
      Dreams & Deceptions


      Author: aria


      Rated: NC17



      Chapter 7
      Darien arrived in Cloverdale mid afternoon and immediately started his 
      search. A few people recognized him from the paper and were only glad to 
      help. Everyone knew of a beautiful blonde who just moved into town but who 
      kept mostly to herself.
      It had to be Serena.
      He asked around and easily got her address. Darien took the first cab he 
      found over to the address. Feeling more nervous than he cared to feel, he 
      walked up the drive to the modest house and frowned. What if she didnt 
      want him anymore? What if she found someone else?
      At the thought he decided to take a peek through the window. Maybe she 
      wasnt even home.
      Darien quickly climbed through the shrubs and pressed his nose up the side 
      of the window. His gaze was drawn right away to the woman sitting on the 
      couch. She was exactly the way that he remembered her. Absolutely stunning 
      though her eyes belied a deep sadness that even their serene beauty could 
      not hide.
      He watched her slowly sit and make herself comfortable. Darien noticed 
      that her hand went almost automatically to her slightly expanding middle, 
      gently stroking the small mound.
      His child. Darien felt a surge of love and protectiveness wash over him. 
      That was his woman and she carried his child. That was when his attention 
      turned to the man sitting next to her.
      Too close. Was the first thought that came into his mind. He was sitting 
      much too close to her. His gut wrenched when she smiled warmly at him and 
      they shared a laugh. This was too much. Had she gotten over him already? 
      The hell she had!
      Struggling to hear what they were saying, Darien tried to move closer to 
      the window. His foot got caught on a root or branch or something and he 
      ended up nose first in the shrubbery. Cursing the plant, he climbed back 
      up, ignoring the slight pain.
      The sight that met him nearly sent him back down again.
      The man was in his knee in front of her and slipping a ring onto her 
      finger! Completely enraged, he jumped off his perch and stomped his way to 
      the door. There was no way in hell he was going to let this...this man 
      take Serena and his child. Not a chance.
      He kicked in the door and glared at them both. "Get the hell away from 
      her!"
      Serena couldnt believe her eyes when she saw Darien on her doorstep and 
      covered in leaves and twigs no less. First came the joy. A giant creating 
      wave of elation threatened to swallow her. He came for her! He had to 
      remember! Then she got a look at his eyes. They werent soft in happiness. 
      If anything they looked dangerous. The anger in his eyes was enough to 
      send her cowering in the couch. "Darien." The name was no more than a 
      whisper. She couldnt believe he was here.
      Jadeite saw the apprehension in Serenas face. That was enough of a reason 
      to get the guy out of here. "Who the hell are you?" he stood up in front 
      of Serena effectively blocking Darien off from her.
      Darien stalked forward, like a lion stalking its prey. "I was just about 
      to ask you the same thing." He stopped a foot away from Jadeite, staring 
      him straight in the eye. "Arent you going to answer me?"
      "I dont have to answer to you. Now get out of here before I call the 
      cops." Jadeite wasnt about to back down.
      "I suggest that you leave. My fiance and I have a lot to discuss."
      Jadeite stared at Darien for a moment then at Serena.
      "You didnt count on that when you proposed to her did you?"
      Serena sat up then. "Are you insane?" then she thought about what he just 
      said. "Were you watching us? How dare you!" livid she stood up and jabbed 
      her finger in Dariens chest. "You have no right to come barging in here, 
      Darien. No right
      "The hell I dont!" he stared right back down at her.
      Jadeite watched the couple stare each other down completely confused. "You 
      two know each other?"
      Serena nodded, not taking her eyes off Darien. "Yes. This is Darien van 
      Beelen. Crown Prince of Illaria." She nearly spat out his title.
      Jadeites jaw dropped. "But he said you were his fiance."
      Darien smiled coldly. "Didnt your darling Serena tell you? Shes Serena 
      Stansberg, heir to the throne of Lidaria." He took a step closer to 
      Jadeite. "And if you think that Im going to let a yokel like you take my 
      woman and my child. Youre sadly mistaken."
