Shorter, but I didn't know how else to end this chapter. Thank you lovelies for your kinds words I appreciate it a lot. I hope you enjoy!


"This place is amazing." Mina gushed slamming yet another cabinet in the kitchen.

Rei laughed, "It is. Best wedding gift ever."

Lita popped her head from the backyard door still in awe, "She had this built? Wow, I should have married a Hays if I knew she was giving out dream homes."

Serena and Ami came back downstairs after gushing over the second floor. Mrs. Hays had really outdone herself with everything. It was too perfect. Serena flopped onto the couch, Ami sitting on the loveseat next to her.

"We should make this our new hang out."

"Serena, I'm sure they want their space." Ami lectured, "Although I wouldn't object if you agree."

Serena smirked, "See Rei? Even Ami is willing to kick Jerry out of here every few months for a girls night."

Rei rolled her eyes coming out of the kitchen with mugs of tea. "Of course you'll be thinking of an ulterior motive."

"Hey, I didn't stop you from getting yourself involved with your husband way back when. No meddling at all. I deserve a medal for that at least." Serena pointed out.

Ami shook her head, "That's because you already saw everything you needed to with those two."

"The details are not important."

"Hey Rei," Mina called with an uncharacteristic serious tone, "What are these?"

Rei's smile dropped at the sight of the three pregnancy tests she had done earlier today and forgot to dispose of when her friends decided to drop by. Rei's hand moved over her flat abdomen feeling nothing, but knowing it was going to change.

"You're not a stereotypical blonde. You know what they are." Rei replied.

Mina walked over to living room, placing the three pregnancy tests on the table. Lita came in right after wondering why they had gone silent. She was almost as pale as Rei was when she looked down at the coffee table. Right in the middle of the colorful mugs of tea were three different pregnancy tests from different companies, but the result was all the same: 2 pink pluses and one of them that wrote positive.

"How long?" Lita asked as Rei shrugged.

"I don't know. I missed it, but I thought it was because of the after wedding stress and in law stuff and family stuff." Rei found herself rubbing her stomach for comfort. Did all women begin to do this the moment they find out?

Mina tried to be positive. "Can I say congratulations?"

Rei tried to smile, but it ended up looking more like a grimace. "I'm so scared."

Ami used her doctor voice, "It's normal to feel this way especially when you haven't been planning."

"You have no reason to be scared." Lita said taking Rei's hand in hers, "You are going to be an amazing mom."

"Am I going to be a good mom? I don't exactly have the best experiences."

Ami placed the test back on the coffee table, "Have you booked an appointment yet to confirm?"

"No." Rei sighed, "Why am I feeling like this? I should be happy. Ecstatic even, why do I feel as if someone just told me about the end of the world."

Serena sighed leaning her head on top of the couch, "You only had a few good memories with your mom. Your dad was never around, but he still showed you affection and love. Your mom died, you got rebellious and he couldn't take it anymore and dropped you off at your grandfather's temple in the middle of nowhere. I would be more concerned if you haven't had these worries."

Rei laughed, "Quite the history."

"Are you worried about Jerry? You don't have to. He'll be over the moon when he finds out." Mina commented causing Rei to wince.

"I kind of forgot about him. How do I tell him?"

"Pinterest has awesome ideas." Serena replied causing a pillow to be thrown in her direction, "You asked!"

"How about you set up a doctor's appointment first? I'll even do it for you. I happen to be good friends with the OB GYN so I'll pull some strings to get you an appointment as soon as possible." Ami said pulling out her phone shortly afterwards.

"I have another positive thing." Mina said, "Kael's office has awesome maternity leave and Jerry only goes to work like four days a week so he'll be fine too."

"How do you know about that?" Rei asked.

"We're friends."

"I thought he doesn't like friends." Lita commented, "Nate told me if they weren't so stubborn and certified insane, he would have dropped him like a bad habit a long time ago."

"Well, it's a new concept for him. We're friends." Mina repeated liking the way that felt on her tongue.

Serena stared at her with a blank expression, "I'm done meddling with all of you. I don't have it in me for another yelling match."

Ami got off the phone, "All set. This Thursday?"

Mina waved Serena off, "We're just friends. Platonic in every sense possible."

Rei nodded, "Yeah, this Thursday's fine." She looked into her mug, "I'm still scared."

