Marriage of the Will
By Eternity Rose
E-mail: [email protected]
Rated: PG-13
Author's Notes: Hmm...Does anyone find my story sickly sweet or is it just right? I really don't have any idea...E-mail me and tell me please.
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Chapter 9
A day after New Years' Day...
Everyone had came over to the Knight's mansion to spend their New Year's there since they wanted to help Serena adjust more to her new surroundings. Everyone had their own rooms and were comfortable. Serena and Darien were much more closer than usual although there were no more kisses shared to the disappointment of everyone else.
~*~
"I'm pregnant!!"
"What?"
"I am! I'm pregnant! Isn't that wonderful?"
Serena looked at Mina's stomach and shook her head in wonder. "Your pregnant?" Then she gasped and hugged her cousin tightly. "Oh my goodness! That's wonderful!"
"Isn't it?" Mina laughed happily. "I just found out this morning when I took the test. I've been feeling kind of queasy lately and I decided to take the test."
"Does David know?" Serena asked excitedly.
"Not yet. The damn man is still asleep," Mina laughed happily.
Serena saw the shine of love and excitement in Mina's eyes and suddenly felt envious. Mina was so happy to be pregnant. There was life living inside of her. Serena suddenly wished that she was pregnant. To have a child. To have a real family. She loved her family now but she suddenly wanted her own. How strange.
"Well, you better tell him! The man has to know he's going to be a father soon!" Serena exclaimed.
"Who's going to be a father soon?" Darien asked as he strolled into the library where both girls were smiling broadly. Serena looked beautiful in the warm sweater and jeans she was wearing.
"David! Mina's pregnant!" Serena shouted excitedly.
Darien smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Congratulations, Mina."
"Thank you. I better go wake that pig up and tell him. I don't care how much he drank last night at the party." Mina hugged Serena one more time and kissed Darien on the cheek before bouncing out of the room.
Serena felt a bit of jealousy again as she saw Mina kiss Darien on the cheek so freely. But she pushed it away and smiled at Darien.
"Your up early," she remarked.
"I didn't drink as much as David," Darien said, smiling.
"Good. Let's go have some breakfast," Serena suggested.
Darien nodded and they left the room.
Soon the whole house knew that Mina was pregnant and everyone was congratulating her and a stunned David.
~*~
"Mina and David are lucky," Darien remarked later that night while he and Serena were at their laptops, writing up reports and e-mailing them to the appropriate people.
"Of course. Now they have a child. They're a real family now. I'm really happy for Mina," Serena said as she tapped away at the keys. She then saved it and e-mailed it. There was a lot of work to do that they didn't get done while they were celebrating Christmas and the New Years'.
"Do you ever wish to have a child, Serena?" Darien asked.
Serena looked up from her work and blushed slightly. "Um, actually, yes. I do wish to have a child someday."
"Really?" And Darien said no more.
Serena continued to work to keep her mind off Darien's strange behavior. Maybe it was just the thought of someone having a baby that was causing him to act a little strange.
After they finished their work they went to bed without another word.
~*~
Darien laid in his bed, thinking about everything that had happened that day. Mina was pregnant. David was happy. Darien suddenly wanted something like that. A family. He never desired a family until now. It was a bit strange but a comforting thought. If he was going to have a family he wanted to have it with someone who was beautiful, kind and thought of others more than herself. With a cool, calm disposition and a wonderful, happy personality. He wanted someone who could make him laugh and feel wonderful in her presence.
Someone like Serena.
Darien didn't start at the thought. He was used to it by now. He was growing very attached to Serena and that kiss that they shared on Christmas day said a lot more than what needed to be said. They both desired each other but were too afraid to admit it. That was quite obvious. Darien wished they married because they loved each other and not to save some damned business. And that divorce at the end of the year. All of that caused a lot of trouble. He had to find the right time to tell Serena everything. Only, when?
If he could just pick the right day, he could tell Serena that he liked her and would like to keep her as his wife. Screw the divorce.
~*~
"Good bye, Mina. Good luck," Serena said as she hugged her cousin who was heading back to New York with her husband. "I hope to see a little Mina or David in 9 months."
