Strangers on a Train 4/6
Well after midnight, Serena couldn't sleep. She was in her old room, in her old bed surrounded by all her old things, but it didn't seem to comfort her. For the last few hours she laid there, thinking about everything and nothing all at once.
Sliding one arm behind her head, Serena stared at her ceiling and sighed, wondering why these thoughts of Darien kept popping up in her mind.
In all honesty, Serena didn't know what to think of Darien. Their friendship was still very new and fragile. Their encounter earlier that evening had been the first time she realized Darien had feelings for her. She liked him, she knew that for a fact. They had been strangers before, but now... she didn't know.
Serena sat up, and reached for her thick terry cloth robe, wrapping it around her. Her stocking feet padded softly across the carpet, and she slipped on her slippers before opening the door leading out to the balcony.
The night air still had a bit of a chill to it. Serena snuggled deeper into her robe, watching as her warm breath mixed with the fog that hung low over the town.
"Fancy finding you out here," a low voice came from behind her. Serena whirled around in surprise to see Darien, bundled up much like she was. A small grin flitted across her lips. "You couldn't sleep either?" Darien shrugged. "Too much to think about, I suppose." He glanced at her, noticing that her teeth were chattering. "You need something warmer than that old robe. Come here," he motioned, holding out part of his blanket to her. Serena took hold of the blanket gratefully, and snuggled into its warmth.
"I forgot how cold it got at night," she whispered and looked up at Darien, who was smiling down at her. Having Serena so close to him did funny things to his insides. He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her to lean back against him, smiling triumphantly when she relaxed without saying a single word.
This felt so... natural to him. Time could stop and the world could end in the next moment, but he wouldn't care as long as he could be right here... where he belonged.
Serena pulled away, giving Darien a small smile. "Mom's got a lot planned for tomorrow. You'll be amazed at how much food she makes for Christmas dinner." She poked him in the side. "Try to get some sleep."
As she left his side and walked back into her bedroom, Darien could feel a distinct chill surround him, and he was sorry to lose her warmth. He leaned over the balcony and stared into the whiteness below him in silence.
What was happening to him? He couldn't remember the last time he had been this open, where he could just be himself with anyone, least of all a stranger. But... he really couldn't call her that anymore. If he wanted to get any closer to Serena, it would involve opening up to her more--and that meant opening the door to his troublesome past.
******
Wonderful aromas from the kitchen wafted all through the house the morning of Christmas Eve. Serena awoke late in the morning and lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. With a sigh, she turned over on her side and stuffed a hand beneath her pillow. The memory of last night popped into her head, and she smiled sheepishly to herself.
It wasn't until after she went back inside that Serena realized just how close she and Darien had been to each other. In a way her newfound feelings frightened her, but on the other hand, she welcomed it whole-heartedly. It had been a long time since Serena felt like this towards anyone--not since her brother Ricky scared her prom date half to death and she vowed never to bring anyone to the house again. She hadn't--until now.
Rolling back over, Serena took another look at her alarm clock, and decided it was time to get out of bed. Besides, it was tradition every Christmas Eve for Serena to help her mother make the pies, and put some last minute touches on her gift for Darien.
******
Nearly an hour later, Serena had just put one pie in the oven and was about to start on another when Darien walked into the kitchen, his hair still slightly tousled.
"Hi," she said brightly, sprinkling flour on the counter so she could roll out the piecrust. "Did you get enough sleep?" Darien smiled a little. "I don't think that's possible." He leaned on the counter and peeked over her shoulder. "What kind of pie are you making?"
"The one in the oven is pumpkin. I'm making an apple one now, because I'm the only one in the family who won't eat pumpkin pie." With a laugh, Darien replied, "Looks like we have something else in common." Her eyes widened. "You're kidding. And to think my family made me suffer all these years because I refused to eat it." Serena laughed and turned to her mother. "See, Mom? I'm not weird after all!"
Annie nodded briefly. She had been watching the entire exchange between the two of them very intently. Something was definitely going on between these two. Perhaps it was time to intervene a little and help her daughter out. "We're just about out of flour, Serena, and we've still got a lot to do. Would you mind running to the store to pick up some up for me?"
"All right," Serena smiled. She draped her apron over a chair, grabbed the car keys from the table and went outside to warm up the car. Annie finished spooning the pumpkin filling into another pie plate. "Darien, why don't you go with her? I'm sure she'd be grateful for the company." He nodded and went outside to join Serena.
Annie smiled to herself. This was going to be easier than she thought.
******
Finally the family gathered in the living room for their traditional reading of the Christmas story. Every seat in the living room was occupied, and Darien sat next to Serena on the loveseat because he didn't feel comfortable sitting anywhere else.
His attention wandered as the family took turns reading out of the old family Bible, and he noticed that everyone else was snuggled together--except for he and Serena.
There was a brief pause, then Annie, who had been the last ne to read, looked over at Darien with a softened gaze and said, "Darien, would you like to read?" A shocked look registered on his face, and he stammered, "I--I don't know... I haven't--" A nudge in his side from Serena prompted him to take the book from Annie's outstretched hands, and he looked down at it, the words almost foreign to him. Serena pointed out where they had left off, and Darien began to read.
