Chapter 14 (A/N: At the bottom, there's a code for the dresses.)
Serena's mouth opened in a wide smile at the contents in the trunk. A beautiful array of colors flashed before her like a rainbow, all of them completely preserved, and amazingly beautiful.
Her curiosity getting the better of her, Serena lifted each dress out of the trunk, one at a time, so she wouldn't damage the beautiful fabric, and placed them in various parts of the room. All of them were gorgeous. The first was a purple off-the-shoulder gown, a gold broach with the family emblem engraved on it held the shoulders and dress together. Serena lifted it against herself, and grimaced at the size difference. With a frown, she placed it on the farthest trunk.
Another was the most stunning shade of green, the square neckline quite low, and ribbons criss-crossed from the neck to the V at the beginning of the skirt. Trying again, her lips drew up in a childish pout, then marched over to the trunk to place it on top of the purple dress.
But one that particularly caught her eye was a white dress with another square neckline, though not as small as the last one, and very tiny, scattered red daisies and lace decorated the torso and the upper part of sleeves that draped about four inches, the rest a well-preserved white. Breathless, she held it up to her figure, delighted to see the perfect match. Prancing over to the trunk, she set it down with particular care. The next dress she saw was a little more simple, but definitely pretty: The top looked like an average dress of the time period, except it was butter yellow, and the neckline at the back came down to maybe just under the shoulders. Tilting her head thoughtfully, Serena held it up, but this one was a size to small.
Two left, Serena picked up a gorgeous powder-blue gown with a circular neck, and a darker blue ribbon on both hips and draping sleeves. Not even willing to bother with that one, she placed it on the trunk, and lifted out the last dress. The gown was pink, except for bright red roses on the shoulders.
All of them were truly beautiful gowns, yet it was a wonder why they were all sized differently. Or so it seemed. Knowing exactly which one would fit, Serena reached behind her to unzip. By the time she was fitted into the white dress, the sky was a gold hue through the dusty windows. Stunned by it's preserved beauty, Serena twirled in front of the mirror, laughing and smiling. She found herself a pair of slippers, and they were just the right size too. Grinning ruefully, she kicked off the shoes, and started putting all the dresses back in the trunk, except for what she was wearing, so she could absorb its feel one last time.
Wistfully gazing at her reflection, Serena wondered why she had to put it away. Maybe it would come in handy later. Did Stanton know about this room? Changing back into her other clothes, Serena heard a loud call. "Hey, Serena! I've got dinner ready!"
Smiling as she bundled and folded the dress, Serena shouted as loud as possible, "Okay, just let me go back to my room and change."
Unsure why she was changing again, Serena grabbed the key, and locked up all the doors behind her and silently made her way back to her room, trying to avoid the tempting smells of garlic bread and a sauce of some kind. As she closed her bedroom door behind her, she looked left and right to find a place to put the dress, and decided on under the bed. That matter settled, she went to the wardrobe to select a dinner outfit.
"Serena? You almost finished?" Stanton called again.
Still digging through her clothes, and holding a yellow top to her chest, Serena yelled back. "No, I'm still deciding. I wont be much longer, just try to keep it warm."
"Alright then."
"Thanks."
"Uh-huh."
She tossed her narrowed options onto the bed, hoping that the delicious scent wafting up to even these higher points of the castle were spaghetti. Rarely did she get the opportunity to taste Stanton's cooking, but what she had sampled was exquisite, even in simplicity: sandwiches, cakes, salads, pastas, meats. But her favorite, absolute favorite, was his spaghetti and garlic bread. Oh, she knew she cooked well, but admittedly spaghetti didn't get along with her. She never knew proper noodle quantities for the number she was serving, and sometimes it was hard to figure out how many meatballs she should make. Luckily, Stanton's recipe was right on the money.
Tossing her hair, Serena lifted up a graceful pale green one-shoulder tunic with drooping sleeves and a rhinestone buckle on the top of the shoulder, and slid it on with a pair of tight khaki slacks and black-strapped stilettos. She smiled at her reflection one last time, then trotted down the many steps.
As she entered the dining hall, the certain sight and smell of pasta and bread attacked her senses. Stanton was pouring something sparkling into a champagne glass while the steaming spaghetti lay in a bowl, a tray of hot garlic bread nearby with a tiny cup of dipping sauce. "Wow."
Stanton looked up, a dashing grin on his face as he looked over her clothes. "And you thought my breakfast for two was a swell gesture."
He shrugged, and placed a bottle on a white lace napkin. "It's the least I could do, considering my behavior before." Serena grinned silently to that, and was about to say 'you did enough,' but she didn't want him to take it the wrong way.
"Either way, thank you," she said, tucking a tendril behind her ear. She seated herself, and put her napkin in her lap.
"So, did you enjoy your stroll this afternoon?" Stanton asked as he passed her the noodles.
