Thank you everyone so very much for your reviews! I love reading them!
They truly help me continue!
Today was a long day-and tomorrow, my morning is going to be CRAZY- so please bear with me as I take a extra few days to edit things/etc.
On a fun note...I'm going to a science museum on Saturday! SOOOOOO excited!
While I pretty much have this story written-I would be happy to take suggestions on what you, as the readers, would like to see. I could try to include different things.
Also, as I want everyone to know the "timeline"
It's only been a few months.
Just so everyone knows!
I guess I am progressing along now. YAY!
Random tidbit: If you ever plan on visiting Arizona-NEVER do it during May-October. Oh my gosh its HOT. And weird. I once read a sign on a Denny's type place that said, "Please leave firearms outside"-wait outside? Yes. It read outside. I had my friend re-read it to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong. o_O
Yea, okay. I'll just leave it leaning against the door. Nothing wrong with that.
Anyways, without delay-here's the next chapter!
Bon Appétit!
"Rei, you never told any of us this." Ami;s concerned voice carried over the quiet bedroom.
Rei looked down at her chilling tea, "I never told anyone, Ami."
"Rei, did you…?" Mina's questions rang in the air. An unspoken question that all wanted to ask.
Long black hair shook back and forth. "No, I didn't have an abortion."
She seemed to take a few steady breaths before she continued, "When I saw that I was pregnant, I probably stayed in bed for an entire weekend. I was so shocked. I mean, how could this happen to me? ME?!" She ran her hands through her hair, "I was the good girl. I was the smart one."
Serena's sapphire blue eyes softened, "Rei, things happen, no reason to beat yourself up over it."
"I didn't tell him. I stopped writing. I was almost 3 months pregnant when it happened." Her grip on the tea cup tightened and the girls could see moisture filling up her impressive brown eyes.
"I was in a lot of pain one evening; such excruciating pain. I almost thought I was dying. Then, I started bleeding." She lifted her face to the four women whom she called her best friends, "I had lost my baby."
Within seconds, Rei was engulfed by four pairs of arms. Each one a comfort.
September
Serena heard her phone go off as she watched her kindergarten class taking their afternoon nap. She thanked whoever thought of vibrate for phones and picked it up as quietly as possible.
She covered her mouth, "Hello?"
"Serena?"
She smiled at the sound of Darien's voice.
She continued whispering, "Hold on, one second."
She tip toed out of the room and into the hallway.
"Sorry about that, the class just went down for a quick nap. What's up?"
"Wish I could take naps at work.." was the tired reply
Serena rolled her eyes playfully.
"I just got off work and wanted to know if we could catch an early dinner tonight?"
Serena glanced at her watch. School would be out in an hour.
"Darien, you just got off of a 14 hour shift. You're not tired?"
"Not too tired to see you." Serena could only smile. Since their first date, Darian had been true to his word and called the next day setting up their second date and then the calls kept coming. She was shocked when he hadn't tried to kiss her again, though he would caress or find ways to touch her whenever he could. He seemed to respect that there was something she hadn't told him yet but he allowed her the right to her secrets and seemed to be giving her time to become comfortable around him. It had only been a few weeks, but for the first time since Lucas, she was beginning to feel safe and comfortable around men, well Darien anyways.
She smiled again. Though her smile faltered as she saw a man she had never noticed before enter the janitor's closet. His back was turned towards her, but for some reason, she felt a chill run across her body.
"Serena, did you hear me?"
"Huh? What?"
He chuckled, "Stop day-dreaming. I asked if I can pick you up around 5? I have something planned."
"Ohh! Sorry, yes, that sounds fine."
"Alright, I'll see you in a bit."
Saying her goodbyes, she glanced back down the hallway to find it empty again. Shaking off the feeling, she walked back in the classroom.
Like always, Darien was right on time and Serena found the sight of him to be something that she looked forward too, far more then she was willing to verbally admit.
"Hey there beautiful. How was your day?" He kissed the top of her head, the only kiss he allowed himself and wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
"It was actually really good, my class scored the highest on their ABC's." She beamed. "What about yours?"
Darien shrugged as he walked them towards his car, "Some idiot decided to barricade himself inside his house along with his ex-girlfriend and their baby. A custody battle gone bad I guess."
Serena's eyes widened, "What happened?"
He opened the door for her. and motioned for her to get inside. Jogging around the back end he got in himself. Starting the car, he responded, "It's rather gruesome Serena."
"You can tell me if you need to talk. If not, it's okay."
He nodded as they started to drive, "He ended up trying to shoot his ex and the baby. She had turned a certain way I guess, that when he fired at her, it skimmed her. He ended up shooting himself before we got to him."
"oh my. And the mother and baby are alright?"
The car pulled to a stop at a red light. "Yeah, well, physically speaking. She wouldn't let go of Jed when we found her. I swear, I will never understand how a father could put his child and the mother of his child in danger. Or try to kill them." Darien's head shook and Serena saw his arms and fist flex. She reached for his right hand that was leaning in the console.
