"My sweet Darien!" An older lady with grey hair shouted as she went in for hug. "I am so glad you were able to make it."
"Thank you, Ma, I am glad I was able to help." He leaned down to accept her hug.
"We couldn't have done this with out you. Your generous donation saved this place." She turned around to show him the orphanage.
"The place looks amazing." Darien said admiring the remodel. "The builders did a good job."
"We were able to get a good deal. But enough about the building now." She looped her little arm Darien's and guided him inside. "How have you been? Where is your wife?"
Darien cleared his throat, pounded his chest with his fist twice.
"You are married aren't you? To that sweet Serena? Oh I remember when you first brought her around to me, remember the first time you two volunteered here?"
Darien scratched his head as he observed all the pictures on the wall. The pictures were of children from past and present. Ma loved all the kids that came through the orphanage. She treated them all like they were her own, even if they were there for just a few days.
"Oh remember this picture? You were so angry in it." She pointed to a picture in the far left corner.
He chuckled awkwardly. "I can't believe of all pictures you kept that one."
"I love it. So much emotion in it." She focused back to Darien. "But back to Serena, is she going to make it?"
Darien tried to avoid making eye contact with Ma.
"Darien what's wrong, tell Ma."
Darien dropped his shoulders, looked down at his freshly shined shoes, "Serena is not coming." He did a subtle nod. "She actually." He cleared his throat again. "She actually left me."
Ma threw her arms around Darien,"Oh my sweet Darien. What happened? Come on we make tea and we talk." She pulled him towards the kitchen.
Darien grabbed the tea cups and the sugar, while Ma poured hot water into the tea pot. She then carefully walked the pot to the table where Darien was waiting for her. She poured both their cups, added two scoops of sugar, stirred it in. "Now speak, what happened. You two were so in love."
Darien leaned back in his seat scratched his black hair and kind of just shrugged.
"Don't give me that what happened?"
"I am telling you, I am not sure. I came home one day and she was gone." Darien explained.
Ma shook her head. "Nope that cannot be it."
"I am telling you that is what happened. And I didn't even know she was unhappy."
"Hmmmm." Ma rested her arm on the table.
"What Ma?"
"Nothing, just you know being a doctor I am sure can be very demanding on you and..." She shrugged. "Do you think maybe you got so wrapped up in building Darien you forgot who was by your side?"
"But why wouldn't she say anything?" Darien leaned against the table rubbing his temples. "In a relationship you are supposed to talk and."
"And maybe she tried but you never listened." Ma took a sip of her tea.
"You now Darien, when you were in the states for school. She still came here to help out around. She loved the kids and they loved her."
"I wouldn't be surprised sometimes she is just like them."
"Maybe, or maybe she just has the motherly instinct. You two have been together for a long time now. What happened with the wedding planning? Did you ever talk about children?"
"Of course we did, when we were ready."
"We or you?" Ma looked at Darien with a smile. "Serena has been ready for babies since you came back. She waited so long for you, and how long did you think she was going to wait?" Ma looked the clock. "Would you look at the time it is time for the ribbon cutting."
Darien took a big gulp of his tea.
"Leave it there I will pick it later." She swatted his hand from picking up anything. "Let's go!" She walked behind Darien. "Any plans for when this is all done?"
"Ummm I was thinking maybe going to visit Andrew at the arcade. Remember him?"
"Of course I do your only friend until Serena." She reached up and pinched his cheek.
Down the street at the arcade, Serena casually walked in. Looked around. Nothing changed. Same games. Same booths.
"AHHHHHHH! Serena!" A brown haired female came running around the counter with welcoming arms.
"Rita! This is a restaurant! Keep it down!"
"Shut it Andrew! Do you see who is here?"
"Of course I do!" He walked towards Serena waiting for a hug.
"Rita please don't run! I missed you too." She hugged them each. "Oh my god let me see it! I've only seen pictures."
Rita turned to her side and rubbed her belly.
"Oh my god! Do you mind?" Serena asked reluctantly putting her hand out.
"Of course! Go for it!"
She turned back around popped her already extended belly out for Serena to rub.
"I am so excited for you two. Do you guys know what you are having?"
"Nope we want it to be a surprise." Andrew said wrapping an arm around Rita and kissing her head.
"I am so happy for you guys." Serena started to tear up again.
"Why don't we all sit down and I make you guys a shake." Andrew suggested.
"One of Andrew's famous shakes, how can I deny that offer." Serena teased walking towards the booth. "The girls all say 'hello'."
