Chapter Four
The semester had drawn to a close, Serenity and Peter had made an event out of going down to Phil's café every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. Phil often times would call one of them up if they were running late worried that something was wrong. The two had become almost inseparable with the exception of when Peter's work on the paper and year book took up his time, or her choir and drama took up hers. They had become very much like best friends. However still even in several months of friendship family had not been brought up. Partially her doing, and probably a bit of his as well.
The campus was almost entirely empty with the exception of stragglers like herself and Peter, and those staying behind to take summer classes. It was mid-afternoon on Friday, a beautiful spring day. Her sapphire gaze was constantly being distracted from her packing to stare out her window and watch the dance of golden sunlight on the evergreen of the trees. Her window had a beautiful view of the river just beyond the campus, a sigh passes her lips as she thinks of how this is one of the last times she may ever look out her window and see this breath taking view.
She has just finish packing up all of her breakable items when her head turns towards the door, knuckles wrapping against the thick wood on the other side. She calls out softly in that almost sing-song manner her French chords had taken on the longer they had been friends. " Come in Peter…" She had left the door slightly ajar so that she didn't have to open it for him.
He steps into her room, smiling brightly down at her. " Hello Serenity. " He says, walking over and giving her a friendly hug. " So what do you need me to pack? " He asks looking around the room at the boxes stacked throughout the room.
She hugs him back gently then points at a stack of boxes, four boxes high and two wide. " I actually need you to get those downstairs. I have a flag down there to mark my spot. I have to get all my boxes down there before we can worry about loading them into your truck. Thanks again for offering to take my things to storage Peter. "
" Got it. " He walks over to the boxes and grabs two of them and carries them down stairs to her marked spot. He returns several times until he has all of the boxes downstairs ready to go. A bit of sweat had begun to form on his brow. " You ready to go? "
She takes one last solemn look around the room then nods softly, her hands curled against her hips. She'd worn a pair of faded jeans rolled up to her knees and a white wife beater, since it was moving day and all. "Yea.. Let's go. " Her long golden locks had been pulled into a high ponytail then braided tightly and woven around the base of the ponytail into a tight bun, bobby pins held it in place along with a scrunchy she had made out of old jean fabric. Some how even grungy she seemed well put together.
He steps up to her picking her up and carefully lifting her over his shoulder, then turns and walks out of her dorm room shutting the door behind them heading down the hall. Her position giving her a good view of his backside in his loose fitting faded blue jeans, his feet adorned in his usual black boots, his torso covered by a light blue denim button up shirt, the sleeves rolled almost to the elbows.
She shrieks the entire way down the hall and even as they descend the stairs, the shrieking is more of a high pitched laughter as it passes her crimson lips. The few people left in West Hall are watching them as they get to his truck. She lifts herself by bracing her hands on his hips to allow her to keep all the blood from rushing to her head. She notices that he has not only brought everything down but loaded it in his truck already. "Parker!" She shakes her had softly lowering herself slightly and swatting his backside, hoping it might get him to let her down as she says, " All the blood is rushing to my head Cheri Parker. Put me down please?"
"Oh all right, since you asked so nicely. " He teases as he sets her down right next to the passenger side of his midnight blue Chevy truck. " So what are your plans for summer Holiday? " He asks as he opens her door for her waiting for her to get in before going around to his side.
She waits until he gets in his side before answering him as she puts on her seat belt. " I'm heading back to London after we leave Phil's tonight. Papa's renting me a car as usual. Where is your family? "
He starts the truck until her question reaches him, then he just stops. Literally completely, almost to the point of not breathing, his eyes glazing over as he stares into space in front of him. Then his head lowers slowly, forehead resting on the steering wheel as he says barely above a whisper, " My parents died when I was an infant, my uncle died when I was sixteen, and Aunt May died almost three years ago now. She was all I had left in the way of family. " He then lifts his head as soon as he finishes speaking putting the truck in gear and heading for the Storage hall.
