"We will have a grand celebration after the Concert aboard ship Michiru it will be a big party with many people too meet. Your very lucky to have a man like Theo by your side have you packed everything?"
"Yes mother I am already organized and ready for when we leave I look forward to it very much." With a smile I then walk away a plan already in mind I can stay so very busy that Theo and I barely see each other at all I don't like him touching me at all.
If he tries to kiss me or sneak a peek at me one more time I will forget my manners and beat him senseless and not care of the consequences I am reaching the limits of my patience I check the ships activity schedule along with my music schedule and join nearly everything from work outs to different water sports and buffets and much more that should be a good start
There is no way that Theo will keep up to me between all the work with music and all those activities even I might get a little tired but I am in top sailor shape so I doubt it I look out the big window the gentle snow is now coming down so fast I cant even see the winter lights outside...
I dry all the plates putting them away in the cupboard. "So your saying you were chosen long ago your destiny is to be Sailor Uranus and you couldn't run from it but you don't regret it when you started saving the world with your partner Neptune and other scouts you met later. Wow Haruka sounds like a lot of sacrifice and dedication you must feel proud when saving all those lives.
"Yes thanks I cant tell you all the details its best not too but its not just me we are a team anyway can we not talk anymore about it Ava please." The subject just makes my element want the ocean so much more and its just not happening.
"So Haruka what desserts are we making for tomorrow I mean the oven I know can only hold so much same with your fridge Its small and Christmas means sweets and special made rare treats that you only can make on holidays because work just takes up way to much time and I have already picked out my five top favourites."
That was a quick subject change you and your sweet tooth Mei but you do have a point we each have our favourites and time is never on our side ok how about we each pick two of our top favourites to make and share I pull out a notebook I will start first hmm this year for me its going to be a coffee cheese cake and gingerbread cookies.
I write down just one and pass it to Ava who writes her two and tries to pass it to Thorn but shes distracted by her phone and it seems Mei isn't the only one with a big sweet tooth. "Um got enough sugar in your tea yet?"
"Oops! Sorry Haruka! I am distracted thinking about the weather outside I checked it on my phone its not going to get any better" I take a sip of my tea. Whoa! Yes way to much sugar!
"I will make you a new cup of tea Thorn you only dumped nearly the whole bowl of it in your cup is all its no big deal just means the dentist makes extra cash is all". I feel her punch my shoulder before handing me the notebook.
"Thanks Rio" I take a look out the window it looks like for the first time ever the weather man is correct and what a time for him to be damn it this cant be happening right now.
"Here" I hand Thorn a fresh hot HUGE mug of tea she looks at me like I am crazy to think she can drink this much. "Well its better then wasting all that sugar you dumped" if looks could kill the one Thorn was giving me would. "Ahem lets finish getting all the presents under the tree we brought all ours in from the car. What about you and Hailey?"
"No we didn't get done wrapping we got distracted but I will see to it right away."
"Ok Haruka I will finish putting the sauce away and washing some of these mugs"
I watch Hailey and Haruka going in to the bedroom to wrap gifts I turn to Thorn. "Take it easy you have barely sat down and I saw you wince earlier I know your back is out that and it was hard to find a cup to fit your sugar high in. You know I think its more of one of those big cake mugs you can use for a quick treat but hey it worked"
"I cant help it Rio and if I drink all that damn tea you gave me in that cake mug I will be in the bathroom for the rest of my life!" I look at the huge cup and an idea comes to me I lift it and carefully pour some out in to each persons cup adding to what they had left.
"I know it hasn't been easy and you know Haruka and Jade had coffee right? Just wait till they get a taste of that mix!" I watch Jade take a sip and nearly spit out her drink and walk over to Thorn with a mischievous grin on her face.
My coffee mixed with tea tasted awful I pull Thorn to me and kiss the taste I have to her and when I pull back I can see the sour face she has and laugh then pick up my cup I dump it down the sink. I am not one to waste but there's no way I can drink that I pour myself a fresh cup of coffee.
"Thanks for that Jade" I laugh and drink my tea to get rid of the after taste then turn on the television and pick a Christmas movie we all like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation a classic before I could start sweeping the floor Rio made a suggestion.
"You two have barely had time together why don't you two go for a walk in that gym downstairs stretch relax don't worry we got the chores"
I take her hand. "Come on Thorn lets go out for a bit of air even if its not far Rio has a good point"
"Alright" I get on my coat and boots put on my heavy scarf and hat then walk out with Jade...
Some of the guests that are staying for the night did make it to the party despite the storm we are all dancing in the ball room. Ugh that includes me I have got congratulations from everyone on my engagement and concert my feet stepped on by almost every guy here too the one right now is no better.
