Sunset At Paradise Cove
Chapter 18
Author's Note: Hi everyone just want to thank everyone who is sending in there thoughts and reviews I love to hear from all of my readers and also I wanted to mention that I will be taking a week's vacation so the next chapter could be delayed by a few days sorry for the interruption, but I will try to get it out as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and following along and please continue to send your thought and reviews. Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Serena stood in fronts of her friend Rei's place as she reached up her hand to knock on the door and then stepped back a step to wait then placed her hand down on flat stomach as she reassured the child growing within her "don't you worry little one we will figure this out somehow, but for tonight we should be able to get some food and a warm place to sleep at least for one evening"
She waited a moment longer and couldn't hear any walking around or voices within and looked in through the small shaded window, but did not see any movement inside either then sat down on the front stoop as she took a deep breath in assuming that Rei probably stepped out somewhere with her parents to actually enjoy each other's company without the added pressure of having to close a deal.
She let out the breath she was holding feeling like she was trapped between worlds of the high-class society her parents expected of her and the normal day to day life she wanted for herself, but being left with nowhere to go in either.
She wiped a stray tear from her eyes expecting by now her parents had figured out she was gone and was not sure if they would be out searching for her to fulfil their heinous plans and continue to control her life in what their image of a perfect daughter is or were relieved that she was gone and could save face in front of all their society friends as she wiped a tear away from the face that took up half a page in a business magazine last month at her father's insistence.
She shook her head knowing the choice she was making and leaving behind the life she once knew and felt no regrets doing so, then pulled out her phone from her pocket, one of the few things she still had with her or at least until her parents cancelled her service. She dialed the number she knew by heart and waited until the voices message picked up again and she heard his voice once more on the other side as let out a little sigh hearing "hey you've reached Darien you know what to do after the beep"
She heard the loud beep signaling that she could leave another message as she took a deep breath in unsure of what kind of message, she could even tell him. She couldn't say she was having his baby over a phone message or a text it was far too impersonal and she didn't want to start with 'hey I'm homeless, and, how are you?' she took a deep breath in stating "hi it's Serena I miss you. I hope you are doing okay I still think of you all the time, call me ok. I love you" and then hung up the phone.
She starred down at her phone of the picture from the two of them together when they were just smiling and walking down the beach and fantasized about being on that sandy beach with him right now holding her hand, where things were much simpler. She put her hand down to her stomach while speaking aloud to comfort herself "don't you worry little one, once your daddy calls back, he will know what to do I'm sure of it"
She heard her stomach let out a loud grumbling in response and silently wished she hadn't skipped all her meals today and stood up from the stoop knowing she would need to find a meal from somewhere that wouldn't take away from the small amount of cash she carried with her and knew just the place to go to, but it would involve a lot of explaining to do.
She walked the distance that would normally take her less than ten minutes to drive by car, but now was over an hour walking and with each further step she took she could feel her feet throbbing until she finally came to the more populated downtown district where Lita's family restaurant was located.
She walked past several small boutique stores which many had signs in their windows that they were closing, until finally she came to the small family restaurant that Lita's family owned and the two-bedroom apartment they lived in above it as she walked up to the front entrance seeing the restaurant was not overly crowded and tried to look as calm as possible when inside she felt anything but.
Lita's mother who is one of the best cooks she has ever known, looked up from helping a customer with a friendly wave of her hand as greeting and then politely excused herself and stepped outside with a genuine smile stating "Serena how lovely to see you, Lita didn't mention you were dropping by today"
Serena looked to her and knew the warm greeting she could always expect from one of her friends parents much unlike her own, and could smell all the tasty foods not too far away cooking in the kitchen as she tried to ignore her taste buds for now and nodded her head replying simply "yes, it is a bit unexpected and I am sorry to disturb, but is Lita here I really need to speak with her"
Lita's mother smiled a warm smile showing no concern of the unexpected visit from her stating happily "you are not disturbing at all and yes she is here, I believe she is still upstairs if you want to go up for a visit"
Serena nodded her head knowing she would always receive a warm welcome here, but did not want to impose too much knowing how hard Lita's family struggled financially to maintain their small business as she told her back "thank you I will"
She turned around knowing exactly where to go and went to the small alcove that led to the stairs up the two story walk up to Lita's family's apartment.
