I decided since it is holiday time and I originally wanted this story to be
wrapped up by now I'm going to post this part of my story, hence you are
reading this as I speak or wrote (whichever you prefer.) I want to thank
everyone who has read my stories and I hope to have another chapter to
Unexpected Suprises up soon but until then, enjoy Unusually Unusual.
Unusually Unusual-Chapter 3
The carriage ride had been uneventful spare for the cute couple and a child resting peacefully while snow gently drifted to the ground. The streetlights had long gone out and the only lights were the stars twinkling in the chilly night and the moon reflecting the crisp air. The carriage slowly pulled to a stop in front of the mansion and the driver looked at its occupants.
"Excuse me sir, we're here." He said sorrowfully, they all looked so at ease with the world, he hated to wake them.
Darien rubbed his eyes and then smiled, true he was a little cold but he was happy she had snuggled right up close to him. "Thank you, how much will it be?" he asked pulling out his wallet while trying not to disturb the lady still attached to his arm and the child on her lap.
"No charge." The old mad replied smiling brightly at the young couple.
"But sir, I insist. You have taken us way out of your normal route I'm sure. Please I have more than enough and I want to pay you." He held out a fifty-dollar bill and let his eyes try and plead with the man.
"No, I insist young man. Save the money and buy her a ring since she doesn't have one." He winked at Darien's apparent blush. "I love the holidays and consider this my gift to you. Miracles can happen young man, I should know."
Darien was flabbergasted as he put the money back into his wallet. The man's words confused him immensely, was it that obvious he was head over heels for her? The why couldn't she see? He smiled and politely thanked the old man.
"Thank you sir and I hope you have a wonderful holiday." The old man nodded his head and lifted the blanket off of the child's form.
Darien lightly tapped Serena on the shoulder, "Serena were home."
Serena felt warm all over and she didn't want to leave the heaven she was in, so warm and comfortable. Suddenly she felt a light tapping on her shoulder. She thought she heard words gently spoken, something about home, she mumbled a reply, "I already am home," before snuggling into the warm abyss once more.
Darien blushed faintly at Serena's antics when the old man whispered gently, "A kiss generally works."
Darien looked up startled as a smile graced his marred features while the thought turned in his mind. He shook his head slowly, sadly, and looked the man square in the eye, "I don't have the right."
"I bet she would give it to you if you asked her."
"Really?"
"I've been around a long time young man and I've seen a lot of couples such as yourself, you can win her heart." He handed Rini into his arms and Darien carefully walked into the house.
The old man walked around into the back of the carriage and gently shook the sleeping blonde, "Miss I do believe you are home."
"What?" she asked as she leaned forward clutching his jacket around her shivering frame. If she was this cold, he must have been freezing in the gentle cold night's breeze.
"He tried waking you up and had little success. He has taken the child in and is waiting for you I believe but I want to have a quick word you Miss."
"Yes what is it?" Serena asked wondering whom this kind spirited man really was.
"Go after him."
"Excuse me?" First she was getting tips on her love life, or lack there of, from a mere child and now a gentle old man who had driven them home.
"I can see the way you two act and I've been around for some time, I'm not a blind old man or senile as you may think. I see a couple deeply in love but deadly afraid."
"I assure you sir that we are not a couple."
"You'd like to be wouldn't you?"
Serena looked at her hands and then blushed shyly, "You are correct sir. I might take your advice and then again I might not, I am his secretary after all and it wouldn't be proper. Thank you for everything though and I really must be off. Good night and I hope your holidays are wonderful." She threw a wave over her shoulder before running to the house.
"I hope yours are as well! Good luck!" He waved before driving off into the night air.
He rounded the corner and the carriage disappeared. He snapped his fingers once and found himself at the Gate of Time. The sudden change had taken away years from his once wrinkled face. He looked young and handsome, similar to Darien.
"You were right Pluto, as always." Pluto smiled and opened the door to the past before smiling to herself as she heard him humming the familiar tune, "Here comes the Bride."