"Michiru you dance with such grace and beauty Theo is such a lucky man I can see your name in lights and so many guys jealous they lost their chance"
"Thank you Cody Whooooaaaaaa!" Next I know I am going all over the place in the room to the new beat I am being spun pulled dipped all over the dance floor till he accidentally looses his grip and I go flying in too three other ladies like bowling we all end up on the ground.
We all get up and are fine but the two others named Lily and May are angry enough to chase after him May even has a sharp pin from her purse pointed at him I leave to go freshen up when the power goes off putting everyone in the dark the startled screams and gasps can be heard easily some dishes fall with a CRASH! To the floor. When I pull open the curtains I can barely see outside.
"Hurry up and get the generator going Bradbury! And you three clean up that mess! Bring out the appetizers now!"
I knew it would not take long for mother to give orders as I see the power come on and the maids and butlers rushing all over the place I think I will stay upstairs away from the chaos for a little while...
We all light candles along with the small fireplace. "Usagi this weather is the worst I have ever seen here it changed so quickly that I am stuck and cant get home I feel bad for the trouble I have caused".
"Your no trouble Ami we are glad your here safe out of the blizzard we can still do plenty even with no power."
I watch my mom leave the room "shes right Ami! Just tell your mom how bad the weather is she will understand shes so nice!"
"Well with all this going on and buses not running I don't have much of a choice." I pull out my cell phone and press my mothers number. "Hello mother I am sorry but I don't think I can get home the weather has become worse then I believed it would I am sorry for the way I left I will try to be home soon as I can."
"Is everything cough ok Ami? Was she mad? Cough cough. I take the cold cup of apple juice Usagi gives to me. "Thanks"
"No she understands Minako even she would not be out on such terrible weather as this" sipping my tea. "I am just mad at myself for leaving and getting so angry at my grandfather I know what hes like I knew he would be this way but something inside me just snapped."
"I suppose when he said to forget all about others and focus on myself it reminded me how miserable I was when taking his advice even though I was ahead and praised it meant nothing till I had friends like you to share it with."
"Aww! Ami don't feel bad you did the right thing with how you felt from your heart you told the truth and I am sure things can get better maybe now he will understand you better and you can be closer then ever!"
"I do hope your right but it is such a relief I admit tonight is the first of many that I do not have a headache pounding in my head earlier today was the worst but being in the dark like this with just some light feels nice just talking with you two I don't mind the power being out"
That's great Ami! We all lean back on the couch holding our hot chocolates and watching the snow fall fast outside...
I Kiss Jade deeply we are sitting close in my SUV it was a good idea we had not done this in it looks darker outside then usual? I look at my watch its just after three o clock? "Wait the garage lights are off too why didn't I notice that?" There is a colder chill in the air the wind rocks the SUV easily as if it weighs nothing at all.
"You were busy with me is why I french kiss her deeply I see her laugh while she takes a better look around. "Even in this storm being with you Thorn is perfect for me it don't matter where we are but you are right I think the power is out" I feel the SUV rock again harshly.
"Things may change Jade you know we been together for nearly three years and you would think by now that I would of been able to tell you everything and I wanted too but due to a promise I made I never could but you see there was something I have been wanting to ask you but I am not sure I have the right too."
"Thorn you can ask me anything I get it that you made a promise that don't bother me at all so please tell me whats on your mind?"
"Oh sure during a terrible blizzard in a dark garage half frozen in my car is a proper place to ask you to marry me no way!" (did I just say that out loud?)
"Wait you want to marry me? Did I hear that right?" I shook now not just due to cold but I am in shock.
"I am 21 Jade your the first person I have let myself fall in love with yes I admit it I never believed in that sort of chance for me till I met you hell letting someone love me is hard as is I can be distant and stubborn yell be insecure the whole damn package even if there's no reason yet you stayed with me when I was just waiting for you to walk out or worse." I look and see tears rolling down her cheeks its rare for her to cry. "I am sorry I didn't mean too".. I feel a finger to my lips.
"Thorn you are my first too I can get bad with my bi polar you never left me you would hold me so tight so I could scream out all I wanted you introduced me to a great bunch of people like dad and the others who get me that was such a blessing since we became friends in high school to lovers when we graduated" I pull her to me. "I love you too Thorn Tenoh and I don't care where we are yes I will marry you we kiss with the love from our hearts while the world to us fades away"...
We are listening to the radio on a classic rock channel that also updates on the weather. Along with dads old camp lantern on and an extra flashlight on the counter that brightens up the whole kitchen were all playing cards and eating ice cream. I put my card down. "Uno"!
