You Belong To Me
Epilogue - What Every Man Wants!
A month has passed since that fateful event of Andrew (a.k.a Dylan) was reunited with his family. Now as Darien stands before the alter, awaiting his bride, he reflects on all that had happened to get him to stand before the alter ready to say 'I do.' There was a time in his life when he didn't believe that day would come, but it had come all too soon. He had waited his whole life for this moment where he will finally let the whole world know that Serena belonged to him and no one was ever going to take her away. It was time to claim the price of destiny and he would gladly extend his hand forward and receive the blessing of God Almighty.
Standing beside him were two also finely dressed grooms with thoughts of their ladies similar to Darien's.
Behind the closed door of the church, Serena stood in a lovely white dress. The dress was very simply however it looked as if it was specifically made for her. if anyone had worn it, it might had look very wrong and even hideous, but carefully made by Trista for her, it brought out the true beauty that she had always possessed, though one time in her life she had believed it was possible for her to become beautiful. Silently with eyes closed, she let the piano music calm her nerves and arise the memories of the long journey that had brought her from her birth to this moment when she would finally be united forever with the man she believed without a doubt was her soul mate.
However, today wasn't just her day. Standing beside her were Molly and Lita. Molly was dressed in a simple elegant night gown while Lita wore a green wedding dress. This would be a wedding to never be forgotten, well at least the clothes and colors wouldn't be. Today was their day too, by Serena they would walk to the alter into the arms of their destined partners.
Molly couldn't believe she was standing behind a church door, ready to walk down the aisle once again into the arms of a man and seal her fate forever. Over fifty years ago, she had gone down this same journey and now here she was, a 71 year old woman ready to remarry again. It was kind of a joke but she still wanted to feel the hopefulness of walking down the aisle and having the your whole life flash before you and finally knowing you were going home. But as she stood, ready for the cue to go in, she reflected on how all of this had been possible.
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Flashbacks
The next day after the meeting with Darien, Serena and Andrew, they had all called her early in the morning to wish her a happy birthday. They had decided to go to the UK to settle the matter of Andrew's birth.
A week later as she was in her office, she received a bouquet of Brodiaeaflowers; there had been no name, just three words. 'I am sorry.' They were enough to let her know who they were from. Her eyes watered up and her heart started to race.
"Who are these from Lucy?" she had asked the woman who had brought it to her.
"I am not sure Mrs. Molly. He was in a car, a tainted car so I couldn't see his face. But I know he was an old man."
"Thank you." she said. Suddenly she got up and ran out of the room with Lucy running behind her in confusion. But she found no one and her heart broke again, was it her imagination that was suddenly playing tricks on her? How stupid could she be in thinking it was him. She returned to her office, bid Lucy a goodbye and curled herself up in a ball, the tears helplessly falling down her face. A few minutes later, the phone rang but she didn't pick up. It went to voicemail.
Molly, did you like the roses? Well I hope so. Please will it be alright to take you out tonight? I will be there at 7, please dress formally and I have a surprise for you, this you cannot miss! If I come and you haven't dressed, I will personally dress you. Until then, have a beautiful day.
Darien's voice left a message and that was able to break through Molly's tears. She chuckled a little at the messaged and wiped her face.
I can't be depressed forever.
Rising from the couch she had cushioned herself on, she went to her closet to look for something to wear.
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Unbeknown to her was the plot hatched by the three people she considered her children.
After returning back from the UK three days later, Darien booked a plane ticket for Ken who had finally convinced Melvin to take a trip to Romania. As the two Japanese sat on the plane on their way to Romania, Serena and Darien wondered if this was the right thing to do.
"Darien, won't we just hurt them? Serena asked, wondering if this action they had taken was meddling on their part.
"I don't know Serena, but at least let's give them the chance to reunite. I really believe there is much more in store for them. They need each other; at least that's how I feel." Darien answered. Serena sighed, she understood his feelings and felt the same way in fact, but their plan could either backfire in the most painful of ways or work or heal both the elderly's hearts. But the problem was that, both of them had a fifty-fifty chance of working.
But that wasn't the only plot Darien was hatching. As they waited for Ken and Melvin to arrive, he went through various jewel stores looking for the perfect ring for Serena. They were already engaged but when she had proposed to him and him to her, there had been no ring. It was time to do it properly.
