Sunset At Paradise Cove
Chapter 39
Author's Note: Hi everyone and thank you so much for all the reviews that I have gotten supporting this story as well as many of my others. Also, I am sorry about the confusion from last Friday I had a spelling error that was brought to my intention which I tried to fix and there are times thar I do rush to get a chapter out so if there is a spelling or grammar error, feel free to bring it up and I will try to get around to fixing it. This story only has a few more chapters left so please be sure to follow along and thanks to everyone for all your continued support and please send your thoughts and reviews. Thanks Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Serena opened her eyes as her face was washed over by the morning sun, she sat up and looked out through the open window that was as picturesque as a post card seeing the sandy beach with the surf gliding in as she felt a sense of euphoria that she could get use to wake up to this view every morning when her senses were over taken by a familiar scent.
She sat up at the edge of the bed and stretched her arms out, then stopped and looked around where she sat seeing she was no longer in the living area, but inside the bedroom, but had no recollection of actually going to bed last night.
She stood up from the bed quickly and looked down seeing she was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday and stopped then looked back towards the bed, down at the cotton blanket that was lying now discarded on the bed and knew without a doubt, she definitely had not come to sleep in the bed last night, but was carried here instead and tucked in tenderly as she turned towards the closed bedroom door and let out a small sigh.
It was supposed to be easy with no feelings or attachments between them, but still she found herself yesterday evening sitting up alone in the dark room looking towards the closed door several times last night wondering how long he would be away for and more so who he had been with, as she shook her head knowing this was what was agreed upon, that they would each have their own separate lives to live together, but do as they please, but she never felt the need more so then she did right now to put the needed distance between them before she was hurt again.
She took a deep breath in then let it out slow as she walked over to the open window and looked out at the endless sea around her, it was far from a perfect arrangement but it was all she had at the moment which meant learning to adjust as she heard movement coming from the other side of the door and knew she could not keep herself locked in this room forever.
She crossed the small bedroom in four steps which was close to the same size as the walk-in closet she had at her parents as she shook the thought away knowing there would be some adjustments that would have to be made for her freedom and opened the bedroom door and walked inside where she was greeted by a cheerful "good morning"
She turned suddenly towards the kitchen where she saw Darien the man that at times could be perfect standing there holding out a hot cup of coffee in his hands, but knew otherwise that he was also the man who had left her heart broken on the floor as she looked to him with a shrug of her shoulder repeating the sentiment "good morning"
Darien could feel the coldness from her seeing that she had barely made any eye contact with him at all, so not much had changed between them since last evening and why should it, when he took the easy way out yesterday and left with an excuse to see Andy, he did need to see Andy that much was true to get some things straightened out, but knew all it had been was just an excuse to step away, but today he planned on changing that as he brought the hot coffee he was holding over to the table and placed it down in front of her stating apologetically "I don't have much here for breakfast I'm afraid, just some hot coffee and stale donuts, but we'll go shopping later and get some food for the kitchen and whatever else you need"
Serena looked back to him surprised she knew he had mentioned yesterday about getting her a new phone along with other material items she was forced to leave behind, but hadn't expected much to come of it and did not wish to find herself any further indebted to him as she shook her head replying back "that is unnecessary. I can manage with what I have" as she walked over to the table and lifted up the cup of hot coffee that was brewed for her and took a sip finding it surprisingly good as she took a second sip.
Darien looked to her with a small shake of his head knowing even now, when she was left with nothing, she refused to take anything he had to offer as he walked over and grabbed his cup of coffee from the counter and went to take the open seat next to her at the small table questioning back with a knowing grin "you can manage huh, so what were you planning on wearing today?"
Serena took a deep breath in hearing his loaded question knowing that he knew full well that when she left home, she was left with nothing except the clothing on her back and the few dresses that Anna had been kind enough to give her to wear, which were also three sizes too big and very baggy to fit her well with the shoulders draping down as she shook her head replying stubbornly "I will be fine, I can make do for the time being with what I have until I find a job and then I will get myself what I need"
Darien looked to her with a small grin seeing that she seemed to have this all planned out as he sat back in his chair and picked up his coffee as he nodded his head telling her "very well it sounds like you have everything covered"
Serena nodded her head yes when inside she knew that none of her plans were set and that she was just trying to figure out what to do next, minute by minute when her whole world had crumbled down around her as he looked to her adding an extra challenge stating proudly "so let's say just for argument sake that you do go out and find a job today, and they let you start as soon as tomorrow, you will still need clothes to wear to work each day, which by my calculations that leaves you with" he stopped and did a quick count in his head as he started counting on his fingers also and then stopped and looked right back at her stating plainly "nothing left except the clothes on your back and it will be at least a week if not more before you get your first paycheck"
Serena placed the cup she was holding down on the table as she let out a deep breath knowing that he was right even with the extra dresses she did not have enough clothes left to even last a whole week as she let out the breath, she held expecting there would have been challenges she would have to face with finding her own independence, but did not expect them to start this soon.
