Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 36

Authors Note: Hi everyone and thank you for all the reviews that I received for the last chapter. This chapter was especially difficult for me to write after dealing with a personal experience myself so many of the emotions that are conveyed in this chapter are from firsthand experience and while I would love to always hear any and all feedback. I do ask for this chapter because the feelings expressed do have to deal with my own personal loss no flames please, but feel free to send your thoughts in a review. Thanks for reading and following along and I hope you do continue to enjoy the story. Thanks Mars Light

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

Serena lied down in the hospital bed as she looked up at the sterile blank wall ahead and wiped away another tear from her eyes, she placed her hand down to her stomach feeling as though there were a child growing inside of her still, but knowing there was no longer.

She covered her eyes with her hands wanting it all to be just another horrible nightmare and felt the crushing pain in her heart instead that assured her it was real as she thought of all that could have been and began to cry again for a child that she had loved which would never get to take its first breath.

She was startled away from her aching thoughts by hearing a slight knock at the door and turned her head away expecting it was just another nurse to come in and check on her asking the same question once again of how she was feeling when there was no cure for a broken heart or spirit.

She wiped away the last remaining tears from her eyes and slowly put her hands down to her stomach, not feeling ready to let go or deal with any company yet, hearing any of their false sympathies when she was the one who knew and felt the pain that no bandage would cover that was hurting deeply inside.

She took a deep breath in and tried to appear calm and strong, when inside she was cracked and fragile as she watched the door slowly open and none other than the one man she never wanted to see again, Darien walked into the room holding a bouquet of wild flowers out for her saying uncertain "I found these down in the gift shop and well there not as nice as some of the ones on the island, but I thought they would do"

She quickly turned her head away from him to look out towards the open window, so not to have to face him or any reminder of what had been and was now lost to her forever.

Darien stood there grasping the flowers in his hand as he let out a long sigh, seeing she wouldn't even face him now and seeing what he had done to cause this, he couldn't blame her either.

He looked down to the flowers in his hands and shook his head pitifully knowing it was a futile attempt at an apology and slowly walked up closer to her bed as he placed the flowers down on the small side table next to it, while knowing no amount of flowers he could purchase would ever take away the pain she was feeling.

He took a step back from the bed and thought of all the promises that he had made to her that day she agreed to marry him that he would be there, that she wouldn't have to go it alone as he saw the empty chair by her bedside and tied to keep one of the promises he had made and went over to sit down in the chair, while trying to find the right words to express the deep guilt he felt for his actions while he saw that she still kept her eyes focused away from him.

He sat there for a minute or two in the complete uncomfortable silence that lasted between them and finally took a deep breath in trying to find something to say to break the continuous silence asking her plainly "how are you feeling?" but knew right after asking the question, it was the wrong thing to ask because he already knew the answer as he heard her silent whimpers as a reply.

He closed his eyes for a moment and could feel the pain that she felt through her tears because he felt it to as he slowly stood up from the chair he sat in, knowing even when he came to try to fix things it had only made things that much worse and caused her further pain and suffering as he began to question every decision he had made, leading up to this moment telling her sincerely "I'm so sorry Serena"

She closed her eyes tight wanting to block out and forget the sound of his voice, but could still hear the loud screaming going on earlier between him and her parents echoing through her head and then could picture that horrible moment when the doctor entered the hospital room she was in and told her the news that would break her heart in two, that they couldn't detect a babies heartbeat as shook her head trying to find someone to blame for all of this happening, when feeling deep inside she knew she was the one to blame for not being able to protect her child as she asked him quietly "are you?"

Darien took a deep breath in and let it back out slow, he knew he deserved such comments from her seeing as how he had handled everything wrong from the beginning and in doing so felt less of a man from her cold words to him knowing they were all true. He deserved to stand here and face her judgement after telling her in so many words when he first found out about all of this that he didn't want the child, and then again lied to her by saying he didn't care and turning his back on both of them, but now he wished he could take it all back as he let out a deep breath admitting the truth stating "I am sorry"

He stood there, but heard no reply and knew there was so much more to be said and yet knew nothing that he could say would make any difference or change what did happen telling her sorrowfully "I know you don't want to hear this, but I will tell you anyway. I am deeply sorry for the things I said before and I may have rushed certain choices without thinking them all the way through, but I honestly never meant" he stopped and took a deep breath in and let it back out telling her truthfully "I didn't want this to happen"

He stood for a second longer waiting to see if she would respond at all to his apology, but seeing all she did was continue to stare out at the open window as he took a deep breath in knowing there were some things even an apology couldn't fix as he sunk his shoulders lower telling her "I'll leave now if that is what you want, I just needed to tell you how truly, truly sorry I am"

He turned around slowly to walk back towards the door back to whatever awaited him there when he heard her whisper of a comment asking "why are you here?" he turned around surprised to hear her make any sort of comment to him at all, to find she had turned back around to face him with a blank stare and weary eyes that were hung low from the tiredness and grief she was experiencing while she waited for his answer to come.

