***** I'm glad that y'all liked that, and I really enjoyed reading the reviews. I'm glad that you all like where the story's going. Now, I have to mention that I made Serena push Darien away because she was eaten away by guilt all those years she lived in New Zealand and plus it adds great depth to the story. You can't just have her and Darien go, yes, we have a daughter together, and now we can live happily ever after despite the very little contact, the miscommunication, and the betrayals of deception. So, I'm glad that you appreciate the realism of the plot and the characters. Plus, it's important that Serena was ill while she pregnant, she had to become stronger, and it's more the reason that Serena is being resistant to Darien. You'll understand more later, I promise.

Now I must say like every other chapter I do not own characters of S.M. now that that's done, hope you ya'll enjoy this next chapter of the story. Remember, 8 reviews, and the next chapter's yours. *****

Rei looked her brother over. "You're going to what?"

Darien grinned. "I'm going out on a date with Serena tonight."

Rei just stared at him. "So, just like that, you convinced her to go out with you?" she asked, somewhat skeptically.

"Rei."

"No Darien, there's a lot that you don't understand. Yes, Serena promised her daughter that she was going to bring you into her life, but Serena's first priority is first and foremost that beautiful child. Don't you go messing around with something to screw it up. I'll kill you, Mina will kill you, Lita will kill you, and Amy would kill you too once she gets back into town, and Andrew will kill you for sure."

Darien sighed. "Rei, I wouldn't do anything to Serena. She was the one that left me with the broken heart, not me. She's not like most girls that I know."

"Yes, and the press is going to see the difference... wait, you know that the press is going to hold you to that interview where you said that you're not going to date anyone unless it's serious."

Darien just looked at her as he finished tousling his hair. He had on black slacks with a tailored black shirt with the top button undone.

Rei's eyes widened. "Oh god, you are serious about her."

"Rei, I never stopped being serious about her. Remember that I planned to ask her to marry me once. She left me, so it never happened. But just because she left, doesn't mean I stopped loving her. I could never stop. She was everywhere I turned, everywhere I went. She never really left me Rei, because she was still here," he said patting his chest over his heart.

A tear sparkled in Rei's eyes. "Oh Darien, you sap, why didn't you tell me?"

"What would it have mattered? She was gone. I never knew if I was going to see her again."

Rei came over and hugged him. "Ah big brother, I hope you get what you want."

"Yes, well, I want two beautiful ladies in my life for the rest of my life. I want to be the father I should be for Rini, and I want to make all of Serena's dreams come true. I want her to be my wife and I want her as the mother of my beautiful little girl."

"Well, I hope you get it because I want Serena as my sister in law. It would suck royally if you had married someone like Heidi Beryl," she said with a small shudder. "That woman was a cat if I ever met one—but she was like most of the girls that you've been dating over the past five years."

Darien sighed. "I didn't want to find someone that could ever replace her. Serena has always had my heart, now I have to go about proving it to her."

Rei gave him a small smile then. "Okay, then I think I should tell you that Serena hasn't dated at all since leaving here. I had thought that Rini might have been the result of some guy from New Zealand, since she was distraught over leaving her home in the first place. I had thought that you had driven her off with something horrible, and I blamed you."

"Rei," Darien said. "We've been through this, you know that I understand. Hell, I even thought that I had driven her away. But now we all know the truth."

Rei sighed. "I know, I just hope that Amy knows soon that you weren't the reason that Serena left, because if you do get your way, you don't want one of the bridesmaids looking to poison you during the night."

Darien laughed. "True, now," he said looking at his watch, "I have to go."

"Okay, call me later, I want to know how it went."

Darien nodded, and then kissed her on the forehead. "Go home, drag that poor boy of yours out of the office den he has and have a night on the town."

Rei grinned then. "I think I might. Have a good night, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Darien walked Rei out to her car, and then climbed into his black Jeep Cherokee. He made his way across town, making a stop or two to help the evening along.

Finally, Darien arrived at Mina's apartment. The front desk buzzed up to them, and he was waved through to the elevator. He paced nervously in the elevator, wondering if he was doing the right thing. But once the door opened, he knew all was right in the world.

Rini was the first to greet him. "Hey Darien," she smiled.

"Hey Rini, you look as cute as a button," he smiled at her. She smiled at him.

"That's what mommy said," she said, her eyes sparkling. She was holding her kitten, which Darien knew to be Luna from all that Rini had told him the day before.

"Well, I think that she's right. Now, why don't you show your mommy this," he said handing her a small little gift bag.

Rini's eyes widened as she opened it to see what was inside. Inside she found a cat locket that was similar in style to the one that he had gotten for Serena, but meant for a child.

"Wow! It's so pretty," Rini exclaimed.

"That way you can play renegades all you want, and you can have your own locket."

"I'm going to show mommy," Rini said turning around.

"Show me what?" Serena asked, entering the room with Mina close behind her.