"You bet. It was nice to see you again, Serena." Mina smiled and kissed Serena on the cheek before getting into the car with David. She waved and smiled as they pulled out and drove off.
Serena sighed and walked back inside the house where tons of paper work waited for her. Mina was the last to leave and now the house seemed very empty. If only there were little children to fill up the emptiness...Shaking her head free of these thoughts, Serena walked back into the den where Darien was working and sat down in front of her laptop.
"Serena, when's your birthday?" Darien asked.
"June 30th, why?" Serena asked.
"Just wondering," Darien said with a nonchalant shrug.
Serena cocked her head and shrugged as well before returning to her own work.
~*~
June 27... (AN: Sorry if everything seems to be moving really quick. It’s just that I have a whole year to move through! I can't get that done and not bore the reader to death. Then who would send me e-mail??)
"Isn't your birthday in three days or something?" Raye asked as she helped Serena with breakfast. They had given the servants the day off since they wanted some time to talk. It was Serena's day off while Darien was at the office.
"Yep," Serena said as she scrambled the eggs.
"Cool. What do you like?" Raye asked as she flipped a pancake.
"Oh, bunnies," Serena replied.
Raye looked at her. "Bunnies??"
"Sure," Serena said, nodding. She scraped the scrambled eggs on to a plate and set it down on the breakfast table. She poured out some orange juice into a glass up and some milk into another.
"Hmm..." Raye finished up with the pancakes and placed them on the table. "What do you think Darien's going to get you?"
Does everything always go back to Darien? "I don't know. I don't think he really remembers."
"Of course he does. He has a really good memory," Raye told her. "That's bad since he remembers every little detail and you just can't get out of anything."
"I bet," Serena laughed. She sat down on the small table with Raye and they began to eat their breakfast.
Around lunch time Serena went up to the office since she had nothing to do and Raye had went to work. She got up on the elevator and waited as it took her up to the office floor. She got off and headed for Darien's office.
She knocked gently on the door and walked in. Darien, once again, had made himself very comfortable around his office was talking on the phone and tapping away at his computer. Serena smiled and waved before going over to the other door which lead to her own office. She walked in and went over to her desk. She booted up her laptop and sat down in front of it. She waited as everything was loaded up and opened a file. She quickly began her work.
After half an hour of work, Darien walked into her room and smiled at her. "Working? It's your day off."
"So?" Serena asked cockily. "I like to work."
Darien chuckled. "Just don't work too hard."
"Like you?" Serena teased. She immediately regretted it as Darien came over to her and began to tickle her. She squealed with laughter as she tried to push Darien off. After what seemed like an eternity of tickling Darien stopped.
"So, do you promise not to work too hard?" Darien asked.
"I promise," Serena gasped as she sat there, trying very to catch her breath. "I promise. Just no more tickling. I'm very ticklish."
"What a nice piece of information," Darien mused as he walked out of the office like a man who had just won a war.
Serena glared at his back and stuck out her tongue. She turned back to her computer and began to work.
~*~
June 30th....
"Wake up, Serena," a deep voice sang into Serena's ear. She grunted and turned away from the voice. She pulled an extra pillow over her ear and continued to sleep.
"C'mon, sleepy head. Get up," the voice continued.
"Go away," Serena mumbled as she batted off hands which tried to take her precious pillow away. "I want sleep."
"No, your twenty-four today, it's time to get up and celebrate," the voice said.
Serena mumbled something that shouldn't be repeated and sat up. She glared at a grinning Darien who stood at the side of her bed and threw her pillow furiously at him. He dodged it and headed over to the door.
"There's a delicious breakfast waiting for you downstairs and some presents just sent in from your friends Amy and the rest," he said before walking out of the room and closing the door.
Serena slowly got out of bed and washed up. Then she changed into a tank top and khakis shorts. She brushed her hair viciously and then put them up in odangos before making her way downstairs to where she could smell something delicious being cooked. Raye was at it again.
