
      Dreams & Deceptions


      Author: aria


      Rated: NC17



      Epilogue
      They decided to return to Lidaria the next day to tell their fathers the 
      news.
      The entire trip, Serena paced up and down the length of the plane, only 
      sitting down when Darien couldnt bear seeing her fret any longer and 
      dragged her to his side. "Serena, it will be ok. Trust me."
      What was her father going to say? What would he do? The thoughts kept 
      whirling around in her mind. By the time they landed Serena was fairly 
      quaking with fear.
      Darien simply took her hand and held on as tightly as she was holding on 
      to him.
      Serena was surprised to find her father, Dariens father and everyone else 
      waiting for them at the palace. She looked at Darien and knew he had 
      something to do with it. He gave her a little smile that said he took care 
      of everything.
      Darien got out first and helped her out of the limo. Serena smiled 
      tremulously at the group. "Hello, everyone."
      And Reginald did something he never did. He gave her a hug. "How dare you 
      defy me." He whispered. He moved back and put and hand on her growing 
      stomach. Serena could have sworn that she saw the beginnings of a tear in 
      his eye.
      Before she could answer he pulled her into the palace and beamed at her 
      proudly. "Now Darien says youve finally consented and you will be 
      married." He looked at her belly pointedly. "The sooner the better I 
hope."
      Serena nodded. "Yes."
      "Wonderful!" He clapped his hands and several people appeared. "This is 
      the wedding coordinator, the dress maker, the caterer and a designer. They 
      are at your disposal until the wedding, which I hope will be before the 
      end of the week." He held up his hand when Serena would have protested. 
      "No, the sooner the better. It will be hard enough to hide you condition 
      as it is. Would you rather have a scandal?"
      Darien put his arm around Serenas shoulders. "As soon as possible. I 
      wont take the chance of her changing her mind again." He softened his 
      words with a smile and a kiss to her temple. He looked into her eyes, "Is 
      that ok with you?"
      She nodded. "Its fabulous."
      Reginald clapped his hands again, this time in joy. "Well then! We have a 
      lot of work to do!"
      As promised within the week they were married in a grand ceremony much to 
      the delight of their two nations.
      ----
      Serena and Darien stood together in the cathedral. Holding hands they 
      smiled at each other as they looked at the loving couple taking their 
      vows. It had taken Nephlite a year to ask Lita to marry him and almost as 
      long to get the wedding together. But the results were absolutely 
stunning.
      The reception was not a let down after the beautiful ceremony. Only the 
      wonderful menu surpassed the decorations. After a few dances and sampling 
      the delectable selection of food they sought out the newlyweds.
      Darien clapped his hand on his friends shoulder. "Well it looks like 
      were getting old huh?"
      "Speak for yourself. I suppose youre going to tell me you and Serena have 
      to go home now eh?"
      Serena hugged Lita and smiled. "Well, as a matter of fact..."
      Nephlite guffawed but coughed when Lita whacked him on the back.
      "Thatll be you pretty soon."
      "What?" Nephlite spluttered.
      "You heard me!" Lita laughed at his expression.
      "Congrats OLD boy!" Darien laughed at Nephlites dumbfounded expression. 
      "Welcome to the club!"
      They said their goodbyes and made their way back to their home.
      Darien looked over at his wifes radiant smile. "How long have you known 
      about Lita?"
      "A while. Its wonderful how things have worked out isnt it?"
      Stretching an arm around her shoulder Darien yawned, "Absolutely."
      "I hope you arent too tired. You know whats waiting for us at home."
      Serena pulled a very tired Darien out of the back of the limo and lead the 
      way to the mansion. After the wedding they decided to create their own 
      home that rested on the border between their two countries. It would do 
      until they had to assume their roles as monarchs.
      The moment they walked through the door a flurry of tiny footfalls could 
      be heard. Before they could brace themselves, a tiny body launched itself 
      at them.
      "Mommy! Daddy!"
      "Marcus! What are you doing up so late?" Serena tried to hide the smile 
      from her lips. The little boy was the spitting image of his father and had 
      the temperament to match. "Youve probably woken everyone in the house.
      Marcus just cuddled his daddy and gurgled happily.
      "Im sorry." The nanny ran into the room. "One second he was in bed and 
      the next he was gone."
      "Thats ok, Marie." Serena gave her a smile as she walked away.
      "Mommy?" the tiny voice came from the hall. A little girl with golden 
      curls stumbled into the room dragging her stuffed bunny. "Daddy?"
      "Hello, princess." Darien scooped her up and carried his children over to 
      the enormous couch. "You two should be in bed." Even as he said the words 
      he cuddled his family to him. Who would have thought that he would ever 
      get married and then be blessed with twins?
      Serena leaned in and wrapped her arms around Darien and Rini and Marcus. 
      They sat quietly for a while just enjoying the serene moment. Then Serena 
      tapped Dariens shoulder and pointed at the kids.
      They were sound asleep on their fathers chest.
      Darien easily swung them up and carried them to their room. Tenderly, he 
      laid them in their respective beds and he and Serena stood in the middle 
      of the room watching them sleep peacefully.
      Serena leaned into the circle of his arms and sighed, "How did we get so 
      lucky?"
      "Luck has nothing to do with it." He held her to him tightly and smiled 
      into her neck. "We were meant to be together and thats that."
      "Its just that simple?"
      "Why must things be complicated? Sometimes I think that you thrive on 
      chaos."
      "Its a good thing I have you here to keep my feet on the ground then, 
      isnt it?"
      "Thats all Im good for huh?"
      "Well maybe not all." Giggling, Serena stood up on her toes and pecked him 
      on the cheek.
      Darien groaned. "My pride is still wounded. Itll take more than a mere 
      kiss on the cheek to salve it."
      Serena tried to kiss him on the lips but he moved out of reach.
      "Dont try and kiss up now. Im very hurt!" he pouted.
      "Shut up and kiss me."
      Chuckling, he did.
      --------@
      The End.