-Friday-
Seiya had decided to stay a little longer. Seeing as how Usagi could use some moral support. Rei had starting modelling again and Makoto was busy launching a new restaurant in Osaka. Minako on the other hand was trying to get back in touch with her record company, how that was working was a mystery with Usagi. Things have been while these pass few weeks. Usagi enjoyed hearing Haruka's name through out the media. Though she wonder what was more important to her fans; her upcoming race or her lesbian relationship? To Usagi, she was just happy someone was able to get their lives together after the mess.
"I'm truly happy for her." Usagi commented as she set down the sports magazine Seiya brought. Then she sip some tea and waited for her afternoon ice cream to show up.
"What about you?" Seiya asked. Twirling her hair.
She smiled, "I'm great. You know I never realized how much I relied on everyone. For once, I think some 'me' time would do me justice before starting a new relationship." Usagi said. "Besides with Chibiusa now, her happiness comes first." She added.
Seiya grinned. She really missed the old clumsy, cry baby, daydreaming-well the list could go on- Usagi but this one is just as good. She was much stronger not only in her mind but body as well. She really grew up. Seiya thought.
"Your Highness," said a server coming out of the castle-home, with a tray of ice cream. Usagi squealed as she saw the yummy cold treat.
Then again, maybe not. Seiya said in her mind as she watched Usagi childish reaction to it.
"Here you go and the former King is here with Small Lady." He said in a very polite matter.
Usagi took a bit of the vanilla, chocolate, strawberry delight. "Oh, have him bring her here, sometime in the garden will be good for her." She instructed. The moment the server turned around, she began munching on the ice cream wasting no time.
"Oh Usagi..." Seiya said, shaking her head.
A few moments went by, they chatted about other things and laughed. Though Usagi thought to herself if Seiya was putting up a front. It wasn't until a few days ago, after a week of staying on Earth, that Seiya had casually brought up her being a widow. Usagi wanted to ask why she didn't mention it before or even what happened but she went to talking about other things. The Queen had figure maybe it was too soon for the Starlight but still she must have a lot of pain built up. She remember how happy Seiya when she called Usaig one day about getting married and having that special person.
She wanted to keep that picture of Seiya in her mind and not the one who probably cried for days and nights. still caring for two young children. As they walked in, Usagi looked at the garden entrance. Well more like a very fancy greenhouse. With a baby bag strap on his shoulders and arms full Mamoru walked in. "Usagi...?" He started cheerful then ended confused. His blue eyes looking at Seiya and Usagi.
"Yo." Said the black hair Starlight.
"Um, hi?"
"Oh you brought Yuki!" Usagi said as Mamoru came closer handing her Chibiusa. Usagi nearly took Yuki from his arms. "You're getting more prettier everyday, Yuki-Levana." Yuki looked at her confused then smiled. "Oh my gosh, you're getting teeth already!"
Mamoru didn't sit in the empty chair at the table. "Yeah, three broke through." His eyes on Seiya. "It's been a while...huh?"
"Yes. How's Michiru?" Seiya asked though when she asked, she noticed from the corner of her eye, Usagi frowned but still smiled and played with Yuki and Chibiusa.
"Fine. I have to drop off Yuki next-I thought you were here for two days? With that queen of yours."
Seiya looked surprised. "Yeah, but it's been a while since I had time to myself and I missed Usagi and the others."
Mamoru pursed his lips for a moment. "Huh..." Then he looked at Usagi. "Usagi-"
"Aren't you just a great big sister." Usagi said as she set the two of them on the ground. Yuki trying to walk over to the flowers and Chibiusa following behind her. Their legs wobble a bit and they both fell. Yuki pulled a flower from nearby, most of the petals fell off, and she tossed it at Chibiusa's face. Laughing her butt off. She didn't pay no mind to Mamoru. "Yes?"
"I was wondering about when things will get better."
Usagi laughed, "when hell freezes over."
"What?"
Usagi looked up, "Nothing, Mamoru. Oh would you mind if Yuki stayed the night? Ask Michiru please." Mamoru glanced around the place and wondered if it was a good idea. "Oh come on, you always called her before behind my back." She grinned.
