Chapter 12
The next week went by too quickly for them all. Kaden had a few business meetings and Serena worked on her designs. Zach helped Amy, who decided to patent her idea. Mina started rehearsals and spent time reacquainting herself with Michael. Nate and Serena spent time together for the media, without them knowing it. Lita and Erin spent time with each other and their families. Michelle and Heather flew back to the States at the beginning of the week to do some work over there. Setsuna and Darien spent time getting to know one another again. Rei and Lilly played catch-up all week, and Rei wrote a few letters to Jason. They flew back at the end of the week.
"It feels good to be back." Nate said as he helped Serena with the twins.
"Yes it does. Be prepared to be bombarded by the media." Serena warned him.
"Oh how well I know." Nate said.
"Don't you two ever get tired of it?" Mina asked.
"No. Do you? They're taking your pictures now, too, Mina, don't forget. You're the hottest new thing to hit TV, they can't wait to see you act. Serena, you ready to get off this plane?" he asked her.
"Yeah. Kaden, is everyone ready?" she asked.
"Yes, go ahead and go, Serena, we'll wait on you." he said.
She hobbled out of the plane very carefully. Nate followed her with the twins. Darien and Setsuna followed them, and Mina and Michael followed after them. Zach and Amy were the last two off the plane.
"Here we go." Serena said, smiling as the media bombarded them.
"Serena, is it true that someone pushed you down, and that's how you broke your foot?" a reporter asked.
"NO! That's not what happened, I tripped over a cord at the studio when I was running and fractured my foot and tore ligaments. I have a doctor's orders that I am not allowed in heels for six weeks. I will however, be going back to work. When we shoot, I will simply take the cast off and do it barefoot." she answered.
"Is it true that Darien Shields is the father of the cutest twins in the world, and that until you went back last week, he didn't know?" another reporter asked.
"Yes, that is true. I was afraid to tell him so I left the country instead. I did tell him the first day that we were back in Japan though, and he was very understanding. He loves the girls, and is very helpful." Serena said.
"So the two of you are back on good terms?" another reporter asked.
"Yes. I hold no hard feelings against her. We have no plans to marry, but we will be raising the twins together. I plan on taking a very active role in their lives. As for Serena, I wish her and Nate good luck." Darien said.
"So it is true that you and Nate are a couple?" a reporter asked.
"Yes, that is true. We've been seeing each other in secret for awhile, but the last week and a half Nate and I have been found out by all of you nice people." Serena said.
"How did you get back into shape after having the twins?" a female reporter asked.
"Homemade fruit smoothies. I swear by them and a sensible diet and exercise plan. I have lots of stairs in the house so I am always walking up and down them. Plus, the twins keep me moving a lot. I have also been working on my own fashion line, and I am getting closer to a release date." Serena said
"When will we know more about your fashion line?" a reporter asked.
"In two months I will be holding a press conference to talk about it. If you will excuse us, we are tired and would like to go home." she said.
They shouted more questions at her but she ignored them. Mina was the next to be bombarded with tons of questions. She answered a few, then politely excused herself. This went on until they ran out of people to question.
"Finally." Serena said as she plopped down on an overstuffed couch.
"I hear that." Lilly said, joining her. "Geeze, I knew you're famous, I just didn't realize how famous." Lilly said.
"I knew that was going to happen the minute they caught wind of the truth." Darien said.
"Truth?" Lilly asked.
"About the twins." Serena said.
"It was inevitable. Thank God we didn't have to deal with luggage. I am glad that Serena used her head and decided to send it back magically." Kaden said as he took a seat next to Serena.
"You look stressed. Are you OK?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'm OK. I was hoping to get more from this case than I m going to, but it looks like their going to loose the settlement." Kaden said.
"That's bad?" Lilly asked.
"Yes. If they don't get paid, I don't get paid." Kaden said, sliding to the floor. Serena scooted over so she was behind him and rubbed his shoulders.
"Do you know what vacation means?" Serena asked.
Kaden smiled. "Yes, I do. I told you I was writing it off as a business trip. That feels good, when did you learn to do that?" he asked as she made the tension in his shoulder drain.
"I got bored a last year and took a couple classes." Serena answered.
"You're good. If modeling ever ends you could make money making people forget their troubles." he said. They all laughed.
"So, what's for dinner?" Lita asked.
"Pizza?" Lilly suggested.
