"Serena san, Serena san!"
The blonde turned around to see Ada walking hurriedly toward her, her usual notebook in hand.
"Good morning Ada"
"Good morning Serena san, I was hoping to catch up with you… Annie's parents called the hospital this morning, they asked that you called them as soon as you got in"
"Annie's parents? Thanks Ada, I'll do it right away"
It was strange for Niky and Michael to call the hospital instead of her house so she knew something wasn't right, she feared it. Serena smiled at the younger girl as she excused herself and walked away back to the main desk.
Apart from herself, Ada was the most dedicated volunteer in the hospital, and Serena never forgot that. She always tried to give the girl her place, and never forgot to thank her. Remembering the closest available phone, Serene walked to its direction hoping for the best but ready for the worst.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"Hey sweetheart"
"Ammi, you're here!" Squeaked the little girl sitting next to Trey.
"Yes, after running around like a chicken without a head I finally found you… and in his room… I should have known"
Serena collapsed on her usual chair in Trey's room. The blonde guy smirked at the girl.
"Of course she was here, poor Annie-candy was bored to death so I told her to come up to my room and watch TV together"
"Having fun?"
"Oh, terribly, haven't you noticed?" She smiled at him. There he sat, an arm around the child and the other holding a remote. She wished she had a camera with her so she could take a picture of him like this.
Trey wasn't a children person, however when it came Annie he made an exception but only for her.
She had to tell her.
The talk with Niky and Michael hadn't turned out like she'd hoped. It would be better if she told Annie now instead of waiting.
"Sweetheart, I just talked with your parents"
The girl's slightly rosy lips curled into a beautiful smile.
"You did!"
"Yes, they will be calling you today at five"
The girl nodded her head, excitement obvious in her young eyes.
"Sweetheart"
Trey knew that tone, there was more to that phone call. Getting a bad feeling Trey looked worryingly toward Serena who proceeded.
"Your mommy said she and your daddy cannot make it back here until next Saturday"
"Ok…"
Three
Two
One
"Wait…" She held her finger in front of her eyes and counted. "But my birthday is that Friday!"
She kept her hands out as if showing Serena.
"Yes Annie, they know. They've tried everything to move the flight, but their work won't allow it. They will only be here a day late, and then you'll celebrate it together"
The child's eyes casted down, disappointment obvious in her eyes. But she wouldn't cry, it wasn't in her nature. Knowing this Serena rushed to the girl's side with a warm, loving smile.
"We'll have a party here on that day. With Trey and your friends, you'll see, we have so much fun! And then the next day you will celebrate with your mommy and daddy. You will have two parties!"
This was one reason why the child adored Serena so, no matter how bad thing seemed she always pointed out the good things. Though disappointed Annie smiled and nodded, she was soon enveloped in a 'Serena hug'. It was the name she'd given the type of embrace that takes the air right out of your lugs but it still makes you want to stay there for a really long time.
Trey watched them with sadness. Although Annie didn't show it, he knew she was hurting. Years of living in the hospital had matured the young girl. At her short age she had been through more than some kids by age 10. But sometimes, just sometimes when she thought there was no reason not to smile, she turned into the hopeful, dream filled 6-year old she was.
"So whatcha say, we stay here and play monopoly until lunch time eh?"
"I say, I like that idea sunshine"
Annie nodded in approval to Serena's idea.
"Annie, why don't you go fetch it? Just tell the nurse it's for me"
"Ok"
The girl ran full speed out the door. Trey took the opportunity to squeeze any remaining information out of his cousin.
"What else did they say?"
"Ah nothing. Just that. They asked me how you were doing"
"What did you say?"
A teasing smile filled her lips as she scooped next to him on the bed, he back against the pillow.
"I said you were being your usual annoying self"
He laughed, a charming laugh.
"What you call annoying, the ladies call charming"
"You're about as charming as a frog"
"It turned into a prince after the princess kissed him"
"Sorry to tell you this but, we've run out of princesses"
He laughed again, both of them together now. She'd never realized how much she missed this never ending teasing come backs between them.