She started up the steps and then stopped feeling the jitters growing within her the closer she came to explaining everything and remembering how well it went with her parents as she took a deep breath in remembered that Lita was not one who was overly supportive of her choice to be with Darien on the island and was unsure of how supportive she would be now finding out she was having his baby.
She stopped herself thinking this might not have been the wisest choice after all and began to turn around to head elsewhere when she heard Lita's voice come from the top of the stairs questioning "Serena is that you?"
Serena turned back around surprised to face Lita at the top of the stairs as she plastered a quick smile across her face stating "hi Lita I was just coming up to see you"
Lita looked to her pleased by the unexpected visit as she waved her hand up saying "well come on upstairs I was just about to go down and help mother and father in the restaurant, but I am sure they will be alright for a little while on their own, so what brings you here"
Serena looked to her still feeling the butterflies floating around her stomach and shook of her head while trying to use the cowardly way out replying back "I do not mean to disturb, if you have something you should be doing"
Lita looked to her with a quick shrug of her shoulder telling her simply "don't be silly mother and father understand it can't be all about the restaurant all the time. A girl has to have some sort of life for herself too right"
Serena looked to her hearing her words and had no rebuttal to them, but wished that could only be said of her too as she nodded her head saying back "yeah your right" while silently wishing that her parents felt the same way too.
She slowly followed Lita up the rest of the stairs to the apartment door as Lita opened the door and gave it a slight extra push with a little grin stating "the door sticks now and again" as she walked inside her home and Serena followed as she looked around the small apartment.
She had been at Lita's place dozens of times before after making some excuse to her mother telling her she was doing some expensive luncheon with an important client, when in reality she was sneaking away to see her friends.
She looked around Lita's apartment and felt the comforts of a home with family pictures hanging on the walls, a few magazines scattered around, and very much expected of Lita's place there were always a few pans left in the sink from where they had tried out a new recipe for the restaurant, but mostly unlike her own place it looked lived in, like there was a real family that lived and breathed here which unknown to her actually brought tears to her eyes.
Lita turned around to look to her friend curious to the unexpected visit and was surprised to see her wipe tears from her eyes as she walked over and placed her hand down of Serena's shoulder questioning worriedly "hey what is it? What's the matter"?
Serena looked to her as she tried to wipe away the tears from her eyes knowing she was being crazy to cry now after coming here so many times as she shook her head telling her "I'm sorry its nothing, you just have a very lovely home and family, your very lucky"
Lita looked to her strangely knowing it was an awkward thing for Serena to come out with, after all these years of knowing each other as she nodded her head telling her "thanks I guess, but I am sorry about the mess"
Serena looked to her with a little smirk actually loving what she was apologizing for as she told her "don't apologize, its perfect it looks lived in" Lita nodded her head unsure what this strange change in her friend is as she replied telling her "well mother tried out a new recipe earlier, it came out pretty good if you would like to try some tell us as an unbiased opinion what you think?"
Serena looked to her with a pleased smile as she heard her stomach grumble at the mention of food and nodded her head embarrassed telling her "yes thank you I would love to try. I actually skipped all my meals earlier"
Lita looked to her curious if that had to do something with her friends sudden appearance and odd behavior as she walked over to the kitchen and pulled out one of the stools by the kitchen counter and started heating up a plate as she looked to her stating "you know you are always welcome to come by whenever you want, but I feel like this time there is more to it than a quick visit? Is there something wrong Serena?"
