We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.
SAILOR MOON ETERNAL
"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"
By Haruka Kou
Chapter 25: Mademoiselle...Madam
"Yoo hoo! Robin dear!" Michelle calls into his penthouse apartment (all right, it was really hers, Robin was just borrowing it…). She lets herself in aimlessly walking around innocently, looking for her cute love.
Not in his bedroom, ooh, it's so cozy in here…..not in the music room…..not in the kitchen…not in any of the rooms…Robin! Where are you?
Michelle's mind knows her soul mate was in this house, just….where? She wanders past the bathroom, and hears the shower running.
"I'm taking a shower, Michelle. I'll be right out." Robin's mind's voice answers matter-of-factly, he never the overly sentimental type. Michelle somehow found his bluntness sweet and appealing, yet at other times she did not. Michelle makes a pouty face, deciding this was the perfect time to find something out, once and for all. The past month, more and more, a little jealous green-eyed monster grew within her, prompting her to feel he was holding something back from her, something he didn't want her to know about.
She creeps into the side of his bedroom, rooting around through his things, searching for….
What am I looking for anyway? Michelle sighs, slamming one of his drawers closed with a thud, and begins to open another one.
"Michelle? What are you doing?" Robin comes in, all wet and soggy in his bathrobe, looking like a drenched seal, his silver hair all flat and damp.
"Doing? Just admiring your good taste, Robin dear." Too busy being a busy-body to sense his approach, a falsely smiling Michelle covers up as her fingers pull away from the drawer. Knowing Robin's mind was powerful enough to sometimes disguise (at least try to) his thoughts from her, Michelle still cwas able to feel an overwhelming panic as his eyes spot her investigating fingers going towards a certain drawer…
But before either of them can say another word, the doorbell rings.
"Would you get it, Michelle? I'm going to get changed." Robin sidles himself in between her and that drawer, almost pushing her out. Michelle reluctantly leaves to answer the incessant bell, though now her curiosity was sufficiently piqued to find out exactly what Robin was trying to hide from her.
I knew it! She screams to herself as she answers the door, doubting Robin's absolute devotion to her.
Which one of those musical girls' is it? Michelle's mind races.
"We're here!" Sayer answers happily. The reason for his happiness stands beside him, holding their suitcases, and wondering why Michelle seemed so distraught. Michelle runs to Alex, throwing her arms around her cousin, needing her strength.
"Michelle, what?" Alex asks, holding her beloved close in her protective arms. She shoves the suitcases into Sayer, who takes the heavy load with a grunt and closing of the door behind them. Gee, thanks. Don't mind me.
"He's hiding something from me!" Michelle sobs a fine greeting.
"What do you mean, Michelle? What's that shrimp hiding from you?" Alex says, her ire up very easily at Robin.
"In his top drawer - I don't know…he's hiding something!" Michelle weeps on Alex, who was ready to spring on that rotten little shrimp if he so as much hurt her like that. But still, somehow, she doubted that elf would be cheating on Michelle with someone else…
"Maybe just some smelly old socks he forgot to send to the cleaners?" Leaning in the doorway, Sayer picks a bad moment to try to make light of the situation. Alex shoots him a warning glance, while Michelle wails even louder than before.
"Here." Alex gently pushes Michelle into Sayer, as she goes off to do some shrimp-barbecuing. Throwing his door open angrily without so much as a knock, Alex comes just in time to see him disrobing…
"So that's what you're hiding." Alex can't help but jibe at him.
"What're you doing in here, Alex!" Robin quickly ties his robe back, his face a crimson shade of red.
"What did you do to make Michelle so upset, Shrimp?" Alex demands of him.
"I didn't do anything! I—I know she's upset, but I didn't mean to-I just.." Robin sighs, shoving his frustrated hands into his robe's pockets.
"What's in here anyway?" Alex zips past him, flinging open the "drawer" and reaches inside before he even knows what was happening. Alex produces a jewel case and considers it carefully.
"What's it for?" Alex asks, but she opens it. One look at the flawless emerald stone inside set on the gold ring band, she was certain what it was—and why he was hiding it.
"I've been planning for awhile to, but the right time hasn't come up yet - Michelle gets into everything! Doesn't she trust me?" Robin, grabbing back the priceless ring from Alex, slinging it back into the drawer.
"Does she have reason to?" Alex asks him smugly.
"Why am I telling you all this! I'm sure you've got something smart to say about it. You always do." Robin murmurs, then looks into Alex's deep green eyes, as she looks into his soulful green ones for a long moment.
"Yeah, I do. Get up some backbone and give it to her, for heaven's sake. You know that's what she wants." Alex says, but adds quietly, "…though I can't imagine why…"
"But-but—you don't mind, Alex?" Robin asks, shocked that the impenetrable wall he thought he couldn't break down was just opening up for him to pass through.
"Yeah, I mind. I don't think you're half good enough for her. Nobody is. But Michelle loves you and that's all that matters. Michelle matters." Alex's eyes lock meaningfully with his.
"But, if you ever—EVER—hurt her…" She trails off the threat. "You understand? If you do-" Alex picks up a Three Lights brochure, and chooses a solo picture of Robin on top.
RRRIIIPPP!
Alex threateningly rips him in half, and then again and again, till there was nothing but shreds. "I'll tear you limb from limb." She tosses the pieces to flutter down on Robin, who swallows hard as Alex turns and leaves the room.
"Don't worry, Michelle. I don't think another woman would want that shrimp after what I saw." Alex teases as she returns to the living room where Sayer was still comforting Michelle.
"What did you see?" Michelle's blue eyes flash at the slightest insult to her darling Robin, jumping up from the couch defiantly.
"Oh, nothing." Alex smiles, her wide eyes innocent. "—much." She adds under her breath with a smirk.
"What's he hiding, Amara?" Michelle goes back from lioness into lamb wearing her emotion roller coaster on her sleeve.
"I don't know, Michelle, but…" Alex tells a little white fib, causing Robin to smile from the hallway as he listens in. "…as much as I don't like him-and I'm not telling you how to run your life but - a little faith goes a long way in a relationship." Alex couldn't believe she was standing up for that shrimp. (Robin was in shock as well, surprisingly pleased).
"Right, Starr?" She playfully tugs on his ponytail.
"Oh, yeah, Ally. I trust you completely." Sayer says, smiling innocently.
"That makes one of us at least." Alex ribs at her husband, despite his track record, Alex did truly, deeply, inside, trust him - with her soul, with her life, with her heart. And he knew it.
Michelle watches their…strange…expressions of love before her, realizing that Alex was right - that she shouldn't be so demanding, so flighty and emotional. Trust needed to be nurtured and built up, until it was strong enough for two separate souls to join together as one…
"You're right, as always, my Amara. It's not that I don't trust Robin. I do, I do!" Michelle's tears fade as she holds her hand to her heart. "I'm just a bit possessive, I know I shouldn't be, but…I just want his soul to be a part of mine, and mine to be a part of him. When he holds something back, I can feel it! I want us never to have any secrets. Like you and I, Amara." Michelle's delicate hand matches Alex's strong one as she reaches for it.
"I want him to know how much I love him - with every ounce of my being. I'll hold nothing back." Michelle whispers, her eyes filling with tears again. Her flowing emotions were so much a part of who she was. Though it pained Alex to see her this way, she rejoices to see that Michelle too was experiencing this mysterious wonderment they had both thought impossible in their lives.
"That's how much I love you, too, Michelle." Robin reveals himself, looking very dapper in a designer suit, unafraid to speak the truths in his heart in front of anyone. His own eyes were glossy from her heart-warming admissions. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings earlier, I know what it is to be sensitive. And you're right, we should have no secrets." He walks over, sitting down beside Michelle, eyes locking.
"After this, I promise, there will be no more secrets. My soul is already yours completely, Michelle." Robin squeezes her hand as he looks deeply into her eyes, and produces the little teal velvet case, holding it out to his aqua beauty. She tries to catch her breath as she suddenly realizes what she had wanted for so long was finally happening. She opens the lid and finds her enchanted eyes dazzled by the flawlessly sparkling emerald ring. She recognizes it as a priceless antique dating back hundreds of years in French royalty history. But more than the splendor of the jewel or of it's historical charms, Michelle was most impressed with the eyes—the mirrors of the soul—of the man who was giving it all to her.
"Okay, here goes everything. Michelle Moreau, will you marry me?" Robin's usual high, scratchy voice comes out perfectly calm, perfectly crystal clear in its sincerity.
"Robin…" is that Michelle can manage to speak audibly with her voice, but strong and true and pure ringing in both of their hearts, Michelle swears herself her soul mate from the stars…
"I will! I will! Robin I love you." Michelle's mind sings out the glorious words as Robin slips the ring on her finger, kissing her sweetly as their minds lock, promising themselves to one another in countless unspoken words, through any darkness both their intuitive souls knew was coming. Theirs was a bond that would last forever….
"All right. Break it up now." Alex says with a resigned smirk, standing up (knocking Sayer's restful romantic head off her shoulder) as she gently tugs Michelle away from her new "fiancé". Ick, Michelle. Alex almost wrinkles her nose as she gazes down at the little shrimp and the dreamy expression etched on both his and Michelle's faces.
Sigh. What you want is what you want - even if he's not good enough for you - even if I don't like him all that much - I can't-and don't wish to-stand in the path of your love for him. Because I believe, that despite all his ahem shortcomings…I think that shrimp really does love you. I'd never have let it get this far if he didn't.
"Remember what your parents said Michelle." Alex tries to bring her celestial friend back down to earth. "It's not been one year yet." Alex reminds them. "So you'll just have to wait just a little bit longer." Alex says a bit too pleasantly.
"Not too much longer, only two months and 5 days." Michelle answers in a dream, the countdown to the exact year from that day in Paris was inscribed on her soul. Alex starts to drag her off by her shoulders to her room, rolling her eyes the whole way.