He stood there with the empty space between them trying to find the right words to convey his apology to give her the answer she was looking for that would not make everything worse than it already was, as he reached down into his back pocket and felt the small ring inside of it as he took a deep breath in and then let it out then went to sit back down in the chair deciding what he needed to do is what he came here to do in the first place and admit the truth saying back "Serena that day on the beach, about us I said somethings that…"

She looked to him with cold eyes hearing him speak of the moment that she never wanted to remember that left her crushed inside and wishing she could change time so she would never have to have met him at all and stop the hurting she felt now as a result of it, but at the same time she never wanted to forget that there had been a child that would have been hers as she told him back sharply "there is no us, the only thing that kept us together is gone now, so what are you still even doing here? there is no more baby, there is no reason for you to pretend and still be here. Go home Darien"

Darien looked to her tired face and could see the trace of all the tears she had been crying and knew he was responsible for putting them there, but after the encounter he had with her parents he knew all to well what she had been trying to escape from as he shook his head telling her apologetically "I know you don't believe me, but I am sorry about what happened Serena I really am, but I'm not just going to leave you here like, abandon you right now when it is so obvious you are hurting and screaming out inside for help, well I'm not going to run this time, I'm here to help you"

She let out a small laugh as she felt the pain in her abdomen grow by doing so, after hearing him say now that he was going to be there, now when it was too late that he wanted to be there, and for how long before he would realize his error and turn away from her again, which only made the pain in her heart continue to grow further as she tried to sit up slowly on the bed as he reached his hand over to help her sit up, but she pushed his arm away telling him forcefully "I don't need, nor do I want your help"

Darien let out a deep breath as he took his hand away slowly hearing the lethal way, she spoke to him as he stepped back and had to stand by and watch her struggle on her own to sit up as he begged "just let me help you?" as he reached his arm out to help again, but just felt her hand slap his away as she closed her eyes tight and he watched a single tear escape down her cheek replying back "don't touch me again"

He nodded his head quietly and placed both of his hand down into his pockets as he turned back to the open door and knew he could follow her wishes and just turn around and walk out that door, part ways here forever, for good as she told him to do so, but found surprising himself the more she told him to leave, the more he knew he had to stay as he shook his head replying back "say what you will of me, but I'm not leaving here, not until we talk first Serena"

She looked to him feeling her anger blazing inside from a man who abandoned her, who abandoned their child only to find comfort with another a short time afterwards as she shook her head telling him forcefully "you've done enough already, you say you want to talk now, you didn't want to talk when you left me standing there alone, abandoned us, but that is all you have ever done is run, so why don't you just go back home your good at running away and turning a blind eye to everything, but yourself. Why don't you go back to find Eva? I am sure she is waiting for you?"

Darien took a deep breath in and let it back out hearing what she thought of him now and knew that he deserved every bit of it as he looked back to the door knowing he could just walk out that door right now and continue with the life he had led so far with no remorse or questions, but wouldn't as he shook his head and turned back to her stating firmly "I came here to find you didn't I"

Serena looked to him waiting, expecting for him to turn and leave at any moment, which so far he had yet to do and was unsure why he was still standing here now, when what they had between them, which he made perfectly clear was the only reason he stood by for as long as he did, was now gone forever telling him back coldly "yes, but now the one thing that held us together is gone, you don't have to act like any of this matters to you any longer, so why are you still here?"

Darien looked to her with a slight shake of his head after hearing her speak of everything they shared together as a lie, when he knew from the week, he had spent without her, it was not. Knowing over the days that passed he had been unable to think of much else, but her, which left him further confused with himself, he had never cared for anyone like this before and had no problem with not knowing what happened to any of the other girls he met after their time together, but this time was different and he had seen too much and knew too much as he looked her saying truthfully "I need to know that you will be alright?"

