I apologize for any and all spelling mistakes within this chapter. Sometimes, I like to stay up and write these things really early in the morning. And that honestly doesn't always work out for the best.
Darkconvoy99: Although I loved your idea on what was to happen- I already had something in mind. Could you imagine Light and Hope actually getting married without the others knowing? I think Serah would flip out (and not entirely in a good way) haha. And oh my god, just dropping in with their hidden love child? Depriving poor Snow of being an uncle and Serah being it's aunt? Plus, not to mention the other aunts and uncles that it'd have along the way (Sazh, Fang, Vanille, Noel, Yeul).
Now, for some background on what's happening: A month has skipped time-wise and yet another plane ride from hell without some Final Destination shenanigans in the mix later. Hope and Light arrive at the wedding, everyone splits off to get ready ((The girls/bridesmaids, The boys/groomsmen)), Lightning and Fang find themselves in quite the interesting predicament, and things start from there. And while I would have loved to have written all of that in, maybe I be forgiven for making this chapter 7300 words ((not counting this very long intro I have just typed up?)).
And if not, well, I guess such is fate, am I right?
-Rachel
"He doesn't know." Lightning spoke up, to the very interested Fang, it was quite the predicament the two of them stumbled upon.
"Well, if he doesn't know by now then can you imagine just how much he'll bloody blow his top when he finds out?" the Pulsian woman was grinning, letting out a small laugh and shaking her head. "So long as you don't end up beating the groom to a bloody pulp, then I think the rest of us are going to be just fine." Fang winked at Lightning.
"Could we please just get rid of that stick covered in someone elses pee?" Lightning asked, it made her feel completely uncomfortable that Fang had handled it in general, let alone leaving it on the counter in the bathroom.
"That's certainly an idea." Fang shrugged, sitting on the edge of the bathtub, "What's it feel like, knowing you're about to be an aunt?"
"I'm not the only one- I mean, you're all going to be aunts and uncles, too, we're all family here." Lightning pointed out.
"True. But you're the only one who's blood." Fang felt that was a very valid point to make out. Who knew that they'd end up finding a pregnancy test in the trash? Of all things that you were trying to keep secret, it probably wasn't the smartest of things to throw in your waste basket in the bathroom. What if Snow had come in and seen it?
"I think by now we all know that means nothing." Lightning shrugged her shoulders, "None of us here are blood related, except for me and Serah, but we see you all as family. Like it or not, you guys are all apart of this."
"Sure, sure." Fang nodded. Both women momentarily startled by swift turning of the doorknob, Fang quickly grabbed the test and hid it beneath a portion of her dress, doing her best to make sure it was hidden. To their immediate relief, it was Vanille who stepped through the door, smiling brightly, her green eyes looking from Lightning to Fang.
"What are you two doing in here? The party's out there!" Vanille chirped happily, while the wedding had yet to start, all of the bridesmaids were getting dressed and ready together. It saved a lot of time getting their hair and make up and any odds and ends finished.
"Well, we've just been let in on a little secret." Fang smiled coyly, seeing Vanille's instant piqued interest.
"What is it?" Vanille asked, "I wanna know!" a secret? What kind of secret was it?
"Nothing important." Lightning shut down the idea, and sent a pleading look to an inquisitive Fang.
"Oh! What is it, come on, you can tell me!" Vanille tried to be reassuring, pouting at the two women.
"We just got our hands on the grooms vows, that's all. It's quite the interesting read. Who knew he could be such a sap?" Fang played it off coolly, but she sent Lightning a look that said 'we'll talk later'. Why would Serah's pregnancy be such a key issue that they couldn't let anyone else in on? Then again, if they told too many people, then maybe it'd get back to Snow somehow. You had to be careful with these kinds of sensitive things.
"Aww! I can't wait to hear them!" Vanille swooned at the idea of Snow and Serah's wedding. It'd be great to see the two of them finally tie the knot, and it was so exciting to have the whole group together, again. How long had it been since the original six were together- all of them?
"Yeah..." Lightning readily agreed, wanting the subject to be anything other than the found test. "Well, I'd better...go and check on Serah." standing up, she walked past Vanille, "It's good to see you both, again."
"You too!" Vanille smiled, "We should see each other more often!"
"Yeah, rather than wait seven for years every reunion." Fang piped up after Vanille.
