Too my sweet readers that said seeing the chapter alert was the highlight of their day, or they were having a bad day and then they saw post, I am so glad I am able to do that for you all. Writing these stories are my escape too, and I love that I can make people so happy :)
Mina knocked on the door of the hotel suite. "Serena!? Serena? It's us, open the door!" She demanded.
She did not have to knock again, as the door flung open.
"Oh my god, what took you guys so long, get in here!" She pulled Mina in, as the girls followed.
"Serena, what is wrong? What happened?" Lita asked concerned. "You look like a complete mess." She was in white rob. Her hair in curlers, but it was obvious she put them in frantically. There were strands uncurled. Hair tangled everywhere. Her face was red.
"Lita, not nice" Ami scolded.
"Did something happen at tea?" Rei asked sitting down on the edge of the bed, while she watched Serena dig through her suitcase.
"Yes!" Serena held up the outfit to her body. "How does this look?"
"The colors clash." Mina answered causing Serena to throw the entire outfit on the ground.
"Serena," Ami called. "Calm down. What happened?"
"Where are you going?" Mina asked cautiously.
"I have a date."
"What?" The four scouts expressed in unison.
"I have a date." Serena repeated not making contact.
Rei popped up from the bed. Grabbed the clothes from her hand. "You are going to need to give us a little more detail than that. Now sit down."
Serena looked Rei dead in her eyes. She knew Rei was serious. She pushed her suitcase to the side, then sat on the bed.
"Darien."
There was a pause in the room. Serena looked at each girl, as they looked at each other for clarification.
"I am sorry, Sere... I thought you said Darien." Lita trying to process her thoughts.
"I did." Serena nodded.
"D...Did you meet someone? Who happened to have the same name as your ex hus..band?" Rei scratch the top of her head.
Mina removed her hands from her face. Clapped them in front of her. "Serena please explain to us what is going on."
"I am still trying to process this all too, if you cannot tell. But last night, we ran into each other at the hospital, he got me through the paparazzi crowd. We argued. We talked he kissed me then dropped me to my hotel. Then I went to tea with his mom, he showed up with roses asked if we can get together and talk. And I said yes, then he said 'it's a date.'" She looked at her scouts still trying to follow along with the story. "When he said 'it's a date', he meant it's a date date right. Not just a casual? Right?" Still nothing from the girls. "Guys! I asked you to come and help me. Is this date date like in the movies, or is this like just some sort of casual confirmation?"
"You kissed him...?" Lita asked disgusted.
"He saved you?" Mina gushed.
"You guys finally talked?" Rei asked softly with a smile.
"Well I think kinda more yelled...and cried...and yelled some more...He apologized." Serena thought about it again.
"But do you feel better?" Ami asked scooting closer to her.
Serena just nodded.
"So what does this mean?" Mina asked.
"I can't tell you. We are still divorced, and..." Serena shrugged.
"Maybe this is your chance to start all over. Get to know each other. Fall in love with each other." Rei smiled.
"Ugh you are such in the honeymoon phase." Lita spat.
"Lita." Ami scolded.
"Are we just going to forget what happened, the slump that Serena fell in? How she hurt? Are really just going to let that go so easily?" Lita asked.
"We don't have a choice. Lita. Because she already fell in love with him, and if they together decide that they want to make this work. Our duty is to stand by her." Mina stood up. "If you cannot keep that vow."
"Stop Mina." Serena put her hand up. "Lita I know where you are coming from. And I love how you always protect me above all else. But for some reason I can't shake him. There is something I can't. I dream about him. I think about him all day long, and even when I am so mad at him...I still feel this..." Serena just sighed, put her hand over her chest. "I really hope you can be okay with this, because I need you too."
Lita looked at Serena as she stared back with her big blue eyes. There was twinkle in her eyes, a twinkle she only remember seeing once, maybe twice. She rolled her eyes. Sighed. "Fine."
Serena balled her two little fist, and squealed. "I love you all so much."
"So, what are you guys doing?" Mina asked. "That will help us determine what you wear."
"He said something about an arcade...? A place where there is food a games."
Mina and Rei just nodded.
"I remember seeing one of those in a RomCom. You need to dress like comfortable but cute." Rei started digging through her suitcase. "What time is he picking your up?"
