Ch. 12 The Start of Something New
It has been almost a year since you finally worked things out with Darren. A lot of changes have been made, but everything was going better than you ever expected. Darren has stepped up more than you could have dreamed. He made sure to come up and visit you and the kids once every month. You even agreed to let Kyra and Braeden go down to visit him in L.A. once a month.
Your friendship with Darren has grown immensely. For all intensive purposes, you two are like best friends. There are moments when you almost feel like there is something more between the two of you, but then you realize that you are just crazy.
It's been two months since you and the kids made the move to L.A. Darren helped you find a place that was big enough and safe. You had settled in, and made your place feel just like home. Kyra and Braeden loved having their own rooms, and loved being able to be close to both you and Darren. They were thriving here, something which you were afraid of at first.
Everything with the whole Alicia situation completely blew over. No one believed anything she had to say, and you were able to move on from that fiasco. The paparazzi were not invisible, they did still manage to get a picture here and there, but you and Darren just remained careful and cautious. It never got out of control, and in the grand scheme of things, your story was no longer at the top of everyone's bill.
Darren had come over for another one of your family movie nights. You, Darren, and the kids sat and watched Aladdin for the umpteenth time. The movie had finished, and you and Darren tucked Kyra and Braeden into bed. Once you had finished tucking them into bed, you and Darren sat on the couch to watch TV.
"Hey Paige, can we talk for a minute?" Darren asked.
"Yeah, of course Dare, what's on your mind?" you replied.
"This last year has been amazing. Getting to know Kyra and Braeden, and reconnecting with you; it's been so much better than I ever dreamed of. And you moving here with them has made me so happy I can't even explain it," he said.
"This year has been amazing for me too. I am so happy that you are here and that we are such close friends. I am happy I moved here too, it makes it easier on all of us," you said.
"Yeah, Paige, you have become my best friend, and sometimes I feel like it could be more," he said. "I am afraid this may change everything, and I pray that it won't, but I have to at least try."
"What are you saying Darren?" you asked. Could he really be doing what you think he is doing?
"I am saying that I like you Paige, and more than just my close friend," he said. "I know that there is more than just you and I to think about because of Kyra and Braeden, but I actually like the idea of us trying to become more of a family."
"Are you asking me out Darren?" you asked shocked.
"Yes Paige, I am," he replied.
You were completely stunned. You couldn't lie, you felt the same way, but was this really what was best for your kids? What if it didn't work out?
"I don't know about this, what happens if it doesn't work out?" you asked.
"Don't think like that, just answer me one question, and don't lie, do you feel the same way I do?" he asked.
"Yes," you replied.
"Then that is all that matters," he said. "All that matters is that we like each other and we want to be together. Don't you think it would be better for both Kyra and Braeden to have us be together and start to become more of a family? Don't you want us to be more of a family? I know I do."
"Are you sure about this Darren?" you asked. "We can't afford to take this lightly, not with everything that is at stake."
"I am more sure about this than anything," he said. "Don't you remember when we broke up four years ago, we agreed to keep an open heart that maybe one day if it was meant to be, we could get back together?"
"I do remember, Darren," you said.
"Then say yes Paige. Don't be afraid to start this," he said.
"Ok, I say yes," you said after a pause.
With that Darren hugged you and as he pulled away you looked into each other's eyes. Before you knew it, Darren leaned in and kissed you gently. You began to kiss him back as the kiss deepened. Finally the kiss broke, and Darren looked at you smiling from ear to ear. You couldn't believe anything that just happened. You were finally getting the family you always wanted, and nothing could make you happier.
A/N: New Chapter is here, I hope you like it! Please let me know what you think.