Chapter 7
Serena eyed her parents warily as she made her way into the room. Her father sat comfortably behind his desk, while her mother stood to his left, an unreadable expression gracing her features. If it was their intention to intimidate her, they were doing a splendid job of it. 'No,' she thought to herself, 'you're being ridiculous, what should you be nervous about?'
"Have a seat, honey," her father said as he gestured to a nearby chair opposite him.
Serena sat promptly, once again misplacing her confidence. She folded her hands in her lap, trying to soothe her tension. After a few moments she felt she had control of herself again and faced them calmly. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Her father leaned back in his chair slightly and stretched an arm forward to rest on the desk's surface. "Well sweetheart," he began, "your mother is worried about you. She thinks you might be going through a tough time right now." His concerned eyes searched Serena's. "Is this true, honey?"
Serena instantly felt all of the tension flow out of her body. Lily had been right in the first place; her parents were only concerned about her. Perhaps her mother even would apologize. How silly of her to think that they would team up against her. They were her parents; they cared about her well-being and only wanted her to be happy. She felt a bit ashamed of herself at suspecting the worst, and instantly decided to forgive her mother for her earlier behaviour. After all, it had probably been a disappointment to her. Of course, she hadn't dealt with it very well, but everyone had their moments, right?
She smiled at her parents and warmly replied, "I'm okay, Daddy. It's been a bit of a chaotic week, but I'm fine now. I'll just be glad to put all of this behind me."
Her parents shared a brief glance that she was not privy to. Her mother's eyes shifted back to rest on Serena, her expression very solemn. Her father's brows knitted together, confusion written on his face. "I'm not sure I understand, sweetheart. Put what behind you?"
Serena paused a moment in puzzlement at his question. Was her father not aware of the break-up? Usually her mother kept him well informed of all the goings-on in both hers and Lily's daily lives. She stole a quick peek at her mother and saw that her expression had not altered. She slowly turned her attention back to her father, who was clearly waiting for some clarification. Feeling somewhat uncertain, she answered, "I'm talking about Holden and me, Daddy. We broke up a week ago…I'm sorry, I didn't know you weren't aware of it."
"Your mother informed me of that," was her father's curt response.
Serena's eye twitched in mild incomprehension at his statement. Her eyes darted between her parents, searching for some clue in their expressions as to what this conversation was supposed to be about. "Well, if you knew, then why did you ask?"
Her father showed no reaction. "I asked what it was that you were looking forward to putting behind you, Serena. Not about yours and Holden's…situation."
Serena briefly wondered if her parents had suddenly lost their ability to follow a simple conversation. Hadn't she made it quite obvious? 'I guess not,' she thought to herself as her parents continued to watch her curiously. "Daddy," she started, "that's exactly what I was referring to. I'm looking forward to putting this break-up behind me." She glanced at her mother as she added, "It hasn't been all that pleasant, you know."
Serena's mother placed a silent hand on her father's shoulder and he looked up and gave a slight nod. He stood up from his chair and walked around to the front of the desk to stand before Serena. He placed his hands on its edge, leaning back slightly, making his pose appear more casual. Serena watched his every movement in apprehension as warning bells began to ring softly in the back of her mind.
"Well, honey, that's the main reason we asked to speak with you tonight. Your mother and I feel," he glanced back at her mother to solidify this comment, "that perhaps you've dealt with this situation a little hastily."
Serena opened her mouth to protest, but her father went on. "It's understandable, sweetie. This is a very confusing time in your life." Serena cringed inwardly in remembrance of her mother's earlier words. "You might be feeling pressed to make certain decisions; aspects of your life will be coming to an end shortly and this might have you a bit scared. Remember, we were your age once too; we've been through the same. You just have to remember to stay focused on the important things…like Holden, for instance."