Neither of them say a word even as they reach the storage hall, he had the key to her cell already in hand. He parks in front of it shutting off the truck and stepping out. He opens the storage cell and unloads the truck and trailer into the cell. Once finished he returns to the truck buckling up again and asks in a distant tone, " Where to now? "
" How about we park at the café? Then… maybe…" She pauses for a moment, she knew he was hiding. She knew the distant tone, the air between them. After all they had become rather close over the last semester. She wasn't sure how far to push or if she really should, but she knew better than anyone hiding it in the depths of who you are was not always the best answer, or rather never was. If she had not had Annette and her father when her mother had died she'd never have become the woman she is now. She'd have shut herself off, hidden behind a wall that by now would have been covered thick in ivy. Metaphorically speaking of course. Finally she takes a deep breath and finishes her thought aloud, " Maybe we could take a walk before we go in.. and talk.. " She left the offer at that in her gentle sweet melodies accented thickly in French it was obvious what she meant by talk, she knew she didn't need to be more specific.
He sighs softly nodding as he drives to the trailer rental place returning the trailer. From there he drives them to Phil's Café and parks the truck shutting it off and gets out going around opening her door shutting it behind her once she is out.
She slips her smaller hand of velveteen ivory into his letting her fingers curl against his hand. She leads him to the left of the café towards the river that resides maybe two blocks or so from there. She remains silent letting him take his time, if he planned to talk to her about it at all he would do it in his own time. The subtle dance of the pad of her thumb over the back of his hand like warm velvet on his skin said more than her words could.
He doesn't say anything until they reach the river bed, he kneels down and with his free hand picks up a few pebbles tossing them across the river and watching them skip, disrupting the previously peaceful surface. Then he picks up a bigger rock sighing deeply as he skips it harshly across the river clear to the other side, a crack heard as something hits the tree across the way. He finally looks at her and says, " I'm just going to stick around campus and try and find something to do until fall term resumes. "
She had been looking a him from the moment they stopped at the river's edge, now their eyes met, sapphiric orbs staring into his chocolate ones. She says nothing for a moment, as if in a trance of thought before finally nearly whispering, " Why don't you go back to London? "
He remains look at her as he says, " There is no point in spending the money for nearly three months of a motel room when I can stay here for nothing above my tuition. "
She looks down a moment, almost as nervous as when they had first become friends, that first night at the café. " Then stay with me and papa. " She glances up at him, her eyes shaded by those long rays of silken sunshine that frame them.
He shakes his head softly. " I doubt your father would want a male school mate remaining with you under his roof for the entire summer holiday. " A sigh passes his lips at the thought of spending the entire holiday pretty much alone in the dorm hall, with what has become his best friend back in London.
She squeezes his hand softly lifting her head to look up at him more fully. " Then it's settled, you're coming to London. " Without another word from her lips she starts to lead him back to Phil's knowing if they do not get there soon her cell phone will be vibrating and Phil will be pestering wondering where they are, since the truck is in front of the café.
He rolls his eyes and follows her to the café, a slight smile on his features. Once they reach the café he opens door ushering her in to their usual table and waving for their usual drinks and pastries. Finally all the thoughts of his family have passed from his mind for the time being, deciding there is no way around going back to London with her. " All right, have it your way Serenity. London it is. " He whispers to her as he pulls out her chair for her before taking his usual seat across from her.
Phil approaches the table setting the plate down in the middle of the table and their respective chais' in front of them. He jests, " So nice to see young love, even if it is a little late blooming. So when's the wedding, and do I get to be the bestman?" His usual wide teasing grin on his face.
She shakes her head softly looking up at Phil but says nothing on it, finally no crimson was found in her pale cheeks. She had finally gotten use to Phil's humor and teasing. She reaches for her usual chocolate muffin sliver first and takes a bit of it before sipping at her chai. She then pulls out her cell phone which was now a shade of sky blue and flips it open. She goes begins texting someone, the ding of the text being sent heard a moment later. " So what are you going to do with your truck for the Holiday? Do you want to leave it here or follow me to London? "
After Phil leaves he asks her, " do you want to just take my truck and save all the extra trouble and money? I mean you can drive if you want or I can. Either way. " He grabs his usual lemon drizzle cake and finishes it off before starting to sip his chai as he awaits her response.