She looked to him with a shake of her head knowing even when his words said one thing his actions spoke another all to clearly and he didn't care for her at all. He would leave again and go back to his perfect world and the blonde she first found him with on the beach or with Eva who made it all to clear that she was only another pretty face to him, as she shook her head wishing she had only seen it sooner telling him back "that's a laugh. I am the last person you actually cared about with all of your adoring fans"

Darien heard a steady beep and looked over seeing the heart rate monitor they had her connected to was spiking up from the added emotional stress she was putting herself under as he shook his head trying to level the situation back down by saying back gently "that's not true Serena" surprising even himself with his words that he did really care about what happened to her, even without the child between them, there was some sort of undeniable spark as he told her strongly "I am staying here because I want to help you"

She looked away from him not wanting to feel as though she were the charity case of the week and crossed her arms over her chest replying back just as stubbornly "I don't need your help"

Darien let out a small smirk hearing the stubbornness behind her voice while wishing he had seen more of this same stubbornness within her around her own parents with whom she seemed to cower before and let them run her life and make all the wrong choices for her doing so as he crossed his own arms and nodded his head challenging back "I think you do, more then you realize"

Serena shook her head feeling tired and aggravated with having everyone telling her how she should or should not be feeling and trying to decide all her decisions for her as she reached over and grabbed the flowers he left by the bed and through them back his way telling him back strongly "I was fine before you came into my life and I will be fine once again after you leave" as she burst into tears screaming out "just leave, just go already"

Darien dropped his shoulders down as he looked down to the floor where the flowers now laid, and hearing what she wanted most was for him to leave so they would both start over, if that were possible as he took a deep breath in telling her sincerely "if that is what you want, I will go" as he walked up closer to the bed and reached down into his back pocket and placed the small key ring down on the side table in front of her saying back apologetically "I'm sorry I never got you a real one" as he turned around to walk towards the door.

He walked slowly towards the door, but felt with each step he took there was an invisible rope pulling him back to her side, until he finally stopped walking and heard her cries continuing on as he slowly turned around to see her holding onto the ring he had just left there as she looked down to it speaking her thoughts aloud "mother was right I should have just listened to her in the first place and never went to that stupid island, then none of this would have ever happened"

Darien felt a tightness in his throat grow, hearing her deep regret, but what bothered him more was the general acceptance of what they wanted from her.

He knew the girl he spoke to on the island did not want that at all and wanted to break free of the cage she was kept locked inside of, as he thought of the scene he had walked into earlier with her down on her knees begging to stop what her parents expected to gain out of her and began to wonder if he had not been there to end the charade, if perhaps she might have eventually agreed and gone through with her parent's arrangement as he walked further back into the room and leaned up against the opposite wall with a shake of his head asking calmly "do you always do as your parents ask?"

Serena looked up surprised to see he was still in the room and had not left yet after all, but was standing against the wall looking to her with a challenge as she shook her head wanting to deny his comment say that she could do as she wanted and be what she is, but knew all she really is, is what her parents had planned and expected of her. She had never defied her parents anything before at least not until he came around and shook her head explaining "they only do what they think is best for me"

Darien let out a small chuckle as he shook his head knowing she was only fooling herself into believing this, that what he had heard from her and witnessed himself had nothing to do with what was best for Serena at all and everything to do with what benefited them as he told her back "for your own sake I wish that were true Serena I really do, but you see we are the same and I know what you are going through better than you think"

She looked to him and rolled her eyes back with disbelief thinking she would have nothing in common with a selfish womanizer such as he is and shook her head telling him forcefully "I am nothing like you"

Darien nodded his head understanding far more then he ever let onto about the cold life she led that he chose to leave far behind him filled with greed as he went and took the open seat by her bed again to her obvious displeasure as he explained "I was not up front with you about a lot of things and there were somethings I never told you, but if you would listen, I would really like to explain it to you now"

She looked to him with a small scoff having no interest on anything he had to say replying back "I have been unable to get you to stop speaking yet" Darien let out a small chuckle hearing in her own way that She looked to him with a loud scoff having no interest in hearing anything he had to say, that he expected would change anything between them when it wouldn't replying back "I have been unable to stop you so far" as she crossed her arms tightly he let out a small chuckle hearing in his own way, that she had no interest in his admittance, but would still continue to listen as he nodded his head and spoke one name "Daisy Walker"

Serena looked to him with a shake of her head hearing him mentioning here and now, while she was stuck in a hospital bed another girl's name asking with as much sarcasm she could muster to her voice "another one of your adoring fans"

Darien let out a small scoff after not letting himself think of that name in a long time telling her back "not exactly, but she was something alright bright, funny, smart she was my girl, we had been together for years. I thought she was going to be the one, you know"

Serena looked to him with a shake of her head expecting this girl of his, that he spoke of so fondly as the one had something to do with why he chose to use all those other girls herself included, questioning sharply "does this story of yours have a point?"

