Little Family Get Together

Chapter One

Lady Nakosha

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Author's Note: Well, well, well. A new story has been posted! I just got a brainstorm while reading another story and I had to write it down. This little writing thing I'm having now probably won't last long, but I've got to savor it while I can! Read and review please!

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Summary: Serena is the smart ass and the blond beauty the family. Darien, Serena's (older) sister's fiancée finally meets the infamous sister at a reunion. Serena and Darien get into a verbal quarrel and more than sparks fly between the two...

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ALL STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY

(I wouldn't have it any other way...)

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"Oh no. Oh no, oh no!" Denise Tsukino groaned as she began banging the phone receiver on the countertop beside her.

"Denise? Denise, what's wrong?" Horror struck Darien. "Your family is all right, right? My family is okay, right? Right?" He said, this time more urgently.

Denise transformed from wild to calm, as if nothing happened. She put the receiver back into its cradle and gave Darien a strained smile. "No one is hurt."

"Then what's wrong?"

"We have to go to a family reunion."

"Oh." Relief washed over him. "What time? When? I--"

Denise folded her hands over her lap. Darien noticed that her fingers were shaking. "My sister is going to be there."

Darien furrowed his brow in confusion. "Well, that's good. What's her name again? Stephanie? Se--"

"Serena." Denise interrupted. Darien couldn't understand why she was so...like she was acting.

"Denise, tell me what's wrong." Worry lingered in his voice.

"My sister is coming."

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"Serena, honey, are you sure you can come? I mean, if you can't I understand and I--"

"Mommy, I'm sure I can come. I've cleared that day of any meetings, so I can stay the whole time." Serena said breezily.

"But you--"

"Mommy, you've asked me this question a hundred times already. I can come." Serena added, "And isn't Deni's fiancée coming? I can't wait to meet him."

Serena heard her mother restrain from moaning. "Well, he is coming. And dear, please, don't--"

"No promises, no promises."

"Okay. Well, see you then, sweetheart."

"Oh and Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Since I'm meeting Daddy for lunch tomorrow, I know he'll give me the right dat--"

She sighed. "It's on the twenty-second."

"At least this time I won't show up a week earlier than necessary."

[AN: This means that Serena's mother told her the wrong date the last time they had a family reunion.]

"I suppose. Good-bye darling."

"Bye, bye."

Serena listened for her Mom to hang up first then she clicked the phone off.

Serena smiled. Another soon-to-be family member to meet and completely humiliate.

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"Denise! Darien!" Serena's father, Ken griped Darien's hand and hugged Denise. "So glad you two could come."

Denise searched the room. "Is--"

"She's not here yet, Deni." Ken grinned. "Honey, Serena's not that bad. It's not like she's going to murder your fiancée."

Denise grunted. "I wouldn't put that past her."

"Oh, don't be so negative--"

Denise looked over her father's shoulder and her expression darkened. "And speaking of the devil, here she comes..."

Serena slowly made her way up the front porch steps; her hair cascaded past her hips in sun-kissed, blond waves. Her cerulean blue eyes flickered over her sister and father in mild amusement and landed on Darien. Her gaze swept over him and lingered a bit longer than necessary.

Even though Darien's heart was devoted to Denise...he couldn't help but to let him drink in her unearthly beauty.

"Serena," Denise said. "It's always nice to see my younger sister."

Serena laughed lightly. "No its not. You hate seeing me."

Denise blushed slightly. "No I don't."

"All right, if you say so." Serena touched Darien's arm. Darien ignored the sliver of electricity that sent chills of pleasure up and down his spine. "So who's this handsome stud?"

Denise moved closer to Darien and pressed her side against his. "Darien. My fiancée, Serena. The person I'm going to marry. The guy that wants to spend the rest of his life with--"

Serena giggled. "Okay, I get the point. I'm not suppose to seduce and fall madly in love with your boyfriend."

"Fiancée." Denise corrected.

"Whatever." Serena smirked. "He kind of looks like your last boyfriend, doesn't he?" She eyed him critically. "You go for the tall and dark types, don't you, Deni?"

Denise's face flushed in embarrassment. "Serena! I do not date only tall and dark men!"

"Yes you do."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Do-"

Serena's father coughed loudly and caught both of their attention. "Girls. Don't you want to come inside?"

Serena looked unfazed from their argument, while Denise continued to fume. "Of course, Daddy. Thanks for inviting me." Usagi kissed his cheek and stepped past him.

Chorused greetings of welcoming boomed from the living room.

Darien immediately felt at home with the people-large and small-surrounding him.

How could one person, so small and beautiful, ruin a perfect mood and atmosphere like this?

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