Summary: Serena's and Darien's professional careers cross paths. The more they work together, the closer they become. Will they give in to their desires or remain stubborn and distant? Modern day, no senshi, UM love story.
Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns Sailor Moon. I claim no ownership of it! Only of this story, which is all mine! This is my first attempt at fanfiction! Enjoy!
Author's Note: This Chapter is Rated M! Read at your own risk! Another chapter you may not care for, but gotta get the story to progress somehow in this melodramatic fiction! My sincerest apologies on the horrible lateness of this chapter. This chapter was written, but I wasn't too happy with it and I am not sure how to change it so I do like it, but here it is anyway. I am excited about the next angsty chapter! Hope y'all are still interested!
As always, thank you to all the fans of this story who are following, have reviewed, sent messages, and made a favorite! I really appreciate it all and look forward to many, many more chapters for this story!
Enjoy! =)
Loveology
Chapter 11: The Neighbor
Coffee. He needed more of it. Darien made himself a cup of coffee from his Keurig at home but finished it before walking out the door, forcing him to stop by Starbucks on his way into work. This morning was sluggish for him and just being anxious from last night's events and not having Serena with him to wake up to, on top of all of it, his mind was all over the place.
Darien was unable to sleep the previous night. After Serena left, he busied himself cleaning up the remnants of dinner. There really weren't any leftovers, so he washed the dishes by adding them to the dishwasher. He did have himself another slice of tiramisu, but it wasn't the same without Serena spoon feeding it to him and adding her own delicious taste to the mix. He groaned.
Serena.
What was he going to do about her? All he knew for sure was that he wanted her. Wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire existence. He would easily give up everything for her, he thought. He just needed to find out how she felt about him and what her future plans consisted of. He really needed to talk to her…
Darien could not function properly and today, of all days, he had to. He had three, back-to-back, highly stressful surgeries planned and he had to focus. It was his patients' lives on the line. Forget his reputation. Darien needed to be at his best. And he knew just what would help him.
xx
He found her asleep in the physician's lounge on the small twin bed that was provided. Serena was in a deep sleep - she didn't move for anything. She must have had a long night, Darien surmised. He just needed to see her. If she were awake, they probably would have had to talk and now really wasn't the best time to have a long conversation. Just seeing her would help him get through the day.
He placed a ginger kiss to her forehead as he tucked away a few loose strands from her angelic face. Darien brought a single red rose for her. He hoped she would understand its meaning. His words from the other day echoed in his head: "It indicates a declaration of love, passionate affection… The red rose is a symbol of love and beauty…"
It was still early - quarter to five o'clock in the morning, but his first surgery was at six and he needed to change into scrubs, review the patient's chart, go over informed consent, yadda yadda yadda. He had to go and leave his Sleeping Beauty. With one last kiss to her temple, he quietly left her to slumber, hoping she would sleep for as long as she could.
xx
Serena woke up to her every-day-alarm sounding from her cell phone. Apparently they didn't need her from two ante meridiem to present. She was grateful. She needed as much sleep as she could get.
Tossing the covers off of her legs, she then swung them off the bed to stand and stretch while yawning.
Luckily her consultation was indeed complicated and kept her occupied all night. It helped her to pass out when she hit the pillow. It gave her no time to ponder her situation with Darien.
Darien.
What was she going to do about him? Now was not the time to-
"What in the world-?" She said aloud to no one in particular as she moved closer to the object that caught her attention.
In a tall, pearl studded vase sat a long-stemmed, perfectly bloomed red rose. A crescent moon charm hung from the lip of the vase. Even without a note, she knew who it was from. Serena couldn't hold her emotions in and began to cry. A mixture of happy and sad tears. Happy that he thought of her, gifted her such a precious treasure, checked in on her… and sad that she was experiencing such turmoil in her heart.
How that man could be so utterly charming, completely irresistible… and yet, so infuriatingly confusing!
She held on to her resolve to avoid him. Today should be easy since he would have surgeries to occupy his time and she would leave early today to see her new apartment. Hopefully she wouldn't be paged until later, if at all. Tomorrow she would discharge Mr. Shields at eight in the morning, not giving Darien any excuse to be on her floor… as if that would work - he had already been up to see her while she slept! Wednesday was supposed to be his half day at the office anyway. Or was that Thursday? Either way, she would be busy in the ER based on her schedule on Wednesday and would go home to Ormond to pick up her things on Thursday to move everything into her place. That would give her enough time to figure out Friday… She could just not go to Malachite's birthday celebration...Mina would understand, right?
