"You know, this was a good idea."
Copper stretched out on the blanket, reaching for a second sandwich and taking a bite. It was the following morning, and Topaz, her mind still on what she had found out the day before, had determined to do something to lift her bandmate's uncertain spirits, suggesting that they grab some sandwiches and drinks and take a picnic in the park, away from the bustle of the city itself.
 "Thanks for suggesting it, Topaz. I needed to get out and about a little and relax - I didn't realise how much this was upsetting me."
"You didn't?" Topaz raised an eyebrow. Copper looked sheepish.
"Okay, I did." She amended. "But talking to you at the hospital helped a little. And I'm sorry I took things out on you as I have. It's not your fault, just timing."
"I know, and no offence is taken." Topaz dimpled. "I figured if we came out on this picnic we could call it a proper ceasefire and put it behind us, huh?"
"Sounds good to me." Copper set the sandwich down. "I have one more hospital appointment, anyway, but I'm debating cancelling it. It seems futile. They're just going to tell me the exact same thing...that I'm infertile, I won't conceive naturally and I should settle my mind to the likelihood I won't have my own children, save for a miracle. I might as well accept it and get on with my life."
"Miracles can happen." Topaz assured her. "Besides, in your line of work, Copper, what about IVF? I know it's expensive, but with Jewel and everything, it's not like you haven't the money."
"Well, I read up on it online last night when I was chatting with Rosita." Copper admitted. Rosita was her sister, back in Detroit. "But the odds are dismal, Topaz. The chances of it even taking are low, and I don't know if I could handle that amount of heartache, putting so much hope and money into something and getting nothing back, you know?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Topaz looked thoughtful. "It's something to consider, though."
"Maybe." Copper shrugged. "Either way it's not something I need to think about for a while."
"Did you talk to Ros about all of this?"
"Mm, she knows it's been on my mind, I talked to her about it before." Copper nodded. "We've always been so close like that, especially since Papa died and more so since I took sick. She's clever, too, so I think she knew it was worrying me. Isn't much she can do to change it though."
"I suppose not." Topaz agreed. "So what now?"
"Who knows?" Copper looked thoughtful. "It's been a while since I was single...I wish I felt like the chick the papers always write me as - you know, the guy magnet Jewel. God knows where that comes from. I've been with Aaron so long now, I wouldn't know where to begin starting a new relationship."
"Do you want to?" Topaz looked startled. Copper sighed, shaking her head.
"No, I think that's part of it." She admitted. "I need to get over Aaron first, and I'm nowhere near that yet."
"There's no hurry." Topaz told her. "It's almost Violet's hen night, that's more of a hurry. Do you have any idea what you're gonna wear yet?"
"Vaguely." Copper nodded. "I'm gonna wear the white dress and choker I got when we were playing in Maine. I need some new shoes, though. I can't find the ones that I bought to go with it, I have a bad feeling Sylva borrowed them and they walked to her closet again."
"In which case, they will likely not leave alive." Topaz laughed. "I see your point. I'm glad I'm a size bigger than Syl. I love her to death, Copper, but she is the world's worst accessory nabber."
"Tell me about it." Copper groaned. "Well, are you beat, or do you fancy a trip around town, looking for shoes? We haven't studio today, and I don't really wanna go home and mooch in front of the television."
"Sounds good to me, I'm game." Topaz nodded. "I don't have an outfit for tomorrow night, anyway, so I could use a trip round town and Syl's gone to her mother's . Something about a good Mother daughter chat - I don't know what about, but I suspect it's Jack."
"Did something bad happen there?" Copper asked gently. Topaz nodded.
"I'll explain later." She said. "For now, let's go shop, huh? It might take a while for me to find something I like, I'm feeling a little self-conscious about my body right at the moment."
"You needn't, you look fine." Copper assured her, getting to her feet and beginning to collect up the remenants of their picnic. "I guess we ditch this in my car, then, and walk into the city? It's hot and I don't feel like fighting traffic, even with the top down."
"Sure, I'm up for a walk." Topaz agreed. "Besides, then I can show you the pants Syl thinks are utterly me...and you can tell me your thoughts. I like them, but they're kinda expensive and I wanna be sure they're worth the money."
From behind a nearby tree, a sole figure watched the two girls pack up their belongings, leaving the park in high spirits and deep in conversation. Neither one of them had been aware that their entire conversation had been overheard, for the eavesdropper was both stealthy and well practiced, and had had no mind to give herself away. Now that she was alone, however, she sat down beneath the tree's shady branches, lighting a cigarette and thinking over what she had learnt.