Darien felt his breath catch in his throat. Serena looked breathtaking in a tan soft leather skirt that stopped mid-thigh, and with a black hanging neck sleeveless top, with a dark brown suede tie around belt with long hanging pieces that flitted against her right knee. She had on black sandals that had straps that wound around her fine ankles.

"Wow," Darien sad softly. "You look incredible."

Serena smiled shyly, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Thank you," she said.

"Look Mommy, Darien got me a locket of my very own," Rini said, showing the cathead shaped locket to her mom.

Serena smiled serenely at her daughter. "That was very nice of him. Did you remember to say thank you?"

Rini looked back at Darien, her light blue eyes sparkling bright. "Thank you."

Darien taken by the child's smile grinned in response.

"Look aunt Mina, we can use this for a walkie talkie instead of mommy's," Rini said going to show her aunt who was in the kitchen.

"Thank you for that," Serena said with a pretty smile. "It'll be a great relief to know that she won't be swiping it whenever to look at it with her awed fascination."

Darien nodded his understanding. "Well, I could tell that it was very important to you."

Serena nodded. "Well, it holds very dear memories."

"Well, shall we go?" he asked her.

She nodded. "Just let me grab my jacket."

"Oh, and don't let me forget these," he said holding out a bouquet of champagne roses.

Serena smiled at them. "There so beautiful."

"Nothing compared to you, not that anything could—although Rini is beautiful too, just like her mother," Darien complimented.

"Oh god," Mina said entering the foyer with a smile on her lips. "Get out of here before I get sick."

"Alright, I'll be back later."

"Yeah, yeah, there's nothing to worry about. We're going to have a blast, what with the pizza arriving any minute and ice cream in the fridge, and tons of movies on cable, we're set to go. Now get out of here. Go and enjoy your date."

Serena frowned at her sister. "Oh lord, I don't know who I should tell to behave tonight, you or Rini. Well anyways, have fun," she said hugging her sister. "Rini," she called out.

Rini back into the foyer holding her locket. "Yes?" she asked while at the same time the phone buzzed.

"Ah, the pizza's down at the front desk," Mina smiled, going to pick up the phone.

"I'll see you later if you're still up, or otherwise I'll see you bright and early in the morning," Serena said, hugging Rini and kissing her on top of her head.

"I'll save you a piece of Mina," Rini smiled at her.

Serena laughed. "Yes, because we know that your aunt can eat a lot of pizza."

"Hey, you eat way more than I do," Mina said, joining them again.

"Okay, now I'm going. See you all later," as she grabbed the matching tan soft leather jacket and her dark brown suede purse.

Darien smiled at Rini and Mina, bidding them farewell, then guided Serena out of the apartment with his hand at the small of her back. They went to the elevator. The pizza delivery boy was got off while they got on.

"Please tell me," Serena said as Darien opened the Cherokee door for her, "that we'll be going to someplace quiet where the reporters won't interrupt us again."

Darien smiled at her as he closed the door and went around to the driver's side.

"What does that mean?" she asked him while he started the engine.

"I picked out a place that would totally be deserted of reporters. I'll even pay for them to go away if they even find us there," he said, starting up the road.

Serena spent the car ride telling him all about Rini. She told him all about their life in New Zealand, about the upcoming start of school on Monday, all her likes and dislikes, and so on.

"Well, we're here," Darien said, pulling into a spot in front of a very familiar restaurant.

Serena gasped. "The Wild Rose!" she exclaimed in surprise. "I haven't been here since my last birthday I spent here in Japan."

Darien nodded. "Well, I thought as much."

They entered the place, and they heard a squeal of delight. "Why if it isn't my most favorite couple in the world," a man said.

Serena laughed kindly at the owner of the restaurant. "Well, Mr. Anderson, it's been a long time," she said giving the man a hug. "How's Amy enjoying the States?" she asked.

"Well, she and Greg have loved it, but they've both decided to come home," he said with a wide smile.

"Oh, why?"

"Well, they've decided that the States isn't home enough to raise their kids."

Serena smiled. "Amy's pregnant?"

Mr. Anderson nodded, a proud smile on his face. "They'll be home in two weeks."

"Oh, I'll be able to have them over to my new place then."

"So, you've moved back have you?" Mr. Anderson asked.

She nodded. "Yes, I felt I needed to be near all my loved ones, and I really didn't think I would want my daughter going anywhere other then the schools I went to."

He nodded. "So, would you two like to sit where you always used to?" he asked them.

Darien looked at her. She gave a smile, making him nod. Mr. Anderson led them to the corner booth that was surrounded by rose vines, and was able to look out the windows to see the nice view of the dusk sky.

"Sort of like old times," Darien said with a sad smile. "Except so much has happened and we haven't been here in five years compared to once every two weeks."

Serena sighed.

They ordered their drinks and sat there in their own silence.