Serena grabbed a pillow to scream in, letting out all her frustrations.
Looking at the rose, smelling it, and touching its softness, she thought of Darien. She couldn't not thank him… It was very thoughtful of him to stop by and see her and gift her a rose. The time it took to do so, especially with those strenuous surgeries plaquing his mind. Serena pulled out her phone to text him since messaging was safe. Seeing him in person was not safe right now. Looking at her phone, only to find out he had already sent her a text this morning:
Have a great day, beautiful. 3
Her heart squeezed at the message and tears started pooling again. She text back:
Your heartfelt gesture made me cry! Thank you for the beautiful gift!
You will perform perfectly today on all of your surgeries! xo
She left it at that and jumped in the shower to start her day.
xx
Call it what you will - luck, chance, fate, whatever - she did not see Darien Shields. She wasn't sure she could handle actually seeing him and talking to him in person right now. Texting was okay and safe.
A little after two in the afternoon, Serena met her realtor at the 55 West luxury apartments. Her apartment was located on the 30th floor, number 3006. After passing through the gated electronic entrance and finding a relatively close parking spot in the designated parking garage, she found her way to her new apartment. Thank goodness this place was fully furnished! Just thinking about moving furniture to this floor rivaled any nightmare she ever had.
Riding the elevator up, Serena reread Darien's text message:
Don't cry, baby. Glad you enjoyed your gift. Two surgeries down, one to go. Thinking of you always
It made her giddy to think her simple text message may be helping him get through this day with his surgeries. She felt like a schoolgirl reading love notes left in her locker between classes.
Your patients are lucky to have you, the best of the best! They are in good hands! Don't forget to take a break between surgeries and relax! xo
Her responses were appropriate and not suggestive of anything, so she felt comfortable continuing with texting him. It was probably a good thing, too, that their responses were delayed. He may want to call her and talk if he knew she was available the same time he was.
She exited the elevator and walked the interior hallway until she reached apartment 3006.
Serena knocked with a few knuckle taps before she pushed the door lever down to see if it was open. Not surprisingly, it was unlocked so she could waltz right on in.
"Knock-knock! Ashleigh? It's Serena!" She announced.
"Serena? In the kitchen! Straight down and to the right!"
Modern style furniture and amenities decorated the 1,000 square footage space, in a teal and grey color scheme. Serena rounded the short wall to reveal the adorable gourmet kitchen and, of course, a stunning realtor. Ashleigh's milky blonde head with paparazzi highlights popped up when she noticed Serena emerge from around the wall. She walked from behind the counter to officially introduce herself to Serena.
"Serena! How lovely to meet you in person!" Ashleigh embraced Serena in a light hug before she grabbed both of Serena's hands and held them out so she could get a good look at the young doctor.
Frozen in place, Serena just allowed it to happen as she couldn't get over Ashleigh's electric blue eye color. Were those a real color? Contacts...?
"You are exquisitely attractive! It's no wonder Darien insisted on getting you set up right away! So persistent! He probably couldn't stand the thought of not having you so close to him! Though why he wouldn't keep you at his place is beyond me… but not my business! Anyway!" The perky, fast-talking realtor said as she released Serena and walked back to the kitchen counter.
If it were possible, Serena's eyes popped out as big as saucers at the remark. This woman was full of surprises! She could probably sell a rusted barn to a tetanus-induced farmer. She was just that smooth-talking, based on all the conversations they had been conversing over the phone lately.
"Umm… hello…and he...what…?" Serena was recovering from the shock of everything said and how stunning this woman was and her eyes…? And what was it Darien said about her again?
"Oh, come now! You must know the man adores you!" Ashleigh briefly looked back to where Serena was still standing before bringing her eyes back to her laptop sitting in front of her. "I swear, he asked me at least once every day if I found you a place yet. Honestly, I appreciate the man's referrals to me, but he was starting to drive me crazy! I almost threatened to move my nephew out of his rental place just to get you in somewhere! It's a…"
Serena's heart was beating rather rapidly. Did he really do that for her? He probably would have allowed her to stay at his place, but he knew how much it would mean for her to have her own place. Especially in the beginning, before they were so close and got to know one another and...whatever status it was they were currently in.
