So a lot of you were distressed on hearing that Squall is in hospital. I can't promise everything will be alright. Many authors write dramatic and tragic endings because it makes the story so much more emotional. So i wish i could say this chapter isnt going to be emotional, but then i'd be lying to you...
Tried very hard to make this a long chapter, but the curtains are drawing now, the end is near.
Chapter 22 - An Everlasting Bond
The two men sat down on the chairs provided by the hospital. General Caraway sat crossed legged next to Laguna who sat with his arms leaning on his knees.
Rinoa climbed onto the foot of the hospital bed and stroked Squall's foot through the cotton bed sheets. Smiling at him, she encouraged him to go on and start the conversation.
"You both know how Rinoa and I feel about each other." He started off, getting modest nods from both men. "We've been through a lot these past few months, more than most people have within ten years of their relationship."
He breathed out deeply, worried about what the two men would say to him next.
"We can't show you how strongly we feel about each other, we can't find the words to say how we feel about each other. The only thing we know, is that since we've met, we've desired each other. We're in love and we don't see our feelings changing, ever."
"Squall, we do know that. We know your feelings are genuine." Laguna agreed with his son. It had only been a few weeks ago that the General and himself had been talking about the very matter.
"Everything that we've been through, we've realised that it has made us stronger, more determined to be together. We want to be together properly, enjoy every moment together." He continued. He looked at Caraway, looked deep into his eyes, watching the man's expression and hoping he wouldn't be mad.
Caraway wore a relaxed look, he knew Squall was a good boy and had the best intentions for his daughter, he wouldn't ever doubt the boy. Being by Rinoa's side the whole time she endured her ordeals just made Squall's profile all the more sweeter for Caraway. Looking at Squall lying on the bed, Caraway thought to himself, if there was anything Squall shouldn't be worried about, it was Caraway's belief in their feelings for each other.
"I love Rinoa," Squall continued slowly, "which is why I asked her to marry me."
Laguna and Caraway both looked shocked, neither had quite expected Squall to come out with such a news. Laguna certainly thought Squall would be as stoic and pessimistic as his normal self. He never imagined Squall to come out with such a request.
"And I agreed." Rinoa softly contributed.
Caraway was the first to speak. "You both are so young." He quietly said.
"We know Dad, but we want to be together." She replied, slightly on the defence sensing that her father would object.
"But, you've been through a lot, maybe you both need to think it over. You know, make sure this is what you really want and not just saying it because of the moment." Laguna continued with Caraway's concerns.
"It isn't about the moment, we've both wanted this for a long time. When we got together, we knew it wasn't based on time. We both wanted it to last till we took our last breath." Squall responded.
He knew they wouldn't agree, of course they were both young and had been through a lot. He knew his father's concerns were more about him acting on impulse and regretting it in the future. But Squall knew it wasn't something he'd regret. He loved Rinoa, he wanted to be with her properly, he wanted to share every living moment with her, and he couldn't imagine his life without her.
"Maybe you should both just see how your relationship develops through time. Take it a bit slow." Caraway suggested.
"Dad, Laguna." Rinoa said softly, attracting their attention to her. "Too much has happened for us to expect we're going to settle into a calm life. We didn't start liking each other the moment we were thrust into one problem after another. We've liked each other since the day we met. Since that day, I can't imagine not being with Squall, and it scares me just to think that there will come a day when I won't be with him." She said emotionally.
The two men listened intently, while Rinoa played with the ring on her necklace.
"Please don't stop us from doing this, we just want to be together, we just want to enjoy life our way, every free moment we can get."
Squall looked at his father's concerned eyes, it matched the General's. "Dad, General," He hoped what he said next wouldn't cause a negative reaction, "wouldn't you give anything for just one more day with your wives?"
Laguna looked a bit taken aback, swallowing hard. The General kept cool, only blinking from the unexpected question.
"Wouldn't you want to see them smile one more time? Hear them tell you that they loved you? Hold their hand and feel the softness of their skin? Hold their delicate body in your arms and have that feeling of protection once more?" He asked sincerely. "Please don't deny me that, please let us enjoy one another before fate causes us to part."
Rinoa crawled up to Squall, holding him into a hug. It was an emotional moment for the four of them. The two teens wanting nothing but to be together, while the parents were only thinking about what little time they had with their children.
But what Squall had said was right. They were adults now, gone through so much that they had matured excessively through the few passed months. And neither men would want anyone to stand in their way, if they had ever gotten a chance to see their wives again.
