*****
Alright, some were worried that Darien was married. But I distinctly
pointed out that Darien was on his way to his girlfriend's house so he
could break up with her. I guess I should point out that sometimes the most
important things in this story is most of what you can see in the general
sense, but the most crucial information is the stuff almost said in
passing. And the reporters, completely ignore them. They're just the people
that ruin perfect moments. But I hope you enjoy this chapter, I know I do.
Oh, and yes, S.M. characters are not mine. Maybe in my dreams they are, but sadly not even then. I'm still only borrowing them. *****
Serena yawned as she opened the door to Mina's penthouse. "Hello?" she called out.
The only thing to greet her was Luna. She frowned as she made her way to the kitchen, with the black kitten trailing her.
"Isn't anyone home?" she asked aloud, only to receive silence.
Then she noticed the note sitting on the counter telling her that Rini was enjoying a day out with Mina at the studio to finalize a few executive plans. Serena sighed as she hoped that Mina didn't let anyone get the impression that Rini might be perfect in film.
"Well Luna, it looks like it's just you and me for a while," she said filling a bowl with kitten chow for her.
The kitten meowed happily once the bowl was set down and Serena went about unwinding from her day.
She was tired, and that was mainly from the past couple of nights spent thinking about a tall, dark, handsome someone.
"Man," she muttered as she plopped down on the love seat with her design drawing book in front of her. "I can't stop thinking about him," she groaned.
And she hadn't. For the past two days since literally bumping into him, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him in some way or form. If she wasn't thinking about him, then she was dreaming about him, or getting lost in her memories of them together once upon a time.
She tried to get lost in her drawings while she waited for her daughter and sister to return home. She had great news for them. She had found a great house for her and Rini, and Luna of course. It wasn't too far from Mina and Andrew, and it was perfect for the two of them. Rini would have tons of playroom and a huge backyard; awhile Serena would have room to set up a small design studio so she could work mostly from home.
Just thinking about the house, made her sigh as a memory accosted her.
** Flashback **
"Do you want to live here in the city, or do want to move out to a smaller place, where you won't be reminded about your father?" Darien asked her.
She shrugged. "I don't care. You could go anywhere in the world, and as long as we are together, then I won't care."
He scooped her up in her arms. "Is that so?" he asked her challengingly.
She grinned widely. "Are you getting a big head again?" she teased.
"I think I deserve it if my girl says she'll go to the ends of the earth with me. But I think kitten paws, that I just want you here with me," he said, making his way for the stairs. "If we can find a place that will hold you, me, and a whole brood of kids, then I think we're set."
Serena laughed. "A brood of kids?"
"Oh, like ten or so," he said, grinning as he carried her up the stairs.
"You want to have ten kids!"
He gave her an Eskimo kiss while he chuckled. "Alright, you can have as many kids as you want. I don't even care if they're all girls. It'll be like loving little versions of you, while you own my heart, body, and soul."
She felt her heart melting at his heartfelt words, and kissed him as he let her down on his bed.
"You know, we should buy one of those houses there on Silver Crescent lane. They would be perfect. There big enough to hold a family, and have everything that we'll ever want in just being happy—happy in marriage and happy with the whole of lives to come."
"Who needs all that," she smiled beautifully at him. "When I have you right now, holding me."
"Yes, and I plan on holding on to you for the rest of our lives. Make no mistake on that. You're mine, and I'll love you no matter what."
** End flashback **
Serena sighed. This new house was her answer to setting up her new life in Japan, but she still was going to be haunted by the past.
She turned on the TV, and flicked through the channels. After passing the music videos there was news clipping that caught her attention.
"Prominent figure Darien Shields, although seen out with Serena Tsukino, will not be making any offers to try and buy Princess Jewels, and add it to the Shields corporate empire."
Serena rolled her eyes. Her publicist already had made the call assuring that everything was cool and collected. But she knew how the press liked to rip into the lives of the rich and famous. And the small coffee between her and Darien had been the latest whirlwind of tabloid junk on the eligible bachelor.
She could remember how when she had gone to the States to open a few more stores, and had some jewelry designed for a rich, handsome actor in New York, the tabloids had marked her as the sixth wife to be.
