Shady Business by Silver MoonAngel @ AI and ASMR
Carley MoonAngel @ FF.Net
--------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: This is the second, EDITED, version of Shady Business. I'm
still going to be writing the first version we all know and love
(well, at least I do) and taking suggestions to revise it and create
this one!
Also, some new elements are going to be introduced, but it will only
prove to enhance it (I hope).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Ten - Almost Caught
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Carlin gaped with wide eyes when she opened the door, holding
her travelling bag. Galen and Serena were sitting on the couch
talking. Serena and Galen, the two people on Earth she thought--
okay hoped--would never meet, were gabbing away as if they had known
each other forever. Suddenly, both sets of eyes swung on her.
'Please,' she thought, 'let me die now. Don't let him ask any
questions.'
Serena studied her sister. She had the proverbial deer caught
in the headlights look. Serena stood up and gave Carlin a hug.
"Back from Ki's already?"
Before, Carlin could reply, Galen muscled his way in. "Was it
safe for you to be travelling in...in..."
Carlin took a step or two backward and said, "Of course it was
safe. For as far along as I am, I'm not really that big."
Galen snuck in and breathed, "It'd be pretty interesting to
know how far along you really are. Your sister kept dodging the
subject."
Carlin just gazed at him. In the last six months, he had
gotten handsomer, and sexier, than when she had seen him last. He
had let his hair grow long and his eyes were shadowed. She prayed
fervently that she was the cause of them; then she'd know her
feelings were mirrored. "I'm far enough along to show," she said as
she mentally kicked herself.
He arched an eyebrow, then reached forward, and touched her
abdomen. He could only vaguely remember that night six months ago,
when both of them were so drunk that they didn't care about
protection or anything else except their unquenched passion.
"Carlin, I know she's mine." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he
spoke in a way that sent chills up her spine, "I remember everything
from that night." He looked at her impishly, wiggling his eyebrows,
"I mean 'everything.'"
Carlin looked for Serena, but her sister decided to vacate the
room for the time being. Pulling herself away from Galen, she said,
"I need to lie down. Jet lag and pregnancy aren't a good mix."
As she moved to walk past him, Galen said, "This isn't done by
a long shot." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her
passionately. Pulling away, he stalked angrily toward the door;
turning only once to say, "Remember that we're far from over."
Carlin dropped to the floor like a ton of bricks. This was
happening far too soon; far, far too soon for her liking.
Serena peeked her head inside the door. She didn't feel like
it was her place to interfere with Carlin's life when Car hadn't
messed with hers. "Car? Are you okay?"
Carlin ran her hand across her eyes. She wanted, no, needed
to be strong for Serena. "I'll be fine. Seeing him after so long
innerved me."
"Well, he was surprised." Hell, surprised wasn't the word;
blindsided is more like it. He hadn't expected to see Serena
pregnant, but seeing Carlin must have drove him off the deep end.
"What did he say?"
Carlin sighed. Serena would find out anyway, it would be
better to get it out now. "He said that we're 'far from over.'"
She turned her gaze to Serena. She wanted Galen so much, but it
wouldn't work out. "I want him, Rene, so much that it hurts to
breathe. Ya know? When the air gets heavy when he's near and
things like that." She threw her hands up in the air, "It's
multiplied now that I'm pregnant."
Serena just stood there and nodded. She felt the same way
about Darien, obviously he did too because he was looking for her,
but it was starting to fade. Hopefully, the sooner the better.
* * *
Chad threw a folder on Darien's desk. "It's a good thing you
gave me your passwords. Raye sent this to you via e-mail."
Darien eyed the folder wearily and looked back at Chad. "Is
it good?"
Biting his lip to contain his smile, Chad said, "Why don't you
look and tell me what you think?"
Sliding the folder across his desk, Darien looked at it as if
it may contain some infectious disease. Edging a corner up, he saw
a flash of color and thought it was a picture. Flipping the cover
up, Darien caught his breath at the picture he saw. It was Serena
with a half-hearted smile caressing her belly--her very swollen
belly. Below, the caption said, "Serena and babies - 5 months."
