Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 37

Author's Note: Hi everyone thank you all so much for reading and following along. I do appreciate the review that I received for the last chapter which is difficult sometimes to think about what happened, but it does in a way help to release some of the pent-up feelings through writing about it. Even if it is not the same story the emotions are real and true, but anyway. I know many of you did not want her to lose the baby, but I felt it was true to life with the stress she was under and in the end, it would bridge them closer to be together, where she will eventually see that Darien has feelings for her alone and that they can have a future together without it being only about the baby. Kind of gave away a hint of the ending but still more to read so thank you for reading and following along and please continue to send all your thoughts and reviews. Mars Light

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

James sat at his desk perplexed as he shook his head stating again for the fourth time "this cannot be right" as he looked down at the statement he held in his hands once more and called out Nigel get my accountant on the phone immediately" as he turned to the door and saw Nigel already standing there with his head lowered telling him apologetically "I am sorry to bother you sir, but you have a visitor"

Before James could respond back Anna quickly walked inside his office with a delighted grin as she looked towards Nigel telling him "no need to continue with the formalities I know perfectly well where I am going after cleaning up in here all of these years"

James stood up from his desk angrily, having nothing going right as he demanded "what are you doing back here, my wife made it perfectly clear that your employment with us has reached its completion and your services are no longer required"

Anna looked to him with a delighted smile, knowing full well they had done there best to have her black listed from finding any further employment, but it was she that would have the final say as she nodded her head telling him back "oh yes that is true and I do not intend on staying long, but I am here as a favor to a friend you see. I have a letter here for you, he wanted to deliver it personally, but he had to catch a plane, so I told him that I would deliver it for him"

James looked to her unsure what friend that she would have that would possibly be associated with him as he reached out and took the letter from her hand and looked down not recognizing the writing asking annoyed "what is this I am in the middle of an important matter and do not have time for games"

Anna looked to him with a pleased smile knowing full well that his business was the only thing he ever took the time for as she folded her arms across her chest stating stubbornly "I would call it paying it forward"

James shook his head as he put the letter on his desk stating uncaringly "well whatever it is will have to wait until later I have business that needs my immediate attention, and a plane to catch; now you should be leaving the premise immediately, unless I have to call building security?"

Anna looked to him with a little grin taking more please out of this, then she felt she should stating back "oh, I would not be in such a rush to leave right away if I were you, perhaps you should stop and read what is written in that letter first, it may answer some of those burning questions that were written all over you face when I walked in here"

James looked to her oddly feeling she knew more then she was letting on as he reached over and took the letter in hand questioning "what is this? who sent it?"

Anna looked to him with a gleam in her eyes replying back "oh a mutual friend" James looked to her unsure as he questioned back with disbelief "a friend huh" and then opened the letter he was holding as he browsed through the contents and then stopped and read it over more carefully as he looked towards Anna with a shake of his head in disbelief of what he just read questioning "this can't be right, who sent this? I demand to know"

Anna's smile grew wider seeing the frightened and perplexed look that crossed his face as he took in a whole new understanding of what he treasured the most was now disappearing before his very eyes with having four of his largest accounts closing business on him for undisclosed reasonings effective immediately as was explained in the letter that she hand-delivered.

Muriel came walking into the study at a hurried pace, not taking notice of the intensity that was currently going on inside as she looked to her husband telling him agitated "James you must fix this at once, it must be some sort of crazy mishap, but I just received a call from Louann at the club and she just told me that our membership has been revoked effective immediately, but would not give any further reasoning why, all she would tell me is that there would be a letter that would explain it all. What letter is there? What is the meaning of this? You must fix this at once"

James looked down to the letter he held in his hands now knowing this was no joke, everything was very real, the world as they knew it was falling apart to pieces right down to Muriel's club and it had something to do with the person who was responsible for this letter which he would love to know who it is so he could send his response back as he held the letter tightly in his hands and shook his head not understanding the meaning behind all of this as he looked down at the final words on the page written out "don't judge a book by its cover – D" as he crumpled up the letter in his hands and let out a frustrated grunt.

