Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 46

Author's Note: Hi everyone well this it is the final chapter, I did intend for this to be just one chapter but when writing it, it became a bit longer than I expected, but I had a lot that I wanted to include so I ended up breaking this chapter up into two different chapters 46 is part 1 and chapter 47 will be part 2, but I have uploaded both chapters together so you don't have to wait any longer for the ending in the second part. I hope you enjoy reading the end of this story as I have writing it for you 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 stood watching his back turn away from her to leave with a small sigh, she knew it was the right thing to do to let him go, watch him go back to where he belonged surrounded by all his closest friends as she stood on the outside seeing them all pat him on the back as they merrily cheered him on and wished him luck.

She let out a deep breath knowing as much as it hurt inside to have to leave him and this wonderful place behind, where some of the happiest memories she had made were shared here with him, that it was still the right thing to do, to let him go, so they could both move in and find a way to be happy.

Although the more she tried to convince herself she was doing the right thing, the more she found herself still standing there starring at him surrounded by all those that are the closest to him and wished that she could be that person, to be by his side showing her endless love and support, that she could be the one that he wanted, but knew she wasn't, that she didn't fit into this lift style, this world he created of his own making, and with his last parting words to her, she knew things were how they needed to be and he was back where he belonged.

She turned around with a heavy sigh and took one last peak to their small group, where she was seen as nothing more then a brief visitor and knew there was no use putting off what needed to be done and looked down the beach to the small beach house and considered going against her word to him and heading back towards the cottage now, to end her stay and start packing what little she had of her own personal belongings, when he wasn't there as a distraction, knowing that if she had to say goodbye to him twice that it would be too unbearable.

She took one last look back to cement in her memory the way she saw him looking right now, muscled and firm, but still with a gentle kindness and deep concentration while as he stood there facing the water with his thoughts completely centered on claiming the prize ahead of him, her surfer boy as she reminded herself again that even though it was a difficult decision to say goodbye, she knew it was time to go, that there was no use putting off any longer the inedible that there were no open vacancies, she had no place left here to be in his life, and what she needed to do now, was leave as soon as possible to take her next first steps.

She turned around with her mind made up to leave as soon as possible, as she felt the wind begin to pick up and took two steps back up the beach towards the cottage, until she paused hearing the announcer call out his number 17 to begin, she let out a deep breath and took two more deliberately slow steps further and then stopped walking as she let out another deep breath and thought of the man who stayed at her side, even when there was nothing left to hold together and pushed her to be all she could be, to not give up on herself as she stopped walking.

She let out a deep sigh thinking of the incredible journey they had taken to reach this point, knowing they had come along way together from lovers to friends, that he had opened her eyes to so many new possibilities which those new explorations gave her the confidence she needed to be on her own, and knew she couldn't have done so without him, and for the girl with whom she found someone she could honestly open up to and for the woman who was in love with a man, she wouldn't just leave not yet.

She knew how much this competition and everything surrounding it meant to him, that it was his primary focus, and even if she had to standby and watch Eva throw herself deliberately at him, she had made him a promise to be here to watch and cheer him on, even if she was only one voice lost in the sea of people, and had to say a hundred more goodbyes to him afterwards, she wouldn't break that promise.

She let out a deep breath with her mind made up to wait a little bit longer and turned around to see the crowd had intensified even more so with everyone now crowded up towards the front to watch his performance and knew she would not be able to get a good view of what was happening from where she stood.

She walked along the beach for a second trying to find a small hole to peak through, but with too many people in the way all she could see were the back of many heads and looked around hoping to find some other way as she saw the large sand dune at the edge of the beach.

It was further away from the crowd, but high enough that from the top she expected she would have a great view as she quickly made her way up to a high enough point and looked down to see him standing there by the water's edge, he looked focused in deep concentration of what lied ahead of him, but with the stronger forces of the wind blowing, she felt her stomach tied up in jittery knots.

She looked out far and deep on the same view he held with the waves of the ocean rocking back and forth, to her they seemed pretty treacherous if not careful and remembered from personal experience on a day much like today how they could be perilous, but assured herself to him it was nothing more than mere child's play as she looked up to see what the scoreboard read and how well the other competitors did to him.

It was obvious by the way the scores read that there were other highly skilled surfers here today, but no other seemed to have the same focus and determination as he did out there with his eyes fixated on grabbing the prize ahead of him, which she felt certain he would win.

Darien stood keeping his concentration out on the water beyond as he held onto his board firmly with one arm, while he looked out at the open waves and how they moved rocking back and forth, the rhythm of it spoke to him in a way nothing else would, this island and all that surrounded him was a song which he knew every verse to.

However, there could always be one unexpected obstacle to challenge and throw him off his game, like what she had told him made no logical sense at all, to just want to up and leave him like that, that she considered to be the only important thing in this world to him was his surfing, but she had been wrong as he tightened his grip further on his board.

