MarshAngel
Raye looked out the window of the plane as it began to touch down in her new home city, San Francisco. She was slightly nervous. She had packed up everything she thought would be useful to her and hopped on a plane with Jay. She had left a short message on her father's answering machine informing him that she was moving to California with his new financial advisor as they were now officially engaged, no need to worry Jay would get back to him on his financial affairs once they arrived in the city she would eventually call home.
She had no idea what her father had thought when he'd heard her message. He most certainly must have been shocked. Raye had never been so impulsive that she'd run off with someone she'd known for such a short time. She had even for a moment considered eloping but had rethought that entire plan. She wanted a traditional Shinto wedding to honor her grandfather. What her father would think of that was irrelevant.
She was relieved when she left the confines of the airport to stand outside in the invigorating fresh air. She had been restless and nervous for the entire trip. Here, in this city, were many of the friends she had once been so close to. She would see them for the first time in years. Most importantly she would see Serena, the source of much of the guilt she had felt over the years. Once again she would meet the princess she had abandoned, maybe she'd be able to forgive herself for all that had occurred.
She and Jay had told no one of their arrival. They would surprise his
friends with the news of their engagement and hopefully she'd have a happy
reunion with everyone. She realized she'd have to meet his parents but
from what Jay had told her they were rather relaxed and welcoming people,
an unusual trait for a long standing wealthy family. She certainly hoped
things would go well.
"Nick, slow down!" Lita yelled at her husband as he pulled her behind
him. They had very little luggage with them. She had gotten her friends
and co-workers to help her pack everything but would have them send everything
later. Nick had needed to get back to work and she couldn't wait to settle
in San Francisco. They had skipped the return to New York, made a short
stop in Florida and flown directly from the Miami to San Francisco.
"Oh come on, I know you're in shape! I just want to get you home and
have you all to myself for one more night before I turn you over to the
mercy of my friends. My parents are in Europe so you won't be seeing them
for a while, but everyone else should be here. It's not too much for a
man to want to spend some more time with his wife is it?"
Lita rolled her eyes. He was obviously happy to be home, if slightly
disappointed at having to give up the luxury of their honeymoon.
She giggled as he pulled her close to him and kissed her for what had to
be the fiftieth time today. It was quite obvious to anyone who saw them
that were two newly weds, passionately in love.
Suddenly she heard Nick yelling and saw him wave to someone. She squinted
and saw a blonde man and a dark haired woman about to get into a cab. They
hurried over to meet the couple. The blonde man was very handsome though
not more so than Nicholas, although she had to admit that she was somewhat
biased. Although the woman's short hair caught her off guard, she easily
recognized her as Raye.
Her jaws fell open in shock, as she matched Raye's expression.
In but a few moments they screamed each other's names and flew into each
other's arms. This was a strange but wonderful coincidence. It had been
so long since they had seen each other and they held on to each other as
though their lives depended on this moment in time.
Jay had brought so much laughter and joy to her own life in unexpected
ways. She was grateful. She supposed he had managed to assuage some of
her guilt, letting her know that despite all, Serena was happy. She had
regretted not being as close to her friends both physically and emotionally
but it seemed that whatever damage had occurred as a result of the past
was being put behind them. She could see it all in the eyes of this woman
who had once been so close a friend.
Lita was surprised that Raye had lopped off her long shiny locks to
attain this picture of shorthaired sophistication. She was quite
radiant. It seemed she had crawled out of the shell she'd withdrawn into
when Serena left. Her eyes immediately fell on the tall handsome man by
her side and she wondered if he was the cause of the warm glow on her friend's
face. It was plainly obvious they were a couple, as his arm encircled Raye's
tiny waist. She supposed she had a bit of explanation herself, suddenly
remembering her husband.
Both men were grinning at each other, fascinated by their partners'
outbursts. Obviously the two women knew each other as well as the two men
knew each other. Nick had discovered over his honeymoon, the secrets his
wife held, he supposed he had expected this reaction when she saw all he
friends she had been apart from for so long. He hadn't been too surprised
when he'd discovered he'd found his true love of the past and present in
Sailor Jupiter. Lita however, had been shocked to know whom he was and
that he knew about her and her friends. In a way, exposing and sharing
the experiences of the last two years had renewed a bond that had been
broken well over a thousand years before.
"I see you've found your princess Jay," Nick commented.
"Yeah, I suppose I have. Obviously you've been busy as well with a princess
of your own!" jay stated glancing at Nick's tall female counterpart.
"Jay, I'd like you to meet Lita Von Amburgh, my wife, Lita this is one
of my best friends, Jason Scott." Nick was grinning like a fool as he made
the introduction. He didn't doubt Jay would be shocked. He rarely did anything
impulsive. Running off and marrying a woman he hardly knew was definitely
an impulsive act worthy of Jay but definitely not him.
As expected Jay stared at a grinning Nick in silent shock, completely
dumbfounded. Raye's eyes opened wide as she grabbed Lita's hand to stare
at the ring on her finger. She stared down at the beautiful rectangular
cut diamond on Lita's slender hand, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"You're married?" Raye squealed.
Lita nodded rapidly, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"You ran off and got married and didn't tell anyone?" Jay yelled at
Nick. "When did this happen?"
"I never got the chance, not that I wanted to tell anyone just yet,
but I wanted to spend sometime alone with my wife before you guys took
the opportunity to monopolize her. We got married just a short while ago
and took a short honeymoon before heading out here."
"I haven't seen you in so long and now I suddenly discover you're married!
I feel like I've been gone for a century!" Raye explained.
"I know exactly what you mean. I've missed you so much."
Lita hugged Raye yet again but as they pulled apart, she suddenly took
note of the stunning ring on Raye's left hand. She took Raye's hand in
her own. She looked at Jay, her eyes twinkling in amusement.
"It seems we're not the only one in the marriage business!" Raye blushed
and Jay suddenly realized he hadn't introduced his fiancée to Nick.
"You'll have to excuse my fiancée," Raye began he's not in the
business of good manners. I'm Raye Hino."
Nick shook her hand amused at Raye's introduction.
"I believe I know exactly what you mean. I am Nicholas Von Amburgh.
I'm glad he's finally gotten someone to keep him out of trouble. Serena
has her hands full now with Darien so he's been a bit out of control.
Jay rolled his eyes but was unable to withhold the grin spreading across
his face. To say he was proud of the gorgeous woman at his side was an
understatement.
"Why don't we meet you at Serena's place in about two hours," Jay suggested.
It was just like Jay to suggest something like that. Fortunately for
Jay, he was in the mood to pop in on Serena and Darien and make it a nice
surprise for them both.
"Good, then we'll see you both there," Raye added. "It was nice meeting
you Nick. I think we'd better go before this guy drives off with our luggage."
She couldn't wait to see his place. A shower was in order. Her hair,
which he'd convinced her to wear loose, hanging to her waist, was a mass
of tangles. It was blown away from her face as they exited the airport
into the bright sunlight.
When they finally separated, they spent a long silent moment looking
each other over, examining the changes that time had wrought. To Raye it
seemed Lita had grown more beautiful, though not weaker, she easily judged
by the feel of Lita's powerful arms around her shoulders. Her hair was
long and her eyes shone with a happiness she hadn't seen the last time
she had seen her. She supposed Lita would see a similar look in her own
eyes.
"I think your cab driver's getting pissed," Nick said nodding to the
short hairy man who was impatiently waiting for his passengers to cut their
chatter short and get in the cab.
"That should give us enough time to drop our stuff off at my place
and head over to Serena's," Nick said, glancing at his watch.
They said their goodbyes and left the airport in separate cabs.
on to