A.N: Thanks for the reviews guys: ) Keeps me motivated! I dunno if I should end it here… or not. You tell me!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

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Chapter 26: Lunch and Dinner

Darien and Serena finally made their way back around 11: 30 a.m. and didn't reach her house until noon.

When they entered through the doorway, they were smiling and laughing, their faces pink from the cold.

Ken was in the living room reading the daily newspaper. He watched them from the corner of his eyes.

They didn't seem to notice Ken, because Darien was leaning in to kiss Serena. Right before he did, Ken stood up.

"Ready for lunch Darien?" Ken asked, looking at them. They pulled away from one another as quickly as they could, looking embarrassed.

"Umm, yes sir," Darien answered, ruffling his hand through his hair to get the snow out.

"Alright, let me go grab my coat and we'll go," Ken said, giving him a nod. That was too close, Ken thought, frowning as he walked off.

When he left the room, Serena looked up at Darien and sighed. "Have fun," she said.

Darien leaned down and rested his forehead on hers, and smiled. "Don't worry, I will," he teased, then kissed her on her nose. "I love you," he whispered for the second time that day. He couldn't help but say it. He loved saying it, and knowing that he meant it, and that his feelings were being returned.

"So do I," she whispered back, kissing him on the lips quickly before her dad came trotting back in.

"Okay, let's go," Ken said happily, throwing a coat over him. "Bye sweetheart," Ken said giving his daughter a hug.

"Bye dad," Serena said, smiling at him, returning the hug. "Don't be too harsh, alright?" she whispered to her dad quietly.

Ken parted from her, grinning cheekily. "I'll try not to," he said laughing. "Alright young man, let's go."

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Ken drove them to Panera Bread a couple of blocks away.

Darien sat in silence, feeling a little uncomfortable and awkward, looking out the window.

Ken glanced over at him as they pulled into the parking lot. Clearing his throat, he asked," Have you ever been to Panera Bread before, Darien?"

Darien turned his head to face Ken. "Um, I've seen it, but I've never actually ate there before," he answered.

"Well you're going to love it," Ken said assuringly, smiling.

Darien smiled quickly at him and nodded.

They got in and ordered. Darien got sandwich's and Ken got soup.

Ken and Darien took a booth seat while they waited for their order to be ready.

"Where did you and Serena go?" Ken asked, his eyebrows raising.

"We went to Madison Square Garden," Darien answered.

"Oh yes, very beautiful park. What did you guys do there?"

Darien started feeling a little nervous, and he subconsciously scratched the side of his head. "We walked around and had a snow fight… sir."

"You walked around the park for 4 and a half hours?" Ken asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, as if he had caught Darien lying.

Darien opened his mouth, and just as he was about to say something, an order came over the intercom. "Number 235, your order is ready," the voice said.

"Excuse me." Ken got up and went to get his food.

"Whew," Darien sighed. Saved by the intercom.

A couple of minutes later, Ken came back with two trays, one of them was obviously Darien's order.

Darien got up and helped him. "Thanks you, sir," Darien said politely.

Ken just nodded in reply, taking a seat.

Why doesn't he like me? Darien wondered as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

"Did you say you didn't have a family?' Ken asked suddenly, looking up from his soup.

"Oh… um yes sir. I lost my family when I was very little. They got in a car wreck, so I lived in an orphanage half of my life until my friend's family, the Motoki's, took me in when I was in high school," Darien answered.

Ken's face softened a little. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said genuinely, a sad look in his eyes.

Darien gave him a small smile and nodded.

They ate in silence for awhile, until Darien asked quietly," Sir… do you.. do you not like me for some reason?"

Ken looked up at him, a little puzzled and shocked. His eyebrows furrowed together. "Well, Darien, it's not that I don't like you… it's that I don't like any boys going out with my daughter. It's nothing personally against you," Ken answered, a little awkwardly.

"Ohh…" Darien nodded, looking back down at his food. When he was about to take a bite, he came up with another question, "But.. isn't that a little unfair?"

Ken was about to take a sip of his soup, but stopped, and looked back up at Darien. "Umm… well.. fairness has nothing to do with it, really."

"Oh," Darien answered again.

Ken gave a sigh. "Alright, Darien. It's not that I don't like you, it's just that you're my daughter's first boyfriend, and you're a teenager. It seems like there is nothing but sex on a young adult male's mind these days and-"

Ken got cut off. "I'm not with Serena because I want to have sex with her, sir," he answered honestly, looking serious. "I mean… of course I've thought about it before, but it's not why I'm with her."

