hDear Isabella
Chapter Ten
By A Shot of Amber
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com.
Dear Isabella Chapter Ten
Serena turned off the car and let her hands fall into her lap. She looked up at the creamy yellow of the wood that made up her house. The shutters were blue, a country blue that she had chosen only two summers ago when times were happier. Now the shutters needed a new coat of paint, Andrew could do that when summer again but she wouldn't see it. She would be gone. Unconsciously Serena sighed. She would be gone. Well maybe not totally gone, she would be with Darien, maybe still in the city and maybe if the courts okayed it she could see her kids and maybe she and Andrew could be friends. Maybe, just maybe.
Serena got out of the warmth of her car into the cold December air. The day after tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Beryl would be at a party so she and Darien had planned their celebration to be at his apartment. They would drink champagne, exchange gifts, and make love. It would be wonderful. Still now was not of the time to think about it. Instead Serena walked up to the door and lifted her hand to knock but on second thought decided not to. Instead she took turned the knob and let herself in. He must be waiting for her.
Inside the main hallway there was no scatter of snow boots and coats that needed to be hung up. The kids were out, she could sense it in the air. There was no screaming, no sounds of the computer going off in the middle of some game or an instant message session. If the kids weren't here, did that mean Andrew was gone too? No he couldn't be, his car was still in the drive way, he was here. Without taking off her shoes Serena walked down the hall into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, his hands clasped in front of him. He didn't raise his head till she walked into the room. His eyes were sad and his smile bitter.
" Serena I'm so glad you made it."
" I thought you might have been gone. The kids things aren't here and all." Serena replied but trailed off at the end.
" They are with your mother, she took them sledding."
" Even Alex? I thought she was over sledding."
" I asked her to go, I wanted some privacy for the two of us." Andrew's voice was as brittle as his smile, it sounded like he was trying to keep in something. " You might want to sit down instead of just standing there. I know you wanted to talk."
Serena walked over to the table and pulled out one of the chairs. " I guess you understand what I meant when I said I wanted a divorce," she begin awkwardly.
" Yes I did." Andrew looked down at his clasped hands which were slightly white at the knuckles. " It still kind of a shock to me Serena, I never thought of you as one to start an affair. I thought our marriage was strong and secure but I was obviously wrong."
" Andrew."
" No let me finish. I understand that we have a lot to talk about it but I just want to know why you are doing this? Why are you hurting me and our children? Why are you hurting us for a man you've only known for what? A month?"
" Actually its been two months and I don't mean to hurt you or the children but I love Darien, very much, with all my heart. I don't want to break up this family but I can't stay in it either. I need him Andrew."
" And what about me? Don't you love me?" Andrew looked up at her, straight into her eyes waiting for the answer he knew she would say.
"I thought I did, really I did, but things aren't the same as they were in college. Back then I was the awkward clumsy girl who was charmed by the first cute boy who asked her out."
" So you only married me because I was cute? Because I was an opportunity?"
" No of course not!" Serena reached out to touch his arm then realized what she was doing and tucked her arm in her lap. " I must have loved you back then but now I realize that that love was the love of a friend. I love you as a friend."
" That's harsh Serena," he muttered softly.
" The truth is harsh, I'm sorry."
" Yes, well lets get his over with." He lifted his head and looked at her. " I assume you want joint custody of the kids?"
" I thought it might be best that they continue to live at home in an environment that's familiar to them. Darien and I are searching for an apartment right now, maybe later we'll find a house and then the kids can live with me. For now I want to be able to visit with them any time I like and take them places. I still want to be their mother."
" I'm glad you say that, it would be horrible for them if you said you wanted to run away with your lover and never want to see them." Andrew replied.
" If that was supposed to be a joke, it wasn't funny," Serena replied in a serious tone.
" It wasn't." Andrew paused and took a deep breath. " I'm willing to let you take your possessions, the sooner you remove the better. Brian won't stop crying when he sees the computer. He says mommy ran away with a strange man from the box. Don't you see what you've done Serena? You've made our five year old scared of an inanimate object!"
" I'm sorry! But I wished you hadn't told them I ran away with a man from the computer," Serena cried out feeling slightly ashamed for what she had done, something Andrew probably wanted her to feel.
" And what was I supposed to tell them Serena? I can't lie to them and the sad thing is that it you ran away with a stranger. You left your family for a man who whispered sweet nothings to you over the internet!"
" Look if we are just going to fight then I'm going to leave. I don't want to listen to this." Serena got up and wrapped her scarf around her neck. " I'll call you after Christmas about the court date. We'll probably meet after the new year and I have a lawyer so you might want to get one."
" I'm sure Darien helped you get one." Andrew replied with disgust.
