A/N: Hello my loves. Apologies for the exceedingly long hiatus. My last update was right before our world was plunged into the pandemic and I as an "essential worker" got burnt out and beyond overwhelmed with literally everything. Then, Life went on. I had a new baby, started a new job, and then got laid off. Now I'm adjusting to my role of stay at home mom and trying to get back into writing. Also, started playing the remastered FFVIII on PS5 so that's struck up inspiration to get back to this story. Anyways, enjoy my loves. Hope to see you soon xoxox


August 16th

Rinoa's foot tapped nearly uncontrollably beneath her chair. Her mouth had run dry despite her having just chugged down a quick cup of coffee that now sat to the right of her. Oh shit, oh shit, she thought, as her eyes scanned over the e-mail headline once again.

Loire Family shoot

"Damn, I didn't think he'd respond so quickly," she whispered. It was still only the middle of August, barely even a week since the wedding, and he had mentioned that their anniversary was near the end of October. She was expecting a few more weeks at least to mentally prepare herself for this conversation. Taking in a deep breath, she clicked open the link.

Rinoa,

I hope this e-mail finds you well. After speaking with the lovely wife she insisted (quite enthusiastically) to reach out to you and book an anniversary photoshoot. I will actually be in Balamb for the next few days for business. If you're available I would love to meet up and go over more in detail regarding scheduling, pricing, etc.

You can reach me on my cell phone at your earliest convenience.

(Which I hope is soon because the wife is very, VERY excited to do this shoot)

Laguna

Rinoa added the following digits into her phone. "Dear Mr. Laguna, no your e-mail did not find me well, thank you very much. In fact, I am on the verge of having a mental break down because I'm sleeping with your love child son that you have absolutely no idea about and I in turn have absolutely no idea how to break it to him that I have found his biological father that he had previously mentioned that he had no intention of finding." Rinoa sucked in a long breath and then let out an aggravated snarl. "Right, like I'd actually respond like that, could you imagine?" she muttered to her reflection.

Moving her fingers over the keyboard of her laptop, she clicked her tongue and started typing away.

Mr. Loire,

I'm so thrilled to be working with you two! I am actually available this Sunday the 19th around 11 if you want to meet up? How does The Chocobo Café sound?

Rinoa

A few minutes later Rinoa received his approving response. Nervously she cracked her knuckles and tapped the appointment into her phone's planner. She thought of Squall's advice, to just look to Laguna as another client.

She had two options: Say nothing, and go about business as usual…or, drop the bomb. Her heart pounded as she weighed the two. She wasn't sure which route she was about to go towards, wasn't sure what would be the consequences of her actions from either route chosen. Suddenly she wished she was able to see into the future…to see what would happen if she told Laguna—and Squall—the truth.

Her phone chimed and she nearly jumped from her seat.

SL: Leaving the studio. Have you eaten yet?

"God, how do you do that?" she shouted. "It's like he's got cameras on me or something."

RH: Always hungry =) My place or yours?

SL: We can do yours. What're your plans this weekend?

Rinoa winced. "Yeesh," she hissed.

RH: Meeting with a client around 11 on Sunday. You?

SL: Not sure yet. Studio again on Sunday maybe around 10. Irvine was wondering if you could come by and take some shots of us. If you were available. If not, we have some shots on our phones.

RH: Oooh! Send me the shots you have on your phones. I'll see what I can do with those!

She smiled and set her phone back down. She was certainly having fun being their little social media content manager. It made things a lot easier for them to focus on their music making and she was having a blast at going through their candid shots and editing. Plus, the paychecks from Cid and Edea were definitely making her bank account happy.

A knock at the door stole her attention and she X'd out of her e-mails. "How're you feeling?" she asked Selphie as she walked through the door.

"Oy, my boobs hurt." Selphie loosened her grip on the bags in her arms and plopped them onto Rinoa's couch. "You know how your boobs start feeling really tender and sore right before your period starts? It's kinda like that, but times ten." With a scowl she cupped her breasts and jiggled them. "But they've definitely gotten bigger."

