Sunset at Paradise Cove
Chapter 47
Author's Note: Hi everyone well not much to say that was not written in the last chapter note, but this is the second part of the final chapter, although there will be an epilogue to follow as soon as I can and also for anyone that was following along with my other story Ties That Bind, I will be adding Book 2 shortly, so you can keep an eye out for that as well. Thank you to all my readers and please continue to send your thoughts and reviews and I hope you are pleased with how everything turns out at the end of this story. Thanks Mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Serena walked down the beach slowly in utter bewilderment, she had come up to the cottage they had made a home in and shared together for a time, and stopped looking at the front door knowing she could not go back in there, not yet, not with the chance that he would soon be there, instead taking the cowardly way out to not face him, not after what she had witnessed with her own eyes happen, what she herself had mistakenly done to make happen, and once again like everything in her life she had messed this up too, only this time with her crazy plans and ideas, she hurt someone she cared deeply about as she reached up to wipe away a tear from her eyes.
She walked slowly up to one of the open windows, and looked inside to everything that was left on hold as she shook her head thinking over what had happened in her head and the many decisions she could have made and done differently by just following her earlier instincts and staying away instead of keeping a promise to stayed and watch. Only she didn't just watch as she took a step backwards followed by another, expecting he was angry and she would no longer be welcome here any longer.
She felt the wind blowing and wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm with the salty breeze air coming off from the water and then stopped as she heard the cheering from the crowd below and closed her eyes for a moment, expecting the deep sadness and frustration he must feel and could see a vision of him in her head for a split second.
He had been standing by the water almost hypnotized by it just before he went off to surf his final round, and then unexpectedly for a brief instant he turned around and was looking at her, it was a look that pierced her like an arrow and went down to her very soul, but knew it was improbable that he was looking at her in that instant when there were how many other people between them as she stood by waiting and watching.
The wind had started to pick up and she had been undeniably a bit concerned at first seeing him make his way out with the size of some of those waves in the distance, but found out quickly why he was the hero of so many, and with all the excitement that reared up from the crowd watching him surfing, it grew contagious and she found herself joining in with all the others yelling and screaming out his name, until it all stopped.
She felt her heart stop beating at that very moment, waiting further away from all the others, with a panoramic view of the ocean, but only seeing the choppy blue water, with no sight of him and needed to know if he was alright, until finally she saw him lift his head up with a large splash and came walking out of the water. He was left dripping wet with his head lowered down, and the face of someone who had just lost everything and it was then that she knew.
She turned away and left afraid to face him and the anger and resentment he would surely hold for her, so even though it was a difficult decision it was her only thing left to do, she couldn't stay and face him with what she had done, being fully to blame for his lack of focus, seeing how before she came along he was a champion and she was the one who had destroyed all of that for him, distracting him right before he had started his biggest surfing competition and taking him away from all his time practicing to help her figure things out, and it was now all her fault that she had let the whole town down with the loss also, as she covered her face in shame when she heard a kind voice speak up asking "can I get something for you miss?"
She looked over to see that being lost in her own thoughts she had led herself all the way down towards the tiki bar and saw a girl about her own age standing behind the bar as she recognized her as one of the waitresses from last evening, only this time holding a dust rag in hand as she wiped down the bar top in what was now a very quiet place as she spoke up asking again "can I get you something?"
Serena looked up startled to hear anyone else around, expecting that by the size of the crowd most would still be at the competition, but saw where she was currently standing by the tiki luau Darien played at with his band and seeing her earlier thoughts were right, besides herself and the woman behind the bar the place was left empty, with most others still down on the beach as she walked up towards the bar while shaking her head telling her regretfully "no, not unless you have some magic potion that can change the past"
Lucy looked to her with a small grin and a shake of her head recognizing her as the same girl from last evening the one that had a brief encounter with Nicholas, and with whom Darien even though he had not said in so many words it was obvious he was caught up with her, as she began to wonder why this girl was here now by herself instead of with Darien at the competition as she motioned towards one of the empty stools by the bar telling her with a friendly smile "well I can't do that, but I am a pretty good listener, so do you want to tell me what is troubling you?"
