Serena

I look great.

I don't mean that in a conceded or stuck-up way, but the days that I actually have to make an effort, I pull out all the stops and most times, it ends up pretty good.

Tonight, I was off to an engagement party.

One of my customers, Tiffany Richardson, was throwing a party. She had only been engaged for about a week, before she came into my store, searching for a dress. I found that hilarious.

Apparently she didn't live in the country, she originally from Australia, although she didn't have much of an accent. Tiff spent nearly the entire day in my store, sometimes trying on dresses, the other time talking to me.

She was such a delight to spend time with, we became quick friends. When she asked if I'd come to her engagement party, that she was having here, I was surprised. I've had a couple of invites to weddings, but not to anything before that. It was quite sweet.

I thought that she had only said it in passing, but she really did meant it. She texted me a few times to remind me. To be honest, she was a bit of a crackhead, but incredibly nice. Although, her energy level wasn't exactly something I could keep up with.

Picking up my favourite bottle of perfume, I gave myself a few spritz of it as a final touch. This was the expensive kind that I only really used for special occasions. It was too good to use up.

Just when I put the bottle down, I heard my phone vibrate on the vanity and I smiled.

I picked up the phone and answered the FaceTime call, but before I could say anything, a wolf whistle interrupted me.

"You look amazing," Will said, staring at me through the screen.

I grinned, feeling quite smug. "I do, don't I?"

For tonight, I wore a long, navy coloured gown. It showed off some cleavage, but more skin at the back, with thin straps at my shoulders. There was a bit of a tulle, but not too much. I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard, but also that I made an effort.

I think I managed to pull it off.

"Definitely," Will nodded, before looking at me with a pout. "Is this punishment because I'm not there?"

Innocently smiling at the camera, I gently shook my head. "Of course not. That's just too cruel," I said, taking a seat on the bed.

"Tease," he replied.

I laughed at his words and the expression on his face.

"When are you back? I miss my free drinks. It's not the same if you're not serving," I asked Will.

One of the perks of being engaged to the man that owned a cafe, was that I could get whatever I wanted free of charge. Although, I did still put a little something in the jar for his business' sake, not always, but most of the time.

"Oh, is that that only reason?" Will question, raising his brow at him.

"Yes," I replied instantly, before tilting my head to the side a little. "Why? Did you think there was something else?"

I was definitely lying. I missed him and his presence. But I couldn't just tell him that...I mean I could, but it was more fun to tease.

"Aren't you sweet," Will playfully narrowed his eyes at me, although I could see the smile fighting its' way on his lips, before he just just gave up and let his grace his face. "I'll be back soon, babe."

"How's your Dad?" I asked Will, remembering the reason why he was away.

A week ago, Will's Dad tried to fix something on the roof, only to fall and hurt himself quite badly. A broken leg and a fractured arm, yet he still insisted he was okay and even tried to get back to the work.

"Stubborn. But he's recovering fine," Will replied. "They don't really need me here anymore. Mum's literally got my bags packed."

I chuckled at his words. After meeting Will's parents, I realised they were quite independent and liked have their alone time. It was quite sweet and hilarious when it seemed like they didn't want Will to interrupt them.

"Seems like you're not really wanted over there," I told him.

"I know. I'm not appreciated enough," he grumbled.

Before I could reply, I heard his Mum in the background.

"Oh, stop your sob story," I heard her say, which made me laugh. She was always good at keeping her son ground.

A shocked expression came over Will's face as he glanced away from the camera, mostly likely at his Mum, before looked back at me.

"You hear that?" He asked, clearly unhappy about not being fawned over enough. Such a baby.

"Yes," I nodded.

Will rolled his eyes, since I couldn't stop laughing at him.

"I'll be back tomorrow," he then told me, when my laughter finally simmered down.

I grinned at his words, since that was some good news. "I can't wait," I replied.

"Have fun tonight," he told me and I smiled. I nearly forgot I had somewhere to be.

"Miss me," I winked at him.

