Author's Notes: Okay, I lied. Mostly because of procrastination, and lack of will to study right now. This is the last chapter that I have prepared. There will be at least one more after this, maybe two. I'm actually rather perturbed that so many (Not all, mind you) people have read this story and not reviewed it. A click of a button and a word would be nice. Don't get me wrong, I would really like long/semi-long reviews just saying what you like, and what you might like to happen. I'm being arrogant and snotty again, aren't I? Gomen. Well, here it is! Like it and tell me so! Thank you!

Chapter Five: Realization

Although the situation was tense, the next three weeks passed fairly quickly, and Serena was anxiously waiting for her baby to be ready to be born. She was certainly more than ready. She was willing to do the whole thing herself, if it was possible.

"I don't know that I can wait much longer," she told Darien over lunch one afternoon.

"We all have to wait for something, Serena," he said, almost shyly. "Anyway, you're doing just fine. The baby will be born in a couple of days, and then I'll be out of here and leave you two alone." If Serena wasn't willing to share her life or feelings with him like she once was, then there wasn't much more that he could do.

Great, Darien, she thought. Just go ahead and leave again when my problems are just beginning. Well, it's not his job, she chided herself. He's doing everything he can for you, and you couldn't ask for more. You shouldn't be asking for anything, really. I'm not sure I'm ready for more, anyway. Darien had made good on his promise to kiss her every night before she went to bed, although, sometimes, she had to force herself to stop. You're being unfair to him. You're using him now…

"Thank you, Darien. For everything, I mean."

"No problem," he said, eager to change the subject. She had been getting more emotional as the month wore on, and if she wasn't going to commit herself to him, then he wanted to distance himself as much as possible. "You know, I've been thinking--"

"What a change!"

"Oh, ha ha. I've been thinking that maybe you should move a little closer to the hospital in a day or so. Maybe you should go stay with your parents. Their house is closer, and that way, I wouldn't be so worried."

"Despite the fact that I don't want you to be worried, I think I will stay here. I don't want to inconvenience my parents any more than I have to. Besides, they'll be at the hospital anyway."

"You know what I mean, Serena." He sighed and said, "Have it you way."

And stay she did.

Serena was laying sprawled out on her bed one afternoon, when there came a faint knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in."

"Hi," Darien said quietly. "I'm just going out for some groceries. Nothing spectacular, you understand. Just regular, healthy, munchies. I see that look, Miss Serena, and I will not cave in. No ice cream. You can have some after you work off that belly," he said, unrelenting.

"But I won't be having my baby for numerous long, tedious, and stressful days. Couldn't we just celebrate early," she said, giving him a puppy-dog face.

Darien almost--almost caved in. It was so hard to resist her when she was so vulnerable. "Nope. We'll get to celebrate soon enough. You take a nap, and before you know it, I'll be back."

Serena tried to sleep, but was too antsy to bother trying to sleep. This gave her plenty of time to think about where her relationship with Darien was going. He was certainly becoming more of a gentleman. Although, she reflected, he never needed much improvement in that department. He was certainly ready to give their relationship another try. Was she ready? Love always seemed to be a risk with her. Most of the time, it was a risk worth taking, she thought, as Ray shoved his way into her conscious thoughts from somewhere in the back of her mind. Was it worth it the first time with Darien, she asked herself. I suppose so, she answered. Yes, or no. Yes, or no. Those three words seemed to come up so often nowadays. She was constantly being forced to make decisions that she wasn't ready for.

Why wasn't she ready, she wondered. She told Darien that she was afraid to let go of love. She had begun to realize, however, that instead of letting go of love, she would be accepting his. She would be running straight into the arms of love, and that gave her comfort. Why was she so pressed on resisting him? Why? Could she think of a reason? It took her a long time to realize that it was only youth and pride that prompted her to think that he was arrogant. Well, she had to admit, he was a little selfish. But who wouldn't be selfish if he was going to lose his soul mate? He was being so unselfish in helping her through this tough time; helping her have a baby that wasn't even his. It almost made her heart burst with love. She had been wrong. She could see now, that it wasn't just Darien's anger and pride that made her leave, it was her own unwillingness to accept him as he was. They were so much in love that they couldn't see how stupid they were acting, and it had cost them years of pain and agony that they could have easily avoided had they sat down and talked.