Darien whooped for joy. He was going to be a father, and
soon. From the picture, it looked like Serena was going to bust at
any moment. Letting that knowledge rest on the edge of his heart,
Darien flipped through the rest of the photos. There were several
where Serena was caught unawares by the camera and a few where she
was even sleeping. He took a few out for himself and gave Chad the
folder back. "Look for clues in the pictures. Maybe we'll finally
be able to find her."
Chad nodded his head. Studying the pictures, he slowly shook
his head. The only way to find out where they were would be to
actually fly to Michigan or somewhere else in the Midwest and
personally look for the landmarks in the pictures. Raye had taken a
great risk in sending these pictures. He glanced up at Darien and
said, "This isn't going to be easy. Many of these places are
unrecognizable unless you're actually there." Chad glanced back at
the picture containing Raye. "It's amazing that she was able to
send these to us."
Darien picked up the nearest picture, one of Serena and Carlin
hugging, and stared at it. If he hadn't messed everything up...
"You're right, Chad. We should sit back and relax. Carlin told me,
while you were talking to Kieta, that Raye will be home before
August."
Chad glared at him, "Why didn't you tell me sooner? That
means that Raye will be home in less than five months." He paused
for a moment and seemed to look inward, "Raye's staying long enough
to make sure that Serena and the baby are okay."
Darien narrowed his eyes and went back to looking at the
pictures. He softly smiled as he looked at the ones of Serena
sleeping. One of her small hands was delicately curled on her
stomach, comforting the life within. Letting his eyes water at the
beautiful sight, Darien whispered, "As soon as I find you, I'm not
going to let either of you go."
* * *
"What did you two do?"
Carlin and Raye jumped guiltily. Serena was going to be so
pissed when she found out what she and Raye had done. "Serena, you
should sit down."
Serena glared at both Carlin and Raye. They were planning a
surprise for her or they had done something really stupid; Serena
was wagering on the latter. "Don't tell me what to do," she growled
in retaliation, but sat down nonetheless. They were into April now
and Serena's symptoms were getting worse. Grant it, she wasn't
getting much bigger, but she could say she possessed a pair of
'cankles' due to how swollen her ankles were and she was starting to
lose her appetite. Carlin and Raye had to hover over her in order
to make sure she ate. "Please tell me that you feel as miserable as
I look," Serena asked Carlin.
Carlin looked over at her sister. Although Serena was only
six months along, she looked as if she was due tomorrow. Carlin was
seven months along and even she didn't look that big. In a soothing
voice, she said, "Serena, you don't look that bad. You've just been
pregnant for too long." She sat down next to Serena and kissed her
forehead, "You, Raye, and I are going to a salon." When Serena
opened her mouth to speak, Carlin forestalled her and said, "No
buts. We're going to get beautified and that's that."
Raye moved over to her and said, "You should do it. It might
be the last time you get out until the babies are a little older."
Serena's gaze wavered from Raye to Carlin, and back, several
times. She didn't know what they were planning, but they did have a
point. "All right, I'll go."
The girls grabbed their coats and Raye drove the trio to the
only salon in town. They entered and signed up for haircuts. A few
moments later, a woman with red hair approached Serena. "Right this
way, Miss Blade."
Serena studied the hairdresser as she was led to her chair.
She looked a little like... "Emerald? Is that you?"
Emerald nodded and turned away. She really hadn't wanted to
hurt Serena all those years ago, but some things have to happen in a
certain order. "Sit down. I see you're doing well for yourself."
Serena looked at her stomach, "You have no idea how well."
She clasped Emerald's hand when she came in front of her, "What
happened to Diamond and you? Why are you all the way out here?"
Emerald gave a small smile. With different circumstances, she
and Serena could have been best friends. "Diamond left me a few
months ago for this red head he was seeing in California. My
brothers live out here and Galen's helping me out."
Serena bust up laughing. Fate sure had a wicked sense of
humor. "Is Galen's last name McHail?"
Emerald smiled. Maybe Serena was the one Galen had knocked
up. "Yeah. He's been telling me that I'm going to be an aunt soon.
Are you the mom?"
Serena shook her head, "My little sister Carlin is the mommy.
She's the little redhead who's getting her hair cut now."
"Well, I'll be damned," Emerald whistled. "It's a small
world."
"And constantly getting smaller." Serena looked at Emerald
and settled down to business, "What do you think I should do to my
hair?"
Emerald smiled and twirled Serena so she was facing the
mirror, "Personally, I think..."
