A.N: When I wrote 'heated' I meant closer. Haha. Or maybe not… I might change my mind. But I guess you'll find out!
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Chapter 45: Scrabble
The flight to New York was smooth and rather quick. The moment the plane entered New York, all you could see was layers upon layers of white, untouched snow. Schools in New York had been cancelled due to bad weather for weeks, so children had an extra-long vacation. The pure white blanket of snow looked absolutely amazing from up above.
Serena tugged on a warm jacket as the plane neared the airport. Darien, who was right next to her sleeping and leaning his head against the window, had been dozed off for most of the flight. Serena watched him, smiling to herself as he wheezed quietly. Serena leaned in towards him and placed her lips close to his ear and whispered," Wake-up sleepy. We're almost here." When she saw that he didn't stir, she tickled his stomach gently… still nothing. What am I going to do with you? She thought to herself as she shook her head still smiling. Serena leaned in again and whispered," Darien! My dad wants to speak with you." That did it.
Darien jumped in his seat, still dazed from sleep. His eyes searching about for Ken, feeling absolutely terrified. When he finally figured out he was still on the plane, he frowned, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I had a bad dream," he murmured like a little five year old.
Serena laughed and kissed him quickly on his cheek. "It was me, silly. You wouldn't wake up and we're almost here. Put on your jacket." Serena thought he looked completely adorable right now. He had just woken up, so his face looked a little confused. His hair had a cowlick, from where he laid his head against the window, so it looked messy; sticking all about. His lips were in a slight pout from having to wake up.
Darien obeyed Serena's command, so he shoved his arms through the jacket quickly, and settled his head back against the window, sleepily closing his eyes again.
Serena laughed and rested her head on his shoulder. He gently wrapped an arm around her as she did so, pulling her in as close as he could. "You're going to have to wake up, you know," Serena said gently, looking up at him.
Darien nodded in response, his eyes still closed.
"This is the only time we're probably going to have together, alone, and you're choosing to sleep?" Serena asked, looking bemused.
Darien nodded again, eyes still closed.
Serena elbowed him in the side of his stomach and he let go of her, laughing. "I'm just kidding," he said quietly. "I'm awake, now."
Serena grinned and settled herself back in his warm embrace. "I bet your excited to reunite with my father, huh?" she teased him.
At the thought of Serena's dad, Darien grimaced a bit. It was true that Darien left on 'good-terms' with Ken, but he didn't know how Ken felt about him coming back. That man is full of surprises, Darien thought as the voice of the captain came over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the voice said," Please, at this time, buckle up your seatbelts again. We will be landing in approximately ten minutes. Thank you."
Darien sat up straighter in his seat. He glanced down at his seatbelt, making sure it was buckled, and then he glanced at the top of Serena's head. She was resting against him, looking past him and out the window. She was oblivious to the fact that Darien was watching her quietly. She looked so innocent and angelic. Her hair was down and it was completely straight. Darien could smell the scent of her shampoo as she gazed out the window. She suddenly looked up at him, and realized he was already staring at her.
"Something wrong?" she asked as she parted from him a little.
Darien smiled at her and shook his head. He took his hand and gently pushed aside a strand of hair from her face, then placed his hand under her chin to tilt her head slightly. "Since we only have ten minutes to be alone, I guess I had better take this chance to kiss you, huh?" he whispered, throwing her one of his charming smiles.
Serena grinned and nodded as he bent down the rest of the way to meet her lips for a searing kiss that gave Serena goose bumps. She was starting to realize that it was getting harder and harder for her to contain herself and to resist temptation. One touch from Darien drove her insane, and a single kiss made her mind spin out of control. Just as quickly as the kiss had started, it ended, leaving Serena feeling dazed and love struck.
Before either of them knew it, the plane touched the earth, giving an expected jolt. Last time they visited New York, they took a taxi to go to her home, as a surprise. This time her entire family was waiting for her and Darien's arrival at the airport.
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Ken fidgeted in the waiting area, feeling uneasy with each passing second. Sure, Darien's intentions with his daughter were admirable, and he told Darien he didn't have a problem with him… but Ken's natural "fatherly" instincts kicked in again.
Irene was sitting next to her husband, patiently awaiting Serena and Darien's arrival. She watched as her husband twisted a newspaper in his hands, his eyes looking stern. Irene smiled and took a hold of her husband's hands. "Ken, calm down," she whispered sweetly.
Ken looked at his wife, his eyes immediately softening. He smiled and gave her hand a loving squeeze. "It's just he'll be here again…"
"You mean, Darien?" Irene asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ken looked sheepish as he nodded, giving a heavy sigh.
"You're not going to be hard on him again, are you?" Irene asked, looking a little concerned.
Ken glanced at her and turned his head as he watched Sam, who was idly standing by the large windows, looking at the magnificent aircrafts, watching them take flight, and land. He'd grown about an inch or two within a month, looking a little different.
