Okay first of all I should probably explain the hold up and believe me I
have some pretty good excuses. First of all a friend of mine died on
father's day and recently was the funeral. I've been hung up on this a lot
he was a really nice guy. He drowned in a river his uncle tried to save him
but he was taken down as well. It was really horrible he just graduated it
was really, really sad. Then I was also held up in my summer school that
just ended yesterday thanks god because it was soo stress full. I am
offering my deepest apologies for the long delay. I very much appreciate
all the understanding from the people who read this fanfic it means so much
to me right now. Thank you for all the great reviews THANKS and with out
further a due the new chapter.
Chapter 12 (Preparations for a Party)
Darien awoke the next morning close to six in the morning giving her at least thirty minutes to change himself and walk over to his father's apartment for his "surprise party" preparations. Darien dressed in old clothes seeing that he would be changing anyways it didn't matter what he wore now. Darien left his apartment promptly at 6:40 with the full intent of being late. He even stopped for breakfast on the way, and not some concession stand he decided to treat himself to Denny's; it was his birthday so why the hell not.
By the time he made it to his father's apartment complex it was 7:44. He mentally prepared himself on the elevator for his father's reaction for his tardiness. Although he tried to be cheerful and charming most of the time Darien's father had a quick temper when something was not done his way. After a couple of awkward minutes of standing out side of the door, Darien finally pressed the intercom button.
"Hello." His father replied fully aware who was on the other side of the door.
"Father it's Darien open the door."
"No, no sorry you couldn't be my ONLY son Darien because he was supposed to be here more than an hour ago. Nope I believe you are just a stranger..." His father mocked from the in his apartment.
"Fine then since I am some stranger then don't have to be here. Sorry to bother you sir." Darien turned to leave but as soon as he did the door swung open harshly.
"Get you 16 year old ass in here now."
"I thought I was just some stranger." Darien allowed a sly smirk to grace his face. His father laughed out loud and pushed him inside the large two floored apartment.
"Why the hell were you so freakin late?" As he lead him into the dinning room where there displayed a table set for two with vivid platters of food in the center. "Sit, I prepared this myself. It took me a long time. I was up since two in the morning preparing this. It's probably a little cold since you were supposed to be here and HOUR ago but it still isn't bad. "
"Not hungry I already ate breakfast."
"WHAT? Why the hell did you go and do that?"
"You never said I had to eat breakfast with you."
"It's implied when I invite you here at 6:30 in the morning."
"No it's not."
"At least it something, I made this for you." His father sat down sulking looking up at Darien looking vulnerable.
"You think I am going to fall for that fake ass guilt trip. If you had actually done all this food then I might have been compelled to take a bite but since you are LYING I'm not going to touch it." Darien sat down next to his father grinning wildly at his father outraged expression.
"How dare you accuse me of lying to you... I made all this food for you, my ungrateful son on his birthday. You are bad at accepting gifts, dare I say spoiled."
"Actually yes people tell me that all the time. But at least I don't lie and try to guilt my son into eating unworthy food."
"HOW IS MY FOOD UNWORTHY?" His sounded appalled with Darien's accusations.
"There you go again... it's quite sad really you're addicted to lies. Of course it's unworthy if you claim to have made it yourself for me when we both know you didn't."
"How would you know he have no proof I didn't do it myself." He father leaned back in his chair quite satisfied with his reasoning until Darien callously picked of a slip of paper that lay on the table and held it in front of his father.
"This receipt is quite convincing but that's just my opinion." Darien's father snatched out of his hand and began to rip it into pieces angrily.
"Fine you caught me but it's that thought that counts... Damn this is a lot of food what the hell am I suppose to do with it now." He eyed the food pensively.
"Give it to some homeless shelter."
"Not bad idea but how..."
"Tell some one drop it off for you how the hell should I know? I don't even know how you expected me to eat all this even if I hadn't stop for breakfast?"
"I just wanted to do something special for my son on his birthday."
"Yeah what ever just get rid of it and make good use to it no reason I wasting it." Darien stood from his seat and walked out of the room and heading towards the living room and rested on the couch and decided to rest his eyes for a little while which ended up in him taking a nice peace nap, until he opened his eye to see name grinning wide. Darien jumped back slightly surprised to see his father in such close distance. His father kneeling in front of the couch watching him sleep was rather creepy.