Darien nodded his head as he took a deep breath in thinking about a past, he wanted to forget and what he had lost by having her chose to give up on them to follow her parent's wishes instead of being with him as he looked to the girl in front of him knowing she was being led down a similar path stating back "yes Daisy was my first love, we spent much of our time together down at the beach, but like you she always followed her parent's wishes"

Serena looked to him as she crossed her arms over her chest not interesting in hearing more of this girl that he had once been in love with, that he now blamed her for whatever she did to him by finding someone else, or moving on without him, as she questioned back "are you going to be getting to a point soon"

Darien nodded his head knowing he didn't want to let history repeat itself once again as he let out a long sigh and continued on telling her "yes, I had gone to the main land to visit my mother for a few weeks the last trip I had taken there until now that is, but when I returned back home things were different then when I had left"

She looked to him feeling intrigued to want to learn more, but did not want to let it show as she let out a yawn trying to seem uninterested asking sarcastically "let me guess she left you for someone else and that is why you won't let any other girl get close to you now"

Darien looked to her knowing that he had broken every promise he had made to himself that day, when he left that other part of himself that he kept a safe distance apart free by sitting here now and replied back "something like that yes. Daisy's parents, they never took an interest in her or what she wanted, they only saw for what usefulness she could mean for them, but I supposed I never saw it coming either, although I probably should have"

Serena lifted her head up feeling slightly alarmed knowing that this girl that he spoke of, her parents did sound vaguely familiar, but tried to convince herself she was nothing like her as she looked to him asking curiously "alright I'll bite what happened with her"

Darien looked to her with a small smile knowing he had her full attention now as he sat back and finished his story telling her "Kyle Francis we were all school buddies together, Kyle always had a crush on Daisy. I didn't know how much at the time, but while I was away, his parents made a deal with Daisy's to grow their company's profits and her parents at the thought of gaining more money and power instantly agreed to it and convinced her, it was what was best for the family and she married him. When I returned, I found out about their arrangement when I confronted her about it, she told me it was all in good business"

Serena grew quiet hearing his story knowing it did sound very familiar to her own story about how her parents were trying to push her into an unwanted marriage with Bradley Jensen and could feel how much he must have been hurting to find out about her the way he did as she shook her head telling him "I was not like her, you and I we were married, it was you that pushed me away"

Darien let out a deep breath knowing she was right and this time it was he that did the pushing away as he nodded his head trying to find away to explain telling her apologetically "your right I did for the wrong reasons and for whatever it is worth I'm sorry, but I really do know the hurt that you felt because I have not let anyone else really get close since that day. and all for what so they could gain power and more money. I approached my father afterwards looking for answers and do you know his response to me was?"

She shook her head trying to find reason to hate him, but was hearing this whole other side to him she didn't know even existed as she nodded her head saying "go on" he looked to her glad to see she wasn't asking him to leave yet as he continued on telling her "he told me that is the way of business and that to make a company successful there are sacrifices to be made, and he expected me to follow in his footsteps and that is why four years ago I left everything behind and started a new life for myself and I have never looked back not once, that is until that day at my father's. After hearing the two of you speak while going on about growing the company's profits and gaining more power doing so and then you wanted me to join in my father's company, I thought you were going to be like them too and focus on only one thing"

She looked to him knowing now this other side of him and could understand why he wanted nothing to do with his father's company as she wrapped her arms around herself tightly thinking it could have been easier if he had just opened up to her sooner and told her all of this instead of leaving her behind as he did and spared her the pain she was feeling now as she shook her head telling him "you could have just told me, I was not like her, I would have understood"

He sat there for a second and saw that she didn't seem to hold up the strong walls to keep him out right now as he leaned forward and gently reached out as he covered her hand in his own telling her tenderly "I know I did handle this whole situation wrong. I'm definitely not perfect, but now you see me as I am a rich man's kid too. I grew up being handed everything that money can buy, along with every expectation that comes along with it. For people like us love is not something that ever comes for free Serena, you have to buy it"

She looked down to their touching hands surprised that he did understand almost to well, but quickly turned back away from him not wanting to let herself caught up again with the way he could get her to put her guard down with his words alone telling him back firmly "it doesn't matter, you did push me away instead of taking the time to talk to me and tell me what was bothering you and now whatever bond we had between us is gone, so you don't have to worry any longer about me changing your perfect world"

He let out a long sigh thinking he was starting to get through to get her to see what she was choosing was wrong, but just as quickly the walls she put around herself came back up even stronger now as he reached down and picked up the small metal key ring as Andy's words echoed through his head telling him she married you without even thinking you had any money to your name as he shook his head telling her "you still are my wife"

