Title: When Love Finds You By: Ami D'Aqua Email: ami_daqua@hotmail.com Series: Sailor Moon Rating: I guess this is for kids in their teens up; I'm not good at rating so forgive me. Declaimers: Don't sue, it all most of it belongs to the big men and women up there in the skyscrapers in the States and Tokyo (lucky pigs) not to little me... WARNING: I simply have no clue how to rate this story, it's certainly not PG, so not for kids, I'd say rated for teenaged people. This story touches some sensitive subjects such as domestic violence both physically and psychologically. However none of the situations will be described in depth. Anyway, it's real life facts and there is a message in the story. And sometimes swearing might get a little heavy but I'll always put *'s- sorry guys I always swear 'cause it's, believe it or not, part of life. Now you've been warned, read on at your own risk...don't sue me for any kind of traumas that you might get from this. ________________________________________________________________________ When Love Finds You... Lying on a long bench inside a park in the center of New Orleans, Serena had her eyes closed pretending to be asleep. It all was in vain, however, as her mind was still very much in toil, trying to clear itself off disturbing thoughts that have been haunting her for months and years. She tried to calm herself, what was the use of worrying when in a matter of hours her life would slip away from her? Thinking like that made her mind frightened; she did want to leave this world, yet, not from the bottom of her heart. The fear of what lay beyond gripped her, and she tried to push it aside, and was again recalling the event that had led her to be lying in the cold, stable stone bench in the dead of the night. She had decided it. There was nothing he could do about it; she would keep it. She would keep it not matter what, she would die before he convinced her... and she would take it along with her. Serena rolled uncomfortably so that she was no longer facing the cement of the bench but the park. She would keep it; she would die along with it! Her decision was made and she gracefully, as always, descended the stairs that divided the bar and their tiny apartment. Once inside the bar, she headed directly to the counter. Andrew, the friendly waiter, was serving a drink to a dark-haired man that seemed to know him. She sat right beside the man, immediately gaining Andrew's attention. "Well, you look down today," he noticed sympathetically, Andrew knew the secret; he had guessed it right a long time ago. "So, I'll get you the usual, right 'Mistress'? One Grape and Cherry Love Juice coming right up!" he went on jokingly trying to cheer her up. Normally she would have smiled at him, but not today. Who would smile when death was hunting one down? "Actually, Andrew, I'd like a double Whiskey today..." "Huh?" he pronounced almost in a shock. Then shaking his heard as if he'd just miss-heard her he went on, "Did you say double Whiskey, or do I have to have my ears checked?" "You have perfect hearing, Hon," was her so solemn reply. "You're kidding!" he tried, but he knew by the look in her eyes that she was dead serious. "You've never drunk alcohol before, and now you want a double Whiskey? Wasn't it you that swore that you'd never ever drink?" "Well, tell me Andrew, if you knew you were to die in a matter of hours, would you still take the trouble of keeping your promises?" she returned bitterly. "Whatever you say, Serena, a double Whiskey coming right up," he assured half-heartedly. He didn't dare to ask more questions that were written clear on his face. But Serena could read that he knew that she was in deep trouble with Michael. Serena leaned her head against her right hand, turning the back of her head towards the ebony-haired man, a sign to show that she didn't want conversation. But just because she had her head turned, it didn't mean that made her be out of hearing reach. Well, it just happens sometimes that people overhear whole conversations... and now she was forcing herself to overhear what the dark-haired man was saying to Andrew, as she was running away from her fright of death. So, the dark-haired man thought she was beautiful, and Andrew was agreeing, and on top of it adding that she was the kindest, most considerate person, he's ever known. That was nice to know when she was feet away from death. At least I won't leave a bad image, she though ironically. After a short pause Andrew when on, telling in a lower voice that she was taken, but that he guy didn't deserve her one bit. This comment made Serena give a sardonic smile, too late now, she thought to herself. But Andrew still went on, telling that Serena had never drunk before and that she was in deep trouble- uh oh. "She's always had the power to endure! I wonder what happened for her to be so suicida-" "Andrew!" she broke in annoyed, "My drink! What's taking you so long?" "Er, sorry, it's coming right up 'Mistress'!" he unsuccessfully tried to joke, more to his own comfort that to Serena's. Serena now sat with her heard against her left hand, facing the dark-haired man. She tapped her fingers on the counter slowly, and annoyingly. She peeked at the man beside her, just to get an image on him. But as soon a she laid her eyes upon him, she was wondering why she had never met him three years and a half before. That was something that she had never though before about any man, especially strangers. Not even Andrew, who she thought was the kindest, most caring, and cheerful person she'd met, did she ever get beyond the fact that they were casual friends. Michael had always been first...until now. She found herself now staring at the man; he was just too appealing for her to look away. Well, at least I lived long enough to see a man that divine, she concluded to herself. He was tall, well built, and with slightly tanned skin. However, her center of interest weren't his fit arms or neck, no, it was the unusual combination of his jet-black hair and his striking deep blue eyes. His facial expression, although she was currently only heeding his silhouette, expressed a tender solicitude that she could not describe, as ingenious as she was with words. He had probably felt the burning of her stare, for he turned around to face her. He smiled at Serena's staring expression. It was something more than a smile, there was something in the air between them, she guessed that it was what they would call chemistry. She sensed that he had felt it too. "Well, looks like Andrew has a lot a orders to handle tonight, before he reaches ours," he started his excuse. "What do you say about a dance while we wait? This is a really nice song they're playing..." "I'm really bad at dancing," she declined. "Oh come on," he said standing up and then dragging her to the dance-floor, "I'll teach you!" Well, she thought, I might as well have a last dance with such a hunk. She followed him into the dance floor, and felt her body being pressed against his as they commenced to move to the rhythm of the slow dance. As they shifted slowly around their tiny space, Serena was so involved with endeavoring to feel his being as she felt strangely protected wrapped inside his powerful arms while they danced. She looked at his features; he seemed to love the song, for all of his face seemed to be singing the song, although his lips were so shut that they seemed like a straight line. Soon enough Serena could understand why he was so mesmerized, the song was captivating, and by the time the first chorus was over all she could think about was the one word that described this magical moment: insatiable. Her mind repeated this word over and over, and felt that she could dance forever...forever in three minutes. "I didn't catch your name..." the man whispered strangely breathless, since it was a slow dance. "Serena," she murmured with a voice of overflowing rapture. "And yours?" "Darien..." and then he paused for a few seconds as if he was waiting for a reaction from her side. It didn't come however and he went in a tone that expressed that she should some way or another recognize something, "Shields." "That's a nice name," she just stated blankly. "Hmm," agreed absentmindedly. "You're beautiful," he restarted casually, after a long pause." And you lied when to said you couldn't dance... Who might be the lucky man earned your love?" Serena didn't answer; instead, she went into an inner ordeal. Michael doesn't act as if he's lucky to have me! And earned my love! That's just too much, what work did he do to get me? Just sit on an arcade and