Rinoa laughed and tilted her head. "Well that was fast! They do look fuller. Is milk in there already?"

"Nah, that doesn't come in til after the baby's born. So, what have you got planned for all these?"

Rinoa rummaged through the multitudes of fabric swatches in the bags Selphie had brought inside. "Gonna use them for a backdrop for a shoot I have scheduled next week." The following week she had a shoot scheduled for a set of twin girls, turning twenty-nine. They wanted to surprise their parents with the birthday shoot to commemorate their birth—an emergency delivery via C-section when their mother was twenty-nine weeks pregnant. The twins were considered in incredibly critical condition and called the NICU home for several months. In addition, the backdrop would be rainbow themed because the girls were their mother's "rainbow babies."

"So Squall said that they'll be at the studio again this weekend?" Rinoa asked, moving the bags of fabric aside so Selphie could sit. "I thought they had finished recording?"

"Just a few more edits. Plus I think Irvine mentioned something about a meeting with Seifer wanting to do a little 'making of' video."

"Like a making of the album? A little late don't you think? If they've already finished their recordings."

Selphie shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine!" she laughed. "I know Irvine expressed interest in making a new music video. You know, like they had mentioned after that one show we were at? Not sure what song he had in mind though. Oh! By the way, I've been meaning to ask you…" She tucked her feet beneath her and spun on her bottom to face Rinoa. "What are your plans next week? Like when is that shoot you're supposed to do?"

"Um, the shoot is on the twenty-second, so Wednesday. And so far I don't think I have anything else scheduled work-wise. Why? What's up?"

Selphie cocked her head. "You do know what next week is, right?"

"Um…" She thought for a moment and then paled. "Holy fuck it's Squall's birthday."

Selphie started laughing and patted Rinoa gently on the head. "Don't beat yourself up over it," she said. "You've had a lot going on these past few weeks. Are you gonna get him a gift? Or is it too soon in the relationship for presents? I don't know, I don't know the rules of dating a Leonhart."

"I wouldn't say there are rules," Rinoa said. "Other than he's not a fan of PDA, in public or social media." Afterall, Squall had already given her a gift in the past: her favorite little mermaid mug that she now always kept front and center beside her coffee machine, and she in turn gave him the restored portrait of his mother, which made him thank her in ways that still made her knees weak. "But I should definitely get him something."

"What are you thinking?"

"Not sure. Maybe a cake?" She frowned. "Does he like cake? You know what, I'm just gonna ask him what he wants to do. What do you guys usually do for him?"

Selphie explained that Squall never made such a huge fuss about his birthday and that they normally just went to a bar, had a few rounds of drinks, and then maybe went back to the storage facility to jam. "This year is a tad different now," she sighed, patting her belly and then gesturing to Rinoa. "Maybe instead we could go to a nice dinner? I mean, not nice nice like black tie affair or anything…but a knocked up lady at a dive bar is probably not what they have in mind."

"A dinner sounds nice," Rinoa agreed. "Maybe something low key."

"Oooh! I know!" Selphie's face lit up and she excitedly clapped her hands. "How about we do like a family potluck? I can ask Zell if we can use Ma's place. We can all bring something to eat! Nothing too fancy, small group, just us, and quiet! Just the way Squall likes it."

Rinoa laughed and loved the idea. "Well, as quiet as this group can possibly be! Yes! I think that sounds perfect. Should we plan for the day of?"

"Yes Ma'am. I'll call Zell later."

"Sounds amazing babe, I love it."

Selphie held her head high and fluffed up her hair. "I do have the occasional brilliant idea," she said haughtily. "Plus, it gives me a reason to make my all-time loved ceviche. Usually when I make it, it becomes this huge giant feast for like twelve people so there's no way in hell I can make it for just myself. It'll go bad in like a day or two if I do that."

"Can't you just cut the recipe in half? Or a third?"

Selphie scrunched her nose and lifted her hand to wave Rinoa's suggestion away. "Blasphemous."


