Serena opened the door to her as soft as she could. She peaked down the hallway, looking for any sign of life. She looked over the Mina's door and saw that it was still closed. She took a breath and slowly took a step towards the bathroom. She tried to walk as softly as she could, trying not to make any noise. The last thing she wanted was for Mina to step out and interrogate her. She made it half way to the bathroom, she her hand could almost touch the door, when she peaked into the kitchen and saw her four friends smiling at her, each with a mug of coffee in their hand.
"Trying to avoid us we see?" Amy acknowledged.
Serena gave and awkward laugh. Threw her hand behind her head. "No..." She said not very convincingly. "I just didn't want to wake up Mina." She did another awkward chuckle.
"Right..." Mina responded. "But since I am up now you can can tell us everything that happened when you went home, and don't leave out any details."
"And trust me, we know more than you think." Rei said with a smirk.
"Did you spy on me through the fire?" Serena put her hands on her hips.
"No!" Rei responded. "I would never do that." She looked at her coffee. "Again." She whispered.
"REI!" Serena shrieked.
"Ugh! Besides the point go brush your teeth and come out and have a seat we have a lot to talk about!" Lita demanded.
"We don't have anything to talk about!" Serena refuted.
"Don't try to lie to us and get ready and come out!" Rei snapped.
"Ugh..." Serena threw her head back and headed and headed into the bathroom.
She tried to stall as much as possible in there but it was no use. The girls called for her every 5 minutes, each time they were getting louder and louder. At one point she swore the girls were holding Rei back from barging in on her.
"About time you come out." Mina said pulling out a chair for Serena to sit on.
Serena slowly walked over to the high chair, eyeing each girl as they stood around the center island. She sat in her seat very cautiously.
Lita poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her. "No spill." She instructed.
"About?" Serena.
"You know about what!" Mina shouted with a smile. "Sere come on we are your guardians."
"Well obviously there is something very specific you guys want to know so ask and I will answer." Serena said taking a sip of her coffee.
"No, you are not getting off that easy." Rei, slammed her hand on the counters. "Serena we know Darien was there with you. We know he transformed and honestly you guys had us both terribly worried." She explained as calmly as possible. "And then you didn't even call we have hear from Mina who heard from Jed and Malachite."
"A whole day later!" Ami added.
"We were worried and then we were all hurt that you didn't come to us or call us." Mina interjected.
Serena sighted, put her coffee cup down. "Guys I am sorry I didn't call okay..." She shrugged. "There was a lot going on."
"So explain to us what is going on." Lita's voice pleaded. "We can't be there for you if we are in the dark."
Serena look around the counter at her main four. They were more than just friends and guardians to her, they were like her sisters. She could see the sadness in their eyes and she could feel the hurt they felt because she left them out. She cupped her hands around her mug, exhaled. "Fine, I will start from the beginning."
Serena started from the moment she bumped into Darien at the Cafe, and from there everything came out. The girls had what seemed like 100 questions. They wanted to know every detail, down to what flowers he brought her the day he went to her parents house unannounced. Mina gushed over and over with a huge smile across her face. Lita and Rei were more stern and had their arms crossed most the time, while Ami did what Ami does, collect the information and process.
Serena started to twirling her hair as she got to one her favorite of the trip, Baby Danny. "You guys should have seen him..." She could still picture his little face. "He rested so peacefully on my chest." She looked out the window. "You guys would have loved him." She nodded and got up. "Excuse me I need to go to the bathroom...I had like 3 cups of coffee." She forced a laugh.
"Are you sure you're okay Sere?" Ami observed her sunken face.
"Yeah..." She headed to the bathroom and shut the door.
Rei sighed. "All that in one week and we still have no idea what is going on with the two of them."
"This has just been an emotion rollercoaster for the two of them." Lita said leaning over the counter.
"But we need to let them figure it out." Ami instructed. "And Rei, no more spying on them through the fires."
"I really didn't do it this time!" Ray defended herself. "It was gossip queen over here that called me right after everything happened." She pointed over to Mina.
Mina just threw her hands up pretending to be surprised.
