Disclaimer: Characters are owned and produced by The Disney Channel and It's A Laugh Productions. I am just borrowing them for these stories. Original characters are owned by the author of this story.

Author's Note: Love it or hate it, I know most of you know the words to the opening theme of The L Word, so sing along with me. If you don't know 'em, you're about to learn. By the way, if you don't already know, the song was written and performed by the group Betty.

Girls in tight dresses, Who drag with mustaches,

Chicks drivin' fast, Ingénues with long lashes,
Women who long, love, lust, Women who give,
This is the way, It's the way that we liiiiiiive.

Talking, laughing, loving, breathing, fighting, fucking, crying, drinking, riding, winning, losing, cheating, kissing, thinking, dreaming.

This is the way, It's the way that we live
It's the way that we liiiiiiiiiive, And loooooooooooooooooove!

Two new original characters, since Disney never introduced us to London's mom, I'm taking credit for it! And I'm previewing a character that will show up in my next Chrave story. She is Raven and Chelsea's nanny, Paulina Miklaszewski (pronounced Mick-la-chef-ski). And she is based on one of the wonderful stars of The L Word, none other that Alice Piezecki herself, the beautiful and talented actress Leisha Hailey.

Sandra Li-Chen Kwon – Kelly Hu

Paulina Miklaszewski – Leisha Hailey


The Search for Tomorrow

Chapter 7

This Is The Way That We Live

About twenty-five minutes after they disappeared into the private cabin of the airplane, London and Maddie re-emerged. The looks of anger and worry that were etched on their faces upon their departure from the main cabin were long gone, replaced by looks of peace and contentment.

"London, you okay sweetie? We were worried about you." Brandi said.

"I feel much better. Maddie talked me in off the ledge." London said as she sat down and buckled in.

"Is she gonna be all right?" Miley leaned over to ask Maddie in a whisper.

Maddie smiled. "She'll be fine. She had a good cry and let it all out." Maddie said as she glanced over at London who shot her a quick glance and a smile back.

"You two did it." Raven said. "I'd know that look anywhere. Chelsea and I have shared that look many times. You two nasty nasties did it."

"Raven! My stepmother is sitting here! I will not be goaded into such a base and debauched conversation!" London scoffed.

"London? Sweetheart? Give it a rest." Brandi said. "You might as well have had it tattooed on your forehead. It's okay. I'm a big girl. I know you have sex."

"I will not be goaded into such a base and debauched conversation!" Raven mocked. "You are a piece of work, I swear!"

"Well I'm such a piece of work that I decided to give my mother a chance. It's been a while. Maybe she's changed. I wouldn't count on it, but I can always hope." London said.

Twenty minutes later, Tipton One landed safely on the tarmac at Miami International Airport and headed for the private hangar. Everyone grabbed their belongings and readied themselves for their limo ride to the hotel. As they neared Miami Beach, Raven, Chelsea and Miley noticed something different.

"London, where are we going? The beach is that way." Miley said.

"Oh, you didn't think we were staying at the beach, did you?" London said. "You should know me a little better than that." London gave her signature grin, indicating that she was up to something.

The limo headed east on the MacArthur Causeway toward the location that London picked for their stay. Suffice it to say that none of the women expected what was in store for them when they arrived.

"London! You are kidding me!" Chelsea exclaimed. Raven, Miley and Lilly were speechless.

"Baby? Is this where we're staying?" Maddie exclaimed.

"Welcome to our stomping grounds for the next several days." London said as they pulled up to the main gate. "I present to you… Casa Contenta."

Casa Contenta was a two-story palace of a waterfront estate situated on exclusive Palm Island, about ten minutes from Miami Beach. The ladies had a full acre of lush Florida green near the waterfront as their playground, anchored by the 11,000 square foot Spanish-style home. It contained a heated outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, swim-in grotto tucked behind a waterfall, five bedroom suites, a gym, cinema theater and a billiard room with a bar.

"I… I… Oh my God!" Maddie stammered.

"I wanted to find something a little more luxurious for you but this is all I could find with a year's notice." London said.

"You've… been planning this for a year?" Maddie asked incredulously.

"Since the morning after the club." London said softly. "I wanted to bring you here before now but I figured getting married here would be even more romantic." Maddie cupped London's face before breaking down in tears, overwhelmed by the lengths London went for her.