"Good night, Robin, my love." Michelle blows an airy kiss to her silver-haired beloved as she is bodily hoisted away, though her thoughts were still echoing in Robin's dazed mind, sleep not really on her thoughts.
"Wow, Rob. 2 months, 5 days-and counting!" Sayer hums a deathly dirge, jabbing his brother in the gut teasingly. He had gained a little more (very slight) respect for his bravery above and beyond the call of duty -Sayer knew first hand just how death defying the big plunge into marriage was.
The sudden realization of what he had just done (either that, or silent mental messages Michelle was sending to him still) hit Robin like a ton of bricks, as his eyes open wide.
"Sayer! Stop that!" Robin makes a face at his immature sibling, the thoughts of his now impending marriage almost too overwhelming for him without Sayer's antics adding to it.
"OK, OK, loverboy." Sayer keeps on teasing as he gets up, tapping Robin's shoulder as he goes in a proud, brotherly way. "Good job." He says in an unusually kind tone to his rival, sharing a smile with Robin who smiles back. He too gets up to go to bed, though he was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep after this life changing evening. He almost wanted to see Michelle for a minute - just to talk - when Alex comes out of Michelle's room. She gives him the evil eye and directs him away from Michelle with a pointed finger. Robin changes his mind quickly after that and hurriedly departs to his own bedroom.
"Go to sleep, Shrimp." She orders, gathering up her suitcases as she heads towards the room just directly across from Michelle's, where she was sure she could keep a close eye (and ear too) on her French cousin.
"Good night, Robin, my love." Sayer mockingly throws a kiss at Robin's sour face, in his most girlish tones, copying Michelle's fond farewell to a tee. Alex shoves her playful husband into their room, giving Robin one more final warning glance as he disappears into the room. She too was certain this would be a sleepless night, between all her worries over Michelle's upcoming ordeal.
"What did you see anyway, Ally?" Sayer asks, still curious as he begins getting ready for bed.
"Here. Let me show you…"
Robin sighs, returning to his room, studying the beautiful photograph of the aqua haired lady who would soon be his wife. Robin already feels that close to her, closer perhaps than anything earthly Their minds, their souls, were bound and linked like no other two people could ever know. He was sure of that but…the rest of it…well, that was a little frightening. But I love her so…
Robin closes his eyes, his soul in an uproar, just starting to calm down, as much as it could anyway, under the circumstances, as he drifts into something close to resting…But then…
"Definitely in Paris, Robin dear." Michelle's thoughts were going a mile a minute as she already busies herself imagining the details of their wedding. Every detail, Michelle's mind felt the need to discuss it thoroughly with her groom to be, her chattering thoughts filling the entire night.
By morning's dawn, Robin already had a pretty good idea of what married life with Michelle was going to be like…he could hear the dirge Sayer was humming…in the back of his mind playing…
A pleasant drive home after their celebratory dinner with their closest family, Susan, truly felt that through Terry, Sayer and Robin were her brothers; and that Alex and Michelle were already her bonded sisters. The rest of the scouts were her extended family as well, but the three of them would always be special to each other. (Though Alex's strange behavior at her announcement of her impending expectancy caused Susan to wonder just a little…) Three? I really mean four… Susan's kind thoughts turn to Tara's exciting day as she and Terry share a kiss under the starry, moonlit sky.
"Welcome home!" Tara sings, bouncing into the hallway to greet them.
"Sorry we're late, Tara dear. Did you just get back?" Terry asks, seeing Tara still in her party dress.
"Almost an hour ago. Sammy's dad drove me home after Mrs. Hart's lovely dinner." Tara informs them sweetly, as she rushes about, making Terry a cup of coffee and Susan a green tea before they hustle her off to bed. It was way past her bedtime and Susan tucks her in lovingly.
"Did you have a nice day, Tara?" Susan motherly brushes back her charge's loose strands of dark hair from her wide eyes.
"A wonderful day! Sammy took me to see that new "Star Wars" movie. We had popcorn and candies. It was very nice." Tara sighs at the happy memory. Susan knew it wasn't the science fiction movie that so enticed her girlish heart, knowing herself the thrill of sitting close together in a movie theatre's back seat with someone you care for-in the darkness…
Susan remembers the first time Terry took her to the magic of a movie house, though she was fairly certain that what had happened in the darkness then didn't happen to Tara this afternoon-well, hopefully anyway! Susan was a little protective of the young girl whom she had taken on the role of mother figure for. Stroking her hair, Tara drifts off into a dream-filled sleep of movies and popcorn, sweet young love and first dates. Susan feels a hand gently around her shoulders, which then wraps around her adoringly.
"How did it go?" Terry whispers curiously into her ear, as they both gaze down upon the softly sleeping child before them.
"Perfectly, from what I can gather." Susan whispers back, covering Tara tenderly before she and Terry leave the room. "She's in love, I think." Susan continues the whisper as they go back into the living room.
"So am I." Terry says, kissing his beautiful Susan's eyelids and lifting her gently, carrying her to the bedroom.
"Darling? Have I told you just how happy I am? To be here, living this dream with you, to be your wife, to be having your baby.." Susan leans her blissfully spinning head against her husband.
"Precious, you don't have to tell me—I can see it in your eyes. Your beautiful eyes."
"One banana split comin' right up.' A beautiful young woman with enchanting green eyes and a curly brown ponytail bounces away merrily from taking orders, to fetch that dessert, happy with her now full-time job as waitress of the local café. She was happy with the way her life was going in general, as she flits to and fro in Crown's "uniform" little mini dress and white frilly apron.
"Hi, Lita!" Serena sings, another young woman pleased with how things were going in her life as well as she looks up at her tall friend in awe. "Aren't you afraid you're going to drop all those plates and saucers!" Serena bites her lip at the mere sight of Lita balancing a tray full of empty dishes with ease, since her own apartment she shared with Darien a lot the worse for wear (actually dishless) in that department.
"Only you would ask such a stupid question, Serena!" Rei comes in the sliding door behind Serena just in time for her usual snide remark. Serena looks down, embarrassed.
"Oh, Rei, it's not a stupid question! To tell you the truth, guys, I have broken a couple saucers but Mr. Toraru, our boss, was really great about it. He's a really nice guy - just to take me on without any experience on Lizzie's say. He even let me try my hand at the baking!" Lita bubbles at her attempts at starting out on her long cherished dream of running her own bakery someday.
"So that's why the cookies have been so good lately!" One by one the gang streams into their favorite meeting haunt. Mina squeezes in the door in a very summery pair of shorts, just fresh from her volleyball practice. Mina was thrilled to find Ken an avid fan as well, and they both joined up for the school volleyball club activities.
"Cookies! I want some!" Serena hears her growling tummy, her own home cooked breakfast had been less than satisfying, since she made it, though Darien had manfully eaten it before racing off to work. He had taken on a part time job at the nearby physics lab to supplement his training in that field.
"Some of those lovely cakes of yours too, Lita!" Serena sings as Lita leads them to a table by the sun shining window.
"Yes, yes, Serena. But keep it down a little," Lita chides gently, "Amy is already here - with Greg - over there." Lita was a softy for romantic couples, especially that she herself was now part of a "couple". In their spare time, she and Andrew, though two very busy people, particularly Andrew, who was trying to juggle both a full time job and demanding university classes, still found time for each other in between. All eyes followed Lita's finger as she secretly points out where Amy and Greg were quietly sharing a vanilla shake together.
"Oooh, oohh, do you think it's a serious conversation?" Mina whispers conspiratorially as she scoots in next to Rei, in the booth across from where Serena sat, her mouth watering.
"Cake! Cookies!" Serena inserts in between their girlish gossip, being ignored.
"Well, it's something about Greg's parents moving away - I mean even farther away, like in another country or something. But I didn't hear exactly where." Lita leans her elbows down on the table, spreading the latest rumors she learned from eavesdropping on Amy's timid love life at the next table.
"Ooh, Lita! You've been eavesdropping! Bad bad girl!" Mina slaps her friend's arm playfully, she the usual instigator for juicy gossip, and was never one not to enjoy the latest tidbits.
"Cake! Cookies!" Serena begins to pout at her "special" treatment (just being forgotten as a customer) as her closest friends gab.
"I haven't! I just couldn't help overhearing, as I was bringing them shakes - that's all." Lita says in her own defense.
"Yeah, yeah. You were listening in, admit it!" Rei jibes as she fixes her sparkling hair in the window, then spots something familiar outside.
"Cake! Cookies!" Serena was nearly in tears, not liking her hunger to be so easily ignored.
"Hey, Miss! What's a guy gotta do to get some service around here?" The four girls turn to the loud, boisterous voice filling Crown's Café.
"Sayer! Alex!" The girls sing out in unison, happy to see their friends. It seemed such a long time since they'd seen the secretive newlyweds last (newlyweds? Ahh! Scary!)
Has it been over six months? Serena thinks to herself. I've missed you guys!.
"Hi, there pretty girls." Alex strides up to them, looking dazzling as usual in a tight (Man, those are tight! Rei thinks to herself) tight pair of jeans and shirt showing off her flat stomach (Sigh…How does Alex always keep in such perfect shape? Lita sighs, thinking that she had put on too many pounds being a baker and sampling far too many of her own pastries).
She leans on the table, putting a muscular arm (She'd be great on the volleyball team! Mina thinks to herself) around Lita's waist. Sayer slides in the booth next to Serena with a playful punch on her arm. Ouchy!.
"What's up, Meatball? Service lousy around here? I'll fix that!" Sayer sympathetically asks his dear friend, and for some reason being full of hell this fine Sunday morning, he grabs up the fork and knife placed on the table and begins to bang them up and down, making Serena burst into giggles. Marriage had not changed his boyish charm one bit, instead perhaps adding to it.
"We want food! We want food! We want-" Sayer protests loudly. Lita was glad that Mr. Toraru and Lizzie were both off today as she flies across the room, looking up and down it nervously.
"Cookies and cake!" Serena laughingly joins in, banging her own silverware. Amy and Greg finally notice the girls, looking at them in amusement.