"Count on it." Lightning agreed, making her way to Serah. Knocking on the door, she waited until Serah called back with 'come in', and was mesmerized by the sight of her sister in a wedding dress. "You look beautiful." she said the first thing that came to her mind, shutting the door behind herself.
"Do I? Are you sure? Isn't it...a little much? Am I not doing enough? Is there...something else I could be doing, anything at all?" Serah asked, somehow she felt that no matter what she did, it couldn't be perfect enough.
"What are you so nervous about? You could walk down the aisle in a sack and Snow'd still love everything about your outfit." Lightning pointed out the obvious, "I think you look just fine, don't change a thing." for a change of pace, Serah wasn't wearing her hair in a side ponytail, instead she let it be loose and curled, the back intricately braided.
"Are you really sure?" Serah turned to face her older sister, looking for her guidance on the matter.
"Yes." Lightning couldn't think of anything Serah had to do, "Now that you're ready all we have to do is make sure some rowdy groomsmen are actually on time, dressed, and not ruining your special day. I volunteer for the disciplinary committee." it seemed like the perfect job for herself, despite being the maid of honor, she could actually juggle more responsibility.
"I think...Snow can handle it. If anything, Hope would definitely make sure they were on time." Serah was sure all of the boys could get ready on their own, she also wanted her older sister by her side through this. It was strange, being so sure that this was something she absolutely wanted, and then getting nervous when the day hit. What happened to all of her confidence? Snow was the person that she wanted to marry, and she was sure of it. So why did she feel so anxious?
"Yeah, Hope certainly is dependable. And I doubt our hero would trip at the finish line." in the back of her mind, she was still worried about Fang spilling the beans. It wasn't that she had a big mouth, but there was still a real possibility of a slip up, and then things would only get stranger. "Serah."
"Lightning?" Serah curiously stared up at her sister.
"There's...something I...should tell you." Lightning didn't know how to fess up to this.
"What's wrong? You know you can tell me anything." Serah stood up, wondering what could be bothering her sister.
How to say this? There wasn't any real, easy way to come out and tell your sister a secret of this magnitude. Let alone on her wedding day.
"It's alright, I can take care of this." Hope helped Snow to adjust his bowtie, he couldn't help but to feel moderately humored by the present situation. It was no secret that none of the men really knew how to do this kind of thing, so they were all lined up behind Snow for Hope to help them. "See? How does it look?"
"Thanks, Hope." Snow felt a little ridiculous that he couldn't even manage something this simple. Hope made it look simple, but in reality, it was about the most ridiculous thing in the world to try and do. "It looks pretty spiffy. Can't say I'd have managed to do this, on my own."
"I'm sure you would have figured it out." Hope couldn't help a small laugh at the grinning groom.
"Are you makin' fun of me?" Snow asked, ruffling Hope's hair and laughing himself.
"Not at all." Hope couldn't resist laughing with him.
"Not to interrupt- but how about we get this show on the road?" Sazh asked, despite it all, the eldest of the former l'Cie himself didn't even know how to complete the task at hand.
"Sorry." Hope apologized, quickly helping Sazh and Dahj with their ties. Quickly helping Noel, it seemed like the whole gang was ready.
"So, how do you guys think the girls are doin'?" Snow asked, he couldn't imagine any of them slacking off, especially with Lightning being the maid of honor. Serah too wouldn't let anyone put a hitch in her special day, not that Vanille, Fang or Yeul would ever dream of such a thing. Finding dresses that suited each individuals needs was something Serah put a lot of thought into, as the Pulsians had a different taste in attire than people from Cocoon, and Yeul was used to far more modest clothing styles.
"Honestly? I think they're probably all ready to go." Hope didn't think they were going to fall behind.
"Knowing Lightning, they're all waiting on us." Noel piped up, "Not to mention Serah, considering she has an uncanny Lightning impersonation when she wants to." her students on Gran Pulse certainly made that clear. Not that he knew how her students on the new world felt about her.
"That's a good point, most likely true." Sazh nodded, "Lightning doesn't mess around. And I don't think her little sister's wedding is an occasion she'd make an exception to."
"Yep. And that's what makes 'em so great." Snow loved the dynamic Serah and Lightning had. Being an only child, he'd never understood what it was like, that is, until he met everyone throughout the centuries. The original six had a bond that started from their brands and evolved beyond that- they all became a family, by choice. "Well, at least one of the many things I could list off."
