A/N: One more chapter for everyone thanks for all your patience and love for the story!
Unfortunately for Serena the weekend ended as shortly as it had came she wasn't looking forward to the whole day. She had to go to school which was always a bummer but she had to watch Hotaru which was wonderful but she wasn't looking forward to seeing Darien again. She quickly dressed herself for school and did her hair and makeup and made her way out the door to her school.
Her classes seemed to drag out until she reached her math class. Before she even reached her desk she was stopped by Seiya.
"Hey Serena sorry to bother you but I didn't hear from you the rest of the weekend I was wondering if I could take you out sometime?" Seiya asked.
He was almost relentless Serena began to think, it wasn't that she didn't like him it was just she was busy. But he was almost bothering her now but made up in her mind what could it hurt to go out and hangout with him once.
"Sure why not and sorry I was doing homework last night and I didn't have time to text you," Serena smiled.
"What do you think about a movie this Friday?" He smiled like a kid on Christmas delighted at her agreement.
"I will have to babysit but let me ask the kid's dad if he can come home early so we can catch a movie," Serena said wondering at what Darien would think of her having a date.
"Great and I can pick you up over at where you are babysitting too to save us some time," Seiya smiled.
"Oh you drive?" Serena giggled.
"I do and I'll pay too like a gentleman," He laughed.
It was refreshing to have a real date night she always had to pay for herself when she was with Andrew and she didn't mind but every now and then it's refreshing to feel spoiled.
With that the bell rang indicating class had begun and their teacher Ms. H wasted no time to hop into the boring lesson. Serena began to drift off into her thoughts wondering how she was going to ask Darien to come home earlier so she could go out on a date. If she was clear he was done with her too so it shouldn't be too bad but Serena almost wanted him to be jealous. He hurt her pretty bad and to make him feel some pain for that sounded pretty fair in her head.
The bell rang now again indicating class had ended and Seiya stood up and walked with Serena to her next class.
"So what movie would you like to see? You're the lady you get to choose," Seiya said while he walked with her.
"I think I want to see that new chick flick that came out," Serena said eying him to see his reaction but he did not seem phased by the comment of a chick flick, "I was just kidding you don't have to watch a girl movie on a date with me I don't care what we see just no horror or all this blood and guts please."
"I would see any movie as long as it was with you but alright no horror or blood, how about that new comedy movie?" Seiya asked.
"That sounds perfect," Serena blushed at how much of a gentleman he was.
"Alright now you let me know when I can pick you up," He said then walked away to his classroom while Serena walked towards her next class.
The rest of the day dragged out slowly and then finally the school day had ended. Once Serena left the school grounds she began to make her way over to the daycare Beryl had instructed her that Hotaru needed to be picked up from. She made her way into the colorfully painted building that had different playground equipment on the outside.
"Serena!" Hotaru shouted and ran towards her.
"Hey kiddo," Serena smiled down at her.
Once she received approval from one of the ladies running the daycare she left with Hotaru towards Hotaru's home.
"What are we going to do today?" Hotaru asked.
"Well what sounds fun?" Serena said cheerfully to young girl.
"Can we make cookies for Daddy?" Hotaru smiled.
"I don't know cookies sound awfully messy," Serena said.
"Please," Hotaru said while her lips turned into a pout and she began to beg.
"Alright but you have to help me clean up too," Serena chuckled.
"I promise I will," Hotaru said with a big smile spread across her face while the two approached Hotaru's home.
Serena began to unlock the door with the key Beryl gave her and opened the door letting the two of them inside. Once inside Hotaru ran to the kitchen excited to start baking. Serena began to search for recipes on her phone once she found a perfect sugar cookie recipe she began to get all the ingredients and supplies out of various cupboards and drawers.
"What can I do Serena?" Hotaru asked.
"I will let you stir just let me get everything prepped," Serena said as she measured out some sugar and put into the large metal bowl.
Once everything was measured and into the bowl she helped Hotaru stir everything together without making a huge mess.
"Now that were done stirring do we want to make the cookies into shapes?" Serena asked with a smile.
"Yea mommy has some design thingys in that drawer," Hotaru smiled pointing a cupboard Serena nodded and got some of the cookie cutters Hotaru was talking about out.
"Which designs do you want to use Hotaru?" Serena said showing the girl all the cookie cutters.
"I want to use the heart and bunny design! The heart will show they're from me because I love my daddy and the bunny will show they are from you!"
"How does the bunny show it's from me?" Serena asked raising her brow.
"You remind me of a bunny," Hotaru giggled like Serena didn't understand the idea.
"But how?" Serena asked again.
"Well those buns on your head remind me of a bunny!" Hotaru giggled while the two began to cut the cookies in the designs Hotaru choose.
Once all the cookies were cut into the designs Serena put them onto a greased cookie sheet and into the oven.
"How long till they are ready Bunny?" Hotaru asked.
"So you're calling me bunny now?" Serena laughed at the girl.
"It's your nickname from now on," Hotaru smiled up at her.
"Well I like it," Serena said ruffling the girl's hair and felt special that the girl had given her a nickname she really liked Hotaru.