"Good morning, Birthday Girl," Raye said cheerfully as a not so cheerful Serena stumbled into the kitchen and took her seat the table. Darien was sipping scalding black coffee and reading the morning paper.
"Morning," Serena grumbled as her head dropped down on her arms and she tried to sleep.
"Be a little more cheerful, Serena. It's your birthday. You should be happy. Birthdays only come once a year," Darien said, smiling.
"Ha! Birthdays only mean your getting older," Serena muttered, which was even more muffled by her face being buried in her arms.
"What? I didn't catch that," Raye said as she served a plate of waffles, eggs, sausages, and bacon with French toast and some butter. She poured some milk and juice into two glasses and sat down across from Serena. "Eat."
Serena sighed and looked up at the delicious looking food before her. Her stomach grumbled slightly and she began to eat. After a few minutes Raye began to talk about what they could do for her birthday.
"I really don't want to have a party, Raye," Serena said, shaking her head.
"Why not?" Raye pouted.
"It's just a birthday. Nothing important," Serena said in between bites of her breakfast.
"Why don't we just go out to a nice restaurant and leave it at that?" Darien suggested.
Both girls nodded in agreement.
Darien smiled at them and stood up. He folded up his newspaper and kissed Raye good bye on the cheek.
"Good breakfast, Sis. I'll see both of you tonight, dressed formally and ready for whatever I plan," he said as he walked over to Serena and also gave her a kiss on the cheek. Pressing his lips against her soft skin was just a little too much for him. "Good bye, Serena and happy birthday." Darien quickly straightened and walked out of the room before anything else could happen. Tonight, he would tell her. It was just perfect. He smiled to himself as he left for work.
Serena sat there, looking down at her breakfast and a bit stunned by the kiss Darien had given her. It was gentle and just as friendly and sisterly as the one he had given Raye, but why did it make her all wonderful inside? She quickly snapped herself out of her daze and stood up to help Raye wash the dishes.
~*~
Around 4:00 in the afternoon/evening Raye was reading in the library about religions in India when the phone rang. She picked it up and listlessly said a 'hello' into the speaker. She was far more absorbed into the book to care who the caller was.
"Raye?" Darien sounded a bit nervous.
"Darien?" Raye's attention was immediately caught as she straightened and book marked her book. "What's up?"
"Nothing much. Look can you do me a favor?" Darien asked quietly.
"Sure. But it depends on what it is."
"I want to have dinner with Serena alone. Can you and Jadeite go off somewhere else for the night? I know you like Serena and would like to celebrate her birthday with her but I have something special planned for her."
Raye was intrigued. "Really? What?"
"Um, well,...." Darien trailed off nervously.
"Come on, Darien, I'm your sister. You can tell me everything. I won't say a word," Raye promised. She was dancing with happiness that her brother was doing something special for Serena. It was just so sweet that Darien had somewhat fallen for Serena. Raye was starting to confirm his feelings about Serena during the long pause as her brother struggled to gather his thoughts.
"Well, I just wanted to tell her tonight that I don't want a divorce and would like to keep her as my wife," Darien said so quietly that Raye almost didn't catch it. But she did and she was just jumping up and down with the phone in her hand, screaming and laughing.
"That's wonderful!" Raye screamed into the phone.
"Raye! What if she hears you?" Darien hissed.
"She's out with Amy. Don't worry about a thing," Raye said, laughing. "This is just great, Darien. You've finally fallen for someone. And Serena! That's perfect. She's such a great girl for you, Dare."
"I thought you considered her a greedy old witch when you first heard of her," Darien said with dry amusement.
"Hey! That was *before* I met her and found out how sweet she really is," Raye said defensively. "If Serena agrees to all of this everyone will be so happy about it."
"That's what I'm worrying about," Darien admitted. "What if she doesn't agree to it?"
"Don't worry, Dare. That kiss you gave her this morning told me exactly what she thinks of you," Raye assured.
"What's that?" Darien asked timidly.
Raye sighed heavily and shook her head. "She's head over heels in love with you, you idiot! Haven't you ever noticed? Why is it always the ones in love who never see it? It's just nuts!"