Ashleigh's breath-taking beauty was overriding anything Serena could focus on. Her babbling wasn't reaching Serena's ears, but there was one question Serena was dying to ask her so she interrupted her speech with it:
"Have you and Darien ever been together?" Her cheeks flamed red after she asked the question, but she stayed strong, lifting her chin higher. Serena didn't know what it was about this man that had her completely enraptured with, but she was so curious about him and wanted to know everything.
Ashleigh gave a weak smile in response.
"Please don't let the answer dissuade you from pursuing a relationship with Darien." Ashleigh requested of her. A sigh escaped her rose-tinted lips before she instructed Serena to sit down in one of the stools at the breakfast bar across from her.
Serena did as asked and placed her hands lightly on the counter, anxiously awaiting her response with a small frown.
"Yes, we've been together before. It was years ago, however. Darien doesn't mix his business with pleasure." Ashleigh stopped there when Serena's eyebrows knitted together and she shook her head.
"Wait a minute - I don't understand. He doesn't 'mix his business with pleasure'?" Serena asked, focusing on those words. Blinking and lost in thought, Serena tried to make sense of what she was saying. Darien and her had experienced hugs, kisses, embraces, touches - last night's pleasurable event crossed her mind. They made out with so much passion. Darien had undressed her, had started...
Ashleigh started again, cutting into Serena's thoughts. "We met before I was a realtor. Back -" she gulped, hoping this wouldn't make things worse for Darien. "- back when I worked for Andrew."
Ashleigh let that set in for a second, wondering if Serena knew of Andrew. She continued after Serena's eyes widened again and she nodded, understanding her meaning. Darien had just revealed Andrew's profession last night to her.
"Once I became a realtor though, he was very adamant about not continuing our occasional dalliance. He made it clear that if I wanted his business - and I definitely do because he essentially provides seventy percent of my revenue with his referrals - him and I would have to end our physical relationship."
Serena continued nodding. She probably reminded Ashleigh of a Bobble Head.
"There was never any emotional attachment between us." She tried reassuring Serena. "Again, that was years ago. I am now happily married with my four year anniversary coming up in two months!"
Serena smiled softly to her. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." Ashleigh smiled in return. She liked Serena and the way Darien was pressuring her about helping Serena out, she could tell he liked her too. If only she could help push them together.
"Serena?" Ashleigh tried when it looked like she was losing Serena to her thoughts again.
"Yes?" Serena gave her attention, sitting up straighter.
"Darien definitely has a reputation." All the cards needed to be laid out if she was going to try and help Darien get the girl.
Her eyebrows furrowed together. "What do you mean?"
Ashleigh blinked at her. "You're not from around here, are you?" Serena couldn't be if she was unaware of Orlando's hottest bachelor's social life. Though, one probably could have figured it out in a quick Google search.
Her head shook negatively to answer.
"Darien mentioned you work at the hospital with him. Is that correct?"
A nod came in response to her question.
He was falling for this woman, Ashleigh deduced. She decided then that Serena needed to know everything if a relationship between Serena and Darien would ever be possible. Darien may take forever to reveal anything to her.
"I hope Darien doesn't kill me for this…" Ashleigh smiled at Serena who lifted her eyebrows in an inquisitive manner.
"Look, this isn't my place to say, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I like you and I know Darien does too and he deserves someone to make him happy…"
Serena's eyebrows shot up at that.
"You must be driving him insane!" Ashleigh verbalized with a grin as she thought about Darien.
Again Serena questioned Ashleigh with her eyebrows knitted and a grumpy frown that Ashleigh just laughed at. This woman was so expressive! Ashleigh thought.
"Okay, hear me out." Ashleigh said with her hands up in surrender. "Darien doesn't bring his work to the bedroom. He really likes you, but due to his own rules, he can't - or won't, I should say - have you. It must be a tough battle between the heads…" She trailed off.
After a moment of silence, "That explains so much…" Serena divulged, pondering this past week's events.
"And on top of that, Darien has an extremely high sex drive." Ashleigh was simply amazed at Darien's situation. He was probably living in his own hell… poor guy.
