Hey all!
The Science Museum was A.W.E.S.O.M.E! =)
Found the best hoodie-EVER!
I sadly did not get to see the Endeavor-as they ran out of tickets- =( But, I plan on going back again, and will hopefully see it then!
Let me tell you...I greatly DESPISE LA traffic. With a passion! Great passion. If you don't like traffic-don't come to Southern California.
Anyways, I hope you're all having a beautiful weekend.
On to the next chapter!
Late October
"What should we do for Halloween?"
All five girls were situated around their kitchen table, bright orange pumpkins and cutting knives scattered everywhere.
Serena glanced at the mess before her, "I'm not sure, hey Lita? Could you make pumpkin bread?"
Lita rolled her eyes but nodded, earning a grin from each of the girls around the table.
"Why don't we have a small party? Us and the men in our lives?"
Mina beamed, "Great idea Leets! We should have a scary movie night and everyone should dress up as a famous couple!"
"I think I could manage that." Ami's soft response had the girls smiling.
"What would you and Andrew dress up as Mina?"
Mina sat back, cutting knife in hand as a thoughtful expression moved across her features, "I could be sleeping beauty and he could be Prince Phillip."
Serena grinned, "We only have a few days until Halloween, should we get this planned now?"
Rei turned her pumpkin towards the girls and smiled at her cat creation, "I'm down."
Multiple screams echoed throughout the house as Mina and Serena dived under a blanket as the movie played on.
Lita shoved them both with her feet, "Mins, Sere, its not that scary of a movie."
Serena moved the blanket from her face, "It is! I mean, why can't we watch a cute movie for Halloween?"
"Then it wouldn't be a scary movie night, meatball brains."
Serena humphed as Darien returned with the coveted bowl of popcorn, "I thought I heard my lady scream. Decided to come to her rescue."
Serena grinned as she planted a light kiss on his cheek, "At least someone cares."
Rei stuck her tongue out and returned back to the movie.
Ami gave a reassuring smile from the love seat her and Zach occupied. Serena returned it.
As the girl on the screen crept out out of the well, the doorbell rang, signaling five girly screams.
Each of the guys either chuckled or laughed right out as Serena got up to answer the door, a bucket of candy in her hand.
"So much for "it's not that scary of a movie."
Lita glared at Jed as he held his hands out in mute surrender.
Serena laughed as she opened the door. Jumping back slightly at the tall figure in the "scream" mask; Serena tried to smile, "Happy Halloween."
The figure simply held out his bag. Serena noted that his bag was completely empty but dropped a few snickers in anyway.
Darien glanced back and stood quickly. Walking towards the door, the figure glanced up and turned around. By the time Darien reached the door, the figure had already descended the porch steps and moved towards the drive way.
Serena felt a chill run down her spine as the figure turned once again towards the house, the mask completely covering his face.
Darien moved to the porch and stood directly in front of Serena. "Sere, I want you back inside the house."
At the sound of Darien's voice, the four other men in the house stood. Rei and Lita got up as well.
"Whats wrong Darien?"
Jed moved to the porch as well and followed Darien's line of sight.
The man in the "scream" outfit simply took his time walking, glancing back every few seconds. Nathan stepped out as well, "What happened?"
Darien inclined his head to the man still walking, very slowly, from the house.
"His bag was completely empty Darien."
Serena bit her bottom lip, a sense of dread coming over her.
Ami turned the movie off and walked towards where the other girls had gathered.
Mina looked up at Andrew as he glanced out the front window.
"I have an idea." Nine heads turned towards Zach, "How about we make this into a Halloween sleep over?"
Darien nodded as he, Jed and Nathan came back inside, "Not a bad idea. How about a happy movie?"
Five men chuckled when a chorus of "yes's" echoed from each of the women present.
Late November
Halloween had come and gone for Serena, as she prepared her classroom for Thanksgiving. Her students were coloring little pilgrims and Natives; bright reds, oranges and deep browns covered every desk.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" the majority of the students turned towards her, "It's time to clean up! Your parents will be here soon and you all will be able to show them your amazing work!" She bent down and picked up extra glue that rolled off a table.