Serena wracked her brain for a suitable response. Her parents were completely misunderstanding the situation. Although she had tried to explain things to her mother earlier, she was now aware that it had made no impression on her opinion. She looked to her mother, finding a look of determination on her face. She decided her best course of action would be to appeal to her father, try to gain his understanding and hope he could succeed in making her mother comprehend where she had failed.
"Daddy, I appreciate your concern, but that has nothing to do with what happened between Holden and I. It was just…something that happened. I'd really rather not talk about it, but please understand that I know I made the right decision." Satisfied with her response, Serena relaxed, feeling it was impossible for anyone to dispute her explanation.
Clearly she was alone in this supposition. "You may think it's the right decision right now, Serena honey, but your mother and I are just afraid you may come to regret it down the road. We wouldn't want you to have any regrets, sweetheart. I know you're a very busy girl, what with your extracurricular activities. Perhaps you've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately; maybe you haven't felt you've had enough time for Holden…and yourself, of course. Your mother suggested that you might take a break from some of your responsibilities for a while; to allow some time for you to fix things with Holden. How does that sound?"
Serena looked at her father, a blank expression on her face. What was he talking about? "Daddy, missing a few piano lessons is not going to fix things between Holden and me. We broke up; not because I'm busy or overwhelmed. We broke up because things weren't working between us. I appreciate that you want to make sure that I don't regret it, but I know what I did was right. I don't need you and Mother to protect me so much, I'm nearly 18 years old; I can make my own decisions."
There, if that wasn't clear enough, then Serena didn't know what would be. Her mother circled around the desk to stand next to her father. Ignoring Serena, she spoke directly to him, "George, darling, she doesn't understand what's best for her." Serena's father put up a hand, motioning for her mother to be silent. Emily instantly did so. Serena wryly wished she had such power over her mother at times.
Her father pulled a chair over and sat down directly in front of his eldest daughter. Serena watched him warily, trying to anticipate his next move, as though they were playing some bizarre game of chess. George Davenport was a highly intelligent man; he had gone into law early in his life, and had swiftly dominated in the field. In no time at all he had risen to a highly coveted Judgeship and there he had remained. He was a well respected man in the community, and his daughters had always been in slight awe of him.
On more than one occasion he had used his keen, diplomatic intellect to convince them of his perspective on various matters at hand. Even in their most stubborn moments, he had somehow managed to persuade them into his way of thinking. Serena had recognized his shift of position as just such a tactic. She couldn't help but be intimidated at the notion of her father trying to alter her decision. She would not let it happen this time.
She started at the sound of his voice. "Darling, I know 18 may seem quite old to you, but take it from a man much older; you're still just a baby." Serena's eyes flared in anger at the comment, but her father went on. "Now, don't get upset. As I said before, your mother and I are only concerned for your happiness. We think it would be best for you to have a talk with Holden and try and work things out."
Out of the corner of her eye, Serena caught her mother nodding her head in agreement. Her eyes narrowed as she realized that her mother already had her father completely persuaded. While she had thought she could convince at least one of them in order to bring someone onto her side, she now recognized that such a plan had little to no hope of success. Her anger flared as she suddenly saw the corner they were trying to back her into.
For the first time in her young life, Serena heatedly lashed out at her parents. "I don't believe what I'm hearing! What is it that you think you can convince me to do? This is not about my happiness." She turned to her mother. "This is about you and your precious wedding. Don't think you can get Daddy to convince me into changing my mind. I will not be bullied into marrying Holden just so you can host the social event of the season!"
Serena's father grabbed her arm sharply in warning. "Serena Davenport! Don't you ever speak to your mother like that."
She jerked her arm away hastily, anger having completely clouded her better judgment. "How could you, Daddy? Why would you take her side? Why don't the two of you understand that this is none of your business! This is my life!"
Serena's mother interjected, "Your life is our business, young lady. We're your parents, and your actions affect others than yourself. You have a duty to this family, so you had best quit this juvenile, selfish attitude of yours."