"Calm down, Raye," Darien chuckled. "Look, I've got to get back to work. Thanks for calming my nerves."
"That's what sisters are for," Raye chirped before hanging up. She dropped the phone back down on its cradle and plopped down on the chair she was reading in. She hugged her knees to her chest and giggled happily. She was so glad that Darien loved Serena when it was obvious she loved him. Now Raye was going to get a real sister-in-law. It was just all working out wonderfully.
~*~
"Raye? Where are you going?" Serena asked as she walked into the foyer and saw Raye heading for the door with a duffle bag.
Raye stopped dead in her tracks and whirled around to face off with a confused Serena. "Um, I'm going over to Jadeite's place."
"I thought we were having dinner tonight," Serena said, looking a bit hurt.
"Oh no! I'll be there. I'm just going to go there from Jadeite's place. Darien suggested that Jadeite come as well so I won't be alone," Raye lied easily.
Serena smiled. "Great! See ya tonight!"
Raye nodded, breathing hard and her heart slowed it's insane beat. She quickly opened the door and dashed out of the house. She got into her red Corvette and screeched out of the garage. She drove away as fast as possible.
Serena stood at the front door, looking seriously confused. Then she turned and walked back into the mansion. People were just really strange sometimes.
~*~
Later that evening Serena stood in front of the full length mirror, looking at her reflection and wondering if she looked right. She wore a royal blue dress that fell to her ankles which helped bring out her deep blue eyes. The dress had no sleeves except for two spaghetti straps and a low back cut. The neck line was modest but still showed enough to give her a sexy appeal. She wore blue two inch heels with thin straps around her dainty ankles.
Her golden hair was tied up in her odangos since those were probably the only things she liked to wear. They were wrapped around with royal blue ribbons that streamed down to where her hair stopped at her knees. That gave her a more innocent appeal.
"Okay, do I look all right?" Serena murmured to herself as she examined herself more thoroughly. She really had no idea why she was so set on looking perfect. She was only going out on a birthday dinner with Darien and Raye. Why did she feel a sudden urge to look beautiful?
Stop trying to deny it, Serena Blackwood, your in love with Darien Knight. You have been since you first met up and breathed in that sweet rose scent of his. You just haven't been acknowledging it because your too scared he'll reject you.
Serena sighed. I'm hopeless, she thought mournfully. She was falling for her "husband", someone who didn't even love her back. It was pitiful.
Smoothing down her dress, Serena took one more look before walking over to the dresser table and picking up her beaded blue purse. She pressed her lips together to make sure the light colored lipstick was nicely spread over her lips and checked her eye make up which looked nice, bringing out her eyes more than her dress. She was amazed at the work she had done on herself. She was never one good with handeling make up and here she made herself up real nicely if she had to say so herself.
A slight knock on the door startled Serena out her thoughts. She gripped the edge of the table too keep from jumping a foot and screaming. It was only Darien. He was probably coming to make sure she was ready. She had heard him pull up a few minutes ago.
"Hold on!" She shouted as she check her reflection for the hundredth time. Then she walked over to the door and opened it. Darien stood there, his dark hair once smooth back nicely was now tousled sexily. Serena resisted the urge to reach up and run her fingers through the fine strands of black silk hair.
"So, are you ready?" Darien asked, smiling.
"Obviously," Serena replied saucily, also smiling. "Come on, I can't wait to see what Raye is wearing. She always looks so good in what she wears."
"So do you," Darien said smoothly.
Serena resisted the urge to blush but a slight pink color stained her cheeks either way. She closed the bedroom door behind her and followed Darien downstairs to the front of the house where the silver Porsche waited.
~*~
"This place looks wonderful," Serena whispered as they walked into the Moonlight Stars. She looked around the dimly lit restaurant and smiled up at Darien who was giving his name to the maitre d'. The man nodded and lead them to their seats which were comfortable booths set away from the rest of the restaurant.
"I hoped you'd like it," Darien murmured as they slid into the booths and picked up their menus.