"Squall, are you asking for my permission?" Caraway asked sternly.
"Of course, I wouldn't go ahead without it." Squall answered firmly.
Caraway nodded, reinforcing his earlier opinion of the young boy. "Then you have my permission." He replied smiling.
Rinoa smiled and gently eased herself off the bed. Walking over to her father, she bent down and hugged him. "Thank you." She whispered.
"I think it would be very stupid of me to disagree with decision, I always thought Squall would never get married." Laguna joked, sparking a rolling of the eyes from his son.
"The thing is," Rinoa interrupted, "we want to do it now." She said, looking at both men worriedly.
"Now? But nothing is prepared." Caraway said frowning.
"We don't want a big thing, just to get the ceremony done. Anything else can wait after I'm better." Squall replied. "They normally have religious ministers working in the prayer facilities in hospitals don't they?" He asked Laguna.
"Yeah I think they do." Laguna replied.
"Well, we can get one of them to do it." He replied quickly, having already thought this through.
Laguna looked at Caraway who only shrugged at him. "Ok." Laguna said easily. "You both seem to have made up your minds."
"Alright, so you want it to be now, now?" Caraway asked Rinoa holding her by the shoulders to make sure she was certain.
"Yes Daddy." She replied hugging him. "Before Squall has to go into surgery."
"Alright, well I'll speak to the doctor and tell him we need a private moment." Laguna offered walking towards the door.
"I'll call Ellone and Quistis, they should be here before Squall goes into surgery." Rinoa said following Laguna to the door.
"Erm, well I guess I can stand around here. Or I could pop down and get you some clothes, Rinoa. You look like you're wearing day old clothes." He commented looking at her track pants and dirty grey top.
"I am." She replied, rolling her eyes.
The three of them walked out of the room going about their business, leaving the lone wolf by himself.
Squall breathed hard, thinking about what was to come. He was scared, but excited nonetheless. The troubles had ceased now, now there was only healing.
"I'll just stay here." He whispered to the empty room.
"Ah, President Loire, we're ready for the operation." The doctor said approaching Laguna in the hospital corridor.
"Ah, yeah about that." Laguna replied, putting his arms around the doctor and leading him the opposite way.
Rinoa inserted a couple of gils into the phone box and dialled in Quistis's number. She waited three rings before the blonde picked up.
"Hello?" Quistis spoke.
"Hey, it's me." She replied back.
"Hey! How's Squall?" She asked quickly. "Ellone just got here."
"Yeah, Quistis I need you and Ellone to come down here. Bring Seifer and Zell if need be. Squall's about to go into operation so you gotta be quick."
"Alright we're on our way." Quistis agreed before hanging up.
Half an hour later, Caraway walked back into the hospital with three shopping bags of clothes. He took the elevator up to the fourth floor and walked back to Squall's room.
Rinoa looked up as her father came into the room.
"Whaddya buy?" She asked cutely, knowing the bags were for her.
"I just bought some everyday clothes, but er, this bag has a pretty nice dress you could wear." He replied, smiling he took the dress out.
It was a light gold silk, heart shaped neck, evening gown with full length sleeves. A layer of cream mesh fell from the breast line, covered in golden embroidery. The arms were puffy at the shoulders, the bodice being slightly tight fitting, making the dress look fit for a princess.
"Is this suitable for my Princess?" He asked amused.
"Dad, it's beautiful." Rinoa replied, stroking the material carefully.
"Go try on it." He said handing her the dress.
Squealing with delight, Rinoa took the dress and made way for the ladies' room.
Ellone, Seifer, Quistis and Zell finally reached Squall's room and found the other four members of their group sitting around Squall's bed.
"Hey, you going into surgery yet?" Seifer asked, walking up to Squall's bed and placing a fruit basket on his night stand.
"Not just yet." Squall replied, hesitatingly he looked at them, wondering what they would say to his decision.
Rinoa saw the look on Squall's face and held his hand. Lying next to him on his bed, she sat up, folding her legs underneath her and keeping her white robe securely in place around her body before she began to speak.
"Squall and I have an announcement." She said to the group. They all looked at both of them expectantly, curious to know what news they would hear.
Seeing her friends' prolonged silence, Rinoa smiled over at Squall, who nodded in reply.