      Serena stepped in between the men focussing her anger on Darien. "I dont 
      belong to you. And what I do is none of your business. Now please leave."
      "No. Im here to bring you back to Lidaria on your fathers orders."
      "Tell him Im not returning."
      "What?"
      "You heard me. Im not going back."
      "So youre going to give up the throne for him."
      "You are a complete imbecile you know that?" Serena walked over to the 
      door. "Would you please leave? Both of you."
      Jadeite was still doing his impression of a goldfish. He seemed to snap 
      out of it when Serena spoke to him though. "Are you sure youre going to 
      be ok?"
      "I will be once hes gone."
      Still not too sure, Jadeite inched toward the door. "Im right next door 
      if you need me."
      "How convenient." Darien sneered, not about to move.
      "Youre leaving too." Serena shoved at Dariens large frame.
      "The hell I am. Youre coming with me back home."
      "And where exactly would that be? With Beryl perhaps?" tears sprung to her 
      eyes. "Im not going anywhere with you!" Serena ran off into the bathroom 
      and locked the door behind her.
      Darien closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hating that he let his 
      temper get ahead of him. This wasnt going the way it was supposed to. He 
      followed her into the house and knocked on the door. "Serena. Im sorry." 
      His only reply was a gut-wrenching sob. "Please sweetheart."
      Serena sat on the toilet trying to collect herself and trying to convince 
      herself that it was her hormones. No way was she breaking down over 
      Darien, again.
      He tapped gently on the door again. Still no reply. Darien got on his 
      knees outside the door. "Serena Im on my knees. Please come out. We need 
      to talk."
      After a moment the door slowly opened. A tear streaked Serena walked out 
      past him and into the living room. "Well then talk."
      Darien got up off the floor and followed. "Serena Im sorry. I should have 
      realized that youd find someone else."
      "Youre a moron." Serena sat down on the couch and put her feet up on the 
      coffee table. "How can you possibly think that?"
      "But I saw..."
      "My ring fell under the couch. Jadeite found it for me."
      "So youre not..." her hard eyes met his.
      "No. I have enough problems. Look at me! Im an unwed, pregnant princess. 
      I have a job to keep up with and a father Im trying to hide from which is 
      not easy considering he rules a country. Im engaged to you but last I 
      heard you got engaged to another woman who is also having your baby. So 
      believe me the last thing I need is another guy." Tears streamed down her 
      face as she took a trembling breath. "I really dont need any more 
      problems."
      Darien sighed and knelt in front of her. "Serena. Im sorry I jumped to 
      conclusions. I just got a little crazy when I remembered everything. And 
      then to see him put a ring on your finger...it just sent me over the 
      edge." He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "I just have 
      one question for you. Do you love me?"
      Serena took her hand from his. She wanted to deny it. Wasnt he the one 
      who lied to her about his identity? Then didnt he run off with an old 
      girlfriend? Of course she lied as well. And he only ran off with Beryl 
      because hed lost his memory. Still she sat silent.
      "Would it help if I told you that I love you?" Darien turned her to face 
      him. "And if you didnt love me then whats keeping you from terminating 
      the pregnancy and finding another man? It would end all your problems 
      wouldnt it?" he put his hands on her stomach. "Ill tell you why you 
      wont. You love me as much as I love you."
      "W...what about Beryl?"
      "I never loved her. Even when she was telling me that I did, I didnt. I 
      couldnt stop thinking about you."
      Serena looked at him sceptically. "What about her baby?"
      "She was never pregnant. Serena, she lied. She used my confusion to her 
      advantage. I heard you talking when I was unconscious. But when I opened 
      my eyes I saw her. I mistakenly put your voice with her face. Otherwise I 
      would never have gone with her."
      It was too much for Serena. Felling overwhelmed she stood up. "Please, 
      Darien, if you care about me as much as you say you do youll give me some 
      time." She made sure she stayed out of his reach. She knew that if he 
      touched her at that moment, she wouldnt be able to resist him.
