Sunset At Paradise Cove
Chapter 17
Author's Note: Hi everyone thanks for your reviews and continued support on this story. I am glad to see that you are enjoying the story and getting involved with some of the characters of my own creation. Please continue to send all your thoughts and reviews. Thanks Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Muriel came storming into the penthouse followed by her husband James as she looked to Nigel questioning in a loud command "is she here?"
Nigel bowed his head down formally as he stoically replied "yes, madam she arrived earlier this afternoon and has kept herself locked away in her room for most of the day"
Muriel looked to him annoyed and with a shake of her head replied back "is that so well tell her, her father and I wish to speak with her at once about her dreadful behavior this afternoon. Why I have never been so humiliated in all of my life"
James kept up a calm demeanor and put out a comforting hand to her shoulder as he told her gently "there, there my dear we will get this whole matter resolved don't you fret" as he looked to Nigel telling him with a raised voice "please tell Serena to come to my office at once"
Nigel nodded his head respectfully replying back "very good sir" then started to walk towards Serena's room when Anna who stood behind a wall listening in on the conversation decided now was the right time to interfere as she stepped out into the foyer and added to the discussion stating "I think it might be best to give her sometime alone"
Muriel looked to her bothered by the sudden interference with her plans and raiser her head up high questioning back "I'm sorry are you her mother now?"
Anna looked to the woman in front of her who may have given birth to Serena, but that was as far as the maternal instincts went as she shook her head telling her politely "no madam, I just believe that she has had a hard day and may need sometime to herself right now"
Muriel looked to her with a shake of her head not taking the thoughts of any household servant to mind telling her back rudely "well no one asked for your opinion, now please have OUR daughter sent to us at once"
Nigel nodded his head as the well-disciplined employee he is and started to walk down the hall replying "very well madam" when Anna looked to him knowing the last things Serena needed right now was his uptight charming demeanor as she quickly caught up with him and placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him stating "hold it right there frosty, I will take care of letting Serena know her parents wish to speak with her"
Nigel looked back at her with a raised brow questioning the name she used "frosty madam?"
Anna held in a small chuckle thinking of the name she and Serena used often behind closed doors as she nodded her head telling him back "yes because you are as cold as ice and right now that girl needs some warmth and compassion" as she looked towards her parents seeing it would come from neither one of them either and turned and walked ahead down the hall to Serena's room.
Serena stood in her room alone, she felt her hands beginning to tremble after hearing her parents come home earlier than expected 'to discuss things' and knew it was now or never.
She had gone over a plan in her head all day of what she would do, how she would live, she did not have much money of her own or a place to go, but knew she had to find away out of this situation before it swallowed her whole as she placed a few dresses in her bag and zipped it closed.
She knew from this point on she would be on her own, well not completely alone because she has a child on the way that only she has to take care of, but knew it had to be this way and what she had to do and should have done all along to take back control of her own life.
She let out a small sigh knowing of where she had to go, to the one person she could finally be herself with, but how to get there was the problem as she placed her hand down on her stomach feeling the butterflies floating within and hoped Darien would feel the same way about this baby that she did.
She heard a knock come to her door distracting her from her thought and quickly hid the bag under her bed as she stood back up expecting this was her mother coming to make a scene over how she completely ruined her newest arrangement and was destroying the family as she looked down and tried to straighten out the skirt she wore and look calm as possible when inside she was trembling as she called out "come in"
She saw the door slowly open, but to her relief and surprise it was only Anna who stepped inside instead of her parents as she relaxed visibly and Anna looked to her concerned asking "are you alright?"
Serena looked to her knowing she could speak honestly with Anna than anyone else around here as she shook her head replying back "not really no, today was a complete nightmare"
Anna nodded her head expecting as much after seeing the way her mother was overeating inside as she replied telling her "your mother and father just arrived home and they wish to speak with you about what happened at the Jensen's today"
Serena looked to her knowingly as she took a deep breath in and shook her head questioning "both mother and father are here, this must be serious to see he cut his business trip short in account of me"
Anna nodded her head hearing Serena's unspoken words questioning that her father would do anything to put his family's welfare over the business was completely unheard of as she went and walked towards her bed and noticed the bag hidden underneath as she took a deep breath in expecting the plans that she unexpectedly walked in on and took a seat on the bed telling her "I suppose he came home early, because he felt there were things that took more importance around here"
Serena nodded her head as she turned to the door knowing exactly where her parents sat waiting for her arrival and replied back coldly "yes like ruining my life and make all the decisions regarding my future for me. I am not a child anymore Anna"
Anna nodded her head solemnly hearing the aggravation in Serena's voice as she replied back "your right, you are not, and the choices that you make with your life reflect that, but you must think wisely of all your options and if what you are planning is the best" as she reached down and picked up the bag that she was trying to hide and placed it down on the bed.
