Part 3  "Mothers and Daughters"

        "Bye, Serena!" Amy called as she and the others walked out the
door, "See ya tomorrow!"
        "Yeah, see if you can be on time, for once, Meatball Head," Raye
grumbled.
        Mina and Lita called their respective good-byes as they waved at
Serena and her mother watching from the door. When they reached the
front walk, they split up to go their separate ways. Mina and Artemis
headed back to her home, Raye to the temple, Amy and Lita to their
respective apartments.
        Once the children had passed from sight, Mrs. Tsukino closed the
door. "Okay, Serena," she said firmly, "Now that your little friends
have gone home, come into the kitchen and help us get dinner ready."
        "Yes, Mommy," Serena squeaked reluctantly as she followed her
mother into the kitchen, where Reenie greeted her happily.

        <Act like a five year old she says!> Lita thought as she walked
towards her apartment building, <Yeah, right.> Her face was slightly
flushed, indicating that she was just a LITTLE bit displeased with the
way things were going. "I HATE being little. I was too tall before and
now..." she muttered to herself, "I can just SEE me trying to reach my
cooking stuff! Let alone everything else!" She opened the door to her
building with more effort than usual, and entered.

        Amy punched a command into her minicomputer as she walked, and
studied the screen as it responded. <All this analysis is going to take
a LONG time!> she thought wearily as she continued working while she
walked home.
        When the third person stopped to stare at her as she passed, Amy
finally took notice that she was drawing unwanted attention. <Hmmm.
Maybe I should put this away,> she thought uneasily, <After all, how
many five year olds have laptop computers? It doesn't even look like a
toy one.>
        Amy carefully put her minicomputer away into her subspace
pocket, and continued on home, but now, a new feeling made itself known.
She sensed that people were STILL watching her. She shivered as a wave
of fear overcame her. <I feel so HELPLESS being THIS small! What would I
do if someone grabbed me? Could I transform fast enough?> No matter how
hard she tried, she couldn't shake that feeling of helplessness. By the
time she reached her building, she was almost running. She pulled the
door open, and ran inside with a sigh of relief. <I don't think I like
being five again!>
        Amy opened the door to her apartment and entered. Closing the
door, she turned to locate her mother. <I hope Mom's not working at the
hospital today. I don't want to be by myself.> The smell of food and
industrious sounds coming from the kitchen indicated that her mother was
indeed home and busily preparing dinner. <Great, Mom's home,> she
thought relieved. <I wonder what Mom will be like? I'll have to be
careful how I talk to her,> Amy mused to herself. She quickly regarded
the living room and hallway beyond as she made her way to the kitchen.
<Well, everything looks about the same... Strange though, the apartment
seems somewhat larger... It must be my new prospective,> she giggled to
herself.
        When a giggling Amy entered the kitchen, her mother turned from
the stove with a smile. <I wonder why she's in such a good mood?> "Hi
dear. Did you have fun at Serena's?"
        "Yes Mom." <At least I don't have to call her `Mommy' like
Serena,> Amy giggled to herself. She walked over to her mother who
leaned down and gave Amy a hug and a kiss on the forehead. <She hasn't
done that in awhile. I miss it.>
        Mrs. Anderson turned back to the stove and stirred a pot.
"You're in a good mood, Amy. I'll have dinner ready in a little while. I
hope you and Lita behaved yourselves and didn't cause Mrs. Tsukino any
trouble."
        Facing the stove, her mother missed the confused look that
crossed Amy's young face. <Me and Lita?>
        Her mother turned and looked around the room. Now there was a
slight look of worry on her face. "So, where IS Lita?" she asked in a
slightly anxious tone, "You KNOW that you both should stay together,
just to be safe."
        Amy kept her face expressionless, though her mind was moving at
lightning speed. <WHAT is going ON here?!> she thought, perplexed, <Why
would Mom be so interested in Lita? Something very strange is happening
here!>
        She smiled at her mother. "I was with Lita just a little while
ago, Mom," Amy answered, no hint of her increasing confusion showing in
her voice, "Don't worry, she's okay." Something was nagging at her, and
after a moment, she realized what it was. "Mom, I have to go to my room
for something. I'll be right back." Amy took off before getting a reply.
        Amy's mother stared after her and shook her head in resignation.
<She's probably at the playground again! What is it about that child
that she can't seem to pass there without stopping?> She shook her head
again and turned back to her dinner preparations. <When Amy comes back,
I'll have her go and pry Lita away from the playground.> She sighed and
a soft smile crossed her face.
        <If there's a place where I can get some answers, it's likely my
room,> Amy thought as she hurried from the kitchen and into the living
room on the way to her bedroom. She noticed a picture in a silver frame
sitting on the table, next to the couch. She frowned. There was
something ODD about that particular picture. She expected that but from
this distance, she couldn't quite tell what it was. Amy's curiosity was
now piqued.
        Amy walked up to the table and picked up the picture. She smiled
in remembrance at the picture. She knew this picture well. It was a
photograph of her mother and herself taken at the carnival about six
months ago when her mother had managed a rare day off from the hospital
to spend with her. Amy regarded it. <Yes, there's Mom, and me looking
about four or five and... Who's this?! Oh my GOODNESS! It's LITA!> she
gasped, <What's Lita doing in this photograph? She wasn't with us!>
        Amy placed the picture carefully back on the table and ran to
the hall, where other family photographs hung. Pictures of her, her
mother, and LITA! <Hmmm. She must live with us,> she reasoned, <But why?
Wait a second. Lita is five, so how can she live on her own?> Her eyes
widened in consternation. <She doesn't know she's supposed to be HERE!
I'd better go tell her right now!>
        She turned to leave. <Wait, I can't just walk out without
telling Mom.> She rushed back to the kitchen. "Mom?"
        Her mother turned from the stove. "Yes, dear?"
        "Mom, can I please go get Lita?" Amy asked hesitantly, "You know
how she can be sometimes." <I hope that's enough.>
        Her mother nodded and turned back to her dinner preparations.
"Yes, dear, I know," she answered. <Lita always forgets what time it
is.> "I think you better tell your sister to come home right now, and be
careful, Amy."
        <SISTER?!!> Amy thought, stunned. "Okay Mom." She ran from the
kitchen. Pulling on a jacket, she ran out the door, heading for Lita's
apartment. <Lita, my sister?!>