She then remembered the scandal that had been created when Australian actor Russell Crowe had flown to Christchurch to meet up with her. All he had done was fly in to help in giving ideas to her for the design of the necklace for his then fiancée, now wife. It took months before the press backed off, especially when he never really came to New Zealand, and was mostly in America.
Darien was standing with a woman, who looked ready to ask a million personal questions that were unrelated.
"Darien, isn't it true that you and Serena Tsukino used to date, many years ago?" she asked.
Darien held an even face. "Is this what the interview is going to be about?" he asked her. "Because I think I should be able to maintain my personal privacy. Since every other citizen in Japan is allowed to live quietly without scandal leaking out on them with every little move they make, then I surely should be allowed to."
"Uh," the woman stuttered.
"But since no one wants to know anything other than what vicious corporate conquest I've made or what woman I'm currently seeing, I'll get it out of the way to avoid any further troubles with the press."
The woman looked ecstatic, as though this were a breakthrough for her, and her career.
"My C.E.O. wishes to acquire Williams Corp, but at this time the family is not releasing any information. I'm pushing away from it as there is going to be a release this Friday at the junket that will follow the grand party at the Crystal Tower. Isn't that right?" Darien asked her.
"Um, yes, but..."
Darien arched his brows. "Yes, well, I guess everyone's more interested in my love life and all the scandals that could possibly follow. I'll save you time, I am not seeing anyone right now," he said, looking directly at the camera. "I don't think I shall date unless I know it's going to be with the one."
Then the screen was blanked out. She turned the TV off then and sat there. Serena sat there in shock, not even hearing the lock turn in the door.
"Serena, what is it?" Mina asked her, entering the room.
"Yeah mommy, you look like uncle Andrew today when auntie Lita told him that they were going to have a baby."
Serena shook her head, as though she were not hearing what they were saying. "I just saw Darien on TV is all," she told her sister. "He was giving the reporter a run for her day's worth of work pay. He said that Williams Corp would be dealt with soon, as per the family's request, and he didn't plan on dating unless it was the real thing."
Mina gave her a questioning look.
Then Serena turned to look at them. "Did you say that Lita and Andrew are going to have a baby?"
Mina laughed. "Yep, Lita told him when were having lunch. Andrew was too hilarious. His mouth dropped open, and then he leapt around like an idiot."
"Mommy, uncle Andrew says that babies were made by lots of hugs and kisses. Is that true? Because if it is, wouldn't you have more babies. I give you lots of hugs and kisses."
Serena coughed as she bit back her laughter. "Oh sweetie, you remember what I told you about the momma and poppa birds?"
Rini thought it over as Serena pulled her onto her lap. "Momma birds and Poppa birds pick out each other, they set up a nest and then take all their love and make an egg."
"Yes, and that egg is the same as a baby with humans," Serena added. "Do you understand?" she asked her.
Rini nodded while a frown creased her face.
"What is it kitten paws?" Serena asked her.
"So everyone has a mommy and a daddy then?" Rini asked.
Serena nodded, worried about where Rini was taking this conversation. She cast a look over at Mina, who returned it with an "I told you so" look.
"Then where's my daddy?" Rini asked her.
Serena opened her mouth trying to find words, but her daughter's blunt question left her with nothing.
"Your daddy was a very busy man, and mommy moved to New Zealand to have you because I wanted you all to myself."
"Maybe we should go visit him mommy. I think he might want to know that you don't mind sharing me with my daddy. You don't mind, do you?"
Serena felt her eyes tear. "Ah, sweetie, I don't mind sharing you."
"I didn't think so. You do share me with aunt Mina, and uncle Andrew, and auntie Lita."
"Yes, kitten paws, I promise you, as soon as I can arrange it, I'll take you to see your daddy." "Yeah," Rini squealed as she threw her arms around her mother. Then she turned to Mina. "I get to see my daddy, aunt Mina."
"Yes, princess," Mina said, wiping the small tear from her eyes. "I heard."
"Oh, I can't wait. I'm sure I'm going to love him, and he'll love me, once he knows mommy is going to share me with him."
