Hi everyone! I'm awesome, thanks for asking! XD Anyway, I'm actually not insanely that cheerful, but I'm listening to Justin Bieber's All Around the World ( I only like his new songs ) and it's getting me all hyper. :D So it's good to be back with a new chapter! And it's good to see everyone again! I hope you're okay with this chapter, a LOT of stuff happens... even though it's only, like 4,000 words. Enjoy!
"I… I was wondering if you wanted me to adopt you."
Lightning's heart began to beat as she stared into Hope's emerald orbs, waiting for a reply.
Hope looks so shocked he could have had an aneurism. He sat up slowly and then ran to his room.
"H-Hope. Wait!" Lightning ran over the teenager's door, sitting impatiently for him to come out.
Hope slammed the door and ignored Lightning's calls for him. A smile grew on his face as he jumped up onto his bed.
Lightning could adopt me, he thought. Lightning… wants to adopt me!
Hope took a minute to process everything. His heart felt so touched, but he was also horrified. The kid was still trying to get over the fact that he was an orphan, let alone people who were so dear to him were dead. The thought of him having an entire new family with knew aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins… and maybe, even a new dad.
Hope stood up from his head slowly and tried to walk in the quietest, snail – like speed he could to stall his soon to be conversation.
Lightning jumped in her head when she saw the door creak open. She smiled slightly at the sight of Hope's head peeking through the door, his eyes sparkling and fear engulfed on his adorable face. Lightning felt like it was hours before he finally spoke, still not fully opening the door.
"If… I really had to choose another mom to be with besides my old one…" Hope trembled. Lightning knew the answer was not going to be the one she was hoping for.
"It would be you."
Lightning sat up slightly, looking at Hope's face lighten a bit.
"R – really?" Hope nodded, opening the door all the way.
Lightning couldn't hold it anymore. She threw her arms around his and lifted him off the ground, forgetting what kind of serious person she was supposed to be.
"Hope?"
"Uh huh?"
"I promise I'll keep you safe."
"Hurgh."
"What?"
"L-Light. Your. Kinda suffocating me." Lightning released her death grip and let Hope stumble back up to his feet. Why did she just hug him? Do parents hug their own kids?
"I… um… I'm gonna go over to Serah and Snow's room for a minute, kay?"
"O – okay… Mom?" Lightning cringed slightly.
"Wow… I am…" Lightning whispered. She turned back slightly to look at Hope.
His eyes were watering.
Lightning sprinted over towards her sister's dorm, banging on the door fast and nervously. Serah opened the door quickly after.
"Lightning! What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Is it good or bad?"
"I don't know yet. Just let me in."
"Serah gestured her arms to the living room, and they both sat on the couch. Lightning sat for a minute nervously fiddling with her uniform skirt and breathing heavily.
Snow walked out of the hallway and made his way over to the living room.
"Oh, hey, Light! What are you doing here in this fine evening?"
"Snow, this is serious." Snow's face immediately changed from playful to concerned. He sat nervously on the couch next to Serah.
"I have a son now."
Serah gasped dramatically and Snow nearly fell on the chair.
"Who did you do it with?" Serah cried, running over to Lightning and sitting next to her.
"Nobody."
"But-"
"Serah, I've never had sex, okay?"
"But… you're getting a son."
"Adopted."
"W-wha?"
"I know."
"Why would you be adopting a baby right now?" We're just about to go on summer break, why would you want to waste money AND your whole vacation?"
"I don't have a choice. And he's not a baby."
Serah and Lightning looked over abruptly at Snow, who had both of his hands clasped over his mouth; he was almost laughing.
"No way, Claire. No. Freaking. Way."
Lightning was practically shocked Snow, of all people, got it before Serah. Maybe college was actually doing something productive with him.
Lightning smirked guiltily and looked back at Serah, who seemed to be in deep thought. She suddenly shrieked and looked at Lightning.
"You're getting a puppy?"
"SERAH. How can you be so stupid? I'm adopting Hope, for God's sake!" Serah stared blankly at her sister for a second, then shrieked again and face palmed herself.
"Oh my gosh, Claire, I – I'm such an idiot. You're adopting Hope, oh my god!" Her expression suddenly turned a bit concerned.
