Author: Sarah email WillowthewispJNH@aol .com

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone except for Darien, Serena, Rini, and Mena in this story.

Summary: Serena Moore has been through a lot with her husband Darien. So one day he just decided to leave her with their two girls. Jeff is one of her best friends and does what he can to help out. But when the unexpected happens, fate takes a different course, but is it for better or for worse?

Please read and review!!! I greatly appreciate it! Enjoy! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~

The calm wind was blowing at her long wavy brown hair. The moon was shining on her soft tan skin, which was covered by a long silky white spaghetti strap nightgown. Tears coming out of her chocolate brown eyes and then down her rosy cheeks. She was standing out on the balcony just gazing at the stars, thinking about random things, but mainly her husband, Darien. She was thinking about the day he had left them and why did he leave. Wasn't he happy here with them? Maybe he didn't want to be with me anymore and this was his way of me that it was over? She thought. That day just kept on relaying in her head. It was a normal day and everything was going great. Serena had to stay home with the kids that day so they wouldn't have to leave their kids with Serena's mother, Mia. Darien had gone to work and headed on into the back room. He got changed into his suit and then headed to the back and continued working on the car he had started on the other day. The day was just like any other day and then soon it came to an end. He locked up being the last one there and then decided that he was tired of living the way he did. Sure he was happy with his job, it did have good pay, but he didn't want to live like this forever. And he really didn't feel like dealing with the crying from his kids and getting up during the night to quiet them down.

"Like hell I'm going back there. I just can't deal with this anymore. Serena is always busy with the kids and barely has anytime for me. I need a woman who will give me the attention and the love that I deserve. " He said to himself while running his fingers through his black hair. He got dressed and decided to pack his stuff and leave during the middle of the night.

"Hi honey how was work?" Serena said and greeted him with a kiss.

"It was okay, you know the usual." Pete said hi to you girls. How was everything here?" He asked.

"Awe, he's so sweet. The day was pretty much the same, and guess what?" Serena replied.

"What?" Darien asked.

"Mena said her first word, momma. Isn't that great?" Serena asked excitedly.

"Yep it's just dandy." Darien simply replied.

"Darien is something wrong?" Serena asked.

"Nope not a thing. So is dinner ready?" He asked changing the subject.

Yeah it's on the table already. Rini, Mena, and I already ate. Well I'm going to put the girls to bed alright." Serena responded.

"Whatever" was what she got in return. She ignored this thinking that he was upset from work or something. She went upstairs, gave the girls a bath, and read them their bedtime stories. Later on during the night she felt Darien leave the bed only to find out that he was going to check on Mena. She was exhausted so she fell right back to sleep. Darien came back and noticed that she was asleep he began to quietly pack his stuff. He left her a note and then left. Sure he didn't want to be apart of this anymore, but he didn't want her to worry about his whereabouts.

Serena woke up to the sound of crying. She went to go check on Mena. She then brought Mena back to her bedroom and saw a piece of paper on the nightstand. She made her way downstairs with the note in hand and put Mena in the playpen. She found Rini playing with her toys. She gave her a kiss and then she opened up the folded paper. The note said

Dear Serena, I can't take living like this anymore. I need a woman who will give me the attention and love that a man like me deserves and I'm not getting that from you anymore. And I can't take the daddy role. I don't think that I was ready for a family right now. The three years that we've been married was incredible, but then the spark that was there is no longer there. I'm sorry, Darien

She couldn't believe it. Anger started to fill her body. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind but instead she just broke down into tears. Rini stopped playing with her toys and asked her mom why she was crying.

"Mommy's okay she was just thinking about grandpa." She lied.

"Okay mommy." And with that being said she went back to play with her toys.

That selfish son of a-- who does he think he is? I have to take care of our kids too you know. Not everything is about you Darien. I gave you the best years of my life and this is what I get in return. And if you weren't ready for a family then why did you.ahhh, well, now that I know this is what you do when you need attention then fine. I hope I never see you again Darien Rawls. She said to herself. Her mother was the only person she could talk to now. Her father had died in Cambodia and Darien's parent's had died from cancer. She was taken away from her thoughts by her four year old Rini. She was tugging on her nightgown.

"Mommy, mommy I can't sleep in my room." "Can I sleep here tonight?" Rini asked?

"Of course you can sweetie. Come on let's go." Serena said. She took Rini's hand as they left the balcony and made their way to the bed. Rini was sound asleep after her bedtime story. Serena tucked Rini in and then Mena started to cry. Rini was still sleeping so Serena wouldn't have to worry her waking up. She made her way to the nursery and picked Mena up. She rocked her back and forth in her arms and made her way back to her bedroom. She had a spare bottle of milk there so she wouldn't have to go downstairs. She gave Mena her bottle and sat down beside Rini. It was tough being a single mother, but she managed. Mena then fell asleep in her arms. She put her down by Rini and kissed both their foreheads and said "good night my sleeping angels." And then she herself knelt down beside Mena just incase she were to fall off the bed and went to sleep.

The next day she took the girls to their grandmother's for the day while she was at work. Her mother was the most wonderful person she has ever known. Ever since Darien had left her mother had watched her kids for her whenever she needed her to. It was easy this way because she didn't want to leave her kids with someone they didn't know. They loved staying with their grandma so everything worked out. She would tell stories about her childhood back in Cambodia. She would also teach them some games she used to play there. Being only four Rini would forget how to play the games she taught her but she loved teaching it to her. "Bye girls be good for grandma, I'll see you later tonight." Serena said as she gave them a kiss. "Thanks a lot mom, you're the best." She gave her a kiss and left. "I know Serena, have a good day at work child." Mia said and returned the kiss. They waved goodbye and Serena drove off.

She parked her car in the back and made her way to the building. She signed in and made her way to Pete's office. She knocked on the door and let herself in. Pete was busy so she would have to come back later on during the day. She went to the back and put her suit on. She and Kara were working on this classic buggy. The owner wanted them to fix it up and make it look like it was just out of the assembly line. They were one of Pete's finest workers so he let them take this job.

"Hey Kara." Serena said and gave her best friend a hug.

"Hey sweetie, how are you. Kara replied and returned the favor.

"I'm doing okay, so what are we doing today?" Serena asked.

"Well I think that we should get started on the engine and then work our way around that." Kara replied.

"Sounds like a plan." Serena replied.

"So how are the kids?' Kara asked.

"They're doing great. They're with my mom today." Serena said.

"That's good to hear." Kara replied. Kara had a baby boy named Alexander with her husband Tom. She was just so happy. They always wanted to start a family and now they have one. Serena and Kara had known each other since they were growing up in Cambodia, so they both had Asian backgrounds.

"How's Alex, the last time I saw him he was so cute laying in his crib." Serena replied while they were taking parts out of the engine.

"Oh he's an active little boy. Everytime you have your back turned he's always doing something he's not supposed to. Kara responded with a chuckle. Sensing that Serena was thinking about Darien she added "You've gotta stop thinking about him Serena, he doesn't deserve someone like you. Serena smiled and said "You always know what to say and when to say them Kara. Thanks girl." Kara responded with a hug and they continued to work on the engine. And then Pete came out and made his way over towards them.

"Serena, I'd like to have a word with you in my office now." Pete said. Serena nodded and put the timing belt down.

"Oh man what did I do this time." She said out loud. Kara gave her a reassuring smile before she left.

AN: So what do you guys think?? Good or bad??? Let me know. Please Read and Review!!!!!!!!