By: Karisma
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt, Romance
www.geocities.com/karismafanfic
Karisma456@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimers Apply
February 2001
Epilogue

AN: Can you believe it's done? I can't. hahaa. sorry a bit low on sleep. :) 
well, thanks to my wonderful editor William---who has made ALL of this 
possible. thanks!

     Mrs. Darien Sandborn sat in the deep, rather largely build octagon tub 
of her newly acquired house.  Slowly moving the bubbles to and fro with a 
languid hand, she rested her bare neck against the cushion behind her and 
breathed in the fragrance of aromatherapy candles.
     This day had been a trying one, filled with meetings and errands and 
fussy clients. But it was over, for her at least. Mr. Sandborn was stuck at 
the office and would be for the remainder of the evening. Sighing with 
regret, she lifted one sud covered arm to the wooden shelf sticking out of 
the wall of the spacious bathroom.  Carefully pouring more lavender in the 
water, she wiggled her toes contently.
    The shrill cry of the phone prevented her transitory dozing. She 
cautiously answered it with a damp hand, bringing it to her ear with the 
hope that it wasn’t her assistant with more problems.
    “Serena?” Came a deep voice that never stopped sending warm tingles down 
her spine even after one year of marriage.
    “Hello, Mr. Sandborn.” She teased formally, her voice remaining cordial. 
“What may I do for you?”
    He chuckled deeply before answering. “I left the Jacobson case in the 
den, could you find it and tell me what the figures are for the budget?”
     “Sure.” Pressing the phone to her ear with one hand and reaching behind 
her for a fluffy white towel that she knew was on the golden rack, Serena 
grasped around, curious when she turned up empty-handed.  Turning her head 
slightly, she caught sight of her husband in the doorway. One hand was 
holding a small, black cell phone and the other was dangling her missing 
towel. He cocked one eyebrow at her, his mouth quirking upward.
     “I’ll call you back,” she said into the phone, her eyes riveted on the 
man two steps down in the split level style bathroom. “The guy I’m having an 
affair with is here.” Clicking the phone off and placing it down blindly, 
she rested her head back as Darien walked closer to her.
     “Affair, huh?” He deadpanned, his silver blue eyes dancing in 
amusement. “Should I be jealous?”
     “Very.” I admonished, smiling as he shrugged off his jacket and rolled 
up his sleeves, crouching by me. “He’s very handsome.”
     “And smart?” Darien grinned, looking quite the picture of boastfulness 
as he looked down at me (we had opted to have a tub built into the ground 
level of our home).
     I pretended to ponder it. “Not especially,” I finally decided, my tone 
innocent while I played with the midnight blue tie I had bought him 
recently.
     He shot me a wounded look. “I’ll have you know my IQ—” he broke off 
unexpectedly because his wife had yanked his tie down to kiss her.
     One more tug had him soaked in the over-sized tub with her.
     He looked at her with mock reproach. “This suit cost more than your 
engagement ring.” The horrified look she instinctively threw down to her 
small left hand had him laughing as he pulled her to him. He nuzzled her 
bare neck, playing with the soft tendrils of hair that had escaped from the 
clip she had pulled it up in.
     “That’s okay,” Serena retaliated, wrapping her arms around his back, 
feeling the thin material cling to his skin. “Yours is actually plastic—I 
just spray-painted it gold. I figured ‘why spend all that money?’”
     His lips stilled and he pulled back long enough to stare at her face, 
memorizing every perfect feature. Reverently pushing back a short strand of 
hair from her cheek, he finally spoke. “I love you.”
     “I love you too.” Serena smiled softly, her eyes heavy lidded.
     “How much?” He cocked one dark brow at her lasciviously, reaching for 
her again.
    Serena laughingly squealed, batting his hands away. “Golly, Darien. I 
don’t know. I might get my hair wet.”
    Growling, he pinned her arms down and kissed her. And then there was the 
only the euphonious sound of gently lapping water.