* * *
Serena fluffed her hair, "I'm impressed, Emerald. I never
thought I'd be able to pull hair off this short." Emerald had cut
Serena's hair from its previous length, from the bottom of her back,
to her chin and had put in layers.
Emerald took a step back and said, "Having hair this short now
will be a help when the babies come later. You won't have to worry
about them pulling on your hair."
Serena stood up and started to leave. Having second thoughts,
she turned back around and asked, "Would you like to come to
Carlin's and mine baby shower? We're having it next week."
Emerald stood there surprised. If she were in Serena's shoes,
she wouldn't have even looked back. She nodded yes and added,
"Diamond was wrong when he used to talk about you. You're far more
forgiving and caring than most of us could be." She wiped at the
tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes and gathered
Serena in her arms, "Thanks for giving me another chance."
By this time, Serena was crying too. Damn hormones. She
pulled out of the hug and said, "It's no problem. Everyone deserves
a second chance."
Carlin came up from behind and said, "Remember those words
when the time comes."
Before Serena could ask what she meant, Raye spoke up. "It's
time for us to leave. See ya next week, Emerald."
The trio walked out of the salon and got into Raye's car.
Carlin turned upon Serena and asked, "Aren't you glad we got you out
of the house?"
Looking back, Serena simply said, "Yes, I am."
* * *
Darien was starting to get cagey. When Raye sent the third
set of pictures, he knew where they were; or at least where some of
the pictures had been taken. If Chad wasn't out chasing a lead at
this very moment, they would have been on the nearest plane. "Where
the hell could he be?"
"I take it you're talking of me," Chad said as he walked
through the doorway. The lead he'd been chasing turned out to be a
dead end. He ended up spending the day talking with various
transients, only to find that they had lied to collect the reward
Darien offered. Chad ran a hand through his hair aggressively. He
was starting to get slightly pissed at the whole reward thing; it
had only caused trouble and a whole mess of dead ends.
"Have you seen the last pictures that Raye sent?" Darien
asked as he waved them at Chad, forgetting that Chad had printed
them off this morning.
Chad blew a wisp of hair out of his eyes, "Of course. I'm the
one who gave them to you this morning." He suspiciously eyed the
pictures and asked cautiously, "Find anything good?"
Darien beamed like a little boy who had discovered something
new. "You bet your psychic ass I did." He chuckled when Chad's jaw
dropped and he started sputtering. Darien patted Chad's back and
said, "If you want to keep those kind of 'secrets' to yourself,
don't make it obvious."
Chad turned away from Darien. Was his link to Raye as obvious
too? Looking back at Darien, he decided the answer was no. Letting
out a sigh of relief, he said, "You caught me." Looking back at the
photos, and trying to divert the attention from himself, Chad asked,
"What did you find?"
"They stayed in Florida for part of Serena's sixth month. In
the corner of the picture, you can just see the outline of a
portrait gallery that bases itself in Florida and is, in fact, two
blocks from a condo we own down there." Darien was pretty damned
pleased with himself and his face said, 'See, I can do things when
you're gone.'
Chad rubbed his chin. It was quite interesting what happened
behind your back. "Alright, it's off to Florida we go. We'll
question Nerys and be back in time to celebrate Easter with your
mother."
* * *
Serena gazed warily out the window of the airplane. Carlin
had been so damn adamant about them leaving that morning. When
Serena questioned her, all she said was, "I'll tell you when we get
home." This week was supposed to be fun visiting Nerys and showing
her how big they had both gotten; and it was fun, until this
morning.
Serena shifted in her seat and gazed at Carlin. The poor kid
was starting to get huge and her due date was at the end of June.
Galen was going to be happy; he was already kissing Serena's feet
for keeping him updated on Carlin's condition. Carlin didn't know
it yet, but he was going to be taking them home. 'The look on her
face would be worth it,' Serena thought as she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
A few hours later, Serena woke to find Carlin staring at her.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Serena looked up at her and asked,
"Is something wrong, Car?"
Carlin smirked at her sister. Something had been slightly
nagging Carlin for sometime and now seemed the perfect time to get
it off her chest. She couldn't tell Serena about her vision, but
she could voice the feelings rolling around in her brain. She
cleared her throat and looked Serena straight in the eyes; "Do you
still love Darien?"
