Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 32

Author's Note: Hi everyone and thank you for coming Back each week to read the next chapter I do hope that you are enjoying the story so far, and I would appreciate any reviews or comments to show that you are interested in reading more of this story, Thanks for all your support in my stories and for anyone that celebrates Happy Hanukkah Thanks for all your continued support and please follow, favorite or send a review. Mars Light

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!

Serena stood in front of the mirror after changing her outfit for the fourth time, she looked herself over with her floral summer dress on as she shook her head stating "this isn't right either" she walked back over to the bed that had the other previously discarded choices lying on top as she took a deep breath in wondering why she was so nervous she had sat down and spoken with CEO's of large corporations, but the thought of meeting her new father-in-law brought a jitter down her spine.

She started to go through her bag once more to try to find an outfit that was appropriate that did not give of the impression that she was some superficial penthouse snob, who had married into their family and was going to be giving him a grandchild as she took a deep breath in wondering what kind of man to expect after marrying his son.

Her thoughts were distracted by a knock to the door as she looked over to the clock by the beside wither that Darien had been earlier than she expected. She took a deep breath in and then let it out and walked over to the door as she opened it to see her husband standing there with a gleam in his eyes as he held out a bright orange flower for her saying "a beautiful flower for a beautiful lady"

She reached out and took the offered flower with a little smile as she took in its sweet aroma replying back "its beautiful thank you" Darien nodded his head as he walked back into the door and looked down to the bed with all the clothes lying across it as he shook his head questionable asking "I take it you are not ready to go yet"

Serena put the flower down on the dresser beside her and looked over to the mess of clothes that took his attention away as she nervously replied "no, not yet I just need another moment and I will be ready, just let me change again quickly" as she reached down into her bag and started taking out two more dresses as she shook her head frustrated replying "no this isn't right either"

Darien let out a small chuckle seeing how nervous she appeared to be as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist then placed a small kiss to the back of her neck telling her "you look perfect just as you are"

Serena turned around in his arms as she placed her arms up around his neck to hold on tight as she shook her head telling him back "I really want to make a good impression on your father" Darien let out a small chuckle as he shook his head replying with a grin "why he didn't marry you I did?"

Serena looked to him with a small shake of her head hearing the way he was just trying to lighten the mood for her, but she still felt the butterflies roaming around in her stomach as she shook her head telling him "that may be so, but he is still your father and a part of your family and I just really want him to like me"

Darien let out a small chuckle having no concern himself whether his father approved or not it was his choice and his life to lead as he reached down and took her hand in his and placed a small kiss to the back of it telling her "everything will be fine you'll see, now how about we get this all cleaned up, then you and I can start the next chapter of our lives together"

Serena smiled at the thought as she nodded her head and went to grab for another dress telling him "alright just let me change one more time" Darien shook his head as he looked down to the dress that she wore that hugged her hips in all the right places replying back "if you must, but I think you look perfect just as you are"

Serena smiled as she looked to the man she had chosen to spend her life with and reached up placing a kiss on his cheek telling him "thank you, I just don't want to give off the wrong impression with him and look like a…" as she stopped and started biting down on her bottom lip trying to find the right words to express the different back grounds that they came from as she took a deep breath in and let it out telling him "I just want it to seem that I fit in here with you, after yesterday it didn't seem like your friends thought so, that I kind of stood out"

Darien let out a small laugh as he nodded his head telling her "you do kind of stand-out" she looked up to him shocked to hear that he didn't think she fit in here either as she opened up her mouth to reply, but he silenced her quickly with a kiss then put his hand up to her cheek telling her proudly "and there is nothing wrong with standing apart from the rest"

She looked to him with a warm smile feeling her confidence building as she looked herself over in the mirror once more and saw that he was right, she didn't look like the other girls on the beach yesterday, but she didn't look like a penthouse princess either, which only meant finding her new self in this place with her husband beside her as she looked over to the dresser where the orange flower he had brought to her lied that only bloomed brightest in this tropical oasis as she nodded her head telling him back "alright let's do this"

Darien nodded his head as he looked down to the bed that had her clothes scattered all around it as he looked to her with a small grin asking "shall we clean this up first" Serena looked down to the mess she had made as she let out a small chuckle replying back "of course" as they both reached down to the bed at the same time and grabbed onto a bright pink skirt as there hands touched and they felt a little spark between them as Darien released his hand away telling her back "maybe it would be better if I just wait over here"