Serena rested her head on Rei's shoulder, "You have no reason to be. You've grown so much since I first met you. You wouldn't even let me befriend you. I had to force my way into your life because I knew you were worth it. This baby already knows how much you love her in spite of your worries."

Mina nodded, "You used to take care of me when I got drunk or high or hungover. I admit it was rather aggressive, but I turned out fine."

"You're also one of the bravest people I know. You're were in need of a challenge. Now you'll get one for the rest of your life." Lita agreed.

"Also it'll be rewarding. You already know how not to parent a child. You'll make a few mistakes, but we'll be here when you need us." Ami concluded casing Rei's eyes to be teary.

Rei still wasn't that great with emotion so she chose to add humor to the situation. "So it's a girl?"

Serena laughed, "Or boy. It doesn't matter."

"Let's talk names!" Mina squealed.

And that's how Jerry found them all when he came home. Instead of finding his wife by herself, she was surrounded by her friends as they giggled and gushed over their electronic devices. He shook his head acknowledging all of them even though they only waved in reply. Her friends were just like his. His friends barged into his new home more times than he could count within the two weeks since they moved in. Somehow they all have gotten their hands on a copy of the keys to the house as well and the passcode. Jerry and Rei once woke up to Nate making breakfast to a hungover Darien who drank away his liver the night before because he became sad over his most recent break up. Also at least they dropped by at decent hours. 2 in the morning, Rei almost killed him because she had a case the next morning.

Rei made her way upstairs to her bedroom where her husband was typing away in bed, "So the girls are staying over tonight. Where are the spare pillows and blankets?"

"Some are still in the wash from my friends' impromptu sleepover two nights ago. I don't know if we have enough." Jerry replied laughing, "We are friends with emotional basketcases."

"We're not exactly sane either."

Jerry shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. "What were you guys giggling about?"

She flashed him a smile that meant she had a secret, "I'll tell you in two days."

"There's a time stamp?"

Rei nodded, "Yes. I've been told you'll be over the moon. Better than our wedding."

Jerry raised an eyebrow, "One of the happiest days of my life? It beats our wedding?" He had a lot of those since meeting Rei. "What could top off that? Are you pregnant?"

The smile remained as Rei shrugged nonchalantly, but Rei was never good at hiding the emotions in her eyes. He could see the limitless joy that sparkled her violet eyes. Jerry's eyes widened as Rei all but ran away with the blankets and pillows.

"Rei?" He called out, but he heard no reply. Her eyes told him everything even though her voice said nothing. His smile grew wider, he's going to be a dad! A dad! He flopped on top of his bed laughing to himself. He'll wait for her to tell him, but that didn't mean he couldn't call all of his friends right now.


Serena's eyes never left her sister's fidgeting figure. Rini's leg was moving up and down and she had crinkled the booklet in her hands. Serena opened her mouth to talk to her sister only to be interrupted by thunderous applause when the graduates entered the auditorium.

Rini clapped just like the rest of them, resembling the tearful parents; however, her tears weren't of joy. They talked about this. He was going to be attending NYU, which was in another country. He was going to come back every break time when he could. Helios was going to be studying architecture with a minor in history, his original passion. They haven't even been a couple for a year and they are going to be once again separated.

Helios was unsurprisingly valedictorian. His best friend may have been top of the class, but his lack of school spirit irked their school officials so they gave the duty to Helios. He was a student representative, president of the debate team, and an all around nice guy. He gave an impassioned speech about hope and the future including quotes that would help guide the younger classes that would be graduating in the years to come. He even threw in a couple of pop culture reference that made his class snicker. His eyes met hers as he spoke his last words.

"If you never try, you'll never know." Rini tried to muster up her best smile at him. He was right. They had to try. Why was this so difficult?

"Congratulations class of 2016."

"Do you believe you and him are meant to be?" Serena asked in the same voice she used for all of her clients. Her sister heard her despite the loud crowd.

Rini's tear filled gaze met hers, "I do."

"Don't give up hope. Even when the world is telling you it can't be done." Serena's eyes followed Helios as he left the stage, his group of four finding him easily. All of them surrounded by their families and loved ones.

"Why aren't you over there?"

Rini shrugged not sure why either. "He's going to be a different country. He's going to meet people and grow and change. What if I don't fit anymore? What if he doesn't fit when he comes back?"