"I always am."
(Back at the house)
Darien had shifted Rini's tiny form in his arms and looked up and smiled as Serena walked through the door clutching his jacket closely to her form. She smiled and laid their jackets over the grand staircase railing. She removed her scarf and gloves and went to take off the hat when it got caught in her hair.
Darien seeing a slight chance quickly let Rini lie on the sofa. He grabbed a nearby blanket and put it over her body. In a few quick strides he crossed to Serena and had his arms around her back. They both blushed simultaneously and he lowered his arms.
"You looked like you were having a hard time." He stuttered and blushed.
"I was, actually I still am." She smiled at him and felt her features redden as he carefully removed her blue hat.
"Well what do you say we go to bed?" he asked before realizing his mistake and he quickly corrected it, "I mean separately. Let us each go to our own rooms and I'll have a maid tuck Rini in."
"No, we will tuck Rini in."
"I don't know how." He replied digging his toe into the ground.
"I'm serious! Think about it she was just orphaned, I imagine she misses her family very much we can at least make her feel welcome. I'll do it I just need to get her up the stairs." She walked over to Rini and started to gather her into her small arms. She felt his hand rest lightly on her shoulder and she turned to face him.
He looked into her eyes and noticed how beautiful they really were. "I want to learn in case I have kids some day, well I have to find the right woman first," he paused and looked at her shyly, "Here I'll carry her, lead the way."
He collected Rini's sleeping form into his arms and followed Serena up the grand staircase. He followed her to a pretty bedroom filled with stuffed animals and other assortments of toys. Serena had pulled back the covers and he laid her down.
Rini moved to curl up into a ball but Serena stopped her and carefully removed her socks and shoes. She motioned for Darien to lift her upper body into a sitting position and he did as he was told. A few moments later Serena came back and tugged Rini's dress upward. She replaced it with a beautiful white nightgown. She pulled Rini's hair out of its confining buns and the long pink hair tumbled down her back. Darien gently let her body collapse on the bed.
"Is that it?" he asked in a gentle whisper.
"Not yet," she bent down and laid a gentle kiss on Rini's cheek, "Your turn."
Darien gestured and mouthed the word, "Me?" She nodded and he bent down and placed a loving kiss on Rini's angelic forehead.
"Now were done, goodnight Rini." Serena whispered as she turned on the nightlight and slipped out of the room. Darien followed her and closed the door with a final click behind him.
"You are going to make a great mom some day."
"I had a great one to begin with." She noticed his saddened features before she realized her own mistake, "But you are going to be an even greater dad. And I'm sorry for what I said Dr. Shields." She looked down at her feet when his hand lifted her chin and his eyes twinkled at her.
"Don't be, I have other people who care for me. Also, I did want to make you do one thing."
"What?" Serena asked in a business-like manner.
"Call me Darien."
"But Dr. Shields," she started.
"No buts Serena. You are my friend and my secretary. I insist that you call me Darien and that's final." He crossed his hands over his chest in defiance and she couldn't help but giggle.
"Fine Darien." She stressed his name and he smiled at her. They walked down the hall in a comfortable silence when they arrived at her door. "Well I guess this is it then Dr. I mean Darien." She faltered under his intense gaze.
"I had a great time Serena with you and Rini tonight. We should all get out more often, even you and I sometime. I mean well we are friends." He stuttered and she smiled at him.
"I had a great time too and I would love to go out with you sometime, well not on a date." She lamely finished.
"Definitely," he raised her hand to his lips and placed a feather soft kiss on her knuckles, "Good night Serena."
Serena opened her door as he waltzed down the hall, a giddy step in his stride. She closed the door and rested against it, maybe everyone was right she should go for it. After all with the all the mixed signals she was receiving maybe he felt the same way. Maybe, miracles do happen. She sighed and walked to her private bathroom as she turned on the faucet. The warm water she hoped for didn't come flowing out of the tap and she rested her head in defeat.