"Of course," he said.

This place was beautiful.

The engagement party was held outside, with seemed like a floral but rustic theme. There were blush-pink colours spread throughout to create an accent, accompanied with white and natural wooden shades.

My eyes were drawn to each piece of decor, from the round tables for desks, barrels, which I think held some kind of alcohol and of course a beautiful cake.

I weaved through all the people to look for Tiff. She was the bride-to-be, but also the only person that I knew here, really.

Finally, I spotted her standing by one of the tables and I quickly walked towards her. I was glad that I wore block heels, or they would be sinking into this grass.

"Tiffany," I said her name and she quickly turned around, excusing herself from whom she was talking to and stepped towards me.

"Hi, Serena. You look great. Thank you so much for," she said quickly and then wrapped her arms around me, proceeding to squeeze the air out of my lungs whilst hugging me.

She doesn't look that strong, but I swear it's like she's on steroids when she hugs you.

"Me?" I laughed and pulled away from her. "Look at you. You look amazing."

She looked like a bride already in a simple, white lace dress.

"Please," she let out a snort, rolling her eyes. I'm so glad you're here."

"Of course. Thank you for having me," I replied.

The only other wedding I had attended was Sara and Danny, and I was involved in all of those preparations, being the maid of honour. It was quite nice to be part of a celebration like this again.

At least this time I wasn't running around like a headless chicken trying to sort things out.

"I'm so sorry to do this, knowing that you don't really know anyone, but I have some people to meet. But please, mingle and have fun. I'll check on you later," Tiff said, frowning slightly.

I gently shook my head and smiled. "Sure. You go and charm the room."

She hugged me once more, before leaving to attend the other guests. I do wish Will was here right now, since I'm not so good at mingling with other people. My small talk seemed to always be awkward.

But I guess I'd have to try...

....I couldn't do it.

I spoke to a few people and made polite conversation, which was often just dependent on how I knew Tiff, but I just felt a little out of place.

It wasn't bad, but I felt like it was forced. Although, one of the girls was really nice and complimented my dress, which made me smile. At least that was a bit of an ego boost.

After grabbing myself a drink, I tried to move through the people to sit down. My feet were not happy with me right now and I needed to rest them.

Just as I approached a table, I felt something, or rather someone, crash into my legs.

I looked down and saw a little girl staring up at me, a smile on her face.

"Oh. I'm sorry, sweetheart. Are you okay?" I asked, crouching down to her height.

She was quite adorable, with her hair in curls, a little clip on either side to keep it from falling on her face and her eyes. They were a beautiful shade of green.

"I'm okay," the little one said, grinning as she showed off her teeth.

"Good," I smiled back. "I love your dress," I told her. She was dressed in pink and truly looked like a little princess.

She giggled, the smile of hers not faltering in the slightest. She was like a bundle of positivity.

"I like yours," she said, before bring her hand to my cheek. "You're so pretty."

I leaned into her hand a little, the warmth of it on my cold cheek.

"Aren't you adorable," I cooed at her, booping her nose.

She scrunched her nose up a little, twitching like a little bunny.

"Yes," she replied, with the kind of confidence I wish I had. I knew people my age that didn't have half of that. This little girl was truly something.

I then realised that no one seemed to be with her or seemed to be looking for her, which worried me slightly.

"Are you with someone? Do you need helping finding them, sweet pea?" I asked.

She shook her head, some of her hair falling in front of shoulder from her exaggerated movements. It was quite cute.

"Pea? No. I'm Bea," she said.

I frowned for a second, before realising she thought I had mispronounced her name and she was correcting me, which then caused me to let out a little chuckle.

"I'm Serena," I introduced myself, seeing it was only fair to do so.

My eyes were focused on her, feeling like I knew her. Could she be...? I don't know. It's a striking coincidence, but I wasn't sure.

"There are so many people here," Bea looked around.

"Who did you come with?" I asked her, wondering how someone hadn't come looking for her yet, or at least shouting her name.

