Thank you all who reviewed, I was so happy I went right ahead and wrote this chapter. This time I am going to change things up and answer my reviewers at the end of this chapter.
… "By the way, my name is Serena." she smiled once more than walked away.
(Hours Later back in Darien's Hotel Room)
He couldn't believe it. After all these years he couldn't believe that he found her. What he couldn't believe the most was that she didn't recognize him. It also hurt the most. This woman, the one he couldn't forget no matter how hard he tried, the one that left him, and the one he loved. He had to call her, get to know her again. As he reached for the phone he glanced at the clock. It was almost two in the morning. Calling her would have to wait until tomorrow.
(At Serena's House)
She managed to make it through the rest of the day before breaking down. Lucas was put to bed and she was washing dishes when the grief at seeing him came at her in waves. She dropped the dish that she was holding. Her hands locked on the edge of the counter holder her up as her tears mixed with the soapy water below.
He was back and this time she didn't think that she had the heart to leave again. It didn't matter what she was to him. He meant to much to her to be without him. Even though she made that resolution her heart still ached and her tears still fell. With him returning all her old heart ache, that she thought she had gotten over, had once again resurfaced.
After a couple more minutes of sobbing she managed to calm herself down enough to finish the dishes and get ready for bed. As she lay in bed, Serena made the decision to continue to pretend to not remember Darien, it felt less complicated this way.
(The Next Day)
Serena woke up to the buzzing of her alarm clock. She pushed the clock off the edge of the bedside table effectively stopping the buzzing. When Serena felt the bed shift because of movement, she ducked her head beneath the covers and griped them tightly preventing Lucas from pulling off the covers to wake her.
Lucas laughed, "Mommy, it's time to get up!"
"No," Serena said stubbornly.
"Come on mom, get up, get up, get up!" he yelled as he bounced on the bed beside her.
"You better stop that Lucas or there will be consequences," Serena warned.
Lucas turned a defiant face to Serena and said, "Make me stop. I don't care about the consequences!"
Serena got an evil glint in her eye, "Not even if you get a visit from…" she paused for dramatic effect, "the tickle monster!" she screamed as she grabbed her son and began tickling him all over. After Lucas had had enough Serena plopped him on the floor and told him to go get ready for school.
As they both prepared for the day, the phone rang. Lucas answered it first, "Mom, it's that guy from yesterday, his name is Darien he says!"
Serena paused as her heart began beating erratically. She silently took the phone from her son as she tried to calm herself down, "Hello?" she said nervously.
"Hi Serena, it's Darien…the man from yesterday."
"Oh, yes, Darien, I don't believe that you gave your name."
"Ya, sorry about that, I was…um…distracted."
"Oh it's no problem. So were you calling about dinner?"
"Yes, actually I was wondering if tonight would be okay for you."
"Absolutely, I get off work at 5:00, so I'll pick you up at 6:30?"
"That sounds fine, I'm staying at the On the Bay Hotel."
"Perfect I know exactly where that's at. Oh and you don't mind if Lucas comes along do you? There's no way I could find a babysitter so short notice," that was a complete but necessary lie, Serena just wasn't ready to be alone with Darien yet.
"That's fine," Although he wanted to spend dinner alone with Serena, he wouldn't mind the child being there so he could ask Lucas some questions that he couldn't find the nerve to ask Serena. After a few more formalities the two hung up and eagerly anticipated the coming dinner.
Serena was working diligently at her desk when her door banged open, making her start in fright. "Hey Serena, I'm home!"
"God Mina, can't you ever knock?"
"Why, what's the point? It's not like you were getting hot and steamy with anyone in here." Serena blushed slightly. Although Mina always made vulgar comments like this, Serena always got embarrassed by it. "Seriously Serena, have you ever gotten hot and steamy with a hunky man?"
Serena gave Mina a look, "Of course I have or did you forget where babies come from?"
Mina laughed, "Good comeback sister! Well since today is my first day back from France, let's go out! Even Lucas can tag along; I mean I haven't seen my nephew in a long time!"
"I have plans tonight, how about tomorrow."
"Whoa, you have plans? You never have plans!"
"Yes I do Mina!" Serena said indigently. Sometimes her friend annoyed her to no end.
"So…who do you have plans with?" Mina asked eagerly.
"No one that concerns you, Mina."
Mina gasped, "Oooo, who is it, it's a man isn't it? That's why you won't tell me!" she yelled getting excited, then she paused, "Please don't tell me it's with that guy you were seeing last time I visited."
"You mean Seiya?" when Mina nodded, Serena laughed, "Oh no please, he was such a jerk he totally flaked out when he found out about Lucas."
"Really? Oh, I'm so sorry honey. How long ago did this happen?"
"Last week." Mina patted Serena's hand.
"So who is it, it is a man right?" asked Mina returning to their earlier discussion and getting excited again.
"Yes, it's a man, but it's not a date," Serena told Mina before she could get too excited.
"You have plans with a man; of course it's a date. The only way it wouldn't be was if you brought Lucas along," Mina glanced at Serena, "Oh, Serena, you aren't are you? You are!" she paused for a moment, "Well since it's not really a date I can come along too." Serena tried to protest but Mina stopped her, "I told you I want to spend time with my nephew so if he goes, I go."
Serena knew she wouldn't win, "Fine, but you better behave or else."
"Me, misbehave, what would make you think I would?" Mina asked in a sugary sweet voice.
Serena just glared at her, "Now I think you should go, I have work to do."
"Oh, can I pick up Lucas from school today and hang out with him?"
"Fine, can you just go so I can work," with that Mina left Serena filled with more worries about dinner that night than before.
Sooo…what do you guys think? Okay moving on to reviews!
MinnieMoosi: Sorry for being so Evil (mwahaaa ha ha) but it's in my nature. Also glad you understand about the suspense, I do know exactly how you feel. I'm sorry (again) that you're confused but feel free to ask questions, I just may be able to answer them. Or not. But for the most part you are right, you'll get the answers eventually. And you will figure out how and when Darien let Serena down. I promise soon! Thanks for your faithful reviews even if you don't want to sign in to review. It's the thought that counts ; )
TropicalRemix: Yup Serena has a kid and as to the child's father…read and find out!
YingYing: Yes, it is Darien's Serena and as was explained above she just wanted to pretend to not remember him because… no good logical reason, but then again when is love ever logical. I'm glad that you liked the meeting, it think that this story needed some humor such as getting hit on the head. Or at least I thought it was funny and a perfect way to reintroduce out two favorite love birds! Not to mention Serena's son, Lucas.
SerenityMoonGodness: I'm sorry that you don't like the seven year skip, but it is necessary as you will soon see if you keep reading.
Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell: Boy's father: mystery Darien did recognize Serena that's why he froze, he was shocked, and he didn't expect it at all.
As a final note I would like to say I'm sorry! I know there are so many questions you guys have and I'm sorry that I can't tell you I really am and I don't want to say that it's all part of the suspense so quit the whining. So I just want to say sorry and keep reading and all questions will be answered! Also keep asking questions, you may ask something that is missing in the story and I need to fix. So please keep reviewing.
Also even though I haven't actually gotten any yet, if you want to send a "hate" message please do it, I want to hear what everyone thinks, even if you hate this story and think it's stupid, tell me. All criticism is accepted. I won't be mad or be like some other authors and start typing in all caps to stimulate yelling because I can't handle rejection. So please all opinions!
Well its outie for me…