Chapter 37. Tough Love.

"Are you okay?" asked Mina.

"Yes," replied Haruka.

"What Yaten did it wasn't called for."

"That's not exactly true."

"Well, um…I guess you kissing me was called for an overreaction but not the way Yaten did it. I mean it wasn't the right moment to do such a…" Mina looked at Haruka as she was staring right her. "I…lost my train of thought." Mina rubs her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kiss you."

"You didn't?" Mina felt a little crush cause she thought she was a great kisser.

"I only did it to get Yaten mad."

"Why?"

"Because…"

Back at the party, Andrew had everyone put attention on him and Lita. He had a very important announcement. Lita didn't have a clue of what Andrew was up to so she just smiled at everyone. Andrew turned to her and was about to pull out something out of his jacket.

"I get to give the birthday girl her first gift," said Andrew. "This gift was the reason for this party and I hope you like it." Andrew gave Lita a long envelope.

Lita took the envelope and began to open it. Everyone watched as she opened it and read a letter. Her eyes widen and a big smile formed on her face. She became speechless as she continued to stare at Andrew who had a smile on his face.

"Lita what is it?" asked Raye curious to know what the present was.

"It's the best present ever," said Lita still looking at the letter then she turned her eyes to Andrew. "It's an acceptance letter for a full scholarship to study abroad in a Culinary school of Arts in Paris, France." Ooohs and ahhs were heard and people began to clap for Lita's acceptance to a great school. "Andrew I can't take this."

"Lita you're crazy," said Raye. Serena covered Raye's mouth.

"I can't go to France and leave you here for two or maybe three years. I'd miss you too much." Lita handed him the envelope.

"Check the envelope again."

"Huh?" Lita re-opened the envelope and took out the acceptance letter. Behind it was an airline booklet. She opened the booklet and saw one ticket to Paris, France with her name on it. Lita didn't understand. She moved her ticket and found another ticket with Andrew's name on it.

"I'd miss you too much." Lita smiled and hugged Andrew tightly. She then kissed him passionately on the lips. Andrew was surprised to receive that and when Lita released his lips he almost stumbled.

"We're going to Paris together." Lita had the biggest smile ever. Everyone cheered for the happy couple. "I love you." Lita hugged Andrew again as everyone cheered the couple on. Andrew's eyes widen when he heard Lita say those last three words. He never expected for her to say it first.

"This is good," said Serena. "Happy stuff."

"Yeah," said Raye as she sniff. Serena looked at her and saw tears in her eyes.

"Raye you're crying."

"No I'm not." She tried to dry up her eyes with her hands.

Meanwhile, Mina and Haruka were walking down the streets talking. The two were silent for a while as they approached Mina's apartment building. Mina turned to Haruka and finally found something to say after the long silent moment they had.

"You should let out," said Mina. "I think he wouldn't be cocky about it like Yaten."

"You think?" said Haruka.

"Yeah." Mina turned to her apartment building. "Thanks for walking me home. You want to come up? I could get you some ice for your nose."

"I'm okay. Thanks." Haruka turned around and headed back the direction they had come from. Mina then headed for the front door of her apartment building but Haruka's voice stopped her form entering. "Hey, Mina." Mina turned around and looked at Haruka. "That was a hell of kiss." Mina smiled. "Don't tell Michiru." Haruka winked at her and walked away.

Subsequently at the other side of town in a bar, Yaten was wasting all the money he had in his wallet. He was a complete mess and an even bigger mess by being drunk. Sitting at the bar with his head down and a half empty bottle of whiskey.

"Yaten this is enough," said Seiya who had been watching his brother waste away and did not have the power to stop him because he had always been the most stubborn of the three.

"Leave me alone," moan Yaten. "I don't need a mom right now."

"Well, too bad." Seiya gabbed the glass of whiskey in his hand and drank it himself which was not the brightest idea. "Eww. That's disgusting."

"Let me rot alone Seiya. Just leave."