Serena let out a small sigh and looked to the kind girl with a shake of her head, finding her to be the first person since she arrived, besides Darien who seemed to want to take the time to listen and ask what was troubling her, but expected she was probably just acting the way any other good bartender would to suggest you open up about all your troubles to a complete stranger as she shook her head telling her back "No, I am sure you are busy and I don't want to be a bother to you or anyone else ever again"
Lucy shook her head expecting this girl needed to get something off her chest as she grabbed two shot glasses and put them both down on the bar with a bottle of tequila in between them while telling her warmly "well, you certainly are not being a distraction as you can see there are not that many people here right now and I would enjoy the company, I am also assuming there is more to tell on why you think you are a bother to everyone around you"
Serena looked down to the offered glass in front of her and knew part of her troubles began because she had tried to take the easy way-out last night and took another way out to erase her troubles by drinking them away, but found they were all still there when she awoke the next morning and they only seemed to grow worse as she slid the glass back across the counter while telling her with a shrug of her shoulder "I ruined everything for him"
Lucy nodded her head hearing from this girl, both pain and remorse because she seemed to genuinely care of what she believed she had done so wrongly as she filled up her own glass and took a quick drink telling her "Well I have nothing but time, so would you care to tell me what is on your mind? What you believed you had done that is so wrong that you are here talking to me, instead of being over at the big competition today like everyone else is"
Serena looked down the beach to where everyone stood as she expected the trophies would soon be awarded a reminder that it was not Darien who had won and she had disappointed, but a whole town full of people as she shook her head telling her back sadly "I was there, but it would have been better if I had never shown my face at all. Actually, it would have been better if I had have never come back to this island, all I have done since arriving is mess everything up for him and I can't bear that, which is why I have to leave"
Lucy nodded her head as she listened to the fears and doubts of a girl who obviously was looking to seek approval from a man with whom she so desperately loved as a small smirk crossed her face expecting that Darien reciprocated those feelings for her too and she was not too far off from getting what she needs to hear while telling her "Well I am just one person, but from the way you speak of him, it sounds more to me like maybe he means a great deal to you, maybe someone that you love and well I wouldn't just walk away from something that could be amazing so quickly, without at least first finding out how he feels about you too"
Serena began to blush seeing it was so clear even too a stranger that she was in love with him as she shook her head with a small grin thinking of the cavalier attitude he has towards any kind of deep emotions as she let out a tired sigh explaining "I know enough, he well, let's just say I am not the one that he cares most about, actually I don't think there is one specific person to him, it is all about his surfing and because of me he lost everything. I took away the one thing in this world that he does care most about and I know the heartbreak he must be feeling right now and to have everyone look at him in such a way, he must feel so disappointed, wishing he had never laid eyes on me at all because the truth is it was all my fault"
Lucy looked to her with a shake of her head not knowing the full story on why she was blaming herself, but expected there was more to this then just being at a surfing competition as she spoke up telling her "Well that is sure a lot to put on one person's shoulders alone, you let down the whole town you say just over some silly competition. I don't know all that much about these types of events, but I do know that usually it is not the spectators that dictate how the events play out, so why would you think you are to blame? I mean you didn't make him lose, did you?"
Serena took a deep breath in as she thought about all the times, he had mentioned to her about how important this contest was, or about what the outcome would mean for the big winner with the riches and bragging rights that came along with it or in general how much surfing truly means to him as she let out a deep breath while telling her back "I might as well have, you see he did lose the competition because of me. If I had just come to wish him luck like I should have done so in the first place or better yet if I had not been there at all to spread along my horrible luck, I am certain he would have done just fine. Instead, all I did was take a crucial moment to distract him. I messed up everything, I took away his gratification for all the hard work he puts in each day and now he must hate me for it"
Lucy looked to the girl in front of her knowing the kiss that she had witnessed Darien giving her last evening in front of a large crowd of people no less, was definitely not the actions of a man who hated her, and expected if given the opportunity they could find a way to work things out as she replied back "Well in my experience hate can be an awfully large word, and sometimes things are said or done out of sheer desperation, but you seem like a smart girl and I would hope you would not do anything drastic without actually asking him how he feels for you"
Serena looked to her as she let out a long sigh knowing that in most circumstances what she was saying would make perfect sense, but in this case with all that had happened between them already, she was well aware of the hard truths they faced and angry words that passed between them, knowing sometimes it would be best to just let things stand the way they are and she had to walk away now before any more hurtful words are said by someone else with whom she had come to love.
She went to stand up from her stool knowing she needed to make a phone call to her friend Mina and get away from here as soon as possible as she looked to the friendly girl behind the counter telling her "Thank you for the talk, but I think what would be best for the both of us, is that I just leave quietly" when she heard another voice come up from behind her asking coldly "leaving so soon?"
She took a deep breath in recognizing the harshness of the voice immediately and felt a shutter run down her back as she turned around slowly to see on his face a look of hate and ridicule, which she could only expect to come from him as she came again face to face with the same man from last night, who made her an offer she just had to refuse as she shook her head telling him "Yes, I have made up my mind and I think it would be best for everyone if I just leave quietly"
Nicholas walked over as he took the empty seat next to where she stood and looked to Lucy as he slammed his fist down on the counter while asking abruptly "scotch on the rocks make it a double and do it snappy" as he began to abruptly start laughing out loudly leaving both girls starring his way unsure what he found so amusing as he stated sarcastically "making it better for everyone you say, well you have certainly chosen your time wisely, you should have never come here in the first place, your arrival here made a mess of things for everyone and now you are just ready to leave, go on your merry way to your next conquest or victim" as he slammed his fist down on the counter screaming out at Serena's face "do you know how much you have cost me?"