London stepped forward and embraced her. "I think she likes it." London said to the group.

Just then, members of the staff discreetly descended upon the group, taking bags to the suites upstairs.

"Now that we know where we're staying, I need to tell Paulina." Raven said as she took out her phone to dial.

"Who's Paulina?" Lilly asked.

"She's our nanny." Chelsea said. "We called her after we left New York and asked her to meet us down here. She's gonna watch the kids for us after the wedding so we can go out with you guys."

"You must be paying her a lot for her to fly to Miami from New York with no warning." Miley said.

"She's doing all right for herself." Chelsea said with a wink.

"Okay, she's in town. She's on South Beach shopping so she'll catch up with us later." Raven said after hanging up her cell phone.

"You mean she's on South Beach trying to pick up women." Chelsea said.

"Yeah, well, you know how she rolls." Raven offered.

"So when does this shindig go down?" Miley asked.

"If that is your charming way of asking when the wedding will take place, it's tomorrow morning and we aren't really gonna wear bikinis and sarongs." London said.

"Crap! You got my hopes up for nothing!" Raven exclaimed.

"Sorry, Rae." London said. "No, tomorrow will be about beautiful, breezy white dresses."

"White? With this crew? I don't think so." Lilly joked.

"Oh is that so?" Miley said. "Well let's work on making your dress a little darker!" With that Lilly squealed and took off toward the staircase that led upstairs to the suites with Miley in hot pursuit.

"They are so young and immature." Raven said.

"Rae, they're like three years younger than you." Maddie said.

"And they are not as demure as we are." Raven shot back.

Just then Chelsea sidled up to Raven and whispered in her ear. "How much longer are you gonna make me wait?" Chelsea purred.

"London, would you mind…" Raven started.

"We'll watch the kids. Go." London said with a smirk.

Chelsea took that as her cue to tickle Raven's ribs causing her to squeal and head for the staircase. London, Maddie, Richie, Tonya and Brandi watched them run up the stairs in amusement. London then turned and squatted down in front of the kids.

"Would you like Miss Brandi to take you to the kitchen to see if there are some cookies and milk in there?" London asked.

"YEAH!" Tonya said. Richie giggled.

"Okay. Take my hand and we'll go find the kitchen." Brandi said as the kids took her by the hand.

"Thanks, Mom." London said as she leaned over and kissed Brandi on the cheek. Brandi and the kids then disappeared in search of the kitchen.

London and Maddie then silently walked hand-in-hand through the arched entrance to the main living room and sat down.

"I can't believe you rented this place. It is amazing." Maddie said sweetly.

"When you remember your wedding day, I want you to know it was the most special day of your life." London said.

"We could have gotten married in the parking lot of Wal-Mart and it would be the most special day of my life." Maddie said.

"You liar!" London quietly joked causing them both to laugh as she playfully pushed Maddie's arm. "But I know what you mean. If I didn't have a dime to my name, as long as I had you, I'd be the richest woman in the world." Maddie smiled a warm, loving smile before leaning in and drawing London into a soft, deep kiss.

"I never was one for good timing." The sound of a foreign voice snapped the two women out of their kiss and made both of them turn around. Standing in the entranceway to the living room was London's mother, Sandra. "Hi London."

"Mom. Hi." London said softly as Maddie gave her hands a squeeze before London stood and made her way over to her mother. She got to within arms length and paused before stepping forward and embracing her mother. After several moments, they broke the embrace.

"Let me take a look at you." Sandra said. She held both of London's hands as she stepped back to take in the sight of her daughter for the first time in nearly five years. "You look so much more beautiful than I did at your age."

"Thanks." London said meekly. "How was your flight?"

"It was fine. I was in New York and I went up to Boston when Brandi called but you weren't there." Sandra said.

"You look amazing." London said. Sandra Li-Chen Kwon might have just turned fifty, but she could have easily passed for thirty-five. She was five-feet-five inches of petite beauty. She possessed couture elegance, almost gliding as she walked. She had the ability to silence any room that she walked into without speaking a single word. Her almond eyes, silky jet black hair, rosy cheeks and megawatt smile could bring any man to his knees. And just like her daughter, she took the lyrics of the song "Legs" to heart. She got legs, and she knew how to use them.

"No. You are the one that looks amazing. And you're getting married." Sandra then turned her attention to Maddie. "My goodness. Maddie. You have become almost as breathtaking a young woman as London. The last time I saw you was…"

"London's sweet sixteen party." Maddie recalled.