say "Hi" to me when no one else bothered to say it! Well, he got a pretty good pay for so much work. But I guess he's wasted all of it, just like money. I don't love him, I don't anymore...I wonder if I ever did... And, it wasn't at all a symbol of love; oh, this baby is a symbol of a terrible loathing...Oh no... She tore herself from Darien's arms and ran away, through the crowds of people, out the door of the bar, into the fresh air. She kept running, not knowing where she was heading to until she was too tired and collapsed into the bench she was lying on. It hurt inside to think that there was no love- there had never been any love between Michael and her. And yet she was a slave to his grind, and she couldn't break free. She wanted to die, her mind screamed! But the word frightened her beyond her wits; her heart felt that she was still too young for that. She wanted to live a bright colorful life with the being inside her. Serena turned on her belly with her head facing the bench resting on her crossed arms and began to cry. She let out quiet, salty drops to relieve the anguish that was butchering her soul. It seemed that her prayers for comfort had been momentarily answered, and two strong arms lifted her up from the bench and wrapped themselves around her. The person did not utter a word; he (for she who was leaning against his chest could definitely feel that it wasn't a woman) let her cry her heart out. Now and then he would caress her back, or pass his hand through her long, silky, golden hair. She had been crying on him for quite a long time, as she noticed that his shirt was getting wet, and her tears were no longer running down like thick cascades. Now, they were thin droplets that got stuck for a long time at her lower eyelashes before slowly rolling off down her cheeks. She was subbing, and her head ached from so much weeping. Noticing that the intensity only her cries was diminishing, he softly proceeded with whispering quiet comforting words like "It's alright," and "You're safe now," and gradually she had ceased to sob. Without saying a word Darien slacked his embrace and took off his blazer to put it around her shoulders, as he had felt the Goosebumps on her skin as he stroked her. "Now," he started in a mere whisper, "tell me what I did wrong...I'll make it all up to you." "He doesn't love me..." Serena uttered with her voice cracking, ignoring Darien's previous request. "I never loved him... It's born out of hate," she half stammered. "You mean the guy that Andrew said didn't deserve you one bit?" he half questioned, half concluded. "What did he do to you?" "Hmm," she rather sighed. "He'd warned me before that he was going to kill me- but I didn't listen! I can't obey, not this time..." "I'm sorry," he consoled her gently. "What does he do to you?" "He used to be so amiable when we were in college...but it all changed when the year ended," she absentmindedly recollected, not directly heeding Darien's latter question. "He couldn't get a job, and I, I wasn't supposed to be working he told me. Then we moved here, because he had family here, and he was positive that they would help us. But little did he know that they lived under lower conditions that we had ever lived. "We had to restart from scrap, because we had nothing but a small amount of money. He started looking for jobs, but he found none. We were desperate, I told him that I wanted to look for a job, but I opposed it strongly. Soon he started to scold me for our crisis, he'd yell at me from the time he arrived home until he fell asleep in front of the TV. I got tired of it; I couldn't work, and still had to endure his yelling, so I decided to leave him and take my grades with me. We had a huge fight about it, and he hit me, took away my papers from me, and hid them. He put the on a little cupboard upstairs and always took the key with him. "Finally we got a loan, and we invested in Orleans Fantasy. But in the beginning it wasn't going well at all, and by that time, he was not only reproving me, but also hitting me for making my own decisions. He warned me that if I even thought about disobeying him, he'd knock me unconscious. And he did just that when I sometimes pushed my luck. I had to obey him in every single way...even if I didn't want to. I hated it, but I endured. I thought that he'd stop mistreating me when the bar started to make profit. "It wasn't until we hired Andrew that everything slowly started to go our way. Andrew was quick in noticing what Michael did to me. I knew that he knew it too, but I still pretended like I did to everyone else, that everything was fine. I never dared to get close to him, because I knew that if Michael suspected anything he'd hit me until I got into a coma. Thanks to Andrew, we prospered, but Michael didn't change like I hoped he'd do. With or without money he still persuaded me, and hurt me... "Now, I totally disobeyed him," she wiping tears that were rolling down her cheeks, "and he warmed me about this...he said that he was going to kill me... But I can't- I won't obey him! I would rather die then let... it happen." "Let what happen?" Darien insisted carefully. "Nothing..." she hid feeling embarrassment take over her, "It's all of hate, not a thought of love in it..." "You don't need to be ashamed of anything," he assured her. "I promise I will not show any disapproving reactions." "Well," she hesitated; thinking about how bizarre it was that she trusted the stranger that was cuddling her. "He warned me that if I ever got pregnant he would... if I didn't get rid of the baby some way or other. That's just what I went and did, even if I didn't mean to. I didn't realize that until today, and I want to keep it. I'd rather die with it than to make an abortion." "I understand," he whispered gently, stroking her locks protectively. He was silent for a terribly long moment, and seemed to be pondering about something. His deep thought made Serena anxious; she didn't know what to prepare herself for. "I'll you what," he started slowly, "How about you come with me to my apartment... You can stay there for as long as you like. I'll help you... I mean to get this barbarian to court." "But I don't have any money," she started to protest, still surprised with the suggestion. "You won't need to pay, anything," he smiled. Serena didn't answer. She doubted that he would just take her in without wanting something from her. She considered her options: let herself die along with her baby, or take her chances now and fight for their life. She decided on the latter, option. "I'll come with you," she uttered at last. * * * * * Darien had a nice apartment, the kind of flats that bachelors usually have; with the kitchen attached to the bar separated by a bar table. The flat had two bedrooms, and a bathroom that was connected to both of the rooms. Actually, there was one more bedroom, but Darien used it was a study. The furniture was very modern and exclusive; most of it was designer's furniture. The walls had lively, pale colors like yellow, light green, and orange. Counting that the place was inhabited by a young man in his twenties, the apartment looked usually clean and neat. Serena closed the door behind her, and looked around the large bathroom. There was a huge Jacuzzi, along with the usual bathroom furniture, and in a corner lay a vast, feather-white, fluffy carpet on the marine-blue tiled floor. Serena made herself a bubble bath, with a sweet smelling bath gel, and while she waited for the water to fill up the bathtub, she undressed. It had been a long time since she had a real bath. In college, there were only showers, and with Michael, they couldn't afford to use the shower for more than five minutes per person per day, so there was never enough time to fill the bathtub. She sunk into the bubble-filled Jacuzzi, feeling the warm water wrap itself around her slim body. As she comfortably sunk in deeper, she remembered the bubble baths that she and her mother had in her childhood. At that moment, she missed a family terribly. Then, she stroked her tummy (that was still flat since she was only a couple of months pregnant) gently, smiling to herself. Serena already loved her child more than ever. As she enjoyed her bath, she thought about what she would name her baby. She would call it David if it were a boy, after her brother. If it was a girl, which she hoped from the bottom of her heart that it would be, she would name it Serene; her mother's favorite name (after her own name, of course). She wished that her child would be tranquil, like the name expressed. She lay there, for