        As Lita approached the door of her apartment, she reached into
her pocket for her keys. A frown crossed her face as she failed to find
them. She reached into her other pocket. Nothing. <Great. Just great.
Now I've lost my keys!> she thought angrily, <What ELSE can happen to me
today?!> A surge of anger, surprising her with its intensity,
overwhelmed her, and she began to kick and pound on the door furiously.
<This is so FRUSTRATING!> she fumed, <I think I'll transform and give
that blasted door a little zap! That'll fix it!>
        Before she could retrieve her transformation wand from her
subspace pocket, the apartment door opened and an elderly man peered out
cautiously. At seeing Lita, he relaxed and smiled. "Yes, little girl?"
he asked, "Can I help you with something?" <She's a cute little thing.>
        Lita stared at him in confusion. She had half hoped it was her
mother alive again opening the door for her. "No thank you, Sir," she
replied hesitantly, "I live here and I was locked out."
        The old man shook his head before regarding Lita thoughtfully,
<I haven't seen her before. The poor child must be lost or confused.>
"I'm sorry little one," he said, "But you must be lost. You definitely
don't live here. Tell me your mother's name. I may know her and I can
take you to the right apartment."
        <I don't have a Mom.> Lita blinked at the unexpected tears in
her eyes, and her lower lip trembled. "B-but...but...I DO live here!"
        He studied his young visitor and saw she was on the verge of
tears. "I'll tell you what, honey," he said soothingly, "You come in
here with me, and I'll notify the Police. They can help you find your
mother in no time. You'll see."
        She looked past him, into the apartment, and saw that nothing
was familiar. <He's right,> she thought, the realization finally hitting
her, <I...I don't live here. I'm five so I can't be on my own!> She
looked up at him and smiled with an effort. "It's okay. I remember where
I live. Thank you, Sir!" She turned and walked down the hall as the
elderly man closed the door.
        Lita stopped a short way down the hall and thought, <I'm five, I
have no parents. Where am I supposed to be? No one wants me.> She leaned
her head against the wall as the tears flowed. She knew she should be
figuring things out, that crying wouldn't help, but the tears kept
coming and nothing she could do would stop them. She put a hand to her
mouth to muffle the sobs as she lost control entirely.