Andy stood behind Darien watching the mannerisms of his friend, seeing unlike other competitions where he would usually be bragging about his own abilities compared to his other competitors, today he was silent and brooding very unlike himself, ever since he came back walking over here from talking with Serena and stood quietly looking out on the water, he didn't know what had been said up there between them, but knew whatever it was brought Darien's level of concentration to an all-time high as he stood just looking out watching the water without speaking a word.

He knew that he was not up just against fierce opponents, but that the greatest challenge he may have to face today was that of nature itself and he needed to get the old Darien back with his head focused on the tournament, that any deviation could end up being a catastrophe as he reached out and patted him on the back telling him supportively "it's a bit rocky out there today, the weather conditions are going to be a bit of a challenge, but I know you will do awesome out there, you know these waters better than anyone and whatever is going on in that head of yours just forget about it, you have other things to be focusing on right now"

Darien nodded his head with no response as he watched each wave hit against the shore, he knew Andy was right that these waters could be and were dangerous, which meant it was truly a masters contest to win now and if you did not know what you were doing out there you had no business to be out surfing here today, to some others it what reason enough to throw in the towel, but for him it was his own challenge a paradise in the making that awaited him, but it was not what his head was focusing on right now as he let out a heavy sigh.

Andy looked back towards Ryan and Bill with a shake of his head nervous to where Darien's head was at minutes before what could possibly be the hardest competition he has faced yet, as Bill came over to get his friends head in the game as he patted Darien on the shoulder telling him supportively "look man whatever that girl of yours has got stuck in your head, just forget about it, she's not important right now, this is your time, it's what you do best, just you and the board now buddy, no one else stands a chance against you, don't lose focus on some girl, all you have to do is stay on and the title stays yours"

Ryan walked over with a shake of his head, not understanding what could possibly be a cause for distraction here and now because of one girl when there was a whole town cheering as he folded his arms across his chest commenting on how he saw it stating "look she is just some girl, yeah she has some nice tits, but just listen you have a whole town that is counting on you to win this thing, don't get your shorts all twisted up by some girl now, when there are so many others to choose from, and once you win it all, you will have them lining up for you just like they always do"

Eva picked up on hear all his friends speak of what a hindrance that girl had become, even though she had known herself it right from the start as she looked to see the cause of all her problems where Serena stood in the back, all by her lonesome self as she shook her head seeing the girl just wouldn't take the hint and walk away as she stepped over to join his group of friends and placed her hands up deliberately onto Darien's chest telling him with a slight grin "he's right you know, she is not important. Just let her go, you are with us now, your real friends and once you win, which you obviously will, we can all go out and do some celebrating, just like we have always done before, she came along isn't that right Dari."

Darien turned around sharply hearing enough from his so-called friends as he looked to the group of good friends, who he assumed would always have his back as he thought they would anyway, but instead saw what Serena had spoken about too him and she had been absolutely right. He had brought her back here with him under the pretense that she would be happier here, that she could move on from all she left behind without feeling judged of who she was or where she had come from, but instead they never took the time to make her feel welcome or like she actually belonged here, treating her like any other girl that showed up on this beach, an outsider as he quickly removed Eva's hand away from his chest, and turned back around to see Serena standing off by herself further back from all the others at the top of a sand dune alone with her arms crossed.

He didn't know why seeing her standing their off by herself aggravated him as much as it did, but he felt disappointed as he turned back to face the others, with whom he wondered if they would have treated him in a similar fashion if they had known from the beginning who he really had been and where he had come from before, the way they do with her now as he spoke up telling them abruptly "she is not in the way as you say, and maybe if any one of you took the time to get to know her at all you would see that she is more than just a girl who grew up differently and came from a rich family, that all she was looking for was a chance to feel like she belonged somewhere and not have felt as much of an outcast as she does right now"

Ryan let out a loud laugh not taking his outburst to any real thought as he shook his head seeing Serena as nothing more than any other girl telling him back with a shrug "Darien it's not that we don't like the girl, but she just doesn't well she isn't" as Bill butted in seeing Ryan was putting his foot in his mouth as usual stating as though the answer were obvious "she is not like one of us, you and her, well look we all know it was never going to last, yeah when the kid was there between you, I get it you had no other choice, but now if she wants to leave I say let her go and focus on what is important and right in front of you"

Darien looked around him to see his where his friends stood who all quietly nodded their heads because they seemed to agree with what was being said as he spoke up telling them firmly "yes you're right if she wants to leave then I can't stop her, but don't worry I know what everyone expects to happen and I haven't lost any focus, I know exactly who I am and where I am going. I also happen to know that I am not the guy that you all see me as, I am the son of a wealthy business man, who just like her left the company name to make a new start for myself and here I am with all of you now, but still I am dealing with all others expectations and I know what waits right in front of me" as he heard the crowd all cheering out loudly for him, expecting him to do great things and he would be certain he wouldn't disappoint.