When Squall arrived at Rinoa's apartment, she was just finishing up throwing some laundry into the washer. "How was the studio?" she asked while he set down the Chinese takeout she had kindly requested of him. She couldn't help but grin as she watched him remove the takeout boxes and strategically place them along the coffee table.

"Almost done with the LP," he said, unwrapping the chopsticks. "I think we're at a total of ten songs. But now that everything is digital, any time we write new songs we can just release them as we go."

Rinoa clapped her hands excitedly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "When do I get a listen?"

"As soon as it's done, I'll let you know."

"Any new shows lined up?"

Squall handed Rinoa her own chopsticks and detached her arms so he could start digging into his container of chow mein. "Actually, it's funny you mentioned that because I think there might be a last minute one this weekend," he said. "One of our buddies works at a bar down in Galbadia and said that they had a cancellation and needed someone to fill it."

"Ooh, where at?"

"Tonberry's."

"That place is nice. A little small, I think, but it's a nice venue."

He nodded between bites. "Should be." He gestured towards the bags of fabric leaned up against the counter. "For a shoot?"

Rinoa told him about the twin rainbow birthday shoot coming up. "It sounded so sweet," she murmured. "I can't wait for their mom to see the pictures."

"Dad still in the picture?"

"Yes. Oh! I'm sure he'll love them as well. After all, they're his rainbow babies too."


August 18th Saturday

Selphie sipped at her ginger ale while Rinoa fiddled with her camera. "Oh man," Selphie groaned. "I would so kill for a burger right now."

"Is it pregnancy cravings?" Rinoa asked. "Do you get cravings this early on?" She lowered her camera and thought for a moment. "When do the cravings set in? I thought in the first trimester it was mostly bloating and puking."

"Doing your research huh?"

"Just want to be prepared for any midnight calls from you screaming at me to get you a burger."

"The screaming shall be reserved for Baby Daddy," Selphie promised.

Rinoa gave her a chuckle and lightly nudged her with her hip. "You say that now. I've seen you hangry. And that baby will not hesitate to have you unleash your wrath upon the closest victim if it means that a burger is involved."

Selphie smirked and patted her belly. "Point taken."

"So…I don't want to jump to any conclusions but…"

Selphie arched a brow and swung her eyes towards her. "Oi, that could go in countless directions," she said. "What kind of conclusions?" She narrowed her eyes at Rinoa and took a few more sips of her drink.

Rinoa twiddled her thumbs along her camera and gave Selphie her best doe eyes. "Am I doing your maternity pictures?"

"What are you—Of course!" Selphie shrieked and wrapped her arms around Rinoa's neck and planted several kisses along her cheek. "Babe, you know it'd be an absolute honor for you to do my maternity pictures!"

While they watched Absolute Lore's roadies start to set up, they started to discuss possible themes for Selphie's shoot. Their conversation laced through rock-n-roll royalty themed, a Bob Ross "Happy Accident" theme, woodland fairy…the list went on and on.

"I think maybe after we find out the gender we can settle on a theme," Selphie said. "Hopefully next week."

"Blood test or ultrasound?"

"Blood test. They'll be able to find out just through that. I don't want to wait for an ultrasound. Not during any gender reveal though. Just get ready for a mass text."

"Bummer," Rinoa pouted. "Thought a gender reveal shoot would be cute."

Selphie nodded in agreement. "They are adorable. But that's just not really my thing."

Moments later, Zell's guitar filled the venue and the crowd upheaved into a thunderous roar. Rinoa and Selphie screamed along with them and held up their ginger ale/camera up in a toast as Quistis came into view.

Squall sat upon his throne and instantly began to create soft, tinkling noises along his cymbals. In rhythm with the guitar strums, Rinoa was instantly entranced. The beat was slow, melodic, and soothing.

There was no warning, no greeting this time, and the crowd ate it up in pure bliss at the gift of instant gratification. Irvine strolled onto stage, his long hair pulled into a long tail that fell down the center of his back. With his eyes closed and one hand gently over his heart, he cradled the mic in his other hand and softly crooned:

"You believe every word I say/And you always took the time to understand/You took my breath away/Is that you slipping right through my hands?"