"Yes. It's enormous though, and sometimes it's hard to tell which corridor leads where. It must've been hard to figure out where to go when you were little." Serena regretted the words the second they left her lips. He probably didn't want to speak about his past.
But all he did was chuckle, and smile. "Sometimes it was. Although now…it feels like I know it like the back of my hand, even though I haven't been in these halls for centuries."
Offering him a sympathetic glance, Serena touched his hands, and brushed the knuckles before he embraced it warmly. After touching his cheek, she took a slice of garlic bread, and after dipping it in some delectable sauce, she offered him a bite, tempting his mouth open with it. He accepted the morsel, and chewed softly, waiting for her to help herself. They continued to feed each other the bread until there was nothing but crumbs left, and the spaghetti sauce was cooled enough to eat.
Pouring a generous amount over her noodles, Serena posed a question. "Did your family ever think to make a time capsule? Like a chest with all your most prized possessions in them?" She innocently ate a meatball while she waited for his answer.
He finished chewing his forkful, and wiped his mouth before he answered, "Not that I know of." The corner of his lips curved up. "Why, have you found a chest with interesting items in it while you were perusing?" His voice laced with amusement at the question.
Trying to appear innocent, but not suspicious, she giggled, keeping her mind clear without blocking it. "Not that I know of," she mocked. "It's just that maybe you and Rachel could share something from it if one ever existed. I mean, sort of like a souvenir."
He tilted his head in a 'there-is-that' sort of way, but didn't elaborate further. They continued with their meal and discussions, Serena making sure she kept her thoughts solely on the conversation, and the bare bones of her day. As they finished, Serena picked up the silverware, dishes, bowls, and platters while Stanton started up some hot water. She reached for the dish rag, but he shook his head. "No, you did it this morning, I'll do it tonight."
Serena smiled gratefully. "Thanks. My feet are starting to hurt from all that walking, so I guess I better get to bed." Assuming he'd agree, Serena pumped out some soap from the dispenser they bought, and rubbed her hands together under the still-running faucet. To her surprise, his hands encompassed hers, rubbing them together, and massaging them under the hot spray. The act was intimate, but soothing to the tight muscles of her fingers and hands, despite his somewhat calloused fingers and palms. No sound was made, except for the water running, until she opened a drawer to find herself a drying towel for her hands.
Stanton waited patiently for his turn, hands upturned, and dripping on the floor. Returning the favor, she rubbed his hands with hers, through the towel, drying off the wet flesh. A small droplet rested on the tip of his index finger. Feeling bold, Serena leaned down, and sucked the droplet from his fingertip. She heard his harsh intake of breath, and was suddenly encouraged. Grasping his hands through the towel, she leaned down, and drew his entire finger into her mouth, her tongue curling to absorb his clean taste. He groaned, and as her eyes raised, she noticed his were rolling heavenward, only imagining what kind of lascivious fantasies she was giving him.
His patience shot, he yanked his finger away, and before her mouth could close, he drove his tongue into it, wildly eager, and molded her flush to him, his hands gripping her back. Delighted by his response, Serena gripped his jacket, and kissed him back with elated abandon. Stanton's lips slowed, before they started a path at her eyelids, slowly reaching her throat, closer and closer to the awakened pleasure-point.
As if pleading for his touch, she showered moist kisses over his cheekbone and to his ear, where she gently nibbled on the lobe and shell. Glad to receive the desired effect, she clung to him and his lips and teeth nibbled and kissed the throbbing pulse while swirling eddies of delicious sensations engulfed her body. She cried out, the pleasure just as massive and mind-clouding as before. 'How can even the real thing be at all close to this?' she asked herself.
When his touch ceased, she pulled back, looking into his eyes, seeing the strength of his need, and with their bodies still close, she could feel it too, right on her thigh. She tried to maneuver herself so his touch would go to the place she wanted, but he instead released her, and kissed her forehead before he whispered, "Good night."
Feeling let down, Serena rubbed her arms, more than a little uncomfortable. "Good night," she said, then turned, and made her way back up the stairs. They really were going to have to stop this before they ended naked. Too soon, anyway.
'And him being so damn good at it doesn't help,' she angrily said to herself. As she walked up the steps, her incessant muttering soon turned into a full conversation with herself.
'How is it possible he does that too me?' 'It's most likely practice.'
"Don't blame him!"
Serena froze. She thought for sure she heard that voice again. 'Stanton?'
'Yeah?'
'Did you hear anything just now?'
'…no. Why, did you?'
Perplexed, Serena bit her lip, but shook her head. 'I thought I did. It must be the wind.' A lame excuse, but it terminated conversation. All of them.
As she changed into a white strapped nightgown with flowered lace at the top, she listened to Stanton close his door. Serena opened her door, to find a dark, empty corridor, and too many closed doors. At least at home everything was partly open! Feeling like a little child who just had a nightmare and needed to crawl into bed with her mommy and daddy, Serena shut off her light, then closed the door behind her.
