When Darien awoke the next morning, he was considerably confused. Having opened his eyes briefly - only to shut them again when the bright light streaming in from the window made his stomach lurch uncomfortably – he knew he was not at his apartment. He opened his eyes with great caution a second time, and resisted the nauseous turn of his stomach as he started to recall the events of last night. He remembered being in his apartment with Lita, then getting very, very, drunk, and finally asking her for a ride to Serena's house.
" Serena", Darien said out loud, sitting up quickly. He was then forced to grip his head in his hands until the dizziness passed.
" I think he's awake", said a voice from the living room's doorway. The voice was a whisper, but an exaggerated one. There was an answering giggle.
" Not exactly what I wanted for Christmas, but I guess he'll have to do."
" I think it's romantic. Coming over here on Christmas Eve to serenade you – although I'm not sure that I approve of his drinking habits. He's not an alcoholic is he?"
" You do know I can hear the pair of you, right?" Darien asked.
More laughing and then Serena came into the room, still in her flannel pink pyjamas, but this time with a robe to match and fuzzy bunny slippers.
" That was the general idea. We've been waiting for you to wake up for hours", Serena replied.
" Why, you missed me?"
" Hardly. But you're sleeping in the middle of our living room, and it's Christmas morning, and we really want to open our presents but you're kind-of in the way", Serena said. She gestured with her hand and Darien noticed the Christmas tree in the living room window, and the pile of brightly wrapped presents underneath its boughs. Darien flushed red.
" Sorry", he said. " Guess I should be going, huh?"
" You're not staying?" asked Irene, coming into the room with a tray. There were three cups of steaming hot coffee and when Irene placed one in front of Darien, his stomach gurgled happily.
" Of course he is", Serena said, plopping down next to him on the couch and reaching for her own cup.
" I'll go tell Sam it's okay to come down now", Irene said. After she had left, Darien turned to Serena.
" Are you sure it's okay if I stay?"
" I would like you to stay, but only if you want to", Serena said softly.
" I can't remember the last time I spent Christmas in a real family home", Darien said, tucking a strand of blonde hair back behind Serena's ear. " I don't remember much about last night, though I know that I told you about my parents, and that you told me what you were afraid of. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
" Well, you sang really cheesy songs to me from the front lawn", Serena began.
" I dimly remember that."
" Although, you first started singing to my mother", Serena teased.
" I wish I didn't remember that", Darien said gulping.
" And other then being really sweet and lecherous at the same time…" Serena went on.
" I may never drink again", Darien said.
Serena laughed, " You pinched my butt".
" I did?" Darien said, eyes going wide in surprise. This was behaviour decidedly unlike him. He pulled her into his lap and patted her behind. " Sacrilege; that I could think of harming such a wonderful feature", he said with a grin. He leaned in to kiss her, and lightly brushed his lips against hers. It would have likely developed further, if Sam had not chosen to enter at that moment.
" Cut it out, will you? I haven't even had my breakfast yet. Mom! You said it was safe", Sam said, a grimace on his face. Serena giggled and slid of Darien's lap. She leaned down to whisper in his ear.
" We'll take this up again later. For the moment, I would suggest you take a shower. Morning breath is the least of your problems – you smell like you slept in a brewery", Serena teased.
" You better be glad it's Christmas, otherwise I wouldn't obey so graciously", Darien said. He headed up the stairs and found Irene waiting outside the bathroom with a pile of clean towels for him. " I thought you might be heading this way", she said.
He took the towels, and said, " Sorry about waking you up and everything last night".
" I think it's cute the way you would so willingly embarrass yourself for my daughter. I think you'll be very good for her and that makes me happy", Irene said, her expression gentle. Then her eyelids lowered a little, and her tone went grim, " But hurt her again, and I'll make your current hangover seem like a walk in the park, understand?" Darien gulped and nodded. Instantly Irene's pleasant demeanour returned. " Good. Now hurry up so your breakfast doesn't get cold."
Feeling more like himself after his shower, Darien returned to the living room, and Irene poured him another cup of coffee. Serena was sitting on the floor, passing out presents. Even Darien got a few, and though it was obvious that most of them had been intended for someone else and the original gift tags had been removed, he still appreciated being included. He loved having somewhere to be on Christmas morning. He loved being made welcome into Serena's home and family. And he loved watching Serena as she bounced around the room happily, saving her biggest smiles for him.
Irene went out later in the afternoon with Sam to her sister's house for turkey dinner. Her sister had a son Sam's age and the two got along very well. Serena opted to stay home with Darien. The moment they had the house to themselves, Serena eagerly led Darien by the hand up to her room.