Serena put her head down as she looked down at one of the old stains on the worn-out carpet by her feet, and knew it was now or never as she nodded her head slightly telling her "actually there is Lita"
Lita grabbed a basket of rolls from the counter as she placed it down on table in front of Serena expecting this could be a while and then went to sit by her friend as she smiled telling her "well I always have an open ear to listen"
Serena smiled wishing she could have received the same support from her parents when she told them and decided right now considering her extreme circumstances it might be better to start with a half truth as she replied telling her "I left"
Lita looked to her surprised by her sudden comment questioning back "left what do you mean left?" Serena took a deep breath in knowing the details would have to come out sooner or later as she replied back "I left home for good this time and I am not going back"
Lita looked to her friend a little surprised, but not shocked after hearing from Rei about her run in with Serena's mother earlier as she commented back "oh wow, I mean you are welcome to stay here if you need to, but Serena what brought this all on?"
Serena looked to her friend hearing her kind offer, but knew there was no extra space in this small apartment for another person and especially not with a baby on the way as she shook her head telling her "I appreciate the offer Lita, I really do but I don't want to impose"
Lita looked to her with a shake of her head now understanding what brought her friend here, but was still a bit hazy on the why as she replied back "you're not imposing Serena your family, your like a sister to me, but it does have me concerned where this is all coming from I know your parents are a bit difficult to live with most of the time, but it is only for a few more weeks until you start college in the fall"
Serena let out a deep sigh knowing all the plans she once had made for herself were now through, but deep inside knew it was never her plans at all, it was the plans her parents had made for her, the future they were carving out in their own image for her and part of breaking away from them meant finding her own way as she shook her head telling her "I am not going to school, not anymore"
Lita looked to her surprised knowing of how Serena was really looking forward to it and at one time spoke of nothing else, but living in the dorms like a normal college student would as she shook her head questioning "not going? what do you mean not going?"
Serena looked to her friend knowing she would want what is best for her and with a quick shake of her head replied telling her "it's a long story, but basically my parents are trying to completely run my life and I won't stand for it any longer"
Lita nodded her head after hearing similar comments from her friend before, but never knew Serena to take it this far to actually leave home as she walked over and took the dish she was heating up for Serena and placed it down in front of her saying "I see, well why don't you eat up. I am sure things will seem more clearer with a fully stomach at least that is what mother always says"
Serena looked to her with a small grin seeing the full plate of food in front of her instead of the small helpings she was used to at her formal family gatherings at the dinner table stating "you don't know how lucky you are to have two parents who love you and want you to be happy"
Lita looked to her saddened by her words as she nodded her head replying back "isn't that what parents are supposed to do?" Serena let out a long sigh as she picked up her fork and nodded her head saying "yes I supposed it is, but not mine"
Lita looked to her with a shake of her head seeing her friend was deeply troubled by something and knew that it had to be serious to cause the sadness that rose within her asking curiously "what really happened between you Serena? Why did you leave?
Serena took a deep breath in remembering the argument she had with her parents, just before she left where they made such horrible demands of her as she told her back in a melancholy tone "I didn't have a choice, as usual it was all about money with them" then stood up from her seat suddenly not feeling that hungry any more as Lita looked to her worriedly questioning "Serena?"
Serena turned around to look at her friend, thinking of the easier times in high school where her biggest worry is that she had to keep up with good grades because her parents would never settle for anything less than an A- as she began to laugh telling her "can you believe that they were trying to set me up, no not set me up actually expected me to marry Bradley, he is the biggest jerk of a man I have ever met, just so they could fill there own pockets further with greed"
Lita looked to her amazed by her admittance with a shake of her head asking "marry? what? Who is Bradley?" Serena looked to her as she let out a deep laugh having to laugh at the whole situation before she broke down in tears replying back "he is the biggest conceited jerk Bradley Jensen and my father is trying to get part of his father's company and my mother wants to improve her society circle, but I won't be a part of this, any of it and I put a permanent end to their plans and I am never going back, not ever"
Lita walked across the room seeing how upset her friend is understandable so as she reached out giving her a warm hug telling her "it sounds like you have been through a lot, and you had every right to tell them how you feel, but Serena what will you do? Where are you going to go?"