" As a matter of fact he did." Serena stalked out of the room to the door but once there stopped and turned around. All the anger seemed to be draining out of her. She looked down at the wedding ring on her third finger, it had been there ever since the day Andrew had put it on her finger fifteen years ago. Now she reached up and slipped the ring off. In the kitchen Andrew had dropped his head into his folded arms. Serena didn't know if he was crying or not, his shoulders were so still. Softly she set the ring down beside him and touched his shoulder.
" I'll be back on Christmas to see the kids. I have presents for them, and you," she replied in an afterthought.
Deftly Serena took her hand off his shoulder and walked out of the room. She let herself out and crunched through the newly fallen snow. Inside the house Andrew lifted his face and stared down at the small silver ring sitting on the table. He reached out and gently grasped it in his hand.
* * * * * * *
" Did you ever watch that movie Pretty Women?"
Darien opened his eyes and looked up at her. His head was pillowed in her lap as they lay or in her case, sat by the fire.
After Darien had broken the news of his wanting a divorce from Beryl she had reacted very badly. Beryl had thrown around many of the priceless artifacts she claimed to own and then had locked herself into the bedroom. Darien was forced to spend the night on the couch only to wake up the next morning to find his wife gone. A note sitting on the coffee table, badly written and tear stained told him to pack up his stuff and get out. Beryl was at the time at her lawyers office sobbing over the divorce proceedings that he was talking about. She didn't want the divorce, Darien was her's. Not to be taken away by some snuffy huffy who thought she had landed the perfect guy.
Because Darien had been virtually kicked out of his apartment he had been staying in a hotel until they could find an apartment of their own. Tonight since it was Christmas Eve they had skipped over his hotel room and instead rented a nicer room at a nicer hotel then the one Darien was staying at. This room had everything, a nice bedroom, room service and a fire place that they had lit and now sat drowsing in front of.
" Why are you asking me that question?"
" Because I love that story where Vivian talks about how she used to pretend she was a princess and how she was waiting for her prince charming to come a rescue her."
" And I guess I'm your prince charming?" Darien laughed.
Serena smiled down at him and lifted one hand from the carpet to stroke the hair off his forehead. " Aren't you Prince Endymion?"
He reached up and took her hand in his own. Gently Darien kissed the palm then ran his tongue over her skin. Serena shivered in delight.
" That I am moon princess." He took her hand and rested it on his chest while they lay there or in Serena's case, sat in front of the fire. Presently Darien sighed and stood up. He suddenly seemed tense and ready for something.
" Would you like some champagne? I did have it sent up."
" I would love some,"
Darien got up and walked over out of the circle of firelight. Serena watched as he stopped in front of the tray where the champagne sat in a tub of ice. In the dark where the fire light did not extend Darien uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses then did something that Serena did not see, she had turned her head to watch the flames dance in the fireplace.
" Here you go," Darien handed her a glass then sat down next to her. He did not drink his champagne but instead watched her as she lifted the glass to her lips. Serena took a drink then lowered the glass when something caught her eye. It sparkled gold in the glass. She widened her eyes as the object at the bottom of her glass came into view.
" Darien is that.!" She begin then stopped.
Darien took the glass and poured its contents through his hand into the fireplace till he caught the ring then sat back.
" I was hoping you would see it before you drank the whole glass." Darien wiped the ring dry on his pants then took her hand. " Serena I know we met under strange circumstances and we've only known each other for a short time but I believe that what I'm going to do is the right thing."
Serena smiled with joy as he slipped the ring onto her finger then looked up into her eyes.
" Serena, would you marry me?"
" Oh Darien," she looked down at the ring on her finger then up at him. " The ring smells like champagne." She giggled and looked down again watching the diamond flash in the firelight.
" I would hope that means yes," Darien replied sarcastically.
Serena laughed again and took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly on the lips.
" Yes," she whispered softly.
Darien grinned and tackled her to the floor. " Do you know you just made me the happiest man in the world?"
" Weren't you happy when you married Beryl?"
" I was never happy with Beryl. I was never happy till I met you Serena and now I'm even happier then I've ever been."
" I'm glad." Serena looked at her ring then up at him lying above her. " Now prove how happy you are with me."
" Gladly."
* * * * * * *
Andrew snapped another picture as Brian ripped open a rather large box which would contain a fire engine for him to ride.
" What is it Brian?" Tyler asked leaning over his own pile of presents.
" It's a truck!" Brian yelled out as he ripped off the rest of the paper and looked down at the box grinning happily.
" It's a fire engine, not a truck," Alex pointed out.
" Fire engine, truck, they're both the same," Tyler replied.
" Daddy can I ride it now! I want to ride it now!" Brian cried looking up at his father.