" A little impatient, aren't we?" Darien teased when Serena began unbuttoning her shirt.
" Are you kidding? I've been waiting all day", Serena said, sliding the shirt off her shoulders. Then she stopped, suddenly unsure. " Unless of course, you don't want to?"
" Now who's being ridiculous?" Darien asked rhetorically. He placed his hands around her waist, stroking her skin softly. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. " It's just that I'd like to do the unveiling if you don't mind". Serena's mouth was a little too occupied to reply.
Later – much, much later – Serena lay in Darien's arms, both of them awake but lying peacefully.
" Darien?" Darien grunted. " Stay here tonight?"
" Your mom won't mind that I'm ruining your reputation?"
" If I know my mother, she'll think there's something wrong with you if you don't. So will you stay?"
" Absolutely."
" And tomorrow? Will you stay tomorrow too?"
" I'll stay as long as I can", Darien said, lightly stroking her shoulder. Serena went silent, a thoughtful expression on her face. Seeing her so pensive, he asked, " What's wrong?"
" Nothing really. It's just that my mother wants to sell the house and I'm just thinking how much I'm going to miss it."
" Why does she want to sell?"
" She says it's too big for just her and Sam, especially since he'll be going to college soon. And I'm not here as often. Plus, it's too far away from her work, it's expensive, and it needs too much upkeep. It makes sense, but I've always sort-of thought it would always be here, you know? It has so many of my memories. I grew-up here, my dad lived here, my friends have all stayed here at one time or another. Even you – some of my best memories are of you and me and this house."
" I understand. I've always liked it too. I feel… very at home here. Like I belong here. It's a great family house too", Darien said. He could remember the first day he had spent here, and the first night. Even then, he had thought it heaven to wake up in a real home. Serena turned to him, her expression still thoughtful,
" I was thinking, that maybe I would buy it myself. I still have most of the money we made while on tour."
" You'd want to live here on your own?"
" Not exactly", Serena said slowly. Darien began to catch on and his face split into a grin.
" Are you asking me to move in with you?"
" I know it's a lot to ask, that we haven't even been a couple for very
long. But, the house is plenty big
if you wanted to have your own room, and keep things more casual between
us."
" I wouldn't want that", Darien said strongly. He saw Serena's face fall in sadness and hastened to explain, " No! I meant, if I'm going to move in here, I'd want to be as close to you as possible. It's true we haven't been a couple long, but we've been friends for much longer. And this would mean I wouldn't have to live in my stinky apartment anymore."
" Stinky?" Serena questioned, beginning to laugh.
" Oh that's right, you've never seen my place. I don't why but it smells", Darien said, shuddering with mock horror.
" So you'll consider it?"
Darien considered her face a moment, looking deep into her bright blue eyes. " I'm afraid I'll do more then consider it. I'm going to accept".
Serena smiled happily and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Her exuberance soon gave way to passion, and they celebrated their new decision in a highly satisfactory way.
" Damn! I should phone Lita", Darien said, later in the evening. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his jeans.
" Lita?"
" Yeah, she's staying at my apartment. Her and Mina are still fighting, I guess. I'll tell her she can have the place to herself for the next couple of days."
" Let me talk to her too. I want to make sure she's not mad at me", Serena said.
Lita picked up the phone in Darien's apartment and was relieved to hear his voice. After dropping him off at Serena's last night, she had begun to worry that perhaps she should have made sure he didn't do anything dangerous. She talked to Serena then, and the two said apologies just in case there were any hurt feelings between them.
" So I guess things between you and Darien have worked out?" Lita said slyly.
" Yeah, I guess they have", Serena said, not willing to elaborate further since Darien was standing right beside her and smirking. Like she needed to inflate that ego anymore. Darien started kissing her neck while Serena tried to keep her mind on her conversation.
" Hang up", Darien whispered in her ear.
" I have to go now Lita, Merry Christmas!" Serena said. She let the phone fall back into its cradle with a thunk.
" Yeah, you to", Lita said. She then realized she was speaking to the dial tone and sighed. Hanging up her end, she looked around the apartment, hoping there was something she could do. Unfortunately, Darien kept his place just as neat as she kept hers. Lita was feeling really low. It was Christmas evening and she had done nothing all day save sleep and watch television. She hadn't spoken to Mina, and the guilt over their fight was still eating at her. Part of her knew that the reason she didn't want to speak to Mina was because there was some truth in the harsh things she had said. She was a coward and a hypocrite. It was so easy to tell other people what to do because there was no risk to her own heart. And she was afraid of telling Ken what she really felt when he was near, afraid of letting him get close to her, and afraid that he would hurt her.
