surprised to find a wide booklet with decorative ribbon at its front, and a small oval opening which displayed a picture of a baby. The baby had a light patch of brown hair at the top of her head, and a huge smile. Undetectable tears immediately came to his eyes, "…Is that…"

"…Rori." Rinoa answered in a whisper, sliding closer to Squall on the sofa as he dug his hands into the box, holding the photo album at its sides and lifting it out.

"Rin…you…" He muttered, touching his fingers to the baby picture, surprised even at his own reaction.

"Aren't you glad we didn't think alike all the time? Imagine if I weren't such a maniac about taking pictures?" She laughed, pressing her face into his forearm. Squall had averted his eyes from the picture and looked over at her. He smiled, unable to respond to her with mere words; instead, he placed a warm kiss on her forehead.

Rinoa placed her hand atop his. "There are plenty more you know." She said, releasing his hand and flipping to the official first page of the photo album.

There was an assortment of pictures of Rori, most of them taken by Rinoa, but then there were other pictures with both Rori and Rinoa that had obviously been snapped by a third party. He thought perhaps that maybe Selphie had taken them? Who else could have really been around to do so?

Before his mind could render in more ideas about the possible photographer, his eyes had found a picture of Rori wearing a yellow sunflower costume.

He blurted out a laugh and Rinoa gasped, covering his mouth with a cold hand. "Shh! Squall, she's sleeping!"

"Sorry." He muffled against her hand, smiling even after she uncovered his mouth. Their smiles lingered a moment after, and Rinoa cleared her throat, looking down at the photo again. His eyes had done the same.

In the photograph, Rori had to have been no younger than two. She was standing against a wall in the house with her hands to the sky, wearing a yellow, two pieced outfit, which consisted of a long-sleeve shirt and a short skirt, with a blossoming sunflower encased around her face. She had on green tights with green clown shoes that tipped like crescents at her toes. Everything about the costume was both cute and bizarre, fitting Rori's unique personality.

"Rori didn't want to take it off for the rest of the day. You know, she almost went to bed wearing it, up until the flower crown started to irritate her face. After that, I couldn't get her out of the tub. She wanted to bathe most of the night to get rid of the itching." Rinoa said while shaking her head with a grin, Squall laughed quietly.

"…When did she dress up like this?" He asked, bringing his eyes from the picture and gazing to Rinoa again.

"It was a few months ago when Rori was still at the nursery in downtown Balamb. Rori and other older kids at the nursery were asked to join a small kindergarten class from a school across the street to perform a play. She was among the youngest, but she kept up with the four-year-olds well." The young woman laughed, "…Not that they gave her any lines or anything much, but Rori had to stand in the back and pretend to be a flower."

"As her costume implies…" He grinned.

"Yeah, but she was the cutest one on stage! People were asking about her afterwards!" Rinoa chuckled, "They thought Rori was part of that class!"

Her fingers danced through to the next page of the album, pointing to a row of children wearing the same sunflower costume, of which Squall counted about thirteen off top. "Where is she?" He asked, and Rinoa giggled again.

"Right there," she said, pointing out Rori who stood in the midst of the other kids, almost indistinguishable from the others.

When he finally spotted her, he smiled. To his surprise, Rori actually was the best looking sunflower of their bunch; her costume had fitted just right. "You're right." He said, moving closer to her picture. "She's the best damn sunflow—"

"Squall! They're kids! Besides…the other children are cute too!" Rinoa laughed, hitting his arm and facing him.

"Yeah, I know, but Rori is ours…" He said, losing himself inside the picture once more. Rinoa had silently agreed with him, leaning on his side as he continued his quest through the album. She watched Rori's reflection dance in his pupils.

Time had been lost since Rinoa showed him the photo-album and now she fought her sleep at his side whilst he flipped through another scrap book focusing on more baby pictures of Rori. Rinoa yawned, pressing her face into his forearm as her hands warmed the sides of her folded arms to toughen out her stay in the living room.

Squall looked down at her immediately. He hadn't realized how much time had passed. "…I'm sorry." He whispered to her, setting the photos back onto the coffee table and turning to Rinoa. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned onto the sofa, moving his head down to be face to face with her.

Upon opening her eyes, his face was the first things she saw. A smile spread across her lips. "You can look at the pictures for as long as you want, I don't mind…" She muttered in a voice that was barely audible.

"…I'll do that, but you've got to get into bed. You must be uncomfortable sitting there like that." He whispered to her, his eyes traveling her body at the moment.

"I'm fine, Squall. Don't worry about me." She insisted, smiling warmly and closing her eyes.

"That's it…You've force me to do it."

"To do what?" She asked, her eyes peeling open.