a long, long time, until her the tips of her fingers and toes got wrinkled. Then she unwillingly stepped out of the Jacuzzi, and wrapped herself in a huge white towel. She walked over to the mirror, took a brush that lay on a shelf beside it, and started to brush her extensive male. Just then, there was a knock on a second door, the one that led to Darien's room. She called for him to enter, and he came in with some of his clothes. Then he went on to pick up her clothes that lay on a small mount close to the bathtub. As he was at the door to leave, he gave her a last glance. The glance turned into a stare, as he stopped abruptly, Serena shivered. He slowly walked over to her, and she quickly drew herself back just like she did when Michael was around. "I won't hurt you," he said so affectionately that Serena almost melted; she stopped and he took another step closer to her. "I just wanted to know what those are," he explained gently stroking a dark, tender, swollen spots on her bare arms, shoulders, and higher back. Serena didn't answer, instead she sunk her head, so that her eyes faced the floor and her wet, blonde hair covered her face. "The b*st*rd!" Darien exclaimed obviously angered. "I hate to be unfeeling at this moment," he restarted in a stern voice, "But I'll bring my camera, I need to photograph this. It'll be perfect evidence to get him in jail for the next fifteen years. Brutal Neanderthal!" "I don't want it," Serena protested, defending Michael, an action that happened more of habit than of thought, "...to be photographed, I mean." "Right now, Dear, I don't care what you want," he said again leaving the bathroom more hurriedly that the previous time, "Because you don't know what best for you. Have you realized that you'll always be in danger if he's out there, lose?" Saying that he closed the door behind him. Serena inspected her arms; she had never noticed its bruises before. She tried to hug herself, meaning to give comfort to herself, but as she grabbed the top of her arms, she felt deep pains, and she let her arms drop on the sides. She observed her reflection from a few seconds; she had never seen herself with the point of view that she had that night. She was a woman, not a girl; she was free not a slave...or was she? She couldn't decide the latter thought, but somehow she still felt good about herself. Yielding an unconscious smile at her own reflection, she agreed that the person in front of her was lovely. The face had a general innocent and sensible expression, the slight smile that lingered upon her lips revealed surprise, that make her melancholic sky blue eyes have a little shine. A shine of hope, and of faith...in Darien. "What's wrong?" she heard a silence voice from somewhere a little further way from her. She hadn't heard him enter the room. "The girl in the mirror," she tried to explain, "I have never seen her before. She's so everything that I'd wish to be...a self-reliant, unique and she's...free...she's true! But her reflection is the exact opposite of her." "The old reflection of her, might have been the exact opposite of her," Darien whispered in her ear, standing right behind her, looking at her through the mirror. "You'll soon be just like her, Serena. I can see slight transformations already! You're unique... next step it will be to gain your freedom, and then be self-assured. Don't oppress yourself; you're fabulous! You can do what ever you want to do! Could I take the pictures now?" Serena nodded, and watched the flash from the camera uncomfortably. He took pictures of the bruises she had on her arms, back, and legs. Then he laid the camera aside, and sized the hairbrush. With it he took some time brushing Serena's half tangled, humid hair. "You should get some sleep now, tomorrow's going to be a long day," he advised, as he brushed Serena's hair for the last time. "What if I don't want to?" Serena asked, half expecting some kind of reproof. "Well, then you don't have to," Darien laughed, "But you have to consider the consequences." "What are they?" "You will wake up late tomorrow, and we will to start the business about you old boyfriend late, and then we will have to wait in line at the doctors' and we probably won't even get a check, so we'll have to make and appointment for another day, and when we're out of the doctors' the shops will be closed, as you won't be able to buy clothes that fit you, and then you have to wear my huge clothes for another day." Serena frowned, and then said, "What's the deal with being able to be disobedient? At the end of the day, it's basically the same as being obedient." "First of all, I didn't command you, I just advised you. The purpose of my advice wasn't for you to obey, but for you to make choices, whatever fits you best...So will you take my advice?" "I guess I will," she answered taking the clothes that Darien had brought for her, and then walked toward the door to her room. "Bye..." "Good night, Serena," he said. "Sleep well." As she lay in her bed, she thought about Darien. She found it very peculiar that he decided to take care of her, thought they didn't even know each other. She didn't understand what he wanted from her, for she had learned from experience that no one would do anything for some one without expecting repayment. But her ignorance of what he wanted didn't worry her. She, oddly enough, found herself trusting him. She never recalled ever actually relying on Michael, as much as she had trusted Darien in the few hours that they had known each other. He was so delicate towards her, and everything he did was the opposite of what she expected. She remembered from her childhood how much she loved surprises! With that thought, Serena drifted into a peaceful slumber, one that she had not had for a long, long time. * * * * * Darien was an amazing person, and he had been so since Serena had met him. He helped her bring Michael to court, and supported her with all of his strength. And now she was free, at least for the next ten to fifteen years. Darien had been there for her when it was for the cause of the baby; he took care of all the things Serena hadn't thought of doing. She felt like she had known him since forever, and he was undoubtedly the best out of her friends. Andrew had stuck with her too, and was more lively and cheerful than Darien, but there was something special in Darien, something that she could not define, that made her like him better. However, as soon as Michael was sentenced to jail, he decided to sell the bar and fortunately Andrew bought it. It didn't matter for Andrew if he now was the proprietor of the Orleans Fantasy; he still served as bar tender as he had done in the past. He justified it by saying that he loved his profession and that he wouldn't for the world change it. This was exactly what Serena and Darien were discussing one evening, when Serena realized that all this time she had lived together with Darien; she didn't know what he did for a living! "Darien," she started flushing with embarrassment, "I never quite figured out what job you have..." He laughed at this. "Don't color like that, it's not your fault! ...I'm an architect." "Oh," she rather exclaimed, "That's something very nice to be! When I was younger I wished to study architecture or art." "So, you went for art, I suppose," he concluded. "Well yes...kind of," she nodded, "except not the kind that I was referring to you about." "So what did study at college," he asked a bit confused. "English language, World literature, and Journalism," she answered, "I found out that my real talent wasn't with the painting I did in art class, it was with the reports I did in English class, the articles I wrote for magazines, and the unfinished stories saved in my mom's computer. I felt more carefree typing in words and fantasizing fairy tales, than mixing colors for hours to get the perfect blue or red." "So where did you attend college?" "I went to Spring Field College." "I've heard that it has excellent teaching," he responded. "College is the best part of school life, don't you think?" "Personally, it was one of the most horrible part of my school life," she disagreed. "Why?" he asked suddenly very gently. "I never really made any friends there, and they all called me 'geek'. Because I never was a cheerleader, they saw through me; I was practically invisible. My roommate was a total b*tch, and we hated each other. She used to bring all kind of guys in and...do things with them...and I didn't like that at all. College life got a bit better when I started dating Michael..." "Oh," he noted solemnly, "It's