" Which is really stupid, Lita", she scolded herself. She knew Ken would never do anything to harm her, and being afraid was simply not her style. When she had a problem, she faced it head on. This was no different. It was time she settled a few things and taught her psyche just who was boss. Picking up the phone she called Ken and asked if he could come over. Pacing back and forth in Darien's apartment she waited for his arrival.
" Hey, what's up? You were kind-of vague on the phone. Merry Christmas, by the way. I have a present for you and my mom gave me all kinds of things to give to you", Ken rambled. He had to put the load of gifts on the floor carefully, and then he was kicking off his shoes, so he had yet to look at her. When he did, the conversation died on his lips. There was something about the way she was standing that made rational thought impossible. Lita materialized in front of him, or so it seemed, and she pressed her lips to his fervently. After getting over his initial shock, he began responding, wrapping his arms around, and pulling her close to him. " Not that I mind, but what brought this on?"
" Much as I wanted to kill her at the time, Mina had a point. I've been afraid, and I'm tired of acting like a coward. I do what I want, when I want, and nobody gets in my way, not even me", she said, and kissed him again.
" Lita, I'd be lying if I said this isn't what I wanted. But I don't want you to feel like you have to prove something. We should do this for all the right reasons."
" But we are doing it for the right reasons", Lita cried, her eyes filling with tears. " I love you, I've always loved you. You're everything that's missing in my life, and I was just too afraid to open my eyes and see it. Say you'll forgive me, say I'm not too late."
" I'd have waited forever for you, Lita, because I love you too. More then you'll ever know", Ken said, hugging her fiercely. His lips found hers and he watched her closely, as though afraid he might wake up and discover it was all a dream. " I'm glad I don't have to wait forever though. I was getting really tired of crossing my legs every time you entered the room."
Lita laughed with her whole body. She felt alive, new, and she wasn't afraid anymore. He could make her laugh when things seemed their most desperate. Whenever she really needed him, he was there. " Thank you", she said sincerely.
" Your welcome", Ken said cheekily. " Now there's only one thing I have to know."
" And that is?"
" Is Darien coming home any time soon?"
" No, not for days."
" Music to my ears, my little drummer-babe. Music to my ears", Ken said. They kissed, they touched, and they melted into one another, and in that rush of feeling and love, Lita felt her painful past slipping away, buried beneath an avalanche of new and wonderful memories.
The next morning Lita busied herself in the kitchen making breakfast while Ken snored away on the living room floor. They hadn't felt right using Darien's bedroom, so they had improvised. Lita considered a few rug burns a small price to pay for getting her heart's desire.
" There's the woman who seduced and corrupted an innocent man", Ken said, slipping his arms around Lita's waist from behind.
" Seduced? Hardly. Corrupted? Not in the slightest."
" Dang. Can I at least tell people I was ravaged in a night of unforgettable passion?"
" Someone's been reading to many dime store novels. Now sit down and eat your breakfast", Lita said.
" How about I say I was held captive by a domineering Amazon princess?"
" No".
" A luscious, lustful, Goddess?"
" No."
" A sex-crazed airline stewardess?"
" No! Absolutely not."
" Can I tell everyone that I love Lita Makato?" Ken said seriously.
" That you can do, as long as I get to tell them that I love you too", Lita replied.
" I wouldn't have it any other way."
After breakfast, Lita decided to tackle another of her current problems. She went over to her apartment and stood on her doorstep, listening for sounds that Mina was awake and alone. After a deep breath she opened the door. She found Mina sitting at the kitchen table, staring glumly at the wall.
" Hey", she said.
Mina looked up startled, but when she saw Lita at the door, she burst into tears. She jumped up from the table and gathered her friend up into a hug.
" I'm so sorry Lita. I don't what got into me. I was just so irritated with everyone that everything came spilling out, but I didn't mean it, honestly. You're my best-friend and I missed you so much", Mina said brokenly.
" I said some things to you too that I'm not to proud of. I'm just so glad you're not mad at me anymore", Lita said.
" I don't think I was ever really mad at you", Mina said, squeezing Lita one final time before stepping back. She took a good look at Lita and gasped, " You slept with Ken, didn't you?"
" What?" Lita said, totally flustered. " How could you possibly know that?"
" Because I know you better then anyone. Now make some coffee and tell me all about it, okay?" Lita nodded, glad to be able to confide in her friend again. She made the coffee and told Mina everything. The two friends talked until the coffee was gone and the sun started to set in the sky.
