"She loves to collect love letters and postcards"

~Hugo to Laguna

Hugo knew his pianist was happy. For several days since that "night", he observed her as she hummed and scribbled on her notepad. Joy was clearly written over her face. Cupid has struck her. Despite the happiness she exuded, Hugo couldn't eliminate the weariness that occupied his mind. He hoped nothing bad would befall on the young man who had stolen her heart.

"So let me come to you….close as I…. want to be, to feel your heart beating fast" she played several piano keys, trying to hit the correct notes. "This tone is way off. So let me see, oh yes. This tune is perfect!"

Hugo strutted and stood beside her, "I've noticed you wake up at four in the morning and visit the lounge for several days now. Just what are you doing Julia?"

"Composing a melody for my song." She replied.

Ah, so love had finally given the push towards the dream she once mentioned to him. As Julia continued to compose, Hugo didn't fail to notice the necklace she wore. Julia was never fond of necklaces. It must have been a gift from Laguna. "What a beautiful necklace you have there. Did he give you that?"

She nodded. "It's a…promise ring."

He gave her a long hard stare and asked the obvious, "You're smitten with him, aren't you?"

Julia blushed. "I don't know if it's love or not. But he is always in my mind. When I remember him, I feel hope. I feel I can do accomplish many things. Thinking of him gives me strength to continue and try to compose."

Hugo smiled. "As long as he makes you smile and productive, everything is alright with me baby girl."

"Thank you, and oh, the wine was delicious."

Hugo pretended not to know what she was talking about. "What wine?" Their boisterous laughter filled echoed throughout the lounge room. Julia, who laughed to her heart's content with the feelings blooming in her heart, was unaware of the pain that would soon follow a few days later.

Whether it was love or not, Julia knew she had a new inspiration for she saw the world in rose-colored glasses. One afternoon, as she composed the lyrics for her song, she was interrupted by a knock on her door. "Excuse me, mail for Ms. Julia." She received the letter and thanked the young boy. Julia propped down on her bed and looked for traces of the sender. Nothing was written except for "Ms. Julia Heartilly". Julia opened the envelope and skimmed its contents.

It was from Laguna! With glee, she read and poured over his neat handwriting.

Dear Julia,

There have been change of plans. I was supposed to be assigned in Dollet, but last minute changes were made. I'm currently making way to inspect an Ancient Centra site near Esthar. Esthar is farther than Dollet, and I'm saddened if I can't return immediately. But fret not! I will continue to write to you (and it was bad of me not to get your number, haha). I look forward to see you again, and tell you all the adventures with Kiros and Ward. But most of all, I want to hear you sing the song you'll compose. I know it'll be beautiful and will touch many hearts. 'Til we meet again. I love you.

Your Lagooner, Laguna Loire

She could have sworn her heart skipped a beat. He loved her! Julia was a sucker for love letters and hastily wrote a response. After composing her letter, she dressed and left to post her mail. Strolling around the city, rain started to pour. Without an umbrella, she ran and looked for a safe place to take cover, until she saw a limousine pass nearby. The side window opened and a familiar voice called out to her.

"Where are you going, Julia?"

"Fury!" she gasped in surprise.

He took one good look at her, "Get inside. You're drenched." He opened the door and she immediately hopped in, soaking wet, trying to protect her letter. Like a gentleman, Fury handed her a towel and removed his coat to drape over her once she dried.

"Where were you headed to?"

"To the post office" she breathed.

"Sending a mail?" he probed.

Julia nodded. "Yes, to someone…to someone off to war. We have a war with Esthar, yes?"

It was a letter for him. He knew it without a doubt. "Would you care to tell me who this lucky person is?"

For a strange reason, Julia felt uncomfortable discussing Laguna with Caraway. There was something that glittered in Caraway's eyes which made her uneasy. She didn't want to sound rude, so she chose to respond to his question, "It's for my friend, Laguna. He was deployed to inspect ruins near Esthar. I just wanted to wish him good luck."

Caraway looked outside the car. "With this heavy rain and traffic, it'll take us hours to reach the post office. Instead, why don't we go to my place so you can dry yourself?"

Julia politely declined, but he was persistent. "I have a proposition. I can help you deliver that letter him faster than the mailman."