      Nodding he stood up. "Ok. Ill be back tomorrow morning."
      Serena nodded. "Goodnight, Darien." She walked him to the door and watched 
      him walk down the path. Then the most peculiar sensation came over her. It 
      felt like a giant butterfly fluttering around in her stomach. She 
      immediately put her hand over the bulge. "Darien!"
      He turned and saw the wide-eyed look she had. Panicking he ran to her 
      side. "Whats wrong? Are you ok?" he put a steadying hand around her 
waist.
      "The baby...our baby moved!" she took his hand and put it on her stomach. 
      "Feel!"
      Darien put his hand on her stomach and felt the slight movement. Nothing 
      could describe what he felt then and there. Grinning with delight he 
      looked at Serena. She had the same look of wondrous delight on her face as 
      well. Taking a step closer, he put his other hand next to the one resting 
      on her stomach. He was rewarded with more movement.
      "Sere, this is amazing." Darien locked eyes with her.
      "It is." They stood there like that for sometime. Just staring at each 
      other, his hands on her stomach. Glowing with sheer happiness. Then 
      slowly, Serena could feel her self gravitate towards him like a moth to a 
      flame, completely helpless to resist. "Darien..."
      His head dipped down and he claimed her lips with his own lightly brushing 
      them back and forth over Serenas. The feeling was so intense. It was like 
      he was coming home. Darien swept her up in his arms and carried her back 
      into the house not breaking the kiss.
      He quickly found the bedroom and laid her on the bed. The moon shone full 
      and bright through the pulled curtains lighting the entire room. Darien 
      looked down at Serenas still slender form. She was so beautiful even in 
      the dim light he could see her ethereal beauty. He eased himself onto the 
      bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
      Serena moved as close as she could against him, feeling so incredibly 
      secure. More content then shed felt in a long time. She and Darien were 
      finally together again.
      They talked into the night about everything. This time there were no 
      secrets between them. The sun was beginning to rise before they dozed off 
      into a contented sleep.
      Sometime next afternoon, they sat down to a lazy breakfast when there 
      was a knock at the door.
      Darien answered. Lita, Nephlite and Seiya were on the other side looking a 
      little apprehensive.
      Nephlite spoke first. "We heard you were headed here and thought that you 
      could use some moral support."
      Serena walked out next to Darien and smiled at the little group. "Which 
      one of us are you talking to?" she laughed at their embarrassed faces. 
      "Were fine you guys. We sorted everything out."
      An audible sigh of relief could be heard from them.
      They all walked into the house. All except for Seiya. Darien stopped him 
      before he could enter.
      Darien remembered him from St. Moritz. He was the one Serena left with. 
      Eyes narrowed he pushed Seiya back out of the doorway. "What are you doing 
      here?"
      Serena stepped in between them, before Darien could hurt him. "Darien! 
      This is Seiya. One of my oldest and best friends!" she put and hand on his 
      shoulder.
      Still not happy seeing him, Darien backed off.
      Seiya brushed off his shoulders and then extended a hand. "Prince Darien I 
      assume? Seiya Marceau."
      "Marceau? Of the house of Marceau?" Darien took his hand and shook it.
      "The one and only. I hope you know what youre getting yourself into." He 
      nodded pointedly at Serena.
      Darien laughed. "I hope I do too."
      Serena smiled wryly. "Great. You two can go and bond now." She walked past 
      them both and into the kitchen. "Anyone for coffee?"
      They were all sitting around the fire talking about what they were going 
      to do next. They all agreed that Serena and Darien had to get married 
soon.
      "I cant wait to go to a royal wedding!" Lita sat next to Serena on the 
      couch and was bouncing with excitement.
      Serena took a sly look at Nephlite and grinned. "From what I hear, were 
      not the only ones preparing a royal wedding."
      Lita blushed and jumped to her feet. "Anyone want more coffee?"
      Serena giggled. "Ill help." She was sidetracked by another knock at the 
      door. "Ill get it."
      Jadeite stood on the other side. "Hey. Just thought Id stop by and see 
      how you were doing."
