Hi everyone! Thanks again for the reviews and the continued interest in my story. I'm really sorry for the lack of update for the past week or so. I had a pretty bad writer's block for some reason. Anyway, hopefully you all enjoy this next chapter and I hope to have Chapter 11 up in the next couple of days.

Warning! Sexual content. This story is rated M

Chapter 10

Darien awoke later than Serena (for once) and was completely surprised to find her wearing her nightshirt and straddling him.

"Serena? Uhh… what are you doing?" He rubbed his eyes, raised an eyebrow and looked on, amused but still unsure what to make of it.

"Good! You're awake! Where are my PRESENTS!" She grinned like the Cheshire cat as she watched him groggily come out of his sleep.

"Happy Birthday! And if you want your presents, you have to let me up to get them." He smiled back at her and she nodded, moving off to release him. He stood up from the bed and found his boxers, then proceeded to the kitchen.

Since he had the opportunity, he made her breakfast in bed: Waffles with strawberries and blueberries along with some orange juice and scrambled eggs.

"Wow, Darien. This is so yummy!" She shoveled more into her mouth and proceeded to speak. "I can't believe you went to all this trouble." Once she swallowed, she smiled at him again, still so excited about her birthday.

"You're worth it." He winked, smiling back. "I know how much you love birthdays. And it's fun to do something special for you."

He sat on the bed next to her and she felt a little bad that she was eating all that food while he just watched.

"Do you want some?" She pointed her full fork towards him as she asked and he promptly shook his head.

"Come on, Darien! I feel weird eating by myself… well, not really but I feel weird having you watch me eat by myself! Have some! Please?" She pouted a little and brought the fork towards him once again.

He smiled and pulled away from her fork. "Thanks. You know, I have more in the kitchen. I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable before I eat anything."

She stared dreamily at him for a moment then continued to bring her fork closer to his mouth.

"I won't leave you alone until you have this bite!" She giggled a little and brought it towards him, moving the fork in circles and making airplane noises.

"Who says I want you to leave me alone?" Serena shot him a puzzled look and Darien couldn't help but laugh as he opened his mouth to appease her. As he chewed, he tried to hold back the huge smile that was creeping across his face from just being around her. He got a little nervous and brushed his hand through his hair, like he usually does. With that she moved the tray of food out of her way, coming closer to him and planting a huge kiss on his lips. He noticed how sticky her lips had become from all of the syrup she'd poured on her waffles and the fact that she was such a messy eater. He sat with her for a few more moments, cherishing his time with her and nervously thinking about his plans later in the day.

"Darien? You okay? You seem kind of spaced out or something…" She stared at him for a few moments and waited anxiously for his reply.

"Oh… yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about the surprises that I have planned for you." He smiled and with that, Serena's phone rang. Darien swiftly moved to get dressed as he tried to overhear Serena's phone call. The girls were all at the temple and he could vaguely hear them singing to Serena over the phone. It was a tradition for Serena's birthday that they all loved. It allowed them to have some fun and show her how much they love her.

"You guys! I totally forgot about my birthday phone call!"

The girls laughed over the phone and above the other voices, Mina could be heard shouting: "Too busy with your man, eh Serena?"

Darien heard Mina over the phone and promptly took Serena's cell from her.

"Actually, we were just talking about heading over to the temple to see all of you." He looked to Serena and she smiled, silently thanking him and moving to get dressed.

Darien could hear the girls struggling in the background and finally he heard someone speak.

"Darien, it's Lita. Before you go will you let us in on the plan for today?" Lita spoke quietly over the phone to make sure that Serena wouldn't hear if she were present.

"Umm… Did you just fight everyone for the phone?" Darien laughed a little, thinking about how hyped the girls were for Serena's party and surprises.

"I… err. No! They gave it to me… after some convincing." Lita tried to seem less pushy but laughed at herself after thinking about the situation a little more.

"Sorry, Lita. I need to keep everything quiet for as long as possible. If the time is right at the temple, then we can talk."

"Okay, I guess we'll deal with the plans later. Good luck."

Darien hung up Serena's phone and was immediately questioned.

"Darien! What did they say? Do they have presents for me? What about cake? Mmm! You guys know how I love my cake" She started to sing the last part and Darien laughed a little. She was always so goofy.

"You know I can't tell you, Meatball head. Surprises are supposed to be a surprise, you know."

"No. You just told me that you wanted to keep your surprises a surprise. You never said anything about their surprises." She grinned at her slyness and waited for Darien's response.

"I know, I know. But I'm involved in some of their surprises too so I can't and won't tell you. Anyway, we'll be there soon and you can see everything for yourself." Serena moved closer to Darien in an attempt to persuade him but he grabbed her hands, kissed them and pulled her to the door of the apartment, preparing to leave.

"Please, Serena? Don't be mad. I just want to see your reaction when we give you everything."

"Oh Darien, I'm not mad. I just can't stand waiting!" She grabbed his hands and pulled him out the door, anxiously waiting to jump in his car and get to the temple. He was lagging a little behind as he fumbled with his keys. "Come on! You're such a slowpoke!" She laughed, trying to run away before he realized what she just said but it was too late.

"What did you just call me, Miss?" He laughed and grabbed her playfully, pulling her towards him and lingering a while before moving in even closer for a kiss. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so at ease and happy and neither could she. Everything felt perfect between them. They didn't really want to leave their intimate moments behind but Serena was still desperate to open her presents.

After a long walk out of the apartment building accompanied by lots of kissing, embraces and hand-holding, they finally reached Darien's car and they were on their way to the temple, Serena still far beyond excited. It was very noticeable and Darien found it a little infectious. He couldn't stop smiling for nearly the whole car trip and Serena thought it was adorable. She kept giving him kisses every time they had to stop. Once Darien realized her system, he was purposely stopping the car and he even pulled over so he could satisfy his own kissing agenda. He put on the emergency break and Serena turned to him.

"Darien! Why did you pull over? I want to open my presents and eat some cake! The girls are going to think…" He held his index finger up to her mouth, signalling for her to stop and he pulled it away slowly, crashing his lips to hers. He kissed her frantically, running his hands across her body, sneaking his hand down her stomach and to her thighs as his other hand held her head. She couldn't believe that Darien was touching her like that again, especially when they were supposedly in such a hurry. She felt she had no other option but play into every touch he laid upon her body. He could feel her moving softly under his touch when he suddenly realized that they really needed to make it to the temple. So he held his breath, along with his urges. He pulled away against every instinct in his body.

"We shouldn't keep them waiting, right?" His voice was husky and breathless. He smiled to her, trying to reignite her earlier excitement for her birthday.

She nodded. "Right." But she still looked dejected. Darien was wishing he hadn't stopped but he knew that he would be able to continue later on. Before releasing the break and driving, he kissed her sweetly to reassure her and they were on their way once again.