Nine Years
Chapter Twenty Three: Prelude to the party
Afternoon...Domino Hospital...
"Excellent progress Ms. Wheeler" the doctor chirped brightly as she examined Serenity's once injured leg. "I should have just given you a few hours to just shake it off. My mistake"
"Thats okay" Serenity replied in return.
"By the way..." the doctor inquired. "...Do you happen to have the cane?"
Without another word, Serenity hastily handed the cane at the doctor, not wanting to touch it or have it anywhere near her presence. She loathed the said cane. The doctor chuckled at Serenity's antics.
"You're free to go" the doctor replied.
"Thank you doctor"
Going out the door, Serenity went directly to the waiting room where her goof of a brother Joey and Kari were waiting. "Well?" Joey asked eagerly.
"I'm free of the cane and the doctor said my leg's doing fine"
"Great! Let's go eat!" Joey exclaimed as he stood up and went outside, a grin on his face as to what he would eat. Serenity and Kari rolled their eyes but followed him nonetheless.
After their little ice cream celebration, they headed back to the Kaiba mansion, Kari being sent to the backyard to go and play with Matt after being ordered by her mother to do so, and Joey and Serenity residing in Kaiba's den of where Mokuba, Rebbecca, Mai, Shaila, and unfortunately (in Joey's mind) Kaiba. These seven grownups were meeting in one place together for one reason in mind; to discuss Kari's upcoming birthday.
Serenity saw a seat next Kaiba and Mai. She hastily dashed for Mai's side, leaving Joey groaning, Kaiba scowling.
All Serenity could ever do was think of Kari's party for awhile, and then move onto something else. She couldn't pull this off by herself so she called for help, even if it meant working with Kaiba. Serenity had managed to tolerate Kaiba but it didn't mean she would drop her guard down completely. She kept a watchful eye on him. In the meantime, she would relax to try to discuss what they were going to do.
Joey looked at Kaiba warily out of his sharp chocolate eyes, hating this moment. He hated it when he had to reluctantly agree to stay here, the motive being Serenity's safety. Sitting down around the same breakfast table was one thing, but sitting directly next to him was another thing. He eyed Kaiba out of the corners of his eyes, seeing Kaiba's cobalt eyes fall on him as well. Both shifted uncomfortably and scooted away from each other as far as possible. The two acted like rivals in an grade school classroom.
A maid came in and sat down snacks and drinks for them on a coffee table. She silently left as she silently came in, closing the den's doors.
"Alright...well I've called everyone here cause, we need to discuss Kari's upcoming birthday" Serenity started off. "It's next week and we still haven't done anything yet. So...any ideas?"
"Dinner!" Joey exclaimed brightly. They glared at him. He huffed and crossed his arms. "No dinner then..."
"How about a themed party here? Like...a circus or something...or a pet zoo" Mai offered. Inside, Kaiba glared. He didn't want freaks or animals running a muck in his mansion. He cringed his nose.
"That's not a good idea" Shaila retaliated. "You need friends to do that and all her friends are in U.S." Shaila matter-of-factly pointed out. She continued, "The only person she'll be able to share it with is us and Matt...that'll just keep her down"
"I agree" Kaiba quickly enforced. At the moment, he thanked Serenity's friend silently.
"Well...what else can we do? There isn't anything around here..." Mai dryly informed.
"Well what about what I suggested before?" Mokuba asked Serenity. "There's a Disneyland in Tokyo and I'm sure she'll like it"
Everyone murmured for awhile, contemplating the thought before agreeing with Mokuba's idea. The raven haired boy smiled proudly.
"Then it's settled!" Serenity announced brightly. "We'll go to Disneyland! We can arrange something of where they can hold a party for her or something...she'll love it!"
"I can make the arrangements" Kaiba spoke, deciding it was his turn to contribute.
"So can we" Joey replied sternly, disliking how Kaiba was going with this. He didn't want moneybags to have all the credit. He could picture it now; they're all in Disneyland, Kari blindfolded, Kaiba and Serenity holding her little hands. The blindfold goes off and she's in awe. The first person she hugs is Kaiba, thanking him with all her might. He didn't want Serenity left behind, she was already facing trouble. Last he wanted for her was losing her child. It seemed a bit exaggerating to think but then again...it's Joey.