Selphie gasped, so softly that Rinoa barely caught it.

"What?" Her jaw dropped. "Is the baby kicking?"

Selphie let out a sputtered laugh. "Wow, you really don't know anything about pregnancy timelines," she teased. "No…the song."

"Is it a new one? I haven't heard this one."

"It's one of the first ones they created," Selphie said. "Back when the band first came together. It was before I came into the picture." She looked back towards the stage, her eyes softening as she watched Irvine continue. "But…it's one of my favorites. He would always sing it to me. Especially when we'd lie together in bed."

"Just like a shooting star, falling from the sky/I wait for you to land."

The beat quickened, just a fraction, and Rinoa could see Squall's arms thrash along the cymbals and skins of the drums. His gloved hands moved so fluidly, so methodically as the jarring beats erupted from him. This time around, his kit was settled on a higher platform behind the rest of the band, and it was easier to see him and his movements.

Rinoa raised her camera and started snapping away. Quistis had her eyes closed, her head bobbing with the music, her hips slowly rolling. Zell made his way over to her, and he leaned with his back against hers, their strings' rhythms pulsating off each other.

"Fly away/Don't shut me out/'Cause I can't be without you/Run away/Come with me/Cause I can't be without you."

After taking a few more shots of the band, Rinoa turned and scanned the crowd. They were hypnotized. They all stood, still as marble, unable to look away from the man onstage singing his heart out. Even as the drums crashed, the bass filled the room with deep and throaty plucks, and the guitar shrieked, every soul within the venue was mesmerized with the same look of awe and adoration. Rinoa looked at Selphie, who stared up at Irvine with the tiniest hint of a smile.

"When I wake up every day/I need to know you're not so far away/Just like a shooting star, falling from the sky/I wait for you to land/Fly away/Don't shut me out." Irvine lowered himself from the stage and slowly made his way towards Selphie, his eyes never leaving hers as he sang. "Cause I can't be without you…Be without you…"

As the band behind him continued on, Irvine took Selphie's hand and placed a soft kiss to her knuckles. Despite the pause of words, so much was spoken between Irvine and Selphie as he held her hand. It was as if everyone in the venue had vanished and it was only them, surrounded by the gentle thunder of music. "Be without you…"

Rinoa wanted to look away. The scene before her was so soft and intimate, she felt as if she were intruding. But at the same time, she couldn't tear her eyes from them.

"Open your eyes/And open your life…" Irvine leaned in, his forehead resting upon Selphie's. The crashing of Squall's drums softly came to a halt, the venue came to a standstill as all was quiet, even for just that whisper of a moment. Irvine's voice dropped low, just barely louder than Zell's gentle strums, but the words that emerged were powerful and dripping with emotion. "And just fly away/Don't shut me out/Cause I can't be without you." Slowly he stepped away, releasing Selphie's hand as the stage exploded with quaking harmony. Before he fully detached from her, he ran his fingers across her belly.

"Be without you…"

Rinoa looked back towards the front as Irvine climbed back onto the stage, his voice never wavering despite his movements.

Irvine looked back out into the crowd, his hand outstretched while still locking eyes with Selphie. "Fly away/Don't shut me out/Cause I can't be without you/Run away/Come with me/Cause I can't be without you…"

Rinoa's eyes sought out Squall. Now that the song was nearing its end, his movements lessened and she was able to see his face. His head lifted and he shook the hair from his eyes, his drumsticks tapping along the cymbals.

A blush of a smile crept upon Rinoa's lips as she gazed at him. For a moment it seemed as if he were looking at her, but she knew he probably wouldn't be able to see her at this distance. But for that moment she allowed herself to daydream and believe that he could see her, that he was looking right at her, feeling her eyes sending him kisses while his sent kisses back.

"Cause I can't be without you…"


"Breathless" music and lyrics (c) 40 below Summer