"These rollers need to come out." Ami said getting behind Serena, and pulling at one.
"Ow, they are not ready." Serena said trying to block her hand.
"You are going to an arcade, not a ball, we will go waves." She instructed.
"Ugh, she doesn't have much in here, we can work with." Rei muttered. "When is he picking you up. "
Serena looked at the clock, "In less that two hours!" She looked at Lita. "I am going to look like fool."
"No, no..."Lita said grabbing her bag. "Ami and Mina will help with hair, we will run across to a boutique, grab some jeans..."
"A cute V neck top, pink!" Mina added.
"With black ankle boots." Rei nodded grabbing her bag.
"With a light sweater to go on top. Get dark jeans, makes her long legs look longer."
The three looked at Ami.
"What? Sometimes I get bored of my readings and read some fashion."
They still looked at her thrown off.
"What?! Would you two hurry?" Ami ordered.
"She will need socks too!" Mina said looking through Serena's suitcase. "Serena do you not wear socks?!"
"You don't wear socks with heels weirdo..." Serena made a 'duh' look.
Mina just shook her head. Looked at the two at the door. "Remember get back quick, and no budget."
They all nodded. Rei and Lita left. Mina closed the door after them.
"Now make up."
"Not too much." Serena ordered.
"Your eyes are beyond puffy, I need to do something extra to get rid of that look." Mina explained grabbing the make up bag.
"I was crying out of control last night." Serena explained.
"I know you have been holding in a lot." Mina rubbed her knee. "It is weird sometimes, we aren't twins, but I know when you are hurting." She smiled. "I am so glad you two are going to give this a real shot."
"You don't think I am dumb?" She looked up at Ami.
Ami sighed. "You know how I feel. I did not want you to get the divorce to begin with."
Serena looked down.
"But..." Ami continued. "But I know, no other would be able to deal with what you dealt with." She cleared her throat. "I mean there are some women who can, but according to the tabloids, they don't care about their spouse to begin with. They just want the money. Which you already have." Ami noticed Mina giving her a weirded look. "What?"
"I am sorry, Ms. Read Every Book Cover to Cover. I didn't take you for a tabloid reader." Mina explained.
"I hate those tabloid things." Serena finally admitted.
"I gotta say they are weird." Mina acknowledged. "Like these people are making money, spreading bad stories, that aren't true about other people." She stopped patting Serena's face. "How is that a real job? At some point they are purposely hurting someone else...?"
"I am trying to understand it too, like I tried to ask Darien's mom, how she dealt with it. Because remember she was not royal, she married into Royal."
"I had no idea. She holds herself so well." Mina grabbed another make up item.
"Yeah, her family was more upper middle class too, but she caught the eye of then Prince. The rest was history." Ami explained.
"I guess when a man chases you, right?" Serena shrugged.
"Serena, Darien went across the universe for you..."Ami teased.
"Yeah...and Beryl followed."Serena explained.
"Look, he chose you over and over again. He didn't want her before you got married. He didn't go to her after you got divorced. We are going to give him that."
"You always take his side Ami."
"He is going to be our king one day, Sere." Ami started to fluff her waves. "What if we pinned back some of it?" She looked at Mina.
"Hmmmmm, yeah just so it doesn't get in the way." Mina instructed.
"Sere, eventually you will learn to ignore those stupid things."
"I hope so." She looked over at the clock. "Where are Rei and Lita?"
"Dork, they just left." Mina teased. She observed her twiddle her fingers. "You're nervous."
Serena just nodded.
"There is nothing we can say that will make you less nervous, but please try and enjoy the night. Try to relax."
"Just breath Serena," Ami instructed.
Rei and Lita finally returned with the outfit. They made sure to get multiple sizes of each item to ensure they had the best fit for Serena, with the stress of everything going on, she lost a few pounds and it really showed.
Then it was time. Darien, knocked on the door, and for some reason the first things the girls thought to do was hide in the bathroom. By the time they realized how silly they were being, they figured it was too late. So they stayed in there, and listened.
"Oh my, they are beautiful." They hears Serena gushed.
"Probably got her roses..." Rei whispered as Mina nodded.
"I know they are you favorite so I made sure to get pick extra." Darien muffled voice expressed.