Lucy stood feeling the tension rising in the air as she crossed her arms knowing the kind of trouble Nicholas could and has caused before as shook her head telling him back firmly "I cannot allow you to speak to my customers this way. I think you should be going elsewhere to have your drink"
Nicholas looked to her while letting out a small chuckle seeing this girl try to tell him what to do and he had no intentions of leaving while stating rudely "you broads are all the same, why don't you be smart for once, shut up and bring me my damn, drink" as he turned back around to face Serena, who stood by surprised and uncomfortable as he placed his hand down on her arm telling her "Do you realize what you have done, because of you I now owe a lot of money to some very dangerous men, and do you know what they do to people when they don't get their money in a timely manner"
Serena felt her breath hitch in her throat knowing of the types of people this man associated himself with and the large amount of trouble that now followed him as she looked down to where he had his hand firmly on her arm as he tightened it, squeezing her arm until it hurt, as she tried to pull her arm away, but felt his grip only get tighter as she shook her head responding back "I, I, I'm sorry, but it wasn't my fault"
Nicholas shook his head as he laughed while seeing her struggling and stating harshly "not your fault sorry, well isn't that convenient, now it is not your fault when I just heard you admitting to your friend here a moment ago that is was all your fault, isn't that right friend"
Lucy looked to him with a shake of her head knowing the situation was growing more serious as she replied back sternly "I think you need to go"
Serena looked to him hoping he would take the hint and leave as she continued to struggle to get her arm away from his strong grasp, while he shook his head while laughing aloud "oh don't worry I'll be sure to get going once I deal with this one, after all I want to be sure to get her the proper parting gift, for someone who single handedly wrecked all the lives you touched and the trouble that you have caused here" as he quickly raised his hand up and slapped Serena hard across the cheek knocking her off balance to the ground as Lucy cried out desperately "stop this now"
Nicholas though paid no attention to her cries as he quickly grabbed the bottle that was left on the counter in front of him and took a long swig of it, then got off his own stool as he reached down to where Serena was on the ground trying to right herself up as he grabbed hold of her by the neck and he lifted her head up bringing her face up close to his own as he began to squeeze tightly seeing the way she struggled underneath his grasp, while he let out a deep laugh stating "maybe I should just end this for you now here and save all the others the trouble"
Serena felt the air being suffocated from her as she tried to grab hold of his hand to pull him away, but he was stronger and she felt herself growing weaker and far more dim by the second as she heard Lucy cry out to him pleading "stop this at once you're going to kill her" but never got any further when the next thing she knew she fell down to the ground with a loud thud.
She lied there for a second and took a deep breath in of fresh air knowing she had been saved as she turned around to see what had happened, who had come along to save her to find Nicholas being thrown up against the bar with Darien's fist being slammed into his face again and again as he screamed out in a rage "what the hell is the matter with you, you could have killed her. I told you to never come near her again and this is where I find you, with your damn hands around her neck, well now you are going to be dealing with me" as he slammed another first into the man's face
Nicholas opened his mouth to try to make a coherent thought of reasoning, but just received another punch into his face for trying as he began pleading for his own life, Darien placed his hand up to his throat lifting the man off his feet with little effort while questioning in a menacing tone "just give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right here"
Nicholas had his feet dangling mid-air as he looked down with the one eye, he could still see out of seeing the angry look in Darien's face as he shook his head begging for leniency saying "please don't hurt me, I will never touch her again I swear it"
Darien shook his head not taking anything this man has to say as truth, not after he let him walk away once and would not make the same mistake again as he shook his head stating back forcefully "I've heard that before" when he felt a gentle hand placed up against his arm as he turned his head surprised to see Serena standing next to him as she gave him a small smirk stating kindly "it's okay just let him go, he's not worth it, you are a better man then he is, don't stoop to his level, but I believe he will get what is coming to him in the end, just not from you"
Darien looked down to where he held Nicholas's life in his hands and after hearing Lucy's shouts for help, he quickly came running over to find him choking Serena of all people and knew he deserved what was coming to him especially for not taking his first warning as Nicholas looked to him begging "please do as she asks, I promise I won't ever come near her again, I swear it"
Darien felt an internal rage building up as he looked over to see Serena who remained calm and gave him a reassuring nod to release him and then against his better judgement he released his hold on Nicholas as he watched him quickly stand-up wobbling on his feet, but did not take his eyes off of him for a second as he shouted out "get out of here now, before I change my mind" and then stood with his arms crossed as a challenge to defy him now as he watched Nicholas stumbling over his own two feet trying to get as far away as quickly as possible
Darien let out a deep breath relieved he had come in time and turned around to see Serena standing there clearly shaken after what she had just gone through as he felt all the rage, he had built up inside of him the moment he saw Nicholas holding her by the neck, quickly evaporate to instant relief to know that she was alright as he placed his hand up gently to her bruised cheek questioning "are you alright?"
Serena dropped her shoulders down feeling relieved that it was over and he had come along when he did, but knew that she did owe him some sort of explanation for all of this happening as she nodded her head telling him softly "yes thanks to you, but I guess I owe you some sort of an explanation for that guy you almost choked to death just now, you see he approached me last night"
Darien nodded his head knowing exactly who the man she spoke of is, and what kind of person he is too without her speaking a word as he reached down and took her hand in his own and could still feel the jittering that she felt as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze telling her back calmly "yes I know all about him his name is Nicholas Obrien and I heard that you two had spoken and had a bit of an altercation last night?"