Serena looked to her and let out a loud gulp knowing as usual Anna knew what she was planning even before she did as she nodded her head telling her strongly "I know what I am doing Anna, it is something I should have done long ago. I am tired of being there puppet that they can pull all my strings around"
Anna nodded her head knowing how difficult things have been around here, especially over the past year as she stood up from the bed and walked towards the door and listened to be sure no one else was standing outside the door within hearing range then turned around as she looked to Serena telling her "yes, but there is more to consider here than just your own choices now isn't there"
Serena held her breath as she looked to Anna surprised that she might know about the baby, but just shook it off as her own fears as she asked her nervously "what are you talking about?"
Anna looked to her with a little shake as though it should be obvious to anyone who paid attention, which within this household was very few and told her back quietly "about the baby growing inside of you"
Serena stood there looking at her surprised that she knew her secret after she tried to be so careful as she shook her head afraid of who else found out and whispered back "how did you?"
Anna looked to her seeing the worry in Serena's eyes as she placed her hand over her stomach protectively then walked over and placed her hand down on her elbow telling her with a small chuckle "really Serena you haven't been late a day and the way you haven't been eating much and walking around here all moody the past few days" then whispered by her ear "Plus, you left the open box in the waste pail in your bathroom this morning I kind of figured it out that it must have been positive"
Serena wanted to kick herself for leaving evidence like that around where others could find it as she looked to Anna frightened questioning "does anyone else know?"
Anna looked to her hearing her desperate plea that this would stay with them as she shook her head replying back "no, no one else. Your secret is safe with me, but Serena you must think wisely of your choice. It is not only yourself you must think of here, but the babe as well. You will need to be sure you are eating well and going to regular doctor appointments to be sure the babe is growing healthy and strong"
Serena looked to her as she let out a long sigh wanting to do what is best for the baby too, but did not feel having any child growing up in this environment is what's best for any child as she walked over to the bag on her bed and shook her head telling her "I know all of that Anna I have stayed in my room all day thinking about all of that too, but in the end I can't stay here any longer. I am not going to stay and let them control me or this child. I am taking control of my own life for once"
Anna looked to her knowing of the hard world she would face beyond these walls as a single young mother and shook her head as she desperately pleaded telling her "Serena you can't just run away from your problems that never solves anything, your parents are both here to talk to you, so talk to them let them know your thoughts"
Serena looked to her as she thought about what her parents had done behind her back as she shook her head telling her strongly "I can't nothing will change I have no other choice Anna. They won't listen to what I want. It's as it has always been with them, what they want. Did you know they are planning on marrying me off to Bradley Jensen in order secure a larger fortune for themselves"
Anna looked to her surprised that her parents would go so far as to arrange a marriage as she shook her head telling her strongly "no of course not I didn't know anything of this, you mean that same egotistical boy who uses far too much cologne"
Serena nodded her head just thinking about her run in earlier with Bradley and how her mother was quick to take his side telling her back "yes the one in the same, they want to complete some business merger they have going. That's all I mean to them nothing, it all about the business and always has been. I am just another means of leverage for their business takeovers"
Anna looked to her sadly hearing of the way she saw her own parents as she shook her head telling her "I know it might seem bad, but they are your parents and I am sure in their own way they were trying to do what they thought would be right for you, even if it was the wrong thing to do, but Serena even if they did set this all up the choice was always yours to say yes or no to. Please before you do anything rash just go speak to them once more"
Serena looked to her with a shake of her head knowing Anna was trying to talk her out of her plans telling her confused "I don't know Anna they never listened before why should now be any different"
Anna looked to her knowing how stubborn Serena could be when she truly wanted something as she let out a long sigh telling her "because it is not just you to think about any longer. You must at least try go on and talk to them be truthful and honest see where it takes you before you rush into doing something like this that you may regret. Please talk to them for me and for your own future, tell them in your own words how you feel and why you don't want to marry the Jensen boy and while you're at it you might want to mention what really did happen on that island"
Serena paced her hand down on her stomach knowing her parents would have to find out eventually, but hoped it would not be until the little one inside of her was graduating high school as she let out a loud gulp and Anna took her hand telling her with a caring smile "it might not seem so, but your parents were young once too and I am sure they had made their share of mistakes too, maybe they just might surprise you this time"
Serena looked to her knowing of probably the greatest mistake in their eyes becoming parents as she shook her head telling her back "my parents admit to a mistake highly doubtful"
Anna looked to her knowing Serena was right especially when it came to her mother, but did not want to see Serena rush into something in anger and make the wrong choice as she replied telling her "yes, but you are still their only daughter Serena and you have their grandchild growing inside of you. I am sure when given the choice between doing the right thing or never seeing there only daughter again they will do the right thing in the end"
Serena took a deep breath in as she looked to Anna's comforting smile and questioned back "do you really think so?"