"It's been that long?" Sandra asked. "I'm sorry about that."

"So… where are you… calling home now?" London asked.

"I actually just moved to New York. I'm tired of being in Europe. I miss the states." Sandra said. "I miss you."

"If you'll excuse me… I'm gonna go find Brandi and the kids." Maddie said as she made her way out into the hallway. "It was good seeing you again Ms. Kwon."

"Please Maddie, Sandra is fine. And it was good seeing you too. I'll see you later." Sandra said as Maddie politely smiled and made her exit.

After a moment or so of awkward silence, London spoke. "Would you… like to sit down?"

"Thank you." Sandra said. "This is an amazing house. Brandi told me that you spared no expense to pull this off and she wasn't kidding." London politely smiled and nodded her head. Another moment of awkward silence ensued. "I… don't really… know where to being, London. There's so much I want to say to you."

"Well, just pick a place and let 'er rip." London said.

"Okay." Sandra said. "You have no reason to believe a word I'm about to say and you probably hate me as it is, but… I love you. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and all the time we've lost over the years. I… am filled with regret over some… no, all of the decisions I have ever made concerning you. I haven't been a mother to you at all and I am not about to try to start being one now. I just… I don't want to cause you any more pain than I already have. London… I'm sorry for leaving you and I want to ask you if there is any way that you can eventually, over time, forgive me."

London sat stoned face for a moment. She was ready for a fight. She had prepared herself to come out with both guns blazing and really lay a serious telling off at her mother's feet. But her mother's opening salvo had diffused London's rage. London was at a loss for what to do next. She was sure that the self-absorbed, divorce-jackpot winning diva was going to give her plenty of ammunition to blast her out of the water. What London was faced with was a woman that sounded remorseful and almost contrite.

London studied Sandra for a moment before deciding on her course of action.

"You hurt me." London quietly began. "You abandoned me. You left me to be raised in boarding schools and a hotel. For some reason, I accepted the fact that Daddy was never going to be there and I said that as long as the bank account stayed full that I was all right with that. But you… I needed you." London paused. "The closest thing that I had to a mother and father growing up was Marion Moseby. He was there for my first steps. He was there putting the $100 bill Daddy sent under my pillow when I lost my first tooth. He went with me to get my driver's license. And since Daddy died, Brandi has been an incredible mother to me. I thought she was like the other steps, you know, another charm on my stepmother bracelet. But she proved to be the real deal."

London paused as she felt tears stinging her eyes. "I am angry at you. But I don't hate you. Because for everything I just said, there is a huge… hole in my soul that only you can fill. And I hate that… because part of me wants to hate you. Part of me wants to… yell at you and throw things at you. Part of me wants to ask you why you didn't mourn for Daddy. Part of me wants to know why you didn't come to the funeral. But that would open up a door to a part of my darkness that I don't want to go back to."

"London. I loved your father. We just couldn't… we were better off as friends." Sandra said. "And I did mourn him. I didn't know I had that many tears. And I said to myself that there was no way that I could go to that funeral. I felt like I had no standing, no right to be there. Plus I didn't think I could take it." Sandra scooted closer to London. "But you know what? I could take it. I was there, London."

London looked at her mother in shock. "You couldn't have been. I would have seen you."

"I snuck in the back about halfway through the service." Sandra said as her tears started to fall. "It was a cowardly way to do it, but I was there. It was the first time in my adult life that I didn't run. I was going to stay and find you after the ceremony. But then you broke down and collapsed, sobbing in front of the casket." London attempted and failed to choke back a sob. "It just crushed me and I… couldn't take it. I wasn't… strong enough to be there for you and I am so… sorry." Sandra's tears were now streaming down her face. "I've been out of your life for twenty-eight years and I… want to be there for you now London. I have that same hole in my soul." Sandra choked out. "Maybe… you and me… can help each other… be whole again?"

London dropped her head and sobbed open-mouthed and frozen with no sound coming out. She then lifted her head and shook her finger at her mother.

"If you ever leave me again…" London blurted out.

"I won't! I promise I will never leave you again!" Sandra said as she grabbed London and held her as they rocked in each other's arms and wept. In the hallway, two other people silently and openly wept. Maddie and Brandi witnessed the exchange and reunification of mother and daughter. Sandra and London continued to cry and hold each other for several more minutes, telling each other how much they loved and missed each other. After about three or four minutes, London leaned back.

