Bliss
Chapter Five: The Ties that Bind
Disclaimer: this is an adaptation and is based loosely on Goong; I do not own the plot or the manhwa. I also do not own the sailor moon characters or any real locations, quotes, real fashion brands, real food or buildings that might appear in this story.
This fan fiction is set in an A.U. and will not hold many similarities with the standard sailor moon anime/ manga. Personalities will remain similar but I reserve the right to be creative with my story, there are no monsters and no sailor senshi (soldiers). Also, Serena's height will be different. Please be open while you read and enjoy the story. Also keep in mind that even though the year and time may be current, the happenings in the story are different from our reality.
– July 2nd 2009–
Days later...
The floorboards creaked as she made her way across the door's threshold to the stairs, pressing quiet alertness with every step. The house was dark and she walked by memory of the place, tentatively to the staircase and confident she had made it without detection until the lights flickered. Her soles dropped dejectedly to the wood, her head hanging defeated. She was spotted.
"Serena! Will you pay attention?" Mrs. Hampton demanded, gripping Serena back to reality. She had fallen asleep again, and if the red hue taking hold of her teacher's ruddy cheeks was any indication, she was on a very short rope. Forcing her mouth to mumble back an apology, Serena didn't bother keeping eye contact and looked away – out the window. The sky stretched blue and clouds dotted the spaces open, and in between. Carefully hidden behind the mesh of azure and white the sun was not as bright as it could have been, shielded away by masses of dense nothingness.
They reminded her of satin blue overalls and baby blue polka dot dresses – the kind her mother and Gramps always went together and got when summer was out. The local Clothe & Care always had new shipment ordered to come just around then. She had been looking forward to getting her pair, looking forward to meeting the ritual again this year...but that was two months away; two months from now that Serena didn't have any more. Lately she had become fixated with clocks, watching and consumed by the idea that every breath took away a second, every heart beat a moment. Time wasn't hers anymore and she couldn't stop feeling the way her heart just stayed now, refusing to feel.
This emptiness had become her world lately, and she had been doing this action of staring emotionlessly and not feeling, just thinking as bad a habit. She could never stop thinking. Not about the encounter with her future fiancé or that with her family, both equally racked her world. She lost herself in a spiral cloud pattern so small it shaped perfectly a ring circle...
"We aren't going to let you do this," her father said firmly setting his jaw. The same set jaw that any other day might have put her off, discouraging her from pushing him further. But not today, there was no decision left to make...not his or hers, all the ones that had counted were set in stone impossible to change.
"You must think us fools!" her mother added, seething. "If you believe we will let you do this Serenity, then you must think you were saddled a pair of jokers for parents and not us. We will not play cards and dance as you suffer!" Tracy crumpled into an armchair beside her husband, covering half her face in her turtleneck sleeve. "...never sweet heart." She moaned. "We will find a way."
Behind them Sammy stood at the top of the staircase gripping the railing, listening. He was quiet but Serena had caught him sneak from his room when his parents had turned to begin this discussion, sentencing him to bed. He was all legs and arms, but adorable in the ways that counted. His eyes as blue and clear as hers had clouded in confusion when she had attempted sneaking undetected; he, like her parents, had been waiting.
"It doesn't matter!" Serena said in a tone she hoped sounded convincing. There wasn't going to be a change in her decision, the only thing she was trying to do was get her parents to live with and accept that this would have to be the way things were. "Support me," she coaxed, "because I can't see myself doing this without you."
"Don't ask us for that." Her father said definitely, "this is not your decision to make, you went behind our backs and that is another matter, but first things first; our stance remains and that is we will never marry you off for money."
She stood to the tops of her toes, her face set. "I didn't ask you to marry me," her voice was calm and heavy at once like smooth chalk. "Regardless of your consent, this marriage will take place."
Stress thrummed through at her temples as class ended with the ringing of bells. She joined the other students merging from their classes into the hall; vaguely noting the turn she took towards the history classroom. According to her timetable, today was an odd day and that class came next. It wasn't her favourite but certainly it required less thought than chemistry or physics. Perhaps listening to Professor Hopkins drone on about ancient civilizations would be bearable; at least she wouldn't have to think.
She didn't have this class with Mara, their schedules were similar but not exact and they shared only three classes – home economics, physics and gym. Today was a day for neither and Serena found herself grateful. The confrontation with her family hadn't gone anything close to well, but compared to the one she'd had with Mara and a handful of the other students, it could never compete on a scale of awfulness.