Anna nodded her head glad to see Serena was listening and hoped Muriel and James would be too as she told her back "I do now go on"
Serena nodded her head unsure of this plan of Anna's but it was worth a try as she placed her hand down on her stomach knowing Anna was right and she would need some extra help telling her "alright I will go talk to them"
Serena walked towards her closed door when Anna stopped her putting a hand to her shoulder as she turned around to look her way, Anna gave her a warm smile telling her "I just want you to know no matter what happens I am always there for you"
Serena smiled back to the one person she always felt comfortable talking too who was always on her side as she told her with a little grin "I know Anna and thanks" then opened the door and walked quietly down to her father's office.
She waited in front of the closed door then took a deep breath in readying herself for what awaited inside, then reached up and knocked on the door.
She waited a moment and could hear her parents whispering inside, but could not make out what they were saying then finally her mother opened the door telling her sternly "come in your father wishes to speak with you regarding your dreadful display of behavior this afternoon, that I had to clean up after"
Serena walked into the room past her mother ignoring her hateful comment as she kept her head lifted up high and saw her father sitting behind his oversized desk that she had seen him sit at many times before where she was always told he was too busy to concern himself with any of her problems, only now for the first time in her life he seemed to care, but she was certain it was not about her as she saw him stand up from his chair and walk around to stand in front of his desk as he leaned up against it telling her "your mother was telling me of your behavior this afternoon at the Jensen's and I wanted to have a family discussion to fix this"
Serena looked to her father with a roll of her eyes seeing that he had already taken sides with her mother on this as usual, as she shook her head telling him back forcefully " there is only one way to fix this and that is I will not marry Bradley Jensen just because you and mother say so"
Her father simply crossed his arms over his chest as though he was expecting such a comment as he nodded his head telling her plainly "of course not we only want you to be happy and well taken care of Serena"
Serena looked to her father surprised to hear him actually agree with her for once and felt a little calmer hoping maybe Anna had been right after all and they would actually hear her out and not try to push her into something she does not want as she looked to her father questioning "so you won't be forcing me to get married?"
James looked to her surprised as he shook his head with disapproval and told her back "forcing you Serena what kind of person do you believe I am" as he walked back behind his desk and looked up at the painting above his chair of the three of them when she was about seven years old and let out a deep sigh as he told her "although, I am not as young as I used to be Serena and as my only daughter"
Serena looked to him questionably knowing this was not the usual way her father would speak and that he still kept permanent control over everything going on in the company and had not slowed down a single step or had any plans of do so in the foreseeable future as she shook her head asking him "what is this really about?"