"What the hell is your problem?" Darien sat up on the couch in frustration at his fathers light hearted attitude, sitting there just watching him.
"You looked so sweet sleeping like that. I have never seen you sleep and just couldn't resist."
"You've got a serious problem you know that." Darien unconsciously shifted in his seat offering enough space for his father to sit next to him. His father willingly accepted the invitation. They sat there for a while in an uncomfortable silence, until his father decided to finally break that ice.
"Darien... I wanted to speak to you seriously ever since you got here." Darien in turn looked at him mutely nodding his head, beckoning him to continue. "I know you probably will never believe me when I say this... but I do love you. Darien I know that it took long for me to come back to you, but you don't know the whole story behind it. Your mother-"
"NO... stop I will not sit here and listen to you talk against her, bad about her. She at least was willing to raise me." Darien kept his voice in control, his face placid, emotionless.
"That's the thing... Right there... you have every thing twisted and you won't let me explain anything Darien. You listen to her side of the story but when it comes to mine you won't have it. I've been trying to be a father, but how do I be a father to a son who doesn't want one?" His father buried his head in his hands in frustration. Darien glanced at him through the corner of his eyes. Normally he wouldn't give a sht how his father felt or he efforts to try to reason with him, but now he couldn't help but want to hear him out.
He wanted a father for so long and now that he finally has one, he's rejecting it. 'What the fuck is wrong with me... I wanted this ever since he left and for two years I have been doing nothing but pushing him away... why? Why do I just realize it now? Why did it take two fcking years to realize I've been a jackass, and denying myself the one thing I want." He thought to himself watching his father, HIS father, sit there in complete defeat.
"Father..." Darien called not looking at him staring off into the wall as if he could some how see through it. He father sat up in the couch and sighed deeply.
"What is it Darien?"
"I'll listen to your side of the story... but not now. Some other time... just give me some time." Darien sighed sounding a lot like his father. That simple thought made him giddy...he was like his father, but he still didn't dare share his emotions and feelings with him.
"Darien... why don't you move in, I still have plenty of space. We could turn the guest room into your room. It would be great!" His father exclaimed gesturing towards the large guest room thinking of him designing and decorating that room with his son, the time they would spend together. Darien stood up from the couch commencing an uncomfortable silence. Much to both of their surprises he turned to his father and smiling lovingly
"I'll think about it." With that Darien walked over to where the phone lay and dialled some numbers. "You don't mind if I invite some people to my party."
"Is it that girl... friend of yours?" His father inquired with a mischievous smile appearing on his full sips Darien tried to shrug him off to no avail. The man kept on persisting putting his head near the phone to hear the conversation.
"No! Now leave me alone it's just a friend, who happens to be a guy." To that his father backed off suddenly displeased, then lightened up.
"It's your party invite whoever you want, I am just glad you are inviting someone you seemed to lonely last year."
"Whatever..." Darien turned his attention to the phone when he heard Andrews groggy sleep deprived voice.
"What!" He stated in annoyance.
"Your phone etiquette sucks man."
"Oh hi Darien, it's just the phone woke me up."
"Sleeping rather late aren't we..."
"Fck off, it's a fckin' weekend; plus Lilly wouldn't let me sleep a wink last night."
"Oh, may I ask what happened."
"Nightmares," Andrew pointed out bluntly.
"Poor thing... well anyways I was calling to inform you that today is my birthday."
"Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, but there is more. My father is holding a party and I am inviting you and Lillyann to attend."
"Sounds so formal... not really my kind of thing," Andrew wavered in hesitantly
"Free food."
"Count us in" Andrew replied ironically all the hesitation had disappeared. Darien chuckled.
"Look I have no idea where the hell it's being held... either I was never told but I forgot. So you can come over to my dad's apartment and get a ride there with me." Darien paused for a moment not sure he really wanted his father to meet his friends yet
"Okay... and the directions are?"
"Oh yeah, room number 678 Miles Condominiums on San Domingo drive, Not too far from the library."