Serena gaped at her mother in disbelief. Seeing no remorse in her eyes she turned frantically to face her father, and was yet again met with a firm, unrelenting look. She shook her head slightly in shock and looked back up at them. "I've never done anything but try to be the perfect daughter. I've always done everything you've asked; I've taken piano lessons, studied French, Latin, and art. I've learned tennis, dance and equitation. I have been to every party, every breakfast, luncheon and dinner, and always with a smile on my face. I've done my very best in school and I've never done anything to disgrace myself or my family in public. I've done all of this, just so you, my family, would be proud of me…because I care about you.
"I can't believe that now – after everything I've done to try to please you – you won't give me your understanding and support." Serena's anger had dissolved as she spoke, morphing into a soft gloominess. Her father rested his hand on her shoulder and gently guided her back into her seat. He took her mother's hand in his own and spoke.
"Serena honey, you misunderstand us. We couldn't be more proud of you. You've been a better daughter than we ever could have imagined." Serena smiled weepy-eyed at this. He continued, "I respect everything you've done so far and I am so proud to have such a kind, beautiful, and accomplished daughter." He paused before adding carefully, "Your mother and I just feel that you're still very young and you could benefit from our guidance."
Serena's brows furrowed as she sensed another turn in the conversation. Her father kneeled down in front of her and took her small hands in his own. "Sweetheart, your mother told me that Holden had been discussing marriage. I'm sure you just got a bit scared at the idea and made a hasty decision. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, I'm sure Holden will understand. Marriage is a big decision; it's something that has to be thought about seriously. But it's also something to be excited about…a new step in your life. And surely you know that your mother and I as well as Holden's parents would be thrilled at the idea. I'd love to have Holden as a son-in-law." He squeezed her hands encouragingly, but Serena barely felt it as she had gone numb. "So be happy about this and talk to Holden. That's all we ask." Finished with his speech he gently cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead, then got up to stand next to his wife.
Serena just sat there, a dazed expression on her face. And then she blinked and her anger came back in a flurry. She clenched her fists and shot up from her chair, jarring it backwards and causing it to emit a loud, screeching noise of wood against marble tile. She raised her hand and pointed an angry finger at her parents. "You will not brainwash me into changing my mind! I've made my decision and no amount of sweet talking and cajoling from the two of you is going to make any difference." She raised her hands into the air in frustration as she exclaimed, "I don't love Holden! It's as simple as that. It's not childish timidity or an overload of extracurricular activities! I just don't love him, and I am not going to marry a man that I do not love. Not to please you, not to please him, not for anyone or anything. This is the 1940s; you can't arrange marriages, and we're not joining empires, though you and your friends at the country club may delude yourselves into thinking so, Mother. It's not going to happen, so please just leave me alone!"
And with that Serena turned on her heel and rushed from the study, down the hall and straight out the front door, ignoring the protesting calls of her parents.
Hours later found Serena sitting quietly by herself. She had run aimlessly at first, just trying to get as far away from her home and her parents as she possibly could. Once her frustrated energy had abated, she had slowed to a walk and had tried to get a sense of her bearings. Finding herself close to a nearby park she had made her way through it, searching for a place to rest and collect her thoughts. She had come upon a charming little bridge that spanned a small stream and had decided to stop there.
She sat at its peak's edge, her legs dangling over the side, her arms resting on a low railing. She had gone through the confrontation with her parents over and over again in her head; unable to force it from her thoughts. After the anger had worn off she had been left with an intense feeling of mortification at her own behaviour. She had never before spoken to her parents with such disrespect and she feared facing them now. That wasn't to say she wasn't still angry at their words, but that was neither here nor there when it came to dealing with the consequences of her actions.
'This is really their fault to begin with,' she thought to herself indignantly. 'If they hadn't been so ridiculously obstinate about things, I would have never gotten so upset.' She frowned deeply as she admitted to herself that no matter whose fault it was, she would have to take responsibility for her actions. After getting so incensed at her parents for treating her like a child, it would be completely hypocritical of her to go and act the part. She buried her face in her hands, absolutely overwhelmed by the situation.