James turned around to look at her as he told her solemnly "Serena one day I won't be here and I want to know that my company is being left in the best hands possible for the future of what is at stake. Bradley's family is very knowledgeable of…"
Serena stood there shaking her head expecting he was just as he always has been hearing him once again speak of the good of his company above all else as she called him out telling him loudly "liar"
James stood up tall by her outburst as he looked to her surprised and shook his head telling her "excuse me, watch the way you speak young lady"
Serena looked to him knowing she had enough with this conversation and should have done what she had planned, as expected talking to her parents was a waste of her time as she folded her arms telling him stubbornly "you have every intention of having me marry Bradley well I won't do it, not for all the money in the world"
Her father looked to her seeing her stubborn streak rising again as he shook his head telling her "Serena we have given you the very best education possible and made you want for nothing; you have had everything that money can buy and"
Serena wanted to cry hearing the way her father went on speaking about all the monetary gain as she shook her head telling him back "made me want for nothing that is a laugh, the only thing I wanted was the one thing I never received from either of you, two loving parents who put my needs over their own for once in their life, well guess what you can't buy me father"
James looked to his daughter doubtful of her words and decided to remind her of who she is and the world she was born into as he shook his head telling her "really so you wouldn't mind losing your tuition to the fancy school you will be attending or how about all the designer clothes that are hanging in your closet or how about your Mercedes parked in the garage? How about that do you want to lose all these things Serena hmm, I bet Brandley Jensen is looking a bit better now isn't he"
Serena looked to him feeling sick to her stomach realizing her parents did not know her at all as she shook her head telling him coldly "keep it all of it. I do not want to go to the school that you and mother chose for me, or all the clothes hanging in my closet which were not picked out by myself, and I would rather take the bus then live with either one of you for another minute"
Muriel looked to her overhearing the entire conversation with a laugh replying back "and where do you think you will go hmm. Without us you have nothing are you going to go and get a job at the neighborhood grocer, or how about picking up weeds or taking out the trash. Now enough of this nonsense. You are too call up the Jensen's and apologize for your awful behavior we have a lot riding on this merger and you will do as you are told to do or end up with nothing"
Serena looked to her mother with disgust, knowing she just made sure of what she must do as she shook her head telling her back "I would rather have nothing, living in a shack with the man that I love, than be here for another moment with either one of you"
Serena looked to her mother's hurtful expression, but knew a woman with a heart of stone could not feel hurt or pity as she turned to walk past her mother and father with her mind completely made up and knew nothing would stop her this time when she heard her father called out behind her "wait one moment their young lady"
She let out a deep sigh then stopped walking as she turned back around to him saying a final goodbye "I think my choices were made clear for me and all that needed to be said has been done so"
James stepped forward as his whole demeanor changed from a second ago and he acted more calmly telling her "please we do not want to see our daughter end up on the streets. Come sit down we only wish to discuss this and I think things got a bit out of hand just now. Sit down and let us make a business proposition together. We raised you to be a smart girl Serena in the terms of business so let us sit down and I am sure we can work something out, a compromise if you will, so that everyone will get what they want from this deal"
Serena looked to her father incredulous that he could be so oblivious to what she wants and right now what she wants most is to put as much distance between them as possible before she explodes as she shook her head telling him back "really father a business proposition should we write up a contract and have it signed in blood as well, I am your daughter not some business deal"
Her looked to her with the fake smile she knew all too well after being forced to sit through many business dinners hearing him make all kids of promises he never intends to keep telling her "of course you are" then walked over and pulled out a chair for her to sit as he took hold of a pen from the desk telling her "that is why your mother and I want to have this meeting to be sure you are properly taken care of and happy. Now if you just sign on the dotted line"
Serena sat there as she saw her mother reach down to the desk and hold up said contract to destroy her dreams and knew that her true happiness meant nothing to them as she took the contract in hand and nodded her head telling them both "very well if you wish to continue with this, then I will let you know what I think of this matter" and ripped the contract in half and dropped the pieces down to the floor.
Her father looked to her angrily by her blatant disregard for good business as he shouted out "Serena what have you done do you know how many hours and lawyer's fees were put into getting all the terms of that completed"
Serena shook her head hearing the angry words of her father, which only steamed her up further as she pulled out her phone and looked down at the picture in her hand of her and Darien on the beach together the last good memory she had before returning back to this frozen wasteland as she put her hand down onto her stomach and shook her head telling them both "sorry no deal"
Her mother looked to her angrily hearing all the plans she made for herself the high society wedding she was already making plans for being destroyed as she shook her head yelling out "you ungrateful brat"
Serena smiled for the first time in days and let out a loud laugh seeing her parents whole world come crashing down with one word from her no as she looked to her parents upset faces telling them "you can see me however you wish, but I have already designed my own future and it does not involve either of you or the plans you have set out for me and is looking brighter by the second"
Muriel looked to her with a shake of her head as she wiped a tear from her eyes questioning back "and what are you talking about Serena what plans? What have you done now?"