"It's a risk you have to take. If that does happen, know that it isn't the end of the world. Know that I'll be right here, waiting for you with open arms." Serena replied causing Rini to beam at her.

"I love you."

Serena returned her smile, "No curfew."

"What?" Rini asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Honestly, I don't even want you to come home tonight."

Sammy met his sisters, hearing a part of their conversation. "She's right Rini. It's graduation night. You don't want to be the only one watching rom coms crying into your popcorn."

"I wasn't going to do that!" Rini exclaimed, "Why do I have to stay out all night? It's not even my graduation."

"Ami graduated before me and I didn't return home until noon the next day. Grandma was expecting it." Serena commented exchanging triumphant looks with her brother.

"I remember my football captain who graduated two years before me. I didn't come home until the next night. We took a ferry to the next town over." Sammy replied smirking at the memories. "It's your boyfriend's graduation. Don't get pregnant and have fun. Let's see if you can stay out til midnight tomorrow."

Rini rolled her eyes spotting her friends greet her boyfriend. "You're so annoying. Fine. I'll see you both tomorrow."

They watched Rini run over instantly linking arms with Diana who was currently in a battle of wits with Ansel. It was going to be the last one of those for a while until they meet up again. Judging by how serious Rini and Helios were, it wasn't going to be long.

Sammy laughed, "We're such bad influences."

"Well compare us to her, she's the goody two shoes in the family. It'll be nice for her to have fun for once." Serena replied then threw her arm around her brother's shoulders. He was a head taller than her so even in her heels, she had to stand on her tiptoes.

"Let's get dessert. You're paying right?"

Sammy frowned, "You're the older one, shouldn't you be paying?"

"I pay your rent." Serena shot back dragging her brother towards his car.

Later that night, Rini finally made her way out of the crowded living room. Carswell had a rather neglectful family with him being the black sheep and all so for his last act of rebellion, he threw the party of the century with a bunch of high school students. Rini was sure he invited the entire school and more. Rini stood behind Diana as she took a round of shots with ease. Rini shook her head, Diana could be quite the party girl like her older cousin once was. Rini jumped away more than once as she made her way towards the balconies across the makeshift dance floor. Where did Carswell get a DJ? People were getting rather handsy when they got enough to drink. Rini was the exact opposite of her siblings who gave their grandmother quite the headache growing up. She found no appeal to this scene. Her boyfriend got dragged away by his senior class so he was no where to be found either.

"Rini."

She forced a smile holding the lemonade, which she was sure was spiked, in his direction. "Fun party."

Helios chuckled reading her, "You're not having fun are you?"

Rini rolled her eyes putting the glass down on the table behind her. "I'm not good at these things. The most party I can do is the after hour school pool party that's thrown every year once school starts or the bon fire. The parties where I can borrow a haute couture gown from Mina's work, even better. A fun time with my closest friends, I love those. A typical high school house party, they are lame."

"Quite opinionated for a 16 year old."

"I just happened to be more mature. I find no humor in drinking and losing those precious memories." Rini retorted, "I bet Diana's having the time of her life."

"Let's just say her and Ansel are becoming rather friendly after having a few drinks in their system."

Rini gave him a deadpanned expression, "Are we a part of a romantic comedy? That's so typical."

Helios laughed, "I don't think they'll be dating anytime. Ansel still has to get over his playboy stage. He is in no way ready for a relationship."

"Diana has to get over herself. She has a very idealized version of what love is. There's a reason why she always has a boyfriend. She has to grow up first." Rini replied, "I can kind of see it now that you've pointed it out."

"He needs someone who can bring him back to reality. We'll let them figure it out unless, your cupid instincts take over." Helios teased.

Rini shook her head laughing, "No. My siblings abilities are very powerful and that comes with their drive. Serena more than Sammy, but he too has meddled in his fair share of romances when the urge takes over. I just feel their emotions, not who they are destined for."

"So you feel my emotions?" Helios asked in a serious tone.

Rini slowly shook her head, "I can't feel yours. I feel other couples, but not my own or yours. It doesn't work that way."

"Can we talk about the elephant in the room?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rini deflected as Helios sighed in exasperation.

"You can't avoid it forever. I'm moving to New York in four months."

Rini groaned, "Why do we have to talk about it?"