Her family's disappointment had been warranted, but the hateful sneers from a group of catty girls days ago definitely hadn't. It had been vindictive, and she recalled the incident much too clearly.
She was still recovering and Serena was trying her best just to get by; it was a day after her arrangement with Darien, a day after the heated fight with her family. She didn't need reminding of the blow-up and hated she had, had to make the decision for them and the tone she'd had to acquire to enforce it. All she needed to do was blink and the image would come back, stark as day. Trying her best not to linger on those issues today she strolled into her first class of the day, Home Ec. And shutting the door behind her she turned. Directing her eyes towards her lab she felt her skin shiver, the hairs on her arms stood abrupt.
The kitchen in which normally she and Mara cooked was vacant, save a message plastered in sticky and thick pastry dough. Her friend was unusually nowhere in sight and the counter lay bare, the heated scrawl her only communication of anyone ever being there.
Stay Away.
The message pronounced.
He was ours first, slut.
It took a moment before Serena solidified that it was there and not simply a figment of her imagination. Someone had written it and she wondered why. Her eyes trailed around, in effort to see who else had seen and it was then that she spotted them, a familiar group of girls with blazing auburn hair gathered around a nearby table bored holes into her. Known for embodying the notion of the 'buddy-system', their combined efforts made her blood run cold. It hadn't been her imagination and their eyes had said it all, loud and clear: stay away.
"Well if it isn't the town skank!" one of them purred, batting her lashes and leaning her waist even more against the round work table.
"Why, I think she saw our note Trisha!" an identical girl only a few inches shorter but still taller than Serena declared.
"Poor thing looks positively shocked," another agreed.
The one named Trisha sauntered over, sashaying her hips in a fashion that implied she could take her sweet time, she had all day. Serena thought then to where the teacher was but realized that the scheduled quiche lab was for today and knowing their teacher, he had forgotten to shop beforehand; he was probably hurrying to grab the ingredients that very moment. The door clicked and a handful more students bustled in, taking their seats but eyes never leaving the exchange sure to go down. A couple groped for their phones, poised to record every second. "We heard," Trisha said finally, refusing to elaborate.
The shorter girl did it for her. "Actually the whole school heard, Mrs. Column...or aren't the two of you married yet? The way he announced the engagement all o' a sudden you'd have 'a think something was up...by the way, when's the babe due?"
Serena was at a loss for words and could do nothing but gape. Where was any of this coming from? "I'm not pregnant," she said in her defence.
"Sure she doesn't look like it," the other piped, "but I'm sure her fancy mother in-law's got her on some special diet or something to hide the bump." Her voice dipped. "We thought we'd get to suffer through diaper duty first, but you beat us to it...we hate losing, almost as much as we hate whores."
"True," Trisha pouted. "I'm a sore loser girls, always have been, always will. Hey Darce!" She called to the girl behind her, the last one to have spoken and Serena recognized both of them in a flash; Darcie Utilie and Hanna Lawrence. She wasn't a stranger to these girls and had been in classes with at least two of them since pre-school. Needless to say, they weren't anything near close but Serena would never have expected this from them, certainly not because of Darien and definitely not because of her engagement.
"This is how things are gonna go," Hanna explained scooting off the table's edge to hover beside Trisha, a few seconds later Darcie joined them, hands crossed tight to her chest. "Renounce that you know him. Don't stand like you can't hear, pick up your cell and...call...it...off."
"No." Serena said definitely. That was the one thing she wouldn't do and it wasn't solely because she didn't have a cell-phone, but because they hadn't a right to ask it of her. If she'd denied her parents the request, who were they to change her mind? "I'm marrying him," Serena said calmly, refusing to succumb to the anger so closely at her neck. "He proposed and I said yes, doesn't get any simpler than that."
"We hear he proposed to another girl first," Hanna blurted.
The comment took her by surprise and Serena hated the satisfied grins making way across their faces as she struggled to compose herself. She hadn't expected that and chided herself for responding at all. They were probably trying for a rise out of her but as all three nodded in a way that said this was something everyone knew, she had a sinking feeling it was one of the rare times they were telling the truth.
"Who?" Serena murmured, unable to refuse the urge to ask. Saying those words made her feel weak but she was desperate to know anything more about the stranger Darien Column was, the person her fiancé was behind his good looks and wealth. It wasn't the first time it bothered her that she knew pathetically little about the man she was to marry.
"Rumours are flying," Darcie added, twirling a shiny copper strand with a finger. "Some girl told her friends that he asked her first and she told him no. Then he went and asked you...that same day."