"I love them."
"Ready to go?"
"Yes lets."
"Finally we can get out of here." Lita fanned herself, though the bathroom was large, the girls decided the best thing to do with crowd the door.
"Did they leave?" Rei whispered.
"Have a great night ladies!" Darien yelled before closing the door.
Ami slapped her face.
"How did you know they were there?" Serena asked, as the walked the hall. "And is a guard going to be with us all night?" Serena awkwardly waved to the guard.
"One they are always with you and I figured you would have especially called them for today. And yes they need to come, but they will keep their distance I promise."
Serena just nodded.
"You look amazing by the way."
"Thank you.' She smiled.
Walking out of the hotel, there were paparazzi outside waiting for them. Not as many as at the hospital, but enough. The guards shielded the prince and princess, to the open car.
"I really hate these people Darien, we do not have this issue on the moon."
"I know. I am sorry."
They sat in the car side by side. Serena's hands clasped together on her lap. Darien watched her as she looked out the window, He looked at her hands, then back up to her face. He had to wipe his sweating palms on slacks multiple times, and each time they just got sweater and sweater. Then finally, he plopped his hand on hers and grabbed one of her hands.
She turned to him.
"What are you looking at?" He tried to make conversation.
"Just the scenery. I feel like every time I go by, I find something new."
"Yeah, I still do too. It is always changing." He explained.
"Hmmmm, I like that." Serena smiled still looking out.
"We are almost at the arcade. It is right down there." Darien pointed down the street.
Once the driver parked. He ran around to open the door to let Darien out first. He waited with his hand out for his Serena to come out.
"This is cute!" Serena observed every little detail.
"I knew you would like it. Come on." Darien still held her hand and walked her in. He held the door open for her to go in first, then he joined.
"What!? Do my eyes deceive me? Is that Prince Darien finally gracing his old friend Andrew with his presence?"
"Darien, who is that? Was he at the wedding?" Serena admired the blond haired man. He was very similar build to Darien, about the same height. Just hair was dirty blond, and his eyes were different shade of blue.
"No...he is an old friend, but he was not able to attend." Darien explained.
Serena just nodded.
"Yes, my wife Rita was about to have a baby, and it was a little short noticed the wedding and all." He wiped his hands on his apron. "I am Andrew by the way." He stuck his hand out.
"Serena." She shook his hand.
Darien watched as his technically ex-wife admire this man in front of him. Then for a second the green monster over came him. "Friend, if you do not let go of her hand..."
"Sorry," Andrew immediately let go. "Can't remember a time where you were ever jealous." Andrew teased. "He must really love you."
"In fact I do." Darien confirmed.
"Let me guess.. he doesn't show it very well?"
Serena just awkwardly laughed.
"Grab a booth." Andrew instructed. "What can I grab for you two?"
"One chocolate shake, one coffee, two burgers and a side of onion rings." Darien ordered.
"Darien that sounds like a lot." Serena walked to a booth.
"Trust me, you will love it so much, you will eat it all up."
Serena looked around. There was a foosball table, a pool table, ski ball, pinball and some claw machines.
"Do you want to play?" Darien asked. "We have some time before the food comes out."
"I have never played any of these before." Serena answered.
"I can teach you." Serena just nodded.
"How about a little wager?"
Serena looked at Darien confused.
"Come on nothing crazy."
Serena crossed her arms over her chest.
"If I win, I just want you to stay two more days."
"Darien, I have meetings." Serena disputed.
"That can be done virtually!" Darien explained.
Serena nodded.
"And if I win...?" Serena asked.
"What do you want?" Darien asked a little nervous.
"Hmmmm," Serena thought. "I am not sure, can I decide after I win?"
"Okay... only because I promise you won't, I will allow it."
Serena just laughed. A genuine laugh, and Darien heart skipped a beat. "I really love hearing you laugh." He pulled her into him, and gave her a soft peck.
"Hey hey, this is a children's place!" Andrew clapped. "Let's keep this G rated okay!"
"Sorry..." Darien replied. "Let's go. What do you want to lose at first?"
"Just because you know these games, don't forget there is something called beginners luck." She smirked and headed straight for the pin ball machine, as Darien exhaled and followed her.