Serena sat at her computer station doing her charting. She rubbed her face. This was 4th shift in a row and this one happened to be a double. She hadn't said much to Darien. Any conversation was work related, and then she kept it short and refused to make eye contact. the girls had tried to convince her to talk to him, but she refused. She knows the situation was blown out of proportion, but a few days after the fight she had seen Lina sitting with Darien in the break room and her anger and jealousy took over.
"You look a mess!" Jeannette joked as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Huh!" Serena snapped out of her trance.
"Girl, you are overworked and I know you have a lot going on. Are you back on tomorrow?" Jeannette looked concerned.
"Yeah I am doing break relief." She rubbed her face.
"You are going to overwork yourself." She handed her a red bull.
"Thanks. I just can't sleep and these are my saving grace during the day." Serena laughed as she opened it.
"You just need a man to go home to and give some good loving, put you right to sleep."
Serena shook her head."Nobody has time for that."
"Shut up! You typically work 3 12's and your parents are always there." She swatted her arm.
"But I have a kid and most guys run."
"Not the right one. Oh look there is Dr. Shields. Heard he has been a real grump lately. Any reason to why?" Jeannette looked at Serena.
She looked over as he was coming down the hall. In his white coat. His eyes looked tired, but he was still handsome to her. "Nope, can't imagine why."
"Well wish me luck. I have to do rounds with him now."Jeannette took a deep breath after looking at both of them.
Serena went back to her charting. She slumped in her chair hoping Darien would not see her, but he did. He could tell she hadn't been sleeping and most likely not eat either. She took a sip of the red bull.
"Sorry Dr. Shields she doesn't have of your patients." Jeannette interrupted his trance.
"Huh?" Darien stopped watching her and focused on Jeannette.
"Nothing. Let's round, and then you can stop being weird and talk to her." She smiled.
Serena did everything she could to get through her charts before Darien could come speak with her, but she failed. "Don't you think you working so much puts the patients at risk?" He continued to read a chart and hissed to her.
She sighed."I am a good nurse so don't worry about me. Focus on Lina." She snapped.
"Wow," Darien shook his head. Slammed the chart and walked away.
She finished off her charts. Did her final check on her patients and headed home. She had planned to take a nap, but she knew she wouldn't fall asleep to save her life. She went to ran a few errands for Rini's birthday and when she was done it was time to pick up Rini.
"Mommy! Today in school I got be line leader!" Rini said as Serena went to unlock her door.
"That is great baby! How about you get home, get ready for a shower and I will order us dinner?" With Serena not being able to sleep and working so much, her kitchen didn't have any clean pots, so take out it was for sometime.
"Can we get spaghetti?"
"Whatever you want. Grandma told me you have been soo great -" Serena was caught off guard by the site of Darien in her kitchen washing her dishes.
"Dr. Meany!" Rini yelled. "Where have you been?"
"Hey little one!" He kneeled down to hug her."I have been so backed up at work. So many sick kids!"
Serena was still trying to figure out if she was so tired she walked into the wrong apartment.
"I missed you! Will you come to my birthday? It is Saturday at the park! Unicorns." She laughed.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Darien tickled her.
"Great!" She cheered.
Her cheer woke up Serena. "Rini go in the bathroom and get ready, I am going to order spaghetti."
"I already made some. Figured it was her fave." He high five her.
"Yay!"
"Go get ready for a shower." Serena tried to stay calm.
Rini ran to the bathroom to get ready for her shower. The door closed.
"Why the hell are you here? And how did you get in?" She whispered yelled at him.
"You mom bumped into me at the store, said you were tired and needed help. Asked me to. Have you been sleeping? I know you haven't been cleaning."
"I don't need your help. I got it!" She tried not to get loud.
"Right, you totally got it! All the clothes on the floor. What are you doing working so much?"
"My last shift for the week is tomorrow, and I was going to do it tomorrow, before her party. Which now you have weaseled your way into be invited too."
"Look if you don't want me there, I won't go." Darien finished putting the dishes away.
"Well it is too fucking late, she invited you, and if you don't come she is going be crushed."Serena said, as she picked up the shoes.
"Serena I am trying to help."
"I got this Darien. Thanks for the dinner. Please leave." She walked into the bathroom. This time she listened for the closing front door which she heard. She went to give her daughter a bath.
"Mommy did he leave?"
"Yeah babe."
"Will he come to my party?"
"He said he will, but he has work he needs to finish first. We have so much cleaning too. Remember who is coming?"
"Gammy and Grandpa!" Rini cheered.
Serena smiled. She was trying to convince herself Rini was all she needed.
The days in between was a blur. Serena lived off RedBulls and kept forgetting to eat. She was in overdrive once Rini's grandparents from Seattle arrived. Though she had not gone to work, she still couldn't sleep. She missed him.
"Sere, this party is sooo stinking cute!" Mina said as she placed the plate of cupcakes on the dessert table.
"I agree. Sere, you did good." Thomas' mom said as she gave her a hug.
"Thanks Pam, where is Jo?"Serena asked.
"Over, with your dad. They are being super grandpas."Pam laughed.
"Oh Pam, I am rude. These are some of dearest friends. Mina, Amy, Lita and Ray. Their significant others are somewhere." Serena laughed.
"I remember you girls from the wedding. Still just as gorgeous." She hugged them all. "You need help?"
"No I got it."Serena smiled.
"Well I am going to go to your mom." She grabbed a drink and walked away.
Serena was so busy with all the kids and little details she didn't even notice Darien walked in.
"Hey man! Long time no see!" Chad shook his hand.
"Yeah I know. Let's not bring up the last time we interacted." He laughed as he shook Andrew and Greg's hand. "Where is the birthday girl?"
"Over there!" Andrew pointed to his godchild.