"I don't believe you." Serena raised her chin and worked to be firm. She told herself it didn't matter what Darien did; but that information - if indeed it was true - sounded like something he should have told her, and yet they hadn't seen much of each other at all, save the meeting with her family two days ago. He had come down with his secretary to fix the details with her parents and Gramps and the two of them hadn't talked; now a few days later she was hearing he'd asked someone else first? Things weren't checking out.
Hanna shrugged. "Her friends say she was pretty adamant on her story being true, said the only reason he asked you was to make her jealous...who would've thought?"
"Not us," Trisha said bobbing her curls up and down as she nodded.
"Seems fair though," Darcie sighed. "She moved in on him when she knew we were interested...had our eyes on him for some time now, we have. He's Seattle's biggest business man and all-time ultimate hunk; even before my dad's finished reading the Business Weekly I snatch it for myself just to look at him. He's always in there somewhere, how could he not when he's always winning contracts and expanding?" The dreamy look that had taken over Darcie's eyes faded in an instant. "He should be ours; we've wanted him longer."
But he hasn't wanted you, ever. Serena wanted badly to blurt that truth but bit her lip and walked to her lab, placing her binder down on the counter and running lukewarm water and washing at her hands. She scrubbed at her fingers, consuming herself entirely in the action scrubbing suds in- between the gaps, as if getting all the germs could erase away this moment and embarrassment.
But it couldn't. Not what happened before or what followed next.
Water splashed her face and soap met her tongue as she gasped. Not stopping there Trisha grabbed at both Serena's pig tails, slamming them into the tap she shook the hair out against Serena's uniform, standing on the tips of her feet to escape getting hit.
Hanna slammed the tap down, cutting off the water. Dusting her hands Trisha's face turned smug. "Oops!" she gasped. "Forgive me for hurrying the process along...seemed you would get wet sooner or later, Mrs. Column, at least now you can be sure you got a good deal of the filth wet. I wish it were a bigger sink, I would've given you a bigger bath if I could."
Her shirt soaked heavy and her shoes dripped with the water falling from her hair, her cheeks burned with heat and her eyes stung the way they did before tears followed. Turning to the door Serena didn't think twice and headed straight for it, stopping only when she caught glance of a table through her peripheral vision, but more importantly the person sitting at it.
Mara.
It wasn't their usual and Serena had been sure she wasn't there when she'd entered, however her sunken shoulders and bent head said differently. She had been there, watching it all and doing a great deal of nothing. It was that final piece of betrayal that pushed Serena catapulting out the door. Her best friend had been there and had done nothing. The very last piece of her armour crumbled to dust in seconds as pain pierced through her chest. The world had turned against her and she didn't know who to trust. Not anymore.
Two long manicured fingers snapped in front of her and at the sound of them Serena blinked herself back to her classroom. Like in that brief memory flash every eye in the room was on her in expectation, to the front of the room her professor stood glowering in heated frustration. Feeling her body hunch Serena knew she was dead and braced herself for consequence. She had hoped to go unnoticed today, sinking into the farthest seat and ducking her head down, but it appeared he had called on her to answer, and she hadn't exactly been there to respond.
The fingers belonged to Trisha and Serena grimaced. How could she forget they shared this class together? As if reading her thoughts Trisha grinned slyly, nodding back to Professor Hopkins. "Out of my class," he ordered. "No more of this, you can return when you feel like participating. Until then sit by the door outside, I am here to teach Ms. Jack – not to babysit."
Nodding wordlessly Serena grabbed her satchel and left. She felt the eyes of her classmates drill at her back even as the door clicked behind her. Falling with a hand on her temple down to the floor she considered if things getting worse was really possible. What was happening today? She wasn't herself and as much as she kept telling herself they would go away the recollections never eased and she continued remembering things she wished she wouldn't. Her life wasn't simple anymore – it had turned so topsy turvy that she felt like a performer in a circus act being thrown one crazy trick after another, and expected to meet the challenge.
Nothing made sense and she felt like two very different people, the person she was and the girl everyone thought they knew. To the students and teachers at Braythorne she was cocky; proud of the fact that she would be a Mrs. Column when really the thought terrified her. Her silence and aloofness meant she saw herself as too good for them, not that she was scared. Most girls fanaticized about their weddings from the day they could play with miniature Barbie's, but hers was being planned by a secretary in a different city and a mother-in-law she had never meant. This whole ordeal had also cost her a best friend; bagging her a month's worth of eraser dusting duty in the bargain.
