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Author's Note: Disclaimer: Do Dreams Come True? Chapter Seven The three women were livid. There was no other word to describe it. Even the normally calm and sensible Ami looked distraught and more than a little angry. Lita and Raye, who were the hot-headed ones, were even worse. They looked like they could murder someone – namely, Serena. "What did I do?" she asked, resisting the urge to whine. Ashley and Jimmy had run into the living room at the sound of the doorbell and were looking curiously at their three godmothers. "Auntie Raye, what's wrong?" Ashley asked innocently. The beautiful raven-haired woman relaxed long enough to give her goddaughter a hug. "Why don't you and Jimmy go play in your bedroom?" she suggested, giving the girl a little push in the right direction. Ami picked up Jimmy and took Ashley's hand. "How about I read you two a story?" she suggested, shooting a meaningful look at Lita. What it meant, exactly, Serena could not imagine. As the trio disappeared into the bedroom, Lita and Raye advanced on Serena, who backed up until she tripped over the couch and sat down abruptly. "Lita," she said pleadingly, looking up at the brunette for help. "Just tell me what's going on. You're starting to scare me." Raye shook her head in disgust and sat on Serena's right. "Okay, we've all grown up now, so let's discuss this like the adults we're supposed to be. Although, in your case, I think the title is misleading." Serena's anger bubbled to the surface. "Will you stop sniping at me?" she snapped. "If we're going to be adults, you might as well tell me what I did so I can at least defend myself." Lita interrupted. "You're seeing Darien." Serena was shocked. "I… you…" "Yes, we know," Raye replied, narrowing her eyes. "Are you surprised? Didn't think we'd catch on to your little games, huh? Didn't think we'd find out if you two snuck around like lovesick teenagers?" Serena shook her head vehemently, trying to get her thoughts together. "It wasn't about keeping it from you! It was just… we just wanted…" "I know exactly what you wanted," Raye interjected snidely. "You always wanted him back and the minute Mina died, you saw your chance. You took advantage of his weak moment and weaseled your way back into his life!" At this, she burst into tears, shocking everyone present. "Raye, don't be like that," Lita said gently. "We should at least listen to Serena's side of the story." She perched on the edge of the sofa next to Raye and put a comforting arm around the woman's shoulders. Serena almost started to cry herself, unable to stand seeing her best friend in such misery. "I didn't mean to do what you said," she replied shakily. "But I can see why you would think that, and I know that keeping this a secret from you guys was wrong. You have to understand, though, that we thought it would be best. And now, we're not even seeing each other anymore, so I know it was too quick and I wish it hadn't been that way. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Ami came out of the bedroom in time to hear the end of Serena's speech. She stood in the doorway for a moment, leaning against the frame wearily, and closed her eyes. She could still see in her head the last hours of Mina's life, when Darien had kept constant vigil at her bedside and refused to either eat or sleep. "Don't leave me, Mina," he begged. "I love you, isn't that enough? We haven't had enough time together. We had so many plans. I wanted to take you all over the world. We still haven't gone to Paris. Please, Mina, I can't live without you." Even in her restless sleep, it seemed that Mina heard Darien's impassioned words. A tear slipped from beneath her closed eyelids and trembled at the tip of her lashes before spilling over and leaving a wet trail down her pale cheek. With great effort, she opened her eyes, which were still a brilliant blue despite the pain clouding them. "Be happy," she whispered. "All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy." Darien shook his head. "And all I've ever wanted is to be with you," he replied softly, lifting her hand to his cheek. "You're my life, Mina." But she never heard his last words. Her eyes closed for the last time and she was gone. Remembering that heartbreaking scene, Ami wanted to shake Serena until she realized how deeply Darien had loved Mina and how hard it was for one to get over that kind of love. She wanted to tell Serena that Darien was on the rebound, that his feelings couldn't be trusted. Most of all, she wanted an explanation for why Serena would choose to be reunited with Darien after everything that had happened between them. But she wasn't one to interfere in her friends' lives, and now was not an exception. Serena was a fully-grown woman and could make her own choices, as could Darien. The two of them would have to work things out for themselves. Ami turned and went back into the bedroom. Meanwhile, Raye listened to Serena's words with a deaf ear. Deep inside, she knew that Ser had no malicious intents, that the girl would never intentionally hurt someone, let alone her best friends. She also knew that ever since Darien had chosen Mina over her, a part of Serena had died. But, selfishly, a part of her wished that she had been the one to comfort Darien and win his love. After all, she had been Darien's girlfriend before both Serena and Mina. The man was simply too irresistible to forget. "Save the pretty words, Serena," Raye said harshly. "What you've done is a betrayal. It's a betrayal to me, Lita, Ami, and most of all, Mina. What would she think knowing that you're stealing her husband? Are you trying to claim Rini, too? That's not going to happen. Just try and you'll see what you're up against." With that, she stormed out of the apartment, brushing aside Lita's arm as the other woman tried to restrain her. Serena stared after her with sad eyes. She could not have imagined that this would occur simply because of her affair with Darien. Raye had never been so harsh to her, even with all the unkind words they had exchanged as teenagers. "Lita?" she asked softly, not daring to look at her. Lita sighed heavily. "I'm not saying I agree entirely with Raye," she said hesitantly, "but you know what you did and you know why we're angry. I think I'll leave it up to you to decide what you should do." She called to Ami and, upon the doctor's appearance, beckoned for her to leave. Ami looked back and smiled sadly at Serena. "I love you," she mouthed, then closed the door behind her. The sudden silence after the storm of Raye's outburst was too much to handle. Dropping her head into her hands, Serena closed her eyes and wept. |