Once the timer beeped indicating the cookies were ready Serena rushed over to the oven and put on some oven mitts and began to retrieve the cookies from the oven. Once she got them out and placed them carefully onto the counter where they wouldn't burn the counter top both girls awed over how beautiful the cookies turned out. Serena then sprinkled some powder sugar over them and allowed them to cool while the girls then headed over to the TV where Serena yet again put on my little pony for the two to watch for the night.
"What is your favorite pony Hotaru?" Serena asked.
"Twilight Sparkle because she is my favorite colors," Hotaru smiled while her eyes never left the screen.
After a long silence Hotaru looked away from the screen and at Serena an asked, "Bunny when does mommy come home?"
"I don't know I will ask your dad and I will tell you," Serena said finding it odd she actually had no idea how long Beryl was going to be away for.
"I miss her," she said tears welling up in her eyes.
"I am sure she misses you two honey she will come home soon," Serena said.
"She isn't home ever neither is daddy," The girl began to cry.
"But they both want to be home with you please don't cry," Serena frowned feeling guilty for the girl and hugged her gently.
After some time passed and many episodes of my little pony Hotaru and calmed down and became mesmerized by the show again.
Serena then heard the door open and then some footsteps coming their way.
"Hey Hotaru!" Darien said kneeling down with his arms open waiting for a hug from his little girl.
"Daddy!" Hotaru shrieked and jumped off the couch running towards him hugging him back.
"What did you and Serena do today?" Darien asked her.
"We baked cookies for you the heart is from you and then the bunny is from Bunny!" She said excitedly.
Watching the exchange between the two made Serena happy from some odd reason. Watching Darien be so good with his daughter just made her happy to know he really did care for her. It almost made her wonder why Darien betrayed his family by cheating. He had everything perfect sure he hadn't seen him with Beryl but they appeared to have everything.
"Bunny is her nickname now?" Darien asked his daughter.
"Yup!" Hotaru nodded.
"I like it," He said looking Serena in the eyes now causing Serena's heart to betray her by pounding from the eye contact.
"Hey Hotaru can your dad and I have a minute to talk?" Serena asked the girl.
Hotaru only nodded then ran off to her room.
"She really likes you Bunny," He smiled.
"I like her a lot too but don't call me bunny," Serena frowned.
"Why not my daughter calls you it," Darien asked raising his brow.
"It's patronizing."
"Good then," He chuckled at Serena's angered face knowing she hadn't recovered from their last argument.
For some reason knowing now he couldn't have her in that way he loved to mess with her watching her get flustered or angry made him happy oddly. It satisfied an itch for her. He hadn't intended to start messing with her but now after calling her Bunny and watching the way her eyes lit up and then watching her get angry when he called her it made him laugh knowing he could actually get a rise out of her. It was like going back to kindergarten where you messed with those you truly liked.
"Anyways when does your wife come home?" Serena asked putting emphasis on wife.
"In two weeks. I am sorry she didn't tell you?" Darien said raising a brow it was so like Beryl to leave out important details.
"No she didn't but that's fine I don't mind watching Hotaru," Serena half smiled.
"Well I am glad you like watching her I owe you since I can't take off two weeks to care for her by myself," Darien let out a sigh.
"Well I know how you could repay me," Serena said with a smirk.
"Oh no bunny I thought you said I couldn't touch you again," Darien smirked back initially poking the bear with a stick.
"STOP CALLING ME THAT! AND AS IF ANYTHING WOULD HAPPEN!" Serena shrieked out.
"Alright Alright," Darien chuckled raising his hands, "What favor do you need?"
She let out a sigh, "I was wondering if you could come home earlier this Friday?"
"And why?" Darien asked raising a brow now.
"I have a date and it means a lot to me," Serena said avoiding eye contact with him.
Darien bit back any reaction to her having a date, "Alright I can be home by six will that work?"
"Yeah thanks," Serena said still not looking at him in the eye, "Well I better go it's getting late."
Without any goodbye Serena headed out the door and headed towards her home where she would text Seiya about their date that Friday.
Once Serena had left Darien slammed his fist into the wall behind him. He hadn't realized he was this angered by Serena mentioning having a date. He felt oddly hurt by it though. He knew there was nothing he could do or say without making no sense or making an ass of himself so he headed to the kitchen again where he would pour himself his nightly drink.
Once he poured himself a drink he sat down on the couch and began to think of who this kid was that Serena was going to see. Was he even real was Serena just messing with him to get this reaction from him? That chance was highly unlikely but Darien didn't want her to see anyone else. He didn't have any claim over her and she made it clear now she wanted nothing to do with him especially being that she discovered he was married. If only she knew he wanted out of this marriage.
Serena finally headed up into her bedroom and let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. She felt relieved and confused after talking to Darien. She was relieved he didn't get angry with her when she told him about her date and that he complied with her on coming home early but was confused also at his lack of reaction. He didn't even seem surprised was he already over her completely had she meant that little to him. She had to remember though he was married he probably still loved his wife and their family.
Serena let out a groan and then began to text Seiya to let him know Friday was perfect and to pick her up at six. She then changed out of her clothes into some sleep shorts and a sports bra and turned off her lights and went to sleep.
A/N: I hope you all liked the chapter! Please review and let me know!