Serena turned back to look at him and let out a small laugh to hear him speak of their short-lived marriage as anything, but what it was a complete disaster as she shook her head telling him "come on now Darien with that joke of a wedding ceremony, your wife, when the ship captain who was too drunk to even remember my name and ended up collapsing to the floor right afterwards"

Darien took a deep breath in and nodded his head knowing nothing out of that arrangement had really turned out the way he had expected it to, but the thought of losing her to someone else over money and power also left a sinking feeling inside of him because he knew she was better than that as he shook his head telling her "alright I admit it wasn't the most romantic of settings, but it didn't make it or my intentions any less real"

Serena looked at him seeing a desperate vulnerability there and remembering for the briefest of moments the tenderness that he had shown on their first night, there only night together as husband and wife, only so he could turn around and push her away because of this Daisy person, and breaking her heart all over again in the process as she stated with a calmness she did not feel "so what then do you want to get an annulment because I won't argue it. I know you want your freedom, so you don't have to worry about anyone getting close again, that is what you want isn't it, not to let anyone in, so go ahead all of the girls are waiting for you back home, including Eva"

Darien let out a long sigh hearing her once again bringing up Eva and wished he had never acted as he did in front of her and tried to push her away the way he did all others, because maybe if he had done things differently and not spoken to her the way he did and come clean about everything, they would not be standing where they are now as he shook his head full of regret telling her "no that is not it, that is not why I told you what I did, Serena I…" when he stopped being interrupted by hearing the door open from behind them and turned to see a nurse come walking in the room as he looked to her knowing now was not a good time for an interruption asking "could we please have just another moment alone, we are having a private conversation"

Serena looked to the nurse with a small sigh of relief glad to have the interruption before she found herself believing in anymore of his lies and shook her head telling her calmly "no, that is not necessary we have said all that is needed to be said and we are done speaking now"

Darien looked to her with a small shake of his head knowing she was trying her best to push him away and using this interruption to do it, but this time it would be different and he was not going to let himself lose, because there was too much at stake and he could be just as stubborn if not more so at times to get what he wants as he crossed him arms over his chest and told her "that is not true, it's not over yet"

The nurse looked between them and could see that there was definitely something going on between them when she walked into the room as she stayed all business and shook her head telling them humorlessly "well I have a job to do" and went over to check Serena's vitals and take her blood pressure as she looked over to Darien telling him firmly "I am going to have to ask you to leave the room please"

Darien's face dropped at the thought that there could be something further wrong with her as he looked to the nurse nervously shaking his head asking apprehensively "why? is there something wrong?" which caused Serena to look up at the nurse alarmed questioning "is there?"

The nurse gave her a tender smile knowing she was jumping to the wrong conclusion as she reached down and patted her hand telling her calmly "no dear your blood pressure is slightly elevated, but nothing to concern about" as she looked over to Darien telling him sternly "it is the parent's wishes that only family members be allowed in to this room. I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave sir"

Darien looked to her with a shake of his head seeing even now her parents were trying to control who she sees and speaks with as he stood up tall telling her sharply "well I am her husband, so I guess that makes me family"

The nurse looked to Serena for confirmation as she looked back over to Darien seeing that he had no intentions of leaving things the way they are and reluctantly nodded her head telling her back "it's true"

The nurse nodded her head knowing that she had obviously walked into something earlier, but judging by the girl's behavior, she expected the boy was no real threat as she looked to him saying "very well with that being the case you may stay, but she needs to take it easy, no added stress or physical assertion is that clear"

Darien nodded his acceptance while the nurse turned her attention back to Serena as she told her kindly "the doctor will be in shortly to speak with you about any further follow up appointments needed with your OBGYN and then we will get your papers ready for discharge"

Serena nodded her head glad to be told that she would at least be getting released soon and would then just have to figure out for herself what comes next as she replied back telling her quietly "thank you" while Darien looked to the nurse asking curiously "how soon after she is released will she be ready to travel?"