Serena looked to her with a shake of her head knowing she had been asking herself the same question for the entire hour she spent walking over here replying back "I have not completely figured that part out yet, but Lita there is actually one more thing"
Lita placed her hands down on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes knowing she needed a friend now more than ever as she shook her head telling her strongly "whatever it is, we'll figure this out together, I promise"
Serena nodded her head hoping she would still feel the same way in a few seconds after she told her the rest of what happened as she looked up at Lita stating quickly "I'm pregnant"
Lita let out a loud laugh not taking her comment to be serious as she shook her head telling her "okay Serena well, I am glad you can still find a sense of humor and make jokes at a time like this, but really what is going on want did you want to say?"
Serena looked to her with a shake of her head after hearing her friends reply as she placed her hand down on her stomach telling her "its true Lita on the island with Darien. He and I well I think you can figure out what happened and I am having his child, but I'm only a few weeks along"
Lita looked to her with her eyes opened wide as they slowly drifted down lower to Serena's stomach as she took an unexpected step back telling her "wow this is" she tried to find the right word to say and came out with "unexpected"
Serena nodded her head knowing this was at least going better than it had with her parents so far, but could feel herself growing tired as she walked over and sat down on the couch telling her "I know it is and I have never felt so lost or frightened, but it's my child and I want to keep it and I just don't know what to do"
Lita looked to her friend seeing the lost girl that she first met years before wandering around the halls of the school trying to find her classroom as she let out a sigh and walked over to the couch as she wrapped her arms around Serena holding her comfortingly while asking "does anyone else know?"
Serena looked to her hearing the calm tone Lita spoke in without making demands or yelling and screaming about her bad choices as she nodded her head saying "my parents"
Lita nodded her head having a pretty good understanding of how that conversation went now and why Serena was sitting on her could currently while Serena continued on telling her "and Rei she was there when I find out"
Lita looked to her seeing the way her leg was trembling and knew she needed a good friend or two or three or four at a time like this as she nodded her head telling her back "alright well for now it is not good for you to getting all upset like this, it is not healthy for the baby or for yourself. Why don't you go back and sit at the table have something to eat and I am going to go run downstairs quick and tell mom and dad that something came up and we will be busy up here for a while"
Serena looked to her friend knowing she felt more at ease now, then she has since she found out about the baby as she nodded her head telling her with a small chuckle "thanks Lita, you know I actually was really nervous about telling you when I first got here"
Lita looked to her oddly knowing it was not uncommon to share problems with each other as she questioned back "you were why?"
Serena shook her head knowing she had been afraid at first to speak the truth aloud to even herself, but was finding it more easier to admit she was with child as she told her "well I know on the island you were not a big supporter of the time Darien and I spent together and I guess maybe you were right because we ended up having unprotected sex hence the baby, but I just cant bring myself to regret any of the time we spent together or having this baby, that is his"
Lita looked to her knowing she did have her doubts, but after hearing of how controlling her parents could be she let out a small sigh glad for however short a time her friend had found love for herself with someone who swept her heart away telling her regretfully "Serena what I said on the island, I'm sorry if I was not as supportive as I should have been. I should have listened to you more on what you wanted and I am glad you found someone that made you happy, now don't worry about anything alright we will figure this all-out"
Serena nodded her head glad to know she had such supportive friends and felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders as she went to sit back down at her seat at the table and took a fork full of pasta as she looked to Lita with a smile telling her "this is really good"
Lita looked to her with a grin seeing her friend seemed more at peace now telling her "I will tell mother you said so" and then walked out of the apartment closing the door behind her
Serena finished her entire plate and used some of the bread to soak up any extra gravy left over and then brought the empty dish over to the sink to be washed.
She looked around the small apartment seeing Lita was gone longer than expected and wondered what was keeping her as she turned around and saw the sink full of dishes and let out a long sigh knowing it was the least she could do to help out her friend after being fed and offered a place to stay even if only for one night, the old couch looked far better than a park bench did as she rolled up her sleeves and turned on the faucet
She finished loading up the last plate into the dishwasher and drying her hands off on the towel when she heard the door open and Lita finally walked back inside only this time she was not alone, in walked behind her three others girls she knew all too well.
