Serena reassured herself that having Lita make her chocolates wasn't much different than buying them at the store. The only real difference was that she truly believed Lita's were so much better.

She also had fun hanging out with her friend and making her laugh as she made the chocolates. By the time they were made, they had both laughed so hard they had cried several times.

It wasn't a secret that Lita preferred to cook with Serena there. It initially started because it was something she had to do to survive. The roots of her talent were shadowed in loneliness.

Having Serena there sampling the chocolates and licking the bowl filled her heart. Serena was the first to make her feel loved and like she was worth something. Now that she had Nephrite, too, she wondered if Serena helped her accept love so that she could give her heart to a man.

A delighted and bubbly Serena showed up at school on Valentine's Day. A day that also doubled as her anniversary. One year ago today, she discovered that her best guy friend loved her back.

He never wavered in his love. His ability to show that love wasn't always so apparent to her. Two months into dating, it caused a very weepy Serena to ask him why he didn't love her anymore. He had forgotten to pick her up for a date one night. He had gotten distracted with studying and didn't call to apologize the following day.

In his head, he referred to that day as Dark Saturday. Darien had been truly worried that he would lose her. She had shown up crying and throwing the stuffed bunny he'd purchased at him and turned to storm out of his apartment, yelling that he didn't love her.

Before she could slam the door, he yelled, "Please don't leave me! I have nothing in my life if I don't have you!" He never forgot a date again. He sent reminders and alarms on his phone, ensuring that he showed up for her every time.

He learned to tell her he loved her with actions more than words, and even as much as Serena liked to talk, actions mattered more to her.

One time about five months into dating, he took a break from studying to get a water class and texted her asking how she was doing. She was so over the top excited that he paused and checked on her that he started calling her when he got up to stretch.

He appreciated that she instinctively knew that he had to get back and study to keep it short. It just made it easier for him to call her.

Eight months into dating, random guys in school came up to him, asking him for dating advice. It was so weird for him.

They were just so happy together. Everyone could see how much Serena adored him. Once the girls saw him with Serena, they saw the glaring differences between the casual indifference he showed women and the full attention that Serena had.

And now he smiled as she practically danced up to him and handed him chocolates. He took them happily and kissed her chastely on the lips. They were in front of the school, after all, and him showing that much public affection was enormous for him.

She blushed and took his empty hand in hers. "I'm glad you like them. Don't worry. I didn't make them, but I did keep Lita company while she did."

"I would eat them if you made them too."

She laughed out loud and looked up at him with mirth in her eyes. "Yes, but you would have to choke them down."

"True," he said with a half-smile. "But it would have been worth it."

"Well, don't worry. I leave the baking up to Lita. After all, I have so many talented friends."

He pulled her into his arms in another shocking display of public affection and kissed the top of her head. "And you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. Without you and your encouragement, they wouldn't have the confidence to achieve as much as they have. Your kindness is unparalleled."

She leaned into his embrace and hummed in contentment. She was overwhelmed by the love she felt radiating off of him. "I'm so happy. I love you, Darien."

"I love you too." He then released her and took her hand, and walked with her towards the school. "Ready for our date tonight?"

"Date? It's a school night. You didn't mention a date."

"It's Valentine's Day and our one-year anniversary. I just assumed… unless you don't want-"

She covered his mouth, cutting him off. "I want a date! I just know you have that big paper coming up."

"Which is why I spent so much time working on it this weekend."

She shimmied her hips. "Oooh. A Monday date. How wild," she teased.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear seductively, "Oh, Buns, it's going to get very wild. It always seems to be between us though, doesn't it?"

She blushed this time for a very different reason. His words turned her on and got her hot. She sassed back, "That's because you can't control yourself around me when we're alone."

He chuckled and whispered, "And why would I want to when you're so enthusiastic when I don't?"

"You can't really blame me for being enthusiastic when you're so talented with your… everything."

Their banter cut off when they got into the hall and other students started to be within hearing distance. He walked Serena to her first class and gave her a peck on the cheek before she walked in, she was blushing again.

Dinner that night blew Serena away. He had gotten them a table on the busiest night of the year at a place she knew from Lita had a huge waiting list.

"How did you get the reservation?" She asked as they stepped through the room towards their table.

He squeezed her hand and replied, "I made the reservation eight months ago when Lita mentioned this place and you said you wanted to go."

She looked at him with wide eyes. "Really?!"

"Serena, it's our one-year anniversary and Valentine's Day. Of course, I did."

She just smiled at him and let him help her into her seat. How could she explain to him that it was a huge deal? He acted like it was so natural to have made the reservation at the most expensive restaurant in town simply because she said she wanted to try it."

She thought back to what he said to her one year ago that evening. He told her he chose her. She reflected that he really had in every way. Sure they had misunderstandings, but they worked them out every time.

The way he treated her wasn't just as a girlfriend. He invested his time and energy in her in a way that he only did with his studies before that. It dawned on her then at that moment. He saw both as an investment in his future.

He hasn't been shy about referring to their long future together, in fact, he'd been rather casual about it all. It had puzzled her before, but she saw now it was because it felt like a forgone conclusion to him. Hadn't he even said as much?

That night she had the best meal of her life as she looked into the smiling face of the man she'd be with for the rest of her life.

After dinner, they went for a short walk, it was cold out, and he had loaned her his coat, but still, the chill in the air cut the walk short. But even though it was brief, it had been romantic. Serena always loved looking up at the moon, and tonight it was almost a full moon. It was beautiful.

Once they were done with their walk in the park he brought her back to his apartment. He pulled her into his arms as soon as they made it inside. "You're freezing." He commented immediately.

"For now. I have a feeling you fully intend on warming me up tonight."

He pressed her more to his body and slid his hands down to grab her perfect butt. "I'd do anything to serve you, my love —my everything."

She looked up at him seductively and said, "I heard skin-to-skin contact is the best way to get warm."

He pressed her against the wall, boxing her in, and whispered into her ear, "Anything to ensure your comfort."