Kaiba arched an eyebrow. "Really..." Kaiba challenged.
"Yeah really" Joey replied using Kaiba's same tone. Mai resisted rolling her eyes.
"Look..." she spoke with edge. "...We'll split the costs so you guys don't get into another one of your macho-man fights. Alright?" Mai decided to state.
"That's a good idea" Serenity agreed. Everyone else nodded in return except Kaiba and Joey. After a few moments, Kaiba decided at least to be the better man and agree first.
"Fine. We'll split the costs...even though it won't be trouble for me..." he muttered the last part to himself.
"Then it's settled. We're going to Disneyland on July First!" Mokuba cried out.
Next day...
The child brunette was the first to wake up this morning. Kari smiled brightly as she stretched her little arms and headed over to the bathroom. Today was going to be splendid for her because today was the night of the party! She squealed in joy as she thought of what to expect.
It didn't take her long to do her necessary things in the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later she was in the bare, quiet, kitchen alone. She pouted; she wished her mother would have gotten up to make breakfast like yesterday. Her pancakes were delicious. She would have cereal today instead.
A bowl, spoon and cereal were now sitted at the breakfast bar. All she needed was milk. Going to the refrigerator, she stood on her tippy toes, reaching with all her might for the milk. Huffing she went to grab a chair before someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her back roughly.
Her first response was to scream without another thought but a hand quickly went up and muffled the scream. Her perpetrator whipped her around and gave off a toothy grin.
"Morning!" he greeted cheerily. "I didn't mean to scare you Kari" Mokuba quickly said.
Kari looked at him with utter shock before calming herself down. A few deep breaths later, she was calm and composed. Without thinking, she glared at him. "How could you do that? You scared the life out of me!" she screamed while Mokuba cringed. Her words echoed down the kitchen walls. She took in a deep breath and calmed herself down. Snatching the milk from Mokuba's hands, she went to the breakfast bar.
"I'm sorry. I should have thought before I acted. Forgive me...?" Mokuba asked, pouting.
Kari looked at him warily, before replying curtly, "I'll let you off since I'm feeling happy today" She poured her milk.
Mokuba had to chuckle. She reminded him so much like Kaiba. The ear-deafening scream, the curt reply that hinted 'whatever'...He smirked. "You're like your dad you know..." he went over to the counter and pulled out necessary things for his breakfast.
Kari rolled her eyes at this. "Hmph...I doubt it. People say I'm like you or mom...being like dad is a new one" she pondered.
Mokuba arched his eyebrow. "Who said you were like me?"
She grinned toothily. "Dad!" Her brief laughter vibrated of the walls.
"Interesting" Mokuba replied with a shrug. "So...today is the day of the party. I'm assuming that's what you're so happy about"
"YUP! I can't wait"
"Neither can I" Mokuba devilishly replied.
Kari looked at him suspiciously before asking, "You're not up to something are you?"
"Hmm...well...I'm trying to think of a way we can use the time to get your mom and dad to get to know each other...better...again" He chuckled. Little did Mokuba know of yesterday mornings encounter between them.
"Well...have any ideas?"
"Do people dance in these partys'?" Kari questioned.
"Of course. This IS a formal" Mokuba pointed out.
"Oh really! Then I need to buy a dress!" Kari worriedly thought aloud. Mokuba's reassurance of buying a dress today was helpful. "I thought it was just a party of where you can wear normal clothes and dance around..." Kari sheepishly replied. Mokuba laughed, remembering his first muse of a formal was this thought.
"Well its a party where you have to sit straight" He poised himself in a straight sitting position, Kari giggled. "...Walk stiffly..." he stood up and dawdled around stiffly. Kari's laughter started up again. "...And you have to handshake people every five minutes" He grabbed her little hands and shook them vigorously. Kari giggled
without cease in which Mokuba soon joined the laughter.
"What's so funny?"