Serena looked to him surprised to hear that he already knew of the conversation she had with the man, never realizing herself how dangerous he really was as she explained back "yes we talked, I really had nothing left to say to him after I met him earlier that day and he was a bit rude to me at a job interview, but then he came up to me later on at the party last night and well, he offered me a job within his company to provide insider information about you. I told him I wasn't interested and he wasn't taking no for an answer so I kind of through a drink into his face to prove my point"
Darien nodded his head hearing her part of the story and was proud of her for the way she handled herself as he let out a small laugh explaining "yes I had heard a bit about that as well and I must admit that I was impressed on hearing how well you handled him, but I wish you had come to me earlier about what happened with him, he is a dangerous man and not to be trusted"
Serena let out a small laugh as she reached up and rubbed her sore neck telling him with a deep breath "yes, I got the message clearly on that when he had his hand around my throat apparently, he had put money down on the competition today for you to win today and well when you didn't, he now is in big trouble with some rough men and he also kind of blames me for everything"
Darien took a deep breath in expecting Nicholas had to be in some serious trouble to bring him to such desperate actions, but was also partially glad to hear that a man like Nicholas Obrien will not just walk away, without dealing with some repercussions for his actions while telling her "Well I don't know what kind of trouble he is going to be facing, but I am sorry that I didn't get the chance to kill him myself, when I saw him with his hand around your neck, I would have, but I thought after I had a conversation with him earlier that he would have gotten the hint to stay away from you, but I now understand why you said what you did, that he will get what is coming to him, but if he tries to come near you again there won't be anything left of him"
Serena looked to him with her eyes open wide surprised by the strong protective way that he had spoken of her, when her mind was caught up on something else that he had said, specifically about a conversation he had with Nicholas as she thought back to the way she saw him standing earlier talking with him and why Nicholas seemed so unnerved afterwards as she questioned back "you had a conversation with him about me, was it possibly said down on the beach earlier before you and I started talking"
Darien nodded his head seeing the surprised look she had that he would take whatever steps he needed to see she was safe while telling her back "yes I found out from Lucy last night that he came onto you and I thought I made it clear to him that he was never to come near you again"
Serena let out a breath of air now understanding what she had seen him talking to Nicholas about as she let out a small chuckle for actually thinking the worst of him, when it in actuality the complete opposite, that he was trying to keep her safe while telling him honestly "I guess I owe you an apology for ever thinking the worst of you when all you really did do was try to help me"
Darien placed his hand around her waist as he held on tight stating "you have nothing to apologize to me for, but if anything like this happens again, please come talk to me first"
Serena let out a deep breath not expecting this to be the same man who would be angry and hate her for what she had done to leave him miserable, only he didn't seem that miserable at all as she shook her head telling him back "there won't have to be a next time, because I think that I have done enough to cause you anymore trouble and it would be best that we part ways here"
Lucy looked between the two seeing there was obvious chemistry there, but also so many unspoken emotions that needed to come to the surface as she spoke up telling them "I will step into the back and get some ice for your cheek there, why don't you two talk for a minute"
Darien nodded his head expecting Lucy was giving them the alone time they desperately needed and was grateful for it as he watched her walk off to the back supply area as he turned around to Serena with a sly smile telling her "She has plenty of ice here I think she was just trying to give us a minute alone together to talk"
Serena nodded her head expecting what he said was probably true, after the girl had tried to convince her to tell him how she really feels and now that he was here right in front of her there was no turning back as she took a deep breath in telling him "I'm so sorry, I never wanted to cause you such problems as I have"
Darien looked to her not understanding where all these thoughts were coming from and with a shake of his head he asked with a playful grin "there it is again you're saying you're sorry to me or that you want to apologize, but I still don't know what for?"
Serena looked to him as though the answer were completely obvious as she let out all the despair and grief, she held in telling him "For messing up your competition. That man saw it for what it is and I am sure that everyone else does too. I messed everything up for you and I shouldn't have laid all those stupid plans on you when I did. I was just a distraction to you and I should have just kept my mouth shut as my mother always told me, that I speak up way too much and often at the wrong times. It was my fault that you lost today and I'm so sorry I know how much all of this means to you and I will find a way to make this all up to you somehow, but in the meantime, I think it would be best if I get out of your way as soon as possible, so I won't be a bother any longer. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness after what I did, but I do hope that someday you will" as she wiped a tear from her eyes and started to take a step past him when she heard his laughter of all things.
Darien stood there hearing all of this which could not be further from the truth as he looked to her with a smirk telling her "Wow I never thought I would hear the day come when you would actually be asking me for forgiveness, that is a lot to take in, especially with you saying you are destroying my life and all, but why don't you come have a seat here next to me and wait up there for one more moment before you just run off, so we can have a little talk about this scenario of you telling me how important this competition is to me? All these expectations well do you really know what is most important to me?"