"Cookies and cakes!" Sayer grins into Alex and Lita's admonishing faces. After all, he was only having a bit of fun with his "Meatball."
"We don't know this person." Snootily, Michelle, with Robin at her heels, drift in behind them, no one noticing them (for shame!) in all the commotion as she looks down at Sayer's-childishnes haughtily. She was already more than ready to disown him after their morning spent together all in the same apartment.
"Michelle! Robin! We didn't see you come in!" Mina scoots Rei over (hey!) and pats the seat so her favorite teen idol could sit next to her, though Michelle was holding onto her man's arm tightly.
"How could you notice anything with all that noise?" Robin smirks in sarcasm at his brother who proved his immaturity again by sticking his tongue out at Robin. Alex rolls her eyes as a contrite Sayer jumps up and pulls the empty tables nearby over to theirs, making one large table as he slaps a chair into place with a screech and a bang.
"'Chelle?" Sayer dramatically bows, making a big show as he pulls out a seat for her. Michelle takes the polite gesture with a gracious nod and he gentlemanly seats her like a proper lady.
"Here, Rob." Sayer grabs a spare chair, slapping it down hard in front of Robin. His good etiquette is thrown to the wind, as he bounces in next to Alex, who somehow had gotten into his place next to Serena.
"There! We're all set now. Oh! Hey, Ames, Greg! Why don't you come on over and join us!" Sayer sings out merrily, obliviously, across the room. The rest of the customers, who had come in for a romantic shake with their sweetheart suddenly cleared out at this moment, tired of this boy's rude shouting.
"Starr. Maybe they want to be alone." Alex says to her husband, pursing her lips. She had given up long ago trying to tame his wild streak, and didn't really want to, either.
"Do you want to be alone, Ally?" Sayer asks amorously, putting on the other hat he was famous (or was it infamous?) for as he squeezes in closer to Alex.
"Later, lover." Alex wasn't shy to show her affection for him in front of all the prying eyes as she puts a finger up to his lips.
"Hello." Amy's soft, lilting voices comes up as she takes a seat next to Robin and Michelle.
"Where did Greg go? Did Sayer scare him away?" Rei says, giving Sayer a dirty look. She was in a bad mood, and everyone knew why. Chad had to go to the mountains to train at Gramp's insistence. He was growing more and more aware of Chad's attraction to his granddaughter and tried to keep them apart as much as possible.
"No, he just had a class to attend. I'll come and sit with you guys if that's all right?" Amy smiles pleasantly, she and Greg were constant study hounds.
"Well, that's a relief." Sayer says. Alex jabs him in the ribs with her elbow. "I meant, so we can all talk. I think somebody has something important to announce." Sayer's bright blue eyes flash at Robin, who was trying to let this be a pleasant day—no such luck. Michelle didn't need much prompting as she gets ready to joyously sing out her happy news. She was only a little pouty that nobody had noticed the enormous rock on her left hand without some nudging.
"Girls, I am happy - so happy to announce that Robin and I are-" Michelles starts all bubbly and excited, everyone raptly listening—just as she wanted.
"Hi hi hi!" Tara, unknowing that she had interrupted Michelle's gleaming moment, bounces in on a cloud of air. Terry, Susan and Darien were close behind her.
"Everyone, listen up. Susan and Terry have an important announcement to make." Darien says in an unusual joyful mood. He had met the happy couple on the way in to Crown's Café.
"Another announcement? We should put up a bulletin board! Geez, what's going on today?" Rei wonders aloud.
"What is it, Susan?" Serena smiles big as her unexpected until later husband sits across from her with a knowing glance.
"Terry and I...I mean...I'm expecting." Susan says proudly, looking up at her husband as Terry squeezes her shoulders lovingly as he stands behind her.
"Expecting what?" Serena blinks in confusion, everyone then blinking back at her ignorance.
"A baby! Stupid Serena!" Rei snaps as she glances at Susan and Terry. She exchanged an unsure look with Lita, then with Amy and Mina, as they all then turned to Alex who shared the same concerned look. They could obviously see she had the same reservations about this as they all did.
"A baby! Oh, Susan! Terry! That's wonderful!" Serena's friendly voice breaks the silence that was taking over the group. Serena in her obliviousness (or was it wisdom?) did not have the same concerns the rest of her soldiers did around her.
"Thank you, Princess." Susan smiles gratefully at her ruler, Terry exchanges a glance with Darien who took the attitude of his wife with a permissive nod. The birth of a child, borne from love, could never be any but a beautiful event. Seeing their leaders' outlook on this difficult subject, the team decides to follow suit, Lita leading the pack.
"Oh, Susan! I'm so happy for you!" She puts a hand on both Susan and Terry's arms with care.
"When is the baby due?" Amy says sweetly.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Rei asks, smirking at Terry, though still unsure if this was the correct path for a soldier.
"What are you going to call it!" Mina wipes any trace of worry from her sieve-like mind.
"Susan, you're so lucky!" Serena smiles, she herself knowing what it's like to wait for a child to arrive. She already knew everything about her future baby (and still wanted her to come, nonetheless, big pink surprise surprise!).
As everyone chatters on and on, Michelle sits back, her arms crossed, an indignant look on her high borne features. She was upset that everyone, in their excitement over Susan, had forgotten her, just dropping her like a sack of potatoes. Michelle caught Alex's laughing eyes at her plight, and observant Rei notices Michelle sulking as well.
"What was your announcement, Michelle?" Rei asks, suspiciously now, and everyone's eyes turn to Michelle and Robin with questioning gazes. If that was Susan's announcement…Robin suddenly feels eleven pairs of eyes upon him so intently, making him cringe.
"Robin and I-" Michelle excitedly jumps at her chance back in the spotlight. She takes Robin's embarrassed hand in hers as the girls hold their collected breaths. "We're engaged!" Michelle states proudly, flipping her hand to display that monstrous ring in all of it's sparkling emerald glory.
"Oh. Is that all?" Rei sighs in relief, after all, Michelle's impending marriage to Robin was an expected event. Two of the Three Lights' were already…
"Is that all!" Michelle indignantly exclaims. Her marriage was the most important thing in the world at this moment. "I was only going to ask all of you girls to be my bridesmaids when we go to Paris but maybe if it's not important enough to you-"
"PARIS!" Like an explosion, the five inner scouts shout their excitement at the thought of traveling to the romantic city. Their happy chatter soon satisfies Michelle's miffed feelings as she merrily explains her plans. Robin closes his eyes, having already heard about the wedding so much he felt like he already went through with it. Sigh.
"I've already called Papere - my father, that is - and he said it would be all right if Mamere -my mother, that is - said it was all right. And she said it would be all right after she talked to Robin for a long time, I might add. Did Mamere talk your ear off, Robin dear?" Michelle giggles all in one breath, everyone else dizzy and breathless just from following her whirlwind speeches.
"Now I know where you get it from." Robin mumbles under his breath, wondering just how much else of her mother's "charms" Michelle had inherited. Robin was already cringing just from the conversation he'd had with dear "mamere" on the telephone, wondering how he had made it through her endless questionings.
"What was that, Robin dear?" Michelle smiled so sweetly at him that Robin couldn't help but feel it was all worth it.
"She said she can't wait for us to come." Robin covers up, though it was true those were Madame Moreau's final words. Well, something like that, Robin wasn't paying that much attention, his head spinning by the end of the phone conversation with the French Mamere. Sayer snickers at him and he shoots back a warning glance.
"Oooh, me too! I told her to get everything up in just over a month. We are going to have the biggest wedding to ever hit the Paris scene! And you're all invited!" Michelle sings to the girls. Robin's frozen smile and wide eyes reflect the panic he was just beginning to feel. Marriage was something he never thought he'd need…but Michelle changed all that.
Robin looks into her ecstatic blue eyes, gazing at her tenderly as her moist lips speak in such vivid lively animation.
Yeah, I could do that.
"Wow! What exciting news you guys bring with you! This calls for some triple hot fudge sundaes for everyone!" Lita smiles cheerfully.
"YEAH!" The gang calls out on this happy, sunny day.
Over the next month, Michelle drags Robin along for several trips to Paris in a flurry of wedding details. Alex insists on tagging along, with Sayer on her heels - much to Robin's 'delight'.
Mr. Pym, the Three Lights agent, gives up on keeping this famed wedding a secret from the group's female fans. He instead builds it up to make it the most talked about, most lavish, most important event, "selling" it the public as it promised to be an ostentatious ceremony - the "Wedding of the Year". After all, it was going to be the joining of one of the world's hottest international rock stars, since the Three Lights fame, over the past year since their return, spread around the globe like wildfire with their deep, passionate music. Plus, one of the richest European socialites only daughter's marriage truly gathered the attentions of watchers of the rich and famous around the world.
Excitedly, the girls ready themselves for their Paris "fling", choosing their Paris bridesmaid gowns and new wardrobes for their French vacation. Michelle's parents had gladly picked up the bill for every bit of this expensive occasion, much to Robin's relief. His already mostly cleaned out account - from that priceless antique emerald—was no where near enough for the kind of wedding Michelle wanted — and deserved, and expected. Getting everything arranged just "so" was a difficult thing for the demanding bride to be. She scheduled everyone - all twenty or so of the wedding party — on a plane's flight, a private jet actually, in which she actually goes overboard and buys it, as her father's credit card now seemed unlimited. Alex gladly volunteers to fly the jet, though everyone held their breath as they boarded, knowing that Sayer was in the co-pilot's seat.
But the plane makes it down in one piece, Alex having firmly instructed Sayer not to touch the controls after a scary bit of competition went on in the cockpit. Everyone in back almost lost their caviar and camembert cheese lunches as the result of it.
Back in Paris for the first time since, Terry holds onto his Susan, especially tenderly in the waiting limousine. Susan feels the romance as she and Terry recall what Paris meant to them, looking over the city where they became engaged.
"I remember how beautiful the stars were that night." Susan whispers from the balcony of their room in the Moreau mansion just after the sun sets and everyone in the house were settling into their rooms.