"But really now sunshine… did they say anything else?"
"They just sounded really sad about missing Annie's birthday, but they say that with staying that extra day they won't have to worry about leaving soon after Annie's operation"
"It works out then"
"In a way, I guess"
"Remembering your last birthday?"
She met his gaze, surprised at how well he read her.
"Oh please, we grew up together. I can tell your sad moods from a mile away"
"No matter how much in the past it is, I just haven't been able to get over it"
She remembered her last birthday fiascos. On her fifteenth birthday Darien and her, almost got killed by a youma and her sixteenth birthday had been darkened by one of their aunt's death. They'd all had had to travel to Kyoto for the funeral so Serena's birthday had been a one hour, hurried party.
Trey slipped an arm around the girl's shoulder, pulling her to his chest a protective manner.
"I'll tell you what, between you and me, we'll give that girl a birthday party she'll never forget ok?"
"Ok"
Annie walked into the room carrying a monopoly box.
"Did I miss anything?" Asked the curious girl as she watched Trey remove him arm from around Serena. It wasn't that she was suspicious or anything, Trey was allowed to hug his cousin. However it wasn't very often that he was affectionate. He only did it when Serena was sad.
"No darling, you didn't"
The blonde's smile was convincing enough for the girl. Walking close they gathered around the bed to set up the board.
&&&
"Where were you all morning Serena?"
"At the hospital"
"You sure are spending a lot of time there" Rey voiced as she watched Serena tackle the cookies Lita had made for them.
"I have to, Trey and Annie are there" She managed to chew out wither mouth full.
"How are they doing?"
"Trey is recuperating, the doctors say he'll be up and about in a week, with crutches of course… and Annie, well Annie's doing ok"
"Why is she in the hospital?" The girl had looked healthy enough for them, yet when mentioning her Serena always got this worried look on her face.
"After she was born a benign tumour formed near her stomach which had to be removed, this operation is meant to fix an abnormity in her kidneys… it will be her forth operation"
"Poor thing"
"She's very brave"
Said Serena, her thoughts far away. She remembered the day Annie had been born, she remembered holding her in her arms and thinking how small and fragile she was. And then she remembered seeing her lying on a hospital bed, her body so tired and battered just before her third operation, it broke her heart.
"When will her parents get here?"
"I got a call from them today, they'll be here in two weeks, but they'll miss Annie's birthday"
"Oh no" They said in chorus.
"She's disappointed to say the least, but I want to give her a huge birthday party… she deserves it, this year has been so hard on her"
"Hey we'll help!" Squeaked Mina as if she'd just thought of the perfect idea.
"Yeah, it'll be fun" Added Lita.
"Where are you planning on having it?"
Serena looked at Amy for a moment, considering something before answering.
"It has to be in the hospital, probably her room"
"It's settled then, we'll start planning" Ended Rey.
"Thanks guys"
"So have you gotten your final test scores back yet?"
The dreaded question had been asked, she could just hear the lectures coming.
&&&&&&&&&&&
Serena entered her boyfriend's apartment, key in hand. After raking off her shoes she walked into the living room and found Darien sleeping on the couch, a book in hand. She chuckled, of she got a yen for every time she'd found him like this she would be rich already. Making sure not to make noise she kneeled down in front of him and observed him.
His chest fell and rose with every breath, his boyish features looked even the more handsome. She smiled, feeling lucky for having him. Suddenly the girls commented flooded her mind.
"What do you mean you got a 51 in the math final!"
Yelled Rey, the news surprising her more than usual.
"At least I passed"
"Well yeah but…"
"I just panicked in the test"
"We practiced half a million times!"
"I passed it alright!"
"It's not enough Serena!"
"Yes it is! Don't you understand!"
With that she stood up and stormed out of the room.
She didn't know what was worse, try and fail or not try and fail. At least when she didn't try she had the inner excuse that she hadn't even tried and she could do better, but when she tried she didn't have an excuse. Bitterness overflowed her face, and she knew it was sweets time. Looking around she wondered if Darien had re-stocked on cookies.