Andy looked to him surprised that he would compare them his friends, to the life he had spoken to him about which he hated and realized that he was right that they had all put too much expectation on his shoulders as Eva spoke up right on cue questioning intrigued "what do you mean by the son of a wealthy man? Does that mean that you have money too?"

Andy looked to her with a shake of his head not surprised that was all she took out of this as he looked around to his others friends surprised faces and explained back coldly "no it means that his father has money" but knew that Darien had said what he did for a reason and also that he was right, everyone including himself put it on his shoulders to go out there and win this whole thing, that they just expected it of him, but knew now things weren't always that simple as he commented back "Darien I'm sorry, I didn't" when he stopped unable to finish his comment as they heard the announcer call out his number to begin surfing.

Darien felt a weight lifted off his shoulders in its place a new sense of direction, to do what he wanted to do and compete for himself as he let all the thoughts and opinions of others that were consuming his thoughts out of his mind as he picked up his board, which brought him many victories so far and felt a new stronger surge of confidence inside of his own ability, as he patted Andy on the shoulder telling him in full charge "I've got this" and then with a deep determination he walked towards the open water

He stepped into the surf and could feel the wind blowing through his hair, but remained confident while keeping full control of his board as he felt the breakers moving in, all the while paddling out further through the open water, where he felt each tap and shove, of each wave that passed by trying to unsettle him to force him further back as they came rolling in underneath him with the spray splashing up against his face.

He paddled out far enough so his concentration wasn't broken on what lied ahead, where the only voices he could hear around him were that of just a whisper from the shoreline, and then waited taking his time choosing for the ideal wave to come in, which he could grab hold of and take a perfect ride.

He took a deep breath in and could feel the water moving, rocking underneath him pulling him in the direction in which it wanted him to follow, as he tried to keep his balance and muscle through it, but found the more he tried to keep steady the more he was bounced around and then surprisingly heard a fit of laughter go through his head as he heard her voice of a not-so-distant memory with her telling him happily "I can really feel it Darien"

He felt the wind rustling around him and made the ultimate decision in that moment to go against months and years of practice, and follow his own teachings, by letting his instincts take over as he closed his eyes just for a second. He felt the cool breeze hit his face and thought of the surfing lesson, he had shared with her right here on this very beach. He had told her then to trust him and to close her eyes and just feel it, to feel the water being there in that space surrounding them and to keep her eyes closed and move with it as he opened his eyes up wide and looked out on the serene blue which surrounded him, where he began to move with the water, instead of fighting against it and doing so he did not feel exerted, but more in control and at peace.

He did a quick look behind him seeing with an unspoken certainty of what counted most with everyone on land with their arms raised up high cheering and calling out his name, but he hoped that she was there awaiting him too, as he turned back around knowing his moment had finally found him as he got into a crouched position and waited until his perfect wave came in to bring him the ride of a lifetime as he looked out on the endless blue full of enchanted possibilities.

Andy stood to the front of the crowd watching nervously as the waves went up higher and the mass all horded together on the beach as their arms went up overhead and cheered out loudly in celebration, while watching their champion paddling through the choppy water waiting for the excitement that would surely come. Although he was extra nervous seeing how Darien seemed to be taking an extra-long time out there waiting for his perfect wave to hit as Ryan patted him on the shoulder questioning "what is he waiting for out there, a taxi?"

Andy shook his head not taking his eyes away while he watched knowing this was not the way his friend usually performed out there with the water taking control knocking him left and then right as he let out a deep breath and turned around to see everyone cheering out loudly expecting the win, but there was one girl standing out at the edge of the beach on top of the dune all by herself, who seemed to share in his own concerns with a worried and nervous expression across her face and was unsure what else could possibly be going through her head at this very moment other than Darien's safety.

He shook his head trying to think positive thoughts while telling Ryan firmly "I'm sure Darien's got this handled, he's just waiting for the right moment come" but found he was not facing Ryan when he spoke, but another who cared a great deal about him too and then turned back around sharply when he heard the announcers speak up stating loudly to the crowd "and he's up"

Andy looked around him amazed at how quickly the crowd seemed to rally back in his favor as they all lost any doubt they may have held and ran forward to the water's edge, while they cheered on hearing the positive details that were being given over the louder speaker on his overall performance while they watched on in amazement of Darien with his board connected as one.

