So Close

Chapter 20

by AnGeLkIsSes03

This chapter is dedicated to -

LoveInTheBattleField, xSapphirexRosesxFanx

A.N. - I do not own Sailormoon. Once again I thank you for all your comments
and encouragement, it's so amazing to see some of the same readers who have
hung around since the beginning of this story.

Time seemed to stand still as they continued their kissing. Darien's head
was beginning to spin. All that he had held back threatened to break free
and drown them both.

"Whoah." Darien said slowly, trying to catch his breath as he pulled his
head back and stared into a pair of confused light blue eyes. He had
pulled back, and shifted her to a side of his lap that wasn't responding
to their closeness.

"What's wrong Darien?" Serena asked almost pleaded.

He chuckled and took a deep breath for some self-control.

"Nothing is...wrong Serena, but I don't think we should rush I things tonight.
We have too much to discuss and work out." He gave her a warm smile and he
cheeks turned pink.

She started to remove herself from his lap, but he reflexively pulled her back
into place. Darien had to reign in his hormones with a tight leash by focusing
in what questions he had about her family.

"Oh no you're not going anywhere Serena, I've been waiting to hold you close
like this for far too long." Darien said no longer wanting to hold his feelings back.

Serena leaned against his chest unable to look directly at this man who had
three times over stole her heart. Her worries about choosing between Tuxedo Mask
and Darien Shields were over. This strong connection she had with Tuxedo Mask as
Sailormoon made so much sense to her now. The unreasonable need to be with him.

Serena peaked up at him from underneath her lashes and steeled herself to ask the
questions burning forefront in her mind.

"You love Serenity, that is who you've waited so long for isn't it? I may be her but-"

"I love you Serena, I love you Sailormoon. My memories are just that, memories.
I almost lost you again, and I refuse to have you leave without knowing how
much you, Serena mean to me."

This moment was so perfect she burst into tears of happiness and grabbed him
into a fierce hug never wanting to let go.

They talked about her family in detail. Especially her over protective father who
practically ruptured a vein when a boy from school had called and left a message
for Serena on their home phone during dinner. Ken seemed determined to keep
Serena away from all men until she was finished with college. Every father's wish.

She laughed when Darien looked ill at ease after shared a few stories about her father.
Her mother Irene was another store entirely, she was warm and welcoming to all
Serena's friends, a wonderful woman that she was sure would welcome Darien.

Having lost his parents so young she couldn't imagine the pain. If she thought back
to the extremely distant past there was a hole in her family as well. Her father whom
died when she was a toddler, but she felt the echo of emptiness his a snake had left.
Queen Serenity, her mother from the silver millennium was a strong woman but she
knew her mother mourned the late king until the day she herself perished alone
on the moon.

Darien listened intently to her stories slightly envious that she had grown up in such
a vastly different family environment than he had . He immediately chastised himself.

She was his family now, and he had never felt so elated. As they talked, and worked
out how she would slowly warm her family up to her dating an older guy he felt relieved
that they would not have to sneak around for long. Darien knew the path he wanted
at this very moment, and he knew he would have to be patient.

Serena fell asleep in his arms a little after midnight, her head rested on his chest as she
slept deeply. He kissed the top of her head and he gave into the relaxing cocoon they
both created on his comfortable couch.