Irene slowly opened the door. She quickly composed herself as she greeted
her neighbor. "Hello, Amy."
"Good morning, Irene. I was just on my way outside and I thought I'd stop to see if you'd like to visit with me for a while."
"I'd love to, but I'm not feeling well today." She nodded to her arm. "I broke my arm last night."
"Oh, dear, do you need any help? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Irene shook her head. "I'll be fine, thanks."
"How did it happen?" Amy asked as her eyes swept past Irene and took in the immaculate living room. As much as she would have adored Irene's company, she knew that her true reason for stopping was to be certain that Irene was all right after the commotion last night. If it hadn't been for Bill, she would have come to Irene's aid, or at the least, called the police, but Bill had said to mind her own business and let the Copelands work out their own problems. Her heart went out to Irene. Everyone she had talked to this morning knew about the Copelands' latest battle. Their fights were becoming legendary throughout the building.
"I slipped in the kitchen last night. It was one of those things." Irene laughed weakly.
"Well, if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Amy, but Alexander has been a big help to me."
Irene closed the door, and then slowly let her breath out. She sensed that Amy Madison hadn't believed her. There was no way that anyone could look at her and not believe she was beaten. She walked over to the sofa and sat down. She was surprised Alexander had kept his loving demeanor all through breakfast. Even the kids seemed surprised by his attitude. Irene was relieved that no one had mentioned the events of the previous night. All five of them sat around the table eating breakfast and chatting like any normal family. But underneath it all, there had been tension--a thick, nerve-wrenching tension she'd feared would snap at any moment. But it hadn't.
Alexander had been so sweet and tender. He helped her dress, and had even made breakfast for his family. She smiled. Maybe there was hope after all. Maybe she and Alexander could get along and she could show the girls what a normal family was really like. They could feel loved and wanted. She and her daughters. Alexander would encompass them all in his love. He would change. He had to change. She had to have that hope. She needed something to hold on to. She could forgive him for everything in the past if she had a future to hold on to. "Please, God, let him stay this way. Let him be the husband I know he can be."
Heather caught Lita's arm as Lita hurried to the gym. "What's your hurry?" she asked.
"I don't want to be late, Heather. You've gotten me in enough trouble today." Her tone was cool.
"Lighten up, Lita. You know, you're becoming a real drag lately." She narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized her friend. "What's going on with you anyway?"
"Nothing, Heather. Just the same old stuff. Look, I really have to go."
"Want to do something tonight?"
"I doubt I'll be going anywhere. I'm probably going to be grounded for the rest of my life," she said disgustedly.
"Well, you can't blame me. Cole lost it when you were off in la la land." She grabbed Lita's arm. "So tell me what's really up. I'm supposed to be your best friend, remember?"
Lita shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just sick and tired of Alexander. I can't stand to see my mother knocked around."
"So what's the evil one done now?"
Lita's eyes filled with tears. "He beat the crap out of my mom last night and broke her arm."
"Oh, wow! I'm sorry, Lita." She patted her arm. "Why don't you talk to someone about it? Mrs. Moseman handles stuff like that."
"No. Alexander would have a fit if he found out. I've just got to convince my mom to leave him."
"Hey, I'll come over tonight, okay? If the evil one puts too much pressure on you, I'll tell him it's my fault you got detention."
"Thanks, Heather. Well, I really gotta go. I'll see you tonight."
Alexander set his briefcase on the kitchen counter. "How was your day, Irene?" His voice was soft.
"Quiet," she smiled.
"How's the arm?"
"As long as I take my pain pills it's not too bad. I couldn't do too much around here with one arm, so I caught up on some reading."
"Oh." He kissed her cheek. "Where are the kids?"
She sighed. "Alexander, we have to talk."
"I don't know if I like the sound of that." His eyes narrowed as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "What's wrong?"
"It's Lita." She frowned. "She got in trouble in school today and is on a week's detention."
He gave Irene a sharp look. "She's going to have to be punished."
"I know, but I don't think we should be too severe." Her eyes pleaded with him. "She's had so much stress in her life lately."
"Now don't go babying her, Irene. When someone commits a crime, he needs to be punished."
"Alexander, this isn't murder. This is a childish stunt. We shouldn't be too hard on her. We need to talk to her and find out what is going on with her. She has always been an excellent student and has never been in trouble before."
"Well, this is just the start. I think that Heather Miller is a bad influence on her."