"Great save." Sazh laughed, "I know Lightning would probably appreciate that."
"Is this Serah's day, or Lightning's?" Noel asked, they seemed to be mentioning Lightning, a lot. Even though it was true that her wrath could reign down upon them if need be.
"We all know whose day it is- Snow and Serah's." Hope piped up.
"That's right." Snow slung an arm around Hope's shoulder, "And I hope my best man can keep everyone in line."
"Hey, far as I'm concerned- you're still the biggest kid here." Sazh pointed out, earning a laugh by all present.
"I'm pregnant." just saying it outright like that, Lightning didn't know how else to say it. This was Serah's day, but she'd stupidly managed to ruin it, by forgetting to dispose of her test properly.
"What!?" Serah could barely contain her excitement, "Are you really!?"
Lightning nodded, surprised when Serah suddenly hugged her. "Fang found the test, I panicked and went along with her idea that it could be yours- and I'm not sure if she'll end up talking to Snow..."
"That's okay...we'll find some way to fix it." Serah promised, stepping back, "Does anyone else know? Does the father know? Did you only take one test?" she'd started to babble, and Lightning didn't know how Serah was taking this all in stride.
"No." Lightning shook her head, slowly rubbing her hand up and down her shoulder, "He doesn't know, and I did just the one test. But...there were some...other signs that I may be, which is why I had to take it."
"Oh." Serah understood what Lightning was hinting at, "Is the father here? Because if it comes out that someone's pregnant and I take the credit for it- then Snow will find out... and he'll be all excited, and if you do it then he'd...well, I don't know how that person would react. Because I don't know who he is."
"He's here, but I haven't told him." Lightning sighed, "He had so many other things to deal with, and it was a surprise to me- today only confirmed what I'd been thinking for a while." she didn't want to layer on the surprises, but she would have to tell Hope. And Serah would find out somehow that it was, in fact, Hope that fathered her unborn child. "Fang won't tell anyone, I think she understood that it was something not to be advertised, I'll just have to tell her the truth. Snow won't find out. Plus, I don't know what he'd be more excited about- you being pregnant, or him being an uncle to my kid." how would Serah deal with two kids at home, anyway? Snow was still a big kid, and maybe it was a good thing that his character never really changed.
"It looks like today's a very special day." Serah couldn't imagine being in Lightning's shoes. "Maybe try and take him aside privately, so you can tell him and that way he'll have a good amount of time to react. And if he gives you any trouble at all, you let me know and I'll give him a piece of my mind." it didn't matter what kind of person that man turned out to be, if he hurt her sister- then he'd answer to Serah about it. "I know that Snow'd also have a few things to say to him."
"Thank you." Lightning didn't know why, but she felt tears in her eyes. It must have been hormones, because a few fell. "I don't know how he'll react- and I keep stressing out about it. He's a good person, and I know that he won't end up leaving me because of something like this- but I'm prepared for anything that happens. If need be, I'll raise it on my own." that was the absolute worst case scenario she'd thought of, and though it wasn't even moderately feasible, she still entertained the idea.
"Are you okay?" Serah asked, seeing Lightning cry had her tearing up as well."
"Something about hormones...and nonsense." Lightning explained, she felt absolutely ridiculous in the moment.
"I'm going to be an aunt!" Serah did her best to try and cheer Lightning up, "And that's really exciting! This is like the best wedding present you could have ever given me!"
Trying to compose herself, Lightning nodded, wiping away her own tears. "I just...I don't know what's going to happen."
"Sure you do!" Serah encouraged her, "No matter what happens, you know that you can always stay with me and Snow!"
Wanting this conversation to be over with, Lightning nodded, She didn't want to be the cause of ruining her sister's special day, but it was better Serah find it out now rather than some off-handed comment by someone else. On top of it all, she still had to have that talk with Fang, somehow make sure she absolutely didn't tell a soul. And then, she had to let Hope know, all the while trying to keep things under wraps that it was him. Maybe everyone would find out when she didn't have a date with her, though she had told Serah the dad was here. Her spending the night speaking to Hope would obviously be a big tip off.
Stressing herself out wouldn't help anything, Lightning took a steadying breath and helped Serah to finish getting ready. The ceremony was about to happen, and there would be plenty of time for socializing/conversation later. "I'm going to go check on the others, alright?"
"Sure. I'll see you soon." Serah nodded, smiling at her sister.