Serena looked to him surprised by the question while the nurse commented back telling him unaware "as long as she feels up to it, she can travel as soon as she is ready" and then looked over to Serena with a warm smile telling her "take care of yourself dear" as she turned to walk out of the room

Darien looked to her with a genuine smile to hear there would be no lasting effects telling her "it sounds like they are going to let you out of here soon that is good news" Serena turned to look at him with a simple nod of her head knowing that he was avoiding the question that he himself brought up asking back "yes and where am I supposed to be traveling to"

Darien looked to her with a shrug of his shoulders stating as though it were already a foregone conclusion replying back "home with me"

Serena began to laugh aloud to hear him speak as though nothing happened between them and they were a real loving couple, when it was the furthest thing possible from the truth as she told him sharply "that will never happen"

He took a deep breath in and let it back out knowing it wouldn't have been that easy to get her to agree as he tried to explain a different way telling her "here you are caged in and aren't free to live your own life, always having your parents making your choices for you, with me you will have the freedom to live your own life for once. Yes, it might not be the perfect marriage and we won't have much but I promise we'll get by, and this time there will be no secrets between us and furthermore it will give you the freedom you need from your parents hold. You don't have to have them make your every decision for you any longer and we…"

Serena looked to him knowing she had tried this once before and put her trust in him only to have herself broken apart and hurting again as she shook her head questioning back what he wouldn't say "we what forget any of this happened?"

Darien shook his head about to respond back when the door opened up before he had the chance to and her mother walked in followed by her father as Muriel walked over towards the bed paying no attention that he was there to and looked down at her daughter lying there telling her pleased "well this certainly worked out well" as she patted Serena on the arm telling her condescendingly "now we just have to be sure no one else ever finds out about this, is that clear Serena"

Darien turned to look at her mother with a shake of his head knowing he never met anyone as vial as this woman is and knew he had to get Serena away from them somehow as he asked abruptly "what? do you have any idea what she has been through these past few hours and then you walk in here showing judgement, how about trying to show some compassion if that's possible"

Muriel turned taking notice finally to see him standing there by the bed as she raised her head up high and shook her head with disapproval, then turned back telling her daughter in a demeaning way "what is he doing in here Serena? I thought I gave specific instructions not to have anyone else enter this room, you know how I feel Serena about you interacting with others of his class, your little experiment has brought nothing, but trouble to this household and you will stay clear of him from now on is that understood"

Darien looked to this woman in front of him as his fists clenched together hearing her speak as though he was not even in the room and could not hear every word, she spoke about him as he crossed his arms to keep himself from doing anything he would regret later and looked to her questioning back "my class and what might I say is that, because from where I stand the only one here with no class is yourself"

Serena turned around to look between Darien and her mother hearing the way they were both speaking to each other again, which was part of what caused her stress levels to reach an all-time high and all of what happened afterwards because of it, being unable to think of the end result as she looked to Darien pleading with him saying back "please just go now, I will think of what you said and give you my answer in a few days, but please just leave it will only make things worse if you stay"

Muriel looked to her daughter with disapproval as she shook her head questioning back with a smug look "give him your answer for what? I have already told you that you will not see or speak to this boy again, whatever mishap you have caused this time, will be the last. Your father will take care of this and no one will ever know of any of this is that clear, from now on you will only speak and associate with those your father and I have approved of"

Serena looked to her mother with a shake of her head hearing her ordering with whom she would be allowed to speak with as she began to feel light headed with everything going on replying back "what no?"

Muriel looked to her showing every bit of fake concern as she pushed the bangs away from her daughters face making a clear order telling her "let mother handle everything dear, now remember this never happened at all. Soon you will be released and you will return back home with your father and I and tomorrow you will continue with your lessons and we will pretend this whole mess never happened at all"

Serena looked to her as she gave a slight nod of her head and tried to hold back her tears knowing the child that she had carried for a time would now be a secret she alone would have to carry with her in silence as she tried to find the words to respond, but was unable to find the words as her mother looked to her commenting strictly "and Serena just because one does not look her best, does not mean you should not act your best, now sit up don't slouch"

Darien stood there amazed watching the interaction between these people with their daughter, he had met people who were self-absorbed before, but this took it to a whole new level and was much worse than he ever expected it to be as he cleared his throat having no intentions of leaving her alone with them to further crush her while stating back forcefully "I can't let that happen"

James turned around to look at him like a fly on the wall that needs to be squashed as he shook his head expecting with everything else that he could buy his way out of this asking him proudly "oh yes you again, so how much will it take?"

Darien looked to the man in front of him and knew his type all to well also thinking that he could just buy his way out of everything, but he was not for sale as he shook his head asking with a small chuckle "will what take?"

James looked to him showing no amusement with the situation that he would be forced to pay this man for his silence, but expected it would not take much as he told him "come now I am sure we can come to an arrangement name your price that will get you to leave this place for good, and step out of the way permanently, forget that you ever met my daughter. Do we have an understanding?"

Darien stood there as he crossed his arms and shook his head as he told him assuredly "yes I understand perfectly that you think you can buy whatever stands in the way of what you want, but I have news for you, you cannot buy me sir" as he let out a deep sigh feeling a weight lifted that he had been carrying for too long.