" Hmm… it would be easier. Sure. You'd really let me drive your truck? " Her brow raises slightly, after all not many guys or men would allow a woman to drive their truck especially, even if they were married to the woman. Or maybe especially if they were married to them.
" Sure, you know the way better than I do. Besides I hate driving honestly. "
" All right then. Why don't we head back to the dorm for our things after we finish hear and head for London? Papa's going to be expecting us tonight. " She smiles innocently, long golden lashes flashing sweetly over her cheeks.
He shakes his head softly continuing to sip at his chai. Women. He looks over at Phil calling over to the man. " Looks like you and the girls are going to have to spend the Holiday without me around to torment. "
"So you mean I'm not invited to the wedding? " A mock hurt look passing over his face as he holds his hand to his heart. " The girls will be crushed!" He picks up a napkin from the dispenser and pretends to wipe tears from his eyes. Then he smiles and says normally now, " go have fun, but not too much fun. "
Serenity giggles softly, the sound passing her lips like tiny bells in the distance ringing around them. She was going to miss Phil and the girls over the holiday, she had rather gotten use to their weekly meetings and being in the middle of their constant torment between her and Parker, or well over her and Parker. " Don't worry we'll bring back pictures from the honeymoon. " She does her best to keep the smile from dancing too broadly over her silken crimson petals.
She had come a long way in the last few months, she wasn't as quiet and reserved with them at least as she was when they all first met. She was comfortable here, in the café, at school and with Parker. She looks from Phil to the girls then to Peter speaking in those sweet chords thickly laced with her French accent to all of them, " I am really going to miss the weekly banter sessions with all of us. This place has almost become, like a second home. Like Annette's place, except I get more torment here. "
Peter looks at Serenity and whispers softly, " We're going to have to find some way to get "honeymoon" pictures for Phil now you know. " He reaches over and grabs the second slice of chocolate muffin from the plate grinning evilly across the table at Serenity before biting it in half.
Playfully she sticks her tongue out at him in response to such a look and reaches to the plate picking up the second half of the lemon drizzle cake and bites into a third of it, a victorious smile on her lips as she chews.
After he swallows he holds out the other half to her with a defeated look on his face. Then as if slightly impatient his features take on a puppy dog look as he bats his eyes at her theatrically asking, " trade? "
She lifts her free hand and begins tapping her index finger on her chin in mock thought. " hmm…" She pretends to think for a moment more before rising off her chair slightly and leaning across the table holding the lemon drizzle cake between her thumb, middle, and index fingers resting it on his lower protruding lip. " Puppy wanna bite? "
He bites half of what is left of the lemon drizzle and holds the chocolate muffin piece to her lips grinning like a grammar school boy as she takes her bite then tosses the last bit into his mouth, allowing her to do the same with the lemon drizzle.
As she finishes chewing the last bite of drizzle cake she looks at him tilting her head to the side, a thin wisp of sunshine gold laying over her upturned cheek. " Even now? " She settles back into her seat, ignoring the faint hue of crimson which has crept up into her ivory cheeks.
He gives her another evil grin and trying to sound like the wicked witch of the west, " Not hardly, I'll get you my pretty… and your little… um… chocolate muffin too! " Moments after he finishes saying it he bursts into laughter, not able to hold a straight face with that one.
Laughter dances past her lips as she shakes her head softly. He was so adorable sometimes, well most times. Something however she never mentions to a soul, unless you count her journal. Something even Annette knows nothing about. She glances over to Phil and asks, " What are we going to do with him Phil? "
" Well I have an old tuxedo in the back that should be about Parker's size… And I am sure one of my girls would gladly loan you a dress.. " He pulls out a bible from under the counter, " I am a ordained minister you know, ready to get hitched finally? "
She squeaks giddily deciding for the moment to play along and see what Parker does, she stands up going over to the waitresses looking at all of them in turn as she speaks in that high strung manner engaged girls always do. " Can you girls really help me get a dress? In ivory maybe? With tiny little pearl beads? " She peeks out of the corner of her sapphire eyes at Parker doing her best to remain in her 'part'.