been very hard for you..." "Well, never mind that!" Serena shrugged cheerfully, suppressing her somber emotions. She didn't want Darien to feel sorry for her; she didn't want to feel as if she was lower than he was just because he had had a normal life. Darien detected the falseness in her tone, and fully understood her feelings. He sensed that there was more anguish in Serena's life than she would share with the world. And it pained him that such a young woman; barely twenty-three had lived trough rough, cruel, and maybe gruesome situations. He understood that she didn't need his pity, and felt self-conscious of his way of carefree way of talking that manifested a liberal, happy life. "My cousin Lita will be having dinner with us tomorrow," he switched the subject. "How fun!" Serena beamed heartily. "Do you want me took cook something...No wait, I know just what I'll make... and does she like chocolate?" "Slow your horses," Darien laughed, "I was thinking in terms of buying a take away meal at some fancy restaurant." She frowned. "But how can you be so impersonal? I mean your cousin is visiting and you don't even make an effort to make something special?" "Well, she is a cook... and I completely suck at cooking, so I'd rather not suffer any of her humiliating teasing." "I didn't say you had to cook, you know," Serena smiled. "Alright, I'll cook tomorrow! I haven't even touched a plate in this house, we always eat outside..." The two young women, Lita and Serena, almost immediately became great friends. Lita had admired Serena's cooking, her easy ways, and secretly to her cousin she had commented on Serena's beauty, and charming ways. She didn't think Serena acted like a sophisticated young lady in terms of attractiveness. She pointed out that unlike Darien's other girlfriends, Serena's shape, and style was very romantic rather than libidinous. "Hang on there, Lita," he corrected his cousin, "She's not 'one of my girlfriends'. In fact she's not my girlfriend, she's the best friend I've ever had." "If she outruns me, then I guess she is special to you," Lita challenged her cousin, expecting him to say something like 'No one can outrun you!', but it never came. Lita and Serena became closer and closer friends, and soon Lita started to share every kind on secrets with Serena. The two of them always had a laugh, and looked like sisters wherever they went. And it didn't take long for Serena to realize that Lita had fallen for Andrew. And since they always helped Andrew out during the day, Serena managed to have little talk with him, and she saw that he was quite attached to Lita. When she had no doubt of anything, Serena set the couple up quite straightforwardly. Lita, being honest and sincere, had warned Serena about fault that Darien had, which was starting to show. Quite soon after Serena met Lita, Darien started to date different, very beautiful girls. They hardly lasted more than a week, and spend most of their time in his apartment. Some of them were nice girls, but most of then didn't sympathize with Serena. And Serena, being a stubborn and rather cross person at times, didn't make much effort to please them. She only endured their remarks because Darien was their boyfriend, and because she knew that at the end of seven to ten days they would dump him (he never dumped girls, when he got tired of a girl he'd rather make himself difficult or deceive them, so that they end up dumping him, and he remained innocent). In time, Serena started to occupy herself with observing Darien's girls and then writing sarcastic, critical evaluations, in form of short stories. She sent the stories to a women's magazine. Many of her stories were published and the editor started to gain interest in her. Soon the editor, her name was Mina, wanted to have lunch with her. During that first meeting, Mina wanted to hire Serena as one of the crews of the magazine, seeing that she had a degree. However, Serena had to temporarily refuse the job offer because of her pregnancy. Still, Mina being a businesswoman would not throw away talent, and therefore told her to come for an interview whenever Serena felt that she could start working. Soon Mina got closer to Serena, and thereafter she also befriended Lita. One night Darien came home early, with a girl of course. Serena jumped up from the bar table where she had been sitting, in front of a laptop typing one of her satires. "Hey'a, Darien!" she blurt surprised. "Why'ou so early t'day?" But then she noticed that he was with a girl. She was very pretty, with butt-long raven hair, and a strong aura. Even non-believers, like Serena could sense it; it was fierce and fiery. "Hey," he returned sheepishly. "This is Raye, she wanted to meet you..." "I was curious 'cause he mentions you a lot," she chipped in. "Well, pleased to meet you," Serena said shyly, not knowing what to say. This was one of the few of Darien's girlfriends that she thought she would like. This was just the beginning of another great friendship to Serena. In the next few days that Raye had spent in Darien's apartment she had gotten to be very intimate with Serena. They were having a laugh most of the time, and Serena even let Raye read some of the satires she had made about Darien's previous girlfriends. "What are you writing about me?" Raye asked after reading an especially funny one. "I'm not planning to write one about you," Serena answered earnestly. "Why not?" Raye questioned pouting. "Am I not funny enough?" "It's not that!" Serena blurt shocked. "Well, I like you...How can I write something bad about someone that I like? Besides you're not ignorant or silly like most of them." "You're in love with him." "What?" Serena practically tripped from the stool she was sitting in. "What makes you say that?" "It's obvious," Raye stated. "Besides I'm a Shinto Priestess, and your soul tells me that." Serena was quiet for a moment; she didn't know what to say. But then a thought stroke her brain, and she impulsively asked Raye, "How can my soul tell you that I love Darien, when I haven't felt that myself?" "I don't know why, it's beyond my capacity to interpret, but your soul aches, it's deeply scared and it keeps it self away from your mind and body. Your soul has a mind of it's own, so to speak...it's a complex concept to explain..." Raye explained as Serena nodded understandingly, yet enigmatically. Whether she nodded because she understood why her soul ached, or because she understood that Raye could not explain the concept, Raye could not figure out. "Well, if you think I love Darien," Serena started a bit unsure, "And you're in love with Darien too, then it's about time you started to diss me and offend me like the others have done." Raye laughed! She is so sweet and naïve, she thought. "And you truly think that I'm in love with him?" she asked between laughs. "Oh, I'm a priestess, I know what he's up to. I'm just in this ride to have a good time for a week or so, and then like usual, I'll dump him, and I'll move back with my Chad." "Your Chad?" "Chad's my boyfriend," Raye explained, "Sometimes we need a break from each other for a week or so, or else we end up killing each other. So we go our separate ways for a little while, and have some fun, and then we make up again and realize how much the truly love each other!" "That's cute," whispered Serena. "Well, I hope you won't kill me for that..." Raye laughed, "As protective as you are with your lover." "He is NOT my lover," she exclaimed annoyed. "But, anyway, it's good for him to get a taste of his own medicine," she then giggled. "But hey," Raye had an idea, "You said it yourself, you can for once make a satire about me and what I'll do to Darien!" "Hey that really sounds good!" Serena agreed. "I guess you really want to have your name in this story!" "I love attention," Raye admitted. While she lay in her bed that night she thought about what Raye had told her earlier in the day. Was it love that she was feeling for Darien? Was the feeling that she hadn't been able to name love? Was that what made her trust him, care for him, and live with his "girlfriends". She tasted the word in her mind, and it fit every adjective that was left blank. But reality came crashing down on her, Darien would never notice her. She was just a simple girl, not even attractive, and her clothes were not even trendy. Well, she thought half-heartedly, I'll have to get over him sometime soon. But as much as she tried to get over Darien, it never worked. Her feelings were running in an opposite direction, her love for him was- well, like the song, which they shared the