"That's the second outfit I've snotted up today." London said causing them both to chuckle.

"That's okay. This is last year's Versace anyway." Sandra joked causing them both to laugh again as they wiped their tears away.

"Forget Versace. We've got to get you some Ravenesque." London said, referring to Raven's clothing line.

Sandra responded by pulling off one of her cream-colored stilettos and showing London the label. It was Raven's signature "Chelsea" shoe. Nothing but Chelsea and Jimmy Choo goes on these feet, sister!" Sandra said.

London smiled. "Like mother, like daughter." She then embraced her mother again. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Londie." Sandra said.

"Londie?" London incredulously exclaimed.

"That was my nickname for you as a baby." Sandra said. London's response to her mother's explanation of giving her the same nickname that she gave herself was to hug her mother even tighter.

London held on to her mother for dear life as she silently thanked God for returning her mother to her. It was then that London's "spidey senses" kicked in as she slowly pulled back from her mother.

"We're being watched." London said. "I can't see or hear them but I know they're there." London then called out to those that she believed were watching. "Maddie! Brandi! Come on out! Ollie, Ollie oxen free!"

"You must have a sixth sense or something." Maddie said as she entered the living room with Brandi on her heels.

"That's who Lilly looks like!" Brandi exclaimed. "I've been racking my brain since I met her! She looks like the younger sister of that boy that starred in that movie! What's his name? Haley Joel Something or other."

Maddie looked at Brandi and deadpanned, "Lilly and Haley Joel Osment? I don't see it."

"Anyway…" Brandi started. "Sandra, nice to see you. Thank you for coming. You don't know how much this means to London.

"Oh, I think I do." Sandra said with a smile. Just then, the four women heard the doorbell ring. Moments later they heard it open and seconds after that they heard Lilliputian squeals of delight.

"LINA!" Tonya could be heard yelling from the hallway.

"There's my little Barbie doll!" The voice of a woman could be heard to say. "Richie Rich! Come here, kid! AHHH! You're getting' heavy!" Moments later, the four women in the living room saw the woman appear that matched the voice.

"Oh, hey! Hi! I'm not some weird woman off the street or anything. They… know me." The woman said as a quasi-introduction.

London chuckled. "You must be Paulina. Raven and Chelsea said you'd be coming by. I'm London. Nice to meet you. This is my fiancée Maddie, my stepmother Brandi and my mother Sandra."

"Hi… everyone. Wow! This is like a lesbian's wet dream! Ugh! Sorry. You don't know me that well yet." Paulina said, letting words just spill out of her mouth. She then looked at the little girl she had in her arms before sitting her down and extending her hand. "Paulina… Miklaszewski." She said as she shook each woman's hand.

"That is one heck of a last name. And I thought my name was something!" Maddie said referring to her forty-nine letter monstrosity of a full name.

"It's not that bad. It's pronounced mick-la-chef-ski. The spelling is what kills you." Paulina said. "I had one name like Madonna until the third grade!" She said causing them to laugh. "But it's cool. I like my name. It's just how I used to like my men… long, hard and a mouthful! You know what I'm sayin'!" Everyone cracked up at Paulina's assessment of her own name.

"You are as wild as advertised!" London said laughing. "Let me call Raven and Chelsea and let them know you're here." London went over to the intercom panel to call their suite. She buzzed but got no response. She tried a second time with still no response. After the third buzz, she finally got some feedback.

"Yes? What is it?" An irritated Raven was heard to say.

"I know that tone anywhere. You disturbed a little tête-à-tête." Paulina said. "Allow me. Earmuff it for me guys." Paulina said to Tonya and Richie as she walked over to the panel, signaling to the kids to cover their ears which they did." She then addressed her boss. "Raven, get off of Chelsea and come down here and say hello to me! I did not fly eleven hundred miles to be a shockblocker!"

"You crazy trick! We'll be down in a minute!" Raven said happily before the intercom disconnected.

"What's a shockblocker?" Brandi asked.

"Oh, it's like a cockblocker but they're breaking up a lesbian hook-up." Sandra said, shocking everyone in the room. "I… was accused of… doing that once. That's how I know."

"You and I have a lot of catching up to do." London said to her mother in a mock tone of concern.