And here she was, still running from intimacy with Darien, the man she had never fallen out of love with. He was the perfect man for her. He loved her for everything she was. He was ready to put their differences aside and love her for whatever it was that he saw in her. She made a mental note to ask him what he did see in her when he returned.

Serena fell into a light sleep.

She woke to the quiet sounds of Darien putting the groceries away in the cupboards and refrigerator. Everything felt right. He felt right in her life. Before she could get up, Darien knocked on her door.

"Come in."

"How are you feeling," he asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Okay. I wasn't really tired." There was a long pause. "I was thinking about you, though."

"Oh? What for?"

"Don't be obtuse, Darien." He was grinning at her, as he helped prop her up with pillows. She began to stare at the ceiling to keep from crying. She hated seeming weak in front of him. If he asked, it was the hormones. "I was just thinking about…how much you've done for me, a-and how much I appreciate having you here with me. You've made a lot of sacrifices for me, Darien, and I can never express how grateful I am to you for it all."

"Like I've said before, Serena, it is no problem. I feel so much more content when I'm helping you." After a moment, he reached out and held her hand and said, "And if you ever need my help with this baby, I will be right by your side."

It was the way he said it, really. He seemed a bit nervous about saying it. But once he had finished, his eyes were firm and splendid. In any case, Serena started to tear up. "Thank you, Darien." He was making to get up off of the bed, when Serena threw herself into his arms and cried, "I love you, Darien!"

Darien didn't want to seem weak in front of her, but it seemed that he was beginning to cry. He nestled his forehead on her shoulder, and held on tight.

Serena went into labor at five in the evening, and was so tired out by midnight, that the doctors were worried that they would have to do a C-section.

"Darien! It hurts, Darien," she cried, holding onto his hand.

"I know," he said gently. "It'll be okay, Serena. I'm right here."

"Darien. Darien, thank you-"

"Shhh," he said, soothingly, stroking her forehead. "Rest, for now…Shh…", he whispered softly. "I'm here."

It was Darien who came through again, and with his encouragement, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy at one thirty in the morning on November the 18th. Right on time.

The doctors, her friends, and even her parents left her alone in the room with Darien. They could see that they needed some time alone.

"Darien," Serena said tentatively when everything was over and quiet. "I was wondering if you would mind me naming the baby after your father."

He didn't quite know what to say. "I-I," he stammered, searching for something coherent to say.

"Can I take that as a yes," she asked softly, looking into his beautiful blue eyes and smiling gently.

He nodded. He was too choked up to say anything.

"Hello, Joseph Brian-" She stopped short after the middle name; her father's name.

"Tuskino," Darien supplied. Now was not the time to bring up the subject. "I think that I will leave you two alone for a while," he said, getting up out of the uncomfortable chair next to her bed.

"Don't go, Darien," she said, touching his hand. "I don't want to be alone in this room.

"But you're not alone," he said, brushing her cheek with his hand. He bent down and kissed her forehead. Then he kissed the top of Joseph's head. As he was leaving the room, he turned and said, "Serena?"

"Yes," she said, very misty eyed.

"You're beautiful, you know."

And he was gone with his beautiful smile.

"God. If you can hear me, I love him! Thank you for sending him to me," Serena prayed, hoping for nothing more in her life but love.

When Serena awoke the next morning, she was filled with the beautiful scent of roses. The room was filled with vases full of red, white, and pink roses. There was something glittering on one of the roses...

&

Author's Notes: So? So? filled with anticipation Tell me:) I'll try and have another chapter up in a couple of weeks, but midterms are coming up, so, we'll see. Thank you all for your support! I know I've been a bit harsh. Maybe it's the hormones... I really do appreciate all your support!