Serena stopped decorating and turned to observe the party. Rini caught her eyes. She had stopped playing with her grandfathers and ran to Darien. She jumped into his arms. He then went over to all the grandparents and greeted them. Still holding Rini.
"He is amazing with her." Ray stated as she watch Serena stare.
"Yeah. Never said he wasn't. He makes a good uncle." Serena shrugged.
"Is that it?" Ray looked at Serena.
"Look Sere, he really cares about you two. And you two are so amazing together." Mina said handing her a glass of wine.
"Not to mention, when we were younger, you were so in love with him." Lita winked.
"But times have changed, guys. I am wi-"
"We know a widow, and a mom." Amy interrupted."But you are still human and you deserve to be happy and loved by an amazing man."
"I had an amazing man. And he taken from me."Serena sucked in the tears that were forming. She missed her husband and the idea of losing another person she loved devastated her.
"Sere, I don't see anyone taking him away from you." Ray rubbed her hand.
The party went on. Kids running around. Laughing. Picture after picture taken.
"Serena!" Jo yelled with Pam behind him."Where can I get a beer and a wine."
"Wine is here," She put down her glass to pour one, "And beer is in the red cooler."
Jo went to get the beer, and Pam stayed with Serena."Who is that handsome man holding Rini? The one with the dark hair?" She asked.
"An old friend." Serena replied.
"Just an old friend?"
Serena sighed.
"Serena, my son would have wanted you to be happy, and he would have wanted you to pick someone who loves his daughter just as much as he did."Pam sipped her drink.
"Pam, it is complicated."
"So is life, but I saw the way he looks at you two, and he wants to go through life with you guys."
Serena didn't say anything. She continued to watch the crowd. Suddenly Rini came running over.
"Mommy!"
"Rini!" She picked up her daughter. "Are you having fun?"
"Yup, tons, when can i get my presents?"
"When we get home. We will open them all and write thank you cards."
"Aww can I open one?"
"Not right now babe. Have fun with your friends." Serena kissed her cheek.
Rini pouted.
"Young lady, do not!" She held her daughter tighter. Not realizing Darien was staring right next to her.
"Sere?"
"Oh Darien! Rini go play!" She put her down as she ran away.
"Did you need something?" She went to grab something from the food table.
"No just wanted to know if you would need help with the gift, there are a lot of them and I don't live far."
"Darien you don't have to." She forced a smile.
"I know, but again offering." He sighed, grabbed a carrot and walked away."Just let me know."
As it got darker, one by one, people started leaving. They started cleaning. Of course the girls and their men helped. Rini was on her sugar high and dancing around with grandpa.
"So Sere, how are you getting all these gifts home?" Her dad asked.
"Ummmm... I might just take two trips? Mind if I leave Rini here for the first one?"
"Sere, I can help you so it is just one trip."
"Well isn't that nice of you Darien, was it?" Pam said with a smile.
"We live in the same apartment building. It will be easy."
"Ummmm." Serena wanted to contest the idea.
"It is a great idea. Thank you Darien. Let's load everything up."
Serena sighed.
"Sere, let him be there for you" Ray whispered. She grabbed some dirty dishes and threw them in the trash.
Everything was cleaned. All the gifts were loaded. Rini and Serena said bye and goodnight to everyone and drove home. When they arrived Darien was already loading gifts in to the building. It took a few trips but eventually they all were in. Serena was beyond tired.
"Serena, I know you didn't eat much and it has been a long day. What can I help you with?" Darien offered.
"Darien really, you have done plenty."
"Mommy!" Rini interrupted from the bathroom. "I am ready for my bath."
"I am coming sweet pea!"
"Thank you for everything."Serena walked to the bathroom. She wanted to say so much more, but with Rini needing her, she had to go and she convinced herself this time things were better left unsaid because this was her life. He daughter always came first and she didn't expect Darien to understand.
She bathed Rini, who was dozing off in the tub. It had been a long day for both of them. She put her to bed and hopped in the shower. She was in a zone. It was not until she went to the kitchen to get some water that she realized he was still there.
"Darien?I thought you left"
"I have been here the whole time. You must be so exhausted you tuned me out. I made you something to eat. And I cleaned somethings up."
"Darien..."
"I know you didn't ask. So please sit down, and wait your food is almost done."
Serena was too tired to fight. She sat at the table while Darien finished. His presence and the sound of him in the kitchen soothed her. To the point she put her head down on the table and slowly dozed off.
Darien walked to the table. "Serena, your food is here."
She didn't move.
"Sere?"
Still nothing.
He put the bowl down. Kneeled down to her level, and nudged her. She was asleep. He laughed quietly, put the towel on his shoulder down, and slowly threw one of her arms over his shoulder. He tucked one arm under her knee and swooped her up. She was lighter than he remembered. He shook his head. Though he tried to fight it. He kissed her forehead as it rested on his shoulder. He carried her to her bed. It wasn't made. He laid her down and tucked her in. He turned off the light and went to walk out the door.
Just then he left a little tug on his hand and it stopped him dead in his tracks. He looked down. Her little fingers wrapped around his much larger finger. He stared at her. He couldn't tell if she was awake.
"Please stay," was all she whispered.
He didn't know what to do. She could have been sleep talking. He stood for a minute. She didn't move but her hand was still holding freed his hand. Walked out the room and turned off the light to the outer rooms.
Serena sighed. She coming out of her sleep. She turned over. She was going to try to force herself to sleep. She going to pretend he was just sleeping on the couch. Just then she heard steps coming back to her room. He closed the door, removed his slacks, and crawled into bed next to her. She felt his warmth instantly.
He pulled her into his arms. It was not an apology, but he didn't need one. He just needed her. He kissed her forehead again, and they both dozed off.