Serena couldn't help but smile as the kindergartners busied themselves with shoving all their thanksgiving pictures in their backpacks and grabbing their lunch bags from their cubbies. Each kid ran out of the classroom once the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
She wrapped her arms around herself. Working with them every day made Serena realize how much she wanted to be mother. She smiled as she began disinfecting, a constant necessity when dealing with six year olds', all the desks before packing up her own things.
Mina poked her head in, "Hey Sere, Rei and I are ready. It's Thanksgiving VE-CA-TION!"
Serena could only grin as she grabbed her purse. "I'm looking forward to the four day weekend!"
"You? At least none of your students found it funny to put gum in your hair as a parting gift." Mina grabbed her shiny golden hair between a few fingers, a pout forming.
Serena patted her on the back, "Thankfully, it was easy to get out."
Mina could only sigh.
"What was he thinking?" Jed jumped in the back of the SWAT van, followed by Darien and the rest of their team.
"What was the asshole thinking? Did he really think he could take on six of us?" A new member of the team named Roberts spoke up.
Jed rolled his eyes as he removed his helmet and looked at Darien. The van began heading back, as each of the men within started to relax.
"Did you guys see his girl though? Man, what I wouldn't give for a piece of that ass."
Darien shook his head.
Roberts spoke again, "You're telling me Shields, that you wouldn't have tapped that if you could?"
"No. I have a beautiful woman at home. I have no need to look elsewhere."
A few "here, here" was heard as Darien glanced back towards Roberts.
"Maybe I should see what you have at home, maybe I wouldn't want to look elsewhere either."
Darien's body tensed; though each man present could see the anger radiating from his body, "Roberts, if you do decide to talk to me again I promise you, I will beat you to the point that you are no longer recognizable. Am I clear?"
"Roberts," Jed spoke up, "You will be switching to Team 2 once we exit this van."
Roberts could only nod, afraid to actually speak.
They pulled into the police yard within another 10 minutes and they exited the van as quickly as possible, as their Sargent spoke up, "Head on home boys."
All nodded and headed to their lockers.
Mina pulled her white corolla into their drive way, "Lita and Ami will both be home late, I think Lita said she had a date with Nathan and Ami had a "study session" with Mr. Winters," Mina winked as she turned the car off, "You girls wanna order pizza and watch chick flicks all night?"
Serena grinned, "Mins, I think you read my mind!"
Rei even smiled, "I could use a girls' night!"
Three doors slammed as they walked to the front door, Serena unlocked it and pushed it open, "What do you girls say to Domin—"
Serena was pushed hard into the family room, a scream escaping her lips as Rei rushed forward, within an instant, Serena watched a fist connect with Rei's face, knocking her out cold. Mina screamed as she too was shoved further into their house, "Rei! Seren-oomph" she connected with a side table next to the couch.
Serena pulled herself to her knees, "Rei? Mina?" She glanced back at the man who stood in all black, "What do you want?"
"I want what you refused to give me you slut." His long legs allowed him to reach her quickly and pulled her up by her hair, Serena's eyes widened, "Lucas…."
His eyes, wild like before, seemed to glow, "You let that perverted man touch you—you are mine you stupid whore!" he tossed her by her hair towards the couch.
Serena pulled herself up quickly, "Stay away from me!"
"Or what? Your little cop boyfriend will find me? No sweetheart, once I'm done with you, you'll be begging for more."
Serena reared back at the sight of him.
"You will never be the man that Darien is." Her sapphire eyes darkened with determination and what surprised even herself-boldness.
Lucas only laughed-a deep, sinister laugh.
"I wish I could say that I can forgive you but, I can't forgive you cheating on me my dear." Lucas reached for her and Serena found herself jumping over the side arm and twisting to the opposite side of the couch, "You are a sick man Lucas." His eyes seemed to lose all emotion as he charged for her.