Serena looked to her mother with a small grin knowing she would never approve of anyone not within the same social group she was a part of as she told her pleased "well it does not have to do with taking out the garbage, but if you must know I actually met someone on the island while you were both making your business deal, but he is not just someone" she smiled happily to herself knowing this would be the final blow to her parents telling them proudly "he is a surfer and lives on the island, probably in a little beach hut near the water somewhere. He has no real job to speak of other than playing his guitar at this tiki restaurant, but he is incredibly handsome and kind and brave"
Serena looked up seeing as she expected and partially hoped the look of complete disgust on her mother's face and the look of despair of long hours of planning on her father's face ruined as she continued on telling them "but most important he made me feel things that I have never felt before from either one of you. He made me feel loved and that I was important to him"
Muriel looked to her with a disgusted look obviously not listening or chose to ignore her last comment as she questioned back "an island boy really Serena you spent time with one of those dirty island boys what were you thinking"
Serena nodded her head knowing like normal her mother would not listen to what she had to say and judge only on appearances as she told her back proudly "yes I did. I spent most of my time there with him and he taught me how to surf and took me on a ride on his jet-ski. His name is Darien and I fell in love with him"
James looked to her as he let out a loud laugh seeing her a small child dreaming of some fantasy as he shook his head telling her "alright Serena enough of all of this nonsense, fine you had your little adventure on the island. Fine, fine, but now you are home now and it is time to focus back onto reality and get down to real business"
Serena stood there shaking her head knowing they did not listen to a single word that left her mouth as she told her father forcefully "back to business again of course, that is all it ever is with you, your precious business well this time it is not that easy father"
Her mother looked to her as she began to act offended telling her "come now Serena are you trying to make me upset with all of this nonsense about you falling in love with this surfer, it is completely ridiculous nonsense. Your father is right now let's settle down and talk about your real future and the future of this family"
Serena looked to them both knowing it was not the family they were concerned about, but themselves as usual as she shook her head telling them "no you can't tell me what I feel or don't feel. I love Darien and he loves me too, real love not just about money or power, but the way it is supposed to be when you fall in love with a person, real love that is deep with passion" as she put a hand down to her stomach and then looked up feeling overly confident as she told them "and if you wish to talk about the future of this family fine I will start, I am also having his child"
The room went silent by her announcement as she looked to her father who just stood there with his hand on his forehead, then over to her mother who stood there with her mouth hanging completely open which by her mother's standing was bad behavior as she continued on telling them with a grin "we love each other and this child is unexpected, but it is his and the product of our love and I want to keep it"
Her mother was the first to speak up, hearing of the mess her daughter made as she looked to Serena extremely upset yelling out "absolutely not, no one is going to know of this" as she wiped a tear from her eyes crying painfully "you did this on purpose didn't you, you did this just to hurt me, this is not the way we raised you to be, you did this just to get back at us. What if the society girls find out" as she looked to her daughter demanding "No you will undo this and undo it, now!"