"You do know, you have a child now, right? You know, one you have to raise him, and feed him and buy stuff, and, you know, deal with crap in general?"
"Tch, yeah, when his girlfriend breaks up with him and he has to come crying to you about it in a couple of years, don't come crying to me, either," Snow said, running up to Lightning and putting her arm around her; she then immediately pushed it back.
"How long have you been thinking about doing this?" Serah asked, twirling her hair with her fingers.
"About 3 hours."
"Huh?"
"Well, graduation's in a week, and, he has nowhere to go."
Serah smiled and wrapped her arms around her sister proudly.
"See, Claire? You have a nice side to ya!" Lightning pulled away and looked scared for the first time in a while in front of people.
"I shouldn't have done this."
"We can help!" Serah cried, smiling brightly.
"Remember, me and Snow plan on getting married this summer anyway! We need to start getting used to having kids in the house anyway." Serah giggled and looked at Snow, who looked a little horrified at the thought of having a productive life.
"Holy crap, I have a kid." Lightning repeated, slumping back down on the couch and putting her hands in her face.
"You okay?" Snow asked, walking over to the couch. Lightning nodded, jumping when her phone vibrated.
"It's Hope. He texted me saying he'll be at Vanille's for homework. He's probably trying to avoid me," the pinkette groaned, setting her phone down and sinking back down on the couch. Serah shook her head, making her way over to Lightning and turning on the TV.
Hope knocked frantically on Vanille's dorm room door, jumping up and down slightly to prevent him from yelling.
Vanille opened the door with a smile on her face, then it lowered into a look of concern.
"Hope! Are you okay?" Hope nodded and pushed Vanille slightly into her dorm room, causing Vanille to yelp and close the door behind her.
"What?" she whispered, staring into Hope's green eyes.
"I have a mom now."
"OMG, really? Who is she? Is she nice?"
"Y – yeah, you know her." Vanille was smiling again, but looked a bit reluctant to speak.
"…Serah?"
"Nope. Lightning." Vanille shrieked, shoving her hands over her mouth when she did so.
"Wow…" Vanille said faintly, falling on the couch. She shoved her books off the seat next to her and patted for Hope to sit down.
"I would never expect she would do something like this," Hope cried.
"I mean, I just have never… I can't really process it."
"Why?"
"Can you keep a secret, Vanille?"
"My lips are sealed, honey! I have lots of secrets."
"Well... I think I had a little crush on Lightning, and now she's my mom…" Hope confessed; Vanille giggled, and wrapped her arms tightly around Hope.
"Well, Hope, I guess that means you don't really have to worry about liking her anymore. You'll get over it. And to be honest, I think one of the reasons Light adopted you is because she kinda likes you, too. And if you're his kid, then she'll have nothing to worry about, and she'll be too busy taking care of you to like you!" Vanille rambled, standing up from her seat.
"You'll be fine." She said ruffling his hair, Hope smiled slightly and his eyes watered slightly, causing Vanille to lean in a little more towards him.
"It's still kinda crazy to think my parents are gone, so it'll be crazy having Lightning…" Hope realized he kept repeating himself, but he took a moment to breathe and stood up, hugging Vanille quickly and walking towards the front door.
"Leaving already?" Vanille asked, picking up one of her school books. Hope nodded, and waved goodbye; without another word, he walked over to the elevator to go to Serah and Snow's dorm.
"Okay, Hope, sweetheart, I need you to sign right here and right there at the bottom, too."
Hope looked at Lightning, whose expression was rather serious and collected, but he could see her hands were shaking.
Hope anxiously signed the papers and looked back up at the women who gave it to him. Her soft brown eyes smiled at him and then at Lightning.
"Well that's it then, Hope is officially your child." Lightning breathed in sharply, and then rearranged her self in her chair to calm herself down.
"We need to talk living arrangements. Are you going to have a house you can live in after you leave your dorm room tonight?"
"Yeah, I'm staying with my sister and her boyfriend until I can get an apartment."
"Okay, also, I was wondering if you have a job currently?"