Both stood still and their laughter was cut short. They turned around nervously and faced Kaiba, going to the counter pulling out a cereal bowl and its necessities. Had he heard their previous conversation?
"Nothing..." both replied with a smile. Mokuba sat back down and resumed eating his breakfast.
"I doubt that" Kaiba replied warily. He dismissed it for now. "What are you doing up so early?"
Mokuba and Kari sighed in relief mentally when seeing Kaiba didn't act as if he had heard them talking. "Couldn't sleep" Kari and Mokuba replied in unison. Both looked at each other in amazement before giggling.
"Why is that?" Kaiba inquired. He grabbed Kari's cereal studying it. "Cocoa puffs..." shrugging, he poured himself a bowl. He looked back up at them, the questioning gaze still upon his eyes. "Well?"
"Excited" both again replied simultaneously. They looked at each other and giggled once again.
"It's like you practiced talking with me..." he muttered before asking, "What about?"
"Engagement party"
"Party tonight!"
Kaiba smirked. "When is the said engagement Mokuba? Do you even have any plans for it?"
"Not at the time but thinking about it is exciting enough" he replied with a sheepish grin. It was true, ever since the night he propose to Rebbecca he couldn't sleep due to excitement, excitement of the engagement party, the wedding, the honeymoon...A blush suited his cheeks.
Kaiba and Kari left Mokuba to his daydreams, retreating to their breakfast. "So Kari..." Kaiba questioned. "You're excited about the party tonight?"
"Yup! I can't wait. Though the way Uncle Mokuba told it sounds...uncomfortable"
Kaiba glared at Mokuba while Mokuba sheepishly chuckled. "Well it's...boring for the most part" he admitted, returning his gaze towards Kari once again. "But...you'll have your cousin there so he should keep company"
Kari stood up, taking her bowl to the sink, starting to wash it but Kaiba halted her, saying it was for the maids. Kari shrugged saying, "In our house, everyone has to clean for themselves"
"Well anyway...you'll have me, and Mokuba, and your mom-"
"Nope!" Kari interrupted with a grin. Kaiba arched an eyebrow. "She'll be with yooooooou!" she elaborated in a sing-song voice at his skeptical look. Quickly she ran off, leaving Kaiba smirking and thinking.
'I hope so...'
It wasn't long before everyone had woken up and ate their own individual breakfasts. Kari had decided to stick around them after her breakfast for the heck of it, seeing that there wasn't much to do around the mansion. The morning was wild with chatter and happiness. It was a wonderful scene, a scene of where the family happily gathers around and shares ones thoughts with one another. Pure bliss...
Their bliss ended when breakfast ended, Shaila, Serenity and Kari going out the door in a flurry, Mai, Matt, and Joey going out the door a few seconds later. It seemed everyone except the three grown women forgot to buy their formal attire for the party.
As for Kaiba and Mokuba, they were prepared and having the home to themselves again which wasn't a bad thing, though it did get quiet and haunting without the chatter of everyone's happy voices, even the mutts', Kaiba admitted. He'd rather have that then this ghostly feeling of being along. Mokuba felt the same way.
Serenity, Shaila, and Kari...
Serenity berated herself in her rent a car about Kari's attire. How could she have forgotten it! Kari was the invite while everyone else was a guest. She groaned; there was just too much going on and not enough time to think about the ones around her...
she looked at Kari next to her, who was smiling brightly.
...even if it was her daughter. Frowning at herself, she thought determinedly, she would vow to herself that she wouldn't let the chaos around her -Tea's case, Mokuba's Engagement party that she promised she would help with, Kaiba...- get to her anymore. Kari was top priority as well as her joy. The only thing set in mind right now would be Kari's upcoming birthday. Nothing more.
"Mom"
Serenity snapped out of her musings as she snapped her head roughly to Kari's concerning gaze. "You okay" the child asked.
Serenity smiled brightly. "Just peachy!" Her smiled deteriorated as she looked at Kari seriously. "I'm sorry honey for forgetting about your dress"
Kari looked at her, smile still fitted across her rosy lips. "It's okay! We're going now aren't we?"