"Ken…" Irene said forcibly.
"I'm not going to do anything," Ken scuffed, looking like he'd been caught stealing.
Irene shook her head, looking away. "Keep in mind, Ken, that Darien does not have a family. I'm sure Christmas is difficult for him enough without having you add to his stress," she said quietly.
Ken looked down, feeling a pang of guilt. Just as he was about to say something, the gate opened and people started to file out of the terminal. He'd been too busy worrying about Darien; he hadn't noticed the plane had landed already.
Sam trotted over, his hands in his pockets as he glanced toward the terminal for his sister, his turquoise eyes shining with anticipation.
As Irene told Ken to behave, Serena and Darien walked out of the terminal, hand-in-hand. Irene stopped scolding Ken, and rushed to Serena's side, quickly hugging her and laughing, looking a little teary afterwards.
Ken smiled as he looked at his little girl. She hadn't changed much since her last visit. The only thing was she seemed more happy and vivid… much to Ken's dislike.
When Irene was finished hugging Serena, Darien was next. Her hug caught Darien off-guard. He laughed and returned her hug while greeting her.
Serena looked at her father lovingly and came over to him, throwing her arms around him. "I've missed you, daddy," she said softly, squeezing him.
He chuckled, patting her on the back. "I've missed you too, sweetheart. Welcome home." When she pulled away, she looked into his eyes, her own sparkling with happiness.
She walked over to Sam, looking a little surprised by his sudden growth spurt. "You just keep getting taller and taller," she said as she hugged him, ruffling his hair afterwards.
Sam laughed, jokingly shoving her away. He was now a couple of inches taller then Serena.
Darien walked over to Ken, smiling politely at him. He couldn't help but feel nervous in the presence of Serena's overprotecting father. Darien could feel Ken's eyes trying to scrutinize Darien.
"Welcome back, Darien," Ken said nicely, shaking hands with Darien and patting him firmly on the shoulder.
"Thank you sir," Darien replied, nodding his head.
Sam trotted towards Darien, all smiles. "Hey, Darien! Glad to have you back," he greeted.
Darien smiled back and thanked him.
As the family, and Darien, all reunited and caught up with one another, they all went to the baggage claim to pick up Darien and Serena's luggage.
Soon after, they all shuffled out into the cold New York air, snow falling gently all around them as they got into the van and headed home.
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Ken decided to let go his need to interrogate Darien. As of right now, he'd trust Darien until he gave him a reason not too. He saw how happy Serena was around Darien, and vice versa. The two were always joking with one another, smiling. He wanted to make their stay as welcoming as he possibly could.
Everyone sat down that night to a wonderful dinner, of course provided for by Irene. Serena had missed home cooked meals, and sitting with her family to talk and laugh. Serena had noticed that Ken wasn't as uptight about Darien as he was last time. She was proud of her father. He was sitting two seats down from her at the end of the table, laughing cheerfully as Sam told a joke. She'd also taken notice that her father was aging, but he was aging quite gracefully. Every time Ken would smile or laugh, the corners of his eyes would crinkle together, forming little wrinkles—crows feet. But this feature made him more charming. Irene, on the other hand, seemed as if she hadn't aged a bit. With her soft features and light wavy hair, she was a very beautiful lady indeed. She possessed such gentleness it was entirely difficult for anyone to dislike her. She had been the perfect mother and role model for Serena over the years.
When dinner was through, everyone came into the living room to play a game of Scrabble. Darien felt so welcomed and wanted in this family now; it made him smile as he watched the family before him argue about a word that wasn't in the dictionary.
"That is too a word," Ken bickered, frowning in frustration as he looked at the board. He had spelled out the word- Perv.
Serena laughed, shaking her head. "Dad, if it were 'pervert' it'd be a word. But 'perv' is not a word," she reassured him.
Ken shook his head, not wanting to lose such a battle. "It's an abbreviation to 'pervert'," he quickly rebutted. "People say 'he's a perv' all the time! Why can't it be a word?"
"Because it's not an ACTUAL word, dad. It's a slang," Sam responded, rolling his eyes.
Irene laughed sweetly and gently touched Ken's shoulder for comfort. "Sweetheart, just take it back and form a new word."
Ken pouted as he took his letters back. Then he defiantly mumbled," Pass."
In the end, Sam won, and Ken was in last place. Sam taunted his father further by bragging about his victory.
Ken smiled disapprovingly and shook his head. "Alright, off to bed with you, Sam."
"Hey! That's not fair, dad," Sam said, now looking glum.
Ken stood up, grinning now. "You may have beaten me in Scrabble, but by the end of the day, I'm still your father and I still make the rules."
Serena stood up as well, shaking her head at her father. "You're such a stubborn man, dad," she teased.
Everyone eventually headed off to bed. The next several days were going to be extremely interesting.
