Chapter 19 (six months)
"There, there!" Minako said, pointing out a parking spot near the front of the lot. "How early did Makoto and Ami say that they'd be out?"
"Any minute now, Mi-chan," Usagi replied. She pulled into the open spot and put the car in park. "You have the directions? The hotel reservations? The…"
"Yo, girl, hold up. Stop freaking out," Minako teased with a laugh. "You almost sound like Ami. I got it all under control; you know Mamoru took care of it and he gave me all of the stuff in our little handy –dandy packet here." She waved said folder and all its contents. "If you had actually been out of practice on time, you would have been able to pick it up from him instead of me. Chill out."
"It's just," she started and then sighed.
"I know. It feels weird that we're going to spend most of our Christmas away from our parents. And, this is the first big trip where they've trusted us to go on our own without a chaperone. They get we've grown up."
"It's crazy," Usagi agreed. "Daddy didn't even give me the usual lecture about boys since Mamoru is going to be there. Who'd have thought that would ever happen?" They shared a laugh. "Okay. I'm gonna throw those bags in the trunk. Get the music picked out and I'll bring the goodies bag Momma packed when I come back. Hopefully, they'll be out soon."
"On it, boss," Minako complied with a mock salute.
Letting out another laugh, Usagi climbed from the car to make the rearrangements. Shoving the bags around in the trunk, she got everything settled and then waved as she noticed the other girls approaching. "Hey!" she greeted, squeezing the other two with hugs. "Tell me you're excited!"
"Of course!" Makoto answered. "I cannot wait to hit the slopes! Let's get this show on the road."
The girls settled in the car, immediately breaking out the snacks sent by Ikuko.
"Soooooo, you said Mamoru had a lot of cute friends coming, right?" Makoto inquired as they neared the drive to the ski lodge. "Any particularly cute friends? Like one you want to introduce your friend good friend Makoto to?"
"Well, Motoki did mention a few single friends would be coming," Minako said, twisting in the passenger seat to face the back. "I'll make sure he knows that you're looking for a new guy," she added with a wink. "It's no problem; I'm sure."
"Minako, go ahead and get out the reservation papers, please," Usagi requested. "And, hey, there's Mamoru's car. Isn't that Motoki's?"
"Yeah, pull in beside the next car. That's one of the other guys' cars."
"Here comes Mamoru," Ami pointed out as he and a few other guys approached their newly parked car.
"Buns," Mamoru greeted, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "Hey, girls," he greeted the others. "Did your drive up go alright?"
"Perfect," Usagi assured him. "Everyone else here?"
"Yep. The place is amazing," Motoki agreed as he came up alongside Minako. "Looking for some big, strong men to carry in your luggage?"
"What? You've seen some around here?" Minako teased, glancing around. She shrieked as Motoki tickled her sides in retaliation.
"Morning, Buns," came the voice from behind her as a mug of hot chocolate appeared before her eyes.
She hummed in appreciation. "Thank you," she said, turning to give the man who sat down beside her a kiss. "Good morning," she greeted after, smiling largely.
"Are you having fun?" Mamoru questioned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah. I'm so glad it worked out so all four of us could be here, and we are still as close as ever. Ski classes together yesterday was beyond fun."
"They love you, Buns, so I doubt that will ever change."
She laughed and curled tighter into his side. "Oh, you big softie."
"Shhh," he hushed her. "You'll ruin my rep."
She giggled and settled in as he picked up the morning paper. As he immersed himself in the news, she pulled her journal back into her lap to continue writing while the early morning sun rose higher in the sky.
"Morning, guys," Minako said as she and most of the others entered the longue.
"Morning," Usagi returned before turning back to the crossword she and Mamoru were working on.
Everyone seemed to just settle in as they waited on the few stragglers. Some picked up magazines and some just chatted quietly. A discussion soon picked up about having lunch in the restaurant before hitting the slopes for a second day. As Mamoru and Motoki both joined the discussion about plans for the evening, Minako slid onto the arm of the couch beside Usagi.
"You look happy."
"I am, Mi-chan," she agreed, laying her head against the other girl's arm. "Life's been so crazy this whole semester at Tomoe. It's nice to slow down and spend time with my favorite people."
"Hard to believe how little we saw each other, and we even shared a room," Minako noted.
"Exactly. Which, are we and the girls still on for the spa this afternoon?"
"I'm still in. Girl time is a must."
"Mani-pedi's are becoming our thing," Makoto noted, comparing two shades of polish.
"That one," Usagi said, pointing at the lime green shade. "And, well, it's something we're not tempted to drag any guys along to; definitely a girl time activity. What about this shade for you, Ames?" she said, grabbing a royal blue polish that sparkled.
"A molten gold for me," Minako said, joining them with two bottles in hand. "This one is for you," she said, passing the other bottle to Usagi.
"Thanks," she replied with a laugh. "It's great, and not Barbie pink."
"Hey, I know better than that," Minako said, affronted. "Here comes the receptionist. I think we're ready."
"This way, ladies," the receptionist said, beckoning them on back. "We'll take your polish choices and they'll have them ready after your massages, if that's alright?" At their nods, she continued. "Wonderful. They're ready for you, unless you would like to wait on your friend."
"Here she comes now," Makoto said as Ami approached.
"I feel like I could melt into a pile of goo," Minako commented as she slid into a massaging chair between Usagi and Ami. "I'm sooooooo freaking relaxed."
"They were great, right?" Makoto commented from the other side of Usagi. "I'm pretty sure I fell asleep for a bit."
"Happens to me every time Momma and I go," Usagi stated. "It's just almost too relaxing."
"And, now, these chairs and the foot soak. I'm in heaven," said Ami.
"Too true. Plus, so you girls know, this is a Merry Christmas from Momma and Daddy," Usagi explained. "They wanted to treat us while we were able to do something together."
"Your mother spoils us rotten," Minako said, "And, I adore her for it."
"Like your mom was ever any better," Usagi returned. "Our parents are simply the best."
"True that," Makoto agreed. "They can just adopt me as another child whenever they're ready."
"Then you better plan to show up to family Christmas once we get back," Minako said. "We're doing it together as always."
"You and your mom are making dinner too, right?" Usagi asked Ami.
"Yeah. She told me that they already had discussed it."
"Fantastic. Momma is so excited with the big Christmas we're having this year between Mamoru, Motoki, and Motoki's family joining us too," Usagi commented. "Our house is going to be so full."
"You look relaxed," Mamoru commented, shaking off the snow that peppered his coat and hair as he entered the longue to find his girlfriend reading.
"I feel relaxed. It's amazing what a little pampering can do for a girl," she teased with a wink.
"You could have come and joined us. Makoto was out there joining some of the guys on the harder slopes. Minako even has got Motoki working with her on the bunny slope."
"Ami didn't go out either. She headed into the heated swimming pool, so I wasn't the only one that skipped out on more skiing."
"True enough, I suppose. Come on, Buns. I think it's time for a quick nap before we join everyone for supper," he said, pulling her up from the overstuffed chair. They meandered off together, glad to spend some time together again.
"Wake up!" Minako cried, jumping on the bed where Usagi and Mamoru slept. She giggled, flopping down beside her best friend. "Morning, Sunshine."
"Have I told you I hate you lately?" Usagi questioned with a laugh, turning from Mamoru to face her friend.
"Not since break started and I didn't get the joy of waking you up. If you had still been snoring away when I got up this morning, we could have had this scene this morning instead."
"I don't snore!" Usagi cried, pulling a pillow and smacking Minako with it. "Mi-chan! I can't believe you!"
"Pillow fight? Woohoo!" Motoki said, joining the flay.
Thoughts?