A/N: In the Second Time Around universe, how will Rydia react when the Sebusai couple give her a birthday she will want to remember? Pairing focus: Sebusai, Rydia/Edge, Celes/Terra & Fangrai

Green with Wonder

Seven and Sice - the lovable idiots according to Lightning - were having the time of their lives planning something special to Rydia for her belated birthday. For the Mist native, she isn't fond of celebrating her birthday on the actual day, meaning that Rydia wants her 'day' being during the month of April instead the month of March. Ever since meeting her new bestie Celes and finding out that the Vector native's birthday is in early March, Rydia refused to have her birthday gatherings in March, as she didn't want to make things more financially complicated than before. Although saddened by this, Celes went along with it. Terra, oddly enough, fully supported Rydia's decision. The reason is unknown, but if anything, Terra celebrates her birthdays with, of all people, Claire 'Lightning' Yun-Farron. The oldest Farron sister is Terra's shero. The pinkette, at first, was hesitant on sharing her birthday with anyone else, but upon finding out it was Terra Bradford-Chere who wanted to share it with her, Lightning not only accepted it, but felt much better about it. Fan Yun-Farron, being the supportive wife, felt at peace about the matter. Terra's actual birthday was shared by Lightning, Serah & Seven's parents, so when Terra wanted to celebrate it with Lightning's birthday.

With Rydia's birthday planning, the Sebusai couple went all out. The theme would be to have as much green possible, due to the Mist native having green hair and eyes, and to everyone's surprise, the Sebusai couple quite liked the colour green. Green reminded them of the scenery tied to Mist, where Seven and Sice spent their entire honeymoon, which floored Rydia in complete shock. As for everyone's favourite Potty Mouth, Sice was pulling out every stop with the Mist dishes, all favourites of Rydia, which Edge had come to love over time. It was at this time where Celes gave the couple a helping hand, seeing that just a week ago, Seven went public with the pregnancy announcement tied to Lightning and Fang, that they wanted to give Kurasame a sibling; this time around, he's welcoming a baby sister because Fang was FINALLY successful in getting pregnant after years and years of the brunette trying to give Kurasame a sibling but to no avail. The trio would be singing and dancing like dipshidiots (Fang's words) while preparing Rydia's belated birthday celebration at the same time. It was some time later that the Fangrai couple finally came home from a baby prep class of sorts - Lightning's exact words when she said this to everyone - with the trio looking kind of tired but felt happy at the same time.

Everyone at the Yun-Farron home would then help finish the prep for Rydia's celebration outside of Fang, for obvious reasons.

Rydia will be floored with the news.

XXX

While Edge is driving Terra, Relm & Y'shtola and Lyse's kids in one car with his son Cecil, Lyse had Rydia & Y'shtola in the other car, the same car with MIQ'OTE on the license plate. The tall blonde did NOT want her wife to be driving as the Miq'ote had pulled an all nighter at work, yet Y'shtola wanted to hear the huge news tied to the Fangrai couple. Even Odin the cat, who was with Edge due to a vet appointment that he scheduled to time with the vet appointment for their German Shepard dog, Kain, where Kain LOVED Odin like a brother; with the Eblan native, since he needed to pick up Kain from the vet, he can get Odin too. Throughout the car ride, Kain was beyond protective of not only the beloved cat, but he was also protective of each of the younger humans in the soccer mom van. Edge and Lyse were a team with the kids, plus Lyse saw Edge as an annoying brother. Upon arrival to the Yun-Farron household, everyone was sent inside other than Edge, Terra & Lyse, since they had not only some of Rydia's birthday presents, but they also had nursery stuff for upcoming arrival of Luna Yun-Farron, Kurasame's younger sister. Oddly enough, Y'shtola was still awake (thank you, Dia Coffee) to help with moral support while the other three adults went to work in the secret nursery, as Snow, Hope, Leon & Firion were waiting for them to finish up the nursery at long last, something that's been in the works for weeks..