Serena on the other hand occupied herself with research on how to help improve the economy in Dialand. She needed to return there as soon as possible.
Finally, Melvin and Ken arrived. They were picked up from the airport by Darien and safely brought to his house. Ken who had seen the house before still marveled at the extravagant of it and of course, the renovations that had added some changes. Melvin who was used to riches still gasped at the beauty of it all, especially the fountains.
After the travelers were seated and their thirst quench by Serena's soothing fruit wine, they sat to discuss the real issue of why Ken had convinced Melvin to take a vacation.
"You have a beautiful house here Darien." Melvin said.
"Thank you Mr. Umino." Darien answered humbly
"Melvin is fine."
"Ok Melvin. There is a reason you are here."
"I suspected so." The other three looked at themselves and shrugged. No point beating around the bush now.
"Well yes, I am aware you were once married to a model?" Darien begun.
"Yes." He answered, sipping his drink with an unbothered expression.
"What happened to her?" Serena asked. There was silence, except for his sipping. He finally sat the wine glass down and looked u pat them.
"I see, so you are reporters."
"Not exactly." Darien answered. He looked at them with suspicious eyes and finally sighed, giving in.
"I made a horrible mistake, and she paid for it." He said and Serena saw the raw pain she had seen in Molly's eyes in his. He looked like a dying man, his whole composure ready to shatter at any moment. His eyes were dead, had been for many years. Unwittingly, she began to cry. This wasn't right! Why had God made these two people who were so in love separate so painfully?!
Darien put his hand around Serena, he knew her pain. It was time to stop with the questions and get straight to the point.
"Melvin, Molly is a great friend of mine. She has been a mother to me since we first met. She is an awesome woman and with a kind, strong heart. the model, no the woman you let go for her sister is very much alive and is right here in Romania." With every word Darien's said, Melvin's eyes grew wide. Shock, disbelief, anger, hope and a crushing fear all at once rooted him to his seat.
Darien and Serena looked worriedly at him, but he seemed too shock to take notice. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he came to. A choking sob shuddered his body, tears fell from his eyes and before them he broke down. They let him cry the whole night, leaving him to his thoughts and retreated for the night to their own rooms.
"You think he will be alright?" Serena asked as she lay in his arms.
"He will be fine, he just need to let things out of him." Darien answered his lover. They both sighed and clung to each other, their prayers identical.
Please God, don't let this happen to us.
By one in the morning, Serena so worried for Melvin got up. Taking a blanket, she went to the living room to find he had fallen asleep. She covered him with the blanket, prayed a quick prayer of healing for him and returned to her room. She found Darien awake on the bed and silently, she went into his loving arms.
The next day, Serena woke up early to prepare breakfast. Darien had to leave for his office. The two sat at the kitchen table, Serena watching Darien eat the meal she had prepared.
"These pancakes are so good!" he praised and she giggled.
"I'm glad you like them." He looked up her smiling face and returned the smile.
"I think even if you cooked me a worm it will taste delicious just case you made it." He said.
"That's not really a compliment you know." She said to him sourly.
"No I meant it as a compliment…I really did!" Darien said frantically and Serena chuckled.
"I know. What time are you coming back home?"
"About six, if I get done with work fast I will come early!"
"Don't over tax yourself."
"I wont." He finished eating and Serena walked him to the car. Fixing his collar, she looked up at him with pride in her eyes. She was proud of the man standing before her.
"I will see you this evening ok." He said softly, gently taking her chin and kissing down on her lips. Finally into the car he sat and the driver drove off. With him gone, she suddenly felt her heart drop.
Just a few hours before he comes back. She thought and turned back to the house.
From the shadows, Melvin watched all their loving displays, remembering a time like that for him and Molly. He returned to his position on the couch before he was caught. Closing his eyes, he reviewed those happy days with Molly, those glorious days he felt so empowered. Stupidly he had thrown her away. The tears leaked again from his eyes. Serena who had finished cleaning the kitchen and was returning to her room saw him crying and she approached him. She sat across from him.
"Molly is a really good person, there is no way she wouldn't forgive you if you apologized." She said. They sat silently.