"They're just as beautiful this night, my lady." Terry poetically insinuates his unchanging love for his breathtaking life.
"You still think so, Terry darling?" Susan touches her slightly bulging stomach, the pain of the baby growing inside was a wonderful reminder of what was to come.
"More than ever." Terry murmurs softly in her ear as he wraps his arms around her, the moonlight whispering sweet things to them in darkness as they both dream of what their love was blossoming into.
"What shall we call her, my darling?" Terry wonders aloud in Susan's hair.
"Why do you always think she's going to be a girl, darling?" Susan answers coquettishly, secretly loving how her sweet husband was so certain on this point.
"Because I want her to be—so she can be as beautiful, as perfect, as lovely as her mother." Terry kisses Susan with a caress.
"I want her to be as wonderful and brilliant as her father." Susan whispers, meeting his lips for a kiss.
"Giselle." Terry, inspired by her kiss, whispers as their lips part.
"Giselle?" Susan smiles as the name rolls from her tongue. She adores the name immediately.
"The promise. I think it has a fitting meaning for us, my love. For what this child is." Terry gently touches Susan's stomach. "The promise." His warm touch feels so right. Susan smiles happily. "But it is your choice, of course, my darling. I will love any name you would choose." Terry whispers.
"Giselle, the promise." Susan speaks the graceful name aloud, letting it carry on the wind. "I adore it, Terry, my love. Just as I adore you, my brilliant husband."
Susan rewards his inspirational name for their child with a passionate kiss, filled with all the love she felt for him and the wonder awaiting their young lives together, filled with the promise of what was to come-the promise…
Giselle.
Reflecting in a mirror sparkling in aqua lame, a beautiful young woman gazes into her own eyes, radiant with an inner light as her features examine her attire. She was well-pleased as another woman with older, wiser eyes that still had a radiance of their own, gleams in delight at her lovely daughter.
"Mamere, it's gorgeous! Thank you!" Michelle twirls in a pair of matching aqua blue high heels, full of grace and charm.
"Do you really like it, mon cherie? I knew it would suit you beautifully." Josephine Moreau's thick French accent complements her own attire and surroundings. The entire mansion had an ambiance of "Vivre la France".
"You have such a girlish figure still as of yet….though how long it will last…I do not know. Your mon amie Susan is how many months now?" Madame Moreau asks, her wit sharp, her words always biting in her insinuation.
"Susan is over five months now, Ma Mere. The baby's due around Christmas or the end of the year maybe. And I think she looks as lovely as ever." Michelle reprimands her mother.
"Yes, she is lovely, yes. Young Monsieur Terry is very tall and handsome. And is a very good husband to her I think." Madame observantly notes as she folds up Michelle's traveling clothes, intimation beneath her passing words.
"Yes, Terry's a very good husband to her, Mamere." Michelle humors her mother, finishing pulling on her aqua length gloves and sliding the beloved emerald ring back on her finger, adorning a graceful hand as she gazes at it girlishly.
"And…and you tell me my Amaralexis has married the other young Monsieur Starr? I didn't believe you at first but now…" Michelle's mother flits about, rearranging Michelle's drawers and closet filled with lavish dresses and the finest clothes. Madame could never imagine in her wildest dreams that her independent niece would marry.
What sane man would put up with her strange ways? Obviously she has found one insane.
"Now…?" Michelle smirks, the thought of Amara and Sayer together always an amusing one to her as well.
"Miss Amara has lovely eyes. One can see all the way into her heart through them. I see that she is happy at last." As fickle and French as Madame was, she could still see the embers of young love burning. Her own heart was still ablaze for the man she called her husband and she was glad to see the same look in her once-given-up-for-lost charge's green eyes from the moment young Amaralexis entered the mansion.
"And what about me, Mamere? What do you see in my eyes?" Michelle asks, her blue eyes meeting her mother's exact same colored ones.
"What I used to see when you were a child often frightened me. And when you grew older I worried even more still. I didn't want to send you away my dearest, but I didn't want to keep you here. I've always had this sense somehow that you shouldn't be here - that you didn't quite belong." Almost…" Eerily, Madame Moreau takes her daughter's hand in her own.
"But I see in your beautiful eyes you have found something to belong to. So I am happy at last." All the trouble they had before, all the pain and anxiety evaporates as Michelle sees the truth of a mother's love for her only child.
"Mamere." Michelle whispers, tears behind her eyes.
"Mon cherie." Josephine hugs her daughter, hoping for the happiness she has felt in her own marriage would come to their daughter.
"This one - young Robin - he loves you?" Madame could see the change in her daughter, finding this certain someone.
"Yes, Mamere. I am certain he loves me." Michelle whispers, gazing at the flawless emerald adorning her hand and seeing Robin's soulful green eyes reflecting back at her through it.
"Bon bon, I am so glad. Even if he is short. He does have good taste." Madame had a teasing way as she speaks in full French, looking critically at Michelle's engagement stone.
"Mamere! What kind of thing is that to say about my love!" Michelle answers back in fluent French as a knock comes at the door.
"Come in!" Michelle smoothes her hair in the mirror, knowing already without looking, who was entering — for that was their bond.
"Madame." Robin nods, looking especially dapper in his freshly pressed black tuxedo.
"Are you ready, Michelle?" Robin asks her, though her back was facing him. Madame Moreau watches the light enter his haunting green eyes as Michelle turns to face him.
Yes, it is there. She smiles as her daughter's eyes meet her soon-to-be-son-in-law's in much the same fashion. Josephine recalls quite vividly that glow in Robin's eyes when he returned to the mansion that day nearly one year ago—the day she realized that Michelle had found true love at last.
Madame laughs lightly to herself as Michelle takes Robin's offered arm and stands at least three, maybe four inches taller than her escort in her high, stiletto heels.
"See? He is short, Michelle, mon cheri." In the French she knows he understands not a word of, Madame teases right over his head. She, a tall woman herself already in high heels, towering above the silvery-haired young fellow.
"Mamere!" Michelle chides as she walks out on Robin's arm — he completely ignorant of their remarks, so enchanted by the creature with the eyes of the sea on his arm. Following the pair out, Michelle's mother smiles with a nod at the young couple and for a fleeing moment she sees herself as Michelle once again, hanging on the arm of the man she was passionately in love with.
Henri, you're shorter than me when I wear my heels, too…Yes, he will do. Madame follows them down the spiral staircase where many of the others were already gathered, being entertained by some jolly French tales being told by Michelle's loving French father.
"Ah, my ladies! Fashionably late, of course." Henri Moreau offers his arm to his wife. "Women, ah! With all their primpings, they need not do, for they are already beautiful." Ever the romantic, the Frenchman kisses his wife's hands.
"Don't you know how dangerous it is, Josephine, to leave me here with all these lovely young things without your supervision, eh?" Henri teases, as he glances at the girls all dressed in the pretty Paris fashions Madame had selected just for them. They all giggle as they follow Michelle's gracious parents, Michelle and Robin, leading the way into the dining room. The girls all come arm in arm with their respective escorts - Rei even dug up Chad's hidden whereabouts out in the Tibetan mountains Gramps sent him His long wild hair had been shaved off in the religious monk look and Rei had almost left him there and then, but changed her mind when she saw his total adoration at the mere sight of her undimmed, a short crew cut the 'in' look nowadays anyway.
Serena in white frills was as hungry as ever, as she hungrily drags her frustrated Darien to each buffet table. In sparkling ice blue tafetta Amy and Greg shyly take each other's arms, as Rei in red satin brocade , hesitantly claims bald Chad's hand. Lita was glowing in green chiffons on Andrew's Irish arm, while orangy Mina all in bows bounces in on Ken's stable one. Tara, dressed all in printed indigos, holds onto Sammy timidly, as Susan clings lovingly onto her stoic Terry, her dress a very matronly, yet stylish, empire waisted purple silk. Alex looked chic in a shining golden yellow pantsuit, but she and Sayer came in separately, having just had an argument, only to exchange cutting comical barbs at each other at the dinner table, much to everyone's embarrassment.
The wedding planning and talking went on well into the night, so late that Serena falls asleep on Darien's lap, and he had to carry her up the spiral staircase. With this scene, the entire party bids "good night" to Henri and Josephine. Henri waits to say "good night" to his daughter and her "escort", about to join them on the balcony they had disappeared to a short while ago.
"No, Henri, let them be. You remember what it is like a few days before your wedding, don't you?" Josephine was inspired by her daughter's romance.
"Yes, I do, Josephine, very well. Wasn't that the night Michelle was-?" Henri says, suspiciously eyeing the balcony and his yet innocent daughter, feeling just a bit protective of her still, for at least 2 days more anyway.
"Yes, Henri. That was the night. Let them be, mon amour." Josephine whispers, giving her husband a kiss as they retire to bed.
"How perfect the moonlight is tonight, isn't it, Robin my love?" Michelle leans her head to Robin's, her soft aqua curls falling against his silver.
"It is perfect." Robin answers absently, his mind elsewhere than on the moon.
What is it? Michelle's mind inquires, worried.
I can't reach Princess Fireball. I wanted her to be here for the wedding."Though Michelle ruled his heart, Robin was still devoted to his own Princess, still loved her, still needed her and Michelle understood that - as she understood all in Robin's soul.
She'll be here. Don't worry, she's probably just busy at the moment. Michelle tries to comfort him, though secretly she wondered how Robin's close connection to Fireball had been severed. She too, felt a strange….something slowly covering the Earth, perhaps masking the psychic signals out to Janus.
I wonder what that is. Michelle squints her eyes wishing that if it were an enemy of some sort, she could see it, fight it, be done with it -anything was better than this uncertainty.
What 'what' is? Robin silently asks, and Michelle is surprised at how easily he could read her every thought — even ones she thought were shielded. Robin felt that "something" too, could almost hear it speak, could almost hear it calling to his subconscious somewhere—
"Let's not think of that, Robin dear. It'll all go away if we don't think about it, all right?" Michelle whispers aloud, even her happiness marred by her tormenting abilities of sight beyond sight.