Ken looked a little surprised and shocked for a moment, but then smiled. "I know, Darien."

"Oh," Darien answered quickly. "You… you do?" he asked, looking extremely confused.

"I know you care about my daughter, I can see it by the way you look at her and treat her," Ken said. "I was about your age when I fell for Irene," Ken said, a reminiscent smile spread across his face. "It's just I'm very protective of my daughter. You'll understand when you have children of your own."

Darien listened, looking into Ken's eyes.

"I know you two care about each other, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Ken said, now a sarcastic smile plastered on his face. "But if you ever hurt my daughter, Mr. Chiba, rest assured that you will be seeing me," Ken said as he sipped his soup.

Darien continued to stare at her father, and smile slowly creeping to his face. Finally! Finally. Her father gave his approval to him.

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Darien and Ken came home, smiling, chuckling, and talking merrily. They entered the house, dusting snow off of themselves and hanging their jackets up.

Serena was in the kitchen, helping her mother cook the turkey. She looked out towards them. Something's not right… she thought as she looked at the scene before her. Her father and Darien were getting along! "Mother!"

"Yes darling?" Irene replied as she made the stuffing.

"Mother… look! They're laughing… together," Serena said as she pointed at her father and Darien.

Irene looked worried and looked in the living room. "Why, yes they are! Isn't that wonderful?" Irene said happily, patting her daughter's back.

"No… that's not right! Dad's brainwashed him, hasn't he!"

"Sweetheart, don't be silly! Just go out there and see," Irene said, pushing her daughter through the door.

Serena stumbled into the living room. Darien and Ken had taken a seat in front of the blazing fire place, talking conversationally.

Darien looked up at her, immediately smiling once his eyes locked to hers. "Hi Serena," he said happily, getting up and going over to greet her.

Serena quickly looked at her father, who was smiling back towards her. Her eyes widened in horror. What the hell is going on! Darien came over and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her quickly.

"You helping your mom with the Thanksgiving dinner?" he asked, smiling.

"Umm… uh… yes," Serena answered slowly, stammering. "Darien.. are you okay?" she whispered, bringing his head closer to her mouth.

Darien looked over at Ken quickly, and back at Serena. "Of course… why? Is something wrong?" Darien asked, looking worriedly at Serena.

"No, nothing's wrong," Serena said backing away slowly. "Um… you two just enjoy yourselves. Me and mom will tell you when dinner's ready," she said as she walked back into the kitchen. Oh my god! Oh my god… They're getting along! She thought happily, her stomach doing flips and turns. My dad likes him.

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Dinner was served at around 7:30, the whole family ate together. Ken carved the turkey, laughing and talking happily, as Irene brought out the mashed potatoes. The fire was warm and beautiful, setting just the right atmosphere for the Holiday.

Darien looked around his surroundings. Serena was making jokes at her father, while Sam and Irene laughed joyfully. He felt like he belonged for the first time; he felt welcomed and loved. He felt like he was family. He smiled at them, the family before him. They were honest, genuine, and caring people. Their hearts were good, just like Serena's. He gazed at her longingly, and lovingly, smiling softly at her. Serena laughed at her father, and turned to look at him, a sparkle in her eyes. She saw him looking at her, and blushed, then returned his smile. The look in her eyes said everything. She loved him… just like he loved her back.

Ken's roaring laughter rang through the living room, as he cut a slice of turkey for Darien. When he had gave everyone their plates, he lifted up his glass of champagne.

"I would like to make a toast," Ken said, his eyes twinkling with joy. "May our lives always be blessed with love and laughter. May our tables always be filled with food, and may there always be a roof over our heads. We count our blessings each and every day, because there are others who are less fortunate then us. And now, I would like to welcome Mr. Darien Chiba into the Tsukino Family. You may find at times, that this family is a little odd, and chaotic, but this family is filled with love. And we welcome you into our home, and our hearts; genuinely, and completely," Ken said as he looked at Darien, smiling at him. "Now, let the feast begin!"

Serena felt a lump in her throat as she listened to her father. When he was done, Serena jumped up and wrapped her arms around her father, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you daddy," she whispered in his ears. Ken smiled down at his daughter, smiling.

Serena took a seat, and looked at Darien. His eyes were watery, and he was smiling happily. She smiled up at him, and he cleared his throat, blinking several times. He smiled back down at her, and grabbed her hand under the table, giving it a squeeze.

Everyone settled down and ate, the table clinging and clattering with forks and knives. Conversation and laughter filled the air as the feast went on.

Darien looked admiringly at his surroundings again. This time, he knew he belonged. And now, this really was his family.