Serena nodded her head expecting he had only been holding back his emotions and now had every right to be angry with her and she would have to stand here and face it, for what she had done as she went and took a seat down on one of the stools next to him telling him insecurely "Of course I do. I saw the way you were focused out there not letting anything else distract you, you're surfing is the most important thing in the world to you, just like you have always told me it is and I am sure you would have gotten first place if it had not been for me there bothering you and I feel horrible that you lost the competition that you worked so hard for, because of me"
Darien nodded his head, seeing a bit of the same insecure girl he had witnessed at her parent's place, who in their eyes could do nothing right and she believed it to be true as well as he placed his hand down on top of her own wanting to change that telling her "You're right about many things I did spend a lot of my time surfing, most every spare minute I had actually of the day, until you came along that is"
Serena lowered her shoulders down unsure if she could feel much worse than she did at that very moment, but it was possible, until she was surprised but the unexpectedness to feel his hand hold onto hers and give it an extra squeeze as she looked up to him to see him smiling as he told her with a grin "like you already know I left home to make my own choices and take my own life back, but it wasn't really much of a life when you think about it and well you are right about another thing too, but it is nothing that you need to be apologizing to me for. I did not win today because of you, but it wasn't your fault that I lost either; you did nothing wrong"
Serena looked to him, not understanding how he could be so calm about all of this as she shook her head telling him "But you should be angry with me, you should be yelling and screaming at me because it was all my fault, there is also something you don't know. I saw you speaking with Eva earlier and well I saw the way you have your arms wrapped around her and I became jealous. I know I have no right to be I mean it's not like we have any real commitment to each other, it's not like we were ever really married, but seeing you with her"
Darien looked to her nodding his head asking "well so that is what this was really all about that you got jealous seeing me around another girl? Would it help at all if I became angry with you and started yelling and screaming?"
Serena looked to him knowing he had every right to be angry with her, that he should be angry with her, but did not feel like she could hear any of his hated words and have her heart broken again by him as she shook her head telling him softly "no"
Darien let out a small grin as he saw the way she lowered her head down so she wouldn't have to face him as he placed his hand under her chin to lift her head up stating back with a laugh "good because I have no intentions of doing it"
Serena looked to him wanting to argue back that this whole thing was completely ridiculous, but let out a deep breath instead and nodded her head replying back "fine okay, yes, its true alright I really did get jealous, I tried to act like it was no big deal and I could do this seeing you around with other girls and make it seem like it wasn't a big deal to me, but it turns out I can't. I want you for my own not to be shared with others and it hurt me to see you with Eva and every other girl like her that you want to be with instead of me and I think it will be better once we both go our separate ways"
Darien nodded his head as he smiled, hearing what he needed to hear from her that she wanted to be with him also while telling her casually "If that is what you really want to up and leave, go sleep on an air mattress at your friends place then so be it, but I think you should at least hear me out first before you go, because there is nothing that happened between Eva and myself earlier. Actually, I assume what you witnessed was me telling her that she needs to stop throwing herself at me and also in so many words, that I am with someone else that I prefer to be with and only with. Now I need to know from you would you rather be with your friend and sleep on an air mattress or would you be happier staying here with me"
Serena looked to him surprised by his comment, that he really wanted to be with her as she asked unsure "you really told her that there is nothing between you and her any longer"
Darien looked to her with a slight smirk, knowing that it could take a little more convincing as he nodded his head responding back "I did, but it is not so much an any longer as it was a never was between myself and Eva, but I have found myself to be more of a woman kind of guy and you also haven't answered my question yet, do you really want to leave?"
Serena looked back to him with a shake of her head as she responded back "no of course I don't, but the truth is I'm afraid, these past few weeks staying with you have been some of the best moments I have had so far in my whole life and I don't want. I don't want to lose what this has been and…"
Darien nodded his head having a pretty clear idea of how she was feeling as he took a deep breath in and let it out asking "you're afraid to let yourself be happy for once, that you fear you don't deserve it"
Serena looked to him startled by what he said as she shook her head questioning back what he said whether it could possibly be true, after all these years, that it was she, she was the one who wasn't allowing herself to find her own happiness as she replied back truthfully "I really do want a chance to be my own person and have a husband and start a family someday in a place where I can really fit in and live up to my own potential"
Darien nodded his head expecting in this scenario, she still had her doubts about him being the one and them being together, and after everything they had gone through, he couldn't find fault in her for feeling that way while telling her smoothly "I don't want to hold you back from any of that either, I want you to be happy and find a place where we could settle down, but I guess what I want to know from you is can you do all of that here with me? If not, I guess we would have to find a place to start over together, of course it would have to have the ocean close by so that I could continue with my surfing, because as you have stated it is what is most important to me right?"