As expected Mr. Lewis had found out about the Home Ec. Incident and Serena would never be sure if it was through the internet or word of mouth, but he had been enraged nonetheless; it didn't matter how hard she tried to tip the scale in her favour, he believed Trisha, Hanna and Darcie's claim to innocence and pinned the blame on her. He'd said there was no need for her to run through the halls wet or soak the kitchen floors, and the justification had made her want to laugh out loud. What did a little water on the peeling floorboards matter? The whole place was falling apart anyway and the flooring was going to be replaced regardless.
They were the saddest excuses Serena had ever heard and she hadn't bothered getting angry, simply accepting the lunch time punishment as an escape. At least she wouldn't have to hunt for a place to sit or see Mara. They still weren't talking and since the incident with Trisha she hadn't told Mara about the engagement or anything else for that matter, not that she wasn't upset her usually vocal friend hadn't pitched in to stand up for her, but Serena could see where the hesitancy came from. If she found out something as important as a marriage was happening to Mara from those three she probably would be a little more than upset.
Sighing Serena settled against the wall, enjoying the stability it brought until the door flung open and the bell rung loud, signalling it was time for lunch. Groaning she grabbed her satchel and headed to the office before the halls filled and navigating became any harder of a task. After she left her bag out front she took the basin designated for the erasers and headed to the doors of every one of the teachers, twenty in total, and took every last of their chalk white erasers.
The heap filled with at least forty of them and groaning at their combined weight Serena headed straight for the foyer at the school's back. It was secluded and quiet, the perfect place to be alone. Choosing here to spend her lunch and sentence hadn't taken a second thought. Pulling out a pair of brushes from the basin she clapped them together, surrounding the front and back of her in thick chalky air. Having learnt not to breathe any of the air in, she tilted her head forward and focussed on a patch of sky, watching it until she felt the chalky fog lessen; after another clap she placed them to the side on a square of concrete, already reaching for two more.
"Care for help?" A voice behind her called. Darien.
Serena felt her arms go weak and she lowered the erasers involuntarily. "I'm fine," she told him while trying to communicate to her brain that continuing the clapping would most likely serve as better proof. She pressed two brushes together and the air went white, his tailored suit jacket and well-fitting slim jeans disappearing for a moment.
He was here and Serena felt her heart hammer strangely. Before she could ponder why, her cover disappeared and she blinked to see him stand closer beside her, a smirk at his face.
"That looks fun," he joked and pointed at her ghostly white hands. "I didn't know they still had punishments like this in effect... interesting."
"Well they do," Serena retorted dropping the erasers beside the other finished ones. "Why are you here?" she asked as she picked another pair from the heap. Two down, eighteen to go.
"Actually I came to call you," he said matter-of-factly even as her face disappeared. "Everything's in place and the formal wedding is planned to happen today at six."
That information was enough to make her drop the weight in her hand and she frowned deep. "Six, you mean six as in today?"
"Six in the morning happened already sweet heart, so I'm going to go with a yes on that one," his mouth crooked to the side. "Why...you scared?"
"No." She lied. "I'm just surprised the bride gets the last notice, seems a little off to me, and much stranger than the enforcement of eraser clapping, definitely more unusual."
His face softened and he looked as if he could sympathize. As if. "I just found out this morning myself, and phoned to tell your parents I would fly down. I was to get you and the two of us would drive down to Seattle together, your family meets us there via car because they insisted they could manage."
"Of course," Serena gritted. Why did it surprise her? Lately she was the last to find out everything, it shouldn't have come as much of a shock as it did. Not really. "Do we leave now?" she questioned, clearing her throat.
He grinned, saying, "Preferably."
"Not yet." She cleaned her hands before crossing her arms and pinning him with a stare. His brow rose quizzically but she never wavered. "Who was the first girl you asked to marry you," she asked voicing the question that still bothered her. "Does she go to my school?"
His face paled but he nodded. "Yes," he admitted.
"Her name Darien, who was she?" Serena knew she didn't have to ask who she was, if he'd asked her to marry him they'd had to have been close, and possibly in love. Though for the life of her she couldn't explain why the idea of him loving some mystery girl sent discomfort running through her and Serena pushed the sensation away, ploughing through. "Did you love her?"
"I don't know! I think so," he said not answering back as quick. He looked both uncertain and uncomfortable and she ignored the guilt pricking her conscious at poking through his personal life because the reality was they would be married, much sooner than either of them expected, and these were answers she would need to know.