" Not now Brian, maybe later when Grandpa comes over. Right now I see a present from Santa that still needs to be opened."
Brian reluctantly left his truck and grabbed another present laying next to him. Meanwhile Alex looked down at the new earrings in her lap then up at Andrew.
" Daddy is mom going to come over?" She asked quietly. Tyler looked up to at the sound of the question. Only Brian continued to rip open presents.
Andrew stopped taking pictures. A stricken look came over his face. " When I talked to her she did promise she would come over. I just don't know when."
" She's not bringing that man with her is she?"
" I don't know," Andrew replied then turned back to the Christmas tree. " Why don't you finish opening your gifts. Grandma and grandpa are coming over soon and we need to have this room cleaned up by then."
Alex looked at Tyler who looked at Andrew with worry in his eyes. He was old enough to know that Andrew was avoiding the question. He didn't want to talk about mom.
" I hope she doesn't bring that man," Alex whispered softly to Tyler.
" If she does I'm going to punch his lights out," Tyler replied in a fierce tone.
" You aren't going to do anything. If she brings Darien then I will expect you to all act civil and mature. We don't want him to think I raised a bunch of hooligans," Andrew cut in as he overheard their tone of voice.
" Who cares what he thinks, he's nothing but a low life jerk," Tyler replied.
" Who's a jerk?" Brian asked looking up from his gifts.
" No one Brian. If you're done unwrapping your gifts then take them upstairs and put them away. Grandma and grandpa are coming soon and I don't want to hear anymore talk about your mother's new boyfriend now everyone upstairs so I can clean up in here." Andrew set the camera down and begin to gather up wrapping paper and ribbons while Alex and Tyler exchanged looks but remorsely gathered up their presents and followed Brian upstairs.
Andrew was throwing the last bits of paper away when the doorbell rang. He looked at his watch in surprise, no one was due for a few more hours. Then another thought came to him. Maybe it was Serena and her lover. He grimaced at the thought of meeting Darien face to face but with a strong stride that hid his fear he walked up to the door and opened it.
* * * * * * *
Serena looked out the window at the snow covered yard. Next to her Darien turned off the car and turned to look at her.
" Do you want me to come on with you?"
" Part of me does while the other part doesn't. I'm a little afraid. Its the first time I've seen the kids in a few weeks. I don't even know how they are reacting to the divorce." Serena sighed and looked at her hands. " I wish you would come in with me."
Darien reached over and patted her hands. " Gather up the gifts and follow me, I'll go in with you."
Serena smiled up at him then opened the door and got out of the car. She picked up the bag of gifts from the back seat and walked over to where Darien stood in front of the car. Together they walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell.
Andrew gripped his hand into a fist then relaxed and let go. He reached over and opened the door to reveal Serena standing there next to a tall man with dark hair and storm colored eyes. Andrew was the same height as Darien which made him feel glad that he wouldn't have to look up at this man.
" Hello Andrew," Serena said softly.
" Serena." Andrew turned his eyes away from his wife to Darien. Darien knew exactly what to do. He held out his hand. " How do you do, my name is Darien Shields."
Andrew looked down at the offered hand then slowly placed his hand in Darien's. " Its nice to meet you," Andrew replied gruffly.
" Where are the children? I brought gifts for them," Serena spoke up holding up the bag of brightly wrapped gifts.
" They're upstairs putting away their things. I'll call them down." Andrew stepped back as Serena and Darien walked in. " Kids, your mom is here!" Andrew yelled up the stairs while Serena watched the top stoop where they would appear. Would they be mad? Would they ignore her? Or say mean things to Darien? She ran over these thoughts as the sound of running feet filled the house. Brian appeared first, he stopped at the top stoop then smiled and ran down the stairs.
" Mommy!" Brian jumped off the last step into her arms. Serena kneeled down and kissed the top of his head. She knew now that she had missed him so much.
Much slower came Alex and Tyler both who stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down at their mother hugging Brian while their father stood next to a strange dark haired man. Slowly they begin to walk down the stairs.
Serena opened her eyes and looked up at Tyler and Alex coming down towards her. She let go of Brian and stood up. " Hello Tyler, Alex, its so good to see you again. Are you going to give me a hug?"
Alex looked up at Tyler who was glaring at Darien. She turned and looked at her father who was watching her to see what she did. Alex smiled weakly and walked down that steps into Serena's arms. Serena hugged her tightly then let go. Tyler had not moved at all.
" Tyler aren't you going to give me a hug?"
" I would rather not," Tyler replied.
Those words seemed to hang in the air, a heavy silence that everyone seemed to notice. Finally Serena cleared her throat and took the bag of presents from Darien. " I brought gifts!" She said cheerfully. " Maybe we could go into the living room and open them!"