"How are they all doing? Any engage-" Andrew stopped when he saw Rita's eyes grew larger.
Serena looked at both of them. Andrew started to look nervous.
"Guys it's okay..." She said as calm as possible. "They are all good. No new engagements yet." She cleared her throat. "But I am sure Jed is super close."
"We're really sorry about how everything played out Sere." Rita started to rub her hands.
"Darien is a fool. You were the best thing that happened to him. He will regret this." Andrew said swinging around with two shakes.
"Thanks honey." Rita said sliding her drink over.
"It's fine guys. Really. I have hard days and I have not so hard days." She forced a smile.
"How long are you here?" Rita asked taking a sip of her shake.
"I am here for the break."
"That's right you got a job teaching!" Andrew said clapping his hands. "Serena the most miserable student is back in school." He chuckled. "Your drink is on me today."
"Andrew you don't have too, I have money now!" She smiled.
"No I never got to congratulate you. This one is on the house, I am so proud of you."
"Thanks guys."
"So do you want to go shopping?" Serena looked at Rita. "I have to stop by Molly's jewelry shop...maybe get some ideas for a push present?" She twitched her eyebrows.
"Don't give her ideas." Andrew scolded. He threw the towel on his shoulder on the counter.
"What?!" Serena said cluelessly with her hands up.
On cue the bell of the door rang. A gust of wind blew across Rita and Serena's back they both turned around.
"Drew! Can I get your strongest cup of co-"
"This can't be happening." Serena started rubbing her face in frustration.
"Serena."
"Darien! Hi!" Rita greeted to decrease the tension.
"What brings you here bud!?" Andrew asked just as awkward.
He ignored both of them. "Serena when did you get here...I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me you were coming!?"
Serena tried hard not to blow up in front of Andrew and Rita. Last thing she wanted was to worry Rita.
"Serena..." He reached over and grabbed her elbow.
"Don't touch me." She shook out her elbow from his grasp. "I am so glad that you made time to come out here, now that we aren't together." She looked at Andrew. "I only begged him like a billion times to take time off and come here with me. Can I please get this drink to go?"
"Serena, please don't go." Darien pleaded. "I am only here for the ribbon cutting."
"You don't have to explain yourself Darien, after all I am just some cheating whore who slept with her coworker to get her job."
"Wait what?" Andrew asked confused.
"Oh did you miss that Drew? Darien thinks I slept with Seiya to get my job, because I obviously couldn't get a job based on skill."
"I never said that!"
"Can I please get this to go!"
"No Serena, please stay." Rita begged. "We have so much to catch on. I missed you guys. After all you girls left."
"Rita..."
"We can go to the back room and hang out there." She suggested.
"Come on Sere. You two go back there, we will be here." Andrew said trying to keep the peace.
Serena looked at Rita. She was rubbing her stomach, and her face was pleading. Serena took a deep breath. "Fine. Let's go." She grabbed her cup slipped off the stool and walked to back, Rita following.
"Fix this." Rita mouthed to Andrew, as she glared at Darien. She closed the backroom door once she got in.
Darien just stood there. He looked at Andrew, who was now pouring him a cup of coffee. He slammed it on the counter. "Sit. Speak." He demanded.
Darien slid into stool.
"You thought she slept with Seiya? Are you insane, Serena no matter how mad at you would have never."
"I know that now, but I just." Darien again starting rubbing his temples.
"Were stupid?"
"Yes. Fine. I was stupid and now I have no idea how to fix this. I thought I had it and I blew it." He reached over to his coffee cup and brought it to his mouth.
"What would even draw you to that conclusion."
"Well you know he has always loved her and he has always done everything to wooo her." Darien explained.
"And you haven't." Andrew acknowledged.
"What? What do you mean I haven't?" Darien was confused.
"Darien what was your first date? How did you ask her? Because I vividly remember you two at each others throat one day, and then all of a sudden always together, 'together.'" He reached over to top Darien's coffee, while he thought back. "Yeah...bud, maybe to fix what's broken you should go back to the beginning."
"So what are you suggesting?"
"Man if I have to spell it out for you then it's not from you, it's from me, and that's kind of weird." Andrew chuckled lightly. He observed Darien's face who was stoned serious. "Sorry." He cleared his throat. "But just think about it. You both some how ended up here, together, same week? Are you here a week?"
Darien nodded.
"Something tells me this is not a coincidence."