"Not happening." Seiya pulled Yaten from the stool. Yaten stumbled a little. He struggled to get away from his brother but in his drunken state he couldn't fight much and allowed for his brother to take him.

By the time they arrived at Yaten's apartment, Yaten was out like light. Seiya dragged him into the apartment and dropped Yaten on the floor while he looked for the light switch. He found it and when he turned it on he was surprised to see Mina.

"Mina what are you doing here?" asked Seiya.

"I have a key," said Mina showing Seiya her key. "I thought he'd go straight to his apartment." Mina looked at Yaten who was asleep on the floor where Seiya had dropped him. "Is he drunk?"

"Yeah, sort of. I couldn't stop him. It was a miracle that I got him here." Seiya walked over to Yaten to pick him up. Mina then opened the door to his bedroom and Seiya dragged Yaten over to his bed.

"I'll take care of him tonight."

"Are you sure. He's a little grouchier when he's drunk."

"I can handle it. Thanks for bringing him home."

"Good night." Seiya left the apartment. Mina started to take off Yaten's shoes off and placed a blanket over him. She then took off her own shoes and got into the bed next to him. Mina was facing a sleeping Yaten's face. He looked almost innocent but she knew other wise. She caressed his face and kissed his forehead.

"Goodnight." Mina turned off the light and drifted off to dreamland.

Lita's surprised party was coming to an end and the last bunch of people left at about 2 in morning. Lita closed the door and saw that her closest friends were still in the apartment. She watched Serena putting away the left over food and Rayed picking up the plastic plates and glassed from all the tables. Kunzite and Andrew moving the dinning table back into it's place, while Amy and Taiki moved the chairs.

Seiya walked over to Serena and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Serena was startled at first but calmed down quickly. She then turned to face him and smiled a fake smile. Serena was still thinking about her problem with Diamond. She wanted to forget it and hug Seiya tightly.

Andrew walked up to Lita and grabbed hold of her hand. Lita looked at Andrew and smiled at him.

"I still can't believe you did this," said Lita. "I'm overwhelmed."

"That was the whole idea," said Andrew. "Lita you mean everything to me and knowing that attending this art school in Paris would make you happy is something I wanted to make happen."

"Thank you." Lita laughed. "I think I've said that like a zillion times. I'm really happy you're coming with me. I don't know what I would do in place where I don't know anybody."

"Well, you got me. The girls could come visit you. It's not like you've been banished."

"I know. I'll never forget tonight."

"There will be many more memorable nights to remember I promise you that." Andrew embrace Lita as she wrapped her arms around him.

"I've never been more happier than I am tonight."

"I'm glad that your happy." Andrew tipped Lita's chin and kiss her lips gently.

Serena decided to pull away from the cleaning to check on Rini. She entered her daughters room and she saw that she was sleeping soundly. Serena sighed and had hoped that she could feel as peaceful and serene as Rini is, but she knew she could not. She grabbed brown bear next to Rini in her crib. It wore a light blue collar with a pendant that looked like a diamond.

Flashback:

Serena returned home from a hard days work and she was a very exhausted pregnant woman. She was four months along and her belly was very noticeable. Two arms massaged her shoulder and Serena felt like she was in heaven. She turned around and smiled at the man behind her who had a small bag in his hand.

"Is that for me?" asked Serena. "It better be food. I'm starving."

"I've already got that covered," said the man. "Chinese."

"Yum." Serena smiled greedily.

"This is for the baby."

"Diamond you didn't have to…"

"I wanted to." Diamond took out what was in the small bag. It was a small brown bear wearing a light blue collar with a diamond on it.

"It's so cute. I'm sure she'll love it." Serena hugged Diamond. "Just as much as I love you."

Flashback End:

Serena closed her eyes and wish she could erase her time with Diamond whom she once felt safe with until he became obsessive over her. She hated that the relationship ended like it did, Serena running back home to Japan. She never imagine that he would follow her there.

AN: This one had also been a long time coming. Sorry for the long waits. I guess some people are becoming dis-interested in the story. I have some greay ideas for the next chapters to come. Give me time.