"You're awfully curious Odango," he said taking a step closer. "Can I ask where these questions come from?"
She shrugged, hating the nickname but choosing not to comment. "It just seemed odd that the whole school except me knew you asked someone else to marry you before you proposed again, it makes people talk and pushes me to think. Is there something you aren't telling me?" she swallowed hard to hide her illogical pain at the possibility. "Was I your back up plan?"
Serena expected him to take his time but he answered swiftly. "Yes, you were and I cared about her more than you." All of a sudden he was pinning her back against the concrete wall and before she knew it his hands had come to rest on either side of her. Looking into his eyes she saw them darken to deep sapphire before he bent his mouth close to her ear, his lips hovering far closer than they had ever been. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and say your 'Gramps' knew a lot about his deal with my grandfather." His breath was warm at her ear and Serena stood still, not fighting away.
"Yes," she breathed finally but not seeing where he was going.
He pulled away to smile at her, a bitter smile full of regret. "My grandfather made a Will," he elaborated. "So that when he died his age-old promise would be fulfilled. He attempted to screw me over by rigging that little document to ensure I'd have to marry you in order to keep my company. Unless I had someone else in mind it was the only thing I could do to save my inheritance. Thing is, I did. I really am not striving for disclosure here, so I'll cut things short by saying things didn't exactly pan out. My only choice was to marry you and I took it."
Feeling her body go rigid she said nothing. She stared at him unable to believe those words had escaped his lips. Was this really the extent of his coldness? Yes.
"Don't look at me like that," he said finally pulling himself away to tower over her once again. "You're getting something out of this too; I'm not the only one using this union to my benefit."
Smiling bitterly she shook her head. How could she have ever thought he was anything short of a brute? He was a liar and to think that had she not questioned him today, he could have gone on without revealing anything or telling her the truth. "I told you everything," she seethed. "You know why I need this marriage, about our debt, everything! You couldn't imagine it mattered for me to know where your interests lie?" breathing fast Serena felt a thought take over and she stiffened. "Do you plan to continue seeing her after our marriage?
Darien's eyes grew wide and he laughed incredulously. "What?"
Serena didn't crack so much as a smile. "Do you plan to continue seeing her after our marriage?" she repeated.
"No!" he cried, his face going flush he looked nothing short of offended.
"I don't believe you," She spat, "Why should I believe that you'd tell me the truth?"
He waved his hand dismissively and turned away. "I'm not going to stand here and prove myself to you," he told her. "Believe me if you will but marriage to me is sacred, I would never cheat." He said it like the very thought of it was beneath him but she was still unsure.
"Then why didn't you tell me about her?" Serena asked telling herself not to buy into his sincerity. "If you never intended to see her after we were married why didn't you mention something?"
"Oh I'm sorry!" Darien sighed sarcastically. "My mistake, I forgot everyone spreads their dirty linen out the very first meeting! For the record she turned me down, not something I'm proud of, and certainly not something I'd want to share with a girl who'd drenched me moments before I went to propose and ruined my day. Not to a girl I just met and found out I would have to marry."
The air turned thick with tension between them and they both glowered at each other. "Take that back," Serena said breaking the icy silence.
He shrugged and added heat to his sneer. "No." He replied. "You drenched me and ruined my mood, throwing me off my game. That was your fault."
"That you have no use for eyes?" Serena retorted. "That you didn't watch were it was you were going?"
Raking his hands through his hair he laughed like he couldn't believe they were having this discussion. "I can't believe this."
"Neither can I," she agreed. "I can't believe we're arguing this much before our wedding, it really is the stuff of fairytales."
He cracked a smile at that and she felt herself loosen. "Every time we meet I feel as though you're waiting for a chance to bite my head off." He admitted. "You remind me of a fox, without the gooey eyes."
"Well you've made my life a living hell." Serena confirmed. "My life was so much simpler before you crashed in."
"As was mine before you," Darien breathed. "Should we still get married?" he asked in a quiet voice. "I mean if we disagree this much, it isn't really the smartest decision. You know?" His dark eyes bored into hers as he waited for an answer and she stared back taking his face in, in detail. For the first time she noticed how strongly defined he was and the way his features looked as if they had been carefully etched with a chisel. His cheekbones high and proportioned were as noticeable as his sculpted nose and mouth, everything looked so perfect. Annoyingly perfect. Those lips curved too often in a way that said he knew the effect he had on women and knew he was easy on the eyes.