"Oh! You mean a cuntblocker!" Brandi said. Maddie looked at her and then the kids with her eyes stretched. "What? They're ears are still covered." Paulina then motioned to them to remove their hands from their ears.

"I hate that word. It is so vulgar." Sandra said.

"Yeah, but when you're telling somebody off, it's really effective!" Maddie said.

Seconds later, Raven and Chelsea came bounding into the living room with Raven scooping Tonya up in her arms and Richie latching on the Chelsea's leg as she embraced Paulina.

"Are you down here misbehaving?" Raven asked Paulina as she kissed her cheek.

"Me? No. I'm just making friends." Paulina said.

"Miklaszewski?" Raven said ominously.

"I'm being good, honest! Isn't that right London?" Paulina asked.

"Absolutely." London said as she shook her head no causing everyone to erupt in laughter.

"Oh! Mom, this is Raven Baxter and Chelsea Daniels and their children Tonya and Richie." London said.

"It is an honor to meet the woman whose name is in half the clothes in my closet." Sandra said as she shook Raven's hand.

"Now we just have to work on the other half." Raven joked.

"Chelsea, I was actually at your law firm the other day and I saw your profile picture but it pales in comparison to the real you." Sandra said.

"I think I'm gonna give them one of my glamour shots next time." Chelsea said with a smile as she shook Sandra's hand.

"I knew I'd like you guys." Paulina said. "So… I figure I'll take the kids tonight so y'all can go out and then... after the wedding I'll come grab 'em."

"You won't have to do that." London said. "There's plenty of room here. The three couples each have a suite. Mom, if you don't mind, you and Brandi can share a suite and Paulina and the kids can take the fifth one."

"That's fine with me." Sandra said. "You don't snore do you?" She said to Brandi.

"No. You don't sleep naked, do you?" Brandi asked.

"Chelsea, you're about my size. Can I borrow a nightgown?" Sandra asked. Brandi paused in surprise for a moment. "I'm kidding! My feet get cold. I wear socks." Sandra deadpanned causing a snicker from the group.

"So that settles it…" London started.

"Except… I'm not going to let you sleep in the same bed with your bride the night before the wedding!" Sandra said. "Maddie and I are switching and I'm staying with you tonight. It'll give us a little more mother-daughter bonding time."

"Well, we'll have plenty of time to do that this evening." London said. "This is our last night on the town as single women and I plan on living it up until at least eleven-thirty! And there's one thing that I want to do." London said as she looked at Maddie. "Remember last year, before we had dinner with the Martins?"

"Are you serious?" Maddie asked.

London's response was to start singing. "Cause I'm not here for your entertainment, You don't really want to mess with me tonight…"

"What is she talking about?" Raven asked as London kept singing.

"For our bachelorette party… I think we're doing karaoke." Maddie said.

"Oh this ought to be good!" Chelsea said seconds before the intercom clicked on with a familiar, unexpected and somewhat embarrassing sound.

"Oh God Lilly! SHIT!"

The mouths of every woman in the room dropped open as the intimate sounds of Miley and Lilly's lovemaking came to life from the intercom panel as one of the inadvertently pushed the intercom button for the living room.

"The kids… kitchen… more cookies." Brandi said as London scampered back to the panel to try to silence it.

"Right!" Raven said as she and Chelsea whisked the children out of the room.

"OH FUCK! I'M GONNA C…"

The intercom then mercifully cut off. Several moments of deafening silence blanketed the living room before anyone summoned the courage to speak.

"I take it that was Lilly and Miley." Paulina said to the group.

"Yeah." Maddie deadpanned before a moment of awkward silence.

"She… sure knows… her four-letter words." Sandra said as more awkward silence followed.

"Yep." London said as she then fell eerily silent.

"Anybody hungry? I need some carbs." Paulina said as she started for the kitchen as everyone else chimed in.

"Starving." "Hungry." "Famished."

As they walked to the entrance of the living room, Maddie turned to London. "We better fix Miley and Lilly a big plate." Maddie said. "They're gonna need their strength after that one."

London simply nodded and smirked as they locked arms and followed the others to the kitchen.


Chapter seven is done but there is so much more to go. Karaoke night, the wedding, the return to Boston, the Corrie situation, the cancer gala and so much more is coming up. Strap yourself in. We've got a ways to go. But before we move on…

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