Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

The Double Date

It was a chilly day in Balamb, but the sun still shone brightly. The wind frequently rippled through the trees, teasing the buds where leaves would be growing in a few weeks' time. It was spring, and indeed- although the temperature betrayed that fact- the air was filled with a familiar mid-March aroma.

Leviesse hadn't been in Balamb for a year yet, and was still adjusting to everything. She definitely hadn't anticipated it getting as chilly as it did in the winter and spring months. What happened to those year-round tropical conditions that she was promised?!

Turning over on her bed, she decided to call her cousin. She was a foreigner too; she'd understand.

"Hello?" Leiria's demure, soft voice came through the speaker.

"Leiry! Hi!" Leviesse grinned. "How's my favorite cousin doing?"

"Um, I think I'm your only cousin, but... it's good, I guess."

"You guess?" asked Leviesse. It had been years and Leiria still hadn't gotten rid of that habit.

"I hurt my foot earlier when Martine and I were trying to reposition our bed. But other than that, I guess everything is okay."

Leviesse smiled, still incredulous that her younger cousin had gotten married before her. And not just any younger cousin; Leiria, the girl who cried if she thought someone didn't like her, and still had that innocent aura about her that most girls lost in their teen years. Leviesse had, for sure.

"And, Martine put ice on it, and it feels better now," finished Leiria. "How are Aunt Maceida and Uncle Laguna?"

"Mum's traveling again," replied Leviesse. "I think it's Deling City this time. Dad's in his study writing, as usual. He tends to go in there more when Mum is gone."

"Maybe he misses her."

"Oh, I know he does," Leviesse nodded. "He can't help but-"

She stopped, hearing Leiria talk on the other end.

"-in a little bit, but right now I'm on the phone with Leviesse. Martine says hello, Leviesse."

"Hey there! Take care of my cousin, you little shit."

Martine laughed. "Course I will. You're welcome to pop on over here, Levi, especially if you got a mind to help us with this unpacking."

That was when Leviesse got an idea. "Hey, you two. Why don't you take a break from all that manual labor and have dinner with Gale and I? It can be a double-date!"

"I ain't exactly keen on double-dates, Levi..." Martine said.

"I think it could be fun." Leiria smiled. "We should go, Martine. After all, we don't know how long I have before I get really sick again," she said the last part softly.

Martine sighed. It was hard having an ill wife, that was for certain. For him, sure, but especially for her. She missed out on so much...

"Then I guess it's a go, Levi," he agreed. "What are y'all in the mood for?"

"Oh, well, you know Gale will eat anything. I'm personally in the mood for pasta, though," she twirled a piece of her hair.

"I'll ask my dad. He knows the restaurants." Martine agreed. "Dress nice; I don't take Leiria to just any restaurant."

"Fuck off, Martine. Toodles!" Leviesse smiled before hanging up.

With that, she looked in the mirror before going to find something to wear. There was a dress in her closet, a metallic electric blue, that she'd been wanting an excuse to wear for a while, and this seemed like a perfect occasion. When she put it on, though, it barely covered her chest.