"Yes," she said finally, they would have to marry. Not because they wanted to but because they had to. A voice in her head told her wedding a man she despised was crazy, that they would never last. She shrugged it off.
He looked far less torn apart than she probably did and simply smiled, digging his hands into his pockets. He leaned forward and his plain white t-shirt hugged his hard body in a way that showed off his obvious definition. Serena looked away to keep her thoughts from wandering and picking up the erasers she had set aside she clapped them slowly, releasing small puff of clouds in the air.
"My offer is still up," he told her leaning in expectantly. There were too many reasons that she should tell him know. He ground on her nerves in ways she had earlier thought impossible and she just barely knew him. What would marriage be like? She pondered that a while, the picture she conjured showed the two of them constantly arguing and at each other's throats; they didn't look happy but not quite sad either, just captured with the occupation of making the other miserable. Blinking hard she looked up at the sky and sighed. She was marrying a man she was almost sure she didn't like, one who hadn't been completely honest with her but seemed to take the vow of commitment seriously.
Maybe she was crazy.
"Is that a yes?" he murmured.
Glaring, she shook her head and crooked her finger for him to come closer. He did, and then she fanned her hands sideways in and out rapidly, clapping the brushes until they released cakey dust and he stood consumed in chalky fog. Coughing he took quick steps back, breathing hungrily at the clean air.
Smiling she bent and collected the rest of the erasers into the basin. She would have to find a way to finish this another day, but one thing was certain. He'd gotten his answer.
Working his magic, Darien had managed to exempt her from the ridiculous punishment of eraser duty on the basis of time management. They had a plane to catch and a wedding to get to; he'd simply made clear that they would need to leave right then in order to arrive in time for their wedding due five hours later. Who was Mr. Lewis to disagree? Flying down in silence he had busied himself with work, signing and confirming contracts he hadn't the opportunity to get to earlier. The quiet bothered him a little although he resisted showing it, it was their wedding in mere hours and he couldn't bring himself to speak to his bride two seats across from him. But what was he supposed to say, 'hello, fine day to be married'? He would have tried it if had Darien not known her mood was anything but amiable, not to mention his throat still burned from chalk dust, the very same she had sent flying purposefully his way.
He didn't feel much for conversation either and with nothing to say Darien reasoned avoiding further communication until the ceremony would be the best for both of them; they had to at least appear like they wanted this when they got to the chapel. He would smile as hard as he needed to if just to prove to everyone else that they were civil enough with each other to be married.
A court officiate who owed their family a favour from long ago would perform the ceremony and the guest list was cut brief, the one hundred expected to be in attendance were, in his opinion, barely enough to count as a crowd. Amy had explained to him twice over the importance of convincing his relatives and business associates that this was for keeps, and not merely the plot it was to ensure his wealth stayed right where it was with him. No one could be allowed to suspect, and Darien would do everything in his power to see it all went along well; nothing would come in his way.
Besides his bride of course; that was what troubled him most.
The flight landed after a few hours and the Maserati GranCabrio Sport waiting at the airport had taken them to the venue, the drive passing with Darien constantly hoping that this went off without incident. If Serenity behaved, it should. She was feisty and unpredictable, complete with a mind entirely of her own. If he weren't marrying her he would have considered her too great a liability to keep, but he was, and he would have to trust that her level of desperation was almost as great as his own.
He remembered they'd met with her family before going to the chapel and the one he had come to know as her grandfather strode out first, enveloping his granddaughter in a huge hug before walking over to shake hands firmly with Darien.
"It's good to see you, Darien." The man had said giving the shake a heartfelt squeeze.
Darien softened the way he always did around people so down-to-earth, something about him, Serena's Grandfather, was strikingly genuine and today he found he needed that presence most. "Mr. Jack," he had nodded courtly. "Fine day to be married, wouldn't you say?" he'd ended up using that line after all.
Chris Jack cracked a smile. "I believe so," he'd agreed. "Take care of my grand-baby, son. That shot-gun will be waiting whenever she needs it, I'd hate to have to point it at you in future."
"So would I," he'd agreed, the image not at all pleasant. Serena's brother, Sammy, had stood a while away eyeing him distrustfully. Like their last meeting he made no effort to initiate conversation and Darien couldn't say he blamed him. The boy didn't trust him, and that was fine; he wasn't here to win hearts anyway. "Of course," he'd assured. "I will."
"You better," Serena's father had determined walking over with an expression that said he remained Darien's least enthusiast. "Treat her well or we'll have more problems than you could imagine."