      "Jadeite. Come on in. I want you to meet some friends of mine."
      He followed her in and smiled in amazement at the people who were casually 
      sitting around in her living room. He counted two princes and now that he 
      got a good look at Seiya, a baron or something. If he recognized the other 
      woman he was sure shed be someone important as well. Jadeite smiled 
      warmly and waved at everyone. "Hi there."
      Serena made the introductions. "Everyone this is my neighbour Jadeite. 
      Jadeite, meet Nephlite Giancarlo, Lita Chatman and youve met Seiya 
      Marceau. And Im sure you remember Darien from last night."
      They all shook hands and traded greetings.
      Darien walked over and shook his hand. "Im sorry about yesterday. I 
      wasnt quite in the right frame of mind."
      Jadeite smiled. "Its ok. I understand."
      "Youre too nice, Jadeite." Serena linked arms with Darien and smiled at 
      her friend. "Id at least give him a hard time for at least ten minutes or 
      so." She ran off giggling when Darien growled.
      "So what are we discussing?" Jadeite sat down among the group.
      Lita handed him a coffee. "Serena and Dariens wedding."
      "Sounds great." He turned to pair of topic. "Am I invited?"
      Later that evening, after Serena and Darien returned from one of Serenas 
      antenatal appointments, they sat on the back porch curled up in a blanket 
      staring at the ultrasound photo.
      "So thats our baby?" Darien screwed up his face as he looked at it. He 
      couldnt make head or tails of the black and white picture.
      "Yup. Theres the head and arms and legs." Serena pointed out each part as 
      she said them then looked at Dariens face. "You cant tell whats what 
      can you?"
      He didnt try to deny it. "Nope. Not at all." Still, he couldnt be more 
      excited. But now they had to return home and talk to their fathers. His 
      father wouldnt be that bad, but hers, Reginald might be a bit harder to 
      talk to. "Sere you know weve got to go home dont you?"
      Serena sighed and looked up at him again. "Yes I know." She wished they 
      could just spend more time living this way. Here they were carefree and 
      could do anything they wanted. Back at home they had more responsibilities 
      than she cared to think about. "We have to go back and talk to my father 
      and explain whats been going on. You know hes not going to be happy 
      about this."
      "Hell have to be. What more does he want. Were getting married like he 
      wanted us to and were going to present him with a grandchild in a few 
      months. Hed have to be really angry with us not to like that."
      "Well you dont know daddy."
      "Hell be fine. Trust me." Darien nuzzled her neck and smiled. "Besides 
      even if he isnt happy, we are. Thats all that matters."
      "Youre right. Were happy." Serena leaned back on his shoulder and looked 
      out at the night sky.
      "Theres something Ive been meaning to give you. But we always seem to 
      get interrupted." He smiled at her and got off the bench. He knelt in 
      front of her and pulled out a small box. "Since everything has been a 
      little out of the ordinary. I thought I might throw some tradition into 
      this." He opened the box to reveal a brilliantly glittering ring nestled 
      resting in the dark velvet. He took it out and slipped it onto her ring 
      finger. "I, and my kingdom would be honoured if you would be my wife."
      Too choked up for words, Serena just nodded and threw her arms around him. 
      Some time later she pulled back to admire her ring. The thick platinum 
      band held two large diamonds one was shaped into a crescent and the other, 
      nestled within the hollow, was shaped like a star. "Im sure theres a 
      story for this?" she looked at Darien waiting for his explanation for such 
      an unusual ring.
      "Well I want to give you everything. Youve already given me so much." He 
      kissed her hand and put his other on their baby. "And seeing that between 
      the two of us weve already had just about everything there is to offer I 
      wanted to get you something more. So I thought Id start with giving you 
      the moon and stars."
      "Is that all?" she started laughing uncontrollably when he scowled.
      He stared at her and started spluttering. "Is that all? What do you mean 
      Is that all?"
      Serena put a hand over his mouth and smiled. "Just kiss me, my prince."
      And Darien did just that.