Chapter 36
Serena couldn't help but cry, seeing Darien kneeling before her in his best tux. I can't believe this is happening. Is this really happening? Serena clasps a hand to her mouth to muffle the sobs seemingly coming from her. Wondering why she is actually crying and seeing the slight panic in Darien's eyes, Serena practically throws herself to her knees in front of his still kneeling form.
"I-" Trying to form the words, Serena is unable to. So, she thinks of the only thing she can do and kisses Darien. Gasping for air between sobs and kisses, she nods her head.
"I think that's a yes?" Darien laughs as Serena fights back another sob in an attempt to answer him. Wrapping her tightly in a hug, they sit there for a moment as the puppy tries to climb on them.
"Oh, and this little guy is ours too." Darien pulls his right arm from around Serena and wraps it around the pup. He fights back a small laugh as another hard sob escapes her mouth. "I thought you might like some company around the house while I'm at work. He is going to need someone to housebreak and train him. I know how important you think having kids is to me, but if it doesn't happen then it doesn't happen. He'll be our first of many 'kids', okay?"
"Fur-kids? We'll have a bunch of fur-kids?" Serena cries but smiles at the notion.
"Yes, whole bunches and bunches of fur-kids, that's what we'll have honey." Darien laughs at the nickname she gave them. Sliding the beautiful 3-carat pink diamond heart ring onto Serena's finger, Darien returns to his feet still holding her hand and helps her up.
Examining the ring on her finger, Serena admires the beauty of it. The perfectly cut pink diamond heart is bordered all around by the tiniest of clear diamonds. They shine brilliantly despite their size and accent the center piece perfectly.
"I love it! It's so beautiful, and I love the puppy, too!" Serena kisses Darien's cheek and leans down to pick up the puppy. "He's so cute, what kind of dog is he? Reminds me of a German shepherd a little." She kisses the pups muzzle and holds his face to hers.
"You guessed close, he's not a German shepherd but he is a Belgian Malinois. They're actually replacing the shepherds in a lot of police units now. Supposed to be very intelligent and great dogs for protection. Thought he'd be a great fit in our household." Darien plays with the pups muzzle a little. "As for the ring, I am beyond happy you like it. I was hoping you would but wasn't sure, since it isn't a clear diamond. I wanted something beautiful and unique just like my soon-to-be wife."
"It's perfect, all of this is absolutely perfect. I can't wait to get home and tell the girls!" Setting the puppy down, Serena wraps her arms around Darien's neck. Standing on her tip-toes she looks in his eyes. "But before we worry about telling anyone else, why don't we get back to the hotel so I can thank you properly for such a nice night and vacation." She kisses him and pulls his lower lip between her teeth, nibbling it lightly
"Hmm, I like the sound of that." Darien pulls her flush against his body and hugs her tightly, resting his head on top of hers. Just enjoying the feel of her against him, the reassurance that she was real and not just a figment of his imagination.
That night Serena falls asleep peacefully and begins having beautiful dreams of what her and Darien's life could be. Beside her, Darien tries to find sleep but it won't come easily. He's holding the woman he loves, his ring on her finger, and their puppy asleep at the end of the bed. Still, something feels off. Like there's something he is missing or not seeing. Brushing it off, Darien closes his eyes and after a long while, sleep finally claims him.
His dreams are filled with images of their wedding day, and how beautiful she will look. How beautiful she looks everyday and will for the rest of their life together. His heart clenches a little, how beautiful she would look carrying his child. She'd hit me right now if she knew what I was thinking about. For the time being, he decides to enjoy this beautiful alternate reality. Soaking up the life they might've had if things were different, he feels almost guilty because he had told Serena he could live without these things. The truth was that he didn't want to though. He wanted her and wanted her to have his child.
Feeling the plane rise off the ground a little and bump on turbulence, Serena clutches the arm on her chair. Taking a deep breath, she looks at Darien and smirks at the smile on his face.
"What's up with you? You were fine on the flight here." Darien laughs at her a little.
"I just don't feel one-hundred-percent yet, that's all. Stomach is kinda jumbled and the turbulence doesn't exactly help." Serena gives him a sideways glance and smiles at the laugh he's obviously trying to suppress. "What's so funny?"
"Just, you. You're funny, you know? It's like, you take on the world on a daily basis and kick it's butt. But when you don't feel well, you just falter a little. It's adorable, and reminds me that you're still human. And need a little help after all." He grips her hand as the turbulence gets worse, then subsides. "Plus, you're just so darn cute. I mean, only you could make feeling sick into such a cute thing instead of disgusting. If it were anyone else, I'd be on the other side of the plane with disinfectant but with you? Well, I just don't mind and want to be near you anyways. Even if it means I'll be sacrificing my health." He winks and turns back to the window.
"Just a few more hours and I'll be able to see Austin, again. It's only been a few days but I find myself missing him like crazy. Has Mina or Amy said how he's doing when you spoke to them at all today?"
"Um, Mina said we need to come home 'cause it's disgusting cleaning up his stall. Something about never wanting to touch horse poop again? But Amy said he's doing fine, has been eating well and she turned him out in the riding ring for a bit. Apparently, when she turned him out in the pasture the first day we were gone, he wouldn't come back in for her. So, the riding ring was the only option if she wasn't going to spend all night outside with him."
"Oops, I forgot to teach her the whistle for him to come to the gate. In my hurry to get ready, I completely forgot to tell her." Serena laughs.
"Well, you can be the one to break that news to her when we get home then." Darien chuckles. "So, have you thought of any good names for the puppy? Now that you've gotten to sleep on it."
"I have been thinking about it actually and I think I've got the perfect idea for his name."
Darien turns her direction in his seat. "And what might the perfect name be?"
"Well seeing as you got him to keep me company and in turn keep me safe. I figured why not the name of someone that's supposed to protect? So, I was thinking Sergeant. What do you think?"
"I think you're right, it's perfect. A nice strong name for what should grow up to be a strong dog and protector, I like it a lot. We'll get him a collar with tags when we get home. Why don't you try to get some sleep and I'll wake you when we're landing."
"Maybe you should sleep, too. I can see the circles under your eyes, Honey. They've been there a while. I haven't said anything but I know you haven't been sleeping well for a few weeks now." Serena replies, a look of sympathy on her face. She could remember well, all the sleepless nights she had and the toll they take on one's body.
"It's been longer than a few weeks, but I'm okay, sweetie. I just worry sometimes that's all. I got a good couple hours of sleep last night, so I assure you I'm fine." Darien places an arm around her shoulders.
"I worry sometimes too, you know." Serena looks up at him. "About something happening to you or to me. About Seiya coming back. I worry about what would happen to you; you'd be devastated and I don't want to be responsible for that level of hurt for you." At this, Darien turns to face the window. "I know that you want to protect me, and that's why I feel safe enough to sleep the whole night through and to even be alone at times. I know you'll be there if I really need you." He turns back to face her. "But, you won't be of much help to anyone unless you get some sleep. If you really want to protect me, then you need to get some rest. So, please, why don't you try? We're up in the air for another couple hours, no one can get us here, so sleep... For me?" At the sight of his eyes closing a little, Serena cradles his face in her hands. Having put the armrest between them in the upright position, she turns to face him a little easier. "It's okay, just close your eyes." Running her thumbs along either side of his face, she gently glides them over his eyelids. As he closes his eyes she gives his forehead a kiss and brings it to her chest. Slowly turning onto his side, Darien rests his head upon her lap and drifts off into a dreamless sleep.