Serena blinked rapidly. "That...explains even more..." She thought out loud. How he seemed pained to not progress further during certain times… why he wouldn't progress with her… his actions with others… It was all starting to make sense.
Her mind came back to the present, staring at Serena's contemplative eyes.
"I pity the man though. I don't think he has ever been in love. I'm not sure he would even know how to act or what to do if ever he was," voiced Ashleigh sympathetically.
Serena just stared at her.
"Serena, I'm sorry if what I revealed was too much, too soon? I genuinely hope it works out between the two of you… if… if that's what you want? He deserves happiness… and it seems like he wants that happiness with you." Ashleigh was praying she didn't mess this all up with Darien.
"Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it all." Serena said with genuine thanks.
Ashleigh returned her smile. "Now, let's get this lease signed!"
xx
Serena held the door open as Ashleigh was bidding her farewell.
During their conversation, a pizza man had made his way down the long hall and stopped at the door directly across from Serena's new door. The aroma of Italian sausage and possibly BBQ sauce had her salivating. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't had anything to eat since the yogurt and apple she quickly ate earlier that morning.
The two women laughed at Serena's expense and the topic of a late lunch was discussed. They were barely paying the delivery man any attention until the person who opened the door that was knocked on, was revealed.
Serena gasped, causing everyone to look at her. Ashleigh looked at what made her gasp - Serena's new neighbor; the delivery man looked at her as he waited for the person he was delivering food to, to sign the paper that indicated they paid with a card; and the person who opened the door smirked at Serena as he signed the paper, not even looking at what he was signing.
Afterwards, the pizza man said his thanks and wished them all a good day before resuming his trek. Ashleigh gave Serena a small smile, now concerned with the turn of events. This may also throw a wrench into any progress of a relationship between Darien and Serena, she thought.
"Good luck in your new place and with you-know-who." She whispered the last part and with a wink, Ashleigh left Serena to handle her new neighbor. Serena thanked her with a smile and let her eyes trail after her realtor before she begrudgingly shifted her gaze to her neighbor.
"Well, well, well! What an exciting surprise this is!" His posture was cocky as he leaned against his door frame, holding the pizza box and other food item box to the side so Serena could clearly see he was only wearing a towel low on his hips. His wet hair dripped slightly, indicating he had just got out of the shower with no time to dress before answering the door.
To Serena's additional horror, her stomach growled again, regardless of her current displeasure at finding out who her new neighbor was.
His laughter sounded as he too heard her stomach's protest at the lack of food she made it suffer with for this long.
He opened his door wider, "Come on, let me share my lunch with you."
She hesitated with his offer as she considered her options. Serena's fridge was probably bare - no one having lived here for a week as they had it cleaned and detailed before she could move in. The grocery store or fast food were options, but that would mean she would have to leave, find a place, wait for food, or make the food…while his food was right there and readily available for consumption…
He opened the pizza box to entice her more and persuade her to accept his offer. Serena felt her keys in her hand. She dropped her head and nodded to him before locking her door with her keys and following him into his place with her head still held low.
xx
"Mmmmmm, this tastes so good!"
He laughed at her reaction. "It's the best pizza place in town and it's right around the corner! I have their food delivered at least once a week."
Serena continued to moan at the deliciousness of her pizza slice. It had him thinking dangerous thoughts.
"I will order extra next time and invite you over again." He smirked playfully.
Serena gulped. "Listen, I'm thankful for you allowing me to share your lunch today, but I will be better prepared after this."
He ignored her rejection and focused on the gratifying revelation of Serena being 10 feet away from him on a daily basis.
"So, you live across the hall now? That's pretty amazing, if I say so myself."
She rolled her eyes. "I just need a place to crash a few nights a week while I am here for work."
"How convenient you will be right across the hall from me. Feel free to come over any time for any reason…" His eyebrows wiggled suggestively and he intentionally left the offer open for further interpretation.