Anna watched with a pleased smile never witnessing James lose his composure in such a way before as she questioning back "shall I let him know there will be no response"

Muriel looked over taking notice for the first time that there was someone else in the room besides just the two of them as she held her head up high questioning haughtily "what is she doing back here? I made it perfectly clear you are not to step foot inside this household again, Nigel!"

Anna looked to her pleased knowing Muriel and James were getting everything they deserved and more from not taking care of properly the one person they should have cared most about, but didn't and now would face a hard cold reality as she shook her head telling her back "I assure you I will not be staying I just came by to deliver a letter, probably the same letter you spoke of which your husband just crumpled up"

Muriel looked back to her husband as she shook her head with disbelief that the help would ever get the better of them asking "this is not actually happening is it, it can't be, it must be some sort of prank, played by the woman at my club they can be such kidders at times"

James sat down in his chair knowing that the financial statements he had on his desk were no prank and that it was real and happening as he nodded his head telling her back "yes so it would seem it is very real, there are three of the largest accounts in my company they produce half of our annual revenue and effective this morning, they have all pulled out"

Muriel looked to him with her eyes wide open as she shook her head questioning "what why would they do this, for what reason?" as she realized who was standing in the room with them who seemed to have all the answers as she called out loudly "you, you are behind this aren't you?"

Anna looked on pleased as she smiled and twisted the word's she heard so many times before telling her back "no, as you have said time and time again, I am only the help and I cannot take the credit for this. I simply came to deliver the message for a friend and I would say that that the message delivered was a complete success"

James looked to her angrily wishing to have a clear word with whoever thought they could interfere with his business dealings as he stood up from the chair shouting out "who is this you speak of? Who is responsible for all of this happening?"

Anna turned back to him as she got ready to depart the room with a smile and let out a small chuckle, knowing this would be a moment that would stay with them forever saying back "why your new son in law of course"

She looked seeing the look of confusion come over there faces, which quickly changed to understanding, and then shock and finally to disbelief and embarrassment as she smiled stating back "oh he did mention one last thing, he wishes that you both have the same dignity and respect that you have shown to your daughter" as she turned around knowing they had made there choices and now it was already too late as she walked out of the room with the final laugh leaving James and Muriel standing with their mouths left hanging wide open knowing they had made the greatest error in judgement of them all.

Darien looked over to her seeing that Serena had stayed very quiet, with only responding back with simple yes or no answers to any questions he had asked so far, over the course of the long plane ride back home where they now would start over again as he drove down the street questioning "are you hungry at all? We can stop and get a bite to eat I know a place we can go to"

Serena kept her focus looking out the window as she let out a deep sigh as she watched all of the buildings pass by in a blur around her as she wiped a tear from her eyes and responded back slightly over a whisper "no"

Darien let out a deep breath expecting he would get this answer as he shook his head telling her "you really should be eating something; it is not good for you. Over the past three days I think I saw you only eat a piece of bread or two"

She let out a long sigh as she placed her hand down on her stomach feeling an overall emptiness insider as she shook her head telling him again "no" he let out a deep breath knowing it would not be easy, but had hoped over the days that passed that they would have grown closer, that she would have confided him on how she was feeling, but instead just kept herself shuttered away in the hotel room they had stayed in for the last few nights.

He took a deep breath in knowing after speaking with her friend Anna that it would take Serena time to get over the deep emotional loss, he had promised her he would watch over her and so far, had done his best to do just that, but was at a loss on what to do next as he turned down his street and commented "Anna seems pretty amazing. I can see why you wanted to name the baby after her"

Serena turned her head to look his way as he took a deep breath in and shook his head telling her apologetically "I'm sorry it was stupid of me. I shouldn't have mentioned anything about the baby. I didn't mean to cause you any further pain"

Serena's eyes softened as she shook her head and spoke "it's alright it does hurt, but I don't not want to talk about the baby either. I don't want to pretend this baby didn't happen that it…" as she let out a small sob feeling her own heart breaking and felt his hand cover her own as she looked up surprised and saw his eyes looking her way as he told her assuredly "it did have we both know it did and whenever you need to talk know I am here to listen"

She nodded her head slowly unsure what was going on right now between them but knew the best thing she could do was do her best to keep her distance so not to be hurt by him any further as she nodded her head and responded back "yes Anna is amazing and I am going to miss her a great deal, but I am happy she seems to be doing okay with her sister"