Serena smiled as she hugged her beautiful daughter. "Yes, he's going to love you."
I just wonder what he'll think of me for keeping you a secret, she thought. But Serena couldn't worry about that. It was all about her daughter now.
Oh, and yes, S.M. characters are not mine. Maybe in my dreams they are, but sadly not even then. I'm still only borrowing them. *****
Serena yawned as she opened the door to Mina's penthouse. "Hello?" she called out.
The only thing to greet her was Luna. She frowned as she made her way to the kitchen, with the black kitten trailing her.
"Isn't anyone home?" she asked aloud, only to receive silence.
Then she noticed the note sitting on the counter telling her that Rini was enjoying a day out with Mina at the studio to finalize a few executive plans. Serena sighed as she hoped that Mina didn't let anyone get the impression that Rini might be perfect in film.
"Well Luna, it looks like it's just you and me for a while," she said filling a bowl with kitten chow for her.
The kitten meowed happily once the bowl was set down and Serena went about unwinding from her day.
She was tired, and that was mainly from the past couple of nights spent thinking about a tall, dark, handsome someone.
"Man," she muttered as she plopped down on the love seat with her design drawing book in front of her. "I can't stop thinking about him," she groaned.
And she hadn't. For the past two days since literally bumping into him, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him in some way or form. If she wasn't thinking about him, then she was dreaming about him, or getting lost in her memories of them together once upon a time.
She tried to get lost in her drawings while she waited for her daughter and sister to return home. She had great news for them. She had found a great house for her and Rini, and Luna of course. It wasn't too far from Mina and Andrew, and it was perfect for the two of them. Rini would have tons of playroom and a huge backyard; awhile Serena would have room to set up a small design studio so she could work mostly from home.
Just thinking about the house, made her sigh as a memory accosted her.
** Flashback **
"Do you want to live here in the city, or do want to move out to a smaller place, where you won't be reminded about your father?" Darien asked her.
She shrugged. "I don't care. You could go anywhere in the world, and as long as we are together, then I won't care."
He scooped her up in her arms. "Is that so?" he asked her challengingly.
She grinned widely. "Are you getting a big head again?" she teased.
"I think I deserve it if my girl says she'll go to the ends of the earth with me. But I think kitten paws, that I just want you here with me," he said, making his way for the stairs. "If we can find a place that will hold you, me, and a whole brood of kids, then I think we're set."
Serena laughed. "A brood of kids?"
"Oh, like ten or so," he said, grinning as he carried her up the stairs.
"You want to have ten kids!"
He gave her an Eskimo kiss while he chuckled. "Alright, you can have as many kids as you want. I don't even care if they're all girls. It'll be like loving little versions of you, while you own my heart, body, and soul."
She felt her heart melting at his heartfelt words, and kissed him as he let her down on his bed.
"You know, we should buy one of those houses there on Silver Crescent lane. They would be perfect. There big enough to hold a family, and have everything that we'll ever want in just being happy—happy in marriage and happy with the whole of lives to come."
"Who needs all that," she smiled beautifully at him. "When I have you right now, holding me."
"Yes, and I plan on holding on to you for the rest of our lives. Make no mistake on that. You're mine, and I'll love you no matter what."
** End flashback **
Serena sighed. This new house was her answer to setting up her new life in Japan, but she still was going to be haunted by the past.
She turned on the TV, and flicked through the channels. After passing the music videos there was news clipping that caught her attention.
"Prominent figure Darien Shields, although seen out with Serena Tsukino, will not be making any offers to try and buy Princess Jewels, and add it to the Shields corporate empire."
Serena rolled her eyes. Her publicist already had made the call assuring that everything was cool and collected. But she knew how the press liked to rip into the lives of the rich and famous. And the small coffee between her and Darien had been the latest whirlwind of tabloid junk on the eligible bachelor.
She could remember how when she had gone to the States to open a few more stores, and had some jewelry designed for a rich, handsome actor in New York, the tabloids had marked her as the sixth wife to be.
She then remembered the scandal that had been created when Australian actor Russell Crowe had flown to Christchurch to meet up with her. All he had done was fly in to help in giving ideas to her for the design of the necklace for his then fiancée, now wife. It took months before the press backed off, especially when he never really came to New Zealand, and was mostly in America.