Serena shook her head at his suggestive thoughts. It brought her mind back to the night of the banquet ceremony. She needed to talk to him about that. And she would… but after she ate her fill and satisfied her stomach…
It didn't help that he was sitting next to her at his breakfast bar with only his towel on. Seeing him practically naked had memories replaying in her mind. She quickly finished the slice she was eating and grabbed another one. Maybe this conversation would be easier if she were still eating while she talked…
"Have I mentioned how much of a turn on it is watching you eat?" His eyes were watching her mouth open to bring the pizza crust in, closing her mouth around it to take a bite of it, and then seeing her jaw rotate…
She turned her attention to him as she popped the last piece of crust into her mouth. He was smirking while biting down on his bottom lip. His towel was sporting a tent now. Serena rolled her eyes and grabbed another slice. Now that he mentioned it, looking back throughout their relationship, eating usually involved or led to sexual activities.
"So…" Serena took a small bite. "About the other night." Then a bigger bite, hoping for him to broach the subject. His eyes went dark as they settled on her mouth as she shoved too much in it than she should. She would be chewing for a while, which would give him enough time to say what he needed to say.
"I can't apologize enough." He started. Serena nodded in return. "Sorry for hurting you in the first place - not for pleasuring you the other night." She stopped chewing and turned her head to him.
Good, he had her attention. "I still care for you, Serena." He reached for her calf, massaging it with one hand before he brought his other hand to do the same. This caused her to swivel the stool, turning more towards his direction. "I want to show you how much I still care for you." He held her stare. "I would love nothing more than to try again with you. I would spend the rest of my life proving my love for you. And while at it," His cocky smirk appeared, "I meant what I said the other day - I would love to remind you how much pleasure we shared." He brought her foot to rest on his lower thigh, dangerously close to his evident hard-on.
She mewed and closed her eyes. Then gulped as she realized how her response may have been interpreted.
This is not what she was imagining would happen. She wasn't expecting him to still harbor feelings for her. He had hurt her more than anyone else. More so because she had actually loved him too. She would be lying if she told herself that she still didn't have feelings for him. How could she not though? She had given him her whole heart at one point and he shattered it. Maybe not intentionally, but the effect was still the same.
"I'm not sure I can go through that again." She confessed in a whisper. Her back slouched further down into the cushioned back of the stool. His hands were working her muscles expertly. The remnants of her latest pizza slice dropped into the cardboard box that contained the rest of the pizza slices.
Ryland was not going to let this opportunity pass for him. He would try his damndest to remind her what they shared. "Do you remember that trip we took to Tennessee when we were stuck in that cabin because of the snow storm?"
She didn't answer and her eyes were closed, but he saw the faintest smile and the lightest shade of pink color her cheeks. He knew she remembered so he continued to tell their story.
"The most vivid part of that memory for me, and the one I refer to the most when I need a release, is of you coming to me with a tray of hot chocolate and smores in nothing but those thigh-high stockings..."
Serena could hear him swallow and groan at the memory. Her throat was turning dry. It didn't help that he had started massaging one foot after bringing both feet to rest on his thighs. He always was so good with his hands… the banquet quickly flashed in her mind giving her a more recent account of how skilled he indeed was with those same hands and fingers…
"... the knitted white ones with that fluffy trim encasing your upper thighs."
Oh she remembered that alright. Those stockings were about the only thing she wore for the whole weekend. Being stuck in the cabin had been magical and romantic with the roaring fireplace and the soft furs on the bed, the floor, the couch, the chairs…
His hands began to roam further up her legs, briefly massaging her calves again before heading slowly up her thighs.
"I distinctly remember how the fluffy trim tickled my face and neck as my tongue grazed your inner thighs…"
A soft moan escaped her parted lips. She couldn't help it. The memory was becoming so lucid and tangible to her. Then there was what Mina termed 'blue vulva,' the equivalent of blue balls for women, of an uncomfortable pain of prolonged horniess. Darien wasn't helping in that department either. With his continued teasing and the sexual frustration it caused… This attention was welcomed and highly needed.
"Then how much it warmed my ears when you clamped your legs on my head as I probed, sucked, and licked your sweet pussy…" Ryland could barely hold himself back from reenacting those memories. His erection was becoming torturesome.
It was almost impossible to keep her legs together at this point. With the storytelling and the perfect visual of a soft porn movie, Serena was ready and willing.
"Oooh!" Her chest was heaving with each shallow breath and her puckered nipples were brushing against the silk of her bra under her challis blouse.
"I can smell your arousal, Sugarpuss…" His hands pushed her satin midi skirt up, causing it to bunch up around her hips.