Serena nodded her head as she let out a small gulp feeling the electric that ran between them and without worrying over folding anything quickly grabbed what was left on the bed and tossed it into her bag as she pushed down on the over flowing bag to get it to close as Darien let out a small chuckle and crossed the room over to her as he put his hand over her and she looked to him with a big smile seeing that he didn't pull away this time as he smiled telling her "allow me"

Serena took a deep breath in feeling her heart speed up just from being near him as she nodded her head and took a step back from the bed as she watched him get the suitcase closed and the zipper pulled around as she looked to him with a little smile saying "I guess you are a good man to have around"

Darien picked up the suitcase in his hand as he reached out his other hand for her own asking her "are you ready to go" she quickly looked around the small hotel room where they had taken the first steps in this new life they had started as a married couple and now they were embarking on their next journey together as husband and wife as she nodded her head telling him back "yes, let me just grab my purse"

Darien walked over and opened the door as he held it open for her, she quickly grabbed her purse and the flower as she walked out of the hotel room and took one last peak inside as Darien closed the door behind them and then reached out to take her hand in his own telling her "this is it, no turning back now are you nervous?"

Serena looked to him and let out a small smile knowing that was the one thing she didn't feel nervous about at all was standing here with him as she shook her head replying "no, not when I am with you"

Darien nodded his head as he kept his inward nerves to himself as they walked together down the hall wishing that he felt the same confidence she did at the moment.

He walked over and hit the down button for the elevator as they stood waiting for it to hit there floor she turned her head towards him questioning "did you handle everything you needed to at our new place" Darien blinked his eyes having to get used to it being called there's as he nodded his head back telling her "yes there is not much to it, its really just a small shack on the beach and nothing like your probably used to, but the view of the sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening is spectacular"

Serena looked to him with a gleam in her eyes replying back "I am sure it is perfect and once the baby comes, we will figure out the arrangements" Darien looked to her wondering what exactly she meant by arrangements, but did not get a chance to question it further as the elevator arrived at their floor and opened its doors as they stepped inside with three other couples all heading down to the lobby.

They reached the lobby and stepped out of the elevator as Serena walked up to the concierge desk, he waited to the side nervously for her return as she smiled telling "all set" he nodded his head as he took a deep breath in as they started to walk towards the exit door, he shook his head questionable telling her "Serena about my place there are certain things"

She looked to him with a small chuckle expecting that where he lives would probably be a bit of a bachelor's pad and would need a little sprucing up to make it feel like there family home as she nodded her head telling him "its okay I get it you have lived on your own for a while now and whatever is there are your personal belongings"

Darien nodded his head as he let out a small chuckle expecting that he was just thinking to much into this as they walked down the sidewalk to where he parked the car and opened up the trunk to put her bag inside as she looked to him saying back "I am sure we can figure out a compromise that we would both be happy with"

Darien looked to her again hearing her speak again of changing what was his even before she stepped foot in the place as he let out a gulp and opened up the door for her as he nodded his head saying back "compromise right" he quickly walked around to the other side of the car and got in as she looked to him seeing he seemed a bit on edge as she reached out and took his hand in her own as she smiled telling him "I do not want to take over what is yours Darien, it's just if this is going to be where I live too I want to feel as thought it is my home also"

Darien looked to her as he let out the breath, he held knowing he was over analyzing things and knew she was right; he couldn't expect her to come stay with him without wanting to make it feel like her own home also as he took her hand in his and placed a small kiss on the back of it telling her "I think we can come to some sort of compromise between us"

Serena looked to him with a little grin seeing the way his mood seemed to ease up much as she nodded her head telling him back "that's good its not like I have much to take up anyway, all the possessions I have are all in that bag" Darien looked to her surprised to hear that she didn't plan on getting anything back from her parent's place as he shook his head about to reply when she let out a small chuckle telling him "at least not until the baby arrives and then things will change"

Darien looked to her as he felt the pit rising in his stomach, he knew that babies needed a lot of things but hearing her say it like that meant his whole world would be changing as he looked down to her stomach where a child was growing inside as he nodded his head telling her "right" and then started the car as they drove down the road to his own childhood background.

Serena watched out the window as they drove further and further away from town, it seemed wherever Darien's father lived it was on the very outskirts of the island as she looked to him seeing that he kept his attention very fixated on the road ahead and with as many narrow paths as there were, she didn't blame him, but began to feel uncomfortable driving around in complete silence as she looked to him asking "are there any schools around here"

Darien kept his attention on the road ahead as he questioned back "excuse me" Serena sat up straight as she looked to him questioning "schools? You know for education I don't want junior here to miss out on getting a proper education, I would imagine that being on an island such as this that there are not many choices for ivy league schools, but I would like him or her to get a proper background"

Darien turned his head to look at her knowing of the exact type of schools that she spoke of that raised captains of industry otherwise known as snobs and he wanted no child of his to be a part of it as he shook his head telling her back "yeah there are schools, maybe not what your used to but he or she will do just fine"

Serena let out a small gulp hearing the edge to his voice as he spoke of the education their child could get here as she looked around them seeing where they drove and the endless water surrounding the small island they inhabited as she began to wonder if surfing was a basic course taught around here along with reading and writing as she shook her head asking him "is it much further?"

