"Squall." Rinoa walked into the Commander's office, still decked out in her instructor's uniform.
Squall had been reviewing a cadet's file, but looked up when his wife had called his name. "Yes? Please don't tell me the students are causing a disturbance in the cafeteria again."
Rinoa laughed. "No, it's nothing like that. Raine is here; she's brought the twins to visit."
"Oh." Squall smiled a little. "Kazel isn't with her?"
"No, she says he had to go to Galbadia; his mother has fallen ill." Rinoa looked sad for a moment, before adding, "I thought you'd like to know before she gets up here."
"Well, Raine is always welcome here; if not as a SeeD, as our daughter," Squall told her.
"Really, Dad? That's so nice to know!" Raine giggled, pushing her double-stroller out of the elevator. "And I'm sure your grandchildren are glad to know that too. Hi!"
"Hello, Raine!" Rinoa gave her a hug. "And how are the little ones?"
Rinoa peeked into the interior of the stroller. River was sleeping; Celeste was looking around, seeming a bit confused, so she decided to pick her up.
"They miss their dad, even though I told them he'll be back soon. They're behaving, though." Raine smiled.
"Good," Rinoa said, as she gently bounced Celeste.
"Dad, I'm sorry if I came while you were busy," Raine apologized. "I didn't realize until I was on the elevator how inconsiderate I'm being by just popping up here."
"You're not being inconsiderate. Impractical, but not inconsiderate," Squall told her.
"Thanks, Dad. I feel loads better." Raine's voice and face were equally deadpan.
"At any rate, there isn't much happening here at the moment anyway," Squall continued. "I was just reviewing a few files for incoming students. The fall term is starting in a couple of weeks, so you came right before things start to heat up."
"I love the start of the fall semester," added Rinoa, as she put a sleeping Celeste back into the stroller. "It's such a huge contrast to the way my classes are now."
"Mom, you know no one takes the summer classes unless they have some sort of obligation to fill," Raine said with a laugh.
"You took the summer classes," Squall said.
"I had an obligation. Actually, two of them..." Raine gave a look to both her parents.
Their conversation was interrupted then by a chestnut-haired girl wearing a cadet's uniform running into the office, short of breath, giving a hasty bow of respect to Squall before saying, "Commander Leonhart..."
"We've been through this, Tania. You can use the intercom to tell me things. You don't have to run here every time something happens; only in cases of emergency."
"But this is an emergency, Commander!"
Squall and Rinoa exchanged a serious look. "What is it?" asked the latter.
"According to surveillance footage, and word of mouth from some very reliable sources, I have reason to believe the Garden has been infiltrated by Seifer Almasy."
For some reason, it was at that very moment that River woke up and began to cry.
The expression on Squall's face became unreadable. It had been so many years; why would the guy just now decide to show his face?
"Take me to where he was rumored to be seen," he then said, and left the office with his receptionist.
Raine looked at her mother then, who had the same type of expression on her face. "Mom, I don't understand," she said as she reached to pick up her son. "Who is Seifer Almasy?"
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Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)
FanfictionThe additional book of the Strength In universe, detailing the lives of the second generation.