first day they met- insatiable! Weeks had passed since Raye had opened up her eyes. Raye had been long gone...from Darien, but she was still hanging out with Serena, Lita, and Mina. Darien had changed girlfriends a few of times, and was dating a famous model. The girl was, like all his girlfriends, living with Darien. The two girls did not get along at all and in the mornings they had very ugly verbal fights. But both of them hid their enemity in front on Darien. One morning on her way out to meet her friends, something that Serena did very often when the new girlfriend had moved in, she heard the girlfriend enter the living room. "You're a bitch, you know that," she told Serena, still in her sleepwear. "You call me a bitch! That's the worst I've heard so far," Serena laughed ironically. "Then what would you call yourself? A vamp? A slut? I'm not the one fucking Darien all over. I'm not the one he calls "one of my girlfriends". I've only had one boyfriend in my life, how many have you had?" "That's figures why you hadn't had so many boyfriends...you're so...unattractive, so simple, you look like a country girl from Wyoming or something! And yet you think you can have Darien for keeps?" "It's called unconditional love! But, of course, *you* don't know anything about it since you're an egotistical, vain woman. I'm happy when he's happy, it doesn't matter if it's over a girl, and sad when he's sad. Unlike you, who would try to break him up, even if it was the happiest day of his life." "Yup, that's for sure you're a country girl! Only country girls think like that. A glamorous city girl like I knows how to act and what to say. You ignorant fool!" "It is not I that make grammatical mistakes when speaking. It is not I who dropped off high school to sell her body so the photographs. It is not I who had never held a book and is almost an analphabet. Are trying to reflect your ignorance on me?" "Well tell me if you're so smart, then where you planning to get Darien to marry you by becoming pregnant? Darien is smarter than that; he won't marry you because you're holding his kid! He'll just turn you out of this house and keep the kid. You'll be all alone!" This was too much for Serena. How could such an indecent girl be talking about thinks that she didn't even know about? How could this hooker be insulting her like that, touching a subject that no one of the other girlfriends had ever touched before? Serena was fed up with Darien's way of life. She had to get away. With that Serena grabbed her purse and ran out through the door to the elevator. She ran past Darien, who had decided not to work that day and headed back home. He was about to get out of the elevator when Serena got in with tears in her eyes. When Serena noticed him in the elevator she turned to take the stairs, but Darien (who was already out of the elevator) caught her hand. She struggled to break free, but he was too strong. "Let go on me!" she screamed. "Let go on me, please..." Unwillingly he did let go of Serena, and let her run down the stairs. He walked on to his apartment, he was sure that the problem was there. And damn was he right! "What the hell's going on here, Gladys?" he asked obviously very pissed. "What do you mean?" She tried bitchily innocent. "You know what I'm talking about," he insisted, "I saw Serena run down the stairs. You've said something to her, haven't you?" "What do you mean me?" she liked. "She started it!" "You're lying, you bitch! I can see right through you. I told you about the rules in this relationship. I made it clear to you that you should not mess with her. I'm through with you; I think you should pack your things. I want you out of my house." Darien couldn't believe it: he was dumping a girl! But then again how couldn't he? He could never let anyone hurt Serena. Never ever! He loved Serena from the bottom of his heart and would do anything for her; he would do anything to not lose her. "You're got until I come back to move out," he finished, and ran out to catch up with Serena. Serena was too much of a fast runner for him to catch up with. When he was down and out of the apartment building he could see her nowhere. But he wasn't stupid, and like a crazy man he went around asking people whether they had seen a blonde girl, with hair up to her knees, pregnant running. Well, those descriptions were quite unique and the people who had seen her helpfully showed him which way she had done. It took him a half an hour for him to find her crying at a beach. She sat by the shoreline and let herself get wet by the cold, cold water. He slowly walked towards the sobbing young woman. "Serena," he whispered putting his arms around her shivering shoulders, "I'm sorry." "It's okay, Darien," she said after a long pause, when she had stopped crying. Darien had a way of never saying too many comforting words; instead he let silence and his presence comfort his comfortees. Serena liked that; his way of consoling her was only one of the million reasons why she loved Darien. "It's not your fault so you shouldn't be apologizing, besides who am I to be complaining about anything? It's your home and of course you can bring whomever you want in, I'm just there temporarily, until I got myself fixed. I should've (and now I'm going to) found my own apartment as soon as possible, and I should have accepted the job Mina offered me. I'm going to talk to her about that job, and then move out. I guess I kind of forgot that-" 'we weren't lovers? I can't say that...' "That I was just a guest. I'm sorry..." Did he hear it right? He was losing her, and he didn't want it! "It's not like that," he tried to explain, "I-" 'love you? He couldn't say that!' "I mean, I didn't consider you a 'guest'! Besides, I promised that you could stay with me for as long as you like..." "Well, this might sound a bit ungrateful, but I think I have already stayed at your place for as long as I liked. It's time for me to move you, I've been hurt enough." "But I can't let you go- just like 'that'! No way, Serena, I won't let you go unless I know that you and the baby are a safe." "But I can't stay with your girlfriends anymore! I'm so..." she raised her voice and then stopped to think 'jealous?'. "I'm so tired of hearing all of them shooting cutting comments and remarks at me!" "I'm so sorry," Darien uttered with his lips brushing her ear. Serena shivered, and her heart raced. "I didn't know that they were so bitchy. I knew when you didn't like one of them, but your never showed me that they abused you. If I'd known...You should've told me." "But I didn't want to break you up with them and then seeing you unhappy." "I comprehend that, you're so unselfish. But there is a line, and you haven't drawn that line yet. Come back home with me, and I promise to never have another of those girls inside our apartment." She couldn't help but to smile at Darien's pleading tune in his latter petition. It's sounded not sweet, so emotional, so in love...or was she just dreaming. Nope, it couldn't have sounded 'in love'; she just pushed her fantasy too far. But, ah, how could she refuse a plead from Darien? She couldn't, and besides she was wet and cold, and wanted to get dry, warm, and safe before something bad could happen to her baby. She stood up, and watched Darien rise above her, and subsequently giving her his blazer. When she had put on the blazer, he slid his arm around her waist. He held her so tight, Serena noticed that his hand reached the sides of his growing stomach, and unashamedly he stroke her tummy (boy, did that feel right). That felt good, and safe, so the leant her head to his shoulders. And slowly they walked back home. When they reached the apartment again, they found Gladys throwing the last of her belongings into a suitcase. She turned to Darien with puppy eyes and begged him to not end their relationship, but luckily Darien did not give in. Moments after their entrance, they watched Gladys disappear out of their lives. And from that day on Darien never again brought any of his girlfriends to *their* apartment. In fact he stopped having girlfriends at all. He also started to come home early and was giving Serena more attention. He told everything there is to know about his happy life, and Serena listened always very interested, but Darien could see a tiny flicker of sadness in her eyes. However, Serena was falling even more in love with him, and he had the same feeling for her. But there was a slight a problem, they both thought that the other did not feel the same way, and so they never told each other about their feelings. "Oh this is funny!" Darien laughed one evening when Serena was showing him her satires. Serena just smiled, and Darien couldn't see the hurt in this story; no one but Serena herself could. He left the laptop and went to sit beside Serena on the sofa. He pulled Serena closer to him so that her head rested on his chest, and he let his arm embrace her shoulders. His other hand was busy caressing Serena's tummy. He found himself doing that a lot in the recent days, it did him reason because he had thought of the baby as *his* since the day he decided to take care of Serena. They sat like that without saying a word for a long while, both enjoying each other's company. "Hey," he whispered letting his face bathe in her heavenly smelling, silky, sheets of hair. "Hey back," she mumbled cheerfully. She felt his warm breath on her head, and she heard his heart beats speed up. And suddenly she was aware of everything- or their position in that sofa. 