Lightning walked out the door and made her way back to the others. All she had to do was survive the ceremony...the after party...and the dinner. Sighing, she knocked on the door before walking into the boy's part of the church. "Good. Glad to see I don't have to pummel any of you." finding herself stared at by Hope, Snow, Noel, Sazh and Dajh all with the same odd look, Lightning raised a brow. "What? Did that not come off as a joke that doubled as a threat?"
"I can't believe how well you look in that dress, Light." Snow pointed out the obvious, "I mean, I know Serah and I helped ya to pick it out and all this and that- but you still...is my sister in there, at all?" he joked, knowing fully well he risked some form of physical punishment for doing so.
Narrowing her eyes a bit, Lightning looked amongst the crowd, "Am I to believe all of you think this way?"
"Well, that is to say it isn't as if you don't look nice in whatever you wear- but I don't think I've ever seen you out of combat armor." Noel pointed out, when they'd first met she was a Knight of Etro, and then the Savior. This was their first time seeing each other on the new world, and Lightning didn't seem to have changed very much but it was still nice to see her.
"Yeah, it's nice to see you lookin' so snazzy." Sazh agreed, "No worlds to save, great evils to thwart- a civilian, just like the rest of us."
"You look nice!" Dahj gave the most simplistic answer of all the boys, smiling up at Lightning.
"Thank you." Lightning smiled back at him, "You look really sharp yourself. Careful, you might end up having girls swarming all over you." she knelt down and helped him to adjust his jacket a bit, once more feeling the combined stares of everyone. "Am I doing something wrong?"
"No." came the cumulative response, all of them shaking their heads.
"Good." Lightning stood up and straightened herself out, "I just came by to check if you were all ready. Serah's ready to go, and if you're having any cold feet and think of running- you better hope I can't track you down and find you, big guy." though she said it with a smile, each person within the room shuddered as it came off as a very real threat. Happy to see that she still instilled some form of fear in their hearts, Lightning made her way to the door.
"Can't wait to meet Mr. Mystery man!" Snow grinned as he said it.
Lightning momentarily stopped at the door, looked over her shoulder and smiled a bit, "Not if I can keep him from you the whole night."
"Darn. And here I was lookin' forward to the whole 'you hurt my sister, I kick your ass' speech I had prepared." Snow joked.
"You think I couldn't handle him if it came to that?" Lightning asked, "Him and Bhunivelze can be bunk mates if he decides to hurt me." she couldn't see Hope's reaction to what she was saying, but she still had to play the part, regardless. "I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, but, Snow, I'll see you at the alter." shuddering at her own words, Lightning walked out of the room.
Regrouping with the women, she found it to be much easier company. Vanille and Fang were talking to one another, Yeul was sitting by herself, the girl smiling contentedly. Not wanting her to feel like the odd one out, Lightning went over to the blue haired girl, "Hey."
"Hello." Yeul nodded to Lightning, "I don't believe we've formally met."
"No." Lightning shook her head, "But there's a first thing, for everything."
"Yes, new meetings open up many new possibilities and roads that are unfathomably filled with love, and light, or despair and darkness." Yeul agreed with Lightning's sentiment. It was very clear that the former seeress still retained her 'old soul' from being reincarnated over centuries on end, her wisdom was very evident of this.
"Knowing which paths influenced fate and being constrained not to intervene, how did you...hold yourself back?" Lightning knew that it was a rule of the Farseers not to do such things, as it would only cause destruction, but she was still curious.
"When you can see what happens from every choice you make regardless of how simplistic or significant it appears to be, and know that you can help mankind to flourish, then there is no alternative. Through each incarnation I may not have lived past 15 years, but it was enough. And the Goddess gave her blessings to those she knew could handle them best. I believe that is why she chose you so long ago, Lightning." questions about time, her being the seeress and fate weren't foreign to Yeul. She no longer had visions, and was forced to wonder why Lightning wanted to know about such things, now, when they no longer truly mattered.
"Etro was a strange Goddess." Lightning sighed, "I think we all have to take our places, now."
"Yes, it seems like." Yeul agreed, nodding to Lightning and standing up.
Lightning stood along with her, walking over to Fang and Vanille, "Ready?" she asked, each girl had to pair up with their respective person, but Lightning wasn't able to take part in that tradition, and for good reason- she was giving Serah away.