"Do you know how intoxicating your scent is?" He asked as his nose rubbed both sides of her inner thigh.
Incoherent moans were escaping her more frequently now.
"And do you know how drunk I get off of your taste?" The anticipation of what was to come had her legs shaking. She about jumped completely out of the chair when his tongue licked her wet panties.
Her hands were gripping the arms of the chair in a deathgrip, knuckles turning white. Serena bit her lip to try to keep from screaming out any names.
He had one more question before he continued. "Do you want this as much as I do?"
She responded with a brief nod. That wasn't good enough for him. He brought his finger to do as his tongue had done.
"Do you?"
She nodded more, still keeping her lip between her teeth, eyes closed, not wanting to verify his face instead of another's, even though his voice was very different from the one she actually wanted to be doing this to her.
"Say it."
"I do." Serena squeaked.
He could play this game all night but he would be denying himself pleasure. Ryland's hands grabbed her thighs to keep her steady as he teasingly blew over the wetness of her panties.
Her legs tried to close on him, but he wouldn't allow it. He used his finger to push her panties to the side, holding them away with his thumb, before having the aforementioned finger trail her folds. Serena bucked at his ministrations and sounded a whimpered whine. He smirked at her response and entered two digits inside her.
The intake of breath she took caused him to watch her expressions. This is what he loved. What he craved. What swelled his male ego. How he could delight her and pleasure her so sweetly.
He continued to pump into her, adding another digit soon after. It was when his tongue joined the party did Serena finally become vocal, allowing her teeth to break from her lower lip.
"Oh, gods, yes!"
She could feel his smile as his tongue licked and sucked her clit. Fuck was she going to climax soon.
"I can feel you getting tighter, baby. Cum for me."
Using the breakfast bar for leverage, Serena raised her hips to essentially face-fuck him. Soon after, Ryland felt her release on his fingers, removing them so he could lap her juices up. Serena quivered as he continued, being so sensitive after the orgasm but too tired to do anything else but allow him to do so.
"You taste sweeter than I remembered, Sugarpuss." Ryland stood up and over her as she continued to slow her breathing down. His towel had fallen at some point and now he began to pump his erection.
As if a signal from the gods themselves, Serena's phone shrilled and buzzed from the vibration as it scooted across the counter. Ryland's head fell back in annoyance at the interruption and the likelihood of masterbation being his release.
Serena's eyes widened and she jumped up to try to answer the call. It was the hospital calling her. Her skirt fell back into place when she stood up and she adjusted her panties when she answered, "This is Dr. Lunarea."
Ryland found it so hot that she was standing in his apartment at his breakfast bar, fixing herself after being pleasured by his hands...and mouth. What a delicious afternoon this turned out to be. Who cares if the cable guy shows up at this point. The awful time slot between two and four in the afternoon, ruining his lunch plans with a potential investor. Having Serena for lunch made it all worth it.
"Thank you…" She blushed red. Thank him for getting her off? This was happening too often for her. "...thank you for lunch," She added. "...I..I have to go…" Serena said as she looked under the pizza box for her keys. Was that regret in her voice? She curled her keys in her hand and moved towards the door.
Ryland grabbed her arm to halt her movements. "Hey…"
Serena stopped and looked him in the eyes. He was smiling smugly at her and using his thumbs to brush her cheeks. She was frowning, feeling dirty and confused again. What the hell was she doing?! She was not like this! Usually! But lately… who knows what was coming over her.
"I won't stop trying to prove my love to you and I will continue to do so until you tell me otherwise. All while you try to figure out your feelings. I will fight for you, Serena. I won't give up."
Serena stiffened. Is that what she wanted? Did she want to get back with Ryland? What about Darien? What about that woman who wanted Darien? She didn't have time for this.
"I'm sorry, I have to go." Serena responded as she jogged to the door. She didn't look back as she opened the door to leave, closing it behind her and trying to get far away from all her troubles.
xx
The last surgery was completed. Darien was removing his gloves and pulling off his gown to scrub out at the medical sink. A nurse mentioned something the patient had requested for their post recovery room, but Darien's thoughts were on notifying the family of the operation and going home. It had been a long and tedious day for him. The clock on the wall read eight twenty-two in the evening. That wasn't so bad considering he only performed minimally invasive surgeries.