She let out a small chuckle knowing the irony of it all, that she did have a closet full of clothes that she once had argued over because they were not of her choosing or style and now she would be pleased just to have one draw full of them as she looked across from her to where he sat sitting there looking calm and serene knowing full well that he was right as she nodded her head replying back "alright I will take you up on your offer and we will go shopping, but I will only get what is absolutely necessary and I will pay you back every last cent of what I spend as soon as I am able"
Darien looked to her with a small grin seeing that at least part of his plan he had planned out yesterday evening was playing out so far and that she would be forced to spend the day shopping with him as he lifted his own cup trying to hide the little smirk that he held and nodded his head telling her confidently "you don't have to pay me back at all Serena and get whatever it is you need money is not a problem"
Serena looked to him surprised by his comment she knew like herself he had come from a wealthy family as she looked around where they were currently staying. It was definitely not much a small shack really and probably took whatever money he did get from his surfing and playing at the tiki to get by, but yet he had no problem with purchasing her whatever she needed and had stated rather strongly that he wanted nothing to do with his father or his money as she crossed her arms and looked back to him asking curiously "I don't understand you spoke to me of wanting nothing to do with your father, but I assume that the money that you would use is his money to get me the things you speak of"
Darien let out a deep breath knowing what feelings he did have for his father was a topic that he did not speak of with anyone else besides Andy who knew about his past as he looked to her sitting there curiously and knew that she knew him now better than anyone and if things were going to change between them, he would need to be more straight out with a lot of things and nodded his head telling her "it's true it is my father's money or at least the money that he has expected me to use. What I told you before is also true, I have no intention of asking my father for anything, but since I left, he has been sending me money every month along with expensive gifts to try to persuade me back to his lifestyle trying to buy me really. I have left all the money he has given to me in an account and I haven't touched it, but I think it would be somehow fitting to use that money to help you buy your independence Serena"
She looked to him with a shake of her head knowing even though Darien did have his problems with his father the man did care about his son and would be there to help him, which was more than she could say of her own parents and replied back "but that money is a gift from your father and meant to be yours"
Darien looked to her as he let out a small chuckle unsure how he could ever have expected even for a moment that she was a money hungry mongrel as many of the others he knew and nodded his head telling her back just as stubbornly "yes and I will do with it what I please and I wish to use it to help you, that is unless you prefer to be wearing some of my old t-shirts for a while"
Serena looked to him surprised never being allowed to actually wear never mind own a t-shirt and looked down to the clothes she did have with her, which were better suited for a board meeting and not meant to fit in here on this island as she conceited telling him "alright, but I will pay you back every last cent I promise"
Darien looked to her with a small grin seeing that he had at least won the first round, but there was still more to come stating back "I told you not to concern yourself with it, you can spend it all for what I care" as he stood up from the table and walked his cup over to the sink as he commented trying to change the subject off of money quickly "by the way I found out last night that the surfing tournament is still on and because I won last year I am automatically qualified"
Serena turned to him surprised by his comment as she tried to sound neutral, but knew how relieved he must have been to know that he had not missed the tournament after all because of her as she replied back "that's great for you. I know how much your surfing means to you"
Darien placed the cup down in the sink as he looked over to the girl who sat at his table in his kitchen and could picture himself doing this every day, it was a pleasant thought sitting having conversations over breakfast as he nodded his head telling her back "yeah it is, I plan on hitting the waves and getting some practice in before we start our shopping, if you would like to join me" as he smiled thinking about when they had last been down at the beach together and the connection they shared had sparked between them and he hoped to be able to rebuild that connection once more.