        Amy arrived at Lita's apartment building at a run and rushed
through the door and into the elevator. She reached up on her tiptoes
and pushed the button for Lita's floor and waited impatiently as the
elevator rose. When it stopped, she was out the door almost before it
had opened.
        She saw her friend leaning against the wall, crying. "Lita!
What's wrong?" Amy cried as she rushed over, "Did something happen?"
<I've never seen Lita cry.>
        "A-Amy! I-I guess you could say that," Lita sobbed in reply, "My
apartment ISN'T my apartment anymore! I don't know WHERE I belong, and I
just can't stop crying!" Another loud sob followed.
        <Poor Lita. I should of realized before she left...> Amy hugged
her friend almost in tears herself. "Lita, I know where you belong!"
        Lita stopped crying and looked at Amy. "You do?"
        Amy grinned. "Uh-huh. You live with me......Sister!"
        Lita's eyes grew wide as she stared at Amy. "Sister?" she
whispered.
        Amy nodded happily. "Isn't it GREAT?! As near as I can
determine, Mom must have adopted you and thus, we are sisters. Which
reminds me, SIS, `our Mom' will be furious if we don't head back home
now."
        Lita smiled hesitantly and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Then
I guess we'd better head for home, Am... uh... Sis."

        Amy's mother looked up as the front door opened. When Amy led
Lita in, she relaxed. "Where have you two been?" she demanded, "I was
starting to get worried!"
        "I'm sorry, uh... Mommy," Lita replied shyly, a rush of emotion
flooding over her, "I stopped at the playground on the way home."
        "Next time, I want the two of you to stick together," she said
sternly, "You're too young to go off wandering by yourselves." <Lita
looks like she was crying. I wonder what she got into now?> She reached
down to Lita and hugged her fiercely. Lita hesitated at first but then
returned it wholeheartedly. Amy noticed tears returning to Lita's eyes.
        Amy felt a twinge of jealousy at the tender scene playing itself
out before her. <That's likely the first loving hug she's received since
her folks died,> Amy thought. At that thought, the jealousy vanished and
she felt a warm feeling rise to take its place. <Lita finally has a
mother, and a good one too.> Amy smiled.
        "Okay, children," Mrs. Anderson said as she released Lita and
stood, "Dinner is ready and on the table, so let's all go to the dining
room and eat." Obediently, the two girls followed `their' mother into
the dining room.
        Amy was about to serve herself, as usual, when her mother
interrupted. "You'd better let me do that, dear," she said with a smile,
"You're a little young for that yet. Besides, that pan is heavy and you
may spill it." Lita almost burst out laughing at the chagrined
expression on Amy's face, turning it into a cough at the last moment. "I
hope you're not coming down with a cold, dear," Mrs. Anderson said in
concern as she turned to Lita.
        "I'm alright, Mommy," Lita replied hurriedly, "But I'm VERY
hungry!" Mrs. Anderson smiled and began to dish out the food.
        Lita enjoyed the dinner. It was nearly in the same league as her
own cooking. <Amy never mentioned her mom could cook like this.>