Serena took off running, leading him as far as she could from Rei and Mina's still forms.
He caught her as she entered the hallway and her body was shoved against the wall, knocking the pictures to the ground.
She felt the wind being knocked from her body as his hands wrapped around her neck.
Darien was still seething when he began removing his vest.
"Sooo...that was awkward, huh?" Jed smiled and chuckled.
"Hmm" was the only response from Darien, as both men grabbed clothes from their lockers.
Jed's phone began to ring "Great balls of fire" and Darien finally grinned, "Rei?"
Jed smiled, "The song seemed to fit her." He answered it, "Hey..." and Darien noticed confusion register on his face as he could hear Rei, her voice sounded frantic. Jed made eye contact with Darien and a chill ran down his spine, "Darien, we gotta go to the girl's place. Now! I'll tell you along the way."
Within a few seconds Darien and Jed were running out of the locker room.
Darien's charger pulled as close to Serena's place as he could, as multiple cop cars stood out in the street. He barely pulled the key from the ignition before he was running to her door.
A cop moved to stop them and Darien flashed his badge as he pushed him aside and entered the house, his eyes searching for his Serena.
He found her sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up against her as a female detective sat next to her.
"She's okay." Darien turned to his right and saw Mina and Rei sitting down in two chairs pulled from the kitchen. Jed wasn't far behind him, his eyes searching for Rei. A sigh was released when he saw her. The bruises forming had him marching into the kitchen and within a few seconds, returned with two bags of ice that he took from the paramedic standing not far behind them. Darien took in their appearance. Rei had a busted lip and bruise forming on her cheek. Mina had bruises forming on her bare arms and she had a napkin held up against her nose.
His voice came out stiff, "What happened?"
Rei winced, "We had just come home when we were attacked. He pushed Serena first, then me. He knocked me out for a few minutes, and when I came too, Mina was standing up and running towards the guy. He had Serena in a choke hold. She was trying to pry his hands free but he simply just slapped her away. I grabbed the lamp—the stainless steel one Mina insisted on and hit him over the head."
Jed pressed the ice bag gently against the side of her face as he leaned down between both of the women, handing Mina one as well.
She moved the ice away from her face for a few seconds, "He cried out-shoved me-then took off running out the door."
Darien could only nod; his fist clenching and unclenching, "Serena will be staying with me."
Mina looked at Serena, only the back of her in her line of sight, "I think it would be better if we stayed together."
Jed spoke up, "You all can stay at my place this weekend. I'll invite Nathan, Zach and Andrew over. I think Darien needs some time with Serena."
Darien gave Jed a small smile, turned and headed to Serena.
"If you can think of anything else, please call me." The female detective handed Serena her card as she moved away. Darien moved into the unoccupied spot on the couch. Darien eyed the dark finger prints that formed around her pale neck. He felt his body tense even more.
His arm slid around her shoulders and Serena turned to him, she smiled, "I fought him Darien."
Rage entered his body as he thought of her fighting off a man his size, "Of course you did baby. I'm glad you took my self-defense classes seriously." His light attempt at humor had her smiling again.
"Jed is having the girls over at his place. I want you at mine. When I'm at work, I'll drop you off with the girls. Is that okay with you?" Serena leaned against him, her eyes closing, "That sounds fine. Thank you Darien."
Ahhhhhhhhhhh the psycho is BACK!
Do you think they'll catch him? I don't know. =)
Random: I have not had to purchase tennis balls for my dog for the past year. A house that has their backyard facing the main road has a tennis court in their backyard. Every few days, I find brand new AND clean tennis balls in the grass or in the curb.
I wash them off-and toss them to my dog-which he destroys within a few minutes. Oh, but how happy he is during those few, glorious minutes!
I'm tempted to write them a "Thank you note" with a picture of how happy my dog is when he sees the new tennis ball.
Also, a VERY BIG THANK YOU to my editor LaNaHwAnNa! You are so darn awesome!
-LAla