" Have you talked to anyone else since we got back?" Mina asked.
" Only Serena. Her and Darien made up", Lita answered.
" Is she mad at us?"
" No, and neither is Darien. What about you and Andrew?"
" I spent Christmas day with him at his family's home", Mina said. " His sister Lizzie is adorable, and it was so nice to be around people for the holiday. Somehow knowing we can fight and still work things out, has made us a better couple, I think. I truly have found a keeper this time. I guess we all have".
" Well, except for Amy", Lita said somberly.
" Poor Amy", Mina intoned.
" Poor Amy", said Dr.Anderson, as she smoothed back her daughter's hair with a gentle hand. They had spent Christmas day together for the first time in four years, but Dr. Anderson wished it could have been for other reason's then her daughter's broken heart.
" Why hasn't he called? Do you think it's really over?"
" I don't know Amy. But if it is, then he doesn't deserve you. And I know that sounds cliché, but it's the truth. I'm so proud of you", she said.
" You are? But I thought you hated that I was a musician", Amy said.
" I was sad at first, I thought you would forget about me. But having witnessed what Greg did, and analysing his reasons, which are essentially the same as mine, I know that I was in error. I'm proud that you are strong enough to follow what you want to do. I'm glad that you have not compromised just to be accepted. I think I would have been happier if I had been a little bit stronger and more like you. I'm sorry Amy if I haven't been around much, but I do love you, and I will always love you", she said.
" Oh mom, I love you too", Amy said. Amy knew she would never have a perfect relationship with her mother, but it meant very much to her to know that her mother was on her side, and always would be.
The phone rang and Amy picked it up. She recognized Raye's voice immediately, despite the unusually hesitant tone.
" Amy, I just called to apologize", Raye said. Amy heard Raye take a deep breath before blurting out. " I'm so sorry! Stupid temper of mine got the better of me, and I started accusing people of the most horrible things. And I just hope you can forgive me, even though I was an idiot, and a horrible friend who doesn't really deserve…"
" Raye! Calm down. I forgive you. So long as you forgive me."
" Really? Oh you don't know how relieved I am to hear you say that. It was eating me alive these past few days", Raye said.
" Me too. I was just about to call Mina, and Lita."
" I've just called them. They made up, which is good. Actually, I thought we could all get together New Year's day, and just play for awhile. No recordings, no audience, just us. What do you say?"
" I think that's a great idea."
It was a good idea. By the time New Year's rolled around, friendships had been restored and solidified. Couples had forgiven and forgotten, and everyone arrived at the temple with their instruments eager to play, and happy to be altogether again. Setsuna was invited after she and Raye had set things right between them, and there was a lot of hugging, and laughing as everyone forgave everyone else. There were exclamations of surprise when Lita and Ken arrived holding hands. There were sighs of contentment when they learned Serena and Darien were moving into Serena's house together, and congratulations given to Mina and Andrew who were moving into Mina's apartment. Lita was moving into Andrew's place, and was looking forward to having a place of her own for when Ken decided to drop by. Raye and Chad were back together again, and thinking seriously of marriage. The only member of the group not entirely happy was Amy, but she was coming to accept that she might have lost Greg completely.
The band set up and started to play. They performed medleys and old favourites, and basically fooled around with the music, having fun with it like they hadn't been able to do while on tour. Halfway through one of Amy's favourite songs, the door to the practice room opened. Ken, Andrew, and Chad were the first to notice that there was a new addition to the audience. The rest of the band was oblivious to the newcomer until he was standing right at the bottom of the stage. They stopped playing and the room became eerily silent as all eyes focused on the man.
Greg shuffled nervously, but squared his shoulders knowing it was his fault that he was in this mess. " Hello Amy."
" Greg. What are you doing here?" she said, trying to keep her voice cool.
" I need to talk to you", he said.
" Then talk", she said.
" Could we go someplace more private, maybe?"
" These are my friends. Anything you want to say can be said in front of them."
" Fair enough", he said. His gaze wandered around the room looking for the confidence to say what he had to. His eyes were drawn back to Amy's however, and as he stared at her, the words came to him. " I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say, except that I'm sorry a million times over for all the pain I may have caused you. I was scared you'd realize you were too good for me, because you're so talented. Your music helps more people then I'll ever help, and your also brilliant, and sensitive, and kind. And yet, for some reason, you loved me, and I never realized before how lucky I was until I lost you. I love you more then anything Amy. I love you so much that I don't care that everyone is watching us, and I don't care if you don't feel the same way, because I'm going to say it to you anyway, until you forgive me."
" Oh Greg I just don't know what to say."
