Chapter 22: Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
This was perfect. She would be with Darien taking care of this little tyke and they'd be together. Like a family! Even Ann couldn't possibly ruin this. Darien would have to sit back and accept her help, and eventually he'd have to come to realize she makes a goodbabysitter, and maybe even a girlfriend too.
She'd never really been to his apartment much. It was pretty roomy for a single guy. Flat screen tv, couch, kitchen the works. Kind of like a bachelor pad…hehe. She noticed the kid was crying and thought this was her cue to really impress him.
He was surprised that Serena even offered to help. She could barely handle homework let alone a little kid, who was basically a baby. Hell Serena was a baby…a cry baby. It was very adult of her to offer to help, he'd give her that much, but whether or not she'd actually end up being a help was a huge variable.
It was kind of stressful, but she'd dodge his digs at her if she had to…the least she could do to get him to somewhat like her. He was pretty good with kids she'd give him that much. Who knew bitter Darien would be so good with kids? I mean she'd seen the lighter side of him, but he never seemed like a kid kind of person. I mean she wasn't either, but she was confident her face making skills surpassed his…maybe not her milk warming skills but she'd take the latter.
It got a lot easier. Serena did handle it well…considering it was Serena. Eventually Jordan stopped crying that that was a load off. She wasn't that bad. Sure he could handle Jordan on his own no problem, but Serena did make things a bit easier…at least he thought.
What was the nerve of him? Really getting so worked up! Of course Jordan was going to walk before he was going to talk! He was a kid, what was he going to do? Tell us what he wanted? Not after all that whining! Why did Darien have to be so mean? Maybe it was all hopeless! I mean what did she see in him anyway? He probably hated her for interfering on his babysitting job…who knows if he'd even remember…why couldn't everything just be right again? She felt so hopeless looking down at her reflection, thinking she'd never see his beside it.
So what Serena had gotten worked up? Jordan was going to just start walking like magic? As if. Why she got so mad when they argued he didn't understand? Maybe he was a bit harsh on her, but still did she have to storm out? And why did he get the feeling like she expected something more from him? He didn't hate her, but she needed to relax a bit. God, why were girls so confusing?
Ann. Ann out of all people happened to be at Darien's house. This was no coincidence, he'd chosen her. He'd been sick of their arguing and decided to invite Ann instead. That had to be it, it was hopeless. She'd tell him how she felt. She was absolutely sick of the crappy way that he'd been treating her, like nothing she ever did was good enough that…that…Jordan?
Ann was a terrible babysitter. The kid yelled and cried at every move she made…and what was worse was that Serena probably thought he'd try to replace her. Even that would be low. She wasn't that bad, and honestly after seeing Ann, he'd realized Serena did actually care for the kid. He had to stop Serena because Jordan…wait Jordan…
Serena couldn't believe her eyes, not only did Darien want her to come back, but Jordan was walking. That's right walking. She was right. Darien wasn't offended either, but basking in the joyous moment with her, hand in hand celebrating their win. They had taught Jordan to walk. And she couldn't be happier.
He didn't care so much that he was wrong. He'd give Serena that much. But they'd actually been successful babysitters enough to get Jordan to walk. It made him feel happy, and he was happy to see Serena happy. They'd done something that they never thought that they could do and it felt good. He hadn't even noticed they were holding hands until Ami came in.
Serena yawned. Fighting that Cardian took a lot out of her, but luckily Jordan's mom was getting out of the hospital and all better, so no more baby stress! On the other hand that meant less time with Darien, but they made some progress considering they'd both been pretty proud with their walking accomplishment with the little tyke.
He actually kind of disliked having to give up babysitting the kid. He and Serena had gotten so far with him, but it was nice to see that his mother was back and better out of the hospital. They said goodbyes, and he looked down to the kid. Serena knelt down beside him too.
"Goodbye Darien!" "Meatballhead!"
The two stood in awe at each other. Were they really that good? Serena questioned her babysitting skills.
Darien knew that they must be pure geniuses. They found themselves in another gleeful dance over their combined accomplishments.