"I, um… I was working with the Guardian Corps, but I had to leave due to a… family… emergency, and I haven't been back since. But I'll be probably joining them again this summer."
"Will you have someone to watch Hope while you're at work? Because he's still under 16-"
"Like I said, he'll by with my sister and her boyfriend while I'm gone."
"Okay, you don't have to get forceful, it's just by law we have to ask." Lightning started shaking her right leg, waiting impatiently for the meeting to end.
"All right, Claire," Lightning cringed, "I think that's it! You're officially a parent." Hope smiled slightly, and looked at Lightning, who was already starting to stand up from her seat in the office. Hope followed along with her and stood up as well, messing around with the scarf around his wrist and darting his pupils throughout the room. He jumped when he felt Lightning's hand take hold of his wrist, as they both made their way out of the court room.
"Okay, Hope! That's your room right there, and the kitchen's right there, and the bathroom the one right across from Lightning's bedroom, and… I think that's it!" Hope nodded and dragged his duffel bag to his room, still in shock at his whole new world he was thrown into.
Serah smiled and clapped her hand silently to herself. She felt like a parent! Being able to raise a child and be with the love of her life and her sister, it was too god to be true! Everything was perfect. Everything was just how she wanted it to be.
"Hey babe, what'cha thinking about?" Serah jumped at the feeling of strong arms wrapping around her waist, then looked up at the sight of Snow above her.
"Oh, hi Snow," Serah said, turning to face him.
"This is crazy, you know."
"Hmmm?"
"It's crazy that I'm living with you and your sister, and the fact that I have to take care of a kid now, makes me feel like a husband, right?"
"I guess so!" Serah giggled, leaning in to peck his lips. Snow looked at her with cerulean eyes. She wondered why he looked so nervous.
"S – Serah…"
"Yes?"
"I know things are crazy right now, b – but… I feel like it would be better if I did this now. Serah Farron, will you marry me?"
Serah shrieked, her eyes instantly filling up with tears. With one hand clasped over her mouth, she felt a ring being placed on her finger, and lips making in contact with her. Serah threw her arms around his neck and felt his hands wipe her tears away. His hands moved down to-
"No visuals please, we have children in the house." Serah shot out of her trance and looked at the hallway where the voice was coming from. Lightning stood their crossing her arms and looking proudly at Serah, while Hope giggled awkwardly, peeking behind her.
"Thank you," Light said playfully, walking toward Serah, who threw her arms around her. Lightning reluctantly put one arm around Snow, causing him to lift her up into an embrace and making Lightning squirm awkwardly.
"Snow. Let go of me."
Snow grinned lopsidingly and released his arms around her.
"I'm gonna go call Vanille!" Serah squealed, running into her bedroom.
"I'm glad that went ok," Snow said after a moment of silence.
"I didn't think you were gonna ask now," Lightning said, walking over to Hope.
"I couldn't wait any longer," Snow claimed, approaching them again. "I love her too much." Lightning couldn't help but smirk a little bit.
"That's very sweet of you," she said in a sarcastic tone, watching Hope go off to his room.
"I mean it, Light," the blonde whispered, staring into her eyes in all seriousness.
"I know." Lightning said, as she made her way over to the TV.
Hope went down on his knees on his carpet and looked out the window, watching the sunset glow on his hands when he lifted them up in front of his face, and all the city lights begin to switch on.
"Hi mommy," Hope whispered. "If you still remember me. I hope you're watching me, cause… I have a new mom now, if that's ok with you. A- and I think she'll be a good one. Maybe not as amazing as you but…" Hope sniffled slightly; his eyes were burning.
"I'll see you again. I know I will."
Hope lifted his fingers to his lips and blew a kiss out the window into the clouds, finally letting a chocked sob and watching the blood red sky turn blue in front of him.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed onto his waist, the other one onto his mouth to prevent his screams from being heard. The man yelled at Hope to be quiet.
How did he even get here in the first place?
Hope recognized his voice.
"We better get out of here before anyone sees us."
It was the man who tried to shoot him months ago. Hope knew he wouldn't make it if he didn't struggle.
The teenager flung his body around to try escape the man's grasp, screaming through his fingers to try to get someone to hear, but no one came.
