Blood Bond With Love 24- Coping
Freaking out just didn't quite cover the panic she was in right now. The blonde girl ran around her room frantically putting on earrings and lipstick. She was late, William would be here to pick her up any moment now and she was barely ready. Calmly sitting on bed and watching the girl before her, sat Luna.
"Luna have you seen my blue earrings?"
"No Serena"
"Damn it, where did I put them"
"Where did you say you were going?"
"Dinner"
"Is everyone going to be there?"
"If you mean everyone that arrived three days ago, yes"
"When can we meet them Serena?"
"Tomorrow, I already told the girls and Darien the address and your coming with me. I can't wait for you all to meet them!"
"Neither can we" Whispered the cat. A car beeped from outside telling Serena that William was here. After quickly taking her purse the blonde fled out the room and down the stairs where she kissed her mom goodbye and ran outside.
Much to her surprise she found that William wasn't alone, Luz and Faith were with him.
"Hey Serena"
"Faith, Luz!"
Luz had Serena locked in a hug as soon as she got in the car.
"You didn't think we would miss this amazing opportunity to come pick you up would you?"
"Much to my misery"
Faith whacked William as he made his little comment, action which sent all occupants in the car into laughter.
"What restaurant are we going to?"
"Something Cartier"
"Chere Cartier?" Asked Serena already imagining the answer.
"Yeah"
"That's a fancy one"
"Well dad didn't exactly feel like having hot dogs today" Mumbled Faith, not quite happy with the dinning decision. If he really wanted them to order five plates only to end up half full they could just have gone a fast food joint, and it would have ended up being a lot cheaper too.
"You only say that 'cause you don't like French food"
"Luz last time we had French food I ended up eating most of your plate cause you thought the snails looked alive"
Serena cracked up laughing as she heard their little adventures all the way to the restaurant.
As soon as they all exited the car they were greeted by the host who welcomed them and led them to a table filled with familiar faces.
"Nice of you to join us Serena" Joked Morpheus as he watched the youngsters settle down.
"Sorry I'm late, I couldn't find my earrings"
"That wouldn't happen if you put them where they're suppose to go" Warned Trinity as she looked over the blonde. Serena had indeed grown, she was now a woman and she was beautiful.
"I know mom" The word ran off her tongue like music and she couldn't help but smile. Sitting here among the people that had watched her grow up she couldn't help but feel like she belonged here.
Food was ordered but no one was quiet even while eating. They had never been the kind of family to keep their mouths shut while eating, that was one of the things she missed about living with them. The Tsukinos liked to eat in silence while the Anderson's and company were as noisy as it got. Between the teasing, scolding, and explicit explanation of the daily events the five plates of food (however small they were) were not enough to finish talking.
"So we will have lunch with your friends tomorrow and then dinner with Ken and Ikuko the day after right darling?" Asked Neo trying to make sure he got the 'appointments' right.
"Yeah daddy, that's right…"
"Why is the meeting with your friends first Serena?"
"Because my parents have a party tomorrow and dad has to take photos" She answered her aunt. This was getting confusing, between her two moms and two dads she would need to remember to use names.
"And we will get to meet this lowlife boyfriend of yours?"
Serena almost chocked on her water.
"Mom! He is not a lowlife, he works hard to get through university"
"Serena you might as well know now that all men are lowlifes no matter how responsible they are" Said Trinity in a half serious manner.
"Hey, the men here take that comment as a personal offence" Complained William who got smacked on the hand with a napkin by Niobe.
"Well if the men here care to contradict me you are welcome to do so at your own peril"
"How can we be lowlifes if you married one?" Asked Neo throwing his wife an unbelieving look.
"I was young and stupid, and so were you, so I got a fresh lowlife that hadn't picked up too many tricks"
"Lucky you" Neo replied teasingly while taking a sip from his red wine.
"Oh c'mon mom, they're all not so bad"
"Yeah mom, some actually have money"
Serena almost choked on her water at Faith's comment, throwing both girls into enlightened giggles.
"No more wine for the underage kids please" Said William.
"Oh shush, we haven't had a drop" Complained Faith.
"Then we can sue the restaurant for alcoholised coke"
"William keep your voice down, the waiter might hear you and then they really will believe you!" Warned Niobe looking over her shoulder.
"Oh please mom, it's not like it'd even be worth the time"
"What's alcoholised wine?" Asked Luz as she took a sip of her apple juice.
"It's wine with alcohol sweetheart" Answered Neo.
"Doesn't wine already have alcohol?"
"Some don't" The girl raised a curious eyebrow, clear sign she was confused.
"So William have you called Buffy?" Asked Morpheus eyeing his adopted son dangerously.
"Yep, just called her this morning"
"No wonder I thought I heard kissing sounds coming from your room"
"Luz!"
"What? It's true"
"That's it, you're spending too much time with Faith, you're actually starting to talk like her!"
"Is that a bad thing 'lowlife'?" Defended Faith.
"Only if she wants to end up working as a bar tender"
"Why you little!"
"You two, enough! This isn't the place for one of your little spats and there's nothing wrong with being a bartender"
Both rested their case after being lectured by Neo and proceeded to poking their dinner. Something Luz had focused her time on three plates before them. The ten year old seemed to still be trying to figure out if the food in front of her was eatable and dead.