"And there were in the same country shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo, an angel came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men.'"
Darien couldn't go on. The emotions surging inside him were too much to explain. For the first time in his life that he could remember, he knew what it was like to be part of a family.
"Thank you, Darien," Serena whispered softly and took the book from him so she could finish the rest of the story. After she finished the last few verses, the family members began talking, and one conversation turned into two and so on. One by one, they all stood up and left to go to bed.
Serena and Darien followed her parents into the kitchen. Serena stopped and with a smile, held out a soft package wrapped in tissue paper to Darien. "I know this isn't much, but I want you to have this so you'll always remember your stay with us. I couldn't wait until tomorrow."
He gratefully took the package from her hands, and delicately removed the tissue paper, revealing a bright red fuzzy stocking lined with soft plaid fabric. His name was embroidered in dark green thread on the cuff of the stocking.
Darien was absolutely speechless, and at that moment, all his pent-up emotions surged up inside of him. Years of unshed tears welled up in his eyes. "Thank you, Serena," he choked out.
Then Annie broke in and pointed out the obvious. "You two are standing under the mistletoe," she said cheerily. Serena blushed bright red and Darien smiled sheepishly.
Handing the stocking to Annie, Darien took a deep breath, took Serena in his embrace and leaned down to kiss her. As their lips touched, a jolt rushed them, similar the jolt they had first felt when they first met on the train.
Serena melted into his arms, enjoying every moment of this. She secretly hoped that they would get caught under the mistletoe. This was one moment she didn't want to end.
But like all good things, it ended just seconds after it began. They pulled away, Serena still blushing bright red and a quirky grin on Darien's face. Something changed in those few seconds. They could no longer call each other strangers.
******
Serena was already out on the balcony, deep in thought by the time Darien joined her. Hearing footsteps behind her, she whirled around and found a somber-looking Darien staring back at her, wrapped in the same blanket from the night before. "Are you all right?" A boyish grin flickered across his face. "I'm fine. I was just... thinking."
"Oh. We both seem to be doing a lot of that lately, don't we?" Serena mumbled. What was the matter with her? She had never felt this awkward around anyone before.
Serena's thoughts came to a halt as Darien took her hand in his, and he looked into her eyes. "Serena, I can't thank you enough for tonight, for everything, really. You have changed my life in a way that I never thought possible."
Puzzled, she asked, "Why do you say that?" Darien turned away from Serena and gripped the railing of the balcony tightly. "I told you a little about my childhood before, but I didn't tell you everything." His head lowered, struggling to recall the memories, both good and bad.
"I've been in and out of orphanages and foster homes nearly all my life. I was often on my own, and I didn't make too many friends with the other children there. I remember the hurt I felt with other people came looking to adopt a child. They always wanted the little babies and toddlers; hardly a second glance was given to older children.
"The board at the orphanage decided to put a few of the older children into foster homes, and I was one of them. Right away, it turned out to be a disaster. I was passed from home to home with the response 'he just didn't work out.' I wasn't a troublemaker, but I just didn't fit in anywhere. The only Christmas I really remember was when I was nine years old. That year, my foster mother gave me a gift that I have treasured ever since."
Tears began to well up in Darien's eyes again. "It was a small porcelain ornament of an angel reaching out to a little child. I remember exactly what she told me when she gave it to me. She said, 'You may not have your mother here with you now, but there's always someone watching out for you.' I never forgot that moment, and even when I got older and was alone again, just looking at that ornament and thinking of her words gives me a little hope."
Turning back to face Serena, he noticed that she too had tears streaming down her cheeks. "That's why I appreciate your gift so much, Serena," he continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "Being with your family these past few days has been the greatest gift in the world."
Without a single word, Serena wrapped her arms around Darien, holding him tenderly like a little child. The two of them stood like that for a while, letting the silent whiteness of the night envelop them.
"Serena, I didn't get you anything in return. All of this happened so fast, and if I had known--" Her hand over his mouth silenced him. "Darien, don't give it another thought. Just having you here, being able to be a part of your life has been more than enough for me." She pulled her hand away. "I prefer the giving rather than the getting, anyway."
Darien's eyes lit up, and he grinned wryly. "Actually, I think I do have something to give you." Her hands flew to her hips, and she raised an eyebrow. "Darien Wilkinson, I told you, I don't need--" Before she could finish telling him off, his lips closed over hers. Shocked at first, she just stood there, lost in the moment. But slowly her hands snaked their way up and around his neck, pulling his body closer to her own.
Finally, they broke away, staring at each other silently, trying to believe what had just happened really did happen. Darien spoke up first. "Did you mind that gift?" Her cheeks flamed bright red. "I..." She ducked her head, shaking her head slightly. Then she whispered, "It's getting late, and I have every intention of waking the entire household bright and early tomorrow morning." Standing on her tiptoes, Serena leaned up and kissed Darien again. "Merry Christmas, Darien. Sweet dreams."
A goofy grin appeared on his face as she walked back into her room. For him, there would be some very sweet dreams indeed.