Memories - Nine
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
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~~~

Serena set her bag down inside Lita's room before returning to the living
room.  Lita was in the kitchen whipping up some cookies and Darien was no
where to be found, so Serena went to see if she could help Lita.

"Need any help?" Serena asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Nope." Lita smiled.  "Thanks though."

"What kind are you making?" Serena asked as she slid onto the stool behind
Lita's counter.

"Chocolate chip." Lita replied, dumping some more flour into the bowl and
stirring it again.  "Thanks again for the pitcher set, Sere.  It's absolutely
gorgeous."

"Thank you, Lita, for everything you have done for me." Serena smiled at her
friend.

"So, what exactly is doing on between you and Darien, hmm?" Lita asked, 
watching Serena's expression carefully.

"I don't know Lita...  I mean, if you had asked me earlier, I would have
laughed and said we're friends, but...  I mean, when he kissed me under the
mistletoe...  Oh Lita..." Serena sighed.

"You aren't so sure anymore, huh?" Lita began putting the cookie dough on 
some silver cookie sheets.  Serena reached over and took a bit of raw
cookie dough and egan to eat it.

"I'm so confused!  I don't think I stand a chance with him or anything.  I
mean, he took me in practically asa charity case and all, but...  It's not
like that...  It was never like that." Serena opened Lita's drawer and
took out a spoon.  She scooped up more cookies dough before continuing.
"Darien is a really nice guy, and he's sweet, handsome, kind..."

"What aren't you aure about then?" Lita asked as she slid the cookies into
the oven.

"It's all too sudden!  Two hours ago we were friends, and then the mistleto
and the kiss that rocked me to the core!  Lita!  You have no idea what it was
like...  To be in his arms, to have his lips against mine...." Serena
sighed dreamily as she twirled the spoon between her fingers.

"Are you in love with him?" Lita asked, leaning in the counter across from
Serena.

"I...  I don't know...  I mean, I think so, but how can I know if I'm really 
in love?  I'm only fourteen!" Serena exclaimed.  

"What does your heart tell you?" Lita asked quietly.

"I..." Serena was surprised.  "It's telling me I love him."

"Then go for it, girl!" Lita exclaimed.  Serena giggled.

"Thanks Lita."

"No problem.  Now, why don't we get out there!" Lita grabbed Serena's
arm and pulled her into the living room.  Darien was sitting on the couch
waiting for the other two.  He seemed to be fidgeting with something.

"Hey Darien!" Lita sat down on the chair, leaving Serena the other half
of the couch.  Just as she sat down, the timer on the stove went off, and
Lita leapt back up.

"Excuse me." She went into the kitchen and pulled the cookies out.  She slid
the cookies off the tray and onto a plate before turning the oven off.

"Well you two, I'm off to bed!  I'm completely tired from the party." Lita
said through a yawn.  

"Okay.  Night Lita." Serena smiled and Lita winked at her friend.

"I'll see you two in the morning." Lita went to her room and shut her door
quietly.  Darien stood up and went to look out the balcony doors.

"It's a gorgeous view." Darien didn't turn around to speak to her.  Serena
stood up and went to stand next to him.

"Yeah, it is." She opened the balcony door and stepped out into the snow.
Darien followed her out and shut the door behind him.

"It's cold." He said quietly.

"A bit." Serena replied, gazing at the night sky.  Darien was watching her,
and Serena was watching him out of the corner of her eye.

"Did you have fun tonight?" Darien asked her.  Serena turned to him, her eyes
sparkling.

"Oh yes!  Did you?" She asked him.  Darien smiled at her.

"Yes."

"That's good.  I'm glad." Serena turned away and leaned on the cold metal
railing.  She shivered slightly.

"I uhh..  I got you something, but I didn't want to give it to you in front
of everyone else." Darien told her quietly.  Serena glanced over at him,
but didn't say anything.  Darien handed her the small bow he had been
fidgeting with.  Serena accepted it and studied it before opening it.  It 
was a navy blue velvet box, the kind used for rings.  This knowledge did
not escape Serena as she slowly lifted the lid.

Inside the bow was a small silver ring with delicate roses ingraved on the
otherwise smooth surface.  Serena stared at the ring, before looking up to 
Darien.

"It's..  beautiful..." She told him.

"It's a promise ring." Darien told her, taking the ring from the box.  
"I didn't mean for this to happen...  It wasn't my original intention, but
somewhere over these past few weeks, I feel in love with you, Serena.  I
fell head over heels in love with you."

Darien slipped the ring on her left ring finger.  

"I know you are too young to marry, so I thought this was a better idea." 
Nervously Darien raised his eyes to meet Serena's. 

"Darien...  I...  I...  Yes!" Serena through her arms around his neck, 
hugging him tightly.  Darien smiled and held her back.

"Oh I'm so happy!" She whispered in his ear.  Darien pulled away far enough
to look at Serena's shining face.

"I love you, Serena." Darien told her softly.

"And I love you." Serena replied.  Darien leaned forward and gently touched
his lips to Serena's.  Slowly the snow began to fall around the kissing 
couple, covering them in soft white fluff.  Neither seemed to notice as they
continued to kiss, late into the night.

~~~

The End