James looked the boy over that stood in front of him seeing that he looked like he belonged on a park bench somewhere instead of associating himself with their family as he laughed telling him "come now everyone has their price tell me what is yours, what will it take to get you to go back where you came from one thousand, two thousand, I'll even go up to three just name your price"

Darien shook his head amazed that he was really hearing this offer right now as he looked over to the bed where Serena lied hearing what her father considered to be a generous offer, while knowing no Darien looked over to the bed where Serena lied so far keeping his secret from her money hungry parents as he heard what her father considered to be a generous offer, while knowing no amount of money he could offer would change his response replying back to her with a laugh "is he for real" and then turned to James telling him proudly "keep your damn money, I am not for sale"

Serena looked to Darien surprised she knew he did not need her father's money and the amount that her father offered to him was practically pocket change, but to see him standing up to them the way he was for her no less was nothing she had ever witnessed before and knew no amount of money that could ever be offered would change his response as she looked to the group and told them "there was a nurse that came in and said that I can leave soon"

Muriel looked to her daughter with a pleased smile, seeing everything turning out better then she expected telling her "excellent now we will put this all behind us" as she lifted up Serena's chin to face her telling her in a barraging tone "and nothing like this will ever happen again, now will it Serena?"

Darien felt a rage building up inside of him from witnessing the way these people acted as he walked over and pushed her mother's hand away from Serena's face as he stood by the bed blocking her from messing with Serena's head any further telling her strongly "stay the hell away from her"

Serena looked to him surprised that he would speak to her mother in such a way as she called out alarmed telling him "Darien that was…" but before she finished speaking, he turned around to look at her saying with no lack of strength "needed"

James looked to him with a shake of his head showing no concern to any threats he could argue telling Darien back "listen young man I don't know who you think you are, but unless you want to see yourself in a great deal of trouble, I suggest you leave this room at once"

Darien looked to James with a shake of his head knowing there was no threat that would faze him or make him move from this very spot as he crossed his arms telling them bitterly "look around you if you haven't noticed we are currently in a hospital due to your daughter losing the baby that was ours, yes ours, which most likely was caused due to excessive stress which I will take most of the blame on, but I am certain from meeting the both of you, that it is not all of the blame"

Serena looked to him knowing things were getting far out of hand again as she cried out "Darien stop" as her mother looked to him with a small grin hearing Serena finally put this man back in his place replying back "that's right you may think you know what is best for her, but she is our daughter" as she turned and patted Serena on the leg gently telling him "and she will do as she is told"

Darien turned to look at her, never wanting to hit a woman before, but was considering making an exception as he spoke out angrily "she is a person not some puppet to be handled" as he turned around to face Serena asking forcefully "you do not seriously want to be with these people Serena and let them continue to control your every move"

Serena looked to Darien who stood waiting for her reply to come and then over to her parents who stood looking her way with obvious looks of disapproval for every choice she had ever made in her entire life as she felt her head start pounding and covered her face with her hands as she started to yell out telling all of them "leave all of you, leave me be right now"

Darien looked to her seeing how she grasped her head knowing even when trying to help, he only seemed to follow the same pattern and make things worse telling her apologetically "Serena I'm sorry"

She slowly uncovered her eyes and looked to him starring at her with those deep blue eyes that she had drowned in and with a shake of her head she knew she needed time to figure this all out telling him back "just go please, I can't do this right now"

Muriel looked to her daughter pleased that she would follow her directions as she walked over and placed her hand down on Serena's shoulder as she looked to Darien telling him hard heartedly "you see she wants nothing more to do with you, now go back behind whatever rock you came from and leave my girl alone, so we can take her back home" as she smiled over to her husband saying "where she will be the proper daughter that we raised her to be"

Serena looked up to her mother hearing what they expected of her, to go back and act like nothing had changed when everything was different now as she shook her head telling her desperately "I want you gone to mother"

Muriel stood there with a shake of her head not sure if she just heard her speak right as she looked completely offended asking harshly "what Serena how dare you speak to me in that way I am your mother? Have you forgotten that you would not be here right now, if it weren't not for me? I gave you life and this is how you repay me"

Darien turned his head to look at this woman never hearing a guilt trip such as that one before as he shook his head commenting back "you have got to be kidding, should she be down on her hands and knees thank you for the food she is being given by you also"

Serena took a deep breath in hearing it spoken in someone else's view of how ridiculous her parents had been treating her throughout the years as she looked to her mother telling her again more forcefully this time "I want you to leave"

Muriel shook her head as she cried out to her husband showing far too much drama asking "are you going to let her speak to me this way" while James walked over to stand before his daughter as he pointed his finger and demanded as he spoke telling her "Serena you will not speak to your mother in such a way, you owe her an apology right this instant"

Serena looked to him as she let out a deep sigh saying robotically "I'm sorry father" while Muriel stood by with a smug look on her face.