The tub was broken, she would have to try again or use someone else's tomorrow. For now she was tired and wanted to process thoughts in her head, more importantly, she wanted to toss the idea of Darien in her head. She slipped into her pajamas and crawled under her bedspread. She turned out the light and prayed for sleep, it never came.
Hours passed, as she lay awake contemplating her relationship with Darien. Finally she turned to her clock noticed the blinking red digits were flashing 3:37. She let her feet roll out as she placed her slippers on and wrapped a robe around her frame snuggly. Perhaps some tea would help her sleep.
She walked listlessly towards the kitchen when she heard the sounds of a piano playing echoing through the halls. The curiosity was killing her, and she tiptoed to the room. She peeked through the door and was startled to see Darien sitting at the piano as his hands were flying across the keys.
She gasped, she never knew he could play piano. Then again it made sense because why would you buy a piano if you couldn't play. She opened the door slowly and jumped when it made a loud creak. She backed away from the door and looked up at Darien's watchful gaze.
"Uh hi?" she supplied.
"Hi." He whispered as he took in her slightly messed look. She looked like an angel looking in on him with the moonlight giving her a hallow. He had to admit he liked the look. He beckoned her into the room and she carefully walked in. He scooted over on the bench allowing her room to sit, she smiled and sat down beside him.
"I never knew you could play piano, you really are wonderful at it."
"I play when I can't sleep, when I have too many things on my mind." He couldn't but begin to think of his relationship with her, how strange it could be at times, times like now he thought in amusement.
He lifted her hands onto the piano and placed his hands over hers. "What?" she asked in shock.
"I'll teach you to play." Her hands felt smooth and warm under his own large ones.
"Oh, alright. But I should let you know I'm not the brightest person in the world." She looked down as she felt him remove his hands and turn to square her face to him.
"I think you are smart, talented, bright, and above all beautiful." His hands gently cupped her face and she looked into his eyes, a mistake she realized a moment too late. His eyes gazed to her lips and then to her own eyes again. They both leaned in towards each other and he bent down and placed a delicate kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes and gently let his lips caress hers in the softest of touches.
The only thing that could be seen was the silhouette of a couple kissing each other. The moon shone in the background and bathed them in moonlight.
Unusually Unusual-Chapter 3
The carriage ride had been uneventful spare for the cute couple and a child resting peacefully while snow gently drifted to the ground. The streetlights had long gone out and the only lights were the stars twinkling in the chilly night and the moon reflecting the crisp air. The carriage slowly pulled to a stop in front of the mansion and the driver looked at its occupants.
"Excuse me sir, we're here." He said sorrowfully, they all looked so at ease with the world, he hated to wake them.
Darien rubbed his eyes and then smiled, true he was a little cold but he was happy she had snuggled right up close to him. "Thank you, how much will it be?" he asked pulling out his wallet while trying not to disturb the lady still attached to his arm and the child on her lap.
"No charge." The old mad replied smiling brightly at the young couple.
"But sir, I insist. You have taken us way out of your normal route I'm sure. Please I have more than enough and I want to pay you." He held out a fifty-dollar bill and let his eyes try and plead with the man.
"No, I insist young man. Save the money and buy her a ring since she doesn't have one." He winked at Darien's apparent blush. "I love the holidays and consider this my gift to you. Miracles can happen young man, I should know."
Darien was flabbergasted as he put the money back into his wallet. The man's words confused him immensely, was it that obvious he was head over heels for her? The why couldn't she see? He smiled and politely thanked the old man.
"Thank you sir and I hope you have a wonderful holiday." The old man nodded his head and lifted the blanket off of the child's form.
Darien lightly tapped Serena on the shoulder, "Serena were home."
Serena felt warm all over and she didn't want to leave the heaven she was in, so warm and comfortable. Suddenly she felt a light tapping on her shoulder. She thought she heard words gently spoken, something about home, she mumbled a reply, "I already am home," before snuggling into the warm abyss once more.
Darien blushed faintly at Serena's antics when the old man whispered gently, "A kiss generally works."