"Ready as we're gonna be." Fang smiled and nodded.
"Yep!" Vanille chirped along with her, both women ready to walk down that aisle.
"I'm going to go and wait with Serah, you guys go on ahead." Lightning left them behind, going back to the room Serah waited in.
"It's really starting, isn't it?" Serah asked, "It feels just like a dream."
"It's really happening." Lightning nodded, "Are you ready?"
"I am." Serah said excitedly, both sisters hearing the signal that they had to go.
"Let's go." Lightning opened the door, Serah and she walking down the corridor, and making their way through the large doorway. The instant they did the wedding music started, and both slowly made their way up to Snow and the others. Lightning couldn't believe this was it, the moment that she had to give her sister over to someone else. If only it had happened a thousand years earlier, like it was meant to have been.
"Who gives this woman to be wed?"
"I do." Lightning answered the man to be performing the ceremony, letting go of Serah's arm, and joining her fellow women on Serah's side of the alter.
He began to speak and officiate the ceremony, but Lightning was staring at Hope the entire time. Though she hadn't meant to zone out everything else and be entirely self-absorbed, she couldn't help but to focus on everything she'd tossed aside just a little bit ago. Why was she stressing out, so much? Because they hadn't been dating, for very long? Because it had only been about a month and a half to two months, and something like this had happened? Maybe it was also because of Snow and Serah getting married. Though Yeul didn't know it, Lightning had earlier wanted to know about fate, and her stance on it, because of this very situation. Yeul made some very valid points, and Lightning felt a little more reassured because of that fact.
Before she knew it, Serah and Snow had slipped on their rings and kissed, and she'd entirely missed the moment. All of the guests clapped, and Lightning joined suit. Snow didn't miss a beat, and insisted that everyone make their way to the venue they had set up outside so they could start their meal. Snow and Serah walked arm in arm, Lightning and Hope paired up, Yeul and Noel, Sazh and Fang, Vanille and Dahj.
"It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?" Hope asked, trying to make small talk with Lightning, he hadn't had the chance earlier and wanted to make up for it.
"I was...distracted." Lightning said low enough for him to hear and no one else.
"Oh? What were you thinking about?" from how much emphasis she put that this night be absolutely perfect, he found it strange that Lightning could just blank out.
"It's...nothing." Lightning didn't think now was the perfect time to tell him, she needed it to be private- just like Serah had suggested it to be. This kind of conversation was one you definitely wanted to have one to one.
"Is it something you can't tell me?" Hope asked, wondering what it could be that Lightning felt she had to hide.
"I'm not sure." Lightning admitted as they got to their table. Surrounded by her friends, and Hope still had a questioning look lingering on his face. All of the glasses were filled with champagne, and she couldn't drink the alcohol. Fang was sending her the same look that Hope had been, and Lightning was feeling a tad bit frazzled.
When it came to be time for the toast, Hope stood up and began to give a speech he'd been preparing for the occasion a long time. At the end of it, everyone drank from their glasses, Lightning included, but she spat it out and hoped nobody saw. Though from Fang's look, it was clear that she had. "Excuse me." Lightning walked away from the table, wondering if the Pulsian was going to follow. All she had to do was make sure they were at least out of earshot, so Lightning walked a small distance away from the festivities.
"Alright, spill it." Fang said nonchalantly, "I'm not so sure it's Serah at this point."
"You're right." Lightning sighed, "It's me- I'm pregnant. And I don't know how to handle this. I'm trying to keep things as low profile as possible, but people keep finding out. First you, and then I had to tell Serah, just in case. And before I know it, all of the guests will know, except for the person I want to tell the most."
"He's here, isn't he?" Fang asked, "You want some alone time with him? Then I can keep everyone else off your tail. You could'a just let me in on the secret, you know? Would've been a lot easier in the long run. So long as we're talking about secrets, how about lettin' me know who's the lucky fella?"
"You probably wouldn't believe me, if I told you." Lightning reasoned.
"It's Hope, isn't it?" Fang asked a question that caught Lightning completely off guard.
Deciding to play it cool, Lightning scoffed and shook her head, "Of course not! Why would you think that!?"
"Well, for one thing, you two seem to be pretty chummy. And for a whole other they laid out a place specially for your mystery guy that has yet to be filled. Plus, that answer you just gave made it seem pretty obvious." Fang could tell when she was being lied to, though it may have taken her a little while to figure it out from Vanille, Lightning was much easier to read.