"All right." Robin agrees with her decision, although his soul too was still unsure if it could just forget about the voice almost…whispering…something to him.
Do you ever wish we didn't have this…sense…more than anyone else? Michelle's mind soars out to him once more, looking to him for the support her soul needed.
No. If I didn't, I'd never have found you."Robin's heart whispers out to her.
"Oh, Robin, I love you so much." Michelle breathes warmly into his hair as she leans down to him.
"And I love you, Michelle." Robin squeezes her two hands to his chest tenderly, as they kiss sweetly, softly—the moonlight shining down on them brightly still—breaking through the growing dark mists threatening to envelop it.
En tour de France the next day, after a wedding rehearsal with very few hitches (really), Michelle and Robin spend some time in the city their romance had blossomed in.
Sayer, (Paris old hat to this experienced young man) plays tour guide to the boring old Eiffel Tower - that is, until he and Alex catch sight of the pour s'amuser motorcycle shop, renting one again as before for se marrer. They zip away from the gang, and all soon take the hint—the city of romance was no place for a "group" thing. The couples break off, promising to meet later that night back at the house for the ahem entertaining evening promised to them.
Michelle already arranged Robin's bachelor party, having jealousy banned any women to be present (but knowing Sayer, that may just not happen). She also planned a bachelorette party of her own with the girls, surprising all their guys when they appear in black tuxedoes for their ladies night out on the town after they return from dinner at the mansion. (Except for Sayer who was quite used to seeing Alex in a tux).
"We'll see you boys later." Mina smiles, tipping her top hat at them as she skips out with Lita as her escort with a wink, out to the waiting limos.
"And don't get drunk." Rei says, pointedly at Chad as Amy meekly nods to Greg a farewell.
"Terry darling." Susan rushes to her handsome husband's arms and he kisses her sweetly, much rather wanting to stay with him…
"Susan, come on! Bye, Muffin!" Serena sings out, grabbing Susan's arm while Tara takes her other hand with a squeeze. She was excited, this being her first night out with the girls. Tara had now grown up into her teenage years.
"Behave yourself, Starr." Alex gives her frisky husband the "eye" as she waits in the doorway for her partner.
"Have a wonderful evening, Robin dear." Michelle kisses Robin tenderly as she says this aloud, saving her warnings for her silent communications with him. Robin nods with a sigh as she leaves on Alex's arm.
"All right, gang! Let's party!" Sayer, quiet thus far, erupts like a wild man pulling out of his jacket several bottles (small but potent) which he passes out to the rest of the guys following him.
"Can't I come?" Sammy asks Terry pleadingly. Serena had just informed him (to his bitter disappointment) very sisterly and authoritatively that he was not to go (hee hee), giggling to herself as she flitted out.
"Samuel, I don't want to contradict your sister." Terry says sympathetically.
"But, Terry!" Sammy complains, seeing this responsible man as more of an authority than his stupid sister Serena.
"Monsieur Sammy, have you explored our gaming room, yet? The local school children come to the mansion when we vacation in Canada and we've had a new - what do they call it? Arcade installed for them when they come in the summer. A VR something or the other." Monsieur Moreau offers kindly though he had no idea was he was speaking of.
"VR! Wicked cool!" Sammy's interest piqued as he races up to the gaming room that Monsieur Moreau points out to him, the older wiser man going with the boy to keep him company.
"Merci, Monsieur." Terry says to him with a bow, feeling responsible for the younger generation.
"Monsieur Terry, your heart is too kind. You will make a wonderful father." Madame comments, her own husband always had a kind soul to children.
"Merci." Terry bows again with a flourish before he joins the rest of the bachelor party. Sayer was honking the horn of the limo (he had kicked the driver out of the seat, feeling brave). Darien promptly pushed Sayer out of the driver's seat, he knowing just how proficient Sayer was in driving. Terry finally arrives and the group of jolly men drive off into the night in the city of lights singing - Robin sighs as he slumps in the back seat, yet again just along for the ride.
Across a misty, periwinkle sky, dawn rises over the French skyline of the chateau. Sleep had not claimed her for many reasons on this night, as a golden-haired woman leaves her husband alone, allowing him some much needed rest.
She heads in his red silk robe towards a certain room in the mansion where she knew another certain young woman would be awake at this early hour - as Michelle always was, even when they were young girls together.
Entering silently, Alex steps just inside the bedroom, gazing through the open doors out to the balcony. There an aqua haired beauty stands in quiet reflection, the wind tossing her soft curls over her translucent nightgown's illusioned shoulders. Her eyes were closed, her stance always elegant. Alex watches her, sure this is the most beautiful creature to ever grace this Earth, the wondrous being that owned part of her soul, the sweet friend and cousin, whom she was about to give to another.
And that someone who had just damn well cherish the gift beyond gifts he was about to receive.
"No rest for the wicked, Amara? And how is Sayer this fine morning? You look cute in his robe." Michelle opens the sea of her ocean blue eyes towards her dearest companion with a tease. Their bond was so close she knew when Amara was nearby immediately.
"He's what you'd expect after a night of merriment out with the boys." Alex answers, with a wry smirk. Her husband had returned back to her quite drunk and passed out quite a while back.
"You didn't do so bad with the ahem merriment last night yourself, Amara dear." Michelle teases again, smiling as Alex hugs her warmly.
"Difference is, I can handle it better than he can." Alex smiles back, closing her eyes, recalling the ladies' night out last night also overflowing with French wine and high spirits.
"Mm-hmm," Michelle murmurs sarcastically, she drifting through Alex's emotions so easily, finding a bit of tipsiness surging through her golden friend, and then….something else….a little deeper.
"Amara?" Michelle whispers, turning serious as she turns to meet Alex's eyes.
"Yeah, 'Chelle?" Alex addresses her in Sayer's annoying nickname for her, and Michelle smiles at how Sayer had slowly, almost indefinably left his mark on his wife. Their closeness, though unbelievable to some is something Michelle admired, knowing she had much the same with Robin - and on the verge of discovering something more after this day.
You and I will always be special. Michelle announces softly to Alex's weary mind.
"I know." Alex squeezes her even tighter, this treasure would soon belong to another, though Alex already knew that Robin owned Michelle's soul as well as her delicate heart.
"Now you know what I felt when you got married." Michelle holds back the tears that wanted to run down, and she kisses Alex's cheek tenderly, looking up at her wind swept partner.
"Yeah, now I know." Alex's beautiful smile dazzles Michelle more than the bright morning sun rising in the east ever could. Michelle watches as a slur of emotions race through those gorgeous green eyes - caring, adoration, hope and then more than anything else - an overwhelming love. A long gaze passes between them, Alex's eyes smile down on her most cherished possession.
"But, there's a big difference between Sayer and the Shrimp." Alex comments mysteriously with a knowing smirk.
"And what's that?" Michelle mumbles smiling, playing along. She knew Robin was the better man of course (for her!), but wanted to see Alex's take on the subject…
"Amaralexis!" Michelle gasps in shock at her wicked partner's insinuating glances, wry smirk and insulting thoughts she lets Michelle pick up so easily.
"Enjoy him, mon amour," Alex enfolds her beloved back into their broken embrace with a smile.
"I don't care what you say! My Robin is perfect!" Michelle allows Alex to hold her again, with a pout. Alex chuckles softly, amused at her pouty face. Her sweet face I swore to always protect…But that Shrimp has proven himself to me, time and time again, and if Michelle wants him-if Michelle loves him…
Alex looks down on the soft head leaning against her. Every thought, every emotion exuding from her was filled with whispers of love for her beloved Robin. I can't stand in the way. I won't -because I love you too much, so very much…Alex assures herself that the decision is right—that Michelle's happiness comes first.
You will always come first no matter who comes into our lives. Alex holds her, kissing her forehead warmly, letting the sweeping winds from across the horizon sway against them softly. Alex closes her eyes, steeling herself for the coming day, knowing it would all be worth it just for a hold of Michelle's happiness…my Michelle.
"How're you holding up, Rob, old buddy?" Sayer sings out merrily as he waltzes into his brother's room, all signs of last night evaporated. Robin was sadly not able to say the same thing, his head still throbbed as he dresses into his fancy tuxedo.
"Don't ask, Sayer." Robin groans, his face frowning at the day ahead as well as his aching temples. The hustle and bustle of a wedding of this proportion (plus a little premarital jitters!) increases his frown until he closes his eyes and connects with someone (who was busy being primped and prepared) for a brief moment—and a sweet smile sweeps over both of their enchanted faces.
"Are you really gonna wear that—in front of everybody?" Sayer's annoying voice breaks the soft, soulful exchanges between Robin and his bride-to-be as Sayer's disapproving eyes look Robin up and down, giving the royal looking formal white with ruffles, embroidered with gold tux a crooked smirk.
"Of course I am, Sayer! What do you know anyway? You don't have any taste at all—in anything, especially marriage." Robin answers angrily, shooting Sayer a sophisticated nose up in the air and a snide insinuating smile.
"What was that! You'd better not be—" Sayer, looking dashing and threatening at the same time in a grey tux (all escorts had to wear grey, Michelle insisted on color coding) was ready to attack at the slightest insult to whom he knew Robin was meaning to insult.
"Sayer." Terry's low voice enters the fray as he puts a calm hand on his fiery brother's arm. "It's a very nice suit, Robin." Terry puts his other hand on Robin's shoulder, the three "brothers" standing together in a close triangle—so much a part of each other (through all the bickering and the arguing that Terry often had to play mediator for) as they knew they would always be. Terry was glad that Robin was now going to join them in the ranks of the blissfully wedded. He himself found no truer happiness than in the arms of the woman who he was lucky enough to call his own.
"Thanks, Terry." Robin's angry face turns into a smile. Though he himself was technically the oldest (by only a month!) Robin too felt Terry's place as the "big brother" of their little group as they three of them exchange grins.