Serena looked to him amazed unsure if she was actually hearing this right from him, and detected a bit of sarcasm to go along with his words as she shook her head in disbelief asking him "wait what? what are you really saying that you would just give up all of this up, just for me? Its Ludacris come on Darien I know what really matters and is in your heart"
Darien turned around to look at her, feeling a confidence in all of his choices as he shook his head replying back "Serena, Serena sometimes you think you know everything, but this time you are wrong, so wrong"
Serena looked to him knowing him better than that, as she folded her arms across her chest challenging back "alright if you think I am wrong then mister smart guy, why don't you tell me about why you get up every morning at the crack of dawn to go surfing? What all those trophies back at your place represent? What your whole life had been about up until I showed up"
He put his hands to her waist and pulled her in closer to him so she would listen as he brushed her hair to the side and told her firmly leaving no doubt "your right about everything, my whole life was about surfing and playing around, that is at least until you showed up and challenged me to see myself in new ways, but surfing is not the most important thing to me, at least not anymore"
Serena sat there wanting to believe every word that he said, but found it so hard to believe after everything he had already spoke of to her before and with a shake of her head began telling him with uncertainty "I doubt that could be true, after all the times that you had told me" Darien shook his head as he placed one finger up to her mouth to silent any more of her skepticisms telling her assuredly "I know what I said before, but as of lately I have been seeing things differently, a little more clearly and well let's just say that I found that there are some things worth more to me, someone that is particularly important to me, that I am willing to fight for and this time I just can't lose"
Serena looked to him amazed that it was really she that he wanted to be with as she bit down on her lip wanting to believe that it could all be true questioning "and what person may that be may I ask?" he looked to her with a small laugh, seeing now she didn't believe he fell in love with her stating "okay I'll play along it's the same person that I find the extra towel on the bathroom floor every morning, and the same one who has an added cup of coffee left in the sink each day, and that each time she gets into my car I always adjust the radio back to her station, it's all the little things that if they were not there, well let's just say she is who I can't lose"
Serena looked back at him with a shake of her head questioning back "those are all little things that you like about me" he let out a small laugh knowing those were only just a few as he shook his head telling her "No, those are just some of the small things that make up who you are, and you are what is most important to me"
Serena looked to him with her mouth left wide open feeling speechless when a sudden realization occurred to her of what he was actually saying and what she had challenged him to admit, but more so what he had actually said before as she looked to him in amazement questioning "the competition? You told you lost because of me, but that it wasn't may fault, that you lost, why would you say something like that unless?"
Darien looked to her with a small smirk knowing she had just figured it all out and now understood what truly lied in his heart as he replied back saying "I think you already know the answer to that, now don't you?"
Serena looked to him in complete shock as she choked out the words she spoke of as the undeniable truth of what he was saying asking in disbelief "you lost the competition on purpose didn't you, but why would you"?
He looked to her seeing she did believe him, but also couldn't understand why he would chose her over anything else that he enjoyed doing, especially when that was all she knew her entire life were those passing her by, but this time was different as he began explaining "I needed you to know, I needed you to finally realize and well I knew that you wouldn't believe me if I just said the words, so I thought that I would have to show you and this would be how I would prove it, that this would be the only way for you to really see, for you to realize what is the most important thing to me and it's not winning some contest, it's you Serena, it's you I don't want lose, and I can't imagine what my life would be without having you here with me each day"
Serena looked to him shaking her head, having a hard time believing that this was really happening that she could have a man in front of her, who was telling her that he really did love her and was putting her over any material things as she asked with a small laugh "really, you do mean that, you are not just looking to have someone waiting for you when you get home, because you know a puppy could do the same thing"
Darien shook his head as he expected with her things would not always be easy and let out a loud laugh explaining "Yes really, Serena, I want you, I want to have all our conversations and all of our arguments too, which I am certain will still come, but this time I won't be turning away from you and I know that we will get through whatever may come together because I want to wake up each day where you are there walking out of the bedroom with your hair all disheveled in your pink bathrobe looking for that first cup of coffee. I want to continue to explore new things with you each day and possibly take a few cooking lessons together also"
She hid a small giggle under her breath by his comment amazed that what he had spoken of, which could really be what her life could actually become and she believed it too as she smiled a true genuine smile telling him "I want all of that too"
Darien reached out and took her hand as he placed it up against his lips for a short chaste kiss and then lowered it down, but did not release her hand from his hold as he continued on telling her "good because wherever you are that is where my home will be, and if it is that important for you to go away to school somewhere else then fine, we will figure it out together, but if you are choosing to leave this island just because you think it is what I want you are dead wrong, because all that I do want is sitting right here in front of me"
Serena looked to him as she wiped away a happy tear from her eyes never expecting that she would ever hear these kind of words spoken by him as she put her arms around his neck and held on tightly telling him "Darien I could never take you away from all of this, I know this is where your home is and where all your friends are and if we are going to be together and start this new chapter of our lives, well then I think it should be right here and I guess in time others will see that I am sticking around to be with you and we are finding a way to make it work and hopefully be more accepting, because I want to be here for you, because I love you"
Darien held her close to him seeing that she did not consider this island to be her home, at least not yet, but knew where ever they ended up together would be his home, but hoped that she would come to see this island as her home one day as he told her back confidently "Serena, I love you that is not something I say lightly unless I really do mean it, my home is wherever you are. I couldn't imagine being here or winning another competition if I didn't have you there to cheer me on, it just wouldn't have the same meaning to me, unless you were right there to celebrate every victor with me, always by my side is where I want you to belong. I want to share all our successes together and be at your side for when things take a challenging turn"
Serena looked to him with a small shake of her head as she envisioned the amazing life, they could share walking down the beach hand in hand, building castles in the sand, and watching the sunsets after sharing an amazing day as she laughed thinking about some of the things they had done after they had first met replying back "you really do love me, not just as you had said before spending time with me"
Darien let out a small cough hearing the sly reminder of some of his more disreputable comments as he held onto her hand firmly telling her with deep admiration "I love every part of you, I love being with you and seeing your eyes open up a little bit wider each time you try something new, you are so strong and so resilient and have so much determination and I have no doubt that you will do amazing things, and well I want to be there by your side on this journey to see all of them"
Serena looked up to him on the verge of tears, never hearing anyone before showing of her with so much encouragement and saying such positive words and actually meaning all of them, as she wiped away the tear that had formed in her eyes asking "do you really think so, do you really think that much of me, that I can do this"
Darien nodded his head giving off no hesitation as he replied back firmly "yes, I have always known" Serena let out a small sigh knowing they hadn't gotten off to a bit of a rocky start to be where they are now as she questioned back "but how would you?"
