Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

A Past Imperfect

Chapter 14

The next afternoon, Serena dropped off the twins at the babysitter's and met Amara at the car dealership where she worked. Amara had agreed with her that it was way past time for them to purchase a second car for Serena's use.

When she walked in the front door, she was greeted by an older gentleman who didn't recognize her. He was the owner of the dealership and Amara's boss.

"Hello, miss, I am Harold Blacksmith, the owner of this fine establishment. How may I assist you today?"

"I am looking for Mr. Martin. I have an appointment with him."

"I am sorry, miss, you must be mistaken. Mr. Martin is expecting his sister today and they have some personal business to take care of." Harold shook his head.

"I pretty sure I am not mistaken, Mr. Blacksmith."

"And why is that?"

"Because I am Serenity Martin, Amara's sister."

"Serenity!" Amara suddenly called from behind Harold before the man could deny who she was.

"Oh, Ms. Martin! I am so sorry I didn't recognize you. It has been far too long since you graced us with your lovely presence." Harold exclaimed as Amara joined them. Serena just wanted to roll her eyes at the man's fake change of attitude, but she didn't and just smile at her sister. For some reason, he didn't like her even though he adored Amara like the son he didn't have.

"Good afternoon, Amara. Shall we get started?"

"Yes. Excuse us, Mr. Blacksmith." Amara lead Serena back out into the parking lot.

"I do not understand why you still work for that man." Serena said as they walked outside.

"Because he is the one who gave me my first job here in Miami" Amara explained.

"Yes, but that was two years ago. You don't really owe him anything now. You have made that man more money in the last two years than he made in the last ten years. You could start you own dealership very easily if that is what you wanted to do." Serena replied.

"Sere, I know you don't like him, but I like my job here. It allows me to have time with you and the girls. If I were to start my own company, I would be working all the time and I don't want that. All right?" Amara said. Serena nodded in understanding. "Now, shall we go pick you out a shiny, new car?" Before Serena could respond, her cell phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Martin, I think you should come and pick up Tierra and maybe take her to the hospital, she is running a pretty high fever and keeps saying her stomach hurts. I will be happy to watch Rini if you wish to take Tierra to the hospital." The babysitter, Marie, informed Serena over the phone.

"I will be right there." Serena hung up and turned back to Amara. "That was Marie. She said Tierra is running a high fever and saying her tummy hurts."

"Sounds like you need to take her to the ER." Amara replied. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes." Serena answered as they started towards the convertible. "Marie said she would take care of Rini while we are at the emergency room."

By the time they arrived at the babysitter's, Tierra was crying for her mother. Serena gathered her into her arms and held her close. She quickly kissed Rini, thanked Marie, and hurried back out to the car. By the time, she strapped Tierra into her car seat, she was wailing. Serena climbed into the back seat so she could sit beside her daughter.

"Amara, please hurry. She is burning up." Serena said worriedly. Amara sped down the road towards Miami General Hospital. The sound of the engine couldn't completely drown out the sound of Tierra's crying. Serena's heart broke at the sound of her child's pain. They had been lucky that neither one of the twins had never been really sick. The fact that Tierra had suddenly become so ill scared her.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Tierra was still crying as Serena took her out of the car seat. Amara dropped them off at the door and sped away to park the car. Serena went inside with Tierra to check them in. The receptionist took one look at Tierra's face and ushered Serena on through immediately.

"My brother will be coming in just a minute. He is just parking the car. Please let him through." Serena said before she went to walk into the inner area of the emergency room. Amara walked inside just then and followed Serena through to the other side of the reception desk. They were shown to a room, where a nurse was waiting to take their information. Serena tried to sooth Tierra as Amara spoke to the nurse.

"What seems to the problem?" The nurse questioned loudly, to be heard over the child's wailing.

"Well, my sister dropped off Tierra and her sister at the babysitter's house and came down to my work. We were going pick out another car when Serena received a call from the babysitter that Tierra was running a fever and saying that her stomach hurt. By the time we arrived, she was bawling like she is now." Amara explained.

"Has she vomited at all?" The nurse asked.

"Not that I know of. This is just unusual because neither she nor her sister have ever been this sick before." Amara replied.

"Well, if that is the case, she might just have a simple stomach flu, but we will just have to wait to see what the doctor has to say." A groaning sound made the nurse and Amara turn towards Serena.

"She threw up. All over my favorite shirt." Serena groaned as she set Tierra down on the examination table. Amara, who was trying not to laugh, handed Serena some paper towels for her to clean up with.

"The doctor will be in shortly." The nurse said as she walked out the door. Amara gathered Tierra into her arms and tried, again, to sooth her. She seemed to feel somewhat better after she had puked. Serena cleaned up her shirt as best as she could and threw the paper towels in the trash can.

"I hope the nurse was right and the doctor won't be too long." Serena said, watching Amara try to calm down her daughter. A knock sounded on the door and a second later, a dark haired man in a doctor's coat walked in.

"Hello, I am Dr. Shields."

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