"I just wish you were going to be my best man and not him." Robin scornfully breaks their little brotherly triangle, still smarting at Sayer's rude comments on his sophisticated style of dress.
"Hey!" Sayer twists his lip as Terry chuckles at their everlasting feuding.
"But Michelle insisted because she wanted you to match Alex—I don't know why!—So—" Robin sighs, but Terry notes the small wry smile creeping over his lips. "I guess I'm stuck with you." Robin smirks in Sayer's face, who smirks right back.
"I'm not the only one you should worry about being stuck with. Take it from an experienced married man, Rob. You're really in for it now." Sayer teases, putting on a serious air as he hums out a deadly dirge to Robin's wide, horrified eyes.
"You certainly are in for it—Starr." Alex's voice intercedes as she leans (very unladylike, I might add) in the open doorway, her arms crossed in a threatening tough guy stance, over a beautiful aqua gown (chosen and insisted upon by the bride).
"Ally, I was just—" Sayer starts to defend his teasings. Alex merely raises an eye at him and he decides to take a different tactic, "—you look gorgeous, maid of honor." He saunters up to his smirking wife.
"Don't give me that cr—" Alex starts to answer back, Sayer instead kissing her annoyed mouth in response. Alex pulls away quickly with a smacking sound.
"It's time to be going, Shrimp—and don't let this good-for-nothing scare you off. Michelle is waiting—and I wouldn't want to be the man who left her standing at the altar." Alex threatens unnecessarily, she knows, but she does enjoy tormenting the shrimp—just for fun. She shoves Sayer back into the room, giving him a pair of warning eyes.
"Is marriage all that wonderful?" Robin swallows hard, Alex certainly not his idea of a model wife, the way she treated her husband.
"It sure is." Sayer smiles wistfully, his eyes alighted with the fire Alex blazed within him, he loving her for everything she is.
"The most magnificent thing in the entire universe and beyond." Terry sighs, inspired by his own perfect lady and wife.
"If you guys say so." Robin says distractedly, biting his lip as he watches his two brothers go all spacey and sappy like that over their…
Robin suddenly finds the same thing washing over him as he senses Michelle reaching out to him, landing soft caresses and kisses on his soul.
Yes it is wonderful. Robin sighs in absolute assuredness as he, Sayer and Terry leave to attend the wedding of the century. Not a cloud—not a single strand of darkness able to penetrate this happy, happy summer day.
The Wedding of the Century, on this final year of the millennium, promises to live up to it's hype, as the countless guests of the highest French society stream into the large ornate Cathedral in the center of the busy city. The huge crowd (and a little string-pulling by Michelle's father) warranted the closing off of one of the busiest avenues in Paris. Reporters and photographers were sanctioned off at the front entrance to the Catholic Cathedral as onlookers and spectators alike awaited anxiously the arrival of the celebrated bride and famed groom of this highly publicized wedding.
Those not formally invited, just caught up in the spectacle, are indeed rewarded for their eager waiting, awed by the beautiful aqua laced bridesmaids and their handsome grey clad escorts (including the groom's two famously dashing brothers amongst them) who greet their arrival from sparkling white limousines with style. The mother and father of the bride come next, proudly standing aside as they motion the audience towards the arrival of their daughter.
The splendor and radiance of a sparkling ocean wave washes over all the onlookers as the white Clydesdale horse drawn carriage, gilded with gold, slowly trots through the cleared, tree-lined avenue. An inviting sea breeze flows in with the beautiful bride, the glittering veil making her lovely cheeks softly flushed, her eyes alight with the stars within, as she gracefully descends her classic ride. The summer sun shining resplendent on her ivory white gown—a gown beyond all gowns—as elegant as it was ostentatious, as beautiful as it was breathtaking. Delicate point lace and silken brocade flutter towards the church on her father's arm as the oohs and ahhs follow her as she makes her way in slowly, in perfect timing. Her eight bridesmaids finish their travel up the aisle in the crowded church. Alex takes her place at the front, exchanging a short sly glance with the best man, then a long, meaningful one with the groom. His golden trimmed suit caught the rays of the sunlight, his silver hair was aglow as he stood tensed, a little jittery inside until the wedding march flares, and the bride in all her glory steps lithely into the aisle on her adoring father's arm. Across the distance, down the long aisle, she floats to him, her father giving her away to Robin as he lifts her veil and the bride and groom's eyes meet—their hearts touch. Robin's mint green ones melting into Michelle's blue ones as their minds complement each other, their souls caress each other with the promises as they hear the vows begin. Michelle on Robin's arm, and Alex stands proudly at her beloved cousin's side.
"Do you, Robin Starr, take this woman, Michelle Josee Moreau to be your lawfully wedded wife," the thickly French accented archbishop was called in special for this stately occasion of such an important family of France. Robin answers each vow with one of his own in Michelle's mind.
"I take you, Michelle."
"To have an to hold from this day forward," "To hold you close in my soul"
"In sickness and in health" "No matter what"
"For richer or poorer" "Nothing will ever come between us. Before I met you, I was alone. Before I knew you I never understood what life was about."
"For as long as you both shall live?" "You'll live in my heart forever because you are part of my soul."
"I do." Robin answers aloud, loud and strong and clear, as his voice has never been, as is the voice of his mind echoing in her ears as her eyes fill with tears.
"And do you, Michelle Josee Moreau, take this man Robin Starr to be your lawfully wedded husband," the Bishop smiles, somehow aware that things beyond mere human understanding were passing between the couple as tears fall from the lovely bride's eyes. Michelle's sweet thoughts resound in Robin's soul as the bishop speaks their vows aloud. She swears herself to him in their own realm discovered together within each other.
"I take you, Robin dearest.
To hold you close in my soul.
No matter what
Nothing will ever come between us.
Before I met you I was filled with longing.
Before I knew you I never imagined my life could be so full.
But now, forever—you'll live in my heart. You are part of my soul."
"I do." Michelle answers the Bishop's query, with the very breath she takes she is sure, with the gaze in Robin's eyes she is certain.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Monsieur." The Archbishop as Robin sweetly leans over and kisses Michelle's tender lips softly.
"I love you." The same whispered words sweep in synch through both their hearts, their minds as their souls completely meld together as one.
The most elegant couple in all of Paris, the most beautiful bride in all of France, young Madame Moreau-Starr was now already being revered by that title, as this wedding party continues the lavish affair with a reception like no other (after Lita with a blush, catches the fluttering bouquet). No expense was too great, no length unmet at the celebration for the newly wedded couple.
Michelle and Robin seem to dance on air, everyone dancing around them seeing how lost they were in one another. The elegance, the splendor surrounding them in the Great Hall was nothing compared to the beauty seen in each other's hearts as the afternoon drifts into the evening, the beautiful bridesmaids resplendent in their aqua empire waisted gowns (all matching to accommodate Susan of course). They charmed the high class audience well with their youthful exuberance as the newlyweds, after enduring many a long speech and traditional post ceremony rituals, steal away to begin their long honeymoon together. But not before a few tearful exchanges, after all said and done, after a fond farewell to all of her dearest friends in the end when it came down to her parting with Alex. Michelle was at a loss for words. Alex, too, their eyes saying it all for them. Alex kisses Michelle tenderly, holding her close, knowing herself what her sensitive partner, whom she had always protected and would defend with her life, was about to head into—wonders, trials, and the closeness to another that was already enveloping her soul even more so.
"Take care of her, Shrimp." Alex passes on her role as protector, though she would always be Michelle's and Michelle hers—Alex was aware of the bond forged between the silver-haired man from the stars and her beloved. She knew those bonds were strong and true, his place at her side that Alex, through unlimited love for Michelle, was willing to share.
"I will, Alex, with my life." Robin says, for once without a trace of sarcasm, not a bit of snideness to this hard woman. He too, was recognizing her not so much as a rival for Michelle's affections but as a partner in this delicate creature's protection.
"Farewell, my love." Michelle whispers in Alex's ear as Alex kisses her goodbye again. Michelle and Robin silently disappear from the Great Hall unbeknownst to most of their guests, save those who knew them and loved them best. Alex stands in place, her eyes frozen as she watches her sweet Michelle leave her side, until a hand touches her shoulder gently.
"Care to dance, Mademoiselle Sokova?" His words were teasing, Sayer's eyes were soft. Alex smiles at the understanding in them.
"I don't mind if I do, Monsieur Starr." Alex teases her husband right back, as she gently sways to the romantic music in his arms. She feeling so complete, so right, together with him in a way she never could have imagined before—a lifetime ago. Alex silently hopes for Michelle to find the same level of caring, of complete understanding, of genuine love that she was certain she has found within Sayer.
Good luck, my Michelle. You'd just better love her like she deserves, shrimp. Alex closes her eyes, as she leads her husband through the slow dance long into this night of nights.
Somewhere across the distance, a limousine pierces through the dark starlit night. A dream-filled couple secretly alighting onto a massive cruise ship, embarking on a voyage to sail around the world together. Embarking on yet another journey into the wondrous unknown, as they go hand in hand below deck, into their spacious estate cabin. Michelle turns to Robin with a soft smile as the cruise ship gently rocks onto the ocean's moonlit waves and the voyage begins…
"Do you remember the first moment?" Michelle's mind reaches out, not having to go far to find the man she had just married, in mind, in spirit, as she moves across the cabin.
"When our souls first touched?" Robin knows exactly of what his new bride was speaking of. It had left an indelible mark on their lives, as he becomes entranced in her alluring blue eyes. Michelle's hand reaches out to him, just like that night…
"When our souls first touched." Michelle repeats in a sweet whisper, full of awe, of inspiration—of love—for her husband as he comes close to him, and he, for once, does not move away, taking her hand softly in his. "Did you mean what you said, my love?" Michelle's thoughts whisper as he touches his cheek with a caress. Their eyes lock, as their other hands slowly face the palms to one another, meaningfully, just meeting, both feeling the energy, the love, the longing between them…
"Every word." Robin reaffirms the vows he pledged to her as his hand reaches out to her.