"I promise," Darien had stated firmly standing his ground. "She is my responsibility now…"
Blinking himself back he remembered where he was. His gaze travelled the familiar wide room with its dipping ceiling and gleaming arched windows – he was in his family's chapel – and he was to be married. Carnations blue and purple covered the room in thick bouquets and clusters, baby pink candles lined both ledges and the crevices; the room looked full and magnificent. His mother and Amy had done a fine job, and speaking of his secretary she sat a few rows from the front amidst a sea of quickly recognizable faces and dressed in baby pink, deviant to her usually black-on-black ensemble. He nodded once to her, seeing how pleased she was with herself he noted once again that he knew everyone here. Before them he felt neither nervousness nor anticipation for the coming ceremony except readiness for this union to be officiated.
He hadn't seen his bride since they'd arrived in the city, her mother having insisted on getting her ready personally, they'd disappeared somewhere an hour and a half ago. He could only pray they arrived on time, a late bride would have everyone talking in a matter of seconds. As if reading his mind his mother looked to him with her eyebrow arched in question as if to say, 'call your bride'. Darien smiled to reassure her and himself, she would be here.
She had to be.
Keeping his thoughts away from her for a moment, he thought to the brief minutes he'd had to prepare; his suit pressed to perfection and shoes ready he'd slipped them on in record time, ready for the ceremony. He'd met with his father next and there hadn't been much of an emotional exchange, merely a hard pat at his shoulder and a nod was all he'd gotten. His mother had hugged him but it had all felt very stiff, as though she too was holding her breath in anticipation. Hours later Aiden Column sat silently in the front row by his wife, minding his clock and tapping his feet the way he did when he felt his time was being wasted. That was one thing Darien could agree they both hated, that in addition to disappointment. He hated falling short in expectation in the eyes of anyone—especially his father.
About to head out the doors to find her himself, he halted when the music started. The musicians to his left played the wedding march in prelude to the bride's entrance, signalling somewhere in the church she had arrived. With the little amount of time they'd had to prepare there hadn't been time to arrange together a huge procession and only his close friend, Andrew stood to his side as his best man. He hadn't expected for a bridesmaid to stand behind Serena and sure enough there hadn't been anyone.
It made him wonder about his fiancée and if she really was doing as well as she wanted him to believe. He tried not to think too hard about the way she could have been treated when she returned to school, or the incident that must have led to her very outdated punishment.
Darien hadn't planned for the announcement of their engagement as well as he could have and didn't doubt he had gained her at the very least, a portion of alienation from her peers. Still she had mentioned nothing, riding in silence beside him and keeping to herself. She was strong, stronger than any girl her age should have been, and he admired that.
Strength would get them through today, that and a little help from each other. He would keep to his vows and be there for her in every way he could. That was a promise, and one he intended to keep. Her questions regarding Raye still baffled him because he hadn't thought she would find out through the other students, he'd wanted to tell her himself when the time was right. Not that she had anything really to worry about. He would be faithful, this marriage was to last and Raye was his past. Right here and now in this chapel, there was one girl in his future.
And she was walking down the aisle.
Darien caught sight of Serena's mother as she slipped into an aisle closer to the back, her husband following behind; it was Chris Jack who led his bride to him. She wore a flowing silk gown of startling white that hugged curves he hadn't ever known were there; making her way towards him; she looked her age of seventeen and older. Her hair had been let down, brushed in soft waves down to the crest of her hip; a small pearl headband sat atop her head, sleek bangs parted to rest against a rosy cheek. She walked in heels and in a way that looked as if she was gliding to him, the room's eyes immediately gravitated to her, and since they were in a chapel, Darien had to admit that he could hardly pull his away either.
He felt his mind go blank and his heart beat steady. She looked beautiful.
Darien knew as his throat constricted but couldn't take his eyes off of her; hearing the room stand in welcome to her, his gaze remained fixated, steady. The gap between them disappeared in a heartbeat and Chris smiled warmly at him, his eyes brimming with trust Darien wasn't sure he had earned. He turned to his granddaughter and kissed her forehead lovingly, squeezing her hand. Looking like she was just keeping from crying when he whispered something in her ear, she nodded and her grandfather took her fingers in his palm, extending them to Darien.
Feeling the weight of the moment he looked from the outstretched hand and met her eyes, maintaining a gaze he hoped reassured her, and without so much as a second thought, he pulled her to him.
Mine.