He sighed. "Really, Usagi..."he muttered then said, "alright." He reached in his back pocket and grabbed his cell. Calling Michiru as he step outside.
"Whoa...Usagi what-"
"He's so jealous!" Usagi said trying to keep her voice low.
"Excuse me?"
"Couldn't you tell? After all this time, Seiya he's jealous. Oh please play along." Usagi pleaded as she grabbed Seiya's hands. Making those puppy eyes. Yuki and Chibiusa kept playing in the dirt, trying to talk but all that came out was gibberish.
"I don't know, I mean I'm not up for deceiving or lying." Seiya told her. Her soft blue eyes then looked over at the two girls drooling on themselves. "Then again he did cheat and give you hell. So, yeah, I'm in."
Usagi squealed. Then Mamoru walked in seeing Usagi and Seiya holding hands. "She said it was fine, what's going on?"
Seiya got her hands free. "Nothing. That's cool." She then took quick glances at Usagi, smirking in the process.
Mamoru squinted his eyes before asking Usagi if she needed anything. When she replied that she didn't. He took his sweet time leaving. Though when he did, they begin snickering. Yuki and Chibiusa looked at the adults then each other, in a 'what the hell' moment.
Haruka took the track again this morning, practicing over and over. With her spirit lifted up higher than ever. The pass week seemed like a dream. Not only was her professional life getting better but her personal too. Though she dislike the fact the media wouldn't butt out, still she felt good. As she enter the pit, Haruka got out and removed her helmet. "How's that?"
"Amazing, as always. Whatever you're doing. I wouldn't stop. Win this and it'll be your second win on a row. Two-time champion." Her coach said.
Haruka stayed modest though. It sounded bad-ass but she didn't want to let fame get to her head. "Sounds like a plan." She said grabbing the water bottle and taking a few sips. Life wasn't so bad, once she did get over 'The pain of Michiru'. She found and saw things differently. That not all love stories have a happy ending with the first person they fall for. Sometimes the second time is better. In her case, Neiva was her second chance at love. And maybe true love at that.
She always adored and loved Evelyn like her own. And wise crack seven seemed to take a liking her as well. Though a part of her still wanted a child that was hers. Perhaps it's only her biological clock. As she enter the private locker room, she was met with a sweet scent of perfume. "You're so much better than my friend." Said that Spanish accent voice.
Haruka grinned, closing the door behind her. "How did you get in? They won't even let reporters pass the front doors." Haruka asked as she saw Neiva sitting at the vanity. Dress in a off the shoulder white top that showed her abdomen. A pair of blue jean shorts and dark gray wedges. Her hair had that 'hollywood' glam to it, large waves and it swoop to the right side of her face.
"That same way it works in America, pretend you don't know the language." Neiva said applying some make-up. "Yo no hablo japonés." She said with a smile.
"How many Japanese reporters you know speak Spanish?"
"Oh, you'll be surprised." She said and turned to look at Haruka. "Are you finish?"
Haruka sat down on the couch and crossed her right leg over the left. "For today, I'll be heading back here every morning for the weekend." She rested her head back on the couch. "You're so different." she said in a daze.
Neiva blinked. "Is that bad?"
"No. You're older, almost taller than me, have a kid. You probably did more things than I could ever think of." Haruka said not knowing the awkward look Neiva gave and she looked at herself. "I still wouldn't change it for anything because I love the way you are."
If only you knew. Neiva said in her mind. "That's sweet but a lot of things people go through make them who they are today. Remember that." She stood up and strolled over to Haruka, sitting next to her. "Evelyn's been talking about going to some school when she's older. Have you any idea what she's talking about?"
"Maybe." Haruka grinned.
Neiva sighed, "Haruka...listen." The blonde looked at Neiva. "This whole thing, is going to be way different than what you're used to."
"I know."
"No, you don't. I don't mind a lot of things but Evelyn is still my daughter. And she has a dad, as much as an asshole he is-he still loves her, you don't need to be a paternal figure to her. Just be you, with that said until we get to that point, I'll prefer you talk to me about somethings that concerns Evelyn, okay?" Neiva said, weary of her words.