"For crying out loud Luz, just eat your food"
"But mommy… it's… alive, I think… and I don't like it. It tastes funny"
"Luz please, it's just meat"
"It's not cooked"
"Oh yes it is"
"You can get heminititis from foods and vegetables that are not properly cooked"
"It's hepatitis" Corrected Serena smiling.
"Luz I assure you, you won't get hepatitis from eating that"
"But mommy…."
"Mom let her, we can just pick up something for her after dinner. It's not the end of the world if she doesn't eat it, she'll just have to stay away from French cuisine in the future"
Trinity debated whether to go with Serena or force the girl to eat something she really didn't want to eat. Which was completely against her principles as a mother.
"Fine, Luz don't eat it if you don't want to. We'll order pizza when we get home"
The girl's delighted smile brightened the entire table.
"Thanks Mommy"
Trinity smiled back, the girl's face was enough proof that she had done the right thing.
"Mom didn't you say you were hoping to go see some of the sights tomorrow?" Asked William to his mother.
"We can't darling, your father has some things to verify at Anderson corps here in Tokyo"
"Oh all right then, want me to come with you dad?" Morpheus almost choked on his water.
"Wh, what did you say son?"
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"Sure, if you want to"
"Great"
Morpheus looked suspiciously at his son before directing his questioning gaze to his wife. William was not one to have taken the family business very seriously, not that he had ever spoken badly of it. It's just that he had never showed much interest in it.
"Wow, the earth has split wide open. William is actually interested in learning" Commented Serena and earning a deadly look from the said person.
"Look who is talking miss 'squeak by school'"
"Just because not everyone is given the gift of intelligence doesn't mean they are not smart"
"Do you realize how little sense what you just said made?"
"Oh leave her alone Will, it's not like you did that well in school either, actually if I remember correctly you had to repeat eleventh grade math!"
"Poor Luz, what sad examples she has to gather from" Teased Serena looking at the girl lovingly.
"Actually, I do have very good examples" Defended the girl. She knew her family wasn't exactly what could be considered 'normal'. But nevertheless, she was thankful for them.
"I couldn't agree with you more sweetheart" Neo raised his glass and looked proudly upon the teenagers. They were, indeed lucky.
&&&&&&
They've been suspicious when Serena handed them a piece of paper containing explicit instructions of how to get there. But the suspicion had turned to surprise when they arrived in front of the house and found it a mansion. It was big, painted in blue with a lovely garden. Rey pushed the button by the gate and received permission for both cars (Darien's and Amara's) to enter the property.
They exited the cars with caution and looked upon the mansion with awe. Their sight seeing, however, was cut short when the front door was opened. Allowing a small, but strong woman with dark skin to receive them.
"Welcome to the Anderson home. We have been expecting you" She said politely and gestured for them to go inside.
As all eight entered the manor they were struck by immensity of the inside. A beautiful foyer with marvel floors and exquisite detail on the walls received them. Before them, a beautiful double flight of stairs led to the second floor.
"It's beautiful"
"Breathtaking"
"They're really loaded" Exclaimed Mina.
Ora smiled amused at the impressionable youth and stood before them all.
"Please follow me right this way"
Exchanging questioning looks, the eight defenders of Earth followed the woman to the corridor on their right. Only to stop very shortly after, in front of a simple, but lovely sitting room. The scout's eyes looked upon the new faces with nervous awe. Their eyes searching and finally resting on familiar faces such as the one of William and Serena. Serena, a soft smile adorning her features stood from her seat to approach them.
"Thanks for coming everyone" Said the blonde happily, her hand coming to rest on Rini's shoulder. "Family! I'd like you all to meet my friends. My friends, I'd like you all to meet my family"
Morpheus, as the enbassador of the family was the first to stand and walk closer. Followed by Niobe and William who waved at Rey.
"Good Afternoon, I am Morpheus. Serena's uncle, and this is my wife Niobe and my son William."
The introduction was followed by a chorus of "Hello sir" and "Pleased to meet you" which followed the individual introduction of each of the eight companions. Finally, halfway through the name introduction Neo stood up, brining along his wife Trinity and two unwilling daughters.
Faith looked highly uncomfortable, truth of the matter was that she was feeling a bit intimidated by the group. She knew they were the Sailor Scouts, defenders of the Earth's peace, yadda, yadda, yadda, but she also knew they were deeply connected to Serena, her Serena. Her little sister. Her musings however, were cut short by Trinity's hand on her shoulder. A gesture of strength and understanding, a motherly gesture.
"And these… these are my parents. My father Neo, my mom Trinity, and my two sisters Faith and Luz" Serena's introduction was so proudly done that the group couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
"Hello everyone, it's great to finally meet you. Like Sere, already said I'm Neo and…"
"And I'm Trinity, Serena's mother" Darien gulped and tried looking away from the woman's steady icy glare. A glare he knew was much directed at him.
"And I'm Luz!" Cheered the girl proudly. Her eyes fixed on Rini before going forward with an extended hand and shaking the pink haired girl's hand vigorously. Such bold action caused laughter from both parts which helped calm the waters.
But Something told them all that it would be a very long day.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS KEPT REVIEWING. Please keep pushing me. The story only has a couple of chapters more before its finale.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST THIS NEW YEAR. May the tears shed this year be not the ones of pain, but ones well felt.