Serena looked to her mother not surprised that once again her mother would find a way to turn her pregnancy and make it all about her as she shook her head telling her back "really mother I am the one who is having this baby and if you thought for one second about someone other than yourself you would see that. I am pregnant and scared it was only the one time we were together, but our love for each other created this miracle" as she put her hand down on her stomach telling them strongly "but it is mine and I am going to keep this child"
Her father looked to her as he jumped into the conversation shaking his head telling her obnoxiously "no absolutely not, your mother is right no one must ever know of this"
Serena turned to look at him hearing the way they completely took her thoughts out of this when it was her baby they were discussing, but wouldn't let it happen again not this time as she replied back telling him "its true father, I have made up my mind it is my choice and I am keeping this baby"
James looked to her as he began shaking his head telling her "you really have done it this time haven't you"
Serena shook her head hearing enough of this as she began to walk towards the door when she heard her father shout across the room "hold it right there, if you insist on keeping up with this, then you will do it our way and no one will know of this until we are ready. You will not speak a word of this to anyone is that understood"
Serena turned around not sure what they were planning now for her now as she let out a loud gulp knowing it would not be something she would approve of and heard her father continue on with his plans telling her "I have another copy of the contract at my office. You will sign the papers and we will get you married quickly to the Jensen boy and tell everyone that you got pregnant on your honeymoon yes that will work, that is what we will do"
Serena stood there shaking her head hearing of how her parents wanted to handle this situation as they saw it telling them back forcefully "have you not heard a single word that I have said I will not marry Bradley not now, not ever"
Her father shook his head as he sat back down at his desk, taking charge of the room telling her "it is a bit late for that now isn't it, due to your foolishness and the position you have placed me in I will clean up the mess you have brought on this family"
Serena looked to him as she made a tight fist knowing she would never agree to such a plan telling him back harshly "never, I would rather raise this child on my own then ever be married to that imbecilic jerk"
Her mother looked to her as she walked over behind her husband giving him her full support as she shook her head telling Serena back "you have already made a mess of things don't make it any worse for yourself by starting this marriage on the wrong foot. Bradley is a lovely boy and in time I am sure you will grow to realize that and if not, well at least you will keep your good name. Now you will do as your father has spoken and after the child is born, we will deal with what comes than, perhaps pay someone to forge some DNA results"
Serena looked to her parents knowing there way of doing business was ruthless to get what they want, but never thought they would go this far as she shook her head telling them back "do you hear yourselves this is all craziness. I fell in love and I will not deny Darien his child"
Muriel scoffed at her thoughts on this mess her daughter had caused with some island native saying back coldly "yes, and look at where it got you alone and pregnant by some random island boy. You have made us both so proud. Now you will not speak another word of this pregnancy to anyone is that clear, it does not leave this room. Now go back to your room and try on some baggy clothes and watch what you eat for the next few weeks we cannot have you adding on any extra weight and must do what we can to hide this abomination, while your father and I do what needs to be done to fix this"
Serena looked to them hearing them busily making their plans for her future and the future of this child as she shook her head crying back "you never cared about me at all have you, all you have ever worried about is what others will think of you. Well I can tell you what your grandchild will think of you, nothing" as she walked out the door slamming it shut behind her.
She ran back to her room with tears in her eyes knowing nothing would stop her this time as she quickly grabbed her bag off the bed and then stepped out of her room looking for a nosey butler, feeling certain the coast was clear, she quickly ran towards the front door and was about to make her exit when she heard Anna call out her name from behind her "Serena wait"
She turned around to look at Anna with tears streaming from her eyes telling her sadly "I'm sorry Anna I tried to talk do as you asked and talk to them but, they are horrible and the things they said in there"
Anna stepped over to her as she wrapped her arms around her tightly wishing it could be different telling her "I know, I was standing outside the door and overheard everything. Go on live your life, but be safe and happy with your own choices Serena"
Serena hugged her back knowing the one person she would miss most about this place while telling her sadly "I will Anna I'll miss you, but I will call as soon as I can, once I figure out what my next plan is"
Anna reached into her pocket knowing there was not much time and handed her a wad of cash with a rubber band wrapped around it telling her "here it's not much, but please take this"
Serena looked to the money Anna held out that she had been saving for years to go on her European vacation someday as she shook her head telling her sadly "Anna I couldn't possibly"
Anna put it in her hand as she wrapped her fingers around it tightly telling her confidently "Serena you have been like a daughter to me all these years and it is the least I can do please it will help me rest easier knowing you have something in your pocket now take it. I wish it could be more, but it is the best I can do for now please use it for you and the babe"
Serena walked over and gave her a quick hug goodbye as she told her with tears in her eyes "I will never forget you"
Anna hugged her back wishing she didn't have to let her go, but then heard Nigel come walking down the hall and knew she must do so before others realized her plan as she released her and nodded her head telling her forcefully "you must go now, quickly before they realize you have gone"
Serena looked back at her as she nodded her head knowing this was her only choice left, her way out and opened the door and did a quick look back to Anna who gave her a confirming nod of her head and then left the penthouse shutting the door behind her to this bitter cold world.
Nigel walked into the front hall with a suspicious look to find Anna standing by the door alone after hearing voices as he questioned "did I just hear Ms. Serena leaving"
Anna looked to him with a warm smile as she shook her head replying back "I don't know what you are speaking about Serena is in her bedroom" and then walked back down the hall.