"Copper ditched Aaron because she can't have kids." She mused, exhaling a lazy cloud of smoke. "Hm, how can I use that to my best advantage? God knows why Aaron would want screaming brats anyway, especially with a headcase like her, but there you go." She pursed her lips. "She's a hopeless wimp, can't hack it on her own without big strong boyfriend there to back her up, so that means this must be a big deal situation. Aaron doesn't know about it, which means that if he did..." A slow smile crossed her face. "Ooh, if he did, she must know that he'd never look at her twice! Mm, maybe it's time I brought up the subject of family around Aaron, told a few fibs about my own ambitions and see if I can make him take the bait? Once he knows that Copper is faulty goods, he'll never want to take her back!"
"Steffi!"
A voice from across the park made her curse, turning to see her brother striding towards her.
"Great timing, Luca." She muttered. "What now?"
"I'm glad I found you." Luca cast her an amiable grin. "Rory called home, we're to be at the studio in ten minutes, something about there being a problem with the last vocal dub and he needs us to do it over, urgently. I got my car...you coming?"
"Yeah, yeah, I suppose so." Stefana sighed, getting reluctantly to her feet. "Talk about rotten timing. I was gonna head over to see Aaron!"
"Stef, what exactly is the deal with you spending so much time with Aaron at the moment?" Luca asked, as he led the way across the grass to the parking lot. Stefana scowled.
"None of your business, that's what it is." She told him firmly. "Besides, I know what you're thinking, and it isn't, okay? I'm not the one who goes around sleeping with people who are on the rebound, that's you!"
"Stef, that's not called for." Luca looked pained. "You know that the thing with Topaz was a one night stand only, and that it was ages ago now. I've not really spoken to her since."
"Well, you'd better not have done." Stefana told him darkly. "And as for Aaron, he's just a friend and I'm trying to help him. He's broken hearted over Copper and I've been getting him out and about, stopping him from moping, getting him back in the real world. Okay?"
"Really, Stef?" Luca looked doubtful. Stefana pouted.
"Is it so impossible for your kid sister to do a good deed?" She demanded. "Yes, Luca, really! Ask Aaron if you don't believe me!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Luca was contrite. "It's just that Marissa led me to believe that you were...well....keen on him."
"Well, Marissa has her head in some sappy romance novel most days and doesn't know anything." Stefana snapped. "You know me, Luca. I don't do love and I certainly don't seduce guys who have just split with their girlfriends. Give me some credit!"
"I already said I was sorry." Luca grinned at her sheepishly. "What more does it take, huh?"
"You owe me an ice." Stefana told him firmly. "And to let me smoke in your car, too."
"When have I ever been able to stop you?" Luca rolled his eyes. "Just get in, will you? I've already had Rory on my back once today, I don't need another encounter!"
"Then be a good boy." Stefana told him sweetly, slipping obediently into the passenger seat. "And remember, you owe me. I won't forget."
"No, I know. You never do." Luca got into the driver's side, shutting the door and revving the engine. "Well, here goes nothing. God knows what's up with the recording...Rory sounded pretty mad so I guess it was ruined or didn't come out right."
"Well, we'll soon fix that." Stefana observed. "And then I'm going to keep my promise to go see Aaron, see if I can coax him out for a meal or something." She shrugged. "Right now he needs a friend."
"I guess he does." Luca agreed. "And I'm glad if that's the case that he has you." He laughed. "Perhaps we'll make a normal mortal of you yet, huh?"
"If you weren't driving, I'd brain you for that." Stefana threatened, taking a drag on her cigarette and blowing smoke in his direction. "At least Aaron appreciates me." A slight smile touched her lips. "Copper's treated him like trash, really."
"I don't know, to me it's all garbled and Emily doesn't know anything more."
"Bah, Sirena, why do you waste your time with her and her brat?" Stefana demanded.
"I like her company, and we're friends. Like you and Aaron."
"Friends?"
"Yes. I won't lie to you, Stef, I like her a lot, but we're just friends. She has to think of the kid and she told me straight she doesn't want a relationship. That;s fine with me." Luca flicked on the indicator, turning into the parking lot of Rebel Records. "And here we are, just in time. Guess we'd better go put some voice to disk, huh?"
"Whoopedoo." Stefana rolled her eyes, getting out of the car behind him and trailing into the building. "Oh well. I s'pose it won't hurt if Aaron has to wait just a little longer to hear my news. After all, once he knows what I know, he won't want a thing to do with Copper ever again!"

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