"Squall asked me to marry him." She said with the biggest grin on her face. Practically all of their faces lit up. Seifer's went from his normal expression to complete shock, Quistis's mouth flew open in surprise, Ellone's hands went up to her mouth in equal shock and Zell's goofy grin even made a cameo. All four were in surprise, their faces expressing their disbelief, their silence an indication of wanting to know the answer to the surprising news.
"Rinoa said yes." Squall replied back coolly.
"Oh my-" Quistis was about to say before she was interrupted by Rinoa.
"And we're getting married today." She replied, taking her robe off she revealed the gold dress her father bought her.
"What the…" Zell's astounded voice faltered.
"When did this all happen? And how did you get them to agree?" Ellone's disbelief kicked in causing her to speak about their fathers.
"We'll explain everything after the ceremony. We need to make our way downstairs like now, Squall's operation is in half an hour." Rinoa replied, jumping off the bed and putting the white robe aside.
The Ceremony was pretty quick, neither Squall nor Rinoa expected such a prolonged, extravagant wedding ceremony given their circumstances. They knew their friends wouldn't understand yet, only they knew their reasons for such a quick wedding.
They loved each other, they wanted nothing more than just to be together without any more problems, to be together for as long as they wanted, for as long as they needed. They didn't need an extravagant, populated and flashy wedding, they just needed to be together properly, to try at a normal life.
Seifer, Quistis, Ellone and Zell sat on chairs behind Laguna and the General. Squall sat in his wheelchair next to a standing Rinoa. His heart was beating fast, his mouth kept drying up and his mind was whirl winding through different thoughts, all based around his new life with Rinoa. He was excited, nervous, hasty and all in all wholeheartedly in love with the girl standing next to him.
While the minister stood talking about the virtues and seriousness of marriage, Squall couldn't help but think back to his first meeting with Rinoa.
She had smiled up at him, her eyebrows rising up as she looked into his eyes. Her lips had formed a subtle smiling, and her eyes shone when she heard his name.
He had looked at her, taking in all her beauty and hearing the sweetness of her voice. From that instance he couldn't stop thinking about her. The entire first week, all he had dreamt of was her, all he thought about was her. Now he stood, waiting for them to be joined in holy matrimony, paired together by a few small words that held such a great importance. She wouldn't just be Rinoa anymore, she'd be his Rinoa.
His heart was fluttering from just think about their new life together. He'd wake up every morning and find her next to him. He'd go to sleep every night with her wrapped in his strong arms. Every moment in between the threads of night and day, she'd be there. She'd stay close him, she'd care for him, love him and be his pillar of support. And he'd be her's. He was her knight in black leather clothing, protecting her from any hurt she'd face. He'd continue to stand by her and support her along the way. Everything he had done for her was made all the more important and all the more worthwhile now that he stood beside her.
He had asked himself a question the first time he felt strongly for her. Would he take a bullet for her? And he had replied that he'd taken a thousand. Of course it wasn't a bullet that he had taken, rather a rusty glass shard. But it was a symbol of his loyalty, his protectiveness and his love for her.
The minister continued with the ceremony and began asking the necessary questions.
"Who are the witnesses?" He had asked.
Seifer and Zell put up their hands indicating their involvement. It was surreal for them watching the procedure, never did they imagine their seventeen year old friend to be standing next to a girl, ready to take an oath of marriage. Seifer was sceptical at first, he had thought it was the morphine talking. But keeping his thoughts to himself, he was happy. He wanted nothing more than for Squall and Rinoa to be happy. They had gone through a lot in the past couple of months, they needed something to make them happy, something to strengthen their relationship and solidify their love for one another. What better way was there, other than a small ceremony that held a massive life-changing weight.
The minister hadn't even started with the agreements, but Quistis was already crying. She sat there next to Ellone and Seifer, wiping her eyes on a Kleenex. It was finally happening; her cursed promise was finally being broken. She had fully regretted making Rinoa promise something so futile, something which lead to a series of unfortunate events, submerging Rinoa and Squall into problem after problem. Yet now, there they both were standing ready to defy the promise and be together.
Ellone and Zell couldn't but be happier for them both. The petit brunette sat in her seat, her grin never leaving her as she gazed into the back of Squall's head. She never imagined Squall in the position he was in that day. She never imagined Squall to fall in love, let alone want to spend his entire life with another girl. She was glad that all the trials he had been through with Rinoa was worth it in the end. They had supported each other and bore through each problem. It had strengthened their relationship and Ellone knew that they'd be together for a very long time.