" Yeah! More presents!" Brian yelled taking Serena's hand and dragging her into the living room. Alex and Andrew followed bringing Tyler with them. Darien watched them walk into the living room then turned and opened the front door.
" Darien where are you going?" Serena had turned around and seen him.
" I don't want to get in the way. I'll just wait outside for you."
Serena blinked once then nodded and gave him a small smile. " I won't be long," she replied.
Darien nodded and walked out the front door closing it behind him.
Serena watched him then turned and allowed Brian to take her to the couch where she sat down and opened up the bag.
" Lets see this is for you," she handed Brian a rather large box. " This is for Alex, I hope you like it dear. I didn't really know your color." Serena handed Alex her gift then pulled out something. " Tyler I hope you like it. Darien helped me pick it out." She handed out a medium sized gift then turned to Andrew. " And this is for you." Serena pulled out a long square box. " Merry Christmas Andrew."
Andrew smiled and took the box. " Merry Christmas Serena," he replied huskily.
" Daddy! Daddy! I got a fireman's outfit!" Brian yelled as he tore off the paper revealing a picture of a blond child quite like Brian wearing a mini firefighter's outfit.
" Do you like it Brian?" Serena leaned forward squeezing her hands together.
" Yes I do! Thank you mommy!" Brian ran forward and hugged her happily. Serena laughed and returned the hug then turned to Alex who had opened her gift. " Do you like it?" You were always saying that you wanted a necklace just like Tina's."
Alex help up the silver chain with the small diamond heart shaped pendent hanging from it. " Its beautiful mom," she sniffed, " thank you so much." Alex walked over and hugged her then stood back as Serena placed the necklace around her neck.
Next to her on the couch Andrew burst out laughing. " Serena you are too much!"
Alex and Serena turned to look at Andrew who was holding up his gift. Serena smiled. " I thought you might like it. When I saw it I knew it was perfect. I wanted to make you happy."
" Mom could you stay for dinner at least? Grandma and Grandpa are coming over," Alex asked looking down at where Serena sat.
The smiled disappeared off her face and she shook her head. " I don't think Darien would like that. He would feel like a stranger when we all know each other."
" He can't be a stranger. He's joining our family," Alex replied.
"Maybe I'll ask him." Serena promised then looked over to where Tyler had been standing but was now gone. " Where's Tyler?" Serena looked over at the dining room then into the hallway where she noticed that the front door was open.
Serena instantly got up and walked past Alex and Brian with Andrew following her. " I hope he didn't say anything to bad," she mummered as they came to the glass screen door and opened it up to reveal Tyler standing on the porch in his socks talking to Darien.
" I just want to thank you for the gift. Mom says you helped pick it out."
Darien nodded. " I thought you might like it. I know when I'm online I like to play those sort of games too. It takes away the boredom of not having anything to do at home."
" Well maybe you can come over sometime and we can play some of my games. I have all these really cool games I downloaded from the internet. I could show them to you."
Darien smiled. " I would like that if its all right with Serena," he replied his eyes moving over to Serena
Tyler turned around to see his family standing in the open doorway. Serena was smiling happily while Alex nodded her head in approval.
" Tyler that was very nice you to thank Darien. I was afraid you might not like the game. But now," she added sternly, " you better get back inside. You don't even have a coat or shoes on!" Serena admonished walking over to him and giving him a quick squeeze around the shoulders.
" Yes mom," Tyler replied dryly following her into the house. At the last minute Serena let go and turned back to Darien who had stood up.
" Looks like I'm hit. I won over even my toughest critic."
Serena sighed happily. " I'm glad that the children like you. Your going to be a great step-father."
" And a great husband," he replied taking her into his arms and planting a firm kiss on her lips.
Serena smiled as they parted. " So oh great husband of mine. Would you like to stay for dinner? My parents are coming over and you should meet them before the wedding."
" It sounds like I have no choice but to say yes," Darien teased.
" You don't," Serena replied reaching up for another kiss.
Behind her in the doorway Andrew stepped back into the hallway. He didn't want to be seen by them. Inside his chest his heart tightened and hurt. Would he ever get over Serena? There would be a long and difficult rode ahead for him. The divorce would split apart the family no matter how much Serena pretended it wouldn't. The kids would be hurt and he Andrew would be hurt the most of all.
He was loosing one of the most important people in his life next to his kids. He was loosing a part of his heart to a man who may have always claimed all of it. Damn him, Darien maybe nice and the kids may like him but Andrew knew he could never get to like Darien.
Not even for the sake of Serena.
The end! I'm finished! Another story finished and done! Did you think it was to abrupt of an ending or do you like it just fine? Email me with comments, questions, suggestions, and flames or simply read and review. I look forward to whatever you have to say. Thank you.