"Yeah I know of it. It'll take me a while to get down there. Lilly is still sleeping and I don't want to wake her up to early."
"Okay, don't worry let her sleep, sound like you two really need after last night." Darien didn't notice his father's head shoot up at that statement obviously misunderstanding.
"See you soon Darien."
"Yeah bye," and with that he hung up the phone. His father tried to look nonchalant as possible still inquiring over what he had just over heard.
"So your friend... lives with a girl."
"Yeah," Darien said planning as if it were the most natural thing in the world for a 16 year old boy to live with a woman.
"Does his mother know about this," His father retorted more shocked.
"Of course... She basically gave her to him." Darien was well aware that his father was misunderstand but opted not to correct him finding this conversation and his bemused actions very entertaining.
"Wow... so they share a very intimate relationship?"
"Yes a very, very intimate relationship."
"Oh." His father was quite shocked the rationalized thinking maybe they had thought of marriage, than maybe it wouldn't be too bad. "So do they have plans of marriage?"
"Nope... none what so ever, they are related so that wouldn't work out you see." Darien said callously admiring his fathers face completely drain itself of color, his eyes wide and blood shot." "He has a... a... a," His father clear his thought un able to grasp the words he wanted to say properly, He couldn't believe his son was involved in such a scandal and that a scandal like that could occur so easily. But he managed to cough out "relationship... with his family."
"Yup," Darien couldn't resist a smile.
"HOW THE HELL COULD YOU BE CALM WHEN YOUR FRIEND COMMITS THIS SIN!" His father losing control of his emotions, Darien chuckled lightly he was finding his reactions unbearably funny but managed to regain his composure.
"I don't see the problem it's none of my business what he does with his niece."
"Niece..." he chocked out. "This is so wrong... she must be younger than him how young is she."
"Very young."
"No I can't hear anymore this is much too appalling."
"I don't see how it's appalling I mean he should love some one he help raise."
"I am so confused..." He father massaged his temples he was becoming weary. Darien couldn't hold it anymore he snorted in laughter, his voice echoing the room as he laughed out loud. His father watching him extremely agitated, Darien looked up for a second to observe his father reaction and began to laugh even harder. Hot streams of water slid down his face from his intense laughing.
His father shot him a cold glare before he slapped him on the back side of his head. "Ouch... that ...hurt" Darien retorted between laughs.
"Then be so kind and tell me what the hell you laughing at. Your friend's situation is serious."
"What situation, he takes care of his like four year old niece."
"What," realization hit him all to fast for him to comprehend it.
"He loves he like a daughter and take care of her since he parent died. You are one perverted freak would assume that." Darien snorted finally calming down.
"It's not my fault how wouldn't assume that with the way you were making it sound!" He defended sniggering himself as well.
"No not just anyone only you..." Darien straightened out and looked over to his father. "God I haven't laughed like that in so long." Darien's expression changed all of the sudden one of longing. He suddenly realized how much he wanted a real father son relationship. He hadn't realized it before because of his stubbornness but couldn't help but notice it now. His father noticed it.
"Dad..." Darien called not daring to look at his father's faced, if he had he would be staring straight into the eyes of a very overwhelmed and loving man. It was the first time he called him 'dad.' Sure he had called him 'father' all the time, but father just seemed so formal and cold. 'Dad' was a name more personal, and the emotion that pervade behind those words would have made him cry on stop if he weren't so proud.
"Yes son..."
"About me maybe moving in," Both of their hearts skipped beats.
"Yes..."
Darien clear is throat bent on going through this in his calm and collective voice. "You don't have to hire movers I don't have a lot of stuff. I think that the sooner we get this done would be beneficial for both of us." Before he could continue his father embraced his son close to him. Darien at first was taken back but soon leaned into the warmth his father was admitting.
"I've wanted you to ask me that for so long." His father mumbled tightening his embrace.
"I didn't even ask anything."
"Well you implied the question."
"How can someone imply a question?"
"Stop ruining the father son moment... Jesus..." They stayed in that position for a long while until the abruptly and grunted to regain their manly composure and shook hands as if the hug had never happened. "We'll discuss this situation further after the party. Let's go see if the suit I bought you fits."