His touch was electricity shooting through her, the tips of her fingers buzzing with heat. Their gaze locked and she knew he felt it too, knew he could tell how bad her heart was pounding. He looked sleek and handsome, so confident; his intense gaze had almost made her falter in her steps toward him. Now they stood together in front of a room full of more people she couldn't ever say she knew. Living in Braythorne had ensured she'd gotten to meet everyone at least once, but here it was the exact opposite.
They were here for her wedding and truthfully, she didn't know a majority of them. Still the look in Darien's eyes pulled her to stay calm, supporting her in a way that gave her strength to stand before them all with her head held high. He drew her to his side, bending his head low enough to murmur.
"You look beautiful," he said, his breath brushing her neck.
Serena couldn't find her voice to thank him and simply nodded. Convincing herself that this was actually happening she had to breathe slowly more than once not to be overwhelmed. Even though she'd had little time to take in the decoration – they'd gotten lost and were running late as it was, leaving no time really to stop – but it all looked lovely and everything appeared ready, the documents they would need to sign sat on a table before them and the officiate stood at the very front waiting. She didn't know how he'd done it, but Darien had somehow arranged for the man to meet them here with the documents. The ceremony had to be witnessed by more people than the court would have allowed through their doors and in order to appear believable, this was the only way it could work.
"Welcome," the man nodded to Serena and then Darien. "Shall we begin?"
They both nodded.
"Do you agree this marriage is of your choosing?" the man questioned, "neither of you are being forced into this union?"
Another nod, they weren't being forced into this and were doing it by choice. Mostly.
"The first line says the property will be equally distributed between the two of you and managing expenditure will be the responsibility of you both. Sign if you agree."
Serena watched out the corner of her eye as Darien took the pen and swept in excellent penmanship his signature on the document, her hand shaking she picked her pen and signed also, telling herself this was for her family.
When they had finished the man cleared his throat. "The next few pages outline details pertaining to your marriage, property distribution, tax cuts and so forth. Please sign."
They did and this time Serena found herself meeting the task quicker, greatly loosening. This isn't so hard…!
"Now turn to page seventeen where the agreement regarding future children is found." The man announced.
And immediately she stiffened. Feeling her fingers tremble, Serena flipped the sheets. She hadn't thought about children; she'd just envisioned helping her present family.
"You will agree to divide your wealth equally among all your offspring, putting aside a certain amount in an account until they reach the age of eighteen. Agreed?"
As if to answer yes Darien swept his signature across the page. Following his lead Serena penned her signature as well, reasoning that if he didn't appear concerned there couldn't be anything to worry about. Could there? Shaking her head she forced herself to listen. The man went on to direct them through a number of obligations and their own personal entitlements before he nodded solemnly. Serena found herself lost in all this, replaying the words her grandfather had whispered before leading her down the aisle.
'This is your decision," he has said definitely minutes after her parents had crept in. 'You can change it now if you want, Ren, I'll go in there and tell 'em myself that this thing is off. No one will make you suffer through this, but believe me when I say that Column's good.' He'd tapped his chest. 'He has a good heart.'
A good heart...glancing to her right she startled when she saw he was watching her attentively. Could this man really be good? She mused. He wasn't quite so bad and had been kind enough to offer her family debt relief in return for their union. She could do worse.
But could I love him? She wondered. Somewhere in her heart an answer stirred, and before she could better listen to it she felt her bare arm tingle as his shoulder brushed against her.
His mouth opened and his lips formed a question. "Will you love me as my wife," he asked. Nodding towards the officiate he made it clear the man as well as the people behind them were waiting for an answer.
Serena stared long into his eyes, finding her voice. "I will love you." She said finally. I will.
"Then I pronounce you man and wife!" the man declared. "If you wish, you may kiss your bride."
Placing his hands firm along her waist he pulled her to him and dipped her slightly before brushing his lips over her mouth. Loud fireworks erupted all over and her head buzzed as she melted in his arms. Sighing with pleasure, it was the last thing she truly knew before her world went black as she fell forward.
Barely seconds after her wedding Serenity Column had lost consciousness.
Life is Bliss...
A.N: So I promised a honker, didn't I? Well I certainly hope this chapter delivered. My sister, SoujaGurl, and Iworked hard on this one! I enjoyed writing this chapter a lot and I think it's definitely my favourite. I love these two together and hope the wedding met all your expectations and more. I want feedback guys and I want it ASAP, review and let me know how you felt about this chapter...and that kiss? Wowza Darien! ;)
Xoxo, Analynn