They heard the door open to the bathroom, and Serena came out drying her semi wet hands on her pajama bottoms. She reached the counter and chose to stand up, all that coffee was making her legs restless. She leaned against the counter. "Sorry... I really had to go..." She pulled her cup closer to her. "What was I saying...oh baby Danny." She smiled. "You should have seen him." She sighed. " I really hope whoever gets him, really loves him."
"Like you do?" Ami asked with a half smile.
Serena exhaled. "Course I do, but... if I could have taken him home, I would have in a heart beat?" Her voiced dropped expressing her disappointment. "Crazy right? Where would he stay? Left corner of my room?" She forced another smile.
"I mean...if you and Darien..." Mina implied.
Serena just shook her head. She didn't even want to think of that and get all her hopes up.
"Well maybe once you guys figure it all out..." Rei suggested.
"Ehhh if Danny is still there I guess."
There was a moment of silence. Nobody knew what to say. Serena had ran out of things to talk about, and all she could think about was holding that sweet little boy.
"Why don't I make some breakfast?" Lita suggested before everything felt extremely awkward.
"We really don't have anything." Mina answered. "Sere has been gone and I-" She cut herself off.
"You what?" Serena started to pry.
"I..have.. been so busy I didn't get a chance to go the store."
"Wrong!" Rei interrupted. "She has been so busy with Malachite, staying at his place..."
Serena's eyes widened. "You spent the night at his place?"
"Not just one night!" Lita corrected.
"Calm down Serena, it is not that big of a deal." Mina put her hand up. "And thanks Rei for putting all my business out there."
Rei smirked. "Payback for when you opened your giant mouth about Jed and me."
"You little-"
"No..no.." Amy stopped Mina.
Mina took Serena's empty stool and crossed her arms. "Serena nothing is going on that you don't already know about. We are not moving in together or getting married anytime soon, so don't hold your breath."
"But you guys are sooo cute together." Serena argued.
"Yeah, but we have other things to worry about."
"Like me?" Serena asked.
"No. Serena." Lita answered.
"I was asking Mina." Serena turned her attention back to Mina.
"No Sere, we have talked about this. It is not the right time. So let's just drop it for now okay?" Mina smiled at her.
"I told you and I told all of you, I don't need you guys to worry about me. Don't put your lives on hold for me. I will figure it all out."
"And we know you will." Lita added.
"But we want to make sure we are there when you do." Rei said patting her hand on Serena's. "So about this breakfast." She stood up from the counter. "Since there is no food...should we just go out to eat?
Just then there was a loud knock on the door. Serena jumped a bit then looked at the girls. "Were you guys expecting someone?" She asked walking over.
"Why would I be expecting someone here?" Lita asked sarcastically. "I don't live here."
Serena rolled her eye. "Wouldn't be the first time you invited someone over without Mina and I knowing."
"One time!"
"Still happened." Serena teased. She grabbed the door handle and opened the door. "Darien!" She greeted with surprise all over her face. "Malachite!"
"I can't tell if you're happy to see me or mad."
"I am just surprised. I wasn't expecting you." She explained. "Or you." She pointed at Malachite.
"Hi Darien!" The girls from the kitchen greeted.
He peaked his head in and awkwardly waved.
"I am here too!" Malachite yelled.
"Stop yelling you guys are going to get us a noise complaint!" Mina demanded. "Just come in!"
Serena smiled. Opened the door and let the two guys.
"Ladies." Both men greeted again.
"So what brings you guys here...?" Serena asked closing the door. "Mal you are probably here to see the lovely Mina, but-"
"Well I was going to see if Mina wanted to grab breakfast, and when I told Darien he wanted to tag along to see you." Malachite explained.
"I was going to come over regardless." Darien step forward.
"Well don't we feel like extras right now." Rei chimed in.
"You guys can always call the guys and have them meet us some where." Darien answered quickly. "That's if you are able to go to breakfast Serena, otherwise I just came to see you, because I know you had a late train ride...and..." He just just trailed off looking at her face. No make up. Just washed and still looking as bright and beautiful as ever.
"Actually Darien...we were all going to grab some breakfast since there is no food." Mina answered. "You guys should come."