Serena placed the dish towel down on the counter and walked to the doorway seeing the new arrival of her oldest friends who stood there looking her way with mixed expressions of surprise, worry, concern and fear and she had a strong feeling her secret was no longer a secret any longer as she looked to Lita asking with a small grin "what is going on?"
Lita looked to her seeing that she seemed on edge again as she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder telling her "I told them everything Serena"
Serena looked to her as she let out a deep gulp unsure how much everything actually included as she questioned back "everything?"
Mina nodded her head seeing exactly what Lita had described on the phone their friend who was scared and lost and needed help as she told her with a warm smile "yeah, we know all about how you are going to have the island hotties baby"
Ami nodded her head as she took on a more serious tone commenting back "she also told us that your parents are trying to arrange a marriage for you, which is terrible for them to just expect they can make that choice for you and that is why we are here to help"
Serena looked to the circle of friends surrounding her seeing no judgment only compassion and warmth as she wiped a tear from her eyes and shook her head telling her closest friends "I don't how things became so messed up, how I left things get to this point and I don't know where to go from here"
The girls all gave each other a knowing nod as Rei walked forward and gave her a comforting hug as she replied "don't worry it is going to be alright" Serena looked up to her with a shake of her head replying solemnly "I don't know how?"
When Mina spoke up with a genuine smile as she told her back confidently "what's with the tears you know exactly what you need to do" Serena turned around to look at her questioning back confused "I do"
Mina's eyes lit up as they did whenever she had an idea that she couldn't be talked out of telling her excitedly "yeah Serena you want to live your life well go do it, go live your adventure, go back to the island with your hottie and be with the man you love"
Serena looked to her as she let out a deep sigh hoping it had been a plan, she could have actually used telling her sadly "I would love to Mina, but it's not that easy to get there. My parents made it very clear that they are cutting me off completely without a dime and well I can't exactly walk there and I have no money to speak of for myself besides the few dollars that Anna gave me, but I was saving that for food"
The girls all shared a knowing smile as they each placed a credit card out in front of her as Lita spoke up saying "that is why it is great to have friends Serena" while Mina let out a small chuckle as she added in "especially friends with airline points"
Serena looked to them all knowing what they were offering her and giving her the way out she so desperately needed as she wiped a tear away from her eyes asking "really you would do this for me?"
Mina smiled knowing after the initial shock of what Lita told her over the phone had worn off she had not hesitated for one second in helping out her friend as she told her "of course we would, and I used some of my airline points and then we all chipped in on the rest for a one-way ticket back to Paradise Cove"
Serena wiped a tear from her eyes having a hard time believing after everything this could be true as she shook her head asking "is this really happening"
Ami nodded her head seeing the fragile girl that their friend hid away from them for so many years behind a bunch of dinner parties telling her back "yes you are our friend Serena and your happiness is what is most important to us"
Serena looked around her seeing that all her friends minds were of a similar notion and clearly made up which meant that she would get to be back with Darien again soon as she nodded her head telling them all "I find a way to make this up to all of you someday I promise. I will repay you ever Pennie"
Mina shook her head knowing Serena had enough to worry about for an entire lifetime telling her "don't worry about it just take care of you and the baby, but in the mean time we do have a few more hours before your flight takes off. How about we all go and sit and share that meal we spoke of now, while we are all still together to do so"
Lita looked to her with a giant grin knowing Mina was trying to take the pressure off the moment stating "that sounds like a great idea and I know just the place we can go to"
Serena looked around the room with her closest friends knowing she would never forget them or what they did for her on this day as she nodded her head telling them "that sounds great" as they all walked forward towards the door and Rei put her arm around her telling her with a grin "you see like I told you everything will work out"
Serena nodded her head feeling lighter than she has in her lifetime telling her "yes" as she heard Mina laughing while she asked "have you felt the baby kick yet"
Ami who is starting to begin her studies to become a great doctor like her mother added in "it is much to early for that yet Mina the baby has not even formed its legs yet" as Mina let out a small laugh stating "oh yeah that makes sense, but have you had any crazy cravings yet"