        After dinner, Amy and Lita headed over to `their' room. As they
entered, they looked around curiously. It's definitely different than
either of them remembered it. There was no mistaking that this was the
room of two little girls, with one bed where they both slept.
        "Well," Lita turned to Amy with an expression of relief, "It's
cute, but not in Serena's league. At least I'll be able to sleep without
worrying about all those stuffed rabbits and things smothering me while
I'm asleep!" Amy giggled at Lita's comment as they both entered the room
to explore it, and become familiar with its contents.
        In the background, Amy heard her mother running the bathtub.
<Hmmm, Mom's taking a shower,> she thought, <That's good. This should
give us some time to discuss things.>
        However, after a few short moments, her mother came into the
room. "Okay, you two, into the tub," she ordered.
        "Tub?" Lita squeaked weakly.
        "Both of us, TOGETHER?!" Amy added, shocked.
        "Of course, girls," she answered, amused, "It's faster that way.
Let's get going." They followed her into the bathroom, where a
bubblebath had been prepared.
        Lita waited to close the door, but it was obvious from the way
she was readying things, that their mother had no intention of leaving.
<Is she going to stay in here, WITH US?!> Lita wondered.
        Mrs. Anderson walked up to Lita and began to undress her. "What
are you doing?!" Lita asked, shocked.
        Mrs. Anderson smiled. "Undressing you, Silly!" Taking the hint,
Amy began to remove her own clothes.
        "Hey! What happened to my bra?" Lita asked without thinking when
her top was pulled off. <Oops...>
        "Bra?" Mrs. Anderson said, turning a puzzled look on Lita.
        "We're not playing grownup anymore, silly Lita!" Amy piped in
brightly. She then giggled. <`Silly Lita'... Maybe this will be fun
after all.>
        Her mother turned a stern eye on them. "You two weren't in my
underwear drawer, were you?"
        "No, I was just pretending, uh, Mommy," Lita answered innocently.
        "Good," Mrs. Anderson said relieved. <It took me almost an hour
to clean it up after the last time.> "Now, into the tub, both of you."
Amy and Lita climbed reluctantly into the tub. They both were blushing
innocently and were nearly as red as beets. They kept their faces turned
away lest their mother notice their embarrassment.
        Mrs. Anderson walked out, but left the door wide open. "I can't
believe this, Amy," Lita mumbled in embarrassment, "Look at us, in the
tub together! Why is your mom DOING this to us?" <I've never been so
embarrassed in my entire life!>
        Amy looked thoughtful. "She's OUR mom now, Lita," she pointed
out being careful to speak softly enough that her mother wouldn't
overhear her, "And I remember that she never let me bathe totally
unattended until I was six."
        Lita looked surprised. "Now that you mention it," she returned
slowly, "My mom did that to me too." <And even then...>
        They both looked at each other and broke out in a fit of
giggles. "It's kind of fun to be in a bubblebath again," Amy remarked
wistfully, "I haven't had one in a long time."
        Lita also had a wistful expression on her young face. "Me
neither." <Even with Amy in here with me, there's plenty of room to move
around.> A mischievous expression replaced it as a sudden impulse came
to her. <What the heck?> She splashed Amy, who looked at her in shocked
surprise, and with a sudden grin, splashed her back.
        At the chorus of giggles and splashing, Mrs. Anderson came back
in. "Now, you two stop that!" she admonished trying to be stern, though
her expression softened as she looked down at the two guilty looking
little girls. <Honestly, those two can never take a bath in peace. I
can't blame them though. It did look like fun.>
        "Yes, Mommy," they both chorused, and looking at each other,
they giggled again.
        Mrs. Anderson came back every few minutes and peered into the
bathroom to check on her two young daughters. Finally she came in, with
two towels and two sets of clothing over her arm. The girls realized
what it meant. The last thing either of them wanted to do was get out as
it was an enjoyable experience for each of them. "OK, Lita, you first."
Obediently, Lita climbed from the tub and was wrapped in a large towel.
"Now you, Amy." Within moments, Mrs. Anderson was drying off two
giggling squirming children. When she was done, she dressed them in
their pajamas, each covered with cute little animals. Kittens for Amy,
and ponies for Lita. Though inwardly embarrassed at the outfits, the two
girls accepted them in resignation blushing to some degree.
        "Now there's my two good little girls," Mrs. Anderson said and
then lifted a child in each arm, and with a girl leaning in blissful
contentment on each shoulder, she headed for the living room. <Boy,
they're getting big. I won't be able to do this much longer.> She seated
herself on the couch, and positioned the two children on her lap. She
reached over to the side table and picked up a book. Opening it, she
proceeded to read them a fairy tale which held them both enthralled.
        After reading for a time, Mrs. Anderson glanced at the clock,
and closing the book, replaced it on the table. "OK, girls," she said
firmly, "Time for bed. You two have school tomorrow, don't forget."
        Lita looked at the clock. "But it's only 7:30!" she objected.
        Mrs. Anderson smiled in pleasant surprise. "That's RIGHT, Lita!"
she beamed proudly, "The big hand is on the six and the little hand is
on the seven!" Both girls developed major sweatdrops on their heads as
their mother marched them off to bed.

        Mrs. Anderson tucked Amy and Lita both in, and kissed each
little girl on the cheek. "Goodnight, Amy. Goodnight, Lita," she said
sweetly as she turned off the light. She left, but kept the bedroom door
open so the hall light shone in. A small nightlight in the room also
became visible.
        "'Night Mommy," they chorused.
        Lita felt something she hadn't felt in a long time, not since
before her parents died. "You know, Amy, your mom is really nice," she
said wistfully, "She reminds me a lot of MY mom."
        Amy turned over to look at her. "Your mom must have been
wonderful then," she finally said, "But while we're here, she's OUR mom,
Sis."
        Lita smiled at that. "You're right. OUR mom is great," she
agreed, "I think I'll enjoy this while it lasts... Sis." Amy smiled
back, and they both decided that sleep WOULD be a good idea at this
point. It had been an eventful day but tomorrow was BOUND to be
interesting.

End part 3

Coming up next time... ACS Part 4: "Two Bunnies in a Pod"
Be there! ^_-