Parker stands to his feet nods to Phil and walks into the back room with him, while one of the girls walks in with them long enough to drab the dress that best fit the basic description Serenity had given.
While the girls are busy getting Serenity ready Phil helps Peter into the tuxedo. Phil asks, " How for do you think she will take this charade? " While he awaits Peter's response he helps with the finishing touches of the tuxedo, tying the bow tie for him.
" Probably pretty far, but I don't think she'll make it to the vows. I think she'll hit one of us by then. " As an after thought he adds, " It's a good thing you're not really ordained. "
Phil looks at him with shifty eyes and says, " Umm.. Right… sure… If you say so… "
The girls help Serenity into the gown which surprisingly enough fits her perfectly, accenting every curve of her slender form. The gown is soft ivory satin with a bit of a train in layers of lace and intricate bead work. The high neck line is nothing but sheer fabric with an intricate bead design of hearts joining together just above the swell of her breasts which is accented more than normal by the corset she wears beneath the dress.
The girls whisper between each other then one of them looks at Serenity before taking the pins from her hair and setting them on the counter, a gasp passing each of their lips in turn when the braid falls down to her thighs, they begin unbraiding those sunshine golden locks to find they went about two inches or so above her ankles. " Oh my god! " Each of the girls exclaimed that in turn as they all fawn over the length of Serenity's hair, too stunned to say much more. Quickly they weave the long tendrils into a very fancy French twist weaving the excess of hair into smaller braids which are tucked in place with the pins under the twist. Then the finishing touch is added, the veil. The shorter piece of it is pulled down over her features while the back falls to the ground matching the hem of the dress, the hem of the veil is woven with tiny pearl beads.
One of the waitresses gasps suddenly as it dawns on her something had been forgotten. " Shoes!" She darts into the back where Peter and Phil are announcing they would be ready in a moment or so as she grabs a small shoe box. Then almost as an after thought she leans into Phil whispering something to him. Then she returns quickly to the other room opening the box and helping Serenity put on the ivory Victorian style boots. Another waitress handing her a bouquet. " You look perfect! "
One of the other girls goes over to Parker's table and picks up Peter's camera calling Serenity to her direction, " Smile! " Snap! She grabs two or three shots of Serenity in the beautiful gown. All of the girls were of course having trouble containing the fact that well this was just a hoax to see how far the girl would take things. Damn Phil and his tormenting tactics!
Phil walks out from the back room first and walks up to the little raised podium he keeps in the corner. He then rushes Serenity and one of the girls off behind the bar in the other store room. " Peter! " He bellows out when the girls are out of sight.
Peter walks out kind of nervously. When he reaches the podium and Phil he looks up nervously and asks quietly almost a whisper, " Are you sure we should go through with this? What if she gets mad? Or what if she goes through with it? "
Phil shakes his head and pushes the play button on the stereo he has in the podium and the wedding march begins to fill the café. " Coward. Haven't you two figured it out yet that you love each other and you're destined for this? " He says at least half serious.
As the sounds of the wedding march fills the café the waitress with Serenity takes her arm and leads her in slowly, both girls pressing toe first then heel before repeating this slowly making their way down the "aisle" towards Phil and Peter. Once they reach Phil and Parker they stop. She lifts Serenity's front veil piece as they father should do and kisses her cheek winking softly, to Peter or Serenity no one is certain. Then the waitress takes the bouquet from Serenity placing her hand into Parker's before facing Phil.
Both men stand there still stunned for a moment before Phil finally speaks remembering his part and asks, " Who here gives this woman? "
The waitresses speak in unison, lead by the one standing besides Serenity. " We do. Waitresses of Phil's café. " Then she seats herself along the bar with the rest of the waitresses to watch this take place as far as both would allow it.
One of the waitresses remains standing however still taking photos with Parker's camera stashing each used roll of film in her apron as the wedding proceeds.
