NEVER LEAVE YOU BEHIND - FINAL CHAPTER - A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION
Two hours later......& Serena's stomach is grumbling................
"Oh, that rumbling", whines Serena, "I'm starving, and it's just about lunchtime. These Pocky snacks went right through me."
"Come to think of it", wonders Molly, "my mother and your parents aren't back yet. They should be back very soon".
"Maybe they got delayed in their meeting", wonders Rini, "or maybe your mom stopped by the store to check things over".
"It's possible, Rini", answers Molly, "but still it shouldn't take long".
"I don't know about you guys", says Serena, picking up the telephone receiver, "but I'm gonna call Chan-Le's Ramen Express & order lunch for all of us".
"Ok by us", adds Sammy, "besides, we don't have to worry about paying them when they deliver it to us. We have an account with them, so they'll just bill us later".
"That's right", adds Rini, "they make Ramen lunches the way we like them; fast, quick, and delicious".
"Hello? Chan-Le's Ramen Express?......this is Serena Tsukino from 527 Kanto Drive....I'd like to place a lunch order.....4 small Misa Soups, 1 small Shrimp Bowl, 2 small Beef Bowl, 1 small Chicken Bowl, 3 orders of Yakatori, and 1 order of Fried Shrimp...great, just put it on the Tsukino account.....delivered in 20 minutes?.......great, we'll see you then, Bai!" Serena puts down the receiver and announces, "OK, guys! Lunch in 20 minutes, and anybody wanna watch the MINI-GODDESSES DVD?"
"Yay, MINI-GODDESSES!!", cheers Rini.
"Sure, I would like to watch MINI-GODDESSES", adds Molly, "I remember watching then on the WOWOW satellite channel".
Serena takes out the CARD CAPTOR SAKURA DVD and puts in the MINI-GODDESSES DVD in. "OK, guys, this is the perfect show to enjoy lunch with. We can always watch the UTENA movie later", Serena says as she hits the play button on the remote, "I just think the episodes are so cute & funny. A bit short, but cute nonetheless".
"What will your parents say about all the food you ordered, Serena?", wonders molly.
"Not to worry, Molly", assures Serena, "you're my guest. I'll just tell them I decided to treat you to a nice ramen lunch".
"Oh, well, thank you, Serena", smiles Molly, "you really know how to take care of your guests".
"And i know how to take care of my best friends", adds a grinning Serena.
Over an hour later.......& Serena's stomach is not grumbling anymore...for now, that is........
The front door opens and Serena's parents and Molly's mother returns. Mrs. baker is carrying 2 small packages with her.
"Mom", says Molly, "how did the meeting go?"
"Hey, Mom, Dad", says Serena, "what kept you? I hope you didn't mind if I ordered Take-out at Chan-Le's. We were famished".
"Oh, that's OK", says Mrs. Tsukino, "we also get a discount because your father deals with them".
"So what's going to happen, Mrs. Baker?", asks Serena, "have you made a decision?"
"Well, Serena", says Mr. Tsukino, "the bad news is that Molly won't be staying here while her mother is in America, and that you will not be going with them".
"But the good news is", continues Mrs. Tsukino, "Molly & her mother are going to stay right here in Tokyo, and she is not closing the jewelry store".
Molly's eyes lit up when she heard the news. "Is that true, mom? You're not selling the shop and not moving to New York?"
"You mean Molly is going to stay right here in Tokyo?", exclaims a very excited Serena.
"That's right, dear", says Mrs. Baker, "Serena's parents & I had a very long discussion about this, & I took into consideration not only your happiness, but also Serena's as well. I knew that the both of you grew up together & have been friends for a very long time".
"And your mother couldn't bear the thought of the both of you seperated after being together for this long", adds Mrs. Tsukino, "so we went to the meeting with her, & she turned down the offer".
"That's right", continues mrs. Baker, "besides we've been doing pretty well here in Tokyo, and the shop is doing a very good business, so why mess with perfection?"
"That's right", agrees Serena, "don't fix it if it ain't broke". She then turns to Molly and hugs her, "Isn't it great, Molly? That means you & your mom won't be moving away after all. Things do work out for the best, don't they?"
"Yes they do, Serena", adds Molly, "& thank you for believing".
"Friendship knows no bounds, after all", smiles Serena.
"Oh, I have a little something for you & Serena, Molly", says Mrs. Baker as she hands the 2 friends the small packages, "I was going to give them to you if I did decide to take the offer, but I wanted to give them to you anyway".
Both girls open the packages and find a gold plated charm, a circle with a cresent moon on one side & a star on the other, & on it, the initials engraved on it.
"It's very beautiful", exclaims Serena, "but what does it mean?"
"Well, that's known as the Icon of Friendship", explains Mrs. Baker, "if you give your friend the other charm, that means your friendship will lasts forever".
"And that's a very long time", smiles Serena.
"Thank you, mom", smiles molly as she hugs her mother, and Serena comes over and hugs Mrs. Baker as well, "I will definately treasure this, & thanks for not selling the store".
"I'm glad I didn't", smiles Mrs. Baker, "besides I would probably feel very uncomfortable in a new surrounding. I'm so used to Tokyo, it's like a permanent home. And you can thank Serena's parents because they were instrumental in my decision to stay".
Molly & Serena break the hug & takes each other's hands. "Yes", nods Molly, "thank you for everything, Mr. & Mrs. Tsukino, and for having me here & letting me stay overnight."
"That's quits alright, Molly", smiles Mrs. Tsukino, "you're always welcome anytime".
"Also, Mrs. Baker would like to treat us to dinner tonight", announces Mr. Tsukino.
"That's great", grins Serena, "that means less dishes to clean up!" And turns to Mrs. Baker, "& thank you for staying here in Tokyo, & for the beautiful charm. I will treasure this always".
"I figured this would be a great way to seal a friendship", smiles Mrs. Baker, "and you have always been a great friend to my daughter for all these years, Serena, & I'm glad you're her friend".
"And i'm glad that Molly has a caring, loving mother like you, Mrs. Baker", smiles Serena.
"So, Mrs. Baker", asks Mr. Tsukino, "what time would you want us to meet you?"
"Meet me at the jewelry store around 6", says Mrs. Baker, "and we'll leave from there. I made a reservation at the new steakhouse near the Kanto area. I hear it's very good".
"Alright, well, we will see you at 6", smiles Mrs. Tsukino.
"Alright, we'll see you then", smiles Mrs. Baker, and then turns to Molly, "Ok, dear, now go get your stuff".
"I've got it ready", smiles Rini holding Molly's overnight bag, "I packed it neatly shortly after breakfast".
"Why, thanks, Rini", smiles Molly as Rini hands Molly her overnight bag, and then turns to her mother, "can Serena stay overnight anytime?"
"Sure, dear", smiles Mrs. Baker, "Serena is always welcome to our house". And then turns to Serena, "we're going to be going now. We've got to check on the shop, and get ready for tonight's dinner outing. Thank you for taking care of my daughter, Serena".
"It's no problem at all", smiles Serena, "our door is always open to her".
"Alright, Mrs. Baker", smiles Mrs. Tsukino, "we'll see you around 6".
"Alright", smiles Mrs. Baker, "we'll see you then".