Story completed: September 13th, 2003 :- )
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com.
Dear Isabella Chapter Ten
Serena turned off the car and let her hands fall into her lap. She looked up at the creamy yellow of the wood that made up her house. The shutters were blue, a country blue that she had chosen only two summers ago when times were happier. Now the shutters needed a new coat of paint, Andrew could do that when summer again but she wouldn't see it. She would be gone. Unconsciously Serena sighed. She would be gone. Well maybe not totally gone, she would be with Darien, maybe still in the city and maybe if the courts okayed it she could see her kids and maybe she and Andrew could be friends. Maybe, just maybe.
Serena got out of the warmth of her car into the cold December air. The day after tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Beryl would be at a party so she and Darien had planned their celebration to be at his apartment. They would drink champagne, exchange gifts, and make love. It would be wonderful. Still now was not of the time to think about it. Instead Serena walked up to the door and lifted her hand to knock but on second thought decided not to. Instead she took turned the knob and let herself in. He must be waiting for her.
Inside the main hallway there was no scatter of snow boots and coats that needed to be hung up. The kids were out, she could sense it in the air. There was no screaming, no sounds of the computer going off in the middle of some game or an instant message session. If the kids weren't here, did that mean Andrew was gone too? No he couldn't be, his car was still in the drive way, he was here. Without taking off her shoes Serena walked down the hall into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, his hands clasped in front of him. He didn't raise his head till she walked into the room. His eyes were sad and his smile bitter.
" Serena I'm so glad you made it."
" I thought you might have been gone. The kids things aren't here and all." Serena replied but trailed off at the end.
" They are with your mother, she took them sledding."
" Even Alex? I thought she was over sledding."
" I asked her to go, I wanted some privacy for the two of us." Andrew's voice was as brittle as his smile, it sounded like he was trying to keep in something. " You might want to sit down instead of just standing there. I know you wanted to talk."
Serena walked over to the table and pulled out one of the chairs. " I guess you understand what I meant when I said I wanted a divorce," she begin awkwardly.
" Yes I did." Andrew looked down at his clasped hands which were slightly white at the knuckles. " It still kind of a shock to me Serena, I never thought of you as one to start an affair. I thought our marriage was strong and secure but I was obviously wrong."
" Andrew."
" No let me finish. I understand that we have a lot to talk about it but I just want to know why you are doing this? Why are you hurting me and our children? Why are you hurting us for a man you've only known for what? A month?"
" Actually its been two months and I don't mean to hurt you or the children but I love Darien, very much, with all my heart. I don't want to break up this family but I can't stay in it either. I need him Andrew."
" And what about me? Don't you love me?" Andrew looked up at her, straight into her eyes waiting for the answer he knew she would say.
"I thought I did, really I did, but things aren't the same as they were in college. Back then I was the awkward clumsy girl who was charmed by the first cute boy who asked her out."
" So you only married me because I was cute? Because I was an opportunity?"
" No of course not!" Serena reached out to touch his arm then realized what she was doing and tucked her arm in her lap. " I must have loved you back then but now I realize that that love was the love of a friend. I love you as a friend."
" That's harsh Serena," he muttered softly.
" The truth is harsh, I'm sorry."
" Yes, well lets get his over with." He lifted his head and looked at her. " I assume you want joint custody of the kids?"
" I thought it might be best that they continue to live at home in an environment that's familiar to them. Darien and I are searching for an apartment right now, maybe later we'll find a house and then the kids can live with me. For now I want to be able to visit with them any time I like and take them places. I still want to be their mother."
" I'm glad you say that, it would be horrible for them if you said you wanted to run away with your lover and never want to see them." Andrew replied.
" If that was supposed to be a joke, it wasn't funny," Serena replied in a serious tone.
" It wasn't." Andrew paused and took a deep breath. " I'm willing to let you take your possessions, the sooner you remove the better. Brian won't stop crying when he sees the computer. He says mommy ran away with a strange man from the box. Don't you see what you've done Serena? You've made our five year old scared of an inanimate object!"
" I'm sorry! But I wished you hadn't told them I ran away with a man from the computer," Serena cried out feeling slightly ashamed for what she had done, something Andrew probably wanted her to feel.
" And what was I supposed to tell them Serena? I can't lie to them and the sad thing is that it you ran away with a stranger. You left your family for a man who whispered sweet nothings to you over the internet!"
" Look if we are just going to fight then I'm going to leave. I don't want to listen to this." Serena got up and wrapped her scarf around her neck. " I'll call you after Christmas about the court date. We'll probably meet after the new year and I have a lawyer so you might want to get one."
" I'm sure Darien helped you get one." Andrew replied with disgust.