Without another word, he had placed an arm behind her back and the other underneath her, and as he stood, he lifted her from the couch. She would've squealed, but realized she had been too tired to rebel against his actions; instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured some foreign words into his shoulder, allowing him to carry her away

Walking down the corridor and to their bedroom, Squall felt an immense familiarity flood his being. The walkway stretched farther than he remembered, almost as though he would never reach her room in time, or maybe he didn't want to bring her to the room. Maybe he wanted just to hold on to her?

Finally, he reached the last door and pushed it opened, seeing as it had already been left open since the last time she had used it. Stepping inside, his boots sunk into the soft carpeted floors. It was like taking a step onto a cloud, the puffiest cloud in the sky to be exact. That's definitely new. He thought to himself, before carrying Rinoa over to her bed. He laid her down first, and was about to pull the covers back, but Rinoa's arms remained around his neck. Realizing she had purposed this, he smiled and looked down into her eyes that were now upturned to his.

"After you're done with the pictures…would you lock the front door?" She asked, loosening her arms around his neck and sliding her hands down to his face. She was careful not to add on to her words, not wanting to dictate his actions with the tagalong: on your way out.

"…Sure." He answered.

Rinoa smiled and rose to his face slowly, planting a warm kiss beside his mouth.

"Thanks." She muttered, resting her head back onto the softness of her pillow.

He grinned faintly, moving his hand to her face and sliding it over her cheek, "…You're welcome." He answered, leaving a lingering impression on her jaw before rising from the bed and leaving the room, closing the door behind.

She smiled and faced the wall of her room, wondering how long he would look upon the photographs of their past, especially if he had found the hidden stash of photos with just the two of them throughout their first year in their new home. Of course, most of those pictures consisted of his hand blocking the camera, but he was there nonetheless. There was one photo which had been her personal favorite, snapped of Squall sitting on the sofa with his nose in a book. Whenever she was lonely over the years, she would sneak into the box and dig through the layers of albums just to see that picture. He looked so warm and gentle, and mostly innocent. She admitted that he loved to read, a strong trait that she had begun seeing in Rori lately. An innate attribute that suited both of them well, Rinoa concluded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"What kind of ice cream do you want: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry?" He asked the little girl, her tongue busy licking the corner of her mouth.

"Um, Strawberry!" Rori sang from his side, her fingertips gripping the edge of the countertop, she was barely tall enough to see over it.

"Did you really need to ask?" Rinoa grinned, leaning onto the counter and resting her face into the palm of her hand. They were standing underneath the shade of the Ice Cream Shack on Balamb's ocean line. With the sun beaming and the sea waves carrying in wafts of air, the day was nice. He was glad he could finally find a place of rest with everyone that meant the world to him, his dear family.

Squall shrugged his shoulders and faced the employee, a younger man with Nida on his nametag. "Alright, we'll have one frozen yogurt—"

"Flavor?"

"Peach..." Squall answered, looking at Rinoa from the corner of his eye. He knew she would slap him if he had gotten it wrong again. "…A small strawberry cone." He heard Rori giggle. "…And a lemonade slushy…"

"That's 300 gil…"

"It's so hot out today…" Rinoa said, turning around and looking out at the ocean. "…Are you sure your little ice berg can survive out there?"

"I think you should worry about it having to survive me before setting sights on the sun." He answered, paying Nida and facing her with a grin.

She smiled, and pushed him playfully. "All I'm saying is that you could ask for something more than that piece of ice…"

"I prefer ice when it's hot. Besides, everything melts in the sun, and ice, melts without the mess…like your frozen yogurt."

"Oh, not the ice lecture again!" She laughed and covered her ears, and Rori copied her, laughing while covering her ears as well.

"Well you brought it up this time." He said, facing the open counter with a grin.

"We can't hear you, daddy!" Rori yelled.

"So you've sided with the enemy?" He asked, looking back at Rori. "I guess that means you don't want ice cream then."

"What?" She asked, immediately dropping her hands from her ears. "No, I'm sorry! I want my cone! I'm sorry!"

"Rori!" Rinoa gasped, "You can't just take his side like that!"

Rori looked at both of her parents. She wanted to be on both of their sides, but reality set in. "...I really want ice cream."

Squall and Rinoa both burst out into laughter. Rinoa stooped down and took Rori's face in her hands, kissing her right cheek, "It's okay, sweetheart. We were just kidding."

"Really?" The girl smiled, even though tears had begun to weld in her eyes, "I'm not in trouble for choosing?"

"No, it was only a joke."

"It wasn't a very good one, though." Squall added, touching the top of her head. "…Why don't we—"

"Sir, your order's up!"

"…Never mind." He said, leaving them to claim their snacks at the counter. Rinoa took Rori's hand and led her to a sun-shade table, where they had taken seats and waited for Squall.

"Do you need more napkins?"

"Yes, please."

"One second." The young man said, abandoning the window to gather napkins from the side. Squall had turned around and seen Rinoa and Rori laughing together, and then she faced him. She mouthed a playful, I love you—

"Sir, here are your napkins."