Phil clears his throat before opening the bible directly to the middle as all preachers do for show and of course the fact this is where they stash the speech they all have to recite. Just in case their memory fails them. He looks at both kids in turn before finally speaking, " We are gathered here together to witness this holy matrimony. This is a sacred union of two souls." Phil pauses look from the scarlet Peter to Serenity settling his gaze there as he continues, "Now Serenity Rose Anthony, do you take Peter to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part? "
Nothing is said for what may feel like an eternity to everyone as she gives a sideward glance to the nervous Peter beside her, the pad of her thumb dancing over the back of his hand as she speaks finally in that elegant French melody. " I do. "
Phil smiles then turns towards Peter asking now, " Do you Peter Andrew Parker take Serenity to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part? " He glares slightly but unnoticeably to the others at Parker as he waits for Peter's response.
Peter sees the glare in Phil's eyes and swallows hard taking a deep breath before nearly squeaking out an almost mumbled, " I do…?"
Phil nods softly to Peter then looks at both of them before addressing the entire café technically, " If there is anyone who thinks these two should not be joined together for all eternity in holy matrimony speak now or forever hold your peace…" He coughs out almost as an after thought glancing at all of his waitresses in turn.." Jobs. "
After a few moments of silence Phil clears his throat doing his best to remain composed despite the beat red Parker standing to his left. " As no one has any objections, I now pronounce you… Husband and wife. " He looks directly at Parker and grins from ear to ear as he leaves the pause for a moment longer of torment for the boy before adding the final touch. " You may now kiss the bride. "
Peter gulps and turns to Serenity looking at her trying to figure out if he should really do this or not looking in her eyes with his pleading chocolate ones if she's going to slap him if he kisses her, or run. He cringes slightly as she raises her hand.
Her hand lifts towards him, velveteen fingertips touching his right cheek softly as she steps towards him. She says nothing pressing her satin lips to the corner of his mouth where it and his cheek meet then steps back winking at Phil in a manner that hides the action from Peter's eyes.
Peter looks at her the moment after her lips leave his face, his eyes blinking rapidly for a moment or so before his eyes roll back in his head and he falls backwards smacking the back of his head on the rail of the bar stool behind him.
Phil and the girls rush over to Peter along with Serenity all of them kneeling down around him. Phil reaches out tapping the sides of Parker's face as he says, " Parker, are you ok? Come on Parker wake up. "
Seeing Peter has no response yet, which she didn't expect him to she reaches out brushing Phil's hands away from Parker. She glances up at Phil a moment apologetically before leaning forward and whispering in Parker's ear. " I'm sorry Peter.. Please.. Wake up. " Her satin lips brush against his ear softly before she moves upward slightly and places a feather light kiss to his temple. A rush of crimson finally making its way over her ivory cheeks since this was not part of the hoax.
As her lips leave his temple Parker's eyes flutter under his closed lids as he mumbles, " I don't have school today.. Aunt May.. It's Saturday… "
The waitress who had been taking photos of the whole charade finally unloads the camera of the last roll, her last photo having been of Serenity's second kiss to Parker. Stashing that roll with the others she goes behind the bar grabbing a jar of smelling salts coming up to Serenity and handing them to her. Serenity opens them her own nose wrinkling at the smell before she waves them under Parker's nose.
Peter's eyes shoot open and he shoots almost straight up, until his forehead smacks into the stool above his head and he lays back on his elbow rubbing his forehead now groaning. " ow…" He glances up with half open eyes at Phil and grumbles. " You sure as hell better not be ordained… "
Serenity raises a brow slightly holding a faintly hurt expression on her ivory features as she hands the smelling salts to the waitress who returns them to their place. She stands to her feet saying nothing as she walks behind the bar grabbing a towel and some ice wrapping it up. She returns to where Peter is laying on the floor and hands the ice down to him. " This should help. "
Phil looks at Serenity and shakes his head and says trying to make her feel better, " he didn't mean it like that dear. "
She merely looks up at Phil with a look that said ' you don't know that' before grabbing Peter's camera from the waitress and placing it back in its case before he becomes to aware of things, and also to keep her occupied while he finishes coming to.