Darien watched the interaction between them from the corner with a shake of his head seeing how strong of a hold they really did have over her as he as he silently spoke the word full of regret that defied this moment "Daisy" and began to walk towards the door to leave her with her own choices when he heard Serena speak up telling her father "I will not be returning with you and mother after all"

He turned back around suddenly to look at her surprised to see she really was going to do it and stand up to her parents by venturing out on her own, but this time he would be sure she wouldn't be doing it alone as he crossed the room in three quick strides as he stood next to the bed and picked up the small metal ring off the table and placed it down in her hand as he whispered to her "you've gone this, but know I will always be there for whatever it is you need of me"

She looked to him needing to hear those exact words right now as she let out the breath she held and wrapped her fingers around the ring holding it tightly in her grasp as she nodded her head telling them both "I have decided I will be staying with my husband after all"

Muriel and James both turned to look at him with disgusted faces seeing Darien as nothing more than some boy from an island and not worth their trouble as Muriel looked to her daughter disgusted by the thought asking "with him you cannot be serious? Is this some kind of punishment? Are you trying to hurt me?"

Serena shook her head hearing the way her mother continued to make everything about herself as she shook her head telling her "no mother for once this is not about you, its about me and finally finding the chance to be my own person and make my own choices, mistakes included"

James stood up forward as he shook his head telling her in a demanding tone "you are still my daughter and I forbid it. You will not be going anywhere with this boy. You will be returning home with your mother and I and that will be the final word on this"

Darien stood up blocking her father from where Serena lied not taking the chance that he would do something that he would have to break the man's arm for telling him back strongly "your threats mean nothing here, Serena has made her choice and we are married now so last time I checked that makes me her family too dad and she has decided she would rather be with me, after meeting the two of you I would say it is a wise choice"

James raised his head up high as he looked to his daughter asking with finality "is this what you choose over your own family?"

Serena let out a deep breath wishing it did not have to come to this, but showed no regret or second thoughts as she nodded her head telling him back confidently "yes, it is"

Her father looked to her with a shake of his head as he spoke up stating "Serena if you do this you will be cut off from us permanently and will not receive a single dime is that clear, you will be dead to us from now on" expecting at any moment she would be begging them to reconsider, but to his surprise she only nodded her head replying back firmly "I understand"

with a grin thinking if they only knew Darien's family had more money than all of them and they will never see a dime of it of that she would be certain

Darien reached out gave her hand a firm squeeze to let her know she would not be alone in this as he looked to both of her parents replying back "she doesn't need your money she is better then that and I can assure you, she will be fine. I have a way of supporting us both and she will be happier away from the both of you"

Muriel looked to her daughter with a shake of her head questioning back "think about what you are doing what you are giving up? Do you really want to lose all of those fancy clothes you wear or how about the car that you drive?" expecting her daughter would never want to give up the lavish life style she had become accustomed to.

Darien looked to Serena with a small wink knowing that she would keep his secret between them, that money would never be an issue as he looked to Muriel replying with a shrug "I do well enough to support us both" as Serena held back a small grin of her own thinking if they only knew Darien's family makes a larger profit in one day then her families company sees in their yearly profits and they will never see a dime of it, of that she would be certain

Serena looked to her parents waiting to see what their reaction would be or if they would show any further comments or concern over her leaving, but watched as they simply turned around and walked out the door without even a word of goodbye spoken to her

The room went silent for a moment as Darien broke the silence telling her calmly "well they seem like really interesting people"

Serena looked to him seeing that he kept his face completely focused as he said so and let out the first real laugh that she had felt in days as she looked to him stating firmly "this doesn't change anything between us you know. I still don't trust you; this is only a temporary arrangement until I can figure out something else"

Darien nodded his head as he took her hand and placed a small kiss on the back of it telling her "I know, but just know that even when you do, I still will be there for you" as he placed his hand down to her stomach as she looked up to him surprised, he commented back sincerely "it's okay to cry, it's okay to feel"

She looked to him surprised by the tender affection that he showed as she rested her head down onto his shoulder and felt as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close to him in companionable comfort saying back the words she did not believe, but still needed to hear "it's all going to be okay one day I promise"