"Because that's what couples do." Helios took a deep breath in and out before continuing, "I don't know what you want to do."

Rini sank down onto the ground thankful to be wearing jeans. "I don't know. What do you want to do? You're my first boyfriend. I don't have the experience."

Helios sat down next to her, "You think I do? Just because I've dated before, that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing. Do you want to break up?"

Rini had thought about that option before. It sounded logical, but also the easy way out and that wasn't her. She shook her head, "No."

"So long distance?"

Rini once again shook her head, "I don't like that one either. We're both going to change so much. I still have two more years of high school left and who knows maybe I don't want to go to New York. I'm looking into Lunara."

"I agree. We could be completely different people when we're together again and I don't want to ruin what we have now." Helios took her hand in his, "You've given me some of the happiest memories of my life."

"You have given the same to me too." Rini sighed, "I don't know what to do. What if we confessed earlier?"

"Even if we were together for years before this, we were always going to have this conversation. I did conclude my childhood with no regrets."

Rini beamed, "How do you always see the good in everything?"

"It's what I do." Helios replied matching her smile with his.

Rini rested her head on his shoulder, "I don't want this to be the end, so why does it feel like it?"

"I have an idea." Helios suggested feeling like this was the best one. He wasn't sure how she would take it though. "You do your thing and I'll do mine. If we end up together in the end, then ok."

When Rini blinked, tears fell down her cheeks. "So we are breaking up?"

Helios wiped them away shaking his head, "No. Our timing was wrong never us. We're not breaking up forever. We're just letting each other grow."

"So I can date whoever I want?"

Helios laughed ignoring his throat clenching, "Yes. Who knows? He may surpass me."

Rini shook her head, "That's not possible. At least, not now. There isn't anyone that has been better for me than you."

"I feel exactly the same, but I can't forbid you from seeing other people you were meant to just because of a boyfriend thousands of miles away. You'll never grow and I would feel awful if I stopped that." Helios explained, his eyes becoming blurry from his tears.

Rini nodded, "I would hate myself if I did that to you. I'm still in high school dealing with high school problems. One day, I won't be. I'll grow up and realize these four years really didn't matter, but now they do. I'm not going to hold you back either from growing."

"We still have four months left." Helios pointed out, "I don't think I'm going to change my mind from this decision."

"You've been thinking about this for a while? I know you. You're quite the planner."

Helios shrugged holding onto her hand, "You may resent me if we stay together."

"How?" Rini asked, she couldn't see herself feel that way towards him.

"There are going to be times where you need to talk to me or need a hug, but I may not be there. I could be busy with homework or I could be hanging out with my friends and I don't hear my phone."

"And I would blame you after a while." Rini concluded, "because you weren't there."

"Because it's you, I'll let you blame me." Helios smiled shaking his head, "I don't want us to hate each other in the future."

"I hate this." Rini confessed, "I do think it is for the best though."

"How about someday?"

Rini nodded wrapping her arms around him, burying her face against his neck so he wouldn't see her cry. "Someday."

Helios wrapped his arms around her waist holding her tightly, "Someday."


Serena banged on the door once again to Kael's penthouse. Apparently this is where Darien had been staying at since his breakup with Madeline. She didn't understand why he couldn't remain there since she heard Madeline offered to leave. Now their apartment they shared was empty. This was one of his bad nights. He had consumed himself in his job so while numbers were going up, his mental state had been declining. His assistant, Lana, kicked him out of the office after his outbreak over the lack of toilet paper in the men's room even though he had his own jointed one in his office. Without work, he had been a mess.

"You're here!" Nate exclaimed opening the door gesturing with his hand for her to come in.

When she walked in, she saw Kael sitting on the couch with a rolled up newspaper, Jerry sitting on Darien's back, and a computer Zane who was currently having his own outburst with the man on the ground. After a few curses thrown left and right from Darien, Kael came in smacking Darien's posterior with newspaper with a surprising amount of force. At least Darien had a good reason why he shouldn't be alone in his time of need. She hadn't spoken to Darien since the wedding, but everyone else was still moving forward even when she needed a break.

She turned to Nate who came back with a mug of water. She reached out for it only for him to pull it away from her. "It's not for you."

He dumped the water on Darien's head, which resulted in him passing out after flopping around like a fish on dry land. All of the men around him began to relax their postures.

"What the hell happened?" Serena exclaimed.