Serena looked towards him as she let down a large gulp thinking herself back to the last surf lesson he had given her where they almost shared a kiss as she closed her eyes and thought of another time at the same beach when she found him walking arm in arm with Eva as she let out a deep breath and changed the subject commenting back "you came in late yesterday evening I suppose you had been busy" as she backed up her words stating with a small shrug so it did not appear she had tried to stay up waiting for him "not that it matters you are free to do as you please with whomever you please"
Darien let out a small chuckle hearing her question knowing what she was obviously asking him, if he had been with other girls as he replied back truthfully "yeah I guess I lost track of the time I did a couple of sets at the tiki with the guys and then joined them for a drink at the bar afterwards, and if you must know I did see Eva earlier that evening also"
Serena's stomach sunk lower to hear him announce it so proudly that he preferred Eva's company over her own as she stood up from her seat replying back "why should it matter to me what you two do together is your own business"
Darien looked to her seeing the look of cold indifference as he nodded his head and walked over to the table to grab the other cup of coffee telling her "it shouldn't of course, but if you are interested to know I told her that there is nothing going on between us and there never will be"
Serena closed her eyes tight taking his comment in the wrong direction, hearing what Eva had told her so plainly that she did not fit into this world as she nodded her head telling him back "of course why would there be otherwise" as she turned to walk past telling him abruptly "I think I will pass on the beach for today and come to think of it I will actually be fine with what I do have I can get by. I will just do some extra laundry for the time being, but if you don't mind, I would prefer to go and take a warm shower"
Darien looked to her not sure how or why things had suddenly taken a sudden reverse turn as he nodded his head slowly wishing he had never brought Eva into this conversation at all replying back "of course this is your home now and you can do as you please here" but was further taken back as she turned to him with a small shrug stating back forcefully "temporary home" and then walked back towards the bedroom shutting the door behind her.
Darien stood there for a moment perplexed unsure what just happened and why he had so suddenly turned back into her most hated enemy again as he walked over to the shelves where he kept all his surfing trophies through the years and touched one from five years ago it had been tough competition that year, but he had pulled through and won in the end by changing his strategy as he looked to the closed bedroom door as a thought crossed his mind of what he could do and quickly grabbed his keys then left the small house.
Serena stood in the shower longer than needed letting the steady stream wash over her face, successfully masking away the tears that leaked down from her eyes, she knew it was useless to feel this way even after everything, they had been through she should not feel this way about him or let it bother her to hear that he was going out with other women, it was what they had agreed on after all, but she had not expected that he would boast about it, showing that he preferred others company to her face as she let out a deep breath and cried her last tears for him as she turned off the water stream.
She stepped out from the tub and grabbed a towel she had found under the sink and wrapped it tightly around herself as she opened up the bathroom door and looked out to the emptiness that awaited her. She shook her head knowing that he wouldn't have stuck around long and if nothing else good would come from this arrangement, she knew she would not have to worry about him being around all that much, when there were so many others that would grab his attention.
She walked back towards the bedroom knowing that it would be best not to put it off the inedible too long and go out searching for her own independence, she had many skills due to the one good thing her father had done for her to made sure from an early age that she would know how to run a million dollar corporation so finding a job would not prove a challenge as she turned and looked out the window taking in the breath taking view that was perfect as she let out a deep sigh knowing that she could really have felt at home here, but it would not be meant to be.
She shook her head knowing wishing for what could never be was a waste and it was time to let go of the past and everything that happened before and begin a new start for herself as she walked over to the small carry-on bag that she had brought with her, as she bent down and shifted the few items inside, realizing that nothing that she had carried with her was actually her own.
She reached in and pulled out one of the dark blue dresses that Anna had given her and placed it on over her head seeing that it would be too baggy around the waist and that her cleavage would not fill out the front properly as she tried to fix it thinking maybe with a belt to tie around the waist, but no matter what she did it would not change that the dress would not fit her right.
She went and sat back down on the bed as she put her head down in her hands feeling unsure of what to do or who she even was anymore when she saw a small note drop down to the floor in front of her.
She reached down and picked it up as she unfolded it and saw that it read in his hand writing 'sometimes in the waves of change we find our true direction' she turned around unsure where the note had fallen from and realized when she walked in the room, she took no notice of the wet suit that had been left out folded on the bed.
She stood up from the bed and looked around expecting that this was here because it belonged to someone else, but there was no one else here, but her as she picked up the shiny material the suit was made from in hand, it was black with a shiny blue crisscross design on the lining of it, something she definitely would never think of purchasing for herself, as she let out a small chuckle knowing here on this island, wearing it she would fit in just right as she held it up against herself and saw thar it would be just the right fit for her also.
She looked down to the over-sized dress that she wore and then down to the wetsuit that she held in her hand as a smile crossed her face and she quickly changed clothing. She put the wetsuit on, never having worn one before and felt how it really did fit her body like a glove and felt a bit snug in certain spots, but overall fit perfectly and then turned to look at herself in the mirror once more.
She reached back and pulled her hair back from her face into a tight ponytail as a small grin crossed her face seeing that she could pass as anyone else here as she turned and looked out the window hearing the other girls remarks from before in her head that she didn't fit in or belong here, only now she certainly didn't look like the uptown princess that she was before, but that wasn't such a bad thing either as she placed her hand down on the doorknob knowing finding a job for herself would just have to wait a little bit longer.