Looking up at Laguna, Ellone smiled at the middle-aged man. They had gone through the painful ordeal seven years ago with Raine's death, and although she was no replacement, both daughter and father were looking forward to the additional family member they were about to inherit. She made Squall happy, she made Squall smile, but most importantly, Rinoa had made Squall love.
"You are both certain that you want to go ahead with this?" The minister asked the two teens who nodded eagerly. "Very well, marriage is a blessed thing, I won't promise you a calm and simple life, you will have ups and down, but the benefits surely outweigh the problems." He replied smiling.
Rinoa looked down to Squall sitting next to her, they both read each other's thoughts; they had gone through so much, what could possibly tear them apart now?
"And you consent to this marriage?" The minister asked Rinoa, who nodded, forcing herself not to roll her eyes.
"Good, let's continue." He replied.
The questions continued and the fathers took their place. The Minister brought forward the freshy faxed marriage documents, getting Rinoa and Squall to sign their names as well as their fathers' and the witnesses' signatures.
"What do you request?" The Minister asked Rinoa.
"Request?" She asked confused.
Laguna stepped in making a clarification. "In Estharian weddings the bride is given a gift from the groom. It's like a dowry."
"Oh." Rinoa replied, thinking hard. "So what do I ask for?"
"Anything you want, money, clothes, jewellery, so long as the husband has the capability." The Minister replied.
"Ok." She replied thinking hard. It came to her instantly and she smiled at Squall, her eyes twinkling as she thought about his reaction.
"I want your Griever ring." She said teasingly.
Squall looked at her, hesitating. He looked down at his ring and then at her. "But I like this ring." He replied.
"But I want it." She replied childishly.
"Do you agree?" The Minister asked.
Squall let out a small laugh before nodding his head. "Ok." He replied, for her he could give up his ring.
Taking it off his finger, Rinoa took off her necklace and allowed Squall to lace it through. Squall took both ends of the necklace and placed it back onto her neck.
"I'm your wife now," Rinoa started saying, "you have to get used to me taking all your stuff."
Squall just rolled his eyes and laughed along with her. Of course, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"These are your documents, you will need to take it down to the Town Hall for them to process." The Minister informed them, handing Squall the documents. "I can now happily say, you are both husband and wife, I pray you have a wonderful, loving and merciful marriage."
Squall and Rinoa looked at each other, eye to eye. Here's to hoping. They both smirked.
After the ceremony Squall and Laguna were taken to their operations while Rinoa was taken to a different floor for blood donation.
The surgeries lasted a couple of hours, Laguna coming out of operation before Squall.
Both surgeries were successful, Laguna only needing to stay in hospital for a short while until his stitchings healed. Squall was required to stay in hospital for a full week while the doctors monitored the results of the operation.
Rinoa was only required to remain in the hospital overnight after her blood donation. She felt drained after the transfer and used Squall's operation time to get some shut eye.
She felt quite pleased at herself, not only did she share a marital bond with Squall, but sacrificing blood for each other gave a merit of its own.
With father and son sharing a room, the group made their way to the hospital everyday to check up on them. Laguna was released midweek and Squall stayed until his wound got better and he was only required crutches to walk with.
After a full week in hospital, Squall desired nothing but to return to Balamb. Making arrangements, Laguna had the Ragnarok prepared for their flight back to Balamb.
Parking up at the Loire resident in the Balamb Villas, Ellone got out of the car and opened up Rinoa's side of the door. The raven haired girl got out and ran to the back, opening up the boot and getting Squall's crutches out. Making her way back to the open passenger door, she handed Squall the crutches and helped him out.
Once they had gotten their luggage out of the boot, the four of them made their way into the house.
Since Squall's wound was somewhat fresh he had to be careful and carry out a lot of his actions slowly. Taking the stairs was something the doctors had advised him to do slowly or avoid if need be. It took him a couple of minutes, but he soon got to the top of the stairs and made his way to his room using the steel grey crutches given to him.
Laguna rolled Rinoa and Squall's luggage into Squall's bedroom and set it to one side.
"I can help you unpack if you like?" He asked Rinoa.
"No, it's alright I'll do it a bit later." Rinoa answered back. Her new father-in-law had already done enough, she didn't want to ask any more of him.
"Ok, well Alexander said he'll let me know when the court proceedings will start. I'm guessing Ultimecia's will start before Norg's." Laguna informed the two.
Sighing with relief Rinoa replied. "Good. I'm just happy everything is finally over."