'Wow,' she thought, 'do I make his heart race like that?' She liked her new knowledge, that Darien was possibly attracted to her...she who had nothing special to expose. But did she dare to ask him how he really felt? No, she was to shy. "Serena, I've been thinking," he started, remembering that sad glow in her eyes, "you know about everything that is to know about me, but I don't know anything about your youth." There was silence for a while, and Serena colored. "Do you really want to know? I don't think you'll find it a fairy tale." "Well, I'd still like to know about it..." "For what?" "To understand you better, and maybe to..." 'love you more completely? He couldn't say that' "feel more trustworthy." "I already trust you, Darien. But anyway, I was born in Los Angeles. I think I had a good early childhood. Well, my parents weren't normal, but then again no one in L.A. is normal. When I was small they had all kinds of parties in our house, and sometimes Dad ended up sleeping with some girl he didn't know. Mom would go absolutely nuts! But only after the party, of course, did she scream and shout. I used to think she was mean, but that was because I was too young to understand what was going on. "When I was around six, my dad just left, poof, disappeared out of our lives (Mom's, my brother's, and mine). Dad was rich, I suppose, because after he left we were suddenly poor. He ran off with some girl from Brazil, and since then I have never heard from him. Mom sold the huge house we lived in, and we moved to the poorest district. "I loved my mom when I got to know her better, and we did so many things together; that was the best time of my life. We lived happily for two years, on the money from the house, but the money ended. Then mom got really depressed since couldn't find any jobs; when she was young she dropped off high school and was a model, but now she was too old... So she started dating all kinds of guys- I don't think she liked it (and she knew that David and I didn't like it) but we lived on her boyfriends' money. Most of them were really mean to David and me, and a few of them kinda ...hit... us. "After two years, Mom saw this and she wanted to protect us so she never brought her boyfriends home. Instead she left us home alone and went all over The States with them. She used to send us money. Well, life was okay, since the money Mom sent was good, but we both missed her. In school I didn't like my classmates, it was a bad school and the students were involved in all kinds of murky businesses, so I was always home reading (I love reading), writing (on my mom's old computer), studying (I was planning to attend a good college), or watching TV. "But my brother had friends, and he soon was under a bad influence, and started to take drugs. He often stole the money Mom sent us to buy drugs for himself and his friends. I tried to make him stop, and one time I took him to a rehab center, but we didn't have enough money to pay for the treatment, so he got turned out of the hospital. I tried to lock him inside the house, but one time he threatened me with a knife and he cut me on the lower part of my back and upper parts of my legs before I let him go. When I was sixteen he died of drug overdose, it was on a Christmas Eve celebration with his friends. I remember that we had a huge fight before he went. He invited me to go with him, but I was so against it that I refused to go and wasn't going to let him go either, until he threatened me. I stood my ground and he cut me, just a tiny bit, on my chest. That was when I let him go...and he never came back...he was only fourteen years old... "I wrote to Mom about what happened, and I got a letter back from her (latest) boyfriend that informed that she couldn't come to the funeral because she was in the hospital with breast cancer. I was the only one at his funeral. During that Christmas vacation I spent my time, and money looking for schools in Detroit over the Internet. I found a public school with a good reputation and organized that I was transferred into it. I had to fake my mom's signature very often! It was a week before vacation ended when I bought my plane ticket to Detroit. When I got to Detroit, I lived with my mom's boyfriend, who was also her doctor, for a while until I found my own apartment. I found a place with a living/bedroom, kitchen, and a bathroom; it was pretty cheap. When I moved to my apartment, I still received money from the doctor (her boyfriend); he was one of the nicest boyfriends she'd ever had. He told me clearly what she didn't have a chance to live; she only had a few months left. He told me that he'd help me, economically, until my mom's death. He did that so that I could stay with Mom in the hospital (he told me her only wish was to die with me holding her hand), and I liked him for that. "My days were only to go to school, then I'd to stay with Mom, and then I'd go home to sleep. It went on like that, I watched her painfully fade away. I wanted to do something for her, but instead all I did was to sit helplessly by her and caress her or hold her hand. Mom often told me that I didn't have to be there if I suffered too much, but I still went to her because I never really was by my brother's side when he died, I regretted that, I would not make the same mistake with my mother. She died on the 4th of June, and only the doctor and I were at her funeral. The doctor thought I was cold hearted because I didn't cry during the whole ceremony, but he had no idea how much it hurt. It hurt to know that her son lay hundreds of miles away from her; it hurt to know that I didn't take care of my brother as well as she had wanted me to; it hurt to know that she lived such an heroic life, yet no one but two people came to pay their respects. I wanted to cry but tears would never come out, I could never bring myself to cry, until the day you found me. "From that day on, I went around to find a job, and after a long search I found a job in a grocery store. I lived on that money on my 12th year of school, and for extra money I'd write articles for magazines. I didn't bother to find any friends in Detroit; I just worked, studied, and wrote articles. I was the valedictorian of 12th grade, and got a full scholarship to Springfield College in Boston. Well, you know all about college up 'till now..." Serena ended her story with tears in her eyes. Darien now loved Serena better than ever, and more than anything in the world! He never knew that people could suffer so much! But he didn't pity her, he understood that she didn't welcome, want, or need anyone's pity. Sympathy was what he felt for her, he understood her and cared for her. He would support her, and always be her shoulder to cry on, this he promised to himself. He hugged her closely and very, very tightly. He didn't know any words that he could say at this moment, except 'I love you', but he didn't dare to say it. Instead he nodded comprehensively, and remained silent, in the same comforting silence that Serena loved. "I just hope my baby will never have to live such a live..." Serena whispered to her tummy, to herself, "I'll do anything for you, Sugar." "And I'll make sure my baby will live a happy live; this I swear to you, Serena," Darien assured Serena. Serena smiled, she knew the two sides of words: words could only be words-uttered or written- meat to be forgotten. There were also words that were so powerful, meant to stay engraved like a tattoo for the rest of eternity, words that spoke of realization. However, people varied in point of views, and Serena knew very well that words meant to be forgotten in one person's point of view could be