"I don't know how Haruka gets down so fast I have more cards then I started with!"
"Its because you are terrible at cards Ava"
"I am not! I still have a chance Haruka had to pick up!" I take a bite of ice cream. "Ok Rio for saying that I am terrible here I got a gift for you pick up four and the colour is red!"
"Damn you Ava" I pick up the cards and organize my hand. "I will get you back!"
"Thanks for playing the reverse card Haruka"
"Your welcome Ava. Hey Thorn and Jade have been gone awhile you think they are ok?"
"Ya they are fine if not shed call us"
"With what? Her cigarette lighter? Thorns cell is on the table near the tree and Jades is there by her coffee"
I look and Haruka is right she had left her phone behind. Shit even though I don't blame Thorn I pray her cell don't ring...
"There you are Michiru aren't we getting old for hide and seek? Why are you in here? And why in hell did you say yes to Theo? Last I seen was that great man Haruka with you, also I have been walking and dancing over an hour in high heels I deserve an answer! I sit on the couch my feet are killing me as is!
I know that voice that is Chelsea one of my only friends in the social circle so glad she is here she can help me stay sane through all this I leave my window seat and shut the door locking it. "You know I had enough of being swung around the room not all the men here can dance as you know."
"Well that's obvious isn't it?" I take off my heels. "So where is Haruka? Him I could see being with you NOT Theo he is to much of a mamas boy."
"I know I can trust you Chelsea so I will admit something to you but please do not mention it to another living soul. Haruka is not a man shes a woman that I fell in love with but mother found out in a bad way and hit her with the sharp edge of her ring I stood by in shock I said nothing it was awful and it all happened so fast."
"She left me and moved on with another woman named Thorn she will not speak to me and no matter how I tried to apologize nothing came of it I don't feel any better then a person like Theo for lying then standing by I watched her get hurt in public people had gathered due to the noise I am sure it was humiliating and even though I don't deserve her I cant stop loving her"
"I was waiting for you to tell me Michiru you see I knew because no man ever has the kind of soft skin or lack of body hair on their face like she does but I didn't care your my friend I like you for who you are but I can see what you mean that's awful your mom did that well its not my business but are you giving up?"
"No I haven't but right now there's so much going on so many people around I am being careful of my choices considering I was told there will be plenty of press around for awhile plus the weather has got so bad I can barely see out the window"
"Wise choice but be careful you don't want to end up marrying that sorry excuse for a man make sure to keep an eye on all your boundaries your mom is fire and can burn even you shes someone who thinks more of herself then others and finds different ways to get what she wants"
"Believe me I will be keeping a very close watch on everything she does and more so that and Theo I plan to be very very busy Chelsea that should keep that problem away if my mother thinks I am following her career focused plans she will be satisfied and make sure that I am not disturbed"
"I will be aboard too I will be your extra eyes and ears I will help as best I can and if I see or hear anything I will make sure to let you know asap I hope there is less high heels involved though my feet are killing me! I am not made to walk like this I have so many blisters ouch!"
"Giggle well we can both hope for that cant we? I can teach you a few tricks to walking in high heels to make them less painful after that I suppose we better get back to the Christmas party"
"Go ahead and show me your trick and make it fast if my feet could talk they would cry Michiru" I watch as she gracefully walks without difficulty. "I will copy you as best I can we better get back before suspicion arises and people notice were not there."
I unlock and open the door and we head back to the ballroom...
"Ok Ami your turn!"
"I pick up a card oh I got a SORRY! Card."
"Pick on Usagi I only have one pawn on the board cough"
"Not me! I am so close!"
"Minako does have a point alright I will send this one back to start"
"Oh man! I was near home too!"
"My turn cough I got eight great I am on my way home now if I can only get the rest of my pawns out"
"Well you have one near home Minako! None of mine are close and Ami put one of mine back to start!"
"We ate all we could hope nothing spoils in the freezer or fridge and your father is hooking up speakers to the laptop so we can watch a movie. I see your brother is still reading his comic by the flashlight I think we are all to full to even think about supper. BURP! Oh excuse me girls."
"That's ok mom we are full too! We are having fun playing SORRY! too! Ami is winning so far shes good at this game and its the first time shes played it!"
"I cant help but laugh I don't really care about winning I am having fun Usagi"
"Yawn I wish my medicine didn't make me feel so tired I haven't even had a chance to catch up to you guys yet yawn"
"Go ahead and rest Minako its ok we understand here is an extra blanket."
"You should finish your water before you sleep"
"Good idea Ami" drinking it down I get up and walk up stairs with a flashlight to guide me laying down in Usagi bed it don't take me long to drift off...