" As a matter of fact he did." Serena stalked out of the room to the door but once there stopped and turned around. All the anger seemed to be draining out of her. She looked down at the wedding ring on her third finger, it had been there ever since the day Andrew had put it on her finger fifteen years ago. Now she reached up and slipped the ring off. In the kitchen Andrew had dropped his head into his folded arms. Serena didn't know if he was crying or not, his shoulders were so still. Softly she set the ring down beside him and touched his shoulder.
" I'll be back on Christmas to see the kids. I have presents for them, and you," she replied in an afterthought.
Deftly Serena took her hand off his shoulder and walked out of the room. She let herself out and crunched through the newly fallen snow. Inside the house Andrew lifted his face and stared down at the small silver ring sitting on the table. He reached out and gently grasped it in his hand.
* * * * * * *
" Did you ever watch that movie Pretty Women?"
Darien opened his eyes and looked up at her. His head was pillowed in her lap as they lay or in her case, sat by the fire.
After Darien had broken the news of his wanting a divorce from Beryl she had reacted very badly. Beryl had thrown around many of the priceless artifacts she claimed to own and then had locked herself into the bedroom. Darien was forced to spend the night on the couch only to wake up the next morning to find his wife gone. A note sitting on the coffee table, badly written and tear stained told him to pack up his stuff and get out. Beryl was at the time at her lawyers office sobbing over the divorce proceedings that he was talking about. She didn't want the divorce, Darien was her's. Not to be taken away by some snuffy huffy who thought she had landed the perfect guy.
Because Darien had been virtually kicked out of his apartment he had been staying in a hotel until they could find an apartment of their own. Tonight since it was Christmas Eve they had skipped over his hotel room and instead rented a nicer room at a nicer hotel then the one Darien was staying at. This room had everything, a nice bedroom, room service and a fire place that they had lit and now sat drowsing in front of.
" Why are you asking me that question?"
" Because I love that story where Vivian talks about how she used to pretend she was a princess and how she was waiting for her prince charming to come a rescue her."
" And I guess I'm your prince charming?" Darien laughed.
Serena smiled down at him and lifted one hand from the carpet to stroke the hair off his forehead. " Aren't you Prince Endymion?"
He reached up and took her hand in his own. Gently Darien kissed the palm then ran his tongue over her skin. Serena shivered in delight.
" That I am moon princess." He took her hand and rested it on his chest while they lay there or in Serena's case, sat in front of the fire. Presently Darien sighed and stood up. He suddenly seemed tense and ready for something.
" Would you like some champagne? I did have it sent up."
" I would love some,"
Darien got up and walked over out of the circle of firelight. Serena watched as he stopped in front of the tray where the champagne sat in a tub of ice. In the dark where the fire light did not extend Darien uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses then did something that Serena did not see, she had turned her head to watch the flames dance in the fireplace.
" Here you go," Darien handed her a glass then sat down next to her. He did not drink his champagne but instead watched her as she lifted the glass to her lips. Serena took a drink then lowered the glass when something caught her eye. It sparkled gold in the glass. She widened her eyes as the object at the bottom of her glass came into view.
" Darien is that.!" She begin then stopped.
Darien took the glass and poured its contents through his hand into the fireplace till he caught the ring then sat back.
" I was hoping you would see it before you drank the whole glass." Darien wiped the ring dry on his pants then took her hand. " Serena I know we met under strange circumstances and we've only known each other for a short time but I believe that what I'm going to do is the right thing."
Serena smiled with joy as he slipped the ring onto her finger then looked up into her eyes.
" Serena, would you marry me?"
" Oh Darien," she looked down at the ring on her finger then up at him. " The ring smells like champagne." She giggled and looked down again watching the diamond flash in the firelight.
" I would hope that means yes," Darien replied sarcastically.
Serena laughed again and took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly on the lips.
" Yes," she whispered softly.
Darien grinned and tackled her to the floor. " Do you know you just made me the happiest man in the world?"
" Weren't you happy when you married Beryl?"
" I was never happy with Beryl. I was never happy till I met you Serena and now I'm even happier then I've ever been."
" I'm glad." Serena looked at her ring then up at him lying above her. " Now prove how happy you are with me."
" Gladly."
* * * * * * *
Andrew snapped another picture as Brian ripped open a rather large box which would contain a fire engine for him to ride.
" What is it Brian?" Tyler asked leaning over his own pile of presents.
" It's a truck!" Brian yelled out as he ripped off the rest of the paper and looked down at the box grinning happily.
" It's a fire engine, not a truck," Alex pointed out.
" Fire engine, truck, they're both the same," Tyler replied.
" Daddy can I ride it now! I want to ride it now!" Brian cried looking up at his father.
" Not now Brian, maybe later when Grandpa comes over. Right now I see a present from Santa that still needs to be opened."