"I'm aware that you're not having the very best of days, Serena, but it's not worth your life."
Serena's heart nearly jumped out of her chest as she spun around at the voice in her ear. Blue met blue as she found herself face to face with none other than Darien. Her eyes closed for a moment, trying to get over the shock and wondering exactly how he had snuck up on her so adeptly. She opened her eyes once her heart rate returned to its normal pace and shook her head in muted irritation. "What are you talking about?"
His eyes twinkled as he motioned to the edge of the bridge and said simply, a grin on his face, "Don't jump."
She looked a moment between the four foot drop and his amused expression, as though not comprehending, and then her expression turned deadpan. "I hardly think a four foot drop into six inches of water would be the end of me."
His mischievous grin remained as he situated himself next to her in a like manner. "Well," he mused, "probably not, but one can never be too careful in moments of desperation."
She raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I'd hardly call this a moment of desperation. Of course…now that you're here things are a bit different." She swung her legs in trial and added, "In fact, that jump is looking very tempting right now."
"Please don't. I'd have to save you, and I'd really rather not get my socks wet."
Serena laughed and pushed him gently. He righted himself quickly and grinned. Their usual banter wearing down, a silence settled over them and Serena finally returned to the moment. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
He turned to her, casually resting his elbow on the railing and leaned his head against his hand. "I think the more appropriate question is 'What are you doing here?'"
She frowned and looked away from him, fixing her gaze instead, upon the quietly bubbling stream. When no answer came, Darien sighed and relented, "Your parents called about an hour ago. They didn't know where you were and wondered if you had gone to see Holden. They were pretty worried." He paused a moment watching for her reaction. She winced at the mention. He continued, "Anyhow, your father had already been out searching for you and my father and Holden and I came out to help…and I guess I found you."
"Lucky me," she muttered quietly.
He ignored the retort and instead asked her again, "What are you doing out here Serena? It's late; you should be home."
She wriggled uncomfortably at the question and replied stubbornly, "I don't want to talk about it."
He sighed heavily and began to move to get up. "Okay, fine then. Let's get you home."
"No!" She immediately spun around and latched onto his arm, pulling him back down. "No, I don't want to go home," she repeated pleadingly.
His eyes widened momentarily at the sudden outburst and then he looked at her admonishingly, "You can't just stay out here all night."
She lowered her eyes and quietly mumbled, "I know." Then she looked up at him, her eyes beseeching, "Can we just stay here a little longer? I'm not ready yet…just give me a little while longer."
Knowing it would be impossible to deny her anything, Darien simply nodded in allowance. He noticed she was jacketless and shook his head in light disapproval, quipping, "You seem to have a habit of forgetting your coat. I should start carrying an extra one around just for these occasions; they seem to be getting quite frequent." He removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders, ignoring her slight protest.
They sat in silence a moment as she adjusted the heavy weight of it, finally pulling it tightly around her body to warm herself. She hadn't realized how chilled she was until now. "Thank you," she mumbled grudgingly.
He smiled at her less than gracious show of thanks and studied the stream himself. "So, are you going to tell me why you're out here?"
She groaned in annoyance. "You're relentless."
"That's just one of the many reasons to love me," he retorted confidently.
She snorted loudly in reply and blushed in embarrassment. He laughed heartily at her display and added mirthfully, "You know it's true."
She gave him a sidelong glance and rolled her eyes. "Not in this lifetime."
"Another then?"
She smiled unconsciously and conceded, "I suppose anything is possible, however highly improbable."
He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her casually. "That's what I've been waiting to hear. Admitting it is the hardest part, you know; now it's smooth sailing from here on out." She rolled her eyes again in mild annoyance, hardly noticing his arm around her. She allowed him the last word, not quite having the energy for a full on battle of wits and instead let silence surround them once more. They sat in a comfortable peace, perhaps for the first time in all the years they had known each other. The stream gurgled quietly as a soft wind whispered through the trees. Without thinking, Serena instinctively moved closer into Darien's embrace, craving the added warmth.