"My Daddy. And my Grandpa and Grandma. But they didn't come with us. Only Daddy and I were in the car," Bea said.

"He must be looking for you right now. He might be a little worried, Bumblebee." I said, with the nickname sort of slipping out.

She just seemed to be buzzing with energy, it seemed like it was a fitting name.

I'd only ever called one person Bumblebee before and I hadn't even meant to call this little girl by that name. But the feeling that I already knew her, was so strong.

"Oh no," Bea frowned.

"Let's go find him," I smiled, straightening myself up. "Let me just put this down."

I went turned my back for a second to put my glass down on the nearest table, but when I looked back, Bea was gone. She literally disappeared or flew away, I couldn't see her anywhere.

I have no clue why, since I didn't know her, but I needed to make sure she was okay or had at least found her Dad.

Making my way through all the people, I tried looking for the little girl.

Just as I passed one of the guest, I felt my shoulder bump someone.

"Oh, I'm so..." I began to apologise, but when they turned around, I was left shocked and confused. "Emma?"

"Serena?" She said, her eyes widening, just like mine were right now, with equal confusion.

"I...what...I mean...hi," I stuttered through my words because I really didn't understand this.

I hadn't seen Emma in so long, it had literally been years. She still look great as ever, not even one grey hair yet and wrinkle-free skin. She looked liked the same Emma that I had met when I was five-years-old.

"Oh, my dear," she pulled me into a tight hug. "Hello. How are you? It's been so long," she said.

I pulled away from her, but Emma held onto my arms. "It really has. This is crazy," I told her.

She looked at me as if seeing me for the first time, it had really been that long, without even realising.

Before Emma or I could say anything more, Tiff approached us.

"Aunt Em...oh, you guys have met. Do you know each other?" She said, glancing in-between us.

My mind was trying to process Tiff's words, specifically the 'Aunt Em' part of it.

"Yes. Serena and her family were our neighbours for years," Emma replied, with a wide smile across her face.

"Wait, so the Aunt Em you kept mentioning, was Emma?" I asked Tiff, and she nodded.

When Tiff and I first met, during out conversation she mentioned how her 'Aunt Em' was helping so much with the entire wedding process, since Tiff wasn't getting married back home in Australia and wasn't familiar with a lot.

I listened to her words and went along with it, but I never really thought that the Emma she mentioned would be Emma Hunter.

However, now it did make some sense. Emma did mention she had a sister who got married and settled in Australia. I never really knew her name or met her. After she mentioned it, I sort of just kept it in the back of my mind.

"I honestly had no clue," I said out loud. "Is Mr Hunter here?" I asked Emma.

She nodded and then shouted. "Peter!"

I winced at her yelling, not expecting her to yell like that.

"Coming, dear," I heard the unmistakable voice of Mr Hunter.

I turned my head to him making his way towards us, two glasses in his hands.

When he looked our way, a smiled came over his face.

He hadn't changed much either. There was a bit of grey in his hair, but he looked pretty much the same.

"Serena!" He practically shouted my name and I grinned, his enthusiasm was missed. He quickly handed Emma one of the drinks and then wrapped an arm around me for a hug. "Oh, I've missed you. How are you?" He said.

I laughed as he hugged me tightly and patted my head, placed a kiss on top of it. The sweet little gesture reminded me of my Dad.

"I'm good," I told him, leaning away from the hug. "You look great as always."

"See, Em?" Mr Hunter turned towards her with a pointed look. "I look great. Take me off that stupid diet."

She rolled her eyes. "You look good because of the diet," she told him, and he grumbled something under his breath.

"You know my Aunt and Uncle, this is hilarious. Such a small world," Tiff laughed. "Aunt Em, Serena's store is where I'm buying my new dress from."

"Oh, that's wonderful. Serena's always been part of our family," Emma said.

I smiled at her words and then I realised something.

"Wait, if you guys are here, is..."

Before I could finish my words, I heard his voice.

"Rena?"