Serenity's smile reappeared before she giggled. "We're here" she announced moments later. Kari emitted a cheerful cry of 'yay' before hastily stepping out of the car, dashing to the store in front of her.
Mai, Matt, and Joey...
Mai cringed her nose as she looked at the hideous figure in front of her. "No way in hell are you going to wear that!" she screeched, causing unwanted attention being drawn towards her. She looked around her apologetically before retreating to the hopeless case in front of her.
"Eh...why not Mai? It looks cool" Joey replied with a goofy grin. "Right Matt..." he winked at the little wheeler.
Matt giggled at the overly exaggerating colors his father was wearing. The colors were best matched for a clown; wild blues, exotic reds, happy greens...He couldn't believe there was even a suit for it.
"Cool! Cool?" the female blond hissed. Her violet eyes were screeching and raving at Joey's mellow cocoa ones.
"Yeah" Joey replied with a goofy grin. In truth, he was raking up Mai's nerves purposely. He was playing with her and he loved every bit of it. It wasn't fair she was dragging him to the party he refused to go to so why not let her suffer for the while? Fashion was just about her top priority.
"It should be illegal to wear it" she gritted out, grinding her teeth to their very core. Joey's grin never faltered as well as the seemingly flicker of interest that rested within his eyes. She crossed her arms and huffed, as she stared at the suit dejectedly. Both were in a tie, Mai suffering most of the damage.
"Joey..." she started, "If you where that suit then I won't have anything to do with you anymore. You'll just be an invisible...husband!" she sputtered as a last attempt. Joey blinked twice before laughing hysterically causing heads to turn once again. Mai's cheeks grew hot with embarrassment as she replied with apologetic stares. Matt soon joined in his fathers laughter, laughing instead at the childish situation.
"Is that the best you got Mai?" Joey chocked out, wiping the tears of his face. Biting her lip to halt herself from yelling obscenities, she gave a deadly growl instead before attempting to stomp out of the store. His strong but gentle hands quickly grabbed her wrists and pulled her against his broad chest. She frowned but couldn't help blush. She looked at Matt out of the corner of her eyes, seeing wonder in his eyes as to what action would come next from his father.
"I'll change, I'll change" he boringly replied with a smirk.
Mai couldn't help but have a triumphant smile dawn on the rosy lips Joey loved. A quick peck on the lips and he released her, going into the changing room.
"No more fighting?" Matt asked, pouting. Mai chuckled, ruffling his hair.
"Nope!"
Serenity, Shaila, and Kari...
"How about this one mom? Or this one? Or this one!" Kari asked excitedly as she held up three dresses, a deep crimson, a white with a couple of soft blue borders, and a creamy pink. Serenity smiled as she studied them.
"What do you think sweetie?" Serenity in return asked.
The soon to be nine year studied the dresses, eliminating the red one deciding it was too dark.
"I think the blue one would go best Kari. It goes perfectly with your eyes" Shaila commented. "What do you think 'Ren?"
Serenity replied with a crooked smile, thinking her eyes did go with the dress. Her eyes...just like Kaiba's. Wondrously cerulean waves that never ceased to roll. Bright, sharp, mysterious, exotic...like a true piece of art. Kaiba's face suddenly popped up bringing an unwanted stop to her musings. A blush raced down the very end of her cheeks, not taking a moment to stop glowing like a neon sign for a second.
"Are...you okay 'Ren? You look red" Shaila stated, furrowing her eyebrows.
"I'm fine-" A shrill ring of her phone brought a halt to her hurried reply. Quickly she fished it out of her purse, seeing heads turn with a snap as they stared at her. "Hello" she said in a hushed tone. She went of to a corner, leaving Kari to Shaila.
"Ms. Wheeler? It's detective Morris"
"Oh um...good morning" she greeted nervously. Why was he calling? Was there something wrong? Tea! Was she loose? She panicked.
"Did you happen to get a court slip last time you were in the station?" he asked.
"Yes I did. Is there something wrong?" she squeaked. Morris released a chuckle while she frowned. This wasn't a time to laugh, especially when she was at the brink of losing it with curiosity.