Darien let out a small chuckle seeing even now her inner strength and determination shining through as he began explaining "do you remember that day when I first took you to the waterfall, you were afraid at first, but then you came to trust me and you showed so much strength and courage and I knew in that instant, I knew you would never back down to any challenge you were faced with"
Serena looked to him with a tender smile remembering that day memorable among all the others, but then stopped as another thought struck her and she shook her head questioning back "I do remember, but you told me that you didn't remember any of the time that we spent together before, that I wasn't special enough for you to remember"
Darien looked into her deep blue eyes that were waiting for his answer as he placed his hand up against her cheek and gently brushed some hair away from her face in response telling her with a small grin "I lied"
Serena sat on the stool blinking her eyes unsure if she had just heard him right as she shook her head asking "you what?"
He let out a small laugh seeing the perplexed look that came over her face by his admission and then took both of her hands in his own telling her with a small shrug "I may have told you a few things at first, that weren't entirely true, but I will tell you something that is true, there is no one in this world who could see me with the same eyes that you do. You know things about me that others don't. You have never judged me for anything less than I deserved, but have also shown incredible grace and forgiveness and where I don't know what will come next for us, I do know this that you and I we belong together and I promise whatever will come we will figure it out side by side, this time I am not running and I have a promise to keep to you also"
Serena looked to him with a small grin as she bit down on her bottom lip hoping to hear what she wanted most questioning "you really do remember all the time we spent together?"
Darien lifted her hand up and intwined her fingers along with his as he nodded his head telling her with a subtle smirk "yes most of it, but there is one thing that does stand out very clearly in my memory. When we were at your parents you said many strong words to me, but what I clearly remember is you telling me that our wedding didn't count, that it wasn't real. Well to me it was and you probably thought that I had forgotten the promise I made to you on our wedding night, didn't you?"
Serena let out a small sigh to hear that he planned on keeping the vows they took that day as she shook her head telling him regretfully of the words, she spoke in anger saying "Darien I was angry and hurt because of you and what you had done, I said somethings in anger because you shut me out, and well we both know how that turned out for both of us"
Darien nodded his head wishing he could go back and change how the events turned out that day, but planned on making each day count as they moved forward from here as he nodded his head telling her "I am sorry for my actions that led to losing the baby, but I can't be sorry for what led you back into my arms again and well I did make you a promise which I intend on keeping"
Serena looked to him as she let out a small blush understanding what he was saying, that they weren't only going to remain together, but would keep the promises they had made and stay married as she let out a small chuckle replying "well, I have to admit that our wedding was a little out of the ordinary, but it was a night I will never forget"
Darien nodded his head as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a gold ring with a center cut diamond as he looked to her shocked face with a smile telling her "I am glad to hear you say that, because I made you a promise that I would get you a better one, and this time I am keeping that promise"
Serena looked down to the ring he held in between his fingers as she felt her breath hitch never expecting this to come as she shook her head questioning back "this is real" and then looked up to the man she loved who had knowing smile as she asked him in disbelief "but how when?"
Darien let out a small chuckle seeing the look of surprise that came over her face as he placed a small kiss on the back of her hand telling her "Yes its real, I want to be, stay your husband, or whatever you want to call it. I just want to be with you and not because I think it is the right thing to do, but because I don't have much of a life to live without sharing it with you. I don't want to know a single day when you are not there, I love you and if it means marrying you over again, this time no drunken ship captains, I'll do it again and again I swear it, everything you ever dreamed about I want to make happen for you, and someday when we are both ready, we will try again to have a family, so what do you say will you be, stay my wife?"
Serena wiped away the endless tears that she cried of pure happiness as she nodded her head telling him gleefully "I do believe you Darien and I want all of that too, I want to be at your side for both the good and the bad. I want to make a million happy memories together, so my answer is yes, every time you ask, my answer will always be the same, yes"
He let out a small chuckle by her reply and felt a light heartedness he had never experienced before this moment as he smiled telling her "Well, then I guess there is just one thing to do now" as he took her hand in his and placed the diamond ring into place on her finger"
Serena looked down at the sparkly diamond on her finger in disbelief that this was really her life now and that she could feel this happy with a man who honestly loved her as he lifted her hand up and placed a small kiss on the back of it telling her with a grin "then what do you say we go home together for tonight and tomorrow we will tell all the others and make it actually official, that we are staying married and getting remarried"
Serena nodded her head knowing what he said like their relationship was a bit atypical, although it wouldn't feel like them otherwise, but did like the sound of building a home with him and the warm vision of the future they would share together as she stood up from her stool and took his hand in her own asking him with a coy smile "yes I think that sounds like a great idea, let's go home and when we get there maybe we can pick up where we left off last night?"