Darien looked up startled as a smile graced his marred features while the thought turned in his mind. He shook his head slowly, sadly, and looked the man square in the eye, "I don't have the right."
"I bet she would give it to you if you asked her."
"Really?"
"I've been around a long time young man and I've seen a lot of couples such as yourself, you can win her heart." He handed Rini into his arms and Darien carefully walked into the house.
The old man walked around into the back of the carriage and gently shook the sleeping blonde, "Miss I do believe you are home."
"What?" she asked as she leaned forward clutching his jacket around her shivering frame. If she was this cold, he must have been freezing in the gentle cold night's breeze.
"He tried waking you up and had little success. He has taken the child in and is waiting for you I believe but I want to have a quick word you Miss."
"Yes what is it?" Serena asked wondering whom this kind spirited man really was.
"Go after him."
"Excuse me?" First she was getting tips on her love life, or lack there of, from a mere child and now a gentle old man who had driven them home.
"I can see the way you two act and I've been around for some time, I'm not a blind old man or senile as you may think. I see a couple deeply in love but deadly afraid."
"I assure you sir that we are not a couple."
"You'd like to be wouldn't you?"
Serena looked at her hands and then blushed shyly, "You are correct sir. I might take your advice and then again I might not, I am his secretary after all and it wouldn't be proper. Thank you for everything though and I really must be off. Good night and I hope your holidays are wonderful." She threw a wave over her shoulder before running to the house.
"I hope yours are as well! Good luck!" He waved before driving off into the night air.
He rounded the corner and the carriage disappeared. He snapped his fingers once and found himself at the Gate of Time. The sudden change had taken away years from his once wrinkled face. He looked young and handsome, similar to Darien.
"You were right Pluto, as always." Pluto smiled and opened the door to the past before smiling to herself as she heard him humming the familiar tune, "Here comes the Bride."
"I always am."
(Back at the house)
Darien had shifted Rini's tiny form in his arms and looked up and smiled as Serena walked through the door clutching his jacket closely to her form. She smiled and laid their jackets over the grand staircase railing. She removed her scarf and gloves and went to take off the hat when it got caught in her hair.
Darien seeing a slight chance quickly let Rini lie on the sofa. He grabbed a nearby blanket and put it over her body. In a few quick strides he crossed to Serena and had his arms around her back. They both blushed simultaneously and he lowered his arms.
"You looked like you were having a hard time." He stuttered and blushed.
"I was, actually I still am." She smiled at him and felt her features redden as he carefully removed her blue hat.
"Well what do you say we go to bed?" he asked before realizing his mistake and he quickly corrected it, "I mean separately. Let us each go to our own rooms and I'll have a maid tuck Rini in."
"No, we will tuck Rini in."
"I don't know how." He replied digging his toe into the ground.
"I'm serious! Think about it she was just orphaned, I imagine she misses her family very much we can at least make her feel welcome. I'll do it I just need to get her up the stairs." She walked over to Rini and started to gather her into her small arms. She felt his hand rest lightly on her shoulder and she turned to face him.
He looked into her eyes and noticed how beautiful they really were. "I want to learn in case I have kids some day, well I have to find the right woman first," he paused and looked at her shyly, "Here I'll carry her, lead the way."
He collected Rini's sleeping form into his arms and followed Serena up the grand staircase. He followed her to a pretty bedroom filled with stuffed animals and other assortments of toys. Serena had pulled back the covers and he laid her down.
Rini moved to curl up into a ball but Serena stopped her and carefully removed her socks and shoes. She motioned for Darien to lift her upper body into a sitting position and he did as he was told. A few moments later Serena came back and tugged Rini's dress upward. She replaced it with a beautiful white nightgown. She pulled Rini's hair out of its confining buns and the long pink hair tumbled down her back. Darien gently let her body collapse on the bed.
"Is that it?" he asked in a gentle whisper.
"Not yet," she bent down and laid a gentle kiss on Rini's cheek, "Your turn."