Darien kept his attention ahead as he silently brewed over the changes that would come with this child's arrival and all that it would mean of him being a father, having to change where he lives, and expectations for the kids schooling as he shook his head telling her "no, not much further"

She nodded her head as she looked to the sport's car, they currently drove in that did not have much of a backseat and certainly not enough space to fit a baby stroller in as she looked over to her husband seeing that he seemed very quiet and decided now might not be the best time to bring it up as she looked out the window in front of her saw some strange leafy plants growing nearby as she asked him "what are those?"

Darien did not have look to turn his head to know what she was speaking of the hundreds of plants that took overall all available space, that destroyed the trees and all killed all-natural habitats that grow on this island as he shook his head telling her displeased "there pineapple groves"

Serena looked out the window curiously never actually seeing for herself the way pineapples grow as she looked to him questioning back "from a plant? I thought they grow on tree" Darien took a deep breath in seeing the land that he knew all to well that his father has tried to get him into take an active interest in the company for years as he shook his head telling her "it is a common misconception"

Serena turned her head to look back out thew window seeing row upon row of plants as she looked to him questioning "do they grow here naturally, it looks like whoever owns this land, takes very good care of these plants"

Darien nodded his head knowing that was only a small part of it, that she was right in one sense his father did take an interest in the crops, that maintained his fortune, more so than he ever did in his own son's life as he nodded his head telling her back "yes you could say that, these plants are mass produced to sell across the entire country and make enough of a profit to live very comfortably"

Serena turned her head back to look to see what Darien had spoken of and realized that what she had seen was only a small portion of the groves as she looked to him questioning "you seem to know a lot about these plants?"

Darien nodded his head as he kept his eyes on the road ahead and made a quick sharp right turn onto a smaller dirt path telling her "yes, well they belong to my father"

Serena looked out seeing the further they drove off the main road the rows of pineapples that his father tended to seemed to get further into the distance as she turned back to him expecting like his son, Darien's father enjoyed being outside, working with his hands all day, tending to these amazing plants as she smiled asking him "is he a farmer?"

Darien shook his head as he kept his attention on the winding path replying back innocently "yeah something like that" as he sped up the car down the unpaved road.

Serena sat in her seat watching as he sped up down the unpaved road as she reached out and took hold of the arm rest feeling uncomfortable with the speed that he was taking down a narrow path that led through the trees as she shook her head about to tell him to slow down, when finally, he slowed the car down and they reached what looked like a huge iron gate and a call box.

She sat there silently as he punched a code into the box and the gates opened and they proceeded to drive down a stone pathway until he parked in front of a gigantic house.

Serena looked up to the giant structure in front of them, that was larger than grand central station as she turned her head to look back at him realizing what they were driving on hadn't been a dirt road at all, it was a driveway as she found her voice questioning "this is where your father lives"

Darien nodded his head knowing there would be some explaining to do, but for now decided to keep it simple telling her "yes this is the place" as he opened up his own car door wand walked around to open her door for her as he held out his hand to help her up as she stood up in front of the mansion before her, seeing it looked even larger now as she blinked her eyes not expecting this when she turned her head hearing a man yelling "you cannot park your car here"

She let out a small smirk seeing the man looked very much like her own butler Nigel back at home as she looked up to Darien to see how he would react, but to her surprise he didn't seem to show any concern as he walked up and patted the man on the shoulder as he gave him his keys replying innocently "and I am sure you can handle it Jery, now I am here to visit my father is he in"

Serena stood behind him watching the interaction between them seeing the butler took an obvious dislike to Darien as he shook his head replying back "this is a surprise two visits within a short distance" Serena kept her mouth shut as she looked up to the large estate in front of her and wondered what position Darien's father actually held around here as she heard Darien speak up telling him "yeah well he is expecting us is he here"

Gerald looked behind him seeing that he did not come alone this time and had a girl with him, who did not seem like the usual type that he chose to spend his time with as he nodded his head telling him abruptly "he's inside"

Darien gave him a quick pat on the back as he took hold of Serena's hand in his own telling her
"let's go" as he walked up to the front entrance, she hesitated for a second expecting that he would knock, but he didn't as he opened the large iron door and walked inside.