"Tell me, is she happy?"
"That's kind of a hard question to answer. To people she always seem happy but then again, she doesn't like people knowing anything in her heart."
"You know, she wasn't barren. After she left I found out that two of the many tests we took proved that she was not barren. I was the one who couldn't give her the necessities to birth a child." He said, more tears sliding down his cheeks even though his arm covered his eyes.
"I'm sure she will be happy to hear this." Serena said.
"She probably already knows. She has children by now."
"No." he sat up.
"No?"
"Molly has been single ever since the two of you divorced." He couldn't believe what he was hearing! It had been 45 years ago! And she still hadn't taken another husband?! What was she waiting for?! Why had she lost the chance to live happily with a family of her own!?
"I know, it's shocking right? Not many women can do what she has done." Serena said proudly.
"So she isn't married, has no kids either? Why!?" he demanded.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" he blinked.
"I can see her?"
"Whenever you want." He thought about the offer but sighed.
"She wouldn't want to see me."
"You won't know without giving it a try." He looked at her, and saw how genuinely she wanted to help him.
"Will you help me?" he asked.
"It will be my pleasure!" Serena said excitedly. From the door, Ken stood smiling at them. He had had the night to get over his hormones at seeing Darien's gorgeous wife to be. She was exquisite and charming and knew her to be very kind.
Darien my friend, you have picked a good one. What every man wants. He thought with a smile.
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After they had all showered and had breakfast, they set out to explore the city. At 12:30, the went to Darien's office to give him his lunch.
"Well this is a surprise." He said, seeing all three of them together.
"We were exploring." Serena answered as she set the food on the table.
"Ah I see, please sit anywhere you like." He told them.
"Man Dare, you're living the life!" Ken said. He was amazed at the glass walls.
"Well thank you." they chatted as he ate his lunch.
"Can we go to a flower store?" Melvin asked. They looked at her.
"Sure, but I have no idea where one is. Darien?"
"I could take you." he offered.
"Is that ok? What about your job?"
"Oh I have a few minutes to spare. Rising to their feet, they left the office to the flower shop where Melvin bought a bouquet of purple flowers.
"Brodiaea were always her favorite flowers. I wonder if she will like them." He whispered.
"I'm sure she will. Are you ready to go see her now?" Serena asked. He shook his head.
"For now I just want to give her these flowers, then if she will meet me later tonight for dinner…."
"Leave it all to us." They drove off to the nursing home, Darien telling Melvin about how Molly became the owner of it. When they arrived at the nursing home, Serena saw Lucy.
"Give the flowers to Lucy and ask her to give it to Molly." Serena advised. Rolling the window down a little, Melvin called to her.
"Miss Lucy!' hearing her name being called, she turned around to where the sound had come from and saw an outstretched hand holding a bouquet of flowers. Slowly he approached the car.
"Yes?" she asked, trying ot see through the tainted car.
"Can you please hand this to Mrs. Molly?" Melvin asked.
"Um…sure. And you are?"
"She will know."
"Oh…ok."
"Thank you." she nodded and they drove off.
"What kind of restaurant do you want to go to so I can make reservation for you Melvin."
"Any formal restaurant is ok."
"Alright, I think I know the prefect place." Darien called and made a reservation. After that he called Molly to let her know of the plan for dinner.
"Serena, do you mind going there with me too?" he asked.
"Not at all." They returned Darien back to work and they went shopping for the perfect outfit for Melvin.
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7 pm found Serena and Melvin at the restaurant. The plan was for them to wait for Darien and Molly at the restaurant. Melvin was shaking, his nerves getting the better of him.
"Calm down or you might make a fool of yourself." Serena said with a sigh. She had been trying really hard to calm his nerves but her efforts were in vain.
"I know but I can't calm myself! I am an old man!"
"Oh please, you look two decades less your age. And you have more energy than even me."
"Thank God for that."
They joked to calm him, waiting for Darien and Molly to show up.
Darien had no reason to dress Molly, she was ready to go by the time he arrived at her home. In the car as they drove, she was quiet and distance. He fervently hoped then that the decision they had made was the right one. They arrived at the restaurant and as was planned with the waiter, Darien gave a single white rose to the waiter who went and gave it to Serena.