" I love you, Amy", he said.
" But what about my career, what about our problems? What about the fact that we never have time for each other?"
" We'll work it out, I love you."
" But…"
" I love you. Tell me how many more times I have to say it to make you believe it and I'll do it."
Amy's eyes misted over. He was making a fool of himself for her. He had come back for her, just as she had been hoping, and he loved her. She could see it in his eyes, and she knew she wanted to give their relationship one more chance.
" Once more", Amy said.
" I love you."
" I love you too", Amy said tearfully, before throwing herself into his arms. When Greg kissed her, everyone began applauding. The couple broke apart, laughing and crying at the same time. Setsuna nudged Amy's shoulder and pressed a small gold and diamond ring into Amy's hand.
" Don't ask me why, but I thought I ought to bring this with me today", Setsuna said with a smile. Greg saw the ring and looked at Amy with a questioning look upon his face. Amy considered her options and knew what she wanted. She pushed the ring back where it belonged, on her finger. It didn't matter to them that they had an audience - in fact it somehow seemed right to celebrate their relationship with their friends.
Six months later, they were about to do the same thing.
" Oh my God! I can't believe Amy's getting married today!" Serena said cheerfully.
" And I can't believe you managed to get up late today of all days", Darien said, putting a few things in the trunk of their car. Serena was dressed in her bridesmaid's dress, which was deep blue in colour and had a simple, elegant, cut. Darien pulled at the neck of his tuxedo, unaccustomed to the tie.
" Don't fuss with that! It took me forever to get it straight and it can't be that bad, people wear tuxedoes all the time", said Serena.
" Yeah, and they're all freaks", Darien muttered.
" And I as I recall I was up on time, but then somebody decided I should stay in bed", Serena said, giving Darien a quick kiss on the cheek, before getting into the passenger seat. Darien put the key in the ignition and pulled out of the driveway before answering her.
" It was the dress – I couldn't help myself. In fact, if we weren't late I'd pull over right now and…"
" You're incorrigible", Serena said.
" Yeah, I know. And you love me anyways". Serena smiled, knowing it was true. At the church, Serena ran off to find Amy. She was the maid of honour after all. The rest of the girls were waiting for her, all of them more or less prepared, Amy the calmest of them all.
" Aren't you nervous? Why aren't you freaking out more? It's so unfair", Mina said to Amy. Mina was trying to put on mascara but her hand kept shaking to the point where she was afraid she was going to poke her eye out. Lita took the makeup from her and applied it with steady hands.
" I guess because I know I'm marrying the perfect guy for me", Amy said. The other women made the appropriate groans.
" Think you'll be so calm Raye?" asked Mina. Raye was wearing a rather large diamond engagement ring courtesy of Chad. They were to be married the coming Christmas.
" Ha! She'll be bullying everyone around, including Chad and the priest", Serena said.
" I will not!" Raye said hotly. Then she grinned, " I mean, there won't be a priest so there's no way I could bully him around."
Lita and Mina went out to see how things were progressing and rushed back in to say that everything was ready. Amy's face went a little pale as the music started. Her friends filed out, one at a time, until there was only Serena left.
" You'll be fine. I'm the one who has to worry about tripping down the aisle", Serena said, and winked. Amy's mother stood waiting to lead Amy down the aisle.
" Thanks for doing this mom", Amy said, clutching at her mother's arm nervously as they began to walk.
" Thanks for asking", Dr. Anderson said. The wedding went by without a hitch, and the ceremony seemed short when you considered all the preparation that went in to it. Later that evening, they all gathered again at a local hall for the reception. The Lunatics began setting up their instruments, minus Amy of course, but Michiru and Haruka had come for the wedding, so the keyboard was in good hands. It was part of the Lunatics gift to the bride and groom that they themselves would provide the nights' entertainment.
At first, the loud pulsing rock music seemed out of place at a marriage event, but they won the guests over, and soon everyone was having a good time. Raye approached the mike and tapped her finger against it, getting everyone's attention.
" Hi! We'd all just like to take a moment to say congratulations to our fellow Lunatic Amy, and to her husband Greg who better treat her right. We wrote a song for the new couple, and it's still a little rough – trying to do anything with this group is a trial. But, anyways, our hearts were in the right place, so Amy and Greg, this is for you. We titled it 'Happily ever after' as we're sure you'll both be."
Lita banged her drum happily to start them off, nodding to Ken who turned up the volume just a little bit. Raye winked at Chad who stood at the foot of the stage, gripped the microphone, and sang.
I gave up on love at first sight
Our first meeting was our first fight