understood as a promise to another person. Right now she didn't know what to make of Darien's words she would have understood it was something to be forgotten, but one tiny word confused her. "Your baby?" Serena repeated. "Since when has my baby become yours?" she then asked amusingly, expecting Darien to make a sloppy excuse, that he meant to say 'your' instead of 'my'. "Since the day I found you," he truthfully admitted, he was not expecting Serena to notice this tiny word. From the day on something new flourished between Darien and Serena. They shaped a bound that would only match eternal friendship and love. And the more time they spent together and talked about all kinds of different things, the more they understood and loved each other. It wasn't long before they knew each other inside out, they knew what the other liked, disliked, experienced, whished, and loved. They both knew that the other one was in love with them, but they were both waiting for the perfect moment to come. They would both recognize when the perfect moment arrived. "Serena," Darien said one evening, pensively. "I've been thinking about my baby..." Serena had pretty much gotten used to him referring *her* baby as *his* baby. "Oh, I know what you're thinking," she said blankly. In these few weeks that they had spent together, they could pretty much read each other's thoughts. "You want to know about who will Father the my baby, right?" "Yes..." he said with anticipation. "Well, I was thinking about that too," she started. "At first I thought that I'd have Michael be the father, whether he liked it or not. But then I thought, how would my baby feel or think, having a father in prison? I bet she wouldn't like that! And another thing that kept bugging me was the fact that Michael would rather have the child dead. I'm the one who wanted my baby! So, according to my thoughts, and emotions, I'm the only one who will parent my baby. I wanted it born, so it's mine, and only mine...I don't care about any child support! I don't want to share my little one with someone... especially not Michael!" "Well, I'll have to say something that won't please you very much then," Darien said calmly, with an amused tone. "A child needs two parents! How would my baby feel if when she starts school? Everyone will have a father except her (AN: by now they have been informed that it's a girl)..." "Don't you try to convince me, Darien Shields!" she told him angrily. "I started school with out a father, it wasn't much of a problem, I didn't really care because my mom was there...I'll just tell her the whole story about Michael and I, and hope that she'll understand. And if she wants to see her Dad, I will take her to the prison to see him. But officially, she will not have a father!" "I can't accept that!" he went on, not angry, but more frustrated because Serena did understand where he was getting at, and also because he feared that she might not like his idea. "I know that you want the baby all for yourself, and you have the right to think that way. I mean you're the most selfless person that I've know, and the baby is the only thing that you want to be selfish about...but I can't allow that, because in a way it's my baby too! And I want to take part in raising her, and playing with her, and doing all the things a fathers do..." He said in a more delicate expression. He was now approaching Serena who was sitting by the computer typing up a story for Mina's magazine. "You mean, you..." Serena's face lit up immediately. "Yeah-" he barely uttered, before he had Serena flying at him! He felt her arms quickly, yet softly flinging around his neck, and he felt her lips pressing against him. 'Oh my gods! What is she doing to me,' he though euphorically. Did she just choke him so that he died and went to heaven? No she didn't, and he came clashing back to reality when he felt Serena slowly retreating her lips away from his. He saw the look of disappointment and embarrassment in her eyes, and was aware of the situation; he had been enjoying having her lips locked in his and her body around his body, but the shock of bliss he had prevented his senses from responding for a few seconds. 'I don't want to lose her now,' he thought alarmingly. Swiftly, he took a hold of the sides of her waist, and gently pulled her closer to him. With his lips, he caught the falling kiss on her withdrawing lips. He found her not responding to his kiss, and he understood, and proceeded with pushing her slightly parted teeth ajar with his tongue. After all, he was *the* professional kisser... It took some time before her had gotten her to react, but once she had taken that step he realized that she wasn't much of a bad kisser, in fact she was the best he'd met. For him this wasn't just a kiss, it was *the* kiss, it assured everything that he doubted about Serena's feelings towards him, not that he doubted very much either. Serena could not believe it, she was kissing him! Exchanging her heart with his, revealing everything she had to him. As their tongues danced with each other she felt Darien's burning desire of being with her, and it felt like he'd been wanting-yearning- to kiss her like mad- like that- for a long, long time. She couldn't have ever imagined that one kiss could do so much for two soul mates. This kiss expressed the best, and the worst, and the wants, and the need of one another better than words could ever even *try* to describe. The couple remained entwined in so much love that for a very long moment they forgot that they had to breathe. It wasn't until their lungs were aching for oxygen that they broke apart (AN: I tell you that was a pretty long time!). "Oh boy, what was that for?" Serena asked gasping for breath, and feeling awkwardness rule over them. "I should the asking *that*!" Darien pushed back, sweat-dropping, still shamelessly, and possessively holding the sides of her waists. "Because you're the nicest man I've ever met," Serena quickly responded, aware of his touch. "I mean, you want to be her father and that's just beyond nice...it's, its- its indescribable!" "Well I thought you didn't want my baby to have a father," he teased, cocking his head playfully. "It's like that," she explained, "I thought you wanted Michael to become the father, and I won't allow that!" "And so that was the recompense I got for wanting to be a dad," he joked. "Wow! Next time you have a baby call me up, so I can say that again, and you can kiss me like that again!" Serena flushed, and wanted to make him embarrassed too so she asked, "Why do you want to father *my* baby?" "Why?" Darien repeated, coloring, trying to find an answer. He couldn't tell her that it was because he loved her; it was too soon, and he'd probably scare her. "Why, I guess it's because I really like babies and kid, and because I've always dreamt of being a father." "Then why didn't you marry and settle down, instead of having so many girlfriends?" she asked on. "Because I hadn't found the right woman to marry and settle down with," he answered simply, praying to his lucky angels that Serena would overlook his choice of tense. Serena caught it and felt her heart skip a beat, but chose to pretend, and let Darien's 'mistake' pass. It was too soon for him; maybe it was really only a mistake and nothing more. It was this was that Serena and Darien let countless of perfect moments flash by. It was always too soon, either because Darien would scare Serena away, or because Serena needed a clearer hint. But the real problem was that both of them could find the courage to say those words; they were afraid to spoil the tiny magical moments that occurred between them sometimes. Both of them were growing impatient, and Serena more than Darien. She couldn't stand suspense for too long. Wait and suspense, did not have any connection with each other for Serena. She didn't have any problems with waiting for she always knew what the final outcome was going to be. She waited when her brother drugged himself, because she knew that sooner or later he would overdose (although she hope that it would be later than sooner). She waited while she watched her mother dieing, because she knew that her mother would eventually fade away. But she couldn't wait for Darien much longer since she was not truly positive of what he was up to. Suspense finally prevailed; it ate up all Serena's patience, so that she could no longer keep her mouth shut. And so it was in a lovely September day when Darien and Serena were driving to San Antonio, when Serena got fed up with anticipation. What actually happened was that Darien was going to San Antonio to look at a site where a millionaire's house would lie; and Darien would design it. So he asked Serena if he wanted to come along with him. She, of course, was pleased to go with him. They were close to Huston, where they book a break on a gas station. They drank some refreshments on they café, and went back to the car. Darien entered the car and stuck the key to start the engine. Serena sat on the chair beside him just as he stuck the key in. 