Serena was taken aback. Trying to worm her way out of it, she
said, "I loved his body..."
"Bullshit." Carlin looked at Serena's abdomen and back at her
eyes, "Don't try to dodge my questions. Do you still love Darien?"
Serena felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. No
matter what she told Carlin, she knew the answer anyway. Looking at
Carlin with wet eyes she said softly, "I love him so much it hurts."
Carlin wrapped her arms around Serena and let her cry it out.
She knew Serena had to see Darien, but things had to happen in a
certain order. If Darien had found them at Nerys' this morning, he
would have been pissed. Or not. It was too late to find out now.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts."
Everything was a blur after that. The plane landed and the
girls found their luggage okay enough. Serena kept standing on her
tiptoes to see if Galen had arrived yet. Carlin tugged at her and
asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Our ride," Serena replied, resuming her position on her
tiptoes. A few minutes later she tugged Carlin's arm. "He's over
there by the door."
Carlin clambered on top of a chair to look. "Where, I don't
see anyone for us."
Serena pulled her down and motioned her to follow, "Trust me,
he's here. C'mon."
Carlin followed Serena through the mass of bodies and stopped
short when she saw whom Serena was referring to. Turning to Serena
she said, "You've got to be kidding me."
Winking at her, Serena said, "Hell no. Besides, you kids have
some talking to do." She turned toward the door and walked out,
leaving Carlin and Galen in her wake.
Galen turned toward Carlin and took her arm. He lowered
himself to her ear and said suggestively, "We should do our
'talking' in private. I don't like an audience." He placed a kiss
on her temple and said, "Let's go. On the way home, we can discuss
baby names."
Serena softly sighed as she opened the door to Galen's car.
At least Carlin would have a happy ending; Serena would only have
her babies to comfort her.
* * *
Darien knocked on Nerys' door, making sure that the whole
neighborhood would hear him, if she didn't. Both Darien and Chad
had been on the first flight to Tampa Bay to make sure they were
able to catch one of Serena's sisters totally unaware. He had been
so excited this morning, he left Chad at the hotel.
"Yes?"
Darien looked up and was slightly surprised that this woman
was related to Serena. If it weren't for the eyes, he never would
have been able to place the two. "Miss Tsukino? I'm Darien Mills.
I'd like to talk to you about your sister."
The woman's eyes grew as wide as saucers as she stepped aside
to let him inside. She motioned him to sit down and asked, "This is
about Serena and that guy that got her pregnant, isn't it?"
Darien bit his tongue to keep from saying what he didn't want
said. Nodding his head, he said, "I'm trying to find her. Can you
help me?"
Nerys shook her head. It wasn't her place to tell the man
where Serena was. "You missed her about four hours ago. She needed
to go home and prepare..." She stopped herself. She didn't want to
spill the beans about Serena being pregnant.
"Nerys?"
Nerys looked into the young man's eyes and was horrified to
see pain and shock harbored there. "Mr. Mills, I'm not at liberty
to discuss Serena's whereabouts. However, I can extend an
invitation to you, via my sister Samantha, to a ball in December.
Serena will be there."
'You'll see her again in December and you'll finally track her
down in June.' Carlin's prediction circled the edge of Darien's
mind. If she hadn't told him, he never would have gone.
"One condition, Mr. Mills," Nerys said with a growl low in her
throat.
He looked back at her. "Anything, if I get to see Serena
again."
"If I hear through my channels that you are still looking for
Serena, and endanger her at a time like this, I'll convince her not
to go." Nerys glared at him. If he really loved her sister, he'd
do as she asked and not give her any lip. "Do we have a deal?"
Darien looked at her and smiled. The one thing Arden Blade
did right was give these girls each other. "Only if you'll keep me
posted on her condition."
A slow smile crept over Nerys' face. Whatever this man did,
he truly loved Serena. "Alright." She stood up and led him toward
the door. Watching him leave, she called out, "Mr. Mills?" When he
turned around, she smiled and said, "Darien Chaucy has a much nicer
ring to it, don't you think?" She watched as the astonishment
spread over his face, and walked back inside, leaving Darien to
wonder how she knew.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the chapters after this one won't as extensively edited
because I started to do that when I was writing them.