"Good luck." She whispered to Molly before moving to her and Darien's seat, a place they could still see the older couple and intervene if needed.
"This way miss." The waiter returned to Darien and Molly and gently took Molly's hand and escorted her to the seat Serena had just evacuated. But as she approached the desk, she stopped dead in her tracks. Time froze and from the sides, Darien and Serena watched nervously. The two older people stared at each other, unable to do anything else. But the funny thing about it was that it was as if they were communicating. Their eyes spoke the words their mouths couldn't utter. After an eternity, tears trailed down Molly's cheeks as well as Melvin's. To Serena, the rest happened in slow motion. Melvin crumbled to his knees and covered his face. That action jolted Molly and she sort of ran, sort of speed walked and went on her own knees before him, she wrapped her hand around and before the stunned eyes of the customers, they cried.
From where she was sitting, tears also fell from Serena's eyes. As happy as she was, the nervousness had been too strong on her. Darien walked up to her and hugged her.
"Everything is ok now."
"Yeah." She whispered. He smiled and went on his knees. Taking out the ring he had bought, he looked up at her, her eyes watering again.
"Marry me?"
"Three times?"
"No, forever."
"Yes."
They kissed.
End of Flashback
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"Lita, are you ok?" Molly asked, they had a few more minutes to walk into the church room. Lita was gripping her dress with white knuckled fingers.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said, very nervous about the decision she could not take back once she walks into the room.
"It's alright Lita. I know it's still hard to accept him but I promise you, this is the best decision you will have ever made in your life." Serena assured.
"I know….I just….I keep seeing him turning me away when they ask if he will be with me forever."
"If that happens, that guy wont be able to walk for the rest of is life." Serena said, earning a chuckle from the worried girl. Lita could still remember how it all happened and why she was ready for her wedding.
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Flashback
After the Molly and Melvin affair, Serena and Darien took the next plane to Dialand to over see what was happening. With everything under control and supplies coming in, Serena didn't have much to do so she spent her days visiting the people, singing to the older people and telling stories for the younger ones. Darien marveled at how much the people really loved and trusted her. Her every action brought a smile on their face, their eyes shinning as if she was their savior. Even in pain, seeing her makes them forget that they are on the bed with their life at stake.
As they sat to eat dinner together that night, Serena finally paid attention to what she had been noticing for the past three days since she had been back in Dialand.
"Lita, Nephrite, out side, now." She said. She got up with everyone looking confuse at her. The two mentioned roused up too and followed her.
"Darien, please come too."
"Uh…sure." Together the four of them walked outside to an isolated location. Under a skeletal tree, they stood staring at each other.
"You wanna tell me what is going on?" she asked Nephrite and Lita. They looked away from her and from each other.
"Is something wrong?" Darien asked.
"They've been totally ignoring each other and I know there is more to it." Serena answered.
"Nephrite?" Darien asked. Finally the brown haired general sighed.
"It's my fault."
"For what exactly?" Serena asked.
"I… I messed up. Even before Lita and Darien were sent to the US I always loved her. When she left, I missed her so much. I didn't think we would ever meet again. And I did something very stupid." He answered.
"Oh don't tell me." Serena groaned.
"You got a girl pregnant?!" Darien asked in shock!
"No!" Neph screamed back, very disoriented by Darien's conclusion. "No, but I sort of used a girl." they finally understood what he meant.
"I see. Well there is nothing much I can say but listen to this little I have to offer. We had just had to deal with an old time relationship that has taught me that a man, who makes a mistake, realizes his mistake and apologize for it is a man you must keep. Lita, there is no need to pretend that you don't have any feelings for him and obviously he loves you. I've been back for three days and I have seen him staring at you at every chance he gets and I have seen him cry. I believe what you two have is something that can be worked out, now If you let something that could be over come over come you instead, then you will loose something so precious that you will regret it for the rest of your life. Please, talk to each other and make a decision best for yourselves. This is all I've got to say." Serena said and walked away. Darien wanted to follow her but he had something to tell them as well. Thinking Molly's story would be an inspiration to them, he told them what had happened.