What no one seemed to be doing the entire time was ask about Rydia. It turns out that she was with Maria, Porom, Serah, Vanille & Carlyn at the home belonged to Porom's younger twin brother, Palom, who was sarcastic as ever, but wouid get deathlily serious when people he cares about gets hurt or embarrassed. Rydia's been trying to get Palom accepted into the Guardian Corps for years, but upon realisation that Palom no longer expressed interest in joining and requested that his wife, Leonora, go in his place, that really made Rydia's day. Palom had a few gifts for Rydia and her family, and sent something with Edge for Lightning and Fang's upcoming birth of their daughter Luna, plus gave Rydia something small for Kurasame. The group, 30 minutes later, agreed to head to the Yun-Farron household with only Leonora accompanying them, as Palom still needed to recover from an injury he sustained a few months back, and the dogs Asura and Leviathan would keep him company for a while. When everyone was ready to go, Carlyn made sure that Leonora can sneak in a nap due to everything tied to Palom. The drive to the Yun-Farron household was a quicker one than they thought, with Rydia being the last person to enter the household. The "Surprise!" from everyone who was awake was what had Rydia smiling and shedding a few happy tears - Leonora, Y'shtola and Fang were all sleeping in the spacious guest room due to pure exhaustion.

The amount of green, plus Mist cuisine, had Sice being the very first person Rydia tackled with a hug, for the cuisine itself reminded the green haired lass of her late mother's cooking.

Seven, however, was given a bear hug by Edge & Cecil, with Kain following Rydia's lead as the German Shepard gave the silver haired lass a facial that was filled with love, plus Kain wouldn't stop hugging her.

Lightning got quite amused.

XXX

With the humans getting their plate of food, along with Odin eating his cat food in peace with Kain and Interceptor (thank you for the dog food, Vanille), everyone was happy, and the best part was Rydia opening up each and every present from the people that mattered to her. Out of everyone, Rydia was one of a select number of people who didn't know about Lightning and Fang becoming parents again, but that was because of Rydia's choice. There were certain things she did NOT want to know about, plus was one who respected privacy when it was needed. When it came to the cake, the humans had their, while the pets had their own version of the such, devouring each and every last bite they can get. Odin, Interceptor & Kain went to town on their personally done cake, which Seven was responsible for. In a twist of fate, Seven caught Rydia rubbing her own belly for what seemed to be the millionth time that day, thinking that there is more news coming along than the 'gift' Lightning and Fang had for her. The silver haired lass, wisely enough, chose to not say anything to anyone about it, as she isn't one to cause drama. The drama is all Potty Mouth Sice as far as everyone is concerned.

It was the evening hours where only Leonora and Fang made their appearance known. The Fangrai couple led Rydia and Edge to the room where their gift to Rydia was revealed: not only was Lightning and Fang becoming parents to a baby girl, but new nursery had space for their upcoming daughter too, where Rydia and Edge would be welcoming Joanna on the same day that Lightning and Fang would welcome Luna Yun-Farron. Not only did they know of Baby Joanna, but they're pregnant too, and with a girl? Best. Birthday. EVER! Light and Fang really ARE the best... Rydia couldn't stop smiling with her eyes despite them being in amazement and awe, knowing that Fang has been trying to get pregnant for years. Fang and Rydia shared a hug this time around, knowing that the struggles they've had is finally paying off. The only thing Edge could do was give Lightning a fist bump over the matter, knowing that Rydia won't be going through this pregnancy alone.

As for the other guests, some of them had to get going, while a phone call from Palom gave the Yun-Farron household the okay for Leonora to stay overnight to keep things safe, along with Lyse, who found that while Leonora turned the recliner in the guest room into a bed, Y'shtola was still asleep. They all agreed to leave some plates of food for Y'shtola and Leonora, along with a couple of slices of cake.

And Rydia was more than happy with that. To end this day, Odin decided to have a 'purring contest' by sleeping in the same bed Y'shtola was in.

Seven was more than happy with the result.

FIN

A/N #2: The next story is an immedate follow up to this one, where Lightning recalls her pregnancy with Kurasame to Leonora and Palom in Celes' presence.