Homecoming

749 Words

Posted: August 24, 2018

Serena rocked on her heels uncomfortably and unnecessarily readjusted her skirt for the third time. She was frustrated that they no longer allowed waiting families to gather at the gate, but knew that it was a few extra minutes she could handle.

"I've made it this far," she muttered to herself, thinking back on the several months he had been gone. Darien has decided to join the army, and since he had a college degree already, he had gone on to officer school as well. It had been about half a year since she saw him, since she couldn't afford to fly out for his graduations. While Serena was happy for him to do what he had a passion for, she didn't like being away from him for so long. Although he would be stationed shortly, Serena had high hopes that it would be the base nearby. "I've made it this far," she reminded herself.

"You okay?" a voice asked. Serena looked up to see Andrew standing there with a poster board with Darien's name written in goofy, block letters. Seeing him helped her reset for a moment and the tears that threatened to fall were held back. "I bet you're excited to see him."

Serena smiled and nodded her head. "I know he won't run up and grab me, but I can't wait to be in his arms again." She sighed happily before remembering where she was and who she was talking to, "Oh, I'm sorry. You probably don't care about that."

Andrew chuckled, "Actually, I'm glad that you and Darien have something so special. There was a time that I was worried about him, but ever since he's met you... he's different; a good different."

Suddenly there was some light cheering around the main area. Both of the blonds looked up to the top of the escalator to see a group of men in uniform begin their descent. Serena could barely contain her excitement as she was practically bouncing up and down like a child. When she finally caught Darien's eyes, she remembered all the wonderful letters he had sent her.

Though he couldn't write as much as she did, the words he wrote assured Serena that he wasn't planning on breaking things off just because of their distance. Serena knew that if they could make the six months of training, they could handle a long-distance relationship if necessary. Again, she was really hoping he would get stationed at the nearby base.

With his bag perched on his shoulder, Darien stepped off the escalator and smiled at the two blonds and the funny 'welcome home' sign. He walked briskly and then was practically jogging to meet them. "Serena!" he beamed as he dropped his bag, picked her up, and twirled her around. He gave her a hard kiss and cupped her face in his hand. "I've missed you so much," he whispered as he held her in his arms.

"Gee, thanks man," Andrew said with a laugh.

"I missed you too," Darien chuckled. He gave Andrew a questioning glance which Andrew returned with a quick search of his pockets. Darien reached his hand out, not letting go of Serena, and retrieved the item. "Are you crying?" he asked Serena.

She buried her head in his shoulder. "Don't tease. I missed you," she sniffled, "a lot."

"Well, I wouldn't want to cause you so much grief... ever again," he said as he pulled back and knelt down on the ground. "Serena Tsukino, being away from you was so difficult, but you have supported me in my decision from the very beginning. I know that there will be times in the future when we are separated again, but I don't want it to be because we are not living together... in the same house... with the same last name."

Darien held up the little box and was about to open it when Serena fell to her knees and kissed him. "Yes," she said. "I'll marry you."

"You didn't even," he readjusted her in his arms, "look at the ring yet. It was so hard communicating back and forth with both Mina and Andrew. Then there was the whole thing with your father—."

Serena placed her hands on either side of his face. "So long as I'm with you, I'm the luckiest woman on Earth."