Brian reluctantly left his truck and grabbed another present laying next to him. Meanwhile Alex looked down at the new earrings in her lap then up at Andrew.
" Daddy is mom going to come over?" She asked quietly. Tyler looked up to at the sound of the question. Only Brian continued to rip open presents.
Andrew stopped taking pictures. A stricken look came over his face. " When I talked to her she did promise she would come over. I just don't know when."
" She's not bringing that man with her is she?"
" I don't know," Andrew replied then turned back to the Christmas tree. " Why don't you finish opening your gifts. Grandma and grandpa are coming over soon and we need to have this room cleaned up by then."
Alex looked at Tyler who looked at Andrew with worry in his eyes. He was old enough to know that Andrew was avoiding the question. He didn't want to talk about mom.
" I hope she doesn't bring that man," Alex whispered softly to Tyler.
" If she does I'm going to punch his lights out," Tyler replied in a fierce tone.
" You aren't going to do anything. If she brings Darien then I will expect you to all act civil and mature. We don't want him to think I raised a bunch of hooligans," Andrew cut in as he overheard their tone of voice.
" Who cares what he thinks, he's nothing but a low life jerk," Tyler replied.
" Who's a jerk?" Brian asked looking up from his gifts.
" No one Brian. If you're done unwrapping your gifts then take them upstairs and put them away. Grandma and grandpa are coming soon and I don't want to hear anymore talk about your mother's new boyfriend now everyone upstairs so I can clean up in here." Andrew set the camera down and begin to gather up wrapping paper and ribbons while Alex and Tyler exchanged looks but remorsely gathered up their presents and followed Brian upstairs.
Andrew was throwing the last bits of paper away when the doorbell rang. He looked at his watch in surprise, no one was due for a few more hours. Then another thought came to him. Maybe it was Serena and her lover. He grimaced at the thought of meeting Darien face to face but with a strong stride that hid his fear he walked up to the door and opened it.
* * * * * * *
Serena looked out the window at the snow covered yard. Next to her Darien turned off the car and turned to look at her.
" Do you want me to come on with you?"
" Part of me does while the other part doesn't. I'm a little afraid. Its the first time I've seen the kids in a few weeks. I don't even know how they are reacting to the divorce." Serena sighed and looked at her hands. " I wish you would come in with me."
Darien reached over and patted her hands. " Gather up the gifts and follow me, I'll go in with you."
Serena smiled up at him then opened the door and got out of the car. She picked up the bag of gifts from the back seat and walked over to where Darien stood in front of the car. Together they walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell.
Andrew gripped his hand into a fist then relaxed and let go. He reached over and opened the door to reveal Serena standing there next to a tall man with dark hair and storm colored eyes. Andrew was the same height as Darien which made him feel glad that he wouldn't have to look up at this man.
" Hello Andrew," Serena said softly.
" Serena." Andrew turned his eyes away from his wife to Darien. Darien knew exactly what to do. He held out his hand. " How do you do, my name is Darien Shields."
Andrew looked down at the offered hand then slowly placed his hand in Darien's. " Its nice to meet you," Andrew replied gruffly.
" Where are the children? I brought gifts for them," Serena spoke up holding up the bag of brightly wrapped gifts.
" They're upstairs putting away their things. I'll call them down." Andrew stepped back as Serena and Darien walked in. " Kids, your mom is here!" Andrew yelled up the stairs while Serena watched the top stoop where they would appear. Would they be mad? Would they ignore her? Or say mean things to Darien? She ran over these thoughts as the sound of running feet filled the house. Brian appeared first, he stopped at the top stoop then smiled and ran down the stairs.
" Mommy!" Brian jumped off the last step into her arms. Serena kneeled down and kissed the top of his head. She knew now that she had missed him so much.
Much slower came Alex and Tyler both who stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down at their mother hugging Brian while their father stood next to a strange dark haired man. Slowly they begin to walk down the stairs.
Serena opened her eyes and looked up at Tyler and Alex coming down towards her. She let go of Brian and stood up. " Hello Tyler, Alex, its so good to see you again. Are you going to give me a hug?"
Alex looked up at Tyler who was glaring at Darien. She turned and looked at her father who was watching her to see what she did. Alex smiled weakly and walked down that steps into Serena's arms. Serena hugged her tightly then let go. Tyler had not moved at all.
" Tyler aren't you going to give me a hug?"
" I would rather not," Tyler replied.
Those words seemed to hang in the air, a heavy silence that everyone seemed to notice. Finally Serena cleared her throat and took the bag of presents from Darien. " I brought gifts!" She said cheerfully. " Maybe we could go into the living room and open them!"
