GoddessMoonLady
Chapter 10
Disclaimers:
GML: 10! It's chapter 10::bounces around:
Darien::sigh:
GML: I can't believe it! I'm almost done. Honestly finished!
Darien: And you'll never get there if you don't get back to working on it.
GML::stops bouncing: Oooo... Good point. :blink:
Darien: Of course it is. :rolls eyes:
GML::glares D: Ok, No own 'SM'! Naoko-chan does! YEAH! ON TO THE FIC!
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A full month passed quickly now that Darien could court Serenity openly, with her parent's permission. Much to Darien's pleasure, then gentle smiles and giggles that he had had to work at became more common with time. The changes were impressive.
Serenity was still shy and quiet most of the time, but she seemed so much livelier now. Mina had insisted on taking her shopping for a new wardrobe as soon as she could leave the house, dragging the other girls, Ray, Lita, and Amy, along.
The new wardrobe had drawn many appreciative glances. Plenty of Gentlemen were taking an interest in her now, but she only had eyes for one man. the one man that had seen her, even when her own family could not.
It was Christmas eve and the Saunders were hosting their annual Christmas party. Most everyone who had been invited was there. Everyone was dressed in their utmost best. Everywhere jewels glistened and fabric rustled.
Serenity was dressed in the beautiful gown Mina and Darien had had made for her. It was a work of art, The bodice and skirt were made from the gold designed white silk. The bodice had a wide neckline and was spit in half in the front by gold silk which was separated from the skirt by the gold brocade. The sleeves reach her elbows and flared out embroidered with the gold brocade. The three Sapphire blue jewels were strung across the front with three strings of white pearls. The skirt was split with a bolt of sapphire blue silk with an overlay of the see-through blue silk. She was standing in a circle chatting and giggling with Mina, Amy, Ray, and Lita.
They kept shooting glances across the parlor where Darien stood with Andrew, James, David, and Michael. Every time Darien caught Serenity's eye he'd grin, she'd blush, and then they'd look away causing the guys to give him weird looks and the girls to giggle more.
Melissa was in another corner with Beryl and Ramilda glaring at her sister, " I can't believe her! Just Where did she get that dress?"
Ramilda shook her head, and Beryl gasped, "You don't think it was from Darien do you?"
"What do you mean?" Melissa demanded, her gaze swinging around to Beryl.
"Well, he was in the dress shop that day we were talking..." Ramilda continued, catching onto Beryl's thoughts.
"And what on Earth would a Gentleman be doing in a Ladies' dress shop?" Melissa murmured her gaze shifting again to Darien.
"Precisely." Beryl nodded, her eyes glinting coldly.
Ilene and Gaia swept into the room talking merrily. They were soon joined by Amelia Mallory, the biggest gossip in the city.
"Ilene! Gaia! Ilene, dear, this is a simply smashing party." Amelia gushed, "And your home is so lovely!"
"Thank you, we do try." Ilene smiled, laughing, "And I dare hope everyone is having a wonderful time."
"It's wonderful if not a touch quiet." Gaia nodded, as the only sounds in the rooms were their guests speaking.
"Why don't we have some carols to make the eve more festive, Hm?" Ilene suggested as she gazed at their guests.
"Indeed," Amelia smiled, "Why don't you ask mina to play, Gaia. I dare say, I heard she was quite an accomplished player!"
"That's a splendid idea! What do you think, Gaia?" Ilene moved toward the piano, the other two following.
"I quite agree, let me go speak with her then." She swept off in the direction her niece and the girls were.
A few moments later everyone was gathered around the piano as Mina settled down on the bench and started to play. They spent the next hour singing, dancing, and laughing, Just enjoying the warmth and comfort.
Eventually David took over playing the piano and Mina went back to join her friends. She caught Darien's eye and he nodded. Mina's eyes lit up excitedly. She quickly made her way to the piano again and leaned down to whisper in David's ear. He nodded and finished the song then waited.
"Attention, if you please everyone!" Mina called, catching everyone's attention at once. "Darien has something he would like to say."
"Thank you, Mina." Darien stepped forward, nodding, "I know tonight is only Christmas eve and presents should wait till the Marrow, but I have one present I would like to give tonight. Miss Serenity?"
Serenity eyed him wearily from her seat on a settee, he seemed... nervous. Darien stepped in front of her and lowered himself to one knee. Her eyes widened and her heart sped up. He wasn't going to...
"Serenity? I know we have only been officially courting for a couple months, and have only known each other a little longer then that but, this past year has been the most incredible of my life. I can't imagine my life without you in it. So, Would you, Miss Serenity Saunders, do me the honor of being my wife?" He gazed up in her tear-filled gaze.