He felt a sharp, needle – like object go into his neck, and black began to cloud around his eyes. His knees dropped to the floor and he felt the hand being released from his mouth.
"LIIIIIIGGGHHHTNIIIIIIIINNNGGG!" He screamed with all the strength left in him; his head began to pound, and he began to see the black finish clouding around his eyes, before everything went peaceful.
"Serah, why do we have cable? It's just 10 dollars more for the better version."
"Lightning, I am saving up for my wedding, okay?"
Lightning rolled her eyes and flicked through the channels rapidly.
"But you bought cable before you got proposed to. Seriously. There is nothing on that-"
"LIIIIIIGGGHHHTNIIIIIIIINNNGGG!" Light shot up from the couch, waiting for something else. Serah looked at her in fear, and Snow ran from the kitchen.
Suddenly, a sound of a window shattering made them all storm and sprint over to Hope's room. Lightning didn't even think before she was jumping out the window, climbing down a couple of floors and sprinting to a motorcycle that's had Hope's body on it. Her heart stopped when she noticed him lifeless, wobbling around on the vehicle. Snow followed close behind her, leaving Serah in Hope's room with her hands on her mouth. She quickly ran down the stairs and made her way towards the front door to chase them.
"Hope, c'mon, please be okay. C'mon baby, don't do this do me," Lightning whispered frantically to try to distract her from losing her footing. Snow followed close behind, panting wildly to keep up with her. She grabbed the knife in her pocket that she kept with her, waiting for the right moment to throw it at the motorcycle.
She threw it and prayed as it flew in the air. It hit the wheel and caused the motorcycle to flip over, making the driver fly into a tree drunk, knocking him out, and Hope skidding on the empty road. Lightning and Snow sprinted over to Hope.
"Hope. Please, wake up." Light shook him slightly, her heart beating loudly. He looked unhurt, except for the scratches on his face from the motorcycle crash and some sort of bruise on his neck.
Hope's eyes fluttered open; he looked at Lightning and smiled slightly, causing his mother sniffle slightly, then strengthen herself to pick Hope up.
"Are you all right?" Hope nodded, still looking up somewhere in the sky. Where did that man come from? Lightning waited for him to say something, but seconds later he gasped and held onto her for dear life.
"Wha – Aah!" Lightning dropped Hope, causing him to yelp and bring his knees up to his chin. Snow ran over to him and lifted him off the ground.
Lightning felt an odd burning near her collar bone, then everything turned dark.
"We have to get out of here," Snow said abruptly, causing the silver haired teen in his arms to stare up at him, mortified.
"But what about Lightning-"
"We don't have time," Snow cried, seeing Lightning put her hand over her ears and drop her knees, crying out in pain. He felt so guilty as he watched the weakened teen below him start to cry. He had to get them to safety, and that's all that mattered. If they didn't get out in time, Hope and Snow would be branded again. And by now Serah was on her way over.
Should he wait for her?
No. Not this time.
Snow ignored the sound of Hope's cries and pleas and sprinted through the forest, just enough to get them clear of any fal'cie. He set Hope down and suddenly saw something skid past them. He heard the boy next to him cry out and put his hand to his arm.
"HOPE!" He screamed, running over to him before feeling something pierce his leg. He cursed and fumbled down the forest to chase Hope, who was now running, stumbling often. They both finally dropped about a ½ mile later.
"You okay, buddy?" Snow said, looking at Hope fearfully. His eyes were drooping, and his left arm was completely red. He nodded silently, sniffling again and leaning his back to one of the trees. Snow pulled off his scarf and his jacket, wrapping the scarf quickly around Hope's arm and the jacket around his leg.
"Snow," Hope finally whispered, killing the silent, cold air.
"Yeah?"
"I'm scared."
"I know kid, I know…" Snow pulled Hope in with one his arms and felt his head lean in his shoulder. The blonde didn't know if he was shaking out of temperature or out of fear. Or maybe even both.
"Everything's gonna be al-" Snow flung to the side from the impact, and everything turned white.
Hope dashed his head over to look at Snow after hearing a long bang. A bullet had flung through his head. His eyes were closed and blood began to spew out of his head, dripping all over his shoulder. Snow was dead. Hope shrieked and shook the bloody man's shoulders.