Darien nodded his head knowing how hard it was for her to say goodbye after seeing the two embrace each other earlier and could see the true depth of feeling between them as he nodded his head telling her "you know she is welcome to come and visit any time she wants"

Serena nodded her head solemnly knowing for Anna a trip like this would be something she would never be able to afford not without saving up for years anyway as she shook her head telling him "thank you, but I think it could be a while before we see each other again, but once I get a job and can make my own way, I will try to help her with the airfare"

Darien looked to her with a shake of his head telling her back "you won't have to wait that long, any time she wants to come and visit just say so and I will make the arrangements"

Serena looked to him surprised by the generosity that he was showing as she asked back "you would do that?" he let out a laugh seeing the surprised look on her face telling her back "of course and as far as you getting a job so you can afford things. I know with the way things went with your parents there you left with nothing so whatever you need just say so"

She shook her head adamantly denying replying back "Darien I don't need your money, like we said this is only a temporary arrangement. I still don't trust you and I think it would be best if we just keep things as simple as civil as possible between us"

Darien took a deep breath in seeing how she turned and faced away to look out the window again as he took a deep breath in and spoke aloud "simple right"

They drove the rest of the way in complete silence as he pulled up to a small white house over-looking the sandy beach and water that seemed to go on for miles as he cut the engine and Serena turned and looked around not sure where he brought her to as she questioned "where are we?"

He let out a small chuckle as though it would have been obvious as he replied back "my place or rather our place now" Serena looked to the small white house if you could call it a real house as she looked back towards him confused questioning "you brought me back to your place?"

He opened the car door and stepped out taking a strong whiff in of that perfect island air after spending the last few days in the city as he looked out on the clear blue water knowing this could be exactly what she needs as he walked around and opened up the passenger side door asking "you coming?"

Serena slowly stepped out of the car onto what she supposed was supposed to be a gravel driveway of some sort as she looked to the small house in front of her not expecting it was even large enough for two as she shook her head telling him back "when we settled on this arrangement, I thought that I would be spending a few days at your father's hotel or something until I found a job and a place of my own"

Darien walked up to the front door as he shook his head telling her "sorry to disappoint, I know this is not much and it is not as fancy as my father's hotel, but its home come inside and I will show you around"

Serena watched as he opened the door up wide as she took a deep breath in and slowly walked up to the front entrance and stepped inside. She looked around seeing there really was not much to it a living room with mismatched sofa and a loveseat and a small kitchenette with what looked like take out containers covering the counter, but what she looked for most was a spare bedroom as she shook her head questioning "there is only one bedroom"

Darien walked towards the kitchen as he did his best to get rid of the week-old pizza box and empty soda cans as he nodded his head telling her back "yeah there is, but you can have it I will sleep out on the couch"

Serena nodded her head glad to see that much at least what settled as she slowly took a walk around the small living space seeing there really were no personal picture anywhere, but she could see many surfing trophies that he had won which were displayed proudly.

She let out a small smirk knowing he took a great deal of pride in his surfing the only thing that he did actually care about as she tried to find something good to say about where she found herself within responding back "it's a very cozy place, you have here"

Darien looked to her seeing that she did seem a bit on edge being here with him as he nodded his head telling her "yeah its nothing fancy. but it's mine or rather ours now and I had cleared out a draw for you in the bedroom dresser and the bathroom like I said I was going to"

Serena took a deep breath in hearing the reminder of what they had discussed of starting their married life here together as she nodded her head telling him back "that is very generous of you" even though she felt a turning in her stomach by his words.

She went down and sat down on the couch as she felt something hit her back and reached behind her and pulled out a light brown teddy bear with a green bow tied around its neck as she held it up and looked to him questioning "what's this?"

Darien looked to what she was holding as his face dropped telling her sadly "I'm sorry I had forgotten about that I can return it back to the store I had bought it before everything well happened" serena held the bear in her hands as she looked down at it surprised that he had went out and bought this teddy bear for what would have been there child as he shook her head asking him "would it be alright if I kept it"

Darien looked to her surprised that she would want to have the constant reminder around, but nodded his head telling her "of course" as he watched her hold the bear close to her and responded back "whatever you need you only need to ask?"