We hear the door open we all turn to see what looks to be two piles of snow coming inside. "Is that you Thorn and Jade?"
"Well it isn't the abominable snowmen Rio!"
"You two sure look that way I can barely see your clothes your full of ice and snow you must be frozen"
"Your just full of compliments aren't you Ava? Looks like the power is still out."
"No We were having a make out party while you two were gone. Thorn didn't you notice the power is still out for over two hours now?"
"I guess we didn't notice how long its been. I almost forgot here Jade I pick up a small box from under the tree no use waiting till Christmas."
Oh! I open the small box. Thorn its so beautiful! The ring is a silver band with a beautiful big ruby stone.
I take and slip the ring on Jades finger. "I asked her to be my wife"
"And I said yes!"
We all clap. "Congratulations you two!"
"Thanks Ava we have not made a date yet but when we do you will all know"
"That's so great you two are a great couple."
"Thanks Haruka I give her a kiss so what cold food are we all eating for supper?"
"Your late on that one we are all stuffed on ice cream there's still some left in the freezer better get some before its a milkshake!"
"Lets go help ourselves Jade"
"You bet" I walk with Thorn. "At least you left some of the good flavours for us!" We take out two containers of ice cream Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Supreme. We grab spoons and take a seat at the table with the others and begin to eat whats left.
I look out the window "its still really bad out There I think we will all have to stay here the night Haruka"
"That's ok we can work it out" I check my phone and the weather network shows dozens of accidents "it looks like many people on the road are stuck too sometimes I wonder how stupid can people be to go out in this."
"I kiss Haruka how long do you figure the power will be off?"
"I don't know its already been a few hours temperature has dropped in here for sure but not to bad if its not on by later tonight we will just have to wear coats to bed my bed is a king size so it might fit all of us if we don't kill each other"
"I already know three of us here who snore or toss and turn but staying close is a good idea for heat that and its better then the floor but I warn you if I get hit in anyway it will be coming back to them"
"Thorn you move too you know but I am ok with trying to stay together its after eight thirty what time should we all agree too knock out at?"
"Let me go see what I can set set up first Rio"
"I can help Haruka"
"Ok Rio it should not be to hard to set up a comfortable sleeping arrangement.."
"I rinse and set the bowls in the sink I hear my cell ring and walk over I see Hailey watching me I grab my cell and head to the study and lock the door"
"Let my fiance have privacy Hailey get away from the door its not your business"
"I want to know what is going on I am tired of all the secrets!" I see Ava getting up and walking toward me.
"Haruka has told you to leave her alone too we heard before we came inside you need to respect that its not asking much."I see Thorn come out shes pale and her hand is clenching her phone tight.
Ava could you please get Rio and Haruka?
"Sure thing Thorn" I walk in to the room seeing Rio and Haruka working on the bed. A mess of pillows and blankets on the floor, "You both need to come out here now please."
"Whats going on Ava?"
"I put my arm around Haruka shoulders I am sure Thorn will tell us" We walk out together.
I pull Haruka in my arms. The confusion on her face evident "I need you to listen to me all of you"
"Sure Thorn" I could feel her holding me right to her with Rio Ava and Jade close by.
"Remember how we all knew dad had a bad heart for many years now. The nurse has called and he has passed away peacefully in his sleep tonight they have been keeping me posted only little by little and as he wanted he didn't want us there he just wanted us together. That's why he did things this way dad knew he was close but we all know he never stopped living a great life of a hard working man loving devoted father even to those who were not his kids till his very last heart beat he will watch over all of us.
Ava and I hold on to Haruka together with Thorn we feel her shaking nearly falling to the floor in her deep sobs I know Thorn as is has been emotionally exhausted but was trying to keep everything and everyone together going forward with life as dad clearly told us when he was diagnosed that as long as god wakes you up each day you keep going.
I look at Hailey "are you happy now that you finally know? Tears going down my cheeks I help Rio and Thorn hold Haruka together dad was always worried for Haruka the most which made sense hes all she has in the world as for blood family Thorn Rio I Jade we are all fine were adults Mei and Hailey also have people out there I am not sure what will happen to Haruka now
"Mei it cant be true trying to control my tears"
"Hailey I wipe my tears dads gone I know he had a will but only god knows what hes done this is serious"
"You mean they could take Haruka?"
"Will you shut up that's not what anyone wants to think about"
"Sorry Mei I need air" I feel sick inside at the thought of another person I know falling victim to the foster system not everyone gets a good life in it I had two friends who died in it because its so overloaded as is I run out of the apartment door hearing it close behind me...