"SNOW. NO!"
"Don't move."
Hope let out a cry of fear as he heard a gun click in the ready, and he saw a shadow behind one of the trees.
Hope flung up and began to sprint through the forest, dodging the bullets like he never had done before, and running faster than even a car. He heard the yelling stop from behind him, and just the sound of his feet squishing in the grass.
"I WILL FIND YOU!" The crazed behind him screamed, and he saw one last bullet fly beside him.
I have to get to Lightning. I have to get to Lightning. I have to get to Lightning. I have to get to you, mom.
There was nothing left to live for. Yet, tiny sparks of hope gleam in this big existence, like pearls in the murk. He could grow wings and fly away from this dim location, though he knew it wouldn't be possible. Flashes of horrifying images exploded all around him. First a monster, laughing. A beautiful ocean. She's trying to grab someone's hand, and an electrifying golden light…
Lightning eyes opened painfully as she took in her surroundings.
"Lightning! You're all right! … Are you?"
"I'm fine, Serah, I promise." She continued to look around for a hint of silver but found nothing.
"Wh-where's Hope? And Snow? Where are they?"
"I – I don't know, I thought you would know. Maybe they went to get help." Lightning nodded impatiently, then felt a burning sensation near her heart.
She pulled her shirt down slightly and sighed at the sight of a brand. Serah gasped, looking up and down from the brand rapidly.
"Oh my god, Lightning, I'm so sorry." Lightning wiped away the tear that fell from Serah's eye.
She was a l'cie. Was Hope a l'cie? If Hope was a l'cie, then she would probably kill herself. And when would those two be back?
The sound of gasps came closer to them. Lightning thought it was Serah, until she heard her say something.
"Hope! Oh my god, what happened?"
The sight in front of Lightning made her want to cry. Her son stood in front of her, his arm bloody, his body letting out hysterical sounds.
"Hope," Serah said, trying to stay as calm as possible.
"We can't help you if you don't tell us what's going on." Lightning cried walking towards Hope, who fell to his knees. It looked like he couldn't speak.
"He's having a panic attack," Serah said, kneeling down to Hope. Lightning sprinted over, nudging Serah out the way and wrapping her arms around him. She rubbed his back and shushed him, doing whatever it took to stops his shrieks and sobs.
By now Hope had began to calm down a little, his sobs turn into muffled cries.
"Hope…" Serah said reluctantly, "Where's Snow?"
Lightning knew that wasn't a good question. Hope let out another full on sob and began to weep again.
"Hope, honey! Please, where is he?" Serah asked, suddenly starting to get nervous.
"He-he-he-hic-bullet-andhe-hic-head-hic-mom…" Hope held Lightning tighter.
"Hope. Hope, look at me. I can't help you if you don't toughen up and say what happened," Lightning whispered into his ear. Hope held his breath to hold back sobs. He breathed in through his nose, wheezing slightly with it, and wiped the tears from his cheeks.
"See. You're okay. Can you tell us what happened?" Serah exclaimed. Where was her fiancé? Hope nodded, letting out one last sob.
"When Lightning passed out, Snow grabbed me and… we started running for a long time, and then… something hit my arm… and something hit Snow in the leg… we kept running and… sniff…" Hope started tearing up again. "And then Snow got shot in the head-" Serah let out an unexpected sob, tears immediately beginning to slip down her face. Hope started crying again. "And this man started chasing me and I was running and there was nowhere to go but he kept chasing me and then he shot more bullets and he said he'll find me – hic." Lightning couldn't help but start to cry, but no one could hear Hope or Lightning's over Serah's screams of pain.
"They're after us again," Hope whispered.
I know, I'm kind of sick. I killed Snow. I actually really like Snow, I just need him to die in this story. Me and my borhter discussed this for like 10 minutes, and he just said Snow should go on vacation to France and enter in a coma so he's not dead, you just can't talk to him. lol. Thank you SO much for reading!
Inside joke to my friends: "This is a good blend."
Hmmm... who will be my 70th review? I don't know... *strokes invisible beard* Bye guys ;)