Darien looked to her taken back a little by what she was referring to and then with a little smirk that passed across his lips he placed his hands around her waist and guided her down to be sitting on his lap asking knowingly "and what exactly do you think did happen between us last night?"
Serena looked to him oddly seeing he seemed to find some humor from her question and began to wonder if her earlier assessment on what they had done last night had been right asking "well I assumed that you and I" as she began to blush thinking maybe she had been mistaken after all questioning back "didn't we?"
Darien let out a loud laugh, hearing what she had implied towards and could see where a bit of anger would rise up if he was that kind of man to take advantage of a woman who had been in her condition, which he was not as he took her hand in his and placed a small pat on it telling her truthfully "No, after I came home and found you had drank a bit too excessively last night, I then helped you to the bathroom where you emptied out the remaining contents of your stomach into the toilet for a while, and then afterwards I helped put you to bed, where you promptly passed out"
Serena looked to him with her eyes open wide, hearing his version of what actually did happen last night, as she felt her cheeks turning red in complete embarrassment, by her obvious lack of detective skills as she questioned her own self "that was all there was, but I thought that we?"
Darien let out a loud chuckle, seeing the confusion that lied within her as he grabbed her by the waist and leaned in to kiss her neck stating adoringly "my beautiful island princess, believe me when you and I are together, you won't ever forget it" as he leaned back seeing the smile that he loved so much, which lit up her whole face and then turned her hand over, opening up her palm and placed her shell necklace back down into her hand telling her with a grin "here, I think you had dropped this"
Serena looked to him knowing that he really did turn out to be perfect after all as she leaned in to kiss him back asking softly "will you help put it on me?"
Darien nodded his head in response as he reached down and took the necklace from her hand, placing it around her neck as he fastened the clasp whispering softly behind her ear "back where it belongs"
Serena turned around to look at him as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she leaned in to kiss him, while agreeing back "yes right where it belongs" Darien placed his hands up by her cheeks as he brought her lips in closer to his own to be kissed when Lucy came walking out of the back room holding a bucket of ice in her hands as she looked over to see the happy couple reunited with a knowing smile telling them "Well you wouldn't believe how long it took to chip through some of that ice, but it looks like all is well and good now and you get to take home the prize after all, huh Darien"
Darien let out a small chuckle knowing there would always be some sort of distraction to come, but kept his arms wrapped tightly around Serena, not wanting to let her loose as he looked over to his friend and agreed telling her "That I do Lucy" and then looked down to the woman he loved adoringly telling Lucy with a warm smile "and do me a favor tell the others for me that I am going to be taking the rest of the night off to spend with my wife"
Serena looked to her husband pleased with the thought of having some alone time just for them as she reached up and whispered something into his ear as he let out a small chuckle in response and nodded his head telling Lucy back "actually tell them I won't be in tomorrow either" as he smiled and wrapped his arm around Serena telling her lovingly "Come on let's go home, I think its past time that you and I just have some alone time to ourselves"
Serena nodded her head expecting things could not feel or get any better than this moment together with him, but knew deep in her heart that this was only the beginning of their lifetime to be shared together as she snuggled up closer to his chest, while he kept his arm wrapped tightly around her shoulder as they walked down the beach together during sunset.
Andy stood off to the side with Bill and Ryan as they all held beers in their hands in the midst of the large celebration, celebrating the victory of someone else, while they all made their own comments and had their own thoughts on how and why the competition had turned out the way that in did, but also on how Eva seemed to have given up on all thoughts of Darien and quickly moved onto the newest winner as she hung off the man's arm while aimlessly giggling around foolishly.
Andy turned around from the others hearing enough of the crazy stories they had come up with of invisible sea monsters and hurricane force winds as he looked up the beach not needing to see anymore of Eva throwing herself at some other guy either who like Darien did not seem that interested in her in the first place, while she continued to try desperately to get his attention, but saw instead off in the distance his friend Darien walking down the beach looking very much at peace with himself, having one arm draped around Serena's shoulder as they walked along together.
He turned around quickly and looked to this year's winner of the competition, who had nowhere near Darien's skill level and let out a small knowing chortle of Darien's decision, then nodded his head in approval as he spoke aloud stating "well it's about damn time" and then turned around to join the others in their celebration.
Authors Note: Hi everyone okay so the last chapter ended up being a bit longer than I had originally intended it to be, but I thought there was a lot to cover and I hope in the end you enjoyed this chapter and the story as a whole, Also, there will be one more chapter to go an epilogue where just a hint you will get to see them living happily together. Thanks for reading and following along and please send your thoughts and reviews for this chapter. Thanks Mars Light