"Is that okay with you." He softly asked Serena, placing his hand closest to her lightly on her hip. He wanted to lean in and kiss her so bad, but he wasn't sure if she would turn away given everyone was staring and he didn't know exactly where he stood.
"Oh for god sake kiss her already!" Lita yelled. "We know you want to, and just standing there is a little hard to watch."
"Lita!" Serena hissed.
"What it is not like you haven't recently and you know Darien there is nothing we don't know..." She said borderline annoyed.
"We're sorry our friend here is hangry." Rei shook her head at Lita.
Serena looked at Darien and gave him a weird smile. "I am going to go get ready."
"Me too!" Mina followed. On her way to her room she nudged Malachite signaling to follow her.
"Darien, you might as well follow Serena, or we are just going to make things really awkward for you." Lita warned.
Darien nodded and headed down the hall.
"Lita." Rei could be heard scolding.
"What? He looked like a lost puppy, I was trying to guide him along."
Darien just smiled as he reached Serena's room. The door was not closed all the way, so he softly knocked before letting himself in. Serena had just finished pulling up her leggings. Darien couldn't help but notice how they fit her just perfectly. Enhancing her curves.
"I am so sorry about Lita." She said trying to smile. "She is really hungry."
"It's okay. I was thinking about it." He walked over to her. She didn't move an inch. He leaned down just a bit and planted a kiss on her lips. The taste of her strawberry lip gloss enticed him to go in for one more. He felt her hands on his sides and he took that as a signal for a longer deeper kiss. He pulled back just a bit for him to catch his breath. "Good morning." He whispered. "How was your train ride?"
Serena just smiled and kissed him again. "It was okay."
"I wish you would have let me take you home,I would have gotten you home quicker." He ran his hands down her side.
"I know but I already paid for the ticket."
"I just wanted to be with you." He kissed her again.
There was suddenly a knock on the her door. "Sere are you almost ready? Or do you two need another minute?" Mina could be heard calling on the other side.
"Just a minute?!" Lita yelled jokingly from the kitchen.
"Shut up Lita!" Rei could be heard yelling.
Darien just chuckled. "We should go."
Serena just nodded.
At lunch the 5 couples sat at a long as they always did. Multiple conversations going. Darien sat right next to Serena, arm across the back of her chair. He watched as she observed a women across the restaurant holding her little one. She smiled softly. And then looked down at her menu. He removed his arm from the back on her chair and moved it to her lap. He leaned forward and closer to her. He kissed the side of her head.
"I know you miss him."
Serena turn and looked at Darien. Head rested in her hand. "Who?"
"Danny." He answered. "You tell me you want him and I will do everything in my power to get him." He whispered.
"Dare, we can't have a baby right now..." Serena said popping her head and resting her hand in her lap.
"Give me one good reason why?"
"Are you ready for a kid? And not just a kid, a baby." She sighed. "Your schedule is all over the place. Are you ready to cut that back?"
"I am ready for anything if it is with you. I want to have a family with you so bad." Darien tried to keep his voice down.
"Darien, don't be mad but up until a week ago you showed no interest. I don't want us to adopt just to adopt."
"That would not be the case and you know it." He whispered. "Give me another reason, a real reason."
"Well.." She leaned back in her seat. "I don't know if you noticed but we kinda live apart."
He just looked at her.
"And I'm not moving back into the condo Darien." She saw his face drop. Disappointment all over it. "The next time I move I want it to be in a home. And not saying a condo can't be a home, but I always imagined raising my kids in a house with a picket fence, and a yard for them to play in." She explained. "A condo is nice if it is just us two, but it doesn't scream FAMILY. At least to me anyways." She shrugged.
Darien nodded, started biting his nail. He felt her hand on his arm closest to her.
"And we also have so much to work on, do you really think bringing a baby in right now would be the best idea?" Her hand ran up and down his arm. She knew he was upset that she said she didn't want to go back to the condo, she was trying to comfort him. "If we had it more figured out, I would have taken him in a heartbeat. But I guess I just have to keep waiting."
She moved her hand from his arm. Adjusted her body away from him, and more towards the group. He was still there biting on his thumb nail, not even listening to everything else going on around him.