His stamina and commitment to do these surgeries are what allow him to schedule these every other week. He still had his share of 18+ hours of tag-team surgeries, but those were few and far inbetween.
As Darien made his way down the hall to the waiting room to notify the family of their family member's condition, he replayed the surgery in his mind. Everything went smoothly until the anesthesiologist and the surgical nurse began to discuss a particular Cardiologist and certain Hospitalist. They didn't provide any names, but Darien knew exactly who they were talking about. Darien couldn't figure out if these two were purposely talking about Serena and Stevenson in front of him or were completely clueless about Darien's involvement with Serena. Either way, he snapped at both of them and told them to quit casually discussing gossip during his surgery or they would be replaced immediately and indefinitely. They both apologized profusely and were terrified of discussing anything else unrelated to the surgery. Luckily, Darien only had about a half hour remaining at that point, but his mind was distracted and kept trying to think of a certain blonde goddess. This again reminded him of why he had his oath. Mixing business with pleasure was an unnecessary distraction. One that could cost him a patient's life. He sighed and tried to clear his mind before he opened the waiting room doors.
xx
After showering and changing back into his suit, Darien went to his office where he was given the results of some of his clinical trials. They were promising. He would need to devote his attention to those on Thursday. Tomorrow had him at the office all day. Hopefully he wouldn't need to allocate much of his time at the office anymore with his father making a fast recovery.
Everything always led back to Serena it seemed - surgery, his father's recovery, his dreams, his waking thoughts, and now this package.
On his desk was a blank package that he opened up to reveal what his heart now beat for: Serena. It was a framed picture of him and Serena the night of the banquet. Rita captured this moment on her camera without them knowing or even posing for it. He was embracing her from behind, his arms across her midsection with her arms crossed over his. She was laughing at something he said while they both looked lovingly at one another. His face wasn't too visible, but it showed her face perfectly. Her smile was warming and radiant as it always was. On the bottom of the frame was a Post-It note that read: Thought you might like this!
Darien smiled a genuine happy smile and mentally noted to thank Rita for this thoughtful gift. He went through the rest of the photos and decided to keep one of the group photos of all of them on his shelf in the office. The rest would go home with him for now, with maybe one of him and Serena coming back to sit on his desk when they decided on the status of their relationship, if it could or would ever happen.
An alert on his phone started going off and he went through his briefcase to find it. He forgot he locked it in there when he went in for his last surgery.
When he pulled out his phone, the alarm was signaling him to check in with Eliza about Serena's bracelet. He hoped it would be ready and in his hands by tomorrow so that he could present it to Serena in the morning before he went to the office. It could wait until the evening, but the thought of Serena wearing it all day may his heart flutter.
So many notifications were listed, but the one he looked to first was from Serena. She had simply texted him: If I don't get a chance to see or talk to you, good night, sweet dreams! xo
She sent it at nine forty-three. That was ten minutes ago. Talking with his patient's family took a bit of time and then showering took a while. Just standing under the showerhead to wash away today's events was refreshing. If she sent that, it probably meant she was done for the night or had a patient case to deal with.
He tried calling her, but it only rang and rang. She was probably with a patient and her phone was on silent. As much as he was dying to see her and kiss her and hold her, he knew it may take forever to find her and he was dead on his feet. It would take all of his energy just to get home. His only assurance was she could possibly be at his house waiting for him to come home or he would see her in the morning. That would help his achy heart.
xx
Serena felt her phone vibrating when she was auscultating a patient's heart. Her bedside manner prevented her from peeking at her phone until she was completely done with her current patient, and outside of their room and at the nurse's station. She had spent almost the entire time since she was called in around three thirty this afternoon until now, ten forty-five, in the ER.
When she did finally get a chance to look at her phone she saw a missed call from Darien. Her heart skipped a beat. He must be done with his surgeries if he was calling. That was almost an hour ago. He was probably home and in bed by now. Where she wanted to be.
Serena signed off on this last order and called it a day. With her apartment right down the street now, she decided to head there and try to get some sleep. If she wasn't called sometime before eight in the morning, she would be right back here at that time. She wanted to get as much rest as she could without staying another night in the physician's lounge. It was wishful thinking that Ryland wouldn't still be up and waiting for her to come home. She couldn't handle any more drama today.