"No nothings wrong or in the way you think it is" he replied with reassurance. Serenity released a breath. "Just calling to inform you to discard that slip because you won't be needing to come. An intern mistakingly gave it to you because he thought you were needed for the short trial but you aren't"
"Why not?"
"We have the evidence we need. All the judge needs to do is decide how long Gardner is in for. My guess is ten to twenty, but it's up to the judge. All you'll do is sit and watch, taking up your time" Morris elaborated. "All in all, it isn't necessary for you to come Ms. Wheeler"
"Okay. Then...I won't come"
"Alright then. I won't take up anymore of your time so goodbye"
"Bye"
With a click, both were disconnected, Serenity smiling wryly. She got what she wished for; one problem out of the way. Serenity chuckled softly before returning back to Shaila and Kari.
Evening...Kaiba Mansion...
The morning turned into a mild afternoon, everyone returning around mid afternoon, sharing their experiences when shopping while eating lunch together. Mai had finally approved of a suit Joey liked and bought one for Matt on the way. Serenity and Shaila was done with Kari's shopping, buying the white and blue dress in the end. The lunch had been like breakfast, the Kaiba's joining them this time as well as Rebbecca, arriving with her own dress and necessities. The elder Kaiba had excluded himself from everyone's chatter, nibbling on his lunch quietly.
The afternoon was gone and evening had just barely arrived. Sun had gone down quietly, replacing the sky with twinkling stars blanketed on a deep cobalt night sky.
Everyone was in their own rooms just about to rush down. Most of the men were done, Kaiba being the only one still upstairs fixing the darn bow tie of his. He never got it right.
Joey, Mokuba and Matt were downstairs, the blond looking at his watch periodically, Mokuba tapping his foot gently, Matt leaned against a wall, head drooping occasionally. Kaiba had joined them moments later reluctantly, still fixing the black bow tie.
"Can't even put on a tie eh Kaiba!" Joey announced rather abruptly in his face. He grinned snidely. Kaiba didn't give him the satisfaction, however.
"Speak for yourself Wheeler" Kaiba nipped coldly. Indeed it was true; somehow his tie had become undone and ruffled. With an annoyed groan he quickly retied it unsuccessfully. Both men now stared at each other, retying and tying, both failing miserably. It wasn't long that they had feminine assistance.
"Joey didn't I just tie this for you?" Mai asked, annoyed. Joey sheepishly looked down, avoiding Kaiba's glee that sat in his eyes. "There" Mai replied with a smile, Joey reflecting it. He stared at her in awe for a moment, entranced by her halter satin violet dress and how perfectly it fitted around her curves, flaring out when it dropped below her waist. "Joey?" she waved a hand over his face, snapping him out of his sudden fascination. "You okay?" she asked, a confused look on her face.
"You look beautiful" he replied to her confused look. He took her hands and kissed them lightly, Mai smiling in return. "And you look handsome" she replied, kissing his hands in the same manner.
Kaiba rolled his eyes at her complimenting statement to the mutt. Moments later Kari had arrived in her dress, a thick border of blue on her waist and at the end of her dress, base color being white, spaghetti straps holding the dress. Shaila had also wore a spaghetti strap dress, calm pink going straight down to her ankles.
"Alright...Wheeler and Wheelerette" Kaiba announced, stopping everyone's chatter. He paused for awhile, awaiting everyone's attention. "You're riding limo one with your son and Serenity's friend. Mokuba, Rebbecca, Kari, Serenity and I will ride the second one. Got it?"
Joey frowned. "No way...Serenity should come with us!"
"It's okay Joey. We're going to the same place aren't we?" Serenity piped, dawning down the stairs with a red halter dress, studded clear stone lining the halter, flaring down when it reached the waist. Simple but elegant. Not too fancy but fancy enough. Her hair was up in a small bun, strands curling down from the front as well as the back.
Kaiba's eyes glinted.
"But Serenity" Joey whined. "I don't trust him" he bit out with a grunt, crossing his arms.