She lowered the bear down knowing she couldn't allow herself to get to close that it would not lead to anything good as he shook her head telling him back "I will be fine; this is only a temporary arrangement anyhow"

He looked to her wanting to respond differently, but just nodding his head as he told her "yeah temporary right I will sleep out on the couch, until other arrangements are made"

Serena nodded her head glad to see that there would not be any needed complications between them arising as she responded back "this I don't know what to call it marriage between us will be based solely on convenience. We will both have our own lives to lead where mother and father will no longer be able to control my own life any longer, with no expectations between us"

Darien looked to her as he took a deep breath in responding back "I don't think you will have to concern yourself about your parents" Serena nodded her head knowing they never gave her a second thought that did not suit their own purposes and now was no different as she replied back "yes I know that they probably have not given me a second thought, it is like you said love was not something that came for free, but it does make me wonder?"

He looked to her unsure how she would feel if she knew about some of the plans he had set in motion before they left the city as he looked back at her questioning "wonder what?" she looked to him trying to find the right words to ask as she took a deep breath in telling him "you say that love was not something that people like us ever got for free, so I guess what I want to know is why? Why are you helping me? What do you get out of this?"

He looked to her sitting there looking for answers as he walked over and sat down on the couch next to her saying simply "the only thing that I ask of you is your friendship and nothing more"

She looked to him and felt inside that she wanted to hear more from him, but brushed it down as she nodding her head telling him back "yes a marriage in name only, for the time being that is, until I can find a way to be far enough away from parents hold"

Darien nodded his head knowing that he had made it certain that her parents could no longer control her actions even from where they are, but did not want to say so at least not right now as he responded back telling her "that's right you are free to do as you please, and so am I"

Serena nodded her head hearing his confirmation that he planned on going right back to his old ways again telling him sadly "yes I am sure there are many other girls who would be very disappointed without you"

Darien looked to her knowing that was all she saw him as now was just a playboy and she would be right, but for whatever the reason he did not have the same feelings he did before as he nodded his head telling her back "yes I'm sure" then let out a long sigh and stood up front the couch telling her "I have to go out for a while. I have some things to take care of I will leave you to get settled in and I'll see you sometime later. You have my number if you need me"

She looked to him then let out a nervous chuckle knowing she lost so many things that she would only now start to realize replying back "I did in my phone but that's gone now I left it at my parents and I am sure they would not be willing to just give it back to me"

Darien reached down into his own pocket and pulled out his own phone as he handed it to her as she looked up to him confused as he insisted "take it" she shook he head replying back "I couldn't take your phone what would you have"

He let out a small chuckle using the words she spoke telling her "it's only temporary. tomorrow I'll take you into town and we'll get you your own phone for now I know that at least you have one so I can get in touch with you if I need too"

She held the phone tightly in her hands surprised by the considerate gesture but also that he would care enough to want to check in as a realization hit her questioning "how will you call if I have your phone"

He let out a small chuckle and shrugged his shoulder back telling her "I am going to go see Andy if you need to reach me call his number" She placed the phone down on the couch next to her and saw him walk over to grab one of his surf boards as a thought crossed her mind of a conversation, they shared from what felt like a lifetime ago now as she looked to him asking "wasn't the surfing competition the other day? How did you do?"

Darien looked to her surprised that she would remember that when he asked her to be there to cheer him on as he let out a deep breath and replied telling her "yeah it was" as he walked over to the door as he heard her ask "well how did you do?"

He held the doorknob in his hand as he closed his eyes tight and shook his head telling her with deep regret "I couldn't tell you because I wasn't there"

Serena looked to him surprised knowing how important that competition had been to him as she shook her head confused asking "not there what happened why would you miss it"

Darien let out a deep breath as he shook his head responding back "because I was at the hospital with you instead" as he opened up the door and turned back to see her surprised face and replied back "I have to go, try to get some rest while I am gone also. I'll see you tonight" as he closed the door behind him.

Serena watched as the door shut as she reached over and picked up the stuffed bear again and held onto it tight as she wiped away another tear from her eyes, knowing there was just another reason for him to hate her for destroying his perfect life.