" Yeah! More presents!" Brian yelled taking Serena's hand and dragging her into the living room. Alex and Andrew followed bringing Tyler with them. Darien watched them walk into the living room then turned and opened the front door.
" Darien where are you going?" Serena had turned around and seen him.
" I don't want to get in the way. I'll just wait outside for you."
Serena blinked once then nodded and gave him a small smile. " I won't be long," she replied.
Darien nodded and walked out the front door closing it behind him.
Serena watched him then turned and allowed Brian to take her to the couch where she sat down and opened up the bag.
" Lets see this is for you," she handed Brian a rather large box. " This is for Alex, I hope you like it dear. I didn't really know your color." Serena handed Alex her gift then pulled out something. " Tyler I hope you like it. Darien helped me pick it out." She handed out a medium sized gift then turned to Andrew. " And this is for you." Serena pulled out a long square box. " Merry Christmas Andrew."
Andrew smiled and took the box. " Merry Christmas Serena," he replied huskily.
" Daddy! Daddy! I got a fireman's outfit!" Brian yelled as he tore off the paper revealing a picture of a blond child quite like Brian wearing a mini firefighter's outfit.
" Do you like it Brian?" Serena leaned forward squeezing her hands together.
" Yes I do! Thank you mommy!" Brian ran forward and hugged her happily. Serena laughed and returned the hug then turned to Alex who had opened her gift. " Do you like it?" You were always saying that you wanted a necklace just like Tina's."
Alex help up the silver chain with the small diamond heart shaped pendent hanging from it. " Its beautiful mom," she sniffed, " thank you so much." Alex walked over and hugged her then stood back as Serena placed the necklace around her neck.
Next to her on the couch Andrew burst out laughing. " Serena you are too much!"
Alex and Serena turned to look at Andrew who was holding up his gift. Serena smiled. " I thought you might like it. When I saw it I knew it was perfect. I wanted to make you happy."
" Mom could you stay for dinner at least? Grandma and Grandpa are coming over," Alex asked looking down at where Serena sat.
The smiled disappeared off her face and she shook her head. " I don't think Darien would like that. He would feel like a stranger when we all know each other."
" He can't be a stranger. He's joining our family," Alex replied.
"Maybe I'll ask him." Serena promised then looked over to where Tyler had been standing but was now gone. " Where's Tyler?" Serena looked over at the dining room then into the hallway where she noticed that the front door was open.
Serena instantly got up and walked past Alex and Brian with Andrew following her. " I hope he didn't say anything to bad," she mummered as they came to the glass screen door and opened it up to reveal Tyler standing on the porch in his socks talking to Darien.
" I just want to thank you for the gift. Mom says you helped pick it out."
Darien nodded. " I thought you might like it. I know when I'm online I like to play those sort of games too. It takes away the boredom of not having anything to do at home."
" Well maybe you can come over sometime and we can play some of my games. I have all these really cool games I downloaded from the internet. I could show them to you."
Darien smiled. " I would like that if its all right with Serena," he replied his eyes moving over to Serena
Tyler turned around to see his family standing in the open doorway. Serena was smiling happily while Alex nodded her head in approval.
" Tyler that was very nice you to thank Darien. I was afraid you might not like the game. But now," she added sternly, " you better get back inside. You don't even have a coat or shoes on!" Serena admonished walking over to him and giving him a quick squeeze around the shoulders.
" Yes mom," Tyler replied dryly following her into the house. At the last minute Serena let go and turned back to Darien who had stood up.
" Looks like I'm hit. I won over even my toughest critic."
Serena sighed happily. " I'm glad that the children like you. Your going to be a great step-father."
" And a great husband," he replied taking her into his arms and planting a firm kiss on her lips.
Serena smiled as they parted. " So oh great husband of mine. Would you like to stay for dinner? My parents are coming over and you should meet them before the wedding."
" It sounds like I have no choice but to say yes," Darien teased.
" You don't," Serena replied reaching up for another kiss.
Behind her in the doorway Andrew stepped back into the hallway. He didn't want to be seen by them. Inside his chest his heart tightened and hurt. Would he ever get over Serena? There would be a long and difficult rode ahead for him. The divorce would split apart the family no matter how much Serena pretended it wouldn't. The kids would be hurt and he Andrew would be hurt the most of all.
He was loosing one of the most important people in his life next to his kids. He was loosing a part of his heart to a man who may have always claimed all of it. Damn him, Darien maybe nice and the kids may like him but Andrew knew he could never get to like Darien.
Not even for the sake of Serena.
The end! I'm finished! Another story finished and done! Did you think it was to abrupt of an ending or do you like it just fine? Email me with comments, questions, suggestions, and flames or simply read and review. I look forward to whatever you have to say. Thank you.
Story completed: September 13th, 2003 :- )