She hesitantly followed him in as she looked around at the large foyer they currently stood in as she watched Darien walked ahead and look in a few rooms, she bit down on her lower lip feeling like she was missing something out of this as she questioned "your father lives here"

Darien turned around to look at her expecting by now he would have to tell her something when another voice broke out disrupting him stating "oh good lord what are you doing back here again"

Serena turned her attention to the top of the stairs to see a woman most likely whoever it is who actually owned this estate come walking down the steps, she quickly knew exactly the type of woman that she was the type her mother would worn her about staying away from at the club who would never last long who only married into money as she looked to Darien waiting for his reply as he shook his head stating with a laugh "always a pleasure to see you too"

Claudette looked to him with obvious distaste as she continued walking down the steps and shook her head replying back "your father is a very busy man and does not have time for your games what are you doing here"

Serena looked to the woman in front of her seeing already that she did not like her already, but to Darien's credit he did not seem to put the woman's harsh treatment of her staff to any mind as he smiled and took her hand in his own telling the woman "I am sure my father would be willing to spare a few moments of his time, but you two have yet to meet this is my wife Serena"

Serena looked seeing for whatever reason the woman seemed to take an obvious dislike and sudden coldness hearing that he had gotten married and it only brought about more questions as she smiled at the woman telling her kindly "it is a pleasure to meet you?"

Claudette though showed no interest in being civil or kind as she held her head up high replying sternly "wait until your father hears about this" Darien looked to her with a small grin telling her "I intend to if you would be so kind as to tell him we have arrived"

Serena looked to Darien surprised she knew the woman had obviously shown a great deal of contentment towards him, but would not expect that he would give her an order as she looked to the woman waiting to see what her response would be, but was even more surprised to see her lift her head up high and actually do as he asked.

Serena looked around where they stood once more and then back to the man who stood beside her, who drove one of the nicest cars she had ever seen, was able to keep his own place by surfing all day and working a few nights playing in a band at a small tiki restaurant and even though he dressed in shorts and t-shirts up until now she had not realized the designer label on them as she shook her head questioning "your father works at this estate?"

Darien turned his head as he walked along and picked up a few knick knacks of a table as he looked to them each seeing without knowing how expensive they were knowing Claudette was spending his father's money well as he nodded his head telling her "yeah sort of"

Serena looked watching the way he walked around comfortably, picking up things as though he owned the place asking "what exactly does your father do here?" Darien turned around to look at her expecting for a smart girl that she would have already figured it out telling her "he lives and works here Serena; this is my father's house"

Serena looked to him trying to make sense of this as she shook her head questioning "you mean he works for the estate like a grounds keeper or something right?" But just saw as he shook his head telling her back "no, I mean like he owns this place"

He watched as her mouth dropped opened and she looked around where they stood, seeing the place was at least ten to eleven times the size of her family's penthouse as she looked back at him seeing the way he crossed his arms over his chest.

Darien stood waiting for whatever comment would come seeing as she looked around after finally learning the truth about him that he was a rich man's son just as she was as he looked to her seeing the perplexed look she had stating "go on say what you want"

Serena shook her head not realizing how she didn't see it sooner, how he understood her and all the problems that she had faced better than most because he was her and had probably faced many of the same challenges as she felt her breath hit in her stomach asking the question aloud "this is where you grew up?" while already knowing the answer.

She looked to him seeing he suddenly stood up tall no longer the charismatic surfer boy she had come to expect only to find the son of a wealthy land owner standing in his place as she shook her head wondering how many more secrets that he had kept hidden well from or at least she thought he had as the realizations came pouring in and she found herself amazed she didn't see it sooner asking him "the car you drive, you didn't just win that car surfing did you?"

Darien looked to her with a stern expression, seeing like with most as soon as they know that he is the son of the business tycoon, there whole perspective around him suddenly changes as he crossed his arms and shook his head telling her knowingly "no I didn't"

Serena stood there as she wiped her hands over her face thinking about the car, the jet skis, the speed boat, all of it while trying to comprehend that a moment ago she thought she was married to a simple surfer, only to find out all of this, that he is the son of a wealthy plantation owner as she looked to him amazed asking "all of this belongs to you?"