According to the nurses Trey had about a week left in the hospital before they let him off. He would be staying at her house of course, in Sammy's bedroom. The boy was least to say enlightened by the idea of having the older, more annoying guy in his room.
She came back to the living room, a bag of cookies in hand only to see Darien sitting up on the couch and rubbing his eyes.
"Morning sleepy head" She said tenderly. Somewhat startled he turned to look at her, but he quickly smiled at the blonde.
"Hey, when did you get in?"
"Just a moment ago"
Darien stood up, she had to look up now in order to look him in the eye. He came closer to her and without warning took a cookie from the bag.
"Hey I took them first"
"Yeah but they're mine"
She playfully stuck her tongue out at Darien, he chuckled.
"So what brings my beautiful meatball head to my apartment?"
"Isn't wanting to see you a good enough excuse anymore?"
She teased as she walked closer to him, an innocent smile plastered on her face. Automatically he held her by the waist, pressing her closer to him before leaning down to kiss her on the mouth.
He meant it to be a sweet, chaste kiss, she knew but she needed more, she wanted more and so when he was about to pull away she kept her lips glued to his. She tip-toed in order to reach him better and soon she had both her hands on the back of his neck and was deepening their kiss. He accepted the invitation, kissing her with the same need.
She took shelter in his arms, tried to forget her neverending line of imperfections and problems. She did all she could… to sink into his arms.
She pushed back after a while, a sad smile on her face.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, a bit worried about Annie but fine"
"How is she?"
"Better but her operation is coming up… I always get restless before her operations" She whispered the last part more to herself than to him.
"It's so weird to hear you say that"
It was then that she realized to what she'd admitted to. She'd admitted to keeping secrets and perhaps even lying to him.
"I'm sorry" He grabbed her shoulders making her look at him.
"No, it's ok... how's Trey doing?"
Serena walked out of his grasp and placed the cookie bag between them as she talked.
"That test monkey? Oh he's fine, he's taking it as a vacation and planning what to do after he gets out of there, as long as it doesn't require him and 200km/h I'm happy"
"He doesn't seem to like me much"
She snorted. 'What gave you that idea?' She thought amused.
"Nah, he gives that impression to everyone who first meets him… after a while he kinda grows on you"
"I don't think I've grown on him yet"
"He still isn't past the breakout"
It was awkward for them to talk about their breakout. It seemed like it's happen centuries ago yet it had only been a little over a year since. They usually avoided the subject, Serena found it too painful to remember and Darien felt too much guilt to remember it.
"No wonder he doesn't like me"
She smiled and walked closer to him, holding the cookie bag in front of him, offering them to him.
"Don't worry, once he gets to know you he'll love you"
He took a cookie, smiling back at her with adoration filled eyes.
&&&
Trey watched as the last sun rays of the day shone through his window and to his wall. It was a quiet peaceful feeling, a feeling that reminded him of her.
"Celene" He whispered to the silence.
He closed his eyes, closed them tight. Sometimes he could swear he saw her in the light, dancing, she'd loved the dance.
She and Serena used to dance together, with no music. Just twirl and spin, like fairies. He's made fun of them so many times for doing that, but in his heart he'd loved it. Serena hadn't danced since then, not like the wind, not like a fairy, only like a princess.
He missed Celene dancing.
Warm sunrays encircled him suddenly. His eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring into beautiful crimson eyes as bright as the sun's, eyes he would give his life for a hundred times over to stare into.
She smiled, he did too.
"Celene"
Lips pressed against his in a sweet kiss, shushing him. He let his eyelids close……..
The feeling of something warm running down his face the last thing he remembered.
&&&&&&&&&&&&
Thank you for being so patient, well not technically but I'm SOOOO SORR it took so long. I'll keep updating.
Thanks to EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED.
And answering MAD-4-MANGA's question. Yes English is indeed my second language . Thanks for the review.