He smiled softly at the sight of her blonde head nuzzled against his shoulder, and felt an overwhelming urge to just gather her up in his arms and…well, perhaps in another time and place, but not here and now. She and Holden had just broken up, and regardless of that fact, he knew that broaching the subject of his feelings would be difficult enough, relationship or no.
His thoughts drifted to Holden, replaying the night's events. As outlandish as Holden had behaved, Darien had known he had crossed a line. He had not planned on the evening's events; in fact he had anticipated quite the opposite. Despite his own personal opinions of Holden and Serena's relationship, he had every intention to honour the brotherly code of conduct and allow the dust to firmly settle. But…he had seen her and his intentions had gone to hell.
He couldn't help but gravitate to her, despite his best efforts. He certainly couldn't resist baiting her, as she responded to him like no other. He loved the way her face flushed in mild irritation at his teasing, the way her reaction made his senses heighten, even the way she forgot herself and snorted at him in derision. This girl had enchanted him, and four years away at Yale had changed nothing.
He thought back to that night before he had left for school and wondered vaguely if it had crossed Serena's mind at all since then. 'Probably not,' he thought to himself. He was hardly sure if she had even known what had almost happened that evening. Serena had always been a bit naïve, and he hadn't felt the need to enlighten her as to the details of his confused emotions.
His feelings for her had changed drastically as soon as he hit the age of 17. He hadn't been able to pinpoint the cause of the shift, but it had certainly thrown him. Not sure of what to do with the newfound feelings, he had continued on with his usual behaviour, teasing her at every opportunity. But he had noticed a change in even that finely-tuned routine, as his targets had started to shift, his words taking on a new tone. To his horror, Darien had realized that he had started flirting with her. After time, he had become accustomed to the impulses, and as he explored his feelings he grew to accept them.
With the departure for Yale looming before him he had begun to panic, unsure of whether he should make his feelings known. The party had been the catalyst he needed, as everything had fallen into place; it had almost seemed…fated. She had excused herself, he had followed. He had gallantly offered her his coat, they had drawn nearer, nearer, he had been so close…and then fate had none-too-gently booted him in the face. His father – a man who had never been bestowed the gift of perfect timing – had bellowed, Serena had toppled, and Darien's hopes of a picturesque goodbye – and perhaps the start of a new relationship – had been completely dashed.
Warily, he had entertained the notion that what had happened had been a sign. Perhaps, it had not been a wise move…perhaps – he had thought – he wasn't supposed to pursue Serena. Of course the idea was ridiculous, but Darien hadn't been able to dash the notion, as the earlier confusion regarding his feelings had returned and overshadowed his judgment. While Darien had always been intelligent and clear-headed when it came to academics, his knowledge in the field of romance and emotions had always left something to be desired.
His doubt plaguing him, Darien had not pursued Serena any further and had departed for Yale with relief, yearning to immerse himself wholeheartedly in his studies and put all thoughts of a certain adorable blonde out of his mind. And, for the most part, he had succeeded. His courses and professors alike had demanded his full attention, leaving little time for anything else. In the small snippets of time free of textbooks and lectures, he began to feel that it might have been quite lucky that nothing had happened on that fateful night. After all, what time would he have had for a relationship with his full workload at school? And really, Serena was still very young, perhaps too young for him. Actually, it might have just been his hormones playing tricks on him; he probably hadn't really felt anything at all in the first place.
Ah, how naïve young minds could be…
In an instant, all of his rationalizations had been completely destroyed when he had heard, nearly a year after leaving for Yale, that Holden and Serena had started dating. He had been unable to prevent the intense surges of jealousy from roiling through him. He couldn't help but recognize the cruel irony in the situation. It had taken his younger brother pursuing Serena to finally make him accept his feelings for the girl; and, of course there was nothing that could be done about it. Had it been anyone else, Darien would have easily considered sabotaging the relationship…but he couldn't do that to Holden; even if things had always been somewhat tense between the two of them.