Jerry plopped onto the ground after sliding off his friend's back. "It's a long story. He had a little too much tequila."

"When he has too much of that, he gets kind of angry." Nate continued.

"He started a fight with the mirror." Zane snapped before shutting himself off.

Serena looked over at the poor pathetic state of her friend, what had happened? Her voice became soft, "Why did you call me?"

"Just watch him." Jerry replied, "We have a mess to clean up and we can't lose him. You're the only one that won't let that happen."

"Let's just say he made a lot of mistakes and money fixes everything." Kael finished, "Let's go."

The three men exited the apartment shutting the door behind them. She looked around seeing the once sterile home look as if it had been wrecked by a tornado. Her heart dropped at the sight of Darien on the ground laying on the water stain on the floor. This wasn't supposed to happen.

She wasn't sure how long it took for him to wake up, it must have been two hours. His friends still hadn't returned making her wonder how big of a mess it was. At the first sight of consciousness, she dropped her phone on the floor kneeling beside him. He groaned rubbing his head.

"Meatball head?"

Serena laughed forcefully, "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

"Shut up." Darien retorted giving her his first smile since Madeline broke up with him. He hadn't talked to Serena in a long time too. "How are you doing?"

"Better than you." Serena quipped helping him onto the couch, "You gave them quite the scare."

Darien ran a hand through his hair then proceeded to shake his head like a dog. Serena gasped as the water his her. Her eyes narrowed at him before attacking him with the cushion next to her. Darien threw his arms out in defense laughing even though Serena's hits weren't exactly gentle.

"Stop, I'm sorry." Darien cried holding onto his stomach. It had been a while since he laughed like that.

Serena stopped her attacks, her laugh mixing in with his. "I don't see you for how long and you got more annoying? How is that possible?"

"I don't know." Darien replied instead of his usual flippant retorts. "How have you been? Honestly."

"I'm not pining over you if that's what you're thinking. That's beneath me." Serena said quickly before sighing, hugging the cushion. "I'm living my life. You weren't in it. That's all."

"I miss you." Darien leaned against the couch, "A lot happened and I need cupid insight."

Serena sighed nodding, "What's up?"

"Maddie said we weren't working. We haven't been in a long time. What does that mean?" Darien asked with a dejected expression she had seen when he was struggling under his friend on the floor a few hours ago.

"Are you trying to ask if she's right?" Serena asked. When Darien said nothing she continued, "You never had doubts? You never questioned if maybe if she wasn't it? Darien, you've placed her on a pedestal even after she took your broken heart in a jar around the world with her. I am still astounded by your devotion."

Darien groaned rubbing his eyes, "Of course I had doubts. I believed in our future though. That's the bigger picture."

"Not your happiness. Darien…"

"Serena," Darien interrupted, "You knew from the beginning how I felt about her. I need you to say something different than everybody else."

"Different? You want different? Fine. Just give me a few moments." Serena counted her inhales and exhales trying to remain calm. Now wasn't the time for Serena, Darien's best female friend. It was time for servant of Eros.

"Why would she say that? She was once hopelessly devoted to you." Serena knew bits of why she would, but she wasn't going to tell him. That was between Madeline and Darien, not a third party that overheard.

"She said I have feelings for you." Darien replied in a monotonous tone that made Serena pause.

"What else?" Serena asked trying to keep her voice steady. "I barely remember that night and I know you feel the same. Why would she say that?"

"My drunk self is my honesty. Even drunk, I've never had a one night stand or slept around. She never had to worry about that. When I'm drunk, I act on my feelings. I act with no regrets. I do things I've always wanted to do, but I never do it because of the consequences." Darien explained and Serena wasn't sure she liked the empty tone his voice had.

She tried to play it off. "You wanted to have sex with me. Not a big deal. That was lust, not anything more."

Darien leaned closer to Serena causing her to pull away, "Why would I ruin my relationship with lust? I act on my feelings. Nothing would have happened if I didn't have feelings for you."

"Why are you telling me this?" Serena asked ignoring the dancing nerves along her spine when he was only centimeters away. When she took a breath that's when she knew what was going on.

"You're drunk."

Darien grinned nodding, "It's not going to last."

"Good night, Dare-bear." Jerry sang suddenly from behind Serena.