Send Q's or C's to: silver_moonangel@yahoo.com
Carley MoonAngel @ FF.Net
--------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: This is the second, EDITED, version of Shady Business. I'm
still going to be writing the first version we all know and love
(well, at least I do) and taking suggestions to revise it and create
this one!
Also, some new elements are going to be introduced, but it will only
prove to enhance it (I hope).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Ten - Almost Caught
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Carlin gaped with wide eyes when she opened the door, holding
her travelling bag. Galen and Serena were sitting on the couch
talking. Serena and Galen, the two people on Earth she thought--
okay hoped--would never meet, were gabbing away as if they had known
each other forever. Suddenly, both sets of eyes swung on her.
'Please,' she thought, 'let me die now. Don't let him ask any
questions.'
Serena studied her sister. She had the proverbial deer caught
in the headlights look. Serena stood up and gave Carlin a hug.
"Back from Ki's already?"
Before, Carlin could reply, Galen muscled his way in. "Was it
safe for you to be travelling in...in..."
Carlin took a step or two backward and said, "Of course it was
safe. For as far along as I am, I'm not really that big."
Galen snuck in and breathed, "It'd be pretty interesting to
know how far along you really are. Your sister kept dodging the
subject."
Carlin just gazed at him. In the last six months, he had
gotten handsomer, and sexier, than when she had seen him last. He
had let his hair grow long and his eyes were shadowed. She prayed
fervently that she was the cause of them; then she'd know her
feelings were mirrored. "I'm far enough along to show," she said as
she mentally kicked herself.
He arched an eyebrow, then reached forward, and touched her
abdomen. He could only vaguely remember that night six months ago,
when both of them were so drunk that they didn't care about
protection or anything else except their unquenched passion.
"Carlin, I know she's mine." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he
spoke in a way that sent chills up her spine, "I remember everything
from that night." He looked at her impishly, wiggling his eyebrows,
"I mean 'everything.'"
Carlin looked for Serena, but her sister decided to vacate the
room for the time being. Pulling herself away from Galen, she said,
"I need to lie down. Jet lag and pregnancy aren't a good mix."
As she moved to walk past him, Galen said, "This isn't done by
a long shot." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her
passionately. Pulling away, he stalked angrily toward the door;
turning only once to say, "Remember that we're far from over."
Carlin dropped to the floor like a ton of bricks. This was
happening far too soon; far, far too soon for her liking.
Serena peeked her head inside the door. She didn't feel like
it was her place to interfere with Carlin's life when Car hadn't
messed with hers. "Car? Are you okay?"
Carlin ran her hand across her eyes. She wanted, no, needed
to be strong for Serena. "I'll be fine. Seeing him after so long
innerved me."
"Well, he was surprised." Hell, surprised wasn't the word;
blindsided is more like it. He hadn't expected to see Serena
pregnant, but seeing Carlin must have drove him off the deep end.
"What did he say?"
Carlin sighed. Serena would find out anyway, it would be
better to get it out now. "He said that we're 'far from over.'"
She turned her gaze to Serena. She wanted Galen so much, but it
wouldn't work out. "I want him, Rene, so much that it hurts to
breathe. Ya know? When the air gets heavy when he's near and
things like that." She threw her hands up in the air, "It's
multiplied now that I'm pregnant."
Serena just stood there and nodded. She felt the same way
about Darien, obviously he did too because he was looking for her,
but it was starting to fade. Hopefully, the sooner the better.
* * *
Chad threw a folder on Darien's desk. "It's a good thing you
gave me your passwords. Raye sent this to you via e-mail."
Darien eyed the folder wearily and looked back at Chad. "Is
it good?"
Biting his lip to contain his smile, Chad said, "Why don't you
look and tell me what you think?"
Sliding the folder across his desk, Darien looked at it as if
it may contain some infectious disease. Edging a corner up, he saw
a flash of color and thought it was a picture. Flipping the cover
up, Darien caught his breath at the picture he saw. It was Serena
with a half-hearted smile caressing her belly--her very swollen
belly. Below, the caption said, "Serena and babies - 5 months."
Darien whooped for joy. He was going to be a father, and
soon. From the picture, it looked like Serena was going to bust at
any moment. Letting that knowledge rest on the edge of his heart,
Darien flipped through the rest of the photos. There were several
where Serena was caught unawares by the camera and a few where she
was even sleeping. He took a few out for himself and gave Chad the
folder back. "Look for clues in the pictures. Maybe we'll finally
be able to find her."