Darien was standing with a woman, who looked ready to ask a million personal questions that were unrelated.
"Darien, isn't it true that you and Serena Tsukino used to date, many years ago?" she asked.
Darien held an even face. "Is this what the interview is going to be about?" he asked her. "Because I think I should be able to maintain my personal privacy. Since every other citizen in Japan is allowed to live quietly without scandal leaking out on them with every little move they make, then I surely should be allowed to."
"Uh," the woman stuttered.
"But since no one wants to know anything other than what vicious corporate conquest I've made or what woman I'm currently seeing, I'll get it out of the way to avoid any further troubles with the press."
The woman looked ecstatic, as though this were a breakthrough for her, and her career.
"My C.E.O. wishes to acquire Williams Corp, but at this time the family is not releasing any information. I'm pushing away from it as there is going to be a release this Friday at the junket that will follow the grand party at the Crystal Tower. Isn't that right?" Darien asked her.
"Um, yes, but..."
Darien arched his brows. "Yes, well, I guess everyone's more interested in my love life and all the scandals that could possibly follow. I'll save you time, I am not seeing anyone right now," he said, looking directly at the camera. "I don't think I shall date unless I know it's going to be with the one."
Then the screen was blanked out. She turned the TV off then and sat there. Serena sat there in shock, not even hearing the lock turn in the door.
"Serena, what is it?" Mina asked her, entering the room.
"Yeah mommy, you look like uncle Andrew today when auntie Lita told him that they were going to have a baby."
Serena shook her head, as though she were not hearing what they were saying. "I just saw Darien on TV is all," she told her sister. "He was giving the reporter a run for her day's worth of work pay. He said that Williams Corp would be dealt with soon, as per the family's request, and he didn't plan on dating unless it was the real thing."
Mina gave her a questioning look.
Then Serena turned to look at them. "Did you say that Lita and Andrew are going to have a baby?"
Mina laughed. "Yep, Lita told him when were having lunch. Andrew was too hilarious. His mouth dropped open, and then he leapt around like an idiot."
"Mommy, uncle Andrew says that babies were made by lots of hugs and kisses. Is that true? Because if it is, wouldn't you have more babies. I give you lots of hugs and kisses."
Serena coughed as she bit back her laughter. "Oh sweetie, you remember what I told you about the momma and poppa birds?"
Rini thought it over as Serena pulled her onto her lap. "Momma birds and Poppa birds pick out each other, they set up a nest and then take all their love and make an egg."
"Yes, and that egg is the same as a baby with humans," Serena added. "Do you understand?" she asked her.
Rini nodded while a frown creased her face.
"What is it kitten paws?" Serena asked her.
"So everyone has a mommy and a daddy then?" Rini asked.
Serena nodded, worried about where Rini was taking this conversation. She cast a look over at Mina, who returned it with an "I told you so" look.
"Then where's my daddy?" Rini asked her.
Serena opened her mouth trying to find words, but her daughter's blunt question left her with nothing.
"Your daddy was a very busy man, and mommy moved to New Zealand to have you because I wanted you all to myself."
"Maybe we should go visit him mommy. I think he might want to know that you don't mind sharing me with my daddy. You don't mind, do you?"
Serena felt her eyes tear. "Ah, sweetie, I don't mind sharing you."
"I didn't think so. You do share me with aunt Mina, and uncle Andrew, and auntie Lita."
"Yes, kitten paws, I promise you, as soon as I can arrange it, I'll take you to see your daddy." "Yeah," Rini squealed as she threw her arms around her mother. Then she turned to Mina. "I get to see my daddy, aunt Mina."
"Yes, princess," Mina said, wiping the small tear from her eyes. "I heard."
"Oh, I can't wait. I'm sure I'm going to love him, and he'll love me, once he knows mommy is going to share me with him."
Serena smiled as she hugged her beautiful daughter. "Yes, he's going to love you."
I just wonder what he'll think of me for keeping you a secret, she thought. But Serena couldn't worry about that. It was all about her daughter now.