One of the waitresses nearest to Peter reaches over and smacks him in the back of the head just as he finishes fully sitting up. " You better explain what you mean to her if you don't want to ruin your marriage this early. "
Peter glares at her as he stands up slightly wavering on his feet for a second and walks over to Serenity. He puts his hand on her shoulder offering in a gentle tone. " I didn't mean that the way it sounded Serenity. I just didn't want you disappointed if Phil turns out to be really ordained and we turn out to be really married; well save for the marriage license. I mean I don't fully know what I mean to you any more than you know fully what you mean to me. " He then sits down at the table burying his face in his hands sighing deeply.
Serenity turns to face Parker's direction as he sits down shaking her head softly. She steps up to him pulling the chair up close to him and taking a seat. She pulls his hands into her own and looks at him with those sparkling sapphire eyes. " I am not sure if there is much more to know, you're my best friend Peter. I mean I know this whole thing was a bit of a hoax to begin with, but in all honesty; what more do people really need to know? Love when it's finally found, and where, begins somewhere doesn't it? "
Peter looks at her asks her, " What do you mean? "
" What I mean Peter Andrew Parker, is that could a girl really do any better than being married to her best friend? " Then as an after thought before he has a chance to speak she adds, " To you. "
Peter stares at her his eyes blinking rapidly as he tries to make heads or tails of his thoughts and what she just said. He asks finally, " So are you saying that it's ok if we really are married? " A slightly confused expression on his face.
One of the waitresses walks up behind Parker not giving Serenity the chance to respond as she thumps him in the back of the head saying, " Of course that's what she's saying putz! "
Phil walks over and sits down at the table across from the kids and says, " Two things. One: I am actually ordained. Two: It's not actually a legal marriage if you don't first of all really intend to be married, and secondly have a marriage license prior to the wedding. "
"oh… "
She looks at Phil and shakes her head. " Well lucky for Peter then you didn't have him sign something before all this hmm? " She stands to her feet going to Phil and hugging him before hugging each of the girls. She then glances at Peter. " I am going to go change, you should do the same so we can head out.. " She sounds some what distant at the moment and doesn't wait for a response as she slips into the first store room with one of the girls who helps her change, though she leaves the corset on underneath her white wife beater as she slips into her faded jeans.
He sighs and stands to his feet going into the second store room changing from the tuxedo into his denim shirt and faded blue jeans from before kneeling down to lace his back boots before stepping out nodding to Phil and the girls as he steps out of the café and climbs in the passenger side of the truck waiting for Serenity.
Serenity steps out a few moments after Parker had left, her bare feet shuffling on the floor as she walks over to Phil hugging him again saying, " Thanks Phil. See you when holiday is over? "
Phil hands her a box wrapped in brown paper. He says, " Sure thing kiddo. " He kisses her forehead adding as an after that. " That's for your trip. Enjoy. "
She nods softly clutching the box to her chest lightly before hugging the girls in turn and stepping out of the café. She looks at Peter in the passenger seat of the truck a moment before going to her already opened door and climbing into the driver's side. She says nothing as she puts on her belt, not really sure what to say now. After all she had just opened herself up more than she had ever really intended to at this point. The result of which got her a typical guy's confused response. She turns the truck on turning to look behind her before backing out and heading for their dormitory.
He sits looking out his window he says quietly, " Sorry if I hurt your feelings… I'm just not sure how to react. On one hand I think being married to you would be a good thing… on the other hand I am not sure either of us is ready to jump ahead all the way to that. "
She lets his words linger in the air before the silence claims them again. She says nothing the entire way over to the dormitory, though that isn't much more than a ten minute drive if that. She pulls into the designated parking spot for Parker's old room and shuts off the truck after putting it in park. She runs her hands over the steering wheel a moment before dropping them to her lap as she speaks softly, " Look Parker.. It's not that you hurt my feelings with the insecurity of the thing so much as… Well I mean.. Look I don't know if we should or shouldn't jump that far either.. Actually no.. I do know. We shouldn't jump into something like that right now. What we should do is… " She pauses taking a deep breath before shaking her head and undoing her belt. She opens her door stepping out of the truck carefully shutting the door behind her. She leans her back against the truck door looking down at the ground, her hands tucked into the pocket of her jeans.