Together, inside the realm of their minds, Robin takes hold of her soul, sparkling with radiance. Michelle holds his too, delicately, softly, they bring their souls to each other, holding them close to their hearts, merging on a celestial plane beyond all understanding-beyond all, but them.
Michelle's dreamy eyes flutter open to find herself being carried away. Robin! Michelle's every thought, every feeling echoes out his name. Michelle never before felt such intense emotion, while Robin never realized before what was missing in his life, but now knowing that he had found her.
"Michelle." Robin whispers aloud, trying desperately to distinguish this reality from the other. He had found a slow, cool passion within him, made more so by Michelle's passionate heart.
"Thank you, darling Robin, thank you." Michelle sighs, her spirit and love full, her every wish fulfilled.
As gently as the soft ocean waves, days and nights of sweet love pass for the newlyweds. Their honeymoon sea voyage stopped at many a distant port, far off lands become world of wonder Robin and Michelle discovering beautiful things together. More glorious than the pyramids of ancient Egypt, more dazzling than the famed Taj Mahal—their true soul revealed and shared—given to each other. Nothing was more beautiful, more sacred than that. These precious times together proved to Robin why he fell in love with Michelle. It was her sweetness, her light, her warmth from within. Her deep soul made him press on—fighting the forces within him, running from the beckoning of them, erasing the uncertainty in his mind. He wanted to shelter his beautiful Michelle from the storm he knew inwardly would soon be coming. He was secretly horrified that he could do nothing about it, to stop it.
Asleep, wrapped in each other as the sea waves roll on this clear, moonlit night, the smile of love Michelle brought to his lips slowly fades as Robin hears those voices once again—voices—no, there was only one voice, faint and echoing though his soul.
But I don't know who you are! Princess, why can't I contact you? I need your strength right now. I feel like I'm losing myself—but I can't! I want to be here, to stay with Michelle forever. I won't leave! I want—but the voice, beckoning to me—I almost can hear it now. What is it trying to say to me?
A sudden jolt awakens Michelle, as the ocean grows choppy, rough, outside her cabin window. She could feel it, sense it, a warning, a premonition of some sort…
"Robin dearest, are you awake?" Michelle whispers into her love's silvery bangs, gently, so as to not startle him. Inside, she was more than a little frightened herself, this great sea was her guardian and she knew things were wrong. "Robin?" Michelle repeats into his mind, at his lack of response to her spoken word. Sensing him awake, worry begins to crawl into her psyche, though she couldn't explain why. His mind was wide open to her but she finds difficulty in touching his presence within, he seemed a thousand miles away…
"Michelle", finally, the reply comes in a small, whispery strain into her heart, Robin's high voice was distorted.
"Robin dearest, where-?" Michelle gently asks, prodding into his mind, digging at his soul for the answers. She didn't give a thought that it was being intruded, for there was nothing they didn't share with each other now.
"Michelle, I love you!" Robin suddenly says aloud, unconsciously breaking off her traipsing though his mind. With these almost desperate words, he pulls her close to him tightly.
"And I adore you, my dearest one." Michelle buries her head, skimming the surface of his soul…and tries to find something that was different than before…but Robin sets her mind at ease with sweet calming whispers of love. It seemed everything was all right, as Michelle so longed for it to be, and she believed it so readily. Her trust in him was so strong, so complete as she lets herself lose all doubt.
The troubles she sensed mirroring the darkening rough seas just outside the vessel Michelle calms—her sweetness draws Robin back to her. She was his anchor he held on tightly to, as his soul denies the calling once again. His heart was determined to stay right where it was, in the arms of his aqua angel, as he fights off the whisperings deep inside his soul…
A few days spent in Greece, a week or two on the Caribbean, a month floats by as Robin and Michelle enjoy the splendor of the "good life". The sheer bliss of being a young, married couple adrift on the sea, lost in each other as the waves roll leaves Robin feeling so complete. Michelle felt safe in her cute husband's arms, his soul, she had embraced within him, was by far the most beautiful port of call they had traveled to together. Tender words and kisses filled the honeymoon that was all too quickly about to come to an end.
"The past two months have flown by so quickly, didn't they my love?" Michelle whispers, feeling pangs of sadness, into Robin's hair as they both gaze over the endless blue seas on their journey back home.
"Mmmh." Robin murmurs softly, the ocean breeze blowing through his silver hair.
"They were pure heaven, Robin dearest, weren't they?" Michelle giggles girlishly, her happiness complete as she sneaks her hands into Robin's jacket, when she notices his attention was not on her.
"Dearest? What are you so wrapped up in that you're not paying proper attention to me?" Michelle coquettishly teases him with a pouty face, following his gaze out over the calm sea and the land on the horizon. She wondered what he could possibly find that was more tantalizing than what she was offering.
"Michelle." Robin's scratchy voice is serious, grave, making Michelle stand up straight. Concern started to overcome his features. "If something…happens…I want you to know—" He starts, his eyes troubled and foreboding. Michelle reaches out to his soul for comfort when suddenly the cruise ship rocks violently from stern to stern. Those above deck were tossed to and fro, screaming and panic stricken travelers just trying to hold on for dear life.
"Robin!" Michelle screams as she is thrown overboard, caught completely unaware by the unexpected tumult rising from her beloved friend—the ocean.
"Michelle!" Robin, despite a blow to the back of his head as he was thrown against the ship's metal deck, leaps to her rescue with amazing speed, her outreaching hand is grasped by his strong one. The dark waters below threatening to swallow her, Robin lifts Michelle with one hand, with an unbelievable spirit of strength. "Hold on!" He holds her close in his arms as the swishing waters continue to thrash the poor vessel back and forth. The captain of the ship's frustrated comrades could be heard bellowing from the loud speakers, ordering everyone below deck, to safety. The sudden, ferocious storm was battering the entire craft with dark pelting rains and vicious winds.
"Robin, what is it!" Michelle speaks directly to his mind, knowing their voices would be drowned out in the deafening winds.
"Michelle—hold on!" Robin's mind echoes through her as a wave of black water crashes over them, drenching them with it's ice cold waters. The ocean was her specialty, a very part of who she was, and her pain-stricken mind wonders why she didn't see this coming. She knew from instinct, this wasn't merely a storm threatening them. She could feel Robin's warmth despite their soaked clothes around her as they huddled together on the ground. Michelle steels herself as a soldier, ready for anything, knowing she could face any storm, any hardship, as long as Robin was at her side with her. She reaches out to his soul, needing him so desperately. Michelle's over-sensitive soul was always seeking out another for strength, though she never realized it as fear grips her heart. Over Robin's back, she sees a black tendril slowly rising from the chaotic sea, snaking across the bow, heading straight towards them…
"Robin!" Michelle squeaks out a scream as the tentacle wraps around him, ripping him from her arms as he is dragged to the end of the ship—the creature threatening to descend with Robin into the briny deep…
"Michelle!" Robin's mind calls out to hers for help. Michelle's courage mounts, her strength increases at his call. She flies to Robin, grasping the railing's edge as the monstrous creature plunges into the water, she just catches a glimpse of the horror as she holds onto the steel post. It was the only thing standing between them and certain death. The monster resurfaces, his one tentacle wrapped around Robin. It becomes two as it tugs at it's intended target—easy prey onboard an ocean going vessel to a dark creature of the sea were it not for another creature of the sea—a sailor soldier—whose power is suddenly released upon it with every ounce of strength within her. Unable to transform during the sudden attack, Michelle uses her intense powers of the mind on the beast, confusing it long enough for it to let go in shrieks of mental pain.
"Michelle!" Robin's mind calls out to her as she desperately tries to pull them both up. "Michelle, you can't pull us both up! Let me go!" Robin says from his heart.
"NO!" Michelle screams in defiance, gripping his hand tightly, pulling up, pulling—but the task was impossible.
"Michelle! You know it as much as I do! You can make it by yourself!" Robin desperately argues with her, feeling her grip slipping, both of them would be sent to their demise beneath the crushing ocean currents.
"Robin, I won't let you go! I won't!" Michelle cries out in protest, her screams able to be heard above the ocean torrents, as the monster returns, battering the sides of the ship in fury at the pain Michelle had caused. It tried to knock the dangerously, dangling couple from holding on. Both Robin and Michelle see the power beyond an earthly creature, threatening to blow a hole straight through the ship's stern. The thousand or so lives aboard were not prepared for the deadly impact.
"Michelle, the creature only wants me. We can't endanger the lives of everyone on this ship. Let me go." Robin's soul commands. Tears spring to Michelle's eyes as her fingers begin to slip from the edge of the railing.
The ship rocks violently, a screeching of metal could be heard as the vessel could take no more battering…
"Thank you, Michelle. I'm not alone anymore." Resigned to what he must do, Robin sees what's happening and knows it's all his fault. All those innocent people could not be lost because of him. And no matter how badly he wanted to be with Michelle, he loved her too much to have to make her choose between what was right and what she loved…
"NOOOO!" Michelle silently screams within as she feels Robin's mind enter her being, and caress her soul for a split second, just before he turns off the control of her left hand—the one gripping his so tightly, that would otherwise, never let go, even if it meant her own death. She watches in horror, her beloved soul mate's final smile in her eyes with his beautiful green ones, as he slips beneath the dark waves. The creature's shadow beneath the dark water swirls around where he disappeared.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Michelle tries to let go, she wanted to jump in with him, be with him, even if it meant dying with him. But somehow his control remains. Her right hand was unable to extricate itself from the railing, Robin had given his last ounce of strength to her, making her arms pull herself up by no action of her own. He knew her so well, so completely that he would have to do this for her, even as he descends into a watery grave.
"Noooooo, Robin!" Sprawled across the deck, looking, searching the dark waters for a sign, her mind loses contact with him. And Michelle's wails could be heard across the distance in utter pain and sheer agony, as she reaches out to another for help—that someone who could always make things right.
