Thanks to all of my reader and thanks even bigger at all of my reviewer. This fic was in my mind a four or five chapter long, but I'm well aware now that it's not possible. So, expect at last ten or more chapters. Enjoy.
Chapter 3 : Birthday
Today was a special day for the Villers. One year ago they have found a baby at their door, and now they would celebrate Belle Villier first birthday. The joyous event for the whole family and friends of the Villiers was not seen like it by their neightbore. Even if they were aware of Belle's illness, most of them pitied Snow and Serah to have to raise this girl. It's not natural to them to see a baby of one year old looking and acting like a four years old girl. Belle was the most charming child of the street and most of the mother can't forgive her for it. She was smarter than all of the other four year old, and the people thought that it's not normal. If the girl would have been less beautiful or intelligent, then the people would have loved her. But it was not the case, and she was rejected by the other. Not that it mattered too much to her.
Lightning had known all her life the stare she attracted as Belle. The people always looked at her with a mixing feeling of pity and contempt. Before it was because she had become the guardian of her little sister when both of her parents have died. And now, it's because she was growing too fast. But the stare of the people don't hurt her anymore. She had suffered from it as Lightning, and there is no way she let it bothered her as Belle. She know that it would be better if she hided her knowledge, but she can't help it. She had always loved to learn, and if her mother had not died Lightning would have loved to study. But all her dreams have been crushed the day she had become Serah's mother. It was funny to her to think that now Serah is the mother.
When she had learn how to talk, Lightning had tried to tell the truth about her identity to Snow and Serah. But each time she had try, nothing had happen. It's like if the words don't wanted to come out. And no matter how hard she tried, she can't said a word about it. So, after four months she have give up. If she can't told it herself, she had no doubt that sooner or later someone would recognized her for Lightning. She just hoped that her illness would be worst, because if she had to grown as four years during a year, it will take her a lot of time before she can be herself again, and she doubted that the commander Amodar would be ready to let her be MIA for so long.
It was Hope who had told to her parent that the commander had chose to let the other guardians thought that Lightning was MIA instead od calling her of deserter like he must have done. Belle was happy to heard that, but she don't have know why. It was only the next day that she had understand that she can still be a guardian if she found a way to stop the effect of the potion. She had try to find the old woman when her mother had take her to the park, but with no luck until then. But she don't lost hope. One day she will become her real self, something deep inside her told her so.
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Serah had take Belle to the park this morning. Snow, Sazh and Hope were in charge to decorate the house. Serah had made the cake the last evening when Belle was asleep, and it was Hope who was in charge of the dinner. It was nothing to fancy. just some grilled meat and vegetable, but Serah had forbid Snow to come in her kitchen. Sazh being no better, the task of the cooking had fall unto Hope's shoulders. Not that he complained a lot. He don't know why but he had felt some strange link with the little girl, and as incredible it was, he was ready to do anything for her. No one except for a woman too far good for him had succeed at winning his heart without trying. But thinking about Light made him sad and the last thing he wanted for today was to be sad. Belle deserved more than one of her friend grieving for a woman who had always see him as a little brother and nothing more on her special day.
Snow was happy. Never before he can have thought that a child can change their life so much. Belle was their ray of light. Without her he don't know if he and Serah can live. He was not very sad when Serah had told him that she can't bear any children, and their life had continued in spite of this bad new. But now, it would not be the case anymore. Serah was very affected by her sister disappearance. And in spite of what Amodar said, they lost more and more hope to find Lightning alive. It was not like her to not contact Serah for so long. Something must have happened to her, something bad. And Serah was well aware of it. They both dreaded to learn that her body was found. There is no other explanation. So, if one day Belle disappeared like this, Serah would not take it. And Snow too. He made a promise then. No matter what happen, Belle would be safe and well loved for as long as she would live.
When they returned home, Belle was startled by the shouting of a big " HAPPY BIRTHDAY" from her dad and all of his friends. She was so surprised that tears of joy come to her eyes. Never, for as long as she can remembered, she was so happy for a birthday. But her parents misunderstood her tears and both of them come to hug her. It was during time like this that Light wanted to forget and forgive all of Snow's fault. The man deserved her love, not only because he made her sister happy, but also because he was a carrying father to her. He don't deserved her hate and anger. Sure, he was not perfect, but in a way he was perfect on his own. And for the first time she returned the hug with love for him.
The day was one of the most joyous for the former L'cie. The only one who was a little frightened was chocobo. The little bird don't have wanted to come too close to Belle. And Light can understand why after all the time during their journey when she had treat of eating him if they don't found any food. Of course, she would have not do so, but it looked like if the bird had believed it. It had take time, but after some convincing from Dajh and a lot of smile from Belle, chocobo had come in her hand. Belle was so happy that she had danced with the poor bird still in her hand. It was Hope who had stopped the funny spectacle of a dancing Belle and a frightened cooing chocobo. He had take the poor bird from Belle's hand and had explained to her that chocobo is a living, so he need to be treating with care. Belle had understand and she had done one thing she had wished to do for so long. She had kissed Hope's cheek, regretting she was too young to kiss him like she wanted. She needed several more years before she can do it.
Hope can't explain himself what the feeling who had overloaded him when Belle had kissed him was. It was just the kiss of a little girl who love him like an uncle. But for one second he thought he had heard her think that she wanted to give him a real kiss. Which is impossible. Belle was only four, and no child of four thought about giving a proper kiss. He must be more tired than he had thought. The last year was very hard for him. He don't have said a word about it to Serah or Snow, but, like the commander, he lost more and more the hope of finding Light alive. What killed him the most is to not known what had happen to her. Light was a magnificient warrior. No one can have killed her. So, the only explanation was she had killed herself. But, even if it's the most logical, Hope can't accept it. It was not like Light to act like this. There must be an other explanation. But he don't know how long the commander can wait before he said that Light was dead. When this day will come, Hope don't know if he can continue to live.
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This night, Lightning had a very strange dream. It was so much real, that the woman wondered if she was still asleep. She found herself in Obera. But not the ruined Obera of now, but the Obera of the past. She saw Vanille and Fang talking and laughing together. She wanted to run to them, but it looked like if they don't see her at all. Soon, they were nowhere to be found, and Lightning found herself alone again. And she don't liked the feeling at all. Her former self would have loved it, but not the woman she is now. Snow and Serah's love have changed her. She can't no longer live the life she had lived for. And the idea frightened her.
Suddenly, the woman she had meet one year ago appared in front of her. She was exactly the same as in her memory. The woman smiled at her and asked her " Have you made your choice ?"
" A choice ? Which choice ?" Asked a puzzled Lightning.
" It's too soon. I see." Answered the woman. " I will come to you next year. And don't forget that for one thing gained you have to lost an other thing."
With that the woman disappeared, and Belle wake up in her bed. She clearly remembered her dream, but it don't made any sens to her. Something was still out of her reach, something important. But for the life of herself she can't found what it is. Tired, she fall asleep very soon, and no more disturbing dream come to her this night.
To be continued.
I hope you have liked. Don't forget to give me a review. I will try to post an other chapter next week, but I can't made any promise. I will do my best. see you soon.