Serena was suddenly yanked away when an arm came around her stomach pulling her away. Serena looked up relieved to find Kael behind her. Nate and Jerry had somehow knocked out Darien and were lifting him off the couch.

"I apologize for leaving you alone with that asshole. Had I known he wouldn't have sobered up, we wouldn't have left you alone with him." Kael explained letting Serena go.

"Is that why he's become an expert at nursing drinks?"

Kael nodded, "Darien may be honest when he drinks enough, but without inhibitions, he's not a good person. I believe it's hereditary. Trista becomes the exact same way and his grandmother doesn't drink either."

"What about everything he said? You said he's honest so he's telling the truth."

Kael frowned, "It may be true, but he could be exaggerating. Don't think too much about it, the chances of him remembering are small."

"He can remember them still?" Serena asked feeling dread.

Kael examined her with the eyes of a lawyer, "What did he tell you that makes you so scared?"

Serena felt no reason to lie. Kael may not have been her best friend, but when it came to rational and cold, he's her guy. "He has feelings for me. Romantically. He asked me why he would ruin his relationship based on lust."

"Shouldn't you be over the moon? My understanding is that you still have those same feelings. Madeline and Darien broke up. What's stopping you from being with him?" Kael replied.

Serena shook her head, "If only it was that easy. I would be hurting Madeline and I don't wish for that to happen."

"All you have to do is convince him to be with you. Madeline initiated the break up so it was her fault. You're just reaping in the rewards."

"It's not that simple because I care about his happiness. He may have feelings for me, but he's happy with her. We may be soul mates, but that doesn't mean anything when I could be a set of two." Serena explained, but Kael didn't understand so she tried another explanation.

"Trista will always be your soulmate. You only get one of those." Serena explained, "She just wasn't who you were meant to be with."

Kael frowned feeling more confused than ever, "I thought your goal in life were soul mates."

Serena smiled even though it didn't reach her eyes. This was always a more complex topic to discuss because it wasn't common, "There are two kinds of soul mates. The ones that are meant to be together because they fit and the ones that aren't. Just because she's the other half of your soul, it doesn't mean it was meant to last."

Kael exhaled, "I don't understand."

Serena laughed as she sank down next to him. "It's rare, but more common than you think. Some people, their soulmate is also the person they are meant to be with. Others, you'll meet two people in your life. Your soulmate and the person you're meant to be with. There are reasons for both."Why do you think Trista and yourself didn't end up together?"

"Because I messed up. Because she didn't have the guts to tell me or she tried and I didn't listen." Kael explained trying to get into his younger self's head. "We weren't good together. We were once, but I changed. Her husband makes her happy and that's all I wanted for her."

Serena nodded, "Exactly. Darien and I may be soulmates, but we're not supposed to be together. I have my own reasons why it wouldn't end well and he does too. Maybe Madeline is the one he's supposed to be with."

"Do you honestly believe that?"

"I do." Serena replied. After coming to this conclusion, it was easier to accept her broken hearted fate. She was going to get over him. It didn't matter how long it took, she was going to. That didn't mean she was going to stop being friends with him, that's impossible. Somehow the man in front of her had integrated himself in her life in such intricate ways, it would be impossible to not include him in her life. Even though she was still coming to the conclusions of her feelings for him, that wasn't more important than their friendship. It meant getting answers.


For the second time that day, Serena was banging on another door. How silly, it feels like cupid work going from one half of a pair to the next being the messenger. Only this time, it's Darien. Darien who had never been a client to begin with. The door finally opened with Madeline Blanc looking as flawless as ever. Even after a breakup while Darien drank himself to a grave, she looked well rested and her hair. Serena found herself comparing her Rapunzel like one to the mane of dark red cherries. The shiniest cherries she had ever seen. The universe was unfair. She did have to comfort her mess of an ex last night so she had an excuse.

"Can I come in?" Serena asked politely.

Madeline nodded, "Sure, I'm surprised to see you here." She opened the door wider for Serena to slip through.

"How have you been?" Serena asked trying to maintain her calm demeanor towards the woman sitting across from her.

Madeline smirked, "Let's just get straight to the point. You're here to ask me about Darien."

Serena started doing exactly just that. No pleasantries were needed. "It's not a break."

Madeline shook her head, "No, it's not."

"You hurt him." Serena said. She will never be able to get that image of Darien sprawled out on the floor out of her head.