Serenity's hand went to her in shock. She was trembling, never in her life had she expected to hear those words. She swallowed thickly, tears glistening in her eyes. She lowered her hand and opened her mouth to speak, but had to stop to breathe. Darien, seeming to understand her dilemma simply waited smiling softly.
After a minute she found her voice, She nodded, "Yes." Her voice was a strained whisper as she smiled. Darien grinned and quickly swept forward pulling her from the settee into his arms. Serenity buried her face in his chest and wept as he slipped a beautiful dimond ring on her finger.
All of their guests were clapping happily for them, but Melissa was staring, speechless. "WHAT?"
Serenity and Darien pull apart to stare at Melissa whom had just shrieked like a Banshee. Melissa stormed forward, "How DARE you! He was supposed to marry ME! You always ruin Everything! You evil, conniving, little-" Melissa raised her hand to strike her sister only to find her wrist caught in a strong grip.
"I believe, Melissa, that you have missed something quite crucial. I was never going to marry you. Even had I not met Serenity, I would not have." He narrowed his eyes dangerously, "After all, what would I want with a wife that would go so far as to attempt murdering her own sister to have her way."
Gasps of shock and startled cries echoed throughout the room. All eyes were locked on the horrified Melissa.
Melissa's eyes flitted around the room, "I don't know w-what you're talking about! I would never do such a thing! It was her!" She pointed at Serenity whom was watching the scene from just behind Darien, whom was standing protectively before her. "She told you that to ruin me! Didn't she!"
"No, she did not, I heard you confess to it with my own ears, if you remember correctly. In the dress shop one day." He turned to his cousin whom had joined him and was comforting Serenity, "Mina, you remember the day we went to order Serenity's dress."
Mina's eyes widened, "Of course! I thought I heard Melissa rambling on about something that day!" She clutched Serenity's shaking form tighter to her.
"That day you openly admitted, not just to your friends Miss Vane and Miss Blake, but for anyone within hearing, that it was you whom pushed Miss Serenity over the balcony railing. You were complaining that she had survived if memory serves." He watched her with the same cold, hard gaze he had in the shop.
"I-I," Melissa stuttered, she gazed around spotting her parents, "Mother! Father! You don't believe this nonsense, do you?" She demanded in a plea for help.
Ilene looked to be ill, and Keneth was, quite clearly, furious. "Melissa, go to your room. We will discuss this after our guests leave." He ordered.
"But Father!" Melissa whined horrified that this was happening to her.
"Leave our site immediately!" Ilene demanded, having found her voice. Melissa jumped with a small 'eep'. Her mother had never used that tone with her! It had always been reserved for Serenity. She swallowed and fled the room.
The celebrations ended soon after, no one in the mood to celebrate much longer. They all left, giving the Saunders their condolences. The Sheilds were the last to depart giving hugs and expressing concerns.
"Will you be all right?" Darien enquired quietly as he stood on the front porch holding Serenity's hand.
She offered him a weak smile, "I'll be fine. I just never thought it would all come out like that. Thank you." Her voice was wispy with emotion.
Darien ran the back of his fingers down her cheek, "It was nothing. Now, you rest and I shall see you in the Marrow." He leaned forward and placed a gently kiss on her left cheek, squeezed her hand lightly and watched her return inside before going to join his parents whom where watching from the carriage.
Serenity headed up to hr room where she could hear her parents shouting at Melissa. It was odd to hear them raising their voices, but not at her. She quickly removed the beautiful dress and carefully placed it back in the wardrobe. She smiled as she dressed in her nightdress, in many ways, even with that huge scene. After all, she gazed at her new ring, she was betroved to marry! Darien had asked her to marry him!
That night she fell asleep with a beautiful, full smile on her face.
Melissa had all but been disowned. Her parents were too softhearted to simply dismiss either of their children onto the streets, or else they would have done so with Serenity years ago.
The changes in Melissa's life became completely obvious the next day. Ilene took away most of her things, leaving just Serenity's plainer dresses for her to wear. She was made to move out of her old room which was then given to Serenity, along with her things, and into one of the servants' rooms behind the kitchen, which hadn't been used since Serenity had taken over the serving duties. She wasn't even permitted to have meals in the dining room with her family as Serenity had.
All in all, Melissa received exactly what she deserved. In the end, she knew exactly how Serenity had felt for years, the only difference was Serenity's sympathy toward her. Sympathy she, herself, had never shown.
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GML: Woop! here we go! Boy did this one take a lot of work! I started typing it and got 3/4 through, only to have to go back and redo most of it::sigh: But honestly, I think this one worked out to be one of my favorite chapters. :grin:
Darien: This is the end?
GML: NO! I've still got the Epilogue to go::rolls eyes: Like it? REVIEW! ONE MORE CHAPTER PEOPLE! COME ON!