Chapter two

Serenity traveling in the new automobile next to her dearest friend and cousin Mina Parks. They were traveling to San Francisco. Serenity had hoped to be with her new husband but he had been called back to the city by an urgent telegram right after the reception.

"Oh, Sere! Your wedding was just so wonderful. The most beautiful wedding Mayfield has ever seen. Well, after mine of course." Serenity just lifted her head and gave a small smile.

"Oh, dearest cousin, please don't worry. You will have your wedding night. I know that it is customary but he is a well known doctor. It was urgent, you understand, right?"

"Mina, of course I understand. I just have this feeling I will have to understand my whole life. He didn't even seem sorry to leave me. It was our wedding night. A sacred night and we are not even having our honeymoon to celebrate our marriage."

Flashback to last night

"Serenity, darling, please understand. The mayor is sick and I must get back to him as soon as possible."

"Dr. Shields. It is our wedding night. Don't I mean anything to you?"

He wanted to argue with her with her about constantly calling him Dr. Shields. He was Darien now. HER HUNSBAND! He wanted to have her on his wedding night, but in a way he was glad to have received the telegram. Not that he hadn't been with women before. But, this was his angel.

"Serenity, of course it does. I love you and you are my wife. I have to leave."

With that he ran out the door. But, he did say that he loved her.

End Flashback

"Serenity, he is just not good with his emotions. Let him warm up to you. I know that he loves you, and he even told you himself. You can see it in his eyes." Mina pleaded with Serenity.

"I guess you are right, Mina. He better open up soon. And, if doesn't open up his heart he better get ready to open up his wallet for my, I mean our, new house." Serenity and Mina giggled and laughed the rest of the way to San Francisco together.

When the car stopped on a steep slope Serenity could not believe her eyes when she saw her new house.

"Serenity, they call it the Queen Anne. It was built in 1889 and Darien went through a lot of trouble getting this house for you."

"I just can't believe this is my house, Mina."

It was a beautiful baby blue with white trim Victorian with tall peaks showing wear the attic was. A steep cement staircase wound the front of the house leading to a glass pained mahogany door. The most amazing part of the house was its spindled peak rising into the air making almost a fourth story. Bay windows flanked the side of the house all the way from the first floor to the spindle. The house had vey intricate white trim around every window and there even a balcony of the second story that over looked the street.

Serenity and Mina walked in to the house only to stand even more in awe at the foyer. A short pump woman with gray hair greeted the two girls. "Mrs. Shields and Mrs. Parks, I am Mrs. Evans. I am the lead house keeper. This is Patrick the butler. Patrick don't just stand there take these ladies dusters and put them back in the car."

"Oh, Mrs. Shields you are as beautiful as the good Doctor said you would be. Let me show you two ladies about the house."

As she took them on the grand tour, Serenity was just amazing at the house. It was beautiful but lacking color. She would change that. When she got to her room she was just amazed. It was painted baby blue with a four poster bed and all white bedding. It looked so conformable. French style doors led to the balcony overlooking the back yard.

"Sere! Omigoodness, you can see right in to my house from here! I wish my back yard was as large as yours!"

"See right there Mina, I will build a gate and we can share the yard. It will be wonderful for our children. What is that building our there?"

"Oh, that is the garage for the cars. An alley goes up the back of the houses so you can come in from the front door of the back door."

"That really is convenient; but, I think I will leave the driving to Daniel. I wonder when my husband will be getting home?"

"I am not sure, Sere. But, I need to be getting back to mine. I have not seen him since he took Darien back to work yesterday night."

"Mina, I would love for you and Malcolm to join us for dinner."

"We would love to. See you later Sere."

Mina left and Serenity was left to wonder about the house. She walked in to the closet only to find it filled with new gowns. They were beautiful. She never knew that Darien thought this way about her to buy her new gowns and find her this beautiful home. She loved him more, now if she could only melt his cold heart.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Serenity was getting ready for bed. A small fire burned in the fireplace. It was past midnight and he husband had not even called to say that he would not be home for dinner. She entertained Malcolm and Mina without him. It was their first day of being married and she had not even seen him. Her personal maid Lucy had turned down the bed. Serenity wished she could stop the tears as she got in to the warm bed. This is the second night she would cry herself to sleep. The second night of being married. The second day of being alone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Darien waked in to the house after one am. He was just about to leave the office at five to make it home to see his new bride when Mr. and Mrs. Anderson came in to the practice. Her water had just broken and she was in labor. It was seven hours of labor but he had delivered Ami and Zachary Andersons son in to this world. He left shortly after that to leave them with the night nurse. He didn't even think to call his wife. She would be upset.

He walked in to the dark room; a small glow of the fire gave some light. He walked in to the bathroom and readied himself for bed. He looked at the sleeping angel lying in their bed. Her silver gold hair was everywhere. She looked so peaceful; he then noticed the dried tears on her cheeks. "Oh, Sere I am so sorry." Instead of getting in to bed with his wife he took up in the guest room next to theirs.