It worked. Two days later as they sat around a fire telling old stories, Serena mentioned the wedding that would be taking place in about a month's time. In front of everyone, Nephrite proposed to Lita who reluctantly accepted the proposal.
End of Flashback
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"Ready guys?" Serena asked. It was time to walk in. she wondered if any of her family members would be there. After the meeting with the king, it had been decided that her mother needed a therapeutic attention. There was something very wrong with her; she was selfish past sanity so a consultation would be in her best interest. For the next 6 months, she would leave the house to an institution where she would be counseled then return home. But even after returning home, she will have two days visit to a councilor every week until they were sure she was normal or at least human again. Serena was reinstated back into her family though it was obvious they wouldn't really have much to do with each other. They were too different; too much heartache and pain had been caused to be forgotten. And the mystery of why Dylan was named Andrew after he was found by his adoptive parents were solved. With each child born into the Nightingale family, a crest of their name was made for them. In other to keep a memory of her other child, their mother had taken the crest of the twin left with the father after she was kicked out of the house. That day when she abandoned Dylan, she placed Andrew's crest into the basket Dylan was found in and so the adoptive family figured it was his name so they called him Andrew. Of course she had done that to confuse anyone whom might trace the child back to its owner. It was shocking to Serena that a crest with her name was also made for her though she had never known or seen it. After her mother rejected her, her father couldn't give her the crest because the mother threw it into the bottom of the sea. He had secretly had another one made for her with hopes that she might be accepted by the mother.
The father had been foolish, but not heartless and he had apologized over and over to Serena about the lie that was made against her. The mother had concocted the whole plan and since she had never been denied, they had gone along with her. Rei apologized too but the damage was already made. Even still, Serena assured them that she would spend her days finding in her heart to forgive them. Of course it was also revealed that the father had been having an affair and was caught by Serena. That was why he nearly beat her to death and she ran away from home. The one to reveal this secret had surprisingly been Nehelaniah who from the shadows had also witnessed the affair. She had also admitted to Darien that ever since Serena vanished, she had never found any joy in life. She had only accepted to compete in the contest to marry Darien with the intention that if Serena didn't win, she would and give the victory to Serena. She would have not accepted Darien as her husband.
With all said and done, Andrew had stayed to get to know them better while she and Darien had returned to Romania to put their Molly and Melvin reunion in motion. However as the marriage became tangible, she had sent a letter to them about her wedding. She had received a letter back from her father saying they would attend but she hadn't seen them and inside she was sad that they wouldn't show up.
Andrew (Dylan) had arrived earlier with the king and some elders; he was Darien's best man.
Now it was time to walk up to the alter and begin a life with the man of her dreams.
The door to the church opened and the perfumed scents of flowers filled their noses. With a loud sigh from the three of them, they began walking as the flower girls sprinkle flowers of all kinds. Standing halfway of the alter were the men who would be giving them away. The idea was funny. Serena would be the last to walk up to the alter because Darien would be the one to take Lita's hand and give her to Nephrite before returning to his spot. Molly didn't need to be given away.
To Serena's surprise and happiness, her father stood there, staring at her with pride. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the rest of her family, even her extended ones. Grandmothers and grandfathers, including uncles and aunts she would later be introduced to. The wedding was taking place in Dialand, by Serena's request so all the people in the small village were there to cheer her on. They were all finely dressed with smiles on their faces but others were sad and Serena saw it. She would not be living with them but she had assured them that she would be there to visit them as often as she could and wherever she was, she would still take care of them. They knew she would, but still they prefer she stayed with them. But seeing how happy she was with Darien, they were willing to let her go but they had ambushed Darien and made some rather gruesome threats to him that if he ever hurt their princess, death would not be the only thing he would have to fear. Seeing her practically glowing, mostly from the blush that had covered her whole body, they knew they had made the right choice to let her go. It was time she lived for herself and not for others.
Walking to her father with a shy smile, he also shyly took her hand and walked the distance to where Darien stood.
"Take care of her." he whispered to the groom before giving Serena's hand to him.
"I will Sir."
None of the brides were aware of what happened next, they only remembered being kissed and cheers crowding their ears.
Today was their day and they all hoped and wished with all their hearts that theirs would be a fairytale romance, a happily ever after.
The End!
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