"It's very nice," Serena said as she looked at the menu and tried to decide what to eat. She looked up at the patient waiter and smiled. "Can you come back later? I need to decide first."
"Good idea," Darien said, nodding as he closed his menu.
The waiter nodded and left to attend to another table.
"I'm not hungry just yet," Serena said as she closed the menu as well. "This place is wonderful. I've never been here. Actually, I've never heard of it."
"It's a nice sort of place. It's new actually. Just opened a few weeks ago. I heard the food was really good here and thought it was the best place to come and celebrate your birthday," Darien said, grinning.
"Speaking of which, where's Raye and Jadeite?" Serena asked, looking around the restaurant for Darien's sister and her boyfriend.
"Um, they called and said they couldn't make it," Darien lied.
Serena looked at him, disappointment clear in her face but she quickly smiled and pushed away all disappointment. "That's okay. Now we have the night to ourselves." Oh, why did Raye have to cancel? With her around I won't do anything stupid with Darien. But now that she's not here, I'm afraid of what I might do. Like accidentally telling him he's handsome and that I'm totally in love with him, Serena thought guiltily. Your so silly, Serena Blackwood. Why would a handsome young, bachelor like Darien Knight want you to be his girlfriend, or possibly wife? Of course I'm already his wife...but it's isn't real! I wish it was real.
Darien looked over to Serena's beautiful face and some emotions flit from her eyes. They changed over and over. He couldn't pin point what she was feeling at the moment. She looked absolutely beautiful in her dress. It complimented her wonderful figure beautifully. He had never seen so much Serena's white skin since that day he suddenly appeared at her door step and caught her in tank top and shorts.
"Are you ready to order, now, Madame?" The waiter asked.
Serena nodded. "I would like the chicken special with a salad on the side."
The waiter nodded and wrote down the order, then he looked at Darien.
"Beef steak with shrimp and bring a bottle of your best champagne," Darien ordered.
The waiter nodded and left.
"Champagne?" Serena asked. "I don't think I'll be able to handle it. I was never good with alcohol."
"Don't worry. Just a little," Darien urged.
Serena sighed and nodded, relenting. It was her birthday, she might as well try something new. No sense in being afraid. "Very well."
The food came a few minutes later and they began eating. Talking in between bites and just having a fine time.
When dinner was nearly over, Darien decided to do what he had planned to do.
"Serena, I need to tell you something very important," Darine said seriously as he sipped his champagne.
"Really? What?" Serena asked, placing her fork down and licking her lips before giving him her full attention.
Darien reached across the dinner table and touched Serena's smooth, soft hands. "Serena, I've totally fallen in love with you and I want you to remain my wife. I don't want a divorce at the end of the year."
Serena paled and went still. Darien was afraid she was going to reject him. Oh well, he had expected this when he decided to do this, he was just going to have to face with it.
Looking down at her hands, Serena felt tears slide down her face. She was so happy! Darien loved her! She had loved him all this time thinking that the affection wouldn't be returned and now it was. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed for all the relief and happiness that spilled forth through her. Never had she been so happy that she was moved to tears.
"I'm sorry, Serena. I didn't want to upset you." Darien moved around the booth and slipped his arms around Serena's shaking shoulders and held her close. "I'm sorry if you don't love me. Please, don't cry, Serena."
Serena shook her head and pressed herself against Darien. "It's not that I don't love you, it's that I love you all too much, Darien."
Darien stilled and looked down at her Serena's tear stained face. She was smiling and her blue eyes were filled with this warm look. "You--you love me as well?" He asked breathlessly.
"Who couldn't fall in love with you, Darien Knight? Your the best," Serena whispered softly.
"God, you don't know how happy you've just made me," Darien whispered hoarsely as he pulled her close and hugged her tightly.
"I think, I do," Serena whispered. She then reached up and gently kissed him.
~*~
Ookay! This is not the end though. No this'll probably go one for a two or three more chapters before I end it. I'm not sure just yet. I hope you all like it so far. I'm sorry if this was waaaay too long. I just wanted to fit everything nicely, that's all. E-mail me with comments!
Eternity Rose