Her eyes shot up. "Really? Well, okay. Let's go to your house."

Caraway smiled at her, not revealing how badly he wanted to get his hands on her letter.

The fire burned strongly and filled the room with warmth. Julia sat and huddled near the fireplace. Fury entered the room and offered her a fresh batch of clothes to change. Outside, the thunder boomed and lightning cracked, filling the entire skyway.

"It doesn't look like the rain has any plan to stop," Julia commented. "I think I'll be spending the night here."

Fury came inside his office, carrying a tray of cookies and a pot of hot chocolate. "These are your favorite, I assume? Have some."

Julia thanked him and nibbled at the sweet delicacies. Fury's guest quarters were comfortable and homey. Out of nowhere, she yearned for her childhood home. She wondered how her parents were doing. She hadn't seen them for a long time. Her parents migrated to Trabia a year ago. News were scarce from that region.

"I can send one of my men deliver your letter to him." He muttered, breaking thoughts of her homesickness. "It will take three to five days. The post office can't determine a moving army's location."

"Of course! Why hadn't I thought of that?" she uttered in disbelief. She was absorbed in responding to Laguna's letter that she never thought of it. "Oh, I went out for nothing but to get wet."

Caraway shook his head. "At least we saw each other, and you found a way to deliver to Loire."

Julia fumbled through her belongings and took out the envelope. She handed it to Caraway, "Thank you, Fury. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Only with your love. "My pleasure." Fury replied. "By the way, I've met Loire when he graduated from the Military Academy. He's an admirable man" he told her honestly. "I've never seen another man with such vigor and raw honesty."

Julia was transfixed on him, listening to his every word about Laguna. "How did you meet each other?"

"I was the guest of honor during his graduation day." He narrated. "During the socials, he approached and told me how I inspired him when he was still a freshmen. I've never encountered a cadet approach me like that. He's brave. No wonder he was promoted to Captain after two years."

Julia softly smiled. "He is."

The fire crackled and he couldn't resist but ask, "What is he to you, Julia?"

For the first time, Fury caught a glimpse of a silver ring that hung around her slender neck. It was a ring he recognized for all it's worth. It was a Promise Ring that every Galbadian soldier received from graduation. It was a ring meant to be given to the woman they pledged to love.

"He's the man I love and admire." She calmly answered him. He didn't fail to notice the sparkle in her eyes, nor how her face softened when she spoke of him.

In his entire life, Caraway had never felt such rage to throttle another man until this moment. Such was the rage he felt that even a Jumbo Cactaur's Thousand Needles would never match the damage. With supreme effort, he masked the emotions boiling inside him. He took Julia's hand and looked into her eyes. "I promise I will deliver this to him."

"Thank you," and unable to suppress it, Julia yawned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Sleep," he told her. "You probably had a busy day."

The drizzle of the rain echoed through his house as Caraway left her room and proceeded to his own quarters. Alone, he took a penknife, opened envelope, and devoured the feminine penmanship he knew she painstakingly wrote for Laguna. Every word of endearment and affection was a like a Tonberry's blow to his heart.

Dear Laguna,

No words can express what I feel for you. I have treasured our simple evening together. How I wanted that evening to last longer, but alas, you are a man of duty. I eagerly wait for your return. I too, love you and no other words can subtract what I feel for you. I look forward to our next meeting. Your kisses and warmth are branded in my memory, and forever keep me waiting with yearning.

Lovingly Yours,

Julia.

He froze. Had he slept with her? With boiling rage, he crumpled and threw the letter over the fireplace, watching as the angry flames burst and devour the testament of Julia's love for Laguna. Tsk. He wouldn't allow anything to grow between the two of them, not unless he could do something about it!

NOTE:

The original draft for this chapter was Caraway was going to visit her in The Galbadia and have a nice little card game. Looks like I have to reserve that scene for some other time.

The love letters were an interesting idea! I didn't plan on writing them, but I couldn't resist the urge to write one.

I certainly had fun with this chapter. It was easy since the ideas flowed like water.

So what's up for chapter 9?

Well, you guess it! Julia's happiness doesn't last when she receives news that Laguna's missing. Now that Laguna is MIA, will Caraway finally have a chance with her?

Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading this fanfiction!