"Does everyone know?" Lightning asked Fang, wondering if she thought she was more secretive than she actually was.
"Don't think so. They're all kinda on the 'who is this person?' train. So I think you're pretty in the clear to take him aside and let him know." Fang was being surprisingly really cool about it all.
"Lucky me." Lightning said almost blandly, though she was thankful someone knew the whole truth about it all, even if it wasn't Hope.
"Yeah, at least someone's pretty intuitive around here." Fang joked, winking at Lightning.
"I didn't realize there'd be so much alcohol at events like this." Lightning sighed, "Do you think anyone will notice me rejecting all the offers?"
Fang shrugged "Maybe. Just tell 'em you're not in the mood. It's not an obligation you have to fulfill, anyway."
"I guess so." Lightning agreed.
"So, when ya gonna tell him?" Fang asked the one question she was dying to know the answer to.
"How would you do it?" Lightning asked, "If you were in my place, how would you handle this kind of thing?"
"I'd put all my cards on the table, and if that wasn't good enough, then too bad." Fang shrugged, "The women in our village weren't taught to be total pushovers, and we could take on any challenge we wanted to if we put our mind to it. It's not as if I'd have to go through it alone, anyway. I know that all of you would support me, regardless of if the father didn't."
"Fang! You're pregnant!?" Vanille asked aloud, surprising both women.
Fang and Lightning shared a look, both pondering what to say or do next.
"Don't you worry, I've got this." Fang smiled coyly at Lightning, "Yeah, I am. Got a problem?"
"No way! I can't believe you are!" Vanille ran over and hugged Fang, giggling. "Why did you keep it from me?"
"Too much on my mind, I guess." Fang apologized, knowing fully well that she had to try and keep this act up for a bit. Lightning wanted it to be a secret, and they could straighten this out at the after party, at the very least some other time that wasn't now. Lightning mouthed 'thank you' to Fang, earning a nod from the Pulsian woman.
"I...have to go." Lightning stepped away from that situation, trying to keep track of things she had to do for the night. Things were becoming so complicated. As much as she would have liked to join in the festivities, she felt nauseous at the scent of some of the foods, and walked around for a bit outside. Watching the sunset, she jumped when feeling someone tap her shoulder.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" Noel defensively raised his hands in the air.
"Oh...it's just you." Lightning felt relief and disappointment it was someone other than Hope.
"Glad to see you too, Lightning." Noel joked a bit, "So, why are you out here, all alone? Doesn't seem like you. Or, maybe it does...splitting off from the group, having a solo act."
"There's something that I have to do, and I'm trying to find the resolve to do it." Lightning explained.
"What could be so hard to deal with, that Lightning Farron has to go off on her own and think for a good chunk of time?" Noel asked, he was genuinely curious.
Leaning on the ledge in front of her, Lightning sighed. Looking over at Noel, she decided to try and say it outright. After saying it to two people before him, it was becoming a little easier each time. "I'm pregnant."
"Whoa. Really?" Noel asked, blinking in surprise.
Nodding, Lightning took in yet another deep breath, "So while it may seem rude, and like I've gone back to my old ways- I can't stand to be around the stench of that food and alcohol. It makes me really nauseous, and I think the kid hates it."
"Well, if it helps any- the foods all over with, and the dancing's actually started. That's kinda why I came out here to find you, see if you wanted to join in." Noel explained.
"If I go in there, then I have to tell him." Lightning reasoned.
"Come on, he can't be that bad of a guy!" Noel tried to assure her, "Tell you what...how about I take you back, and we share a dance? That'll take your mind off things, and that way it buys you some more time. Better than freezing out here."
"It's a good offer- but I think I might have to refuse." Lightning wanted to stay outside for a bit longer.
"I can't let you freeze alone. Especially in your condition. Here." Noel undid the buttons on his coat and slipped it over her shoulders.
"You don't have to do this." Lightning tried to refuse his kind gesture, but the male wouldn't hear of it.
"What kind of person would I be if I didn't help a friend in need?" Noel reasoned, smiling at the pink haired woman.
"Thank you." Lightning hugged him, "For listening, and for the jacket."
"No problem." Noel laughed, "You just sort out your stuff and take your time."
Lightning nodded, "Thanks."
"Lightning!" Hope called out her name, running over to the pair. "What are you doing out here?"