"Yeah that would be a good idea."
"And the preparations for surprise party begin." His father announced gleefully leading his son out of the room.
"Some surprise..." Darien mocked following him. In the back of his mind he wished that Serena was there and he could share this moment with her. The idea of presenting her to his dad wasn't so dire anymore.
Chapter 12 (Preparations for a Party)
Darien awoke the next morning close to six in the morning giving her at least thirty minutes to change himself and walk over to his father's apartment for his "surprise party" preparations. Darien dressed in old clothes seeing that he would be changing anyways it didn't matter what he wore now. Darien left his apartment promptly at 6:40 with the full intent of being late. He even stopped for breakfast on the way, and not some concession stand he decided to treat himself to Denny's; it was his birthday so why the hell not.
By the time he made it to his father's apartment complex it was 7:44. He mentally prepared himself on the elevator for his father's reaction for his tardiness. Although he tried to be cheerful and charming most of the time Darien's father had a quick temper when something was not done his way. After a couple of awkward minutes of standing out side of the door, Darien finally pressed the intercom button.
"Hello." His father replied fully aware who was on the other side of the door.
"Father it's Darien open the door."
"No, no sorry you couldn't be my ONLY son Darien because he was supposed to be here more than an hour ago. Nope I believe you are just a stranger..." His father mocked from the in his apartment.
"Fine then since I am some stranger then don't have to be here. Sorry to bother you sir." Darien turned to leave but as soon as he did the door swung open harshly.
"Get you 16 year old ass in here now."
"I thought I was just some stranger." Darien allowed a sly smirk to grace his face. His father laughed out loud and pushed him inside the large two floored apartment.
"Why the hell were you so freakin late?" As he lead him into the dinning room where there displayed a table set for two with vivid platters of food in the center. "Sit, I prepared this myself. It took me a long time. I was up since two in the morning preparing this. It's probably a little cold since you were supposed to be here and HOUR ago but it still isn't bad. "
"Not hungry I already ate breakfast."
"WHAT? Why the hell did you go and do that?"
"You never said I had to eat breakfast with you."
"It's implied when I invite you here at 6:30 in the morning."
"No it's not."
"At least it something, I made this for you." His father sat down sulking looking up at Darien looking vulnerable.
"You think I am going to fall for that fake ass guilt trip. If you had actually done all this food then I might have been compelled to take a bite but since you are LYING I'm not going to touch it." Darien sat down next to his father grinning wildly at his father outraged expression.
"How dare you accuse me of lying to you... I made all this food for you, my ungrateful son on his birthday. You are bad at accepting gifts, dare I say spoiled."
"Actually yes people tell me that all the time. But at least I don't lie and try to guilt my son into eating unworthy food."
"HOW IS MY FOOD UNWORTHY?" His sounded appalled with Darien's accusations.
"There you go again... it's quite sad really you're addicted to lies. Of course it's unworthy if you claim to have made it yourself for me when we both know you didn't."
"How would you know he have no proof I didn't do it myself." He father leaned back in his chair quite satisfied with his reasoning until Darien callously picked of a slip of paper that lay on the table and held it in front of his father.
"This receipt is quite convincing but that's just my opinion." Darien's father snatched out of his hand and began to rip it into pieces angrily.
"Fine you caught me but it's that thought that counts... Damn this is a lot of food what the hell am I suppose to do with it now." He eyed the food pensively.
"Give it to some homeless shelter."
"Not bad idea but how..."
"Tell some one drop it off for you how the hell should I know? I don't even know how you expected me to eat all this even if I hadn't stop for breakfast?"
"I just wanted to do something special for my son on his birthday."
"Yeah what ever just get rid of it and make good use to it no reason I wasting it." Darien stood from his seat and walked out of the room and heading towards the living room and rested on the couch and decided to rest his eyes for a little while which ended up in him taking a nice peace nap, until he opened his eye to see name grinning wide. Darien jumped back slightly surprised to see his father in such close distance. His father kneeling in front of the couch watching him sleep was rather creepy.
"What the hell is your problem?" Darien sat up on the couch in frustration at his fathers light hearted attitude, sitting there just watching him.