"Ooh, that sounds good. We haven't had pizza in awhile." Rei said.
Serena smiled. "I'll order it, but someone else has to leave to go pick it up." she said.
They all groaned at the thought of moving.
"Can we conjure leftovers from somewhere that won't miss them?" Rei asked.
"Why does everyone ask me if they can use their powers?" Serena asked.
"Because you're the leader." Lita said.
"Since when?" she asked.
"Always." Mina answered.
"No I'm not. You guys kicked me out, and never asked me to rejoin you. Yes, we're friends, but that has nothing to do with magic business." Serena said.
"She has a point." Kaden said as Serena worked his tired tense muscles.
"Someone ought to do that for you, Rena." Lilly said.
"Is that an offer?" Serena asked.
Lilly smiled. "I think you get to wait a few more hours." Lilly answered.
Serena laughed. "You are such a tease, Lilly." she said.
"Alright. All those in favor of reelecting Serena say 'I.' Opposed, 'nay.'" Rei said.
"I." everyone said.
"You're officially the leader again, Serena, now do you care or not?" Rei asked.
"Be careful and cover you tracks. I'm not hungry." Serena said.
"Why not?" Lita asked.
"Because unlike you all, I ate on the plane. I packed some freshly grilled burgers, steaks, chicken legs, dogs, and all the trimmings, and no one but the guys and me ate. You all were to busy carrying on or sleeping. I ate a steak, some chicken legs, some potato salad, and some green beans about four hours ago. The company jet comes equipped with a microwave, so I used it." Serena explained.
"I don't suppose any of that is left? Rei asked.
"In the fridge. Dad grilled enough to last a week. He's just proud of the new grill I bought him. He said he'll never complain about not getting the grill going again. Said he was going to donate the old one. I liked it because it was stainless steel and it hooked up to propane. He likes it 'cause it has it's own stove, two cooking levels, a spit strong enough to grill a turkey, and a warming plate." Serena said.
"That thing was huge." Lilly said.
"Yeah, I know. I got mom a new computer and Ames helped her set it up and transfer everything. The hard drive is bigger, the monitor's flat and it runs faster." Serena said.
"You're bribing your parents, Serena." Darien said.
"It doesn't seem to be working though." she said. They laughed.
"I don't think it matters that you want them to stay. It's all the more reason for them to move here." Amy said, as she sat down with a plate of food.
"Ooh, I wasn't hungry, but now I am." Serena said.
"I hear that." Kaden said, as he got up and went to the kitchen. Serena and the boys followed.
"Hey, Rena, how come you hang out with the guys so much?" Lilly asked.
"Lack of feminine company, besides they can tell me who's winning the football game and not roll their eyes at me." she said.
"Food and football, now there's a combination." Darien said.
There men all agreed.
"Hey, you all know what we're lacking?" Serena asked.
"What?" Kaden asked.
"Beer." she said, and they laughed.
"I thought you said, and I quote, 'I'm never going to drink again. I had the worst hangover the next day, and I had a hell of a time hiding it from your brother.' Change your mind?" he asked.
She laughed. "You're evil." she said.
"When did you get drunk?" Lita asked.
"I thought I told you all this. It was at the party that we had. You know, before I left when you all decided to go to that, hell, I don't even remember where you all went anymore. It's irrelevant, but that's when the girls and Darien saw Kaden kiss me during that drunken game of Truth or Dare. That was a few days before that battle when I got my back tore up, and before I knew that I was pregnant." Serena said.
"You seem to have all sorts of fun." Lilly said.
"Tons." Serena said dryly, as she dished herself up a big bowl of potato salad.
"So, now that we're all back, what are we going to do?" Lita asked.
"I'm out of commission for another week still, so I'm going to work on my designs. Mina's supposed to be filming. I don't know what anyone else is doing." Serena said.
"I'm going to the school for freshman orientation. That way I know my way around better. Afterward, I think I'll work on another computer program for Serena. Maybe if I finish it I can patent it, too. With any luck, the pen will take off and I can sell the manufacturing rights to some big company and make some money from it." Amy said.
"I'm going to set up a free clinic around here." Darien said.
"That's something New York always needs." Amy said.
"Is that a 'I'm going to help'?" Darien asked.
"Sure, if you want my help." Amy said.
"You're the genius, not me." Darien said.
"I can help you guys find a suitable building." Lilly offered.
