"Ugh, mommy! Not another apartment." Rini rolled her eyes." Can't we just stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house?"
"Rini?" Serena scolded.
"She is right Serena you can always stay with us." Her dad said coming out of the other room.
This was the fifth apartment they looked at. It was a two bedroom, two bathrooms, and a huge kitchen space. It was in a quiet community.
"Dad we are not staying you guys. I am sure the mornings are a little too much for you and mom and besides, we need to change my old room to Rini's room for nights she has to stay there. It is just too cramped." Serena explained.
"There is a really nice park down there Rini, come look!" Ken pointed out the window. "If you must move out this one is really nice."
"Yeah, it is perfect. I do love it. We can go talk to the manager to see."
"Ugh mom can we please go play after this?!" Rini whined.
"Deal."Serena stated."Come on lets go."
The two took the elevator down and went straight to the office.
"So... what did you think of the apartment." the property manager asked.
"It is very lovely. I just wanted to know any chance there is lower level unit available?"
The manager went onto her computer and scrolled. She clicked her tongue. "My apologize, but we do not at this time. The lower units are very popular, but I can tell you the 10th floor has the most gorgeous view at night time. People love it! And it is close to the roof top pool."
"Ummmm..." She looked at Rini. "Maybe we are going to have to keep looking."
Rini sighed.
"But not today." Serena looked at her dad."I promised I was going to spend some QT with my little one." She riffled her hair.
"Thank you so much for your time." Serena and Ken got up.
"It's just too bad..."Serena sighed. They continued to walk to the doors.
"Will we be expecting you home for dinner? No not tonight dad. I think Rini and I might just go the arcade for burgers and fries?"
Rini smiled.
"Want to join us dad?"
"Oh you know that stuff does not settle well with me these days." He laughed. "I will see you guys at home." He kissed both girls foreheads and walked back to his car.
"Well ready for our girls' date, mini me?"She kneeled down to button her daughter's jacket.
"Yup!"
"Okay, let's go!" She got up. Pulled down her shirt. Threw her bag over her shoulder and fixed her hair.
"Serena?" A man called.
Serena turned around.
"Mommy...it is that mean man!" Rini pointed at Darien.
Darien chuckled."Guess I will never live that name down." He rubbed the back of his hair.
"Dr. Shields!" Serena was shocked.
"Serena really? We are not at work."
"Sorry, habit." She looked down at her daughter. "Rini be nice."
"Hello sir." She said under her breath.
"You can call me Darien too kiddo."
"My name is RINI!" She shouted.
"I am so sorry Darien, she is hangry. It has been a long day of apartment shopping."
"Haha like mother, like daughter I see." Darien teased again."So you are going to move into this place?"
Serena looked at the apartment building and sighed.
"I wish. I loved it, but they don't have any bottom units."
"Oh that's too bad."
"It is okay, I am sure I will find one soon." Serena shrugged.
"I hope so!" Rini added she started pulling Serena's arm. "Can we please go eat now?!"
"Sorry Darien, mom duties."
"Where are you going?"
"Probably arcade for burgers and shakes." Serena said looking into his eyes.
"Well I just finished my run, and am starving, would you two mind if I joined?"
"Let me ask my main partner first," Serena looked at Rini.
Rini wanted to say no, but she did not want to hurt anyone's feelings. She looked at her mom, then back to Darien. "Fine but I am not sharing my shake." She crossed her arms.
Serena shook her head.
"Great! I am not huge fan of sharing my shakes either!" Darien joked.
"Well let's go then!"
They all walked to the arcade. It wasn't far from the apartment building. They got a booth and ordered the food.
"Mommy...? Can I play games while I wait?" Rini asked her mom with little puppy face.
She looked over at Darien."Well how do you say no to that face, Serena?Here Rini play a few on me!" He handed her some cash to get coins.
They watched her as she walked away to play a video game.
"She is really cute! I wonder where she gets her snappiness from though?" Darien smirked.
"Oh shut up!"
"So how long have you been searching for a place?" Darien asked playing with napkins.
"Well I just started and I am ready to give up."
"How come?"
"I really want a bottom unit."
"Why is that? I know the view is no Seattle from the Space Needle, but it is gorgeous at night."
"You're going to laugh."
"Maybe, try me."
"Well Thomas always told me to be aware of escape routes." Serena started playing with a napkin. "And with it just being Rini and I..."
"You want to be able to get out ASAP if something goes down."
"Yup." Serena kept playing with napkins.
"Here I thought it was just you had too much stuff too move up and did not want to get it up the stairs."
"Well, there is that too." Serena looked at him with a smile.
'Wow she her smile is beautiful.' Darien thought. "Well if and when you find the perfect spot, I can always help."
"Thanks Darien, but I couldn't ask that from you." She moved her hair out of her face.
"Well you didn't. I offered." He sat up straight. Started adding sugar to his coffee that was just dropped off.
"Thanks Darien."
Just then Rini returned. "Mommy, how much longer!? I am starving!"
"Look right behind you! Did you wash your hands?" Serena raised her eyebrows.
"No I will be back."
"Wow, with that look I feel like I suddenly should wash my hands too." Darien chuckled.
"Mom gift, what can I say?" She shrugged.
Rini returned. They ate their food and sat for a bit until Rini got antsy.
"Well lunch was nice. I really have to go home and finish some charting. Thanks for allowing me to join you guys!"
"You're welcome! It was nice! See you at work."
Darien got up and started to walk away.
"Mommy..." Rini whispered.
"Yes?"
"Can we do our nails tonight?" She smiled.
"It is a school night, so we will have to do it fast."
"Okay."
Serena was wrapped up in getting her daughter ready to go she didn't notice Darien was still at the door looking at her.