Chad nodded his head. Studying the pictures, he slowly shook
his head. The only way to find out where they were would be to
actually fly to Michigan or somewhere else in the Midwest and
personally look for the landmarks in the pictures. Raye had taken a
great risk in sending these pictures. He glanced up at Darien and
said, "This isn't going to be easy. Many of these places are
unrecognizable unless you're actually there." Chad glanced back at
the picture containing Raye. "It's amazing that she was able to
send these to us."
Darien picked up the nearest picture, one of Serena and Carlin
hugging, and stared at it. If he hadn't messed everything up...
"You're right, Chad. We should sit back and relax. Carlin told me,
while you were talking to Kieta, that Raye will be home before
August."
Chad glared at him, "Why didn't you tell me sooner? That
means that Raye will be home in less than five months." He paused
for a moment and seemed to look inward, "Raye's staying long enough
to make sure that Serena and the baby are okay."
Darien narrowed his eyes and went back to looking at the
pictures. He softly smiled as he looked at the ones of Serena
sleeping. One of her small hands was delicately curled on her
stomach, comforting the life within. Letting his eyes water at the
beautiful sight, Darien whispered, "As soon as I find you, I'm not
going to let either of you go."
* * *
"What did you two do?"
Carlin and Raye jumped guiltily. Serena was going to be so
pissed when she found out what she and Raye had done. "Serena, you
should sit down."
Serena glared at both Carlin and Raye. They were planning a
surprise for her or they had done something really stupid; Serena
was wagering on the latter. "Don't tell me what to do," she growled
in retaliation, but sat down nonetheless. They were into April now
and Serena's symptoms were getting worse. Grant it, she wasn't
getting much bigger, but she could say she possessed a pair of
'cankles' due to how swollen her ankles were and she was starting to
lose her appetite. Carlin and Raye had to hover over her in order
to make sure she ate. "Please tell me that you feel as miserable as
I look," Serena asked Carlin.
Carlin looked over at her sister. Although Serena was only
six months along, she looked as if she was due tomorrow. Carlin was
seven months along and even she didn't look that big. In a soothing
voice, she said, "Serena, you don't look that bad. You've just been
pregnant for too long." She sat down next to Serena and kissed her
forehead, "You, Raye, and I are going to a salon." When Serena
opened her mouth to speak, Carlin forestalled her and said, "No
buts. We're going to get beautified and that's that."
Raye moved over to her and said, "You should do it. It might
be the last time you get out until the babies are a little older."
Serena's gaze wavered from Raye to Carlin, and back, several
times. She didn't know what they were planning, but they did have a
point. "All right, I'll go."
The girls grabbed their coats and Raye drove the trio to the
only salon in town. They entered and signed up for haircuts. A few
moments later, a woman with red hair approached Serena. "Right this
way, Miss Blade."
Serena studied the hairdresser as she was led to her chair.
She looked a little like... "Emerald? Is that you?"
Emerald nodded and turned away. She really hadn't wanted to
hurt Serena all those years ago, but some things have to happen in a
certain order. "Sit down. I see you're doing well for yourself."
Serena looked at her stomach, "You have no idea how well."
She clasped Emerald's hand when she came in front of her, "What
happened to Diamond and you? Why are you all the way out here?"
Emerald gave a small smile. With different circumstances, she
and Serena could have been best friends. "Diamond left me a few
months ago for this red head he was seeing in California. My
brothers live out here and Galen's helping me out."
Serena bust up laughing. Fate sure had a wicked sense of
humor. "Is Galen's last name McHail?"
Emerald smiled. Maybe Serena was the one Galen had knocked
up. "Yeah. He's been telling me that I'm going to be an aunt soon.
Are you the mom?"
Serena shook her head, "My little sister Carlin is the mommy.
She's the little redhead who's getting her hair cut now."
"Well, I'll be damned," Emerald whistled. "It's a small
world."
"And constantly getting smaller." Serena looked at Emerald
and settled down to business, "What do you think I should do to my
hair?"
Emerald smiled and twirled Serena so she was facing the
mirror, "Personally, I think..."