"What do you know about New York?" Kaden asked her.
"Not much, but I have a real estate license, so I can help, so can Rena if she's not too busy." Lilly said.
"I'm going to go with Ames to orientation, then hang over Kaden's shoulder till I annoy the hell out of him or learn something, whichever comes first." Rei said.
"What about Jason?" Zach asked.
"We haven't forgotten about him. He still has a week left." Serena said.
"How's he handling things?" Nate asked.
"He's lost a little weight, but he's managing. I think he'll open his mouth before he ever cheats on Rei again." Darien said.
"Have I said thank you?" Rei asked.
"No. It's not something we expected from you." Serena said.
"Thank you then." Rei said.
"Mark it on the calendar, it will never happen again." Michael said.
Rei gave him a dirty look. He laughed.
"Well, Michael and I are both filming his dad's show. We're going to have a late start. Not until November, but People already seem to want to know more." Mina said.
"Maybe I'll tag along one day if the two of you don't mind." Serena said.
"Why would we mind? My dad's a big fan of yours. You know that." Michael said.
"Yeah, knowing your luck, Rena, you'll get a small part and it will turn you from model to actress." Mina said.
"I like modeling, thank you." she said. Mina smiled.
The twins woke up from their nap an hour later. Serena fed them and changed them. Then she decided to take them for a walk. Her phone rang on the way back. "Hello?" she asked.
"Hello, Rena. What are you up to?" Setsuna asked.
"I went for a walk and took the twins and the puppies with me, why?" she asked.
"Just wondering. I take it you're back in New York?" she asked.
"Yes I am. Why?" she asked.
"I'm bored. I thought maybe if you weren't too exhausted, we could try to locate two certain Outer Generals. Lilly and Hotaruwould like that, you know." she said.
"Have you talked to Lilly to see if she might already know where they are?" Holly's voice came over the line.
"No. Can't you find them?" Serena asked.
"We've been trying." Hotarusaid.
"OK, when I get these guys back to the house, come on over and we'll get on the computer and start exhausting my money and resources." Serena said.
"Yay! Thanks, Rena, you're the best! Here's Setsuna back." she said and handed her the phone.
"How long until you get home?" she asked.
"About ten minutes if you let me go now." Serena said.
"OK, be careful, Rena. We'll meet at your house in fifteen." Setsuna said and hung up.
"Come on, guys, we have to meet Setsuna now." she said to the dogs. They came back from sniffing around a grassy area and followed her.
"Do you always take them with you?" a deep male voice asked.
"Yes. I know better than to walk alone. Scary people like you hide around every corner." Serena said with laughter in her tone.
"Hey now, Princess, what do you have to be scared of from me?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's ironic though. Sets, Holly, and I were just talking about you and your brother." she said.
"Really? All good I hope. I don't suppose that means that Lilly's with you, does it?" he asked.
"At the house. See that small thing not too far away?" she asked.
"Yeah. That your place?" he asked.
"Yep. All twenty-one bedrooms of it." she said.
"Geeze, woman, what are you doing, running a hotel?" he asked.
"No, Travis. Not a hotel. Everyone pretty much lives with me. Except Kaden. He tends to go home every once in awhile." she said.
"So you do have everyone then, huh? Where are the Outers staying?" he asked.
"Various places. Heather and Michelle live together when they're home. Setsuna and Hotaru live together because she had to keep an eye on her when she came into her powers. One wrong move and we could all be dead. Sets and Darien are seeing each other again though. Jason's not around because he cheated on Rei and Darien and I sent him off for two weeks with a no contact order. He still has a week left. Ames and Zach are together. Nate and I are seeing each other for publicity. He and I both model. Lita and Erin are together. She's expecting next month. Rei and Amy are both due next year some time. Mina and Michael just got back together. I don't think it will be to long before she's pregnant either. They're both acting, by the way. Let's see, that leaves Lilly. I don't know too much about her, she just came back last weekend with her memory fully intact. I know she grew up over there in Japan like the rest of us, but she was separated from us until last weekend. So, what's your story?" she asked.
"Why don't we wait until we get to your place?" he asked.
"Suit yourself. We just got back today from Japan, so I'm guessing by now everyone's asleep except the guys." Serena said.
"Still so regal." Travis said.
"Still such a pain in my ass." Serena countered.
"So what's the deal with you and Kaden if your seeing Nate for publicity?" he asked.