Darien gestured and mouthed the word, "Me?" She nodded and he bent down and placed a loving kiss on Rini's angelic forehead.
"Now were done, goodnight Rini." Serena whispered as she turned on the nightlight and slipped out of the room. Darien followed her and closed the door with a final click behind him.
"You are going to make a great mom some day."
"I had a great one to begin with." She noticed his saddened features before she realized her own mistake, "But you are going to be an even greater dad. And I'm sorry for what I said Dr. Shields." She looked down at her feet when his hand lifted her chin and his eyes twinkled at her.
"Don't be, I have other people who care for me. Also, I did want to make you do one thing."
"What?" Serena asked in a business-like manner.
"Call me Darien."
"But Dr. Shields," she started.
"No buts Serena. You are my friend and my secretary. I insist that you call me Darien and that's final." He crossed his hands over his chest in defiance and she couldn't help but giggle.
"Fine Darien." She stressed his name and he smiled at her. They walked down the hall in a comfortable silence when they arrived at her door. "Well I guess this is it then Dr. I mean Darien." She faltered under his intense gaze.
"I had a great time Serena with you and Rini tonight. We should all get out more often, even you and I sometime. I mean well we are friends." He stuttered and she smiled at him.
"I had a great time too and I would love to go out with you sometime, well not on a date." She lamely finished.
"Definitely," he raised her hand to his lips and placed a feather soft kiss on her knuckles, "Good night Serena."
Serena opened her door as he waltzed down the hall, a giddy step in his stride. She closed the door and rested against it, maybe everyone was right she should go for it. After all with the all the mixed signals she was receiving maybe he felt the same way. Maybe, miracles do happen. She sighed and walked to her private bathroom as she turned on the faucet. The warm water she hoped for didn't come flowing out of the tap and she rested her head in defeat.
The tub was broken, she would have to try again or use someone else's tomorrow. For now she was tired and wanted to process thoughts in her head, more importantly, she wanted to toss the idea of Darien in her head. She slipped into her pajamas and crawled under her bedspread. She turned out the light and prayed for sleep, it never came.
Hours passed, as she lay awake contemplating her relationship with Darien. Finally she turned to her clock noticed the blinking red digits were flashing 3:37. She let her feet roll out as she placed her slippers on and wrapped a robe around her frame snuggly. Perhaps some tea would help her sleep.
She walked listlessly towards the kitchen when she heard the sounds of a piano playing echoing through the halls. The curiosity was killing her, and she tiptoed to the room. She peeked through the door and was startled to see Darien sitting at the piano as his hands were flying across the keys.
She gasped, she never knew he could play piano. Then again it made sense because why would you buy a piano if you couldn't play. She opened the door slowly and jumped when it made a loud creak. She backed away from the door and looked up at Darien's watchful gaze.
"Uh hi?" she supplied.
"Hi." He whispered as he took in her slightly messed look. She looked like an angel looking in on him with the moonlight giving her a hallow. He had to admit he liked the look. He beckoned her into the room and she carefully walked in. He scooted over on the bench allowing her room to sit, she smiled and sat down beside him.
"I never knew you could play piano, you really are wonderful at it."
"I play when I can't sleep, when I have too many things on my mind." He couldn't but begin to think of his relationship with her, how strange it could be at times, times like now he thought in amusement.
He lifted her hands onto the piano and placed his hands over hers. "What?" she asked in shock.
"I'll teach you to play." Her hands felt smooth and warm under his own large ones.
"Oh, alright. But I should let you know I'm not the brightest person in the world." She looked down as she felt him remove his hands and turn to square her face to him.
"I think you are smart, talented, bright, and above all beautiful." His hands gently cupped her face and she looked into his eyes, a mistake she realized a moment too late. His eyes gazed to her lips and then to her own eyes again. They both leaned in towards each other and he bent down and placed a delicate kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes and gently let his lips caress hers in the softest of touches.
The only thing that could be seen was the silhouette of a couple kissing each other. The moon shone in the background and bathed them in moonlight.