For a moment Haruka felt a bit uneasy where Neiva is coming from but she thought for a second. Neiva doesn't let anyone just go near her daughter, so it would be the same for someone trying raise her. Haruka guessed she could see her view. "I understand...but I thought her dad was all talk."
"Believe me he is." Neiva said in a Californian teenage tone. "But the situation there is that bitch of a wife-well ex-wife-didn't want kids. And Javier's smarts kicked in when he realized he was going to be forty with no children and his parents wants grandkids. So anyway four years back he remembers knocking me up. So he got I'm touch and wanted to try again with me. This time though, despite everything everyone tells him. He's great with her I won't lie about that. But between us, it could never happen. Again." Neiva said as she let her body relax on the couch.
"That's a lot to deal with."
"I know. Which is why getting into relationships is something I don't make a habit of. The reality is Haruka, it's not just me and Evelyn. It's me, Evelyn, and senior jackass. And that's where most people decided to leave."
"I," she began. "I already knew trying to be with you would be hard. Maybe something I should reconsider. But I always knew that, anything worth having never comes easy." Haruka sat up and placed her right hand on Neiva's left hand. "Now can we not talk anymore about this? I thought we could have a really nice lunch."
Neiva gave her a soft smile. "Sure."
Though Neiva thought Haruka would take the easy way out. She became surprised she didn't. Which she did smile about but it made it that much harder to confess. The two left the building through the side door after Haruka had changed into a pair of white hot shorts, a strapless dark blue striped shirt with a white jean vest over top. And a pair of ankle high black boots. They took Neiva's care instead because it's less noticeable among the press and she liked driving around her own car.
They had a nice lunch filled with laughs and conversations of what could and can be. Nobody tried to ask Haruka questions. The only thing was a little boy asked Haruka for her autograph for his older sister who's a fan. After that Evelyn's school called Neiva, saying Evelyn's been complaining about stomach pains. She figured it was just her daughter faking it but did she'll pick her up. "I can do it." Haruka had said after she hung up. Neiva a bit off by it eventually agreed when Haruka talked even more. "Fine." Is what Neiva said.
So now she walked into her apartment while Haruka went to pick up Evelyn. As she closed the door behind her a force stopped it. "What?"
"Neiva?"
She huffed. "Javier, what?" She asked as she opened the door. As usual he let himself in. Neiva shut the door and watched as he just made himself home. "Don't you live in Spain anymore?"
"Very funny. Neiva what's with the pictures of you and that woman? Has Evelyn seen them?"
She took off her shoes and went into the kitchen. "I don't know. Why?"
"You don't think its odd for her mother to get in a lesbian relationship? And seriously I thought things were good for us?" Javier said following her.
"Evelyn knows how to think for herself. And I don't know how many times I have to tell you, no. Want me to say it in our native tongue. No." Neiva said.
His golden eyes stayed on her as she went in the fridge. He then came up behind her and shut the door. "If you really wanted my attention, Neiva-"
"It's nothing to do with you. Damnit, Javier just stay out of my life." She turned around and angrily stared at him.
He grabbed her arms and pinned them to the fridge. "This little fling you have with some upcoming racer woman won't last, Neiva, you need a man. Not a female dressed like one." He pressed his somewhat muscular frame to her. "Besides you don't hate me inside the bedroom. Remember?" He whispered.
"If you're pushing my buttons to get your ass out, then congratulations." Neiva said as she twisted her wrists to get from his grip. He placed his lips on her neck and kept them moving upwards toward her jawline. Neiva squirmed as he did so. "Javier...just stop." She used her feet to push him off. "Why don't you get the hell out...please."
"Is that what you want?"
As as soon as they left the school Evelyn sat up in the seat. "Wow how did you talk mom into you picking me up?"
Haruka drove, "wait you're not sick?"
Evelyn snickered. "No. But I forgot my project at home. And so yeah. Mom told me I can't fail a class. But I'm glad you came Haru."
Shaking her head, "kids." She chuckled. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is it weird that I wanna be with your mom?"
Evelyn took her attention from the buildings and onto Haruka. "Why?"
"I mean," she started as she shrugged her shoulders. "Coming from a family, no matter how broken, you have straight parents. So for me to want to be with her...that's not different?"