Laguna directed a sympathetic smile towards the new family member. "Hey, remember everything you guys have been through has made you a lot stronger. Now you'll be able to handle anything."
"I hope so." She replied, opening up her luggage and starting to put things into the empty draws.
"I hope they both get what they deserve." Squall couldn't help but be brutally honest.
"They will, based on Centri laws, and lets just say they tackle crime just as bad as the Galbadians." Laguna replied, getting a raised eyebrow from Rinoa. "Oh, no offence intended." He said holding out his hands. He'd have to get used to having a Galbadian in his house.
"Hmm." She smirked at him.
"Well, I'll leave you both now." Laguna said awkwardly and headed out of the room closing the door behind him.
Sitting on the bed, Squall watched Rinoa as she walked his room slowly and inspected it.
She turned to him with a wicked smile. "You know, now that we're sharing a room, you're going to have to add a lot more blue in here." She teased.
Squall rolled his eye, smirking at her. He held out his hand and ushered her over to him.
Walking over to her new husband, she sat down on the bed next to him and gazed into his steel-blue eyes.
He moved her bangs out of her eyes and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. Slowly, he moved his head towards her, resulting in her coming closer to him. She closed her eyes once she felt his breath on her and finally she felt his lips melt on to hers.
Ellone had cooked dinner and sent Squall's and Rinoa's plates up to their room. With the doctor's orders in place she didn't want Squall to be constantly going up and down the stairs.
After finishing dinner with Ellone, Laguna walked up to Squall's room and handed him the official Estharian marriage certificate.
Squall couldn't help but smile looking at it. There in the neat black bold letters were his and Rinoa's names. He felt proud just looking at it.
"I never imagine Squall getting married, let alone before me." Ellone teased, pouting unhappily.
"Neither did I." Laguna agreed.
"Never judge book by its cover." Squall merely replied.
The phone rang downstairs and Ellone hurried to answer it. Rinoa walked into the room at that moment, wearing her bathroom robe and having her hair in a wrapped up towel.
"Bathroom's all yours." She said smiling at Laguna.
"Ah, good, think I'll have a quick shower before heading to bed." The older man replied and walked out.
Squall walked over to his desk using his crutches and placed the marriage certificate down. He smiled at it once more before making his way back to his bed.
"How are we going to do this tonight, what with my injuries and all." He asked Rinoa.
Rinoa let out a giggle while towel drying her hair. "Squall, we don't have to do anything until you get better." She replied grinning.
"Huh?" He said confused.
"We can wait until your injuries heal before we, you know." She said smiling.
"…I meant sharing a bed." He replied surprised.
Going a deep shade of red, Rinoa stared at him open mouthed. She soon found her voice and tried excusing herself.
"Oh, I thought you meant-"
"No I thought we'd wait-" Squall interrupted.
"'Cause we're married-"
"I wouldn't until your ready-"
"I was just thinking, because the way you said it-"
"Oh no, I meant in terms of sleeping-"
"It just sounded like you meant-"
"It wouldn't be possible now-"
"Yeah, 'cause of your-
"Injuries." Squall finished.
They were both silent for a while, not looking at each other, listening to the quietness around them.
Rinoa looking down at the floor, wishing for it to open up and swallow her, raised an embarrassed beetroot face at Squall. "I'm going to go check on Ellone." She said slowly, pointing stupidly at the floor and quickly hurried out of the room, closing the door tightly behind her.
Now on either side of the door, they both let a secret smile cross their face and let out a whispered chuckle.
Laguna ran up the stairs and made his way into Squall's room. Opening the door, he found Squall sitting on his bed with his legs in front of him, writing something into a notepad.
"What's up?" Laguna asked and made his way over to the oak desk at the side of the maroon painted room. Squall had sent a text message to his father telling him come up stairs as he had to speak to him about something important.
"I've been thinking, I think I know a way to get Galbadia and Esthar on speaking terms." Squall said, still thinking to himself.
"How?" Laguna asked, wanting to hear any possibilities.
"I want a Press Conference of my own. It's time I come out into the lime light… and bring my new wife along with me." He replied, his eyes alight with an idea.
You know I wouldn't have killed Squall off, you dont need to kill a character off in order to show emotion.
Anyhoo, I tried a different approach to the whole 'taking Squall's ring'. The whole using it as a marriage ring I'm assuming is cliche since a lot of people have probably already done that.
So... next chapter is the last, I still need ideas for Rinoa's revenge on Lauren. I'm thinking the last chapter will be quite long.
R&R!