Calmly speeding down the highway, on their way to meet the happy honeymooners back from the long ocean voyage, Alex smirks at her husband's chattering. Suddenly, she cries out in pain, gripping her head. "Michelle!" Alex Sokova screeches, the sound terrifying to the ears of the other occupants of the red Ferrari she was driving as she holds her head in pain. She steps hard on the gas pedal, flooring it.
"Ally, what's—?" Worried, Sayer begins to ask beside her as the car accelerates forward. He too then suddenly grips his head as does Terry in the sedan behind them. Susan holds onto her husband to support him as he struggles with steering the vehicle. Little Tara's eyes become frightened in the back seat.
"Hurry my darlings, hurry! Healer—Healer needs you!" Princess Fireball's willowy voice could be heard echoing through the skies, filled with anxiety and worry as the wind picks up the Ferrari streaking red down the highway toward the ocean vista ahead, it's dark horizon foreboding the danger awaiting them all…
Robin! Robin! Michelle sobs onto the deck, her heart breaking as she finds his powerful mind still controlling her—rooting her body to the ship. Michelle struggles against it, wanting to jump in to rescue him, to find him, to be with him. Suddenly, Michelle's struggling ends—she now in full control of her own mind again…
"Robin!" She squeaks out in horror, not only losing his contact, but his sense of presence within her very soul. The sudden break in their link hits Michelle hard and she collapses again to her knees, knowing, but not accepting, what the disappearance of their bond meant.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Across the psychic plane, the screams of a tortured soul reverberate though the souls of all empathic beings—her pain felt, her agony unbearable. She clutches at the steel post, staring directly into the yellow eyes of the sea monster her mental exclamation brought back, alone-and angry at the person responsible for causing it such pain earlier. Dead inside already, Michelle simply stares into it's ferocious eyes, the half serpent, half octopus, half creature from hell itself opens it's razor sharp rows of teeth, about to devour this girl with the aqua hair and the hurtful mind. And in calm, frozen shock, Michelle does not move a muscle to get out of the way. Death didn't seem all that unwelcome at the moment, now that her beloved was…
"SPACE SWORD BLASTER!" From out of the darkened sky, a deep voice screams out her attack. Michelle only vaguely heard it, only slightly aware as the creature's tentacles are sliced in half, pouring green blood everywhere on the deck, all over Michelle, as the creature shrieks in agony.
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!" A blast from behind causes the creature further pain, sending it splashing into the ocean.
"Michelle!" Super Sailor Uranus rushes to her beloved, lifting her trembling body from the deck into a warm embrace.
"What happened!" Sailor Star Fighter is at their side, her eyes darting about in pain. "Where's Robin?" Fighter shouts.
"Amara…" Michelle sobs into Alex's chest. "Amara," she whispers, wanting this all to be a bad dream. She wanted to wake up and Robin would be there too, smiling at her.
"No!" Star Fighter sinks to her knees, Michelle's eyes told her all she needed to know…
Comforting the girl sobbing uncontrollably on her chest, Alex feels helpless for once. She too wishing beyond wishing that the shrimp was standing here beside them too…
"STAR GENTLE UTERUS!" Sailor Star Maker's low voice echoes across the pounding deck as a reattached tentacle crawls up the edge of the craft, grabbing at anyone in it's angry path-Fighter was about to be swallowed up by it.
"SILENCE GLAIVE SURPRISE!" Super Sailor Saturn's small voice, with power, adds her attack to Maker's, Just as the creature's head rises above the deck, it plummets back into the sea.
"Robin…" Michelle's whimperings fill Alex's passionate soul with despise for the beast before them. Angered, she turns on it's weakened form with fury as Maker takes Michelle in her arms.
"SPACE SWORD BLASTER!" Angrily, she physically sprints up to the monster, slicing its oversized head in two. She relished the instant pain reflected in it's eyes—it was pay back for the horror caused to her Michelle as the creature's bloody remains slip back into the deep tumult below.
Immediately, the skies clear to azure, the seas cease their broiling. Calm and silence, along with the sun shining as if nothing had just happened.
But it had. The empty hole in Michelle's agonizing soul told her this. His absence, the man she had fallen in love with—he who had become so much a part of her—was now gone. His very existence was erased from her soul. The piece of himself he had given to her was missing, leaving her listless and lonely. She was barely able to hear the voices of those worriedly littered around her.
"Michelle." After exchanging a handshake with Terry, gently holds her cousin's trembling shoulders. Michelle clings to her all the while, as Sayer and Terry return dripping wet from their dives, empty handed.
"Michelle." Alex repeats more firmly, shaking the poor girl from her despairing reverie a bit.
"Maybe if we go down again…maybe…." Sayer holds his head, shaking as tears stream down his cheeks.
"Sayer, it's been too long." Terry logically tries to reason with his brother as Sayer readies himself for another dive along with the helpful, though shell-shocked, crew of the ship at the kind captain's order.
"Too long—Robin! Princess, what should we do?" Even strong Terry breaks down in Susan's arms. She had joined them by way of a smaller craft, Terry had told her to stay behind from the battle in her condition. She didn't have time to argue and felt it true what he said. Terry's cries to his leader are not heard, as she was unable to establish contact once again. Only the sudden urgency of the moment of danger she was able to break through, despite it all.
"I don't care! Maybe he's all right! Maybe he's—Robin…" Sayer, too breaks down, he didn't realize just how much his brother had meant to him until it indeed was too late. He wrung his hands until a small, delicate one slipped in.
"Don't worry. Susan-mama told me that death isn't the end." Tara smiles softly, trying to be comforting—this question the child of death and rebirth was certain of.
"HE ISN'T DEAD! HE ISN'T!" Silent up to now, Michelle erupts like a geyser, her pent up emotions surge out. She jumps up from Alex's arms, denying what her mind was telling her. Her heart was certain of quite the opposite still—somehow feeling that Robin was still out there…somewhere…
He had to be—she could not go on without him. I know he's not dead…Michelle puts her hand to her heart as everyone watches in silent sadness at Michelle's overwrought emotions.
"If Robin were dead, I would know it." Michelle whispers. Everyone saw that fierce belief shining in her eyes—each wishing they could believe it too…
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but we couldn't find a trace of your husband." Biting his lip, the captain of this much traveled vessel has seen many a port, survived many a storm, and never before had he seen such a sudden, ferocious downpour, never such a quick clearing up afterwards—and never never, though he'd seen many in his sea-faring life—had his eyes seen such a woman whose soulful eyes were alight with such intense pain.
"Are you the victim's family?" The Captain turns from those eyes that seemed not to hear him, to the responsible looking woman she was clinging to.
"Yes." Alex answers, she never before this moment truly accepted Robin to be part of her family. A small smile almost comes to her face, as she reflects on how important the shrimp was to her. "Yes, he's my brother." Alex repeats. Michelle's lost eyes meets her for a long moment. No one could understand her as Alex did. Speaking of Robin so strangely endearingly and still in the present tense. No one, save for…
Robin. Michelle closes her eyes, not hearing the rest of what anyone had to say. The sympathy, the consolation was lost on her as she desperately tried to reach out to him as never before. Assuring herself over and over that he was still alive, that he was just closing his mind to her, hiding from her, teasing her. Michelle only wanted to feel him close, to hold him in her arms, to tell him over and over just how much she loved him. His last words echo back to her mind, as Alex lifts her in her arms, carrying her from the docked ship to the car. Susan, despite her tummy, held her grieving husband up as they returned to the car. Tara sweetly still clung to Sayer's distraught hand, leading him with her to the back seat of Terry's sedan at Alex's nod. She wanted to be alone with Michelle in the Ferrari.
"I'm not alone anymore." Over and over Michelle hears her sweet Robin's voice, sees his hand to his heart, that soft smile, those beautiful eyes…
"I'm not alone anymore." Michelle whispers aloud, his words searing to her core as she too holds her hand to her heart. Alex drives along, eyeing her silently, concern evident on her golden features for her most important one.
"…Not alone." Michelle repeats, gazing out over the crystal sparkling ocean she was leaving behind. Robin was not with her physically right now, but never, never again would she be left without him inside.
"I finally got her to sleep." Alex comes out of the bedroom of her and Sayer's apartment, a weary, saddened look on her serious face.
"Poor Michelle." Susan whispers sympathetically, knowing she too would be this upset, this lost, if anything ever happened to Terry. No! Don't even think it! Susan's eyes fill with tears, her emotional state delicate with the baby expected in less than 3 months. She tries to be strong for her grief-stricken husband, but cannot and she buries her tears on his chest.
"Susan." Terry whispers. Just having her with him comforted him, despite the sadness overtaking him as he stroked her hair softly.
"What happened! Who did this! That monster didn't just come out of nowhere!" Sayer says, his voice in pain as he searches for the reasons—and those responsible for Robin's…
"DAMN!" Sayer bangs at the glass window, threatening to break it with his angry fist at the no-answer situation. This man of action wanted to do something—to lash out at something! Realizing he'd do anything to just have Robin say something sarcastic to him just one more time, Sayer unashamedly collapses into tears on the floor.
"Shh." Alex goes to him, kneeling down to him, wrapping her arms around her other emotional responsibility. She knew just how close the three brothers truly were despite the petty bickering and coarse words. Her Sayer loved that little shrimp too. And in spite of it all, of his bad attitude, his snobbish sarcasm, his snide remarks, Robin was a part of their lives—of their unlikely family they'd all forged together through bonds of destiny. And it was hard, even for Alex, who never did get along with him, to accept the letting go. Michelle in her shock and grief and true belief seemed unwilling to let go. She insisted over and over as she drifted off into a medicine induced sleep that her Robin was alive and that he would come back to her.
"Shh." Alex swears silently at the pain this rotten life caused her beloved partners as she gazes out through the glass window at the blinding sunset, feeling Sayer's tears stain her neck as the sun burns into her disillusioned eyes. She wished, prayed, from the depths of her soul that somehow, unfailingly, Michelle was right about the shrimp being alive still…