"Come on, Alexander. Heather and Lita have been friends for years. We have no right to choose her friends for her." Irene closely watched his eyes, wondering which direction he would go.
"Well, we'll think of something, but right now I have some news I think will make you very happy." He smiled broadly.
"What?" she asked, unsure of his cheerful mood.
"I set us up with a marriage counselor today," he said.
She smiled. "Oh, honey, I know this will be a turning point for us. Once we work through all of our problems, I'm sure our marriage will be what we always dreamed it should be."
"Well, he had a cancellation so we lucked out. We have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. We'll be seeing a Ben Holbrook."
"Did you tell him anything about what our problems are, Alexander?"
"No. I only mentioned that we have a communication problem. He said that's common especially in second marriages."
"Okay." She turned to the stove. "Could you help me with dinner?"
"Sure, what do you need?" He put an arm around her waist.
"Just set the table, honey." She stirred a pot full of vegetables. "I'm getting pretty good with only one hand," she joked.
Alexander raised his eyebrows. "Ummm maybe we'll see how good you are with only one arm later on."
"Did you decide what you want to do tonight, Serena?" Darien asked.
"Let's just stay here. There's a good movie on tonight."
"How are things?" he asked as he followed her into the living room.
"Weird. Alexander and my mom are going for counseling tomorrow. They act like a normal husband and wife."
He laughed. "But isn't that all you've ever wanted?"
She frowned. "Yeah, but they are both acting so phony. They're like two robots being polite to each other, but not really meaning it." She threw her hands up in exasperation. "It's so tense, just waiting for the inevitable explosion to occur."
"Maybe you're looking for something that isn't there," he reasoned.
"You're right. I should relax and enjoy the peace while it lasts." She grabbed his hand. "Let's sit down and check out the movie."
Darien followed her to the sofa and sat next to her. "Where is everybody?"
"Alexander and Mom went to Stephan's baseball game and Lita and Heather Miller are in Lita's room."
"So we have some privacy, huh?" He grinned as he put his arm around her.
"Behave yourself, Mr. Ross," she teased as she clicked the TV on.
"Do we need all of these lights on, Serena?" he asked as he nuzzled her shoulder with his chin.
"I don't think so." She playfully jabbed him in his ribs. "If you think you can control yourself."
"I'll try, but you are irresistible. Did you know that?"
"Well, I certainly don't feel like I am," she answered as she clicked off the lights.
"You need to have a positive attitude. You need to see yourself as everyone else does, Serena. I wish I could convince you how special you are to me and how much I love you." His voice was soft and his coal black eyes glistened with the love he felt for her.
"I love you so much, Darien," she whispered. She looked into his eyes, then lowered her head and planted a kiss on his neck.
"Do you know that I liked you before you even knew I existed?"
"You did?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then why didn't you ever say anything to me?" she asked as she smiled up at him.
"You were hung up on Jake Richards. I figured I wouldn't stand a chance compared to a guy like him."
"Give me a break. That was just a childish infatuation I had for him. Every girl in school was hung up on him. But after I got to know him, it didn't take long to see what a conceited jerk he really was." She touched his cheek. "But then it was like I saw you for the first time. All of a sudden it was like I was looking at you like I had never seen you before. I couldn't get you out of my mind. I thought about you day and night. I must have driven everyone crazy."
He smiled. "Well, it's nice to know that all of my mental imaging worked."
"What are you talking about?"
He squeezed her shoulder. "Oh, I just pictured you and me together. I would imagine it in my mind. I would picture the whole scene. I actually forced my mind to believe you were my girl. I wouldn't let anything cloud that picture. I believed it would happen and it happened." He kissed her cheek. "So don't ever doubt my love, Serena. I went through a lot of pain and torture and cold, cold, lonely nights just waiting for you."
"How come you make me feel so good?"
"Because I love you. I always have and I always will." He squeezed her shoulder again. "I don't ever want you to doubt my love. You are the one I intend to spend my whole life with."
"I love you so much, Darien, and I need you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He planted kisses on her neck, then met her lips and passionately kissed them.
Serena felt her heartbeat quicken, then felt feelings begin to stir within her that she'd never felt before. She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and pressed her body against his. She was oblivious to anything or anyone but Darien, and wasn't even aware when they moved from an upright position to a horizontal position.
"What is going on?" Alexander's voice thundered as he angrily walked over to the sofa and grabbed Darien's shoulder.