"There isn't one. Kaden doesn't remember there ever being an 'us'. No, I'm not standing on the sidelines, I'm just moving on." Serena said.
"Darien's OK with all this, too?" he asked.
"Darien helps with the publicity. He let me out of the promise I made to my mother. I can't ask any more than that." she said.
"So your twins, who's the father?" he asked.
"Darien." she answered.
"Figures. Did he know before the end about you and Kaden?" he asked.
"Everyone that wasn't supposed to know knew. Even told him I was pregnant. He told me just recently that even if we hadn't died he wouldn't have married me. I think he and Sets would have eloped." Serena said.
"Your dogs aren't much good guarding. I've been following you since you left your house." he said.
"I know. They don't think you're a threat to me so they didn't attack. Media now, is another thing. One of them bit a reporter that got too close to the house while we were gone. He couldn't say anything because he was trespassing on private property. I own all seventeen acres of this plus the orchards in the back. How'd you make it over the fence?" she asked.
"I turned it off magically then turned it back on. How'd the reporter get in?" he asked.
"He cut the power. It's since been repaired and straightened. In more ways than one. Be prepared to be bombarded." she said as they walked up the driveway.
"Go." she said to the two dogs and they ran off playing.
"They're smart. How old are they?" he asked.
"About five months, give or take." Serena said.
"What are they then, if they're that big and only five months?" he asked.
"Wolf hounds. Gorgeous, aren't they? I got them to breed and to be playmates. Lila and Duster." she said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Lila is short for Lilac and Duster is short for Dust Buster. Lila likes to play in the lilacs and lilies. Duster, well, he eats anything, good or bad. They're not always bright." she said laughing.
"Then they picked their own names in essence?" he asked.
"Pretty much." Serena said as she unlocked the doors. Darien pulled them open from the other side.
/"Hmm, you always find something, don't you, Rena?" he asked.
"Yep. Hey, take the girls for me so I can go talk to my sister before you drag her off." she said.
"Sure. Come in, Travis. Make yourself at home. Following Serena would be a good option, or hanging out with the guys in the den. They're watching football and drinking beer." Darien said.
"I think I'll go with number two." Travis said.
"Wise man." Darien said. Travis laughed.
"So, how come you left Princess with the two little ones?" he asked.
"She left without telling me where she was going. That's mostly my fault, too. She was late to the battle again. We didn't give her time to explain why, just kicked her off the team. I broke up with her shortly after that without knowing she was pregnant. I didn't want to talk to her though, or talk about her so I couldn't find out. I didn't find out until last week when they came back for a visit. Then we talked things over, and I got transferred here. I'm staying in her guesthouse out back." he said as they walked toward the den. "This is where I leave you to go put these two angels in bed. She shouldn't have gone for a walk in the first place with that foot, but she won't listen." Darien said.
"Has she ever?" Travis asked.
"Nope." Darien said, and walked down the hall.
Travis opened the door that led to the den and walked in.
"Well, well, well, look what the Princess found this time." Nate said.
"I can leave." Travis said.
"Nah, he's being a jerk. Kaden smacked him for a smart remark awhile ago and he's smarting over it." Michael said
"Come in, sit down, make yourself comfortable." Lilly said.
"Hey you." Travis said as he grabbed a seat next to her. "Long time, no see. Where'd you take off to anyhow?" he asked.
"I had to get out of there it was stifling me. When I got my memories back I couldn't sit still anymore. I left in search of Serena and found everyone with her. She seems to have this uncanny ability to attract all of us." Lilly said.
"You sure as hell scared us, Lilly. You could have told us where you took off to. A letter, a phone call, an e-mail, something, to let us know you weren't dead." he said.
"I know, but I also knew you'd come looking for me when I didn't turn back up." Lilly said.
"Ugh, if this is going to be some make up session with the two of you, take it to your room, Lilly." Nate said.
Kaden smacked him along side the head again. "Leave her alone, ass-breath." Kaden said.
"I like this. Kaden has been in a bad mood since we left Japan." Lilly explained.
"If it makes you all feel better, Lilly and I grew up together. Not far from where you all grew up. We just had no way of knowing that until the attacks started coming. Thank gods by that time we had our memories, except Lilly, we could fight. Then just recently, we heard about you all fighting over there, and put two and two together. To our knowledge, Lilly still didn't have her memories the last time we saw her. She simply left us all a note saying she was leaving and not to worry about her. I wanted to strangle her when I found it. I gave her a few weeks and then came looking for her. I figured whatever she got in her system should be out by now." Travis said.