Darien looked to her seeing the expectation come soaring in, which he would need to put a stop to it before got the wrong impression as he shook his head telling her coldly "no Serena, all of this belongs to my father"

Serena looked to him not understanding what the difference would be, when he obviously enjoyed driving around in fancy cars and knew he had come from a similar background with having only the finest things given his way as she questioned "why wouldn't you tell me. I mean I would understand you know that I come from a similar back ground, my father runs his own company as well and"

Darien let out a loud laugh hearing her compare her family's company with his fathers fortune as he kept his face stern and lacking of any emotion as he replied back telling her "it is not the same Serena; my father owns more than just the one business. He owns most of the property on this island, including…"

Serena looked to him with a sudden understanding of how everyone knew him and gave him pretty much whatever he asked for, as the sudden realization came to her on how he was able to get the information so easily on what room she had been staying in at the hotel as she looked to him asking "the hotel?"

Darien nodded his head yes without further comment knowing what she was leading onto as she felt a tightness growing in her chest and was not sure what kind of game he had been playing with her and all the others who had come before or after she had left the island, as she began to wonder if in some way this was all a game to him to get back at his father, that he seduced and manipulated unknowing woman that had come to stay in his father's hotel and have a good time with them as she looked back at him asking "why? Why did you?"

Darien shook his head knowing that to try to explain that would take him days as he shook his head telling her "there is much you still do not know about me?"

She looked to him and let out a laugh realizing with every second that passed by that she stood within this beautiful mansion how much that is true as she nodded her head telling him "yes I see that now"

Darien turned to look at her as he took a deep breath in telling her "maybe this was a mistake coming here and we should go to speak privately" before Serena could reply another voice entered the room as he called out cheerfully "Darien my boy, good to see you"

Serena looked over to the staircase to see a man come walking down in a dark grey business suit, she could definitely see the resemblance between father and soon seeing as how his father looked like a more distinguished Darien only with a few more greying hairs as she saw Darien walk up to the man not with a happy greeting, but kept his face plain and calm as they shook hands with him replying "hello father"

She was unsure what the coldness Darien showed to his father because unlike with her own parents the man seemed warm and friendly as he patted his son on the shoulder with a friendly greeting telling him "glad to have you my boy, glad to have you" as he walked the rest of the way down the steps and saw a girl waiting at the bottom of the steps and looked to his son with a simple nod of his head.

Darien let out a nervous gulp unsure what was about to be said here as his father walked down the steps seeing the girl in front of him who was obviously of good breeding who was having his grandchild no less, in which his son had come to him asking for his assistance with getting rid of certain matters as he smiled telling her "welcome my boy told me you were a lovely girl and I can see that is true"

Serena looked to the older gentleman in front of her being used to men of his age making such come on comments about her as she smiled and walked up beside Darien telling him pleasantly "thank you sir, it is a pleasure to be meeting you"

Philip walked down the steps as he patted Darien on the shoulder seeing this girl might be exactly what he needs to get his son on tract as he nodded his head telling her "no the pleasure I assure you is all mine miss"

Darien cleared his throat knowing it was now or never as he spoke up telling him "her name is Serena father and I know this may come as a surprise to you but we were married yesterday evening"

Serena looked to Darien surprised and a little bit annoyed that he would just blurt something like that out so suddenly as she looked to the man in front of her unsure how he would react to there news but to her surprise the man started to laugh as he walked down the rest of the steps commenting "well this is a surprise, wonderful, wonderful news"

Darien looked to his father unsure of what his initial reaction was to their news and knew in some way his father was planning on a way to make this all about him as he looked to Serena who smiled telling him back "I am very pleased to be a part of your family"

Darien nodded his head expecting that she was pleased, pleased with the sudden fortune she found herself being apart of as his father greeted her warmly stating "yes well my boy has done well for himself a beautiful girl and a child on the way"

Serena looked to him surprised to hear that he knew of the baby as well as she placed her hand over her stomach telling him "yes I am sure this all comes as a surprise for you"

Philip nodded his head as he kept on a joyous smile telling her "yes, but it is wonderful news is it not my boy, now come there is much to discuss regarding your future"

Darien looked to his father with a shake of his head telling him "Serena and I have already discussed all the particulars there is nothing more to discuss"

Philip looked to him with a shake of his head replying back "nonsense you have a wife and a child now to support, it is time for you to start showing some initiative, on how you are going to support them"

Darien shook his head expecting to hear his father go on about how it is time for him to take his place in the family business once more which he wanted no part of it and was about to tell him so, but was instead blocked by Serena who walked up besides his father as she smiled telling him "this really is a lovely home you have here"

Philip looked to the girl with a warm smile telling her "thank you my dear" as they walked into the parlor together and Darien followed closely behind them having no intentions of rearranging his life style for his father who was trying to control his life and his now wife who was trying to change everything about him to what she saw before her.