"Good morning, Irene. I was just on my way outside and I thought I'd stop to see if you'd like to visit with me for a while."
"I'd love to, but I'm not feeling well today." She nodded to her arm. "I broke my arm last night."
"Oh, dear, do you need any help? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Irene shook her head. "I'll be fine, thanks."
"How did it happen?" Amy asked as her eyes swept past Irene and took in the immaculate living room. As much as she would have adored Irene's company, she knew that her true reason for stopping was to be certain that Irene was all right after the commotion last night. If it hadn't been for Bill, she would have come to Irene's aid, or at the least, called the police, but Bill had said to mind her own business and let the Copelands work out their own problems. Her heart went out to Irene. Everyone she had talked to this morning knew about the Copelands' latest battle. Their fights were becoming legendary throughout the building.
"I slipped in the kitchen last night. It was one of those things." Irene laughed weakly.
"Well, if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Amy, but Alexander has been a big help to me."
Irene closed the door, and then slowly let her breath out. She sensed that Amy Madison hadn't believed her. There was no way that anyone could look at her and not believe she was beaten. She walked over to the sofa and sat down. She was surprised Alexander had kept his loving demeanor all through breakfast. Even the kids seemed surprised by his attitude. Irene was relieved that no one had mentioned the events of the previous night. All five of them sat around the table eating breakfast and chatting like any normal family. But underneath it all, there had been tension--a thick, nerve-wrenching tension she'd feared would snap at any moment. But it hadn't.
Alexander had been so sweet and tender. He helped her dress, and had even made breakfast for his family. She smiled. Maybe there was hope after all. Maybe she and Alexander could get along and she could show the girls what a normal family was really like. They could feel loved and wanted. She and her daughters. Alexander would encompass them all in his love. He would change. He had to change. She had to have that hope. She needed something to hold on to. She could forgive him for everything in the past if she had a future to hold on to. "Please, God, let him stay this way. Let him be the husband I know he can be."
Heather caught Lita's arm as Lita hurried to the gym. "What's your hurry?" she asked.
"I don't want to be late, Heather. You've gotten me in enough trouble today." Her tone was cool.
"Lighten up, Lita. You know, you're becoming a real drag lately." She narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized her friend. "What's going on with you anyway?"
"Nothing, Heather. Just the same old stuff. Look, I really have to go."
"Want to do something tonight?"
"I doubt I'll be going anywhere. I'm probably going to be grounded for the rest of my life," she said disgustedly.
"Well, you can't blame me. Cole lost it when you were off in la la land." She grabbed Lita's arm. "So tell me what's really up. I'm supposed to be your best friend, remember?"
Lita shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just sick and tired of Alexander. I can't stand to see my mother knocked around."
"So what's the evil one done now?"
Lita's eyes filled with tears. "He beat the crap out of my mom last night and broke her arm."
"Oh, wow! I'm sorry, Lita." She patted her arm. "Why don't you talk to someone about it? Mrs. Moseman handles stuff like that."
"No. Alexander would have a fit if he found out. I've just got to convince my mom to leave him."
"Hey, I'll come over tonight, okay? If the evil one puts too much pressure on you, I'll tell him it's my fault you got detention."
"Thanks, Heather. Well, I really gotta go. I'll see you tonight."
Alexander set his briefcase on the kitchen counter. "How was your day, Irene?" His voice was soft.
"Quiet," she smiled.
"How's the arm?"
"As long as I take my pain pills it's not too bad. I couldn't do too much around here with one arm, so I caught up on some reading."
"Oh." He kissed her cheek. "Where are the kids?"
She sighed. "Alexander, we have to talk."
"I don't know if I like the sound of that." His eyes narrowed as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "What's wrong?"
"It's Lita." She frowned. "She got in trouble in school today and is on a week's detention."
He gave Irene a sharp look. "She's going to have to be punished."
"I know, but I don't think we should be too severe." Her eyes pleaded with him. "She's had so much stress in her life lately."
"Now don't go babying her, Irene. When someone commits a crime, he needs to be punished."
"Alexander, this isn't murder. This is a childish stunt. We shouldn't be too hard on her. We need to talk to her and find out what is going on with her. She has always been an excellent student and has never been in trouble before."
"Well, this is just the start. I think that Heather Miller is a bad influence on her."