"You looked so sweet sleeping like that. I have never seen you sleep and just couldn't resist."
"You've got a serious problem you know that." Darien unconsciously shifted in his seat offering enough space for his father to sit next to him. His father willingly accepted the invitation. They sat there for a while in an uncomfortable silence, until his father decided to finally break that ice.
"Darien... I wanted to speak to you seriously ever since you got here." Darien in turn looked at him mutely nodding his head, beckoning him to continue. "I know you probably will never believe me when I say this... but I do love you. Darien I know that it took long for me to come back to you, but you don't know the whole story behind it. Your mother-"
"NO... stop I will not sit here and listen to you talk against her, bad about her. She at least was willing to raise me." Darien kept his voice in control, his face placid, emotionless.
"That's the thing... Right there... you have every thing twisted and you won't let me explain anything Darien. You listen to her side of the story but when it comes to mine you won't have it. I've been trying to be a father, but how do I be a father to a son who doesn't want one?" His father buried his head in his hands in frustration. Darien glanced at him through the corner of his eyes. Normally he wouldn't give a sht how his father felt or he efforts to try to reason with him, but now he couldn't help but want to hear him out.
He wanted a father for so long and now that he finally has one, he's rejecting it. 'What the fuck is wrong with me... I wanted this ever since he left and for two years I have been doing nothing but pushing him away... why? Why do I just realize it now? Why did it take two fcking years to realize I've been a jackass, and denying myself the one thing I want." He thought to himself watching his father, HIS father, sit there in complete defeat.
"Father..." Darien called not looking at him staring off into the wall as if he could some how see through it. He father sat up in the couch and sighed deeply.
"What is it Darien?"
"I'll listen to your side of the story... but not now. Some other time... just give me some time." Darien sighed sounding a lot like his father. That simple thought made him giddy...he was like his father, but he still didn't dare share his emotions and feelings with him.
"Darien... why don't you move in, I still have plenty of space. We could turn the guest room into your room. It would be great!" His father exclaimed gesturing towards the large guest room thinking of him designing and decorating that room with his son, the time they would spend together. Darien stood up from the couch commencing an uncomfortable silence. Much to both of their surprises he turned to his father and smiling lovingly
"I'll think about it." With that Darien walked over to where the phone lay and dialled some numbers. "You don't mind if I invite some people to my party."
"Is it that girl... friend of yours?" His father inquired with a mischievous smile appearing on his full sips Darien tried to shrug him off to no avail. The man kept on persisting putting his head near the phone to hear the conversation.
"No! Now leave me alone it's just a friend, who happens to be a guy." To that his father backed off suddenly displeased, then lightened up.
"It's your party invite whoever you want, I am just glad you are inviting someone you seemed to lonely last year."
"Whatever..." Darien turned his attention to the phone when he heard Andrews groggy sleep deprived voice.
"What!" He stated in annoyance.
"Your phone etiquette sucks man."
"Oh hi Darien, it's just the phone woke me up."
"Sleeping rather late aren't we..."
"Fck off, it's a fckin' weekend; plus Lilly wouldn't let me sleep a wink last night."
"Oh, may I ask what happened."
"Nightmares," Andrew pointed out bluntly.
"Poor thing... well anyways I was calling to inform you that today is my birthday."
"Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, but there is more. My father is holding a party and I am inviting you and Lillyann to attend."
"Sounds so formal... not really my kind of thing," Andrew wavered in hesitantly
"Free food."
"Count us in" Andrew replied ironically all the hesitation had disappeared. Darien chuckled.
"Look I have no idea where the hell it's being held... either I was never told but I forgot. So you can come over to my dad's apartment and get a ride there with me." Darien paused for a moment not sure he really wanted his father to meet his friends yet
"Okay... and the directions are?"
"Oh yeah, room number 678 Miles Condominiums on San Domingo drive, Not too far from the library."
"Yeah I know of it. It'll take me a while to get down there. Lilly is still sleeping and I don't want to wake her up to early."
"Okay, don't worry let her sleep, sound like you two really need after last night." Darien didn't notice his father's head shoot up at that statement obviously misunderstanding.
"See you soon Darien."