"I think what's in her system is a certain blonde with blue eyes that eats like it's going out of style and still stays model thin." Kaden said.
"That's probably true." Travis said.
"Speaking of which, where is she anyhow?" Lilly asked.
"She went to talk to her sister and said she'd be back when she was done." Darien said coming in.
"Poor thing, you're just going to die the five minutes that she's taken away from you, aren't you?" Nate asked sarcastically.
"Yes, I am." Darien answered back just as sarcastically.
"I'm going to bed." Nate said and left the room.
"What's the score?" Darien asked.
"Zip, zip." Lilly answered.
"Maybe Rena was wrong, maybe Lilly can do something other than giggle with the girls." Darien said. Lilly started throwing throw pillows at him.
"Behave." Travis said to her. She quit throwing pillows and turned her attention to the TV.
"Hey, Kaden, she listens." Darien said.
"I see that. What a remarkable discovery. What else don't we know about you, Lilly?" he asked.
"Um, I'm married to Travis." she said quickly. Kaden turned and looked at her.
"What?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's part of the reason he worried so much. I sorta left out that little detail, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, and not so little either." Kaden said.
"Well I was afraid you'd ship me straight back to him if I told you." she said.
"I would have, too." Kaden said.
"Come on, it's not that big of deal." Lilly said.
"Yes it is." Travis said.
"Well, you know what, all my life you've been telling me what to do, and I've done it. I finally do one thing for myself and it's a big deal." she said icily.
"Maybe we should take this elsewhere?" Travis suggested.
"No. I'm not moving. For once in your life get it through your stubborn head. I'm not a child anymore. So I highly suggest you stop treating me like one. I had enough of that growing up in the Silver Millennium from Kaden. I don't need it from my husband." she spat. She stood and walked very quickly out the doors.
"Ouch." Kaden said.
"I thought she'd had enough time to cool her heels. I guess I was wrong." Travis said.
"I'm not one to give advice considering my own mistakes, but she has a point. Just from the last few days that we've spent around her, she seems remarkably mature. When you came in, immediately I saw her retreat within herself. It seems like she's scared of disappointing you. The more she tries to please you though, the more you take advantage of it. I did that with Serena, and look at where we're at. I'm not saying do what I did. Far from it. I am saying though, give her room to spread her wings and learn how to fly or you'll end up single faster than you can think it." Darien said.
"So now what?" he asked.
"Let her cool off then go talk to her. Knowing Lilly, she's in the kitchen eating chocolate ice cream." Kaden said.
"She never used to do this. It wasn't until recently that she got restless." Travis said.
"It wasn't until about a year ago that I started getting restless." Serena's voice floated in from the doorway.
Travis looked at her. "How come you're so smart?" he asked.
"Because I was bred to be." she answered.
"That, and you wanted to be just like your mother." Kaden said.
She nodded her head. "Lilly's in the kitchen crying into chocolate ice cream. She doesn't cry, so you better go talk to her before she loses it" Serena suggested.
"Thanks, Serena." Travis said as he passed her.
"Gentlemen. I'm going to bed. I'm going to go up the steps butt-first, so if any of you want to watch and laugh, be my guest." Serena said, and turned to leave.
"Hold on, Serena. I'll help you up the stairs." Kaden said.
They walked in silence to the stairs. Then he picked her up and carried her to room. "Serena, why are you with Nate?" he asked as he set her on her bed.
"Because he asked me out and I said yes. Besides, he's not that bad. I like him." Serena said.
"I suppose he's not. Doesn't it bother you that he looks at other women?" he asked.
"No. I look at other men, so, all fair. It works though. He and I both model when he's not getting in trouble. He doesn't need me for my money, and I try to keep him from getting into trouble. We're also famous in our own right, so neither of us is using the other for fame. He's good with the twins. We're compatible, and now a days, that's pretty darn good." Serena said.
"You could do better." Kaden said.
"With whom?" she asked.
"Just about anyone." Kaden said.
"How do I know that they wont go out with me for my fortune and their fifteen minutes of fame?" she asked.
He sighed. She had a point. "I don't know. I just wish you would think about yourself once in a while." Kaden said and left her.
It took all of her willpower not to call him back and tell him the whole truth.