"Come on, Alexander. Heather and Lita have been friends for years. We have no right to choose her friends for her." Irene closely watched his eyes, wondering which direction he would go.
"Well, we'll think of something, but right now I have some news I think will make you very happy." He smiled broadly.
"What?" she asked, unsure of his cheerful mood.
"I set us up with a marriage counselor today," he said.
She smiled. "Oh, honey, I know this will be a turning point for us. Once we work through all of our problems, I'm sure our marriage will be what we always dreamed it should be."
"Well, he had a cancellation so we lucked out. We have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. We'll be seeing a Ben Holbrook."
"Did you tell him anything about what our problems are, Alexander?"
"No. I only mentioned that we have a communication problem. He said that's common especially in second marriages."
"Okay." She turned to the stove. "Could you help me with dinner?"
"Sure, what do you need?" He put an arm around her waist.
"Just set the table, honey." She stirred a pot full of vegetables. "I'm getting pretty good with only one hand," she joked.
Alexander raised his eyebrows. "Ummm maybe we'll see how good you are with only one arm later on."
"Did you decide what you want to do tonight, Serena?" Darien asked.
"Let's just stay here. There's a good movie on tonight."
"How are things?" he asked as he followed her into the living room.
"Weird. Alexander and my mom are going for counseling tomorrow. They act like a normal husband and wife."
He laughed. "But isn't that all you've ever wanted?"
She frowned. "Yeah, but they are both acting so phony. They're like two robots being polite to each other, but not really meaning it." She threw her hands up in exasperation. "It's so tense, just waiting for the inevitable explosion to occur."
"Maybe you're looking for something that isn't there," he reasoned.
"You're right. I should relax and enjoy the peace while it lasts." She grabbed his hand. "Let's sit down and check out the movie."
Darien followed her to the sofa and sat next to her. "Where is everybody?"
"Alexander and Mom went to Stephan's baseball game and Lita and Heather Miller are in Lita's room."
"So we have some privacy, huh?" He grinned as he put his arm around her.
"Behave yourself, Mr. Ross," she teased as she clicked the TV on.
"Do we need all of these lights on, Serena?" he asked as he nuzzled her shoulder with his chin.
"I don't think so." She playfully jabbed him in his ribs. "If you think you can control yourself."
"I'll try, but you are irresistible. Did you know that?"
"Well, I certainly don't feel like I am," she answered as she clicked off the lights.
"You need to have a positive attitude. You need to see yourself as everyone else does, Serena. I wish I could convince you how special you are to me and how much I love you." His voice was soft and his coal black eyes glistened with the love he felt for her.
"I love you so much, Darien," she whispered. She looked into his eyes, then lowered her head and planted a kiss on his neck.
"Do you know that I liked you before you even knew I existed?"
"You did?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then why didn't you ever say anything to me?" she asked as she smiled up at him.
"You were hung up on Jake Richards. I figured I wouldn't stand a chance compared to a guy like him."
"Give me a break. That was just a childish infatuation I had for him. Every girl in school was hung up on him. But after I got to know him, it didn't take long to see what a conceited jerk he really was." She touched his cheek. "But then it was like I saw you for the first time. All of a sudden it was like I was looking at you like I had never seen you before. I couldn't get you out of my mind. I thought about you day and night. I must have driven everyone crazy."
He smiled. "Well, it's nice to know that all of my mental imaging worked."
"What are you talking about?"
He squeezed her shoulder. "Oh, I just pictured you and me together. I would imagine it in my mind. I would picture the whole scene. I actually forced my mind to believe you were my girl. I wouldn't let anything cloud that picture. I believed it would happen and it happened." He kissed her cheek. "So don't ever doubt my love, Serena. I went through a lot of pain and torture and cold, cold, lonely nights just waiting for you."
"How come you make me feel so good?"
"Because I love you. I always have and I always will." He squeezed her shoulder again. "I don't ever want you to doubt my love. You are the one I intend to spend my whole life with."
"I love you so much, Darien, and I need you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He planted kisses on her neck, then met her lips and passionately kissed them.
Serena felt her heartbeat quicken, then felt feelings begin to stir within her that she'd never felt before. She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and pressed her body against his. She was oblivious to anything or anyone but Darien, and wasn't even aware when they moved from an upright position to a horizontal position.
"What is going on?" Alexander's voice thundered as he angrily walked over to the sofa and grabbed Darien's shoulder.