* * *
Serena fluffed her hair, "I'm impressed, Emerald. I never
thought I'd be able to pull hair off this short." Emerald had cut
Serena's hair from its previous length, from the bottom of her back,
to her chin and had put in layers.
Emerald took a step back and said, "Having hair this short now
will be a help when the babies come later. You won't have to worry
about them pulling on your hair."
Serena stood up and started to leave. Having second thoughts,
she turned back around and asked, "Would you like to come to
Carlin's and mine baby shower? We're having it next week."
Emerald stood there surprised. If she were in Serena's shoes,
she wouldn't have even looked back. She nodded yes and added,
"Diamond was wrong when he used to talk about you. You're far more
forgiving and caring than most of us could be." She wiped at the
tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes and gathered
Serena in her arms, "Thanks for giving me another chance."
By this time, Serena was crying too. Damn hormones. She
pulled out of the hug and said, "It's no problem. Everyone deserves
a second chance."
Carlin came up from behind and said, "Remember those words
when the time comes."
Before Serena could ask what she meant, Raye spoke up. "It's
time for us to leave. See ya next week, Emerald."
The trio walked out of the salon and got into Raye's car.
Carlin turned upon Serena and asked, "Aren't you glad we got you out
of the house?"
Looking back, Serena simply said, "Yes, I am."
* * *
Darien was starting to get cagey. When Raye sent the third
set of pictures, he knew where they were; or at least where some of
the pictures had been taken. If Chad wasn't out chasing a lead at
this very moment, they would have been on the nearest plane. "Where
the hell could he be?"
"I take it you're talking of me," Chad said as he walked
through the doorway. The lead he'd been chasing turned out to be a
dead end. He ended up spending the day talking with various
transients, only to find that they had lied to collect the reward
Darien offered. Chad ran a hand through his hair aggressively. He
was starting to get slightly pissed at the whole reward thing; it
had only caused trouble and a whole mess of dead ends.
"Have you seen the last pictures that Raye sent?" Darien
asked as he waved them at Chad, forgetting that Chad had printed
them off this morning.
Chad blew a wisp of hair out of his eyes, "Of course. I'm the
one who gave them to you this morning." He suspiciously eyed the
pictures and asked cautiously, "Find anything good?"
Darien beamed like a little boy who had discovered something
new. "You bet your psychic ass I did." He chuckled when Chad's jaw
dropped and he started sputtering. Darien patted Chad's back and
said, "If you want to keep those kind of 'secrets' to yourself,
don't make it obvious."
Chad turned away from Darien. Was his link to Raye as obvious
too? Looking back at Darien, he decided the answer was no. Letting
out a sigh of relief, he said, "You caught me." Looking back at the
photos, and trying to divert the attention from himself, Chad asked,
"What did you find?"
"They stayed in Florida for part of Serena's sixth month. In
the corner of the picture, you can just see the outline of a
portrait gallery that bases itself in Florida and is, in fact, two
blocks from a condo we own down there." Darien was pretty damned
pleased with himself and his face said, 'See, I can do things when
you're gone.'
Chad rubbed his chin. It was quite interesting what happened
behind your back. "Alright, it's off to Florida we go. We'll
question Nerys and be back in time to celebrate Easter with your
mother."
* * *
Serena gazed warily out the window of the airplane. Carlin
had been so damn adamant about them leaving that morning. When
Serena questioned her, all she said was, "I'll tell you when we get
home." This week was supposed to be fun visiting Nerys and showing
her how big they had both gotten; and it was fun, until this
morning.
Serena shifted in her seat and gazed at Carlin. The poor kid
was starting to get huge and her due date was at the end of June.
Galen was going to be happy; he was already kissing Serena's feet
for keeping him updated on Carlin's condition. Carlin didn't know
it yet, but he was going to be taking them home. 'The look on her
face would be worth it,' Serena thought as she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
A few hours later, Serena woke to find Carlin staring at her.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Serena looked up at her and asked,
"Is something wrong, Car?"
Carlin smirked at her sister. Something had been slightly
nagging Carlin for sometime and now seemed the perfect time to get
it off her chest. She couldn't tell Serena about her vision, but
she could voice the feelings rolling around in her brain. She
cleared her throat and looked Serena straight in the eyes; "Do you
still love Darien?"