'It take a woman to do a man's job! I can do it, I can do it, I'm going to do it right now...' she thought. "You know-'" Darien was trying to say something. "No, Darien, I hate to interrupt you, but I have to say what I have to say before I lose the nerve," she said. "Oh o-" he once again tried. "You know, I'm so fed up with all this suspense around it all! I know that it's not the perfect place or time, or even situation to say this, but we've- I've let so many perfect moments pass by, and I can't wait anymore," she blurt and spoke very, very fast and looked up at Darien who was staring at her like a big question mark. "I love you, Darien. Maybe you might not feel the same way, but I don't care! The only thing that matter to me is that you're happy; if you're happy then I'll be happy too. I've been feeling that way for a long, long time. You've been so wonderful, so caring, and I've never met- and didn't believe that there- existed a person that would help someone else without wanting anything back..." "Well, I hate to disappoint you, Darling," Daren smiled, a smile filled with love and passion, "But I did want something from you..." "What is that?" she said slightly saddened. "From the first moment I met you I wanted your love- your heart-, and to feel my heart close to me," he paused and shot a glace at Serena, who was now smiling the most loving smile he'd ever seen, but in her eyes there was a perplexed look. "What do you mean 'feel your heart close to you'? Isn't it within you?" she asked rather innocently. "Well, I don't know if you meant it or not; I doubt that you meant it, but from the first moment we shared eye contact you stole my heart away! And I've loved you since the moment I saw- or rather *felt* you (because when I looked at you I not only say your beauty but I also say your solicitude, your altruism, your innocence, your purity. Your beauty was nothing- or only a tiny fraction- compared to all those traits that I saw in your expression)- and I knew from that moment on, it didn't matter to me if you have a boyfriend or not, I wanted to make you love me. And in time, as I got to know you better, I figured out that you were the woman I'd been looking for, you're the one I wanted to marry and settle down and have kids with..." Serena laughed heartedly Darien making his throw her a slight glare. "So I've not only go the confirmation that you love me, but a the same time a marriage proposal?" "Pretty much," he answered her seriously. "Oi, oi, oi, I'm lucky," she said clapping her hands. But then she went on, with a concerned expression, "I'm afraid I can't accept you proposal at the moment. I want some time, I don't know for what, but I need some time before I can get used to the idea that I reached the light, and that you're here and will never leave me, I need to get used to the idea that I will become a mom, and I think I will need time to get used to the idea that I will become a wife and accept the responsibilities that it comes along with. But I honestly I have to say that I like the thought of being your wife...and in time I would like to be that." "I understand your point," he agreed, not at all saddened or disappointed as Serena was expecting him to be (surprises, she loved the way Darien surprised her like that). "I knew you were going to react that way..." he explained reaching for something in his pocket, and then taking out a blue velvet box "And that what engagements are for..." he went one opening the box to reveal a beautiful ring, made of white gold, and a pink pearl on it. "Oh God!" Serena whispered dumbfounded. She let Darien slip it around her ring finger; it was perfect for her, not too big or too small, but just right. "It's beautiful!" was all she could manage to say being drowned in bliss. "Where, how, when, I mean...I don't know what I mean did you get it?" Darien laughed heartedly at her, she was so simple to satisfy, and something a little more special flattered her (and he liked that). "I know it's not very valuable, I mean you're worth at the very least a platinum ring with the finest diamonds all over it, but this ring has an emotional value for me. It has been an heirloom in my mother family for at about two hundred years. My mom gave it to me when I found my first girlfriend, and she told me that it was meant to be for the love of my life, my soul mate. Somehow I never brought myself to give it to my first girlfriend, it didn't feel right, and now it feels completely right to give it to you now. Traditionally, the ring is given to the firstborn child, if it's a boy than it's for him to give it to right woman. If the firstborn is a girl then it was given as a sign of freedom, or independence." "Oh, I love you," she said almost unable to speak with all that astonishment, "I can't find any words to express my gratitude!" "Don't be grateful, it was it was meant for you!" he hushed her, "But if you still feel the need to thank me, I would very much like one of those kisses, like the one you gave me the other day." "Oh gladly, I've been yearning for to kiss you..." she admitted shyly as she threw herself at him and gave him a sizzling, sparkling, magical, tender, loving, well everything good that a man could wish for. And it response was everything a woman could wish for. This kissed sealed their marriage blessed by the holiest of holy; the Sun, who had eternally entwined their minds, hearts, souls, bodies, life, and whatever else they had, so that no matter what they did, or where they went, they would for the rest of eternity come back to each other's love... ´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´ Insatiable Walter Afanasieff and Darren Hayes When moonlight crawls along the street Chasing away the summer heat Footsteps outside somewhere below The world revolves I let it go We build our church above this street We practice love between the sheets The candy sweetness scent of you It bathes my skin I'm stained by you And all I have to do is hold you There's a racing in my heart I am barely touching you Turn the lights down low Take it off Let me show My love for you Insatiable Turn me on Never stop Wanna taste every drop My love for you Insatiable The moonlight plays upon your skin A kiss that lingers takes me in I fall asleep inside of you There are no words there's only truth Breathe in breathe out There is no sound We move together up and down We levitate our bodies soar Our feet don't even touch the floor And nobody knows you like I do The world doesn't understand But I grow stronger in your hands Turn the lights down low Take it off Let me show My love for you Insatiable Turn me on Never stop Wanna taste every drop My love for you Insatiable We never sleep we're always holdin' hands Kissin' for hours talkin' makin' plans I feel like a better man Just being in the same room We never sleep there's just so much to do Too much to say Can't close my eyes when I'm with you Insatiable the way I'm loving you Turn the lights down low Take it off Let me show My love for you Insatiable Turn me on Never stop Wanna taste every drop My love for you Insatiable ´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´ Well, guess what happened when they got to San Antonio? (Hint: the song) But I can't promise that they lived happily ever after, I mean it's for them (and me) to know and for you to dream up! I'm sorry Amy never got to be in this story for all you Amy lovers (I'm so pissed at myself because she's my favorite senshi too!), but I wasn't right to put her in according to my plotline, notice that the other girls have very minor roles in the story too. I hope you enjoyed this fanfic, although there wasn't much of lovey dovey stuff as I wished there would be. I was inspired to write this story because I've been reading a novel about a young woman who was mistreated...the story described how he beat her up, and ended with her running away from him, so I made up a continuation for it... it's a part of a series of sequels from the "Katitzi" books (they are Swedish books by and author who's surname is Taylor). Well, that's it for now, I shall return thou! Adieu, From the AMP!