The announcer you would usually expect to see at large sporting events such as this one sat at a large rectangular table, while ranking together the points being given as he spoke out a specified report stating "here he is number 17 with a grand performance just as you would expect from him, he looks great out there, in full control of his board while riding the curl, his posture looks perfect, he looks very much at ease in these breaky waters"

The other announcer who sat to his left holding a pair of binoculars in his hands, who was already a large fan chimed in taking obvious pleasure from watching a performance they all could expect from a surfer with Darien's great skill level added in saying "yes his skills are impeccable, I couldn't agree more he has full control out there, we have seen some great surfers today, but I think we all know who is the one to beat" as he watched Darien masterfully take control, a natural Poseidon of the sea while stating positively "and here, he goes doing an air reverse into a double back flip, executed too perfection. I think we all know who the home town favorite is here folks and if he keeps this up, we will surely see the champion hold onto his title for another year"

The crowd all continued to cheer out louder in excitement for their hometown hero with the general consensus that he would win again this year as the announcers watched on while stating pleased to the pumped up crowd "it is truly enjoyable just watching him out there, he knows how to entertain the crowd doesn't he, and he also has one of, if not the greatest skill level I have ever witnessed, just look at the way he is handling that tube ride, he looks incredible out there" as the other announcer chimed in stating "yes once again I must agree, another difficult maneuver that he executed to perfection, and with these conditions today it adds an extra level of difficulty, but he makes it look easy, as he finishes off into a tail slide" but his words were mostly lost by the loud cheering and yelling from the crowd.

The other announcer let out a small chuckle hearing all the females in attendance calling out there love and devotion towards him, and found himself getting caught up in the overall excitement from the over-zealous crowd stating "well I think we all can hear who this crowd is rooting for today, and here he comes doing a cutback, a lesser move for him, which is surprising for a surfer of his skill level and ability, but" when the microphone suddenly dropped the sound and all you could hear was complete silence throughout the crowd as everything stopped and there was a sudden pause in the air as the other announcer took over and spoke up stating in complete disbelief "ladies and gentleman the unthinkable has happened number 17, has wiped out"

There was quiet amongst the entire crowd as everyone stood watching not saying a single word, waiting for some sign from him that he was alright, but you could almost hear the sounds of a few soft sobs nearby as they waited for nearly 12 seconds for a confirmation on his well-being, until one of the announcers spoke up telling them in both complete shock and amazement "he seems to be alright folks he has his head above water now and has his board back under his control"

The other announcer took a deep breath in feeling a certain relief that he was unharmed, but also a great let down from the people's choice as he stated unbelievable out to the crowd "a devastating turn of events, but you just never know which way these things will turn up, but you do know what this will mean that there will be a new champion this year, it will be a devastating loss for him, it is hard to imagine what he must be thinking at this very moment"

Darien came walking out of the water as he spit down to the ground some of the excess water from his mouth and wiped the rest of the spray from his face, while holding his board firmly under one arm, he walked up the beach towards the once cheering crowd, who now all stood still and silent as they parted ways for him to pass as everyone stood motionless with the same look of sadness to see their hero who had fallen as Andy rushed over to him glad to see his friend was still in one piece as he patted him on the back telling him supportively "you'll get it next time, these things could happen to anyone"

Darien nodded his head taking no worry or care to any such advice or the assorted looks he was getting from others around him, but wanted to see a familiar face in the crowd of a girl whose hair shined like the morning sun as his eyes fixated to the top of the sand dune to see the one person that he needed to see there, who was now missing from the crowd and removed Andy's hand away telling him back with a disappointed shrug "yeah next time"

He expected she would have headed back home at least and quickened his pace to go after her, having a pretty clear idea of what she planned on doing while there, but what concerned him more were the feelings left unsaid that he needed to express, which he had not let himself open up to any other or feel this way in years, and how he had to convince her that she had been wrong, that she was all that he wanted, that she is what is on his mind all day long, but mostly she is the most important thing in his life right now as he shook his head and told Andy quickly "excuse me, I have somewhere that I need to be right now"

Andy looked to his friend concerned by his overly calm exterior and was surprised that he was not taking this loss harder than he expected it to be as he nodded his head telling him skeptically "alright if that's what you want"

Darien simply nodded his head in response as he turned and walked away not needing to wait or felt the need to listen any further as the results came in, on who would claim the prized title this year, when he had his mind set on a different prize and quickly left the beach in a hustle.

Andy watched him go then turned to look behind him to see that the waiting crowd that had been calling out Darien's name a moment ago, had already turned their devotion over to the next person who would end up winning the gold this year, and how quickly they had all let him pass by.

Author's Note: Hi everyone like I had written on the top paragraph this is only part 1 of the last chapter, I have uploaded both parts 1 and 2 together so you do have to wait and if you so chose you can read them both together, but I thought it would be easier to break them up into two separate chapters, but chapter 47 will continue with the end of the story. Thanks for reading and following along. I hope you enjoyed the story so far and please send your thoughts and reviews Mars Light