Darien sat down in the sand putting the last coat of wax on the board, he knew when bringing her back here to love with him, that it would not be easy and there would be certain challenges they would be facing, but had not expected to have the vail of complete indifference she held up between them as he took a deep breath in wondering for the hundredth time if she would appreciate the gift he had left for her or just find it completely ridiculous as he looked up and had the sun catch his eye as he blinked and saw with a small grin a familiar face with her golden hair shining in the sunlight, his island goddess walking his way as he spoke up stating "I am glad to see you changed your mind"
Serena walked slowly down the beach forgetting her shoes and letting the sand drift in between her toes as the morning sun tanned her skin, she let the tranquility of the moment take over and became unaware of everything else around her, until she was startled from her thoughts, seeing him just as she would expect to find him sitting with a surf board nearby except she would have expected Eva or one of his adoring fans to be nearby as she did a quick look around seeing at least for the moment he was by himself, but expected it would not be for long as she shook her head replying back "I didn't, I simply came out for a walk to clear my head"
Darien took notice of how well the wet suit really did fit her expressing every one of her curves perfectly as he took a deep breath in trying not to let it show how much having her standing this close was affecting him as he kept in an inward chuckle while wondering if maybe getting her the wetsuit was not one of his brightest ideas as he looked to her with a small grin asking "is it helping?"
Serena looked back at him with a low gulp unsure of what he expected to happen with her coming out here and in truth she was not entirely sure herself, but here she stood alone once again with him on the beach, but this time she had no intentions of ending up wrapped in his arms again as she replied with a small grin "it was, until I became distracted"
Darien let out a small chuckle seeing that she would not make this easy for him, but at least she was still standing here talking to him as he waved her over to come sit beside him instead stating "well I see you found the wetsuit I left out for you I am glad it fits"
Serena looked down to the wet suit that she wore, hearing his confirmation that he had purchased it just for her as she nodded her head nervous and confused replying "yes it fits very good, but I don't understand why?"
He looked back at her with a small grin as he put out his own hand asking "give me your hand?" Serena sat on the sand beside him and even though they had already been much closer the thought of putting Darien looked to her knowing that she was still nervous just to be around him as he placed his hand out towards her asking "give me your hand?"
Serena looked down to his extended hand and even though they had been much closer than just holding hands taking his hand in her own was something that she feared as she shook her head telling him back "I don't think that is such a" but just heard his laughter in response as he told her with a grin "come on I don't bite"
She took a deep breath expecting not much would come from just holding his hand, but knew better to be careful of what could come next as she carefully put her hand in his own as he leaned forward slightly as she had to reach out and extend her arm to reach until he placed there hands together on the powder blue board that lay in the sand in front of them as he removed his hand away slowly telling her "go ahead give it a feel, let your hand run with the grain of the board"
Serena looked up at him doubtful on what he had actually planned bringing her out here as she removed her hand away from the board telling him assertively "on second thought I think I should be going back to the cottage"
Darien let out a deep breath as he nodded his head telling her "alright if that is what you really want, but I expected that well I guess it doesn't matter now, does it, if you prefer to go back inside on this beautiful day then go ahead don't let me stop you"
Serena stood up from the sand feeling aggravated as she looked down at him hearing the challenge behind his words which she would not let him make her feel guilty about for not sticking around as she shook her head telling him "what does it matter to you whether I stay or not in your own words you said there is nothing go on between us, which your right there is not and you don't need me sticking around to be standing here cheering you on when you already know that you have all the skills you need to win this thing, so continue on with your surfing I, well I think we both know it was a mistake that I came out here"
Darien looked to her surprised by her words that he would think such a thing, when he felt the compete opposite as he shook his head telling her "well your confidence in me is appreciated and your right it was my earlier intention to come out here and practice, but plans do change" as he pointed down to the board in front of him telling her "this board I actually purchased it earlier for you, so in response my answer is no, I don't think it was a mistake you came out here, but I would hope that you would find the courage and stay a little longer so I can show you how to do this the right way this time"
Serena looked to him startled by the unexpected gesture as she pointed to herself questioning "me?" Darien let out a small chuckle seeing the surprised look she had on her face as he nodded his head telling her "yes, I purchased a few things earlier, that I figured if you are to stay here that they would come in handy. It is just a beginners board to let you get used to the waves, but I believe in time you will find your own fit, but for now I will be right here with you to help keep you steady and be there to catch you from falling, so what do you say do you still want to hide away?"