But in pondering that brotherly tension, Darien had stumbled upon a rather unsettling notion. He had been aware that his younger brother had always felt slightly overshadowed in his wake, and he had felt a creeping suspicion that this newfound relationship was nothing but an attempt on Holden's part to finally one-up his older brother. As tempting as the urge had been to immediately return home and demand the truth, he had overcome it. Darien had made his decision anyway, and he would stick to it; besides, if all Holden truly wanted was a reaction, then he wouldn't get one and his interest would turn elsewhere, leaving Serena out of it.
But the relationship had not ended…no, apparently it had blossomed, and no matter what Holden's motivations had been in the beginning, he had certainly become invested in what he had started. So Darien had tried to force himself to accept it and move on. A few girls had shown an interest, and he had tried his very best to do so in return, but none of it had amounted to anything. For a while he had felt very frustrated…frustrated with Holden for succeeding where he had failed; frustrated with Serena for being so naïve and so…captivating; and mostly frustrated with himself for not being able to conquer his own feelings. In the end he had finally conceded that he could not force such feelings away entirely and had compromised by pushing them to the very back of his mind.
Before he knew it, the years at school had flown by and he was ready to return home. He had not been looking forward to dealing with his brother's relationship first hand, but he was now 21 and he had matured considerably. Whether or not he liked it, he had accepted it and he had been determined to come home and congratulate the both of them. And then he had seen her…oh and thoughts of congratulations flew from his mind. Serena had…really grown up; she had been a vision, and like food before a starving man he had yearned to devour the very sight of her.
In those first few moments when she had caught his eye…he had been undone. His mind had instantly run rampant with untoward thoughts. How could he end it between them as fast as possible? Could he simply have Holden kidnapped? Surely there were people he could pay…no harm need come to him; just get him out of the picture long enough…how had he managed to stay away from her this long? He banished the thoughts from his mind as swiftly as they had entered. No, he had told himself he would deal with it, and Lord help him, he would.
And yet ironically, it hadn't even been necessary. The very next day Serena had come over to see Holden, and when she had left his younger brother had been in quite a state. Holden had angrily relayed the entire encounter to him and Darien had hardly been able to mask his surprise…and worse yet, his relief. They had broken up, and not a moment too soon. Fate had dealt him yet another hand; he only needed to decide how to play it…
"What are you thinking about?"
Darien glanced down, startled from his thoughts and discovered Serena watching him closely. A tad embarrassed, he wondered just how long he had been lost in thought. He shook his head slightly, trying to shift his concentration back to the present. "I'm just trying to figure out why you're here…seeing as how you're being less than forthcoming with an explanation," he evaded easily.
She blushed under his slightly reproachful gaze and turned her face away from him. She waited a few more moments before replying. "I just…well, I had an argument with my parents."
Recognizing her discomfort at the subject, he asked cautiously, "What did you argue about?"
She sighed in frustration. "I'm sure you can guess. They seem to think I'm all mixed up about things. Apparently I'm too young to know what I want. I don't understand them…I mean, I'll be 18 soon; I'm not a child anymore."
"I see," he mused. "And you decided to prove that by taking the mature course of action and running from home in the middle of the night." He was unable to hide the mirth in his tone.
She blushed deeply at his words…unable to refute them, but unwilling to admit that to him. "I needed to get away from them," she defended. "I was just so…angry."
He squeezed her shoulder gently. "Serena, I'm sure they were just concerned about you. Parents can sometimes let this stuff blind them. Believe me, I speak from experience." He chuckled softly in remembrance of confrontations he had had with his own parents.
The frustration Serena felt was palpable in her words. "It's not concern though, at least not about me. That's what made me so angry. All my mother can think about right now is this ridiculous wedding."