Squall cleared his throat, facing the employee again, "...What?"

"Your napkins…"

"Oh, I'm sorry…" Squall said, grabbing the napkins from his hand and gathering each snack from the countertop. He was turning to see her face again, when Rori shrieked, "Mommy!!"

Rinoa was collapsed out on the ground, her body stiffening even as Rori tugged at her arm. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach, and he dropped everything in his hands. "Rinoa!!!" Squall yelled, running toward her and falling on his knees at her side. "Rinoa, what's wrong?!"

He placed her head into his lap and touched her cheek, "Rinoa! Come on! Tell me what's wrong!!" She had been looking into heaven, oblivious to everyone including his presence nearby. He wouldn't allow her to drift. He wouldn't lose her now. "Look at me, Rin!" He repeatedly slapped her cheek until her eyes had fallen in line with his. "Rinoa!" He cried. "Tell me what's wrong!"

She managed a faint smile, a smile that somehow relaxed his soul, and he calmed his rampant breathing. He blocked out the world around them, and stared into her eyes until they no longer dilated…until they no longer sparkled with life. He could do nothing but watch as she took her last breath. Squall saw her chest inhaling, but it never receded. She had died…

-

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He rose from the sofa with a jolt, his forehead beading with cold sweat. It was dark in the living room, the door was closed, and pictures lay scattered across the coffee table in their living room. In his hand was an old picture of the two of them standing in front of the ocean, where the sun seemed to beam directly down onto them.

"…I was dreaming…it felt real…" He whispered, placing the photo onto the table.

Rinoa had curled into a ball underneath her comforter, protecting herself from the chilly air that had seeped inside due to the opened front door: however, a different type of chill passed over her body; almost as if she had been naked, stripped of her comforter, and she opened her eyes to investigate.

Before the young woman knew what to make of it, he had lifted the covers and slipped underneath, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Squall…" She whispered, feeling her face heating up instantly. Countless nights ago she had wished that he would sneak into her room, climb into bed with her and hold her closely.

"…I thought you went home." She murmured, referring to his lonesome hotel room.

"Are you kidding…?" He murmured, pressing his mouth into the back of her neck. "…You are my home."

She shut her eyes, feeling tears sliding down from their corners and falling onto her pillow. Squall lifted his head, digging his chin between her neck and shoulder. He placed kisses on her cheek and rested his face against hers as he snuggled closely behind her. Rinoa smiled, feeling his skin grow hotter against hers, and when Squall raised his head again, she turned her face so that her mouth neared his, joining in a long, lingering kiss.

Was it real? She had dreamt of this happening so many times before that it became more of a nightmare. Haunting her until she would spend the rest of the night crying herself to sleep; however, with a tug on her shirt from both of his hands, Rinoa realized she hadn't fallen asleep. The strands of his hair had tickled her forehead and face. The heat of his body was more intense than she could ever imagine.

"…Rin…" He muttered, breaking away from their kiss. Somehow, he sounded to her as if he were afraid of something unseen. She was correct. Squall was indeed afraid. His nightmare had scared him back to reality, and back to his sense. They had lost enough time as it was, so he would no longer waste anymore time by stalling to comfort her or by engaging in anything that would further keep his time short between them.

"Squall…stay with me.." The urgency of her voice toiled his heart, and it began to pound profoundly within his chest. Rinoa felt his rampant heartbeat against her back, and wondered if he had been having second thoughts. She was absolutely fearful of having that close comfort taken away from her again. "…Please," She begged tenderly, instantly igniting the tingling knot that was sitting sharp in the pit of his stomach.

He dreaded hearing her voice in distress. The sound of her voice could never lie. He moved his hand from her body, sliding it to her face, and he placed his fingers onto her chin, pulling it toward him so he could look directly into her eyes. Rinoa allowed her body to roll over and face his where she found him shirtless and dedicated to her; however, Squall was disheartened to see that her eyes were filled with sad tears.

"…I'm not going anywhere," He answered lovingly. He would never waste time again. "You don't have to worry anymore, Rinoa… I'm here." He murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace. Rinoa had gasped at the first moment she touched against his quivering body, closing her eyes to savor their closeness.

"Squall…" She whispered his name shakily, only seconds before her mouth was devoured by his.

He rose above her and stared deep into her brown eyes for what felt like an eternity. There were no smiles exchanged; only eyes that epitomized two souls that were hungry for a tolerant love that had been waiting patiently for years before rekindled to its former glory.

Within the time span, they made love, leaving Rinoa breathless on his bare chest. She listened to his heart pounding beneath her face, and rested her palm over it, hoping to calm its rampant pace.

"…You've changed…" She murmured, smiling into his chest.

He smirked, staring at the ceiling above them, "…How so?"