Serena looked back at him and then down to her board as she let out a deep gulp asking for confirmation "this is just a surfing lesson nothing more" Darien let out a small chuckle telling her "it is whatever you need it to be, a surfing lesson or the means to break free"
She carefully stepped forward and bent down in the sand beside him as she placed her hand down onto the board as she felt the smooth lacquer across it and then felt his presence come closer as he moved his hand along with her own and whispered by her ear "are you ready to stand on your own?"
She removed her hand away quickly as she sat back nervously telling him "I don't think I am ready for that I will probably fall" to her surprise he reached out and took her elbows in his hands as he nodded his head telling her firmly "your right you will, you will probably fall a few times, but know that I will be right here to help you up again and no matter how many times you fall it is important that you get right back up and try again"
Serena looked to him knowing that he was speaking of more than just surfing as she turned and looked out towards the open water with the relentless waves which rocked back and forth ready to toss her around as she shook her head telling him "it looks kind of rough out there" he let out a small chuckle telling her "it is, but it is up to you now to face each challenge ahead of you"
She looked back at him seeing the confident look he held as she nodded her head replying back "I guess I would be willing to give it a try" and lifted the board up in her hands as she let out a deep breath and started to walk towards the water but realized she was walking by herself as she turned around and looked to him asking uncertain "aren't you coming"
Darien walked up close to her as he lifted her chin up to look his way telling her supportively "no not this time, you have all that you need and you remember everything I told you don't you" she looked back at him as she bit down on her lower lip nervously replying "I think so but" he let out a small chuckle watching her bite down on that lip of hers again telling her assuredly "then you have all you need to stand on your own, but I won't be far I promise"
Serena let out a nervous gulp as she walked closer to the water and looked out as she released a deep breath and then stepped in feeling the water go up to her ankles as she turned around and saw him standing there giving her a reassuring nod as she stepped in further and placed her board down in the water trying to hold it steady as she felt the water pushing it swaying back and forth
She tried to hold the board steady to keep it from moving, but quickly realized the more she tried to hold it steady the more it protested against her as she lessened her hold on the board and moved along with the water instead by letting it flow around her as she put her weight down onto the board and drifted along with the way, feeling the way the water moved beneath her.
She took a deep breath in and looked out towards the horizon as she began moving her arms through the water feeling with each stretch of her arms the force trying to pull her back, but she kept on moving forward and wouldn't give up.
She got further enough out where the waves were no longer simply rocking back and forth, but pushing relentlessly as she felt one wave after another move in and held onto the board tightly with both of her hands as the water became higher and splashed up getting into her face.
She struggled just to remain calm and in control as she saw another larger bigger wave come riding in high and looked in front of her knowing that it would swallow her down deep if she didn't make her move as she took a deep breath in then brought her legs up in closer as she tried to find her balance and stand up on her own
She got up to her feet feeling a bit wobbly at first as she looked seeing the beach was further out then she expected as she rocked back and forth a few times trying to keep her balance feeling the rush of the waves moving past her, each one trying to throw her off balance as she leaned forward and then back again trying to stay in control and before she knew it she was thrown down into the water with the heavy splashing tossing her around like a rag doll when the next thing she knew there was a hand placed out for her to take.
She reached out quickly grabbing onto his hand with all her might and the next thing she knew she was sitting up on a board next to him with her head up leaning up against his chest as she heard him let out a hardy laugh telling her "not bad, not bad at all"
She looked up to him surprised about how he could think that after she ended up in the water as she shook her head asking him alarmed "how can you say that when I lost my balance and fell into the water" he smiled as he began paddling them back towards the shore telling her calmly "because you had the courage to stand up on your own and I would say that was a good enough start"
Serena stayed quiet for the rest of the ride until they reached the shore as he carefully helped her up to her feet until she got her balance back and then lifted the board up and held it under his arm as he walked up to the shore and looked to her with a raised brow questioning "so what do you say would you give it another try?"
Serena turned back to look at the water that she had given it her all and ended up losing her way as she turned back to him with a little smirk replying back "its like you said right things might not go perfectly at first, but when you fall you have to get right back up again"
Darien nodded his head glad to see his risk had paid off as he walked over and placed his arm around her shoulder telling her smoothly "that's right, but I think we have had enough for one day, come on let's get back and I'll buy you some lunch I know a great place we can go to" as she just laughed telling him "of course you do"
They both walked down the beach together while Serena no longer worried so much about having him standing so close with his arm draped over her shoulder, while they walked back towards there cottage together with neither of them realizing that Eva stood not too far away watching the close interaction growing between them.