"I was just having a chat." Lightning said, motioning over to Noel.
"Yeah, I came out here and we had a little talk." Noel explained.
"Oh. Was it about that thing from earlier, you couldn't talk to me about?" Hope asked, blissfully unaware of what Noel and Lightning had been talking about.
Noel instantly looked over at Lightning, putting two and two together.
"I'd love to stay and chat but Noel invited me to dance!" Lightning grabbed Noel by the arm and began to lead him off, leaving a confused Hope behind them.
"It's Hope, isn't it?" Noel asked.
"Please, don't tell him, okay?" Lightning asked, leading him to the dance floor.
"I promise, I won't. I was...just caught off guard." Noel admitted, "You and Hope? I didn't know that you two were even together, let alone expecting."
"Hope doesn't even know the last part, and nobody knew. That is until Fang guessed earlier, and you just found out completely by accident." Lightning did her best to explain, and keep her voice down so that others wouldn't overhear.
"Oh, so I was second to know. Way to go me." Noel joked, trying to make light of the situation. "What about Snow and Serah? I bet they'd both be over the moon if you told them."
"Serah knows that I'm pregnant, not who the father is. And Snow is completely unaware."
"How'd she take it?"
"She offered to chew out the father if he decided to reject me and our baby. Then said Snow would probably let him have a good beating if need be."
"If only they knew who they were talking about."
"You're telling me."
Lightning and Noel finished up the rest of their dance in silence. Though many question still lingered in the air, Noel didn't want to badger her.
"Looks like we gotta change partners." Noel said, seeing Hope approaching them. "Now's your chance."
Turning her head, she saw Hope, about to reply, she was glad when Snow cut in. "Mind if I take her?"
"Not at all." Noel shook his head, stepping away from Lightning and letting Snow take his place. Going to find Yeul, he sent Lightning one was look and smiled.
Lightning let out a grateful sigh, "You don't know how you saved me right now, hero."
"Did I, now?" Snow smiled, "So, what's this I hear about me bein' an uncle?"
Lightning frowned, "Serah told you, didn't she?"
"She was excited- don't be too mad at her." Snow didn't want Serah to be in trouble with Lightning.
"Actually, I'm not mad." Lightning shook her head, "It saved me the trouble of telling you myself."
"Can't help but notice your guy isn't here." Snow said, "Did ya tell him? Cause if he ran off on ya, then I'm gonna find that punk and let him know the mistake he just made."
"He is here Snow, but thank you." Lightning smiled at his promise that had an implied beating in it.
"Really? Who is it? Cause all I saw you dancing with was Noel...he's not the father, is he?" Snow asked, he couldn't but notice Noel was out a jacket and Lightning was wearing it. She left the party for a bit, and Noel followed her out.
"No! What would make you think that!?" Lightning couldn't resist scoffing and a snorted laugh.
"You two spent a bit of time together. But if it isn't Noel, then who is it?" Snow asked, he really wanted to know, and clearly was terrible at guessing.
"Do you promise not to run off and tell him before I get the chance to?" Lightning countered his question with an offer of her own.
Pausing for what felt like an eternity, Snow agreed. "I promise I won't blow your secret."
"I'm taking you on your word." Lightning reminded him, "It's Hope."
At that, Snow missed a step and clumsily almost made them both fall over. "Really?"
Lightning nodded, "Yeah."
"Didn't know he had it in him." Snow mused, "And you two were dating behind all our backs."
"I like my secrets." Lightning didn't know how better to explain it.
"I can see that." Snow was still semi-shocked. "Did you tell him?"
"Are you kidding? I decided to be completely unconventional and tell everyone but him." Lightning felt like the situation had gotten a bit out of control.
"Smart." Snow couldn't resist laughing.
"Yeah, so smart." Lightning laughed with him.
"Looks like he really wants to dance with you, should I let him cut in?" Snow asked, he didn't want to be blocking Hope from seeing Lightning, especially after learning of two bombshells like this. But if Lightning asked him to because she wasn't ready to deal with the situation, then he'd do it.
"I think it's time I tell him."
"I think so too." Snow agreed, "Good luck, sis."
"Thanks." Lightning braced herself a bit, seeing Hope walk over.
"Can I...talk to you for a second?" Hope asked.
"Sure." Lightning found herself being led outside by Hope. She wanted to say something, anything to fill the void of silence between the pair, but she was honestly drawing a blank.