Serena looked to her friends as she followed them down the narrow steps knowing all the crazy conversations that these walls had heard through the years, which is what she would miss the most after she was gone as she shook her head telling her "no nothing yet"
Later that day Serena stood by the airport security holding her ticket firmly in hand as she looked on the four best friends she ever had the privilege of knowing and wiped a tear away from her eyes knowing this would be the last time she ever saw them at least for a long while as she looked to them all saying sadly "I know this is the path I must follow but I will miss all of you so much and I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me"
Mina came over and gave her a big hug replying back "do not question what you knew in your heart all along to be true, this is your new start Serena don't let anyone tell you what to do or otherwise ever again"
Serena nodded her head needing to hear those words from someone else telling her "I won't Mina and I'll do my best"
Rei took the few steps over and reached out to give her a warm hug telling her "take care of you and that baby and you better call us and send us pictures of him or her as often as you can otherwise, I will come there myself"
Serena looked to her knowing the hardest part of this was saying goodbye, but knew they would all be going their own ways to start their own journeys soon enough and replied back will a small grin "then I will make sure I send none because I really am going to miss all of you so much"
Lita looked to her with a sincere smile telling her "lose the frown Serena you should be happy you are going to go and be with the man that you love and live in paradise. It doesn't get much better than that"
Serena nodded her head not expecting that at the beginning of this day that she would end up here telling her pleased "no I guess it doesn't"
Ami came over to her as she gave her a hug goodbye as she wiped a tear away from her own eyes telling her "try to keep up with your school work on the island too, I know it will be hard with a new baby but education is important"
Serena nodded her head knowing it was getting more difficult to keep her emotions in check with each passing moment telling her "I know and I will try Ami"
Rei reached into her bag and handed her an envelope as she told her with a small grin "here take this it will give you enough for a couple of nights at the hotel also"
Serena looked to the envelope she was holding out as she shook her head telling her friends "you have all done so much already I couldn't possible"
Mina smiled widened knowing her friend was embarking on her happily ever after telling her "yes and now we will do a little bit more, now go on you don't want to miss your flight do you"
Lita looked to her with a little smirk knowing things do not always go as planned and sometimes you have to take a bad dish and throw it away then start again from scratch telling her confidently "go have an exciting new adventure Serena and know this time we are all behind you wherever you go, you will have our full support"
Serena shook her head finding it harder to leave her best friends behind with each moment that passed as she told them "I'll miss all of you so much" as she wiped the tears from her eyes
They all surrounded her in a large group hug as they heard the boarding call for flight 3624 and Serena looked down at her ticket as she sighed telling them "that's me"
Mina looked to her as she placed a hand over Serena's saying confidently "go on ahead make a new beginning for you and that baby and never look back or worry about this place again"
Rei nodded her head as she put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, knowing they all experienced some big life changes together and came a long way as she added in telling her "but know we will always be there for you whenever you need us"
Ami looked to her with a special smile as she patted her on the arm telling her "always have been always will be" as Lita added in quickly "forever"
Serena nodded her head as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes telling them "I know that and I will miss all of you, be well and happy with your own choices" as she gave them one last hug goodbye.
She let out a deep sigh knowing it was now or never and walked over to the podium with her one carry on bag over her shoulder and envelope firmly in hand as she waved goodbye to four saddened and yet confident faces as she looked on each one, for the last time.
They were all her best friends and each of them no matter what her mother said were truly special in their own unique ways, but they all had one thing in common that drew them together there love and understanding of one another and knew she could never had made it this far in life without them as she heard Mina call out behind her "good luck Serena"
She looked to them huddled together and with one last confident nod of her head she walked towards the bright future that lay ahead of her, with a man that truly loved her.
Author's Note: Hey everyone sorry to leave you hanging there, but I will try to get out the next chapter as soon as I can, but like I mentioned in the first chapter note I will be away on vacation for all of next week and will try to update as soon as possible. Thanks, and please continue to send your thought and reviews. Mars Light