Finally, Darien dared to break the silence that seemed to hold them captive. "why didn't you come back till now?" he asked her.

She took a deep breath. "Because I feared that if I came back I would have to face my father and the shame I caused him, and I didn't know what would happen if I ever bumped into you."

Darien gave her a small smile. "Well, you did bump into me when you came back."

She shook her head at him while rolling her eyes. "yes, well, I didn't know what to say and I still don't know what to say."

"I'm just glad that you're not going to run away again."

Serena stiffened. "I didn't run away. I don't plan to run away anytime soon if that's what you're worried about."

"I know you're not."

"Well, I'm still a little worried why you wanted to take me out for dinner."

"To talk," he answered her.

"Okay, what about?" she asked him.

"Us, Rini, our future, take your pick," he said.

The waiter brought their drinks, and took their orders.

"I already talked about Rini all the way here. I don't think I missed anything."

"How about her birth?" he asked her.

Serena stilled.

"Serena?" he asked, waving a hand in front of her face. She shook her head, pulling herself out of the pain of the past. "You can tell me anything," he said. "You always could, and I hope that you still will."

She took a deep shuddering breath. "I think all I should say is that it was difficult."

He looked at her intently. "What are you not telling me?" he asked her.

She looked at him sadly, "it's hard to remember those months without wanting to break down and cry."

"It couldn't have been that bad."

She nodded. "Yes, it was because both me and Rini are lucky to even be alive."

He frowned then. "What do you mean?" he asked her.

"I had a tough time during the pregnancy because I was all alone. About halfway through, Mina and Amy flew down to help take care of me. Mina finally tracked me down, and brought Amy our wonderful doctor friend on down, and well... that helped some."

"But, you still had difficulties?"

She nodded sadly. "I was under more stress than any other pregnant woman of the lamas class I knew. I covered for being alone by saying that the father had died. But my stress from having to leave home, being called a slut and an embarrassment and not having anyone with me, took it's toll on me. I became anemic, and I was in and out of the hospital."

"Oh Serena," he said, taking a hold of her hand. "You knew I would have come to you in a heartbeat. To think you went through all of that alone, it breaks my heart."

"But I pulled through. I prayed to the skies, begging god to let me get through it. I wanted my child more than anything, even if it meant that I was going to die. I had her a month early, and the labor was so intense and there was all the heavy bleeding after. I almost didn't make it through. I had pneumonia on top of everything, and it was just the most hardest thing."

"Why didn't you call me? Why didn't your sister call me? I would have come, you know I would have."

She patted his hand. "I know, but I made them promise not to call you. When it was thought that I wasn't even going to make it, I made them promise that she would be cared for. I wanted mina to care for her in the meantime, and then when she was well, to take her to you."

A small tear prickled Darien's eyes. Here he was listening to how his love, his one and only, had fought hell and high water to have her baby, and nearly died in the process. He wanted to take her in his arms to make her forget it happened, but he knew that it wasn't possible. It was done, and couldn't be undone.

"I vowed to myself that I would make myself strong. I wasn't going to let anything get me down again. I swore to god that if I made it through I was going to do anything and everything in my power to take care of my little girl. And I have, while I was blessed with that dear child's love."

Darien pulled her into his arms, giving her the tightest embrace he could manage. "And you have," he said softly as he rubbed her back. "Where the sickness was trying to defeat you, you came out stronger, and your own woman."

She sighed, while at the same time she breathed in his scent. "I've been strong up until now. I think your going to be the death of me Darien."

Me? Why?" he asked her, as she sat back to look at him.

"When I look at you, there isn't an end. It's like I never left, but I did and there is that great gap between us."

"What if I want to mend it? What if I want to become your friend again, be the Darien that wanted you forever and for always, and share a life with you and our daughter. What would you say to that?" he asked her.

"How is that possible? Five years is along time, and we've both changed," she said, trying to keep the tears from coming.

"My love has never stopped. The last five years you haunted me in my memories. Serena if I wasn't serious about wanting to have a family with you, Rini, and me I wouldn't be here. I loved you then, I loved you these past five years, and I love you more then ever for the stronger woman that you are today."

She couldn't hold them in anymore. The tears spilt down her cheeks. She could see the depth of truth of his words in his eyes. He did still love her, and she suspected that he knew that she still did. But was she willing to take this leap of faith, she asked herself. Was she willing to put her heart on the line again? But what about her daughter?

Thinking about her daughter, made her feel a new surge of power. "So, do we just start from the beginning then? Do we go on being friends, while you get to know our daughter more?"

Darien looked at her carefully. "I'll do whatever it takes to have you and our daughter in my life. I want to make up for not being there in your time of need. I want to complete our family."

"then lets see what happens, shall we," Serena said with a slow smile.

***** So, what did you think? I know it was longer, but I couldn't make it shorter even if I tried. So tell me what you think. I'm nervous about this chapter, so, I'm looking forward to what y'all have to say. Laterz. *****