Serena was taken aback. Trying to worm her way out of it, she
said, "I loved his body..."
"Bullshit." Carlin looked at Serena's abdomen and back at her
eyes, "Don't try to dodge my questions. Do you still love Darien?"
Serena felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. No
matter what she told Carlin, she knew the answer anyway. Looking at
Carlin with wet eyes she said softly, "I love him so much it hurts."
Carlin wrapped her arms around Serena and let her cry it out.
She knew Serena had to see Darien, but things had to happen in a
certain order. If Darien had found them at Nerys' this morning, he
would have been pissed. Or not. It was too late to find out now.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts."
Everything was a blur after that. The plane landed and the
girls found their luggage okay enough. Serena kept standing on her
tiptoes to see if Galen had arrived yet. Carlin tugged at her and
asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Our ride," Serena replied, resuming her position on her
tiptoes. A few minutes later she tugged Carlin's arm. "He's over
there by the door."
Carlin clambered on top of a chair to look. "Where, I don't
see anyone for us."
Serena pulled her down and motioned her to follow, "Trust me,
he's here. C'mon."
Carlin followed Serena through the mass of bodies and stopped
short when she saw whom Serena was referring to. Turning to Serena
she said, "You've got to be kidding me."
Winking at her, Serena said, "Hell no. Besides, you kids have
some talking to do." She turned toward the door and walked out,
leaving Carlin and Galen in her wake.
Galen turned toward Carlin and took her arm. He lowered
himself to her ear and said suggestively, "We should do our
'talking' in private. I don't like an audience." He placed a kiss
on her temple and said, "Let's go. On the way home, we can discuss
baby names."
Serena softly sighed as she opened the door to Galen's car.
At least Carlin would have a happy ending; Serena would only have
her babies to comfort her.
* * *
Darien knocked on Nerys' door, making sure that the whole
neighborhood would hear him, if she didn't. Both Darien and Chad
had been on the first flight to Tampa Bay to make sure they were
able to catch one of Serena's sisters totally unaware. He had been
so excited this morning, he left Chad at the hotel.
"Yes?"
Darien looked up and was slightly surprised that this woman
was related to Serena. If it weren't for the eyes, he never would
have been able to place the two. "Miss Tsukino? I'm Darien Mills.
I'd like to talk to you about your sister."
The woman's eyes grew as wide as saucers as she stepped aside
to let him inside. She motioned him to sit down and asked, "This is
about Serena and that guy that got her pregnant, isn't it?"
Darien bit his tongue to keep from saying what he didn't want
said. Nodding his head, he said, "I'm trying to find her. Can you
help me?"
Nerys shook her head. It wasn't her place to tell the man
where Serena was. "You missed her about four hours ago. She needed
to go home and prepare..." She stopped herself. She didn't want to
spill the beans about Serena being pregnant.
"Nerys?"
Nerys looked into the young man's eyes and was horrified to
see pain and shock harbored there. "Mr. Mills, I'm not at liberty
to discuss Serena's whereabouts. However, I can extend an
invitation to you, via my sister Samantha, to a ball in December.
Serena will be there."
'You'll see her again in December and you'll finally track her
down in June.' Carlin's prediction circled the edge of Darien's
mind. If she hadn't told him, he never would have gone.
"One condition, Mr. Mills," Nerys said with a growl low in her
throat.
He looked back at her. "Anything, if I get to see Serena
again."
"If I hear through my channels that you are still looking for
Serena, and endanger her at a time like this, I'll convince her not
to go." Nerys glared at him. If he really loved her sister, he'd
do as she asked and not give her any lip. "Do we have a deal?"
Darien looked at her and smiled. The one thing Arden Blade
did right was give these girls each other. "Only if you'll keep me
posted on her condition."
A slow smile crept over Nerys' face. Whatever this man did,
he truly loved Serena. "Alright." She stood up and led him toward
the door. Watching him leave, she called out, "Mr. Mills?" When he
turned around, she smiled and said, "Darien Chaucy has a much nicer
ring to it, don't you think?" She watched as the astonishment
spread over his face, and walked back inside, leaving Darien to
wonder how she knew.
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Most of the chapters after this one won't as extensively edited
because I started to do that when I was writing them.
Send Q's or C's to: silver_moonangel@yahoo.com