Sliding her fingers through his, she squeezed his hand. When he looked in her direction she gave him her best smile.
He smiled back and brought her hand to his mouth and placed a chaste kiss over her knuckles, "Thanks, Sere."
It wasn't long before they pulled into a drive way. Serena glanced towards Darien, "Your house?" she questioned.
"Yeah, I realized I've never shown it to you. I figured we could order some take out and watch some movies." Serena took a few deep breaths.
While she had been alone with him throughout this past few weeks, she was never in a place where they were actually alone, just the two of them. He would usually come to her house and at least one of the girls was there.
"No hanky panky Serena-unless you want—oommph" He rubbed the spot on his stomach that she slapped.
"Can we order Pizza? I'm in the mood for stuffed crust."
He chuckled and nodded, "Sure thing princess."
"WHY are we watching this again?" Serena screeched and shoved the pillow over her face as the killer popped out of a doorway, chasing his next victim.
"You said you wanted to see The Texas chain saw massacre—"
Serena popped one sapphire eye open and pulled the pillow down an inch, seeing the screen, she pulled the pillow back up again. "I never said that all!" She smacked the pillow in his face,
"Hey!" Darien reached behind him and grabbed another pillow, smacking Serena in the arm.
"Hey back! You don't hit girls!" She smacked him a few more times with her pillow, his arms coming up in defense. They both started laughing.
"And you shouldn't hint gentlemen!" He returned a few more smacks.
"When you see one let me know!" was her smart reply and within seconds, a full blown pillow war broke out.
When Darien finally got the pillow away from Serena, he went in for the kill, tackling her to the couch.
What was supposed to be "Darien" ended up sounding like "daarrrni" through Serena squeaks of laughter, "Whose the man?! Tell me I'm the man and it will stop. If not, it will only intensify!" To prove his point, he ran his fingers even faster around her waist and stomach, earning more squeals of delight.
"YOU WIN!, " more giggles could be heard, "You win, Darien!"
He continued on, "Say it!"
Burst of laughter echoed throughout the house, "You're the man!"
"There that was easy, huh?" His blue eyes shined with laughter as Serena kept giggling.
When she noticed he hadn't gotten up yet, she turned her head to say something and found herself caught in his eyes.
She heard her name in a hushed whisper before his lips captured hers in the most tender of kisses.
Serena felt her body relax beneath his and as soon as her arms wrapped around his neck, she felt Darien sink more into her. She smiled into the kiss . She thought for a moment, 'who am I to deny him?' and she was brought to a new level of heaven when his tongue slipped between her lips. Within moments their tongues dueled for dominance.
Serena could tell that their little make-out session was slowly getting out of hand when Darien's hands began to grip her waist, as if in a desperate need. Then, without any notice, his hands slipped under her shirt.
Serena's mind began to struggle. She knew, within her very soul, that Darien wouldn't harm her. but flashes of that night slowly entered her mind, as Darien changed the angle of the kiss.
When his hands cupped her breast, Serena pushed him with all her might. Her mind screamed and a moment later, Serena found herself screaming along with it. "No!"
Within seconds he had gotten off her. She pulled herself up into a small ball, bringing her knees to her chest; she rested her head against them.
Both were breathing heavy and for a few moments the only sound of much needed air. Then Darien spoke, his voice full of concern, "Serena? Did I hurt you?"
Her only response was a small shake of her head.
"Serena, look at me, please." When she refused to look up Darien got off the couch and kneeled down in front of her, "Serena, please honey, look at me."
He brought his hands up and slowly pried her arms loose. She finally looked at him, "I'm sorry Darien. I overreacted."
His eyes furrowed, "Serena, if you ever want me to stop, simply say so. Please don't apologize. But what happened?"
Serena could only shake her head. Her eyes begging him to not ask anymore.
Darien decided not to push the issue, at least not yet. He knew something was wrong ;women simply didn't freak out like that, not without some cause.
He grabbed the pillows they had tossed on the ground and stood up. He moved to the tv, taking out the horror movie, he flipped through a few other ones; after deciding on one, he popped it in and hit play. Grabbing the blanket that laid over the other couch, he walked back over. Stretching the blanket out and over him, he patted the spot right next him, lifting the blanket as an invitation. Serena smiled, a smile meant to say thank you as she crawled next to him and pulled herself into a cuddling position. He wrapped the blanket securely around the both of them and then placed his arms around her shoulders.
"I hope you like How to lose a guy in 10 days." Serena glanced up. Surprise evident on her face.
"You're the best Darien. Thank you. For everything."
He smiled as the movie began to play and he leaned down to kiss the top of her silvery blonde hair, "You're welcome Sere. Anything for you."
Uh oh! Who was the man who was walking the hallway at the school?
Did I just toss something random in my story to tease you all? Or, is there more to it?
Remember when I said I like tormenting my characters? I enjoy doing that to my readers too! =P
Bedtime for me.
Sweet dreams all.