He gets out of the truck shutting his door softly and walks around the back of the truck coming up to her. He asks, " What should we do then.. ? " He leans against the side of the truck next to her though a few inches away slipping his hands into his pockets as well. He lowers his own head looking at the ground.
She sighs softly her thumb peeking out of her pockets brushing over the faded material as she speaks nearly in a whisper, " We're friends Parker.. We both know that, it's never been said but we'd have to be stupid not to see that over the last few months. But we haven't once talked honestly about it. I mean.. like you said you don't know how I feel about you, and I don't know how you feel about me; beyond the simple basic of being friends. I don't even know how far you trust me. There's a lot we just haven't talked about. Things as simple as family… " Now mind you the family issue especially was as much on her side as his. She hadn't told him hide or hair of her own family, beyond the fact she lived with her papa.
He sighs heavily and looks at her and says softly, " Then maybe we should.. Talk.. " He pulls his right hand out of his pocket and lifts his arm slipping it around her shoulders gently pulling her from the truck and leading her up to his dorm room.
Serenity says nothing the whole way, she stands silently against him as he opens the door. She pulls from him once the door is open however, gently, going over and grabbing her duffel bag as he grabs his own bag. Finally she lifts her head looking at him seriously, a faint glassy look in her sapphiric eyes. " We have to be honest.. All right? "
He nods and says quietly, " I could never be anything less with you… " He grabs his bag and then takes hers from her leading her back down to the truck, He tosses both bags in the bed of the truck before opening the driver side door for her. Once she is in he shuts it getting in on the passenger side.
She starts the truck once they are both in and buckled and puts it in gear backing out carefully. Then they are on their way heading for the highway, heading for London.
It's nearly a half an hour into the trip before she finally whispers softly glancing at him out of the corner of her sapphire gems, " So where do we start? "
" Why don't we start with family? Where's your mother? "
" She died having me… Least that's what papa tells me. I've seen pictures, she was beautiful. Papa and Annette say I look just like her… " She has a bit of a wistful or dazed look for a moment then shakes her head softly to clear herself as she asks, " How did your parents die? "
" Supposedly they died in a car crash, that's what Uncle Ben and Aunt May told me. So they were pretty much my parents growing up. Uncle Ben was shot five years ago and then Aunt May had a heart attack almost three years ago. "
" Any brothers or sisters? "
" No brothers or sisters, no close cousins. Just Aunt May and Uncle Ben. "
" The closest thing I have ever had to a sister or a mother has been Annette, the owner of that café where I first saw you. Marcus is pretty much family being Annette's cousin and all… "
He looks at her now asking bluntly, " What exactly do I mean to you Serenity? "
She turns her head to look at him for a moment, presently stopped behind another truck now only about fifteen minutes from their destination. She looks back to the road again before finally taking a deep breath and speaking in soft chords, " the world. " For a moment she leaves it at that glancing at him to see his reaction, noticing he needs a bit more of an explanation than that she continues, " what I mean is that like I said back at Phil's; you're my best friend. I care about you more than I ever thought I would care about another man in my life. Well with the exception of my papa that is. I know there is a world we don't know about each other, but we're neither one on death row here; so we have all the time in the world. In basic terms… I love you. In what realm, I really don't know exactly; well beyond the friends fact I mean. "
" You mean the world to me too Serenity. I'm not really sure how I am supposed to explain that, because I have never actually felt this way about anyone before. The first girlfriend I ever had died not long after we got together, and I've never actually had a chance to explore how to express that kind of feeling; even in terms of friendship. I mean I know what I feel is more than friendship, I'm just not sure how to put it in words. Even to myself. I do love you, I'm just not sure what that really means. "
She gives him another sideward glance and smiles softly in that innocent manner she sometimes has. She takes one hand off the wheel for a moment touching his hand and squeezing it gently before releasing it to take the wheel again. " Then we'll figure it out together.. " She nods in front of them as they pull up to a beautiful two story home painted a gray-blue colour with antique white trim and shutters. The first floor has a large porch and a beautiful picture window framed from the inside with antique white lace curtains tied with silver ribbons. " Where're here. You ready? "