Opening Stanton's door slowly, she smiled when she noticed a small reading lamp still turned on, casting a bright light over a book, and a dim glow throughout the rest of the room. Stanton's breathing was soft and deep, and still relaxed, clearly sleeping. Feeling mischievous, she tip-toed over to him, and admired his face.
She had no doubt that if he was a statue, people would gaze upon him for hours at a time. It didn't seem to matter how many times she saw his face. It never got old. Grinning, she lifted up the covers, and her eyes widened in delight at his findings. A nice, navy blue pair of briefs. On impulse, she licked her lips. He mumbled something in his sleep, and turned from his position on his back to his side to compensate for the lack of warmth. Feeling like she could do some things to him that he did to her, she let her thoughts turn sweet and low. 'I'll keep you warm, love,' and she slid right next to him.
His body was more than warm enough for her, so she snuggled closer, until she accidentally nudged him awake. As if it was too bright, he started to blink and squint. "Serena?"
Trying to smile, she whispered, "I'm sorry I woke you."
His expression already smiling, he wrapped his arms around her as he said, "Don't be. My dream was a rerun anyway."
Giggling a little, she kissed his chin, and fitted the top of her head into the curve of his throat. Even though he was on the brink of sleep again, she asked him, "What was it about?"
"You."
She nuzzled him affectionately with her nose on his Adam's Apple, and asked, "Are they often?" She kissed his neck. "What are they about?"
He shifted, getting more comfortable, and seemingly closer to her. "They're almost always about you. Sometimes we're back home on Venice Beach, sometimes we're talking and holding hands."
She found herself drifting off, sleep sure to overcome her any second. "Sometimes we're fighting together to stop the Atrox, sometimes we're eating together but most of the time…"
Feeling sleepy, but wanting to know, Serena said, "Yes?"
"Most of the time, we make love."
Her eyes opened, then with a soft, sleepy smile, they closed again. "Mmm…it's now my favorite."
"Mine too Serena. Mine too." Stanton said, and let his mind relax as he slept. Serena sighed, and fell into sleep.
Serena swirled into the world of dreams. She found herself being transported through a vortex of purple and pink colors. Several shapes flew past her, but since they were all black-like inkblots, she couldn't exactly figure out what they were. Finally, she made a painful landing on a hard, stone floor. She blinked, then rose, pain attacking her chest. She looked around, and found herself in the highest tower of Stanton's castle. But it was very different from the last time she saw it. The room looked a little newer. The candle in the holder was still tall, not filled with melted wax, the wood was dustless, and so was the beautiful stain-glass window. But...it was open. She looked out, and found two shadows perched on the railing.
Tucking her head back in, she sighed, and then looked down. She was shocked to find the same dress she had tried on and stuffed under her bed the night before. Deciding to take a closer look, she put her hands on either side of the window, and hoisted a leg out the window, ignoring the unladylike look. Serena shoved through the small window, and straightened her wrinkled dress. She tossed her head, and straightened her hair.
The little figures were much smaller than her first glance. They didn't appear to notice the stranger behind them. Serena came up to their sides, her hair catching flashes of gold from the rising sun. It was two children. One she easily recognized as Stanton, and the other must have been Rachel. She tilted her head, and smiled at Stanton's cute little nightdress, and Rachel's much more elaborate nightgown. Her eyes shifted, went to their held hands, making her smile broaden. But, just then, a shadow appeared by Stanton, a little bigger than he was, but still small. The shadow became almost perfectly visible, and she could make out dark brown, almost black hair, and emerald green eyes.
She looked at the row of jeweled eyes. The little boy smiled at the other two children with loving admiration. He must have been Jacques. He turned to Serena, stunning her. "Set us free. Please!"
Serena squinted. "What?" His mouth opened, but she was pulled back into the vortex. She pondered the strange dream, but then, her eyes closed. When they opened again, it was dawn. She looked around, finding herself in the familiar bedchamber. On the bed, under the blanket. Her brows pinched as she lifted her hand. It touched a hard, warm chest. She looked over, and smiled at her sleeping prince.
Dress 1: Belle's gown from Beauty and the Beast, except for lower draping, and not so poofy.
2: A renaissance dress look for a sorceress.
3: Can't describe it any simpler, except the skirt is pure white.
4: Princess Fiona's dress from Shrek, except all butter yellow.
Everyone, I'm REALLY sorry to have kept you waiting! I've been grounded you see, and I can barely find time to work on it, but I'll try my best to get the parts emailed before the next chapter is uploaded. If it doesn't reach you and you requested it, just give me a buzz! ;). Again, I'm VERY sorry, and I really appreciate your patience. Keep up the requests and reminders. So far my favorite is still C12 though. Don't you agree?