"They're here! They're here." Sammy yelled as he looked out the window. He sprinted to the door.
"Calm down Sammy! Let's go help them with their things." Ken said patting his son on the shoulder.
The two walked out to a car waiting in their drive way. Ken grabbed open the door. "Hi dad..." Serena sighed.
"Long flight sis? You look like death..."Sammy realized what he said and looked away.
"It is fine Sammy, " She patted his shoulder.
"Where is Rini?" Ken asked.
"Yes! Where is a sweet grand baby?!" Yelled Irene. She came running out with cookies in hand.
Sammy peaked into the car."Hey munchkin! Come out."
"She cried until she fell asleep on the plane, and she has not spoken to me since we got into the car." Serena scratched her forehead.
"She just needs time to adjust sweetpea. Sammy, Ken get their things. Give Serena some time with Rini."
Ken and Sammy started to unload their baggages. Serena went around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and there sat a little girl with pink pigtails. Her knees to her chest and dried tears running down her face.
"Sweetheart, the driver needs to go, unless you want to go finish his shift with him, you need to come out." Serena forced a smile and put out her hand.
"NO! I do not want to be here!" She yelled.
Serena looked over the car and saw her mom at the door. She too started to tear. It was never her plan to move her daughter from their home in Seattle back to Tokyo.
She sniffed. "Sweetie, I know you did not want to move back here. And I know you are going to miss Grammy and Grandpa, but this place is going to be our home now, and if you just give it a shot you will love it as much as I did when I was little. Please help me here."
The little girl shook her head. Serena was starting to get frustrated.
"Serena." Her mother whispered."Why don't you take Rini to the arcade to show her where the best place to get a milk shake is during the really hot days."
Serena looked at her mom and nodded.
"Rini, honey it has been such a long day, I need a coffee...how does a milkshake sound for you?"She again forced a smile.
The little girl looked up at her a nodded. She reached out her hand and Rini placed her little hand in hers.
"Mom, we will be right back."
"Do you want to take my car?" Irene offered.
"No mom, a walk will be good for us."
Serena took her daughter's hand and they started to walk. The walk was quiet. Rini refused to talk. She just looked around at the new surroundings.
"Here we are!"
"This place? Where is fancy sign and all the colors?" The little one made a sour face.
"Honey when the ice cream and drinks are good they do not need to show off like that. People just come." She pinched her cheek.
The two walked in.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Is that who I think it is?" A tall guy with blond hair came behind the bar.
"Hi Andrew!" Serena gave him a hug.
"And who is this little one? Beautiful like her mother...going with you're Rini?" He put out his hand for high five.
Rini giggled.
"How are you doing? What can I get for you?" Andrew asked.
Serena sighed."Coffee for me. Cream and sugar on the side. And for this one, please get her one of your favorite chocolate and strawberry shake." Serena plopped her onto the stool and stood behind her.
"Coming right up. And Serena." Serena looked up at Andrew."I am sorry about what happened with Thomas." He put his hand on hers.
"Thanks Andrew." Serena tried not to tear.
"So are you here for long are you here?"Andrew asked. He looked as Rini looked down to the ground.
"We have officially located, and I am trying to show my daughter how great this place is." She smiled at him.
"Well Rin-"
Just then the bell on the door rang.
"Hey Drew one coffee, please!"
She knew that voice.
"Well, well, well do my eyes deceive me?It can't be! I don't see meatballs but is that meatball head?!"
Andrew placed the shake and coffee in front of Serena and Ring.
"My mommy said it is never nice to call people names. If you have nothing nice to say do not speak at all!" Rini snapped.
Andrew and Serena chuckled. "Hello Darien."
"Hello. My name is Darien, what is your name?"
"My mommy said not to talk to strangers, especially mean ones like you! Meany!" She stuck her tongue out.
Daren took his hand back and looked at Serena. "Wow like mother like daughter."
"Rini don't be rude. He is an old..."
"Friend?" Darien shrugged.
"You can say that."Serena laughed.
"Well he seems like a meany!" She said crossing her arms.
Serena laughed."Okay let's just go over there so we can enjoy drinks and they can talk."
She lifted Rini off the seat and grabbed their drinks. She shot one more look at Darien with a smirk.
He stared at her as she walked away. She was 1000 times prettier than when he last saw her. Her long silky hair shined. And though her eyes were just as big and blue, he could tell she was sad.
Darien took his usual seat at the bar and drank his coffee.
Serena sat with Rini.
"See isn't that shake just yummy?"Serena tried to get a smile out of her daughter.
"It is not as good as the one Gammy used to take me to get, but it will do."
She continued to drink her drink.
"Hey Sere, can I top off your coffee?" Andrew asked offering the coffee pot.
"Actually Drew, she is almost done and I think I am going to take her to the park." Serena winked at Rini."Can I just get the bill?"
"This one is on the house. For old time sake."Andrew smiled."But I would like a high five!"
The little girl looked at his hand. She looked back at her mom. Smiled and gave him a high five.
"Thanks Andrew." Serena sighed. "Baby are you done?"
"Yup! And I feel better." The little girl finally smiled and jumped off the seat. She ran towards the door, as Serena followed.
"Thanks again Andrew."
"Anything and if you need anything, Lita and I are here for you." He waved. Darien turned around.
"By Mr. Ice Cream man! Bye Mr. Meany!"
Serena giggled. "Rini! Sorry Darien."
Darien shrugged. "Like mother like daughter."
Andrew and Darien watched as the two walked out.
Andrew sighed.
"You good bro?"
"Just crazy." He said running his hands through his hair.
"What?" Darien looked clueless.
"You really do live under a rock..."
"I have been busy. Work and everything, and not to mention I work night shift so I sleep most the day." He laughed.
"Well Serena husband, Thomas, was a firefighter. He was called to a really big forest fire a little over a year ago," Andrew sighed. He remembered the day him and Lita got the call, they wanted to be with her so bad.
"He did make it did he?"Darien finished the sentence.
"Nope, she tried to make it out there on her own in Washington, but now she is back." Andrew shrugged and started some dishes."When I look at that little girl, I have no words for her. Loses her father and now is now in a whole new country."
Darien's heart sunk to his stomach. He couldn't even take another of his coffee.
"What is it she does for a living?"
"She is a nurse. I am not sure if she found a new job, but I just remember the idea to move was really fast."
"Hmmm, " was all Darien could say.
***At The Park***
Serena was pushing Rini in the swing.
"Are you feeling a little better?"Serena asked.
"If I say no, can I get another shake?" She asked with a big smile.
"Nice try!"Serena laughed."But sweets, I know this is going to be a big change for you, but I want you to always know that I am here." She stopped pushing and kneeled down in front of the little girl.
"I just wish we could be home."
"I know, but in time, I promise, this will feel like home." She tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.