"…I can't explain it really," She mumbled, raising her head from his chest to look down into his eyes. "…I mean, you're still the same man I fell in love with, but just now I…I swore you were someone else."

There were plenty of reasons he had been so passionate, and one reason was out of fear of losing her permanently.

"…Maybe I'm not the same person you remember? …We're both totally different people than who we were four years ago…" He said, lifting his hand to her chin and thumbing her bottom lip. "…Take a look at us back then, Rinoa, we were kids. I hadn't realized how many things had changed until I found a picture of us from a long time ago. I saw how differently we both look today compared to that picture. Not only have we changed physically, but our mindsets are different now…and everything that had bothered me or kept me from away you before no longer concerns me now. My priority now is to be certain that you and Rori are happy, and that's it. To hell with whoever or whatever comes our way. …Back then, I had lost sight of that fact, I lost sight of you…and that's when everything went downhill. Now, I know what I need to do and I won't quit at it again."

Rinoa chuckled shakily, "Did I mention that I like this change?"

Her response forced a laugh from him as well, and she rested her face against his body listening to his laughter uproar through his chest. Although Rinoa hadn't stressed it much, she loved his change. She had loved Squall Leonhart all along. She knew without a doubt that he had loved her the same; therefore, she would cling onto him and embrace everything he was, imperfect just as her, and never let go. It was at that moment that Rinoa acknowledged that their hearts had finally been healed.

Once Upon an Author's Words:
SO...

BEFORE you hit me, I want to say that I hope you've enjoyed your read. I'm swamped in studying and finals, and I didn't get to really look over the final draft. There's no time!!…I've got to pack up, get off campus, and fly home! I'm going on break for the next three to four weeks, and I didn't want you guys to wait all that time so…forgive me for dishing out this madness… I'll fix it up later...you get my drift? (where I'm going, I don't have a computer...that's why...)

So let me have it! -holds her breath-

Thank Yous: I'm really glad everyone enjoyed Ch.16! And also, the randomness of your reviews, lol, –makes a smiley face-

Amy1: --Rori runs around singing-"Coo-kies, coo-kies, every-body gets- a-share! Coo-kies, Coo-kies, thank you Amy, you really-care!"

Ayato: Thank you so much. I really do enjoy writing about Rori, and with her characters comes the gentleness of the story. She's the beacon of innocence within this story, and I'm pretty sure the two of them would never have gotten together if it weren't for her. I didn't realize Selphie and Irvine's wedding would be so much of a shocker, that's hilarious to know. Thanks again, Ayato!

Teresa: lol, Thank you! Yeah, the secret was driving ME insane too. That's why I pulled Squall the side and had little talk with him. lol Thank you for reading and enjoying this story, it really makes it all worthwhile!

XxPhoenixBladexX: I think so too. Every moment counts! I've learned that when writing this story, there is a story in every sentence, and that the characters are flexible. The situations become real when we place ourselves into their shoes, you see? Thank you so much.

RinnyLeonhart: Somehow I thought this chapter would be shorter, lol…I'm sorry, I hope it's not too long (again)!

SquallLeonhart69er: Thanks for pointing that out, I really didn't see it…how embarrassing…lol. ---and that too...lol...chapter 17!!! lol

SavannahX: A brownie! Oh wow, I think you guys are trying to fatten me up! lol! That's difficult to multitask anyway. I've tried it before, but I usually end up re-reading the same line over and over again, lol.

Blue: lol…It was not a Vegas wedding!! –hides all traces of liquor- They're young and spontaneous! Let's not pass judgment to their actions, okay? Yes, Rori-ness as usual! Sadly, Rori barely said a word in this chapter…aww… No worries, long live chapter 16! Woo! Thanks again!

Jayliyah: Yes! Now it's up to 5 votes that says there should've been a fight, lol…-An all out brawl between Seifer and Squall- If it weren't so late, I'd write Seifer into the story again and start him off with, "Hey Squall, I forgot to give you something." And then he brings his fist square into Squall's jaw. Squall, of course, is angry that this kid had the balls to stand against him, and he lunges after Seifer, bringing him to the floor and pummeling his face, letting his fist doing the talking for him. lol…wouldn't that be great? Nevertheless, little Rori is there, and now everyone is happy! Lol…Thanks Jay!!!

k-tea: Yeah, I've been trying to avoid the cliché Seifer. I mean, it's only natural that he hates Squall, but then, he's older and childish things cease to exist. Ah…I'm just glad he fits the mold! Thanks, I'm really glad you're still with me!

Okay guys, I'm being rushed out of the library!! (I need my own computer!!!) I'm glad you took the time to read, and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as well. As per usual, whenever you get the chance, let me know what you thought of it all. And no story is complete without its epilogue, so the final epilogue is on its way! (It'll be a few weeks, but hey, you've got a satisfying conclusion for now, right?)

Adieu,

StardustRay