"I know him better than anyone. I know exactly how to hurt him." Madeline replied in a casual tone, her eyes never leaving her phone.

"You weren't supposed to do that!" Serena exclaimed while Madeline said nothing continuing to play with her phone. Serena groaned in aggravation.

Serena snatched her phone in her hands. Madeline blinked a few times before slowly turning to Serena. No mask adorned her face when she faced Serena. Her eyes glassy from the unshed tears that were building up and the pain that matched Darien's a few hours ago. Maybe she was more of a mess, she just hid it better.

"I'm a spoiled brat. Were you expecting anyone else?" Madeline snapped. Never had she heard anyone sound so defeated.

Serena sighed sitting down on the couch next to her. She began at the root of their problems. "He doesn't remember."

Madeline gave a bitter smile, "Darien's drunk self acts in the present. He isn't the type to sleep with just anyone even if he's drunk. You're the first."

Serena found it hard to breath especially finding out this new information. She tried to convince herself that Darien had been exaggerating about how significant she had been. Even now she was still trying to shake off her importance. "What are you talking about?"

"You're the first person he has ever made a drunken mistake with. In all of your years of experience with love, can you tell me why?" Madeline asked and for once Serena didn't know the answer so she stayed silent.

Madeline continued, "Darien knows me more than I know me. Vice versa, it's the exact same way for me. I know him more than he knows himself. For example, I knew how much it would hurt him when I didn't accept his proposal all those years ago. I still did it because of his devotion to me. Just like now, I know he has feelings for you. I'm putting him first for the first time. I'm stepping back."

Serena shook her head vehemently, "No, you're not supposed to do that. I stepped back. I don't want to be with him. I can't make him happy! It's supposed to be you!"

"You're a much better person than me. Don't you deserve someone like Darien. He's the best man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. The fact that he loved me when I didn't deserve it shows." Madeline explained trying hard to not sob, but failing. She had hid so long and now she was exploding like a volcano.

Serena closed her eyes for just a moment, when she opened them, she saw all she had to. It was a rare color, a pale gold. Almost mistaken as a crush, but the body language was different Resigned fate. "I really can't convince you, can I?"

Madeline wiped away the single tear that fell, "I told you that a part of me isn't in love with him anymore. The part of me that is still in love with him just wants his happiness. Even if I have to hurt him first. I love him enough to let him go. For the first time, I'm putting him first."

"It doesn't matter if he can't let you go." Serena replied. She felt wetness against her cheek. Why was she crying as well?

"Why are you so resigned to be single forever?"

Serena sighed rubbing her temples, "It's complicated. Well for starters I'm cursed. Cursed to not be in love. If I meet that soul mate I keep preaching, it's not going to last. It's going to hurt a lot and I don't want to deal with it. Call me a coward, but I don't want to deal with that pain. In regard to being single, it's going to happen so I accepted it. Love was for everyone else but me. I'm not unhappy, I'm actually very happy for the most part. Of course one day I would love to come home to someone because my siblings will be leaving me in a short period of time."

Madeline smiled and for the first time, Serena could see it meeting her eyes. "That's a lot to mull over."

"Yep." Serena replied emphasizing the 'P' sound at the end. "I suppose I ramble sometimes. In the end, I guess I'm just like you. With Darien, I just want him to be happy."

"You could set him up with a potential." Madeline suggested causing Serena to laugh and shake her head.

"He tried to kill me the last time he was my client. I don't want that ever again. Probably one of the worst clients in the world." Serena joked. Her eyes met Madeline's, "Had circumstances been different, I actually see us being friends."

Madeline surprisingly nodded, "I agree as well. We have quite the history. Now it doesn't seem possible."

"Yeah. Maybe in a few decades when Darien finds someone better than both of us who actually wants to be with him. We could be friends then." Serena suggested. Never in a million years did she believe this moment would come, but here she was with the supposed crazy Madeline Blanc. For the first time, Serena understood the woman across from her. She wasn't an immortal goddess. She wasn't a selfish woman or vindictive one, but a woman who was as flawed as the rest of us.

"Something's missing." Serena muttered, "You have wine don't you?"

Madeline giggled nodding, "White or red?"

"How about we make our way across the gradient?"

"Best idea I've heard all day." Madeline replied making her way towards the kitchen.

Never had Serena imagined this.