Evelyn crossed her arms over chest. "That's stupid."
Haruka came to a stop light. "Excuse me?" She said feeling a bit insulted.
"It's stupid. To think your labeling it like that. I may have never seen my mom with anyone except my dad a few times but still. She always told me that things like that are what separate us. There's no such thing as straight or gay relationships. Its two people in love at that moment. A loving relationship. That's all it should be."
'"Evelyn, we never know who we'll end up in life. So it's important for you to never shy away from someone that makes you happy. That you can't live with out. You're young now and you'll have many relationships that'll test your beliefs, your self worth, and heart. You need to remember; love with an open heart. Not a closed one.
It doesn't matter how open minded you can or try to be. If you're heart is not open. Then any pain that happens will hurt much worst. Open it to love and pain. Right or wrong. They'll make you the perfect you for your true love. Alright?"'
"I don't know everything my mom has been through but I know enough to see that she's less of a bitch with you, Haru."
Cars honked behind her as it was well over time to go. So she pulled off and drove. Sitting in silence as the girl repeated her mother's words. "Wow Evelyn..."
"I know...but don't tell mom I called her that word." She said with confidence gone.
Haruka nodded and smile. "Alright. Say, would you like to see that school I was talking about?"
The child glowed. "Yes!"
The afternoon turned into mid-evening. Evelyn saw how strict and yet amazing the school Haruka used to go to. Haruka told the girl that it takes more than luck to get it. That only forty students get in out of hundreds. Evelyn would still like to try and hoped when she got older, she'll be one of few attending. On their way to Neivas', they picked up dinner. Haruka noticed Evelyn had trouble picking something.
"What is it?"
"I never had any of this."
"You've live in Japan and never eaten the food? In seven years?"
Evelyn blushed. "Mom always made food. And we always got to places with simple items." Haruka did recall every time she saw Neiva at a restaurant or café. She never really orders Japanese food. Either drinks or snacks.
"So what do you eat?"
"Spanish food. She makes really good lamb casserole." Evelyn said. "I always wanted to try these though." She pointed at the kushiyaki.
"How 'bout we get a few things okay?"
"Yes Haru." Evelyn said happily.
By the time they got there, Neiva was sitting on the couch. Evelyn had used her key to get in. "Hey mom gues-"
"Where the hell have you two been?" Neiva shouted as she got up.
"Sorry, Neiva we got side tracked. We got dinner." Haruka said.
"But I made dinner. Evelyn you know this already."
Haruka approached Neiva putting the bag down. "Relax and calm down. Let's eat this tonight and have your cooking tomorrow." Haruka could tell Neiva's body was tense. "Are you all right?"
Neiva blinked for a moment. "Yeah. I just was worried and so I took a shower and made dinner." She breathe. Placing her right hand on her forehead and left hand on her hips. "Don't worry. Um...I guess we can...whatever that is."
Evelyn saw her mother look more relaxed but she curious what happened with her. Mom only gets all weird when...Evelyn stop mid thought. Frowning. Both of the set the table and Haruka place the food. Neiva went to put her dinner up for tomorrow night. As Evelyn made her way to get drinks. She whispered to her mother. "Did dad come over?"
"Ye-yeah. He did." She answered.
"What did he want?"
Neiva paused what she was doing and looked at Haruka then her daughter. "Just making sure you were fine."
"Oh." Evelyn knew better, her mother's voice only got low when she was lying. "Are you sure?"
"Do I look unsure?"
Yes. Evelyn thought but shook her head 'no'. Before they went to the table Evelyn grabbed her mother's hand. "Haru loves you very much, mom." She told her and went to the table. Though Evelyn worried what was going on with her mother, she was sure it wasn't good. She may dislike daddy in front of me and others but whenever their alone-the child shook her head. She didn't want to finish that thought. So she looked at the two people in front of her. Hoping Haru would always stay in this picture.
A/N:
At Fortunelestion: Esther-chan is fine. Its rather cute. And I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. So I can only hope you'll like this one. :D
The next three to four chapters are going to be heart wrenching, dramatic, and hurt the feelings. The days listed are important for the time flow.
-Sky