"This thing you wanted to talk about...you want to break up with me, don't you?" Hope asked, looking sadly at Lightning.
"What? No!" Lightning shook her head, "Why do you think that!?"
"Well...you've been avoiding me all night, haven't you?" it seemed like she'd been dodging him, maybe he was mistaken.
"You're not wrong." Lightning admitted, looking down for a moment, "But it's not what you think!" she promised, "I actually have something to tell you, and I don't know how you're going to take it."
"What is it?" Hope really wanted to know what was so important that she felt like she had to hide it.
"Hope, I'm pregnant." the moment she spoke those words, she felt as if the whole world had stopped. Every second that passed by, seemed like an eternity. It was clear from his facial expression that Hope was stunned by her revelation to him. Who wouldn't be? It was a big thing to tell someone, let alone when that person thought they were being dumped. "It's...better than me leaving you, right?" she tried to fill the silence, and willed him to say anything.
Hope could see that she was faltering a bit, and when it seemed like Lightning was going to run off, he grabbed the sleeve of her jacket and stopped her, pulling the woman into a hug. "It's the best thing that I've ever heard in my entire life." he admitted, "My mind was racing, and I had no idea that this was the reason why."
"I'm sorry. I was just scared of telling you, and I ended up telling everyone other than you." Lightning felt so stupid. Why did she think it would be so hard, and that telling him would be anything other than something like this? Maybe he wasn't the only one that liked to worry excessively.
"I'm sorry that you felt like you couldn't tell me." Hope smiled down at her, "I love you, Light. And I'm not about to run off at a moments notice, and I don't aim to make you feel like you can't tell me things. You're the one person that I feel like I can tell everything to, that makes my days feel like they have some sort of meaning."
"You love me?" Lightning asked, that wasn't something they'd said to each other, before.
"I do." Hope nodded, "It only took me a thousand years to realize that fact."
"Well, it took me what felt like a thousand years to find the courage to tell you about this. So I think we're even."
Hope laughed a little bit, "So, do you have an answer for me?"
"Oh." Lightning didn't register the fact that she hadn't given him the 'L' word back. "I love you, too."
"Do you think we should go back in?" Hope motioned to the wedding.
"No." Lightning shook her head, "How about...we have our dance out here?"
"I don't mind at all." Hope readily agreed.
Slowly taking their positions, Hope began to lead Lightning in a slow dance. At first, he was a little clumsy, exactly like he said he might be, earning a few laughs between both adults. Eventually, things took a turn for something a little more serious. Dancing slowly in the moonlight, both lovingly staring at one another. Resting her head on his chest, she Lightning absentmindedly listened to Hope's heartbeat. To her surprise, it wasn't pounding a mile a minute. It was one of those moments you absolutely wanted to last forever, time seemed as if it had literally come to a stand still and Hope and Lightning were the last two people on the new world.
Interrupted by the sound of whistling, both adults looked over to see Snow, Serah, Fang, Vanille, Noel, Yeul, Sazh and Dajh.
"When did the party start outside?" Fang asked, "And why the bloody hell didn't you two let us in on the fun?" the Pulsian woman let out a small laugh, smiling playfully at the pair.
"I can't believe I was the last one to know!" Serah didn't know why Lightning felt like she couldn't be more forthcoming about it all, and it made her feel bad that Lightning didn't share who it was.
"I didn't tell her- I promise!" Snow grinned raising his arms in surrender, letting Lightning know that he didn't want her to get physical with him.
Vanille couldn't resist a small giggle on her end, "I can't believe it's you instead of Fang!"
"One surprise after another...it's hard to keep up with this group." Sazh joked, "Congratulations." he added in.
"How about we have a group photo. This time- with Lightning." Noel suggested, what with the revelation she'd given all of them for the day, it seemed like the perfect thing to do right now.
"Not yet." Lightning shook her head, walking over to Noel, "You need this back." she said, giving him his jacket.
"Thanks." Noel smiled, "Now, how about it?"
"Fine. If it's that important to all of you, then I guess I'll do it." Lightning agreed to the picture, acting as if she hadn't wanted to participate.
"It is." Snow insisted, "You're now officially my sister." he set up the camera and the timer. "Everyone get ready!" taking his place beside Serah, "3...2...1!" all of them struck a pose as the flash went off.