"Yeah bye," and with that he hung up the phone. His father tried to look nonchalant as possible still inquiring over what he had just over heard.
"So your friend... lives with a girl."
"Yeah," Darien said planning as if it were the most natural thing in the world for a 16 year old boy to live with a woman.
"Does his mother know about this," His father retorted more shocked.
"Of course... She basically gave her to him." Darien was well aware that his father was misunderstand but opted not to correct him finding this conversation and his bemused actions very entertaining.
"Wow... so they share a very intimate relationship?"
"Yes a very, very intimate relationship."
"Oh." His father was quite shocked the rationalized thinking maybe they had thought of marriage, than maybe it wouldn't be too bad. "So do they have plans of marriage?"
"Nope... none what so ever, they are related so that wouldn't work out you see." Darien said callously admiring his fathers face completely drain itself of color, his eyes wide and blood shot." "He has a... a... a," His father clear his thought un able to grasp the words he wanted to say properly, He couldn't believe his son was involved in such a scandal and that a scandal like that could occur so easily. But he managed to cough out "relationship... with his family."
"Yup," Darien couldn't resist a smile.
"HOW THE HELL COULD YOU BE CALM WHEN YOUR FRIEND COMMITS THIS SIN!" His father losing control of his emotions, Darien chuckled lightly he was finding his reactions unbearably funny but managed to regain his composure.
"I don't see the problem it's none of my business what he does with his niece."
"Niece..." he chocked out. "This is so wrong... she must be younger than him how young is she."
"Very young."
"No I can't hear anymore this is much too appalling."
"I don't see how it's appalling I mean he should love some one he help raise."
"I am so confused..." He father massaged his temples he was becoming weary. Darien couldn't hold it anymore he snorted in laughter, his voice echoing the room as he laughed out loud. His father watching him extremely agitated, Darien looked up for a second to observe his father reaction and began to laugh even harder. Hot streams of water slid down his face from his intense laughing.
His father shot him a cold glare before he slapped him on the back side of his head. "Ouch... that ...hurt" Darien retorted between laughs.
"Then be so kind and tell me what the hell you laughing at. Your friend's situation is serious."
"What situation, he takes care of his like four year old niece."
"What," realization hit him all to fast for him to comprehend it.
"He loves he like a daughter and take care of her since he parent died. You are one perverted freak would assume that." Darien snorted finally calming down.
"It's not my fault how wouldn't assume that with the way you were making it sound!" He defended sniggering himself as well.
"No not just anyone only you..." Darien straightened out and looked over to his father. "God I haven't laughed like that in so long." Darien's expression changed all of the sudden one of longing. He suddenly realized how much he wanted a real father son relationship. He hadn't realized it before because of his stubbornness but couldn't help but notice it now. His father noticed it.
"Dad..." Darien called not daring to look at his father's faced, if he had he would be staring straight into the eyes of a very overwhelmed and loving man. It was the first time he called him 'dad.' Sure he had called him 'father' all the time, but father just seemed so formal and cold. 'Dad' was a name more personal, and the emotion that pervade behind those words would have made him cry on stop if he weren't so proud.
"Yes son..."
"About me maybe moving in," Both of their hearts skipped beats.
"Yes..."
Darien clear is throat bent on going through this in his calm and collective voice. "You don't have to hire movers I don't have a lot of stuff. I think that the sooner we get this done would be beneficial for both of us." Before he could continue his father embraced his son close to him. Darien at first was taken back but soon leaned into the warmth his father was admitting.
"I've wanted you to ask me that for so long." His father mumbled tightening his embrace.
"I didn't even ask anything."
"Well you implied the question."
"How can someone imply a question?"
"Stop ruining the father son moment... Jesus..." They stayed in that position for a long while until the abruptly and grunted to regain their manly composure and shook hands as if the hug had never happened. "We'll discuss this situation further after the party. Let's go see if the suit I bought you fits."
"Yeah that would be a good idea."
"And the preparations for surprise party begin." His father announced gleefully leading his son out of the room.
"Some surprise..." Darien mocked following him. In the back of his mind he wished that Serena was there and he could share this moment with her. The idea of presenting her to his dad wasn't so dire anymore.