"Uncle Joey please!" Kari whined. One look was all it took for Joey to give in, just as it did in previous times. He made a note to practice to be immune to that look.
"Fine" he huffed, releasing his arms. He looked at Kaiba with a glare before going out the door, Mai, Matt and Shaila following behind.
"Where's Rebbecca Serenity?" Mokuba asked.
"Oh she's still getting ready. She'll be here soon" she flashed a smile while Mokuba went upstairs. She turned around and saw Kaiba fiddling with his tie. A mocking grin was set as she approached him.
"Need any help?" she taunted playfully, smirking moments later. He grunted as he turned away from her, still scrambling to tie his tie. Kari giggled as she went out the door, smiling. It was great to know that her mom had come to the phase of tolerating him. Now it was just a matter of time and patience before they got back together! She thought of the future that was supposedly awaiting her.
Seconds passed as he still tried to tie it successfully but to no avail. Annoyed, Serenity faced him directly and slapped away his hands, as she took control. She chuckled when seeing Kaiba's embarrassed cheeks and frowning eyebrows. For once, she was in control.
"All done" she piped as she stepped back and examined it. Perfect. "You could never get that thing could you?" she stated, giggling.
He ignored her and instead looked at her, examining her. She was bewildered at first at his intense gaze -eyebrows drawn together, blue eyes concentrating- but soon her cheeks grew hot and redder than her dress. Trying to calm herself, she tried to speak, "Why are you-"
His sudden approach towards her made her stop saying what she was about to say. He moved smoothly, having the intense gaze upon his features still. Confused and a little panicky, she moved backwards until she was up against the wall. He stood in front of her. She felt cornered. Trapped. Like a cat trapping a mouse.
She berated herself for putting herself in this humiliating position. Why did she back up? Did she have to look so surprised? Damn herself for blushing madly in front of him. As a last attempt, she frowned.
Smoothly his hand flew up, her gasping as it dawned on her thick, amber hair, unhooking the beautifully carved clip. Like a waterfall, her hair came tumbling down around her. He ruffled it until it was beautifully set, handing the clip to her afterwards. She made no protest.
Stepping back, he gave a triumphant smirk. "Better. Now you look pretty..." he stated in the same tone she had used. "...Prettier" he corrected himself. Without another word, he silently went outside joining Kari.
Serenity blinked moments later. Why had he done that? Why had she LET him do that! She groaned when realizing she must have had a face of a frenzy high school girl who had a major crush on someone.
He had complimented her, saying she was pretty. It wasn't as if she hadn't heard it before but...somehow, it felt satisfying when he said it. Just like before when he used to say it. Her face grew hot. Was she...no..she wouldn't allow herself to! Shaking her head madly, she failed to notice Mokuba and Rebbecca come downstairs hand in hand.
"Serenity?" Mokuba questioned. Her head snapped up and she looked at them. "Are you okay?"
Serenity smiled at them brightly as if nothing ever happened and those annoying thoughts of hers never appeared. "I'm fine. Are you ready?"
"Yup" Rebbecca pipped in her aqua dress. "Let's go"
Mokuba and her lead the way, her following behind, sighing soon afterwards. 'This is going to be interesting'
A/n: And so the party starts. Already sparks are trying desperately to light for Seto and Serenity. Will it continue to progress in the party?
Thank you all for reading this and even my other stories. Your patience and feedback has been most encouraging. I finally have the time to update (no more summer school/AP readiness program) but it's only a week, so since I have one more week until school starts, I'm leaving it to you on what to update. You choose between:
Path Towards Depression (YGO)
Silent Affair (Inuyasha)
Revenge reserved for one (new, Inuyasha)
To be the dog (YGO)
I can't assure you that'll it'll be done by this week but I'm gonna check tomorrow around noon or one and I'm going to count the votes and start on it. No later votes will be accepted. I really want to get started on it so I'll have more time to bundle up my ideas. The other stories...I have no clue as to what to write next. Kinda, stuck but I'll get there, I always do (even though it does takes time).
Other than that, please review and have a good upcoming school year!