He raised an eyebrow. "Wedding?"
She rolled her eyes and looked to the sky. "Yes, my wedding apparently. Or at least the wedding everyone but myself seemed to be planning."
Darien recalled Holden's angry conveyance of Serena's less than thrilled reaction to the mention of marriage. "Well," he surmised, "you two have…had been dating for some time. It does seem somewhat natural to start thinking about things like marriage. I mean; you can't really say it was completely out of the blue. Especially considering how close our families are."
Serena glanced up at him thoughtfully and considered his words. She grimaced after a few moments, realizing the merit in his statement. "I guess you're right," she acknowledged. "I just…well, I never…" she drifted off, not sure of what to say.
"You never thought about it, because it wasn't something you wanted," he finished simply.
Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly and she nodded. No, she hadn't wanted to marry Holden because she didn't love him. Her expression turned gloomy and she directed her attention back to the stream.
His brows furrowed in concern and he leaned closer to her. "What is it?" he asked.
She frowned and replied, "I just…I was too busy being angry at my mother to really stop and think about what was going on. I'm still angry, even now, but…well, as wrong as she might be I still shouldn't have acted the way I did. I've never spoken to my parents like that; I don't know how I'll face them. I just want them to be happy for me." She sighed sorrowfully. "Part of me just wishes…"
"Yes?" he prodded.
She turned to him, a look of sad desperation in her young eyes. "I guess a part of me wishes that I did want to marry Holden, that I did love him. Then everyone would be happy."
'Not me,' Darien thought to himself. Wanting very much to do away with that horrible sadness in her eyes, he spoke. "You said yourself that you want to be treated like an adult, Serena. Well, part of being an adult is realizing that you can't please everyone all the time. You shouldn't have to compromise yourself just to make your parents happy. Besides, it's not like it will be your mother's only chance to plan a wedding. We'll probably all be getting married soon enough." 'To each other,' he added wryly to himself. "There will be ample opportunity for both your mother and my own to plan to their hearts' content. And anyhow," he added, hugging her closely, "don't feel bad about your feelings for Holden. He's my brother and even I don't love him sometimes." He winked cheekily at her and grinned, savouring the feeling of her next to him.
She giggled lightly at his words, unable to help herself. The comfortable silence returned, both of them not wanting to interrupt it. Serena, because she had never shared such a moment; and Darien, simply because he wanted to keep her there, next to him. She looked up at him, an odd expression on her face and said, "I don't believe it."
"What?" he asked casually.
"I think we've actually managed to have a normal conversation," she said in wonder.
He grinned down and her and rolled his eyes. "Well, 'anything's possible' right; however highly improbable."
She jabbed him lightly in the ribs and he chuckled in response. Then, glancing at his watch, he turned to her in seriousness. "It's quite late now, and everyone is probably beyond worry. I think we had best get you home."
She frowned in dismay and groaned. "Ugh, do I have to?"
He rolled his eyes in response and pulled her to her feet. "Yes, you do," he replied firmly. "Another part of being an adult is that you have to stop being afraid of your parents."
She raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Oh really? And I assume you practice what you preach?"
He chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders, guiding her in the direction of home. "Well now, of course I do. I wouldn't be much of a mentor if I didn't, now would I?"
She snorted at his words, not bothering to think twice about it. "I seem to recall a certain broken vase buried in the garden. You didn't seem to be too forthcoming with the details of its disappearance when your mother asked."
"Well now Serena, you also have to make important decisions as an adult. Sometimes doing the mature thing has its disadvantages. You see, telling my mother the truth would have only resulted in pain and suffering."
"Namely your pain and suffering?" Serena clarified.
"Well now you're getting it. See? This adulthood thing will be a piece of cake for you; with my helpful guidance of course."
Serena simply shook her head, wondering which alternative was worse; facing her parents or having to suffer through any more of Darien's "guidance". As they made their way home she decided it was probably a draw.
My cheeks suffuse with rosy hues
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