A Sailormoon Romance


   
   
   
   



Jail Bait
MarshAngel
Part 7

 
 


Hey
Darien! Whats up? Dave yelled. He had with him a group of friends that
Darien hung out with occasionally.

Hey
guys!

Where
are you headed? 

I
was going to my Dads place, why?

You
have time to hang out a while?

I
guess so. What are you guys up to? Darien hadnt set any time with his
Dad. He certainly didnt feel any guilt delaying the visit.

Were
just hanging out. Come to the cafeteria with us. Darien couldnt understand
why anyone would actually voluntarily eat the food at the universitys
cafeteria, but he went with them anyway.

Hey
guys, Dave began, addressing the two other guys in his group. There was
Rob, a tall redhead also on the tennis team and Kai, an exchange student
from Hawaii. Darien here has a monopoly on this really hot group of high
school girls! And get this the hottest one is the one he doesnt get along
with!

Isnt
it bad enough you can have all the college girls, you have them before
theyre even legal! Rob said in a rather congratulatory tone.

Guys!
Darien warned. He wasnt particularly appreciating this line of conversation.
The girls were after all his closest friends along with Andrew. He even
had a picture of them torturing him in the park. It had just been one of
those playful days and Serena had snapped a strange shot of Amy holding
his head in a head lock, while Raye sat on his back and Mina and Lita pulled
at his cheeks. It certainly wasnt him at his best but he kept it around
to remind him of the wonderful friends he had.

Im
still considering asking Serena out, Dave said. Shes really cute! 

He
suddenly went still when Darien glared at him, the muscle in his jaw clenched
tightly. In that moment he looked as intimidating as his father.

I
suggest you find another candidate, Darien said icily.

Whoa!
Whats the matter with you? Kai asked, interrupting the stare down Darien
was giving a reasonably uncomfortable Dave.

Absolutely
nothing. I just dont appreciate having my friends being treated like toys
for your personal amusement.

All,
I said was I was thinking about asking her out! Besides, last time
I checked you guys werent exactly friendly. Dave said, slightly irked
about the way Darien was behaving. Its not like shes a little kid. 

Ok.
Ill put it simply. Feel free to ask any of the other girls out, and get
shot down, or you can hit on Serena and Ill personally break your arm
in three places. Darien said calmly.

Oh
my god! Dave whispered. You have a thing for her! 

Well
thats the understatement of the year!
Darien thought to himself.

When
did this happen!? Dave questioned. Darien merely shrugged, refusing to
answer the question.

Werent
you the same guy who told me she was jail bait? Dave asked incredulously. 

Darien
was regretting having said anything. Forget I said anything ok?

Hell
No! Dave said. I want to know the details.

Well
since youre going to find out at some point. I might as well let you know
now. Serena and I are a couple. Shes moving in with me. Darien informed
them in a rather casual fashion.

Youre
kidding right? A few weeks ago you couldnt stand her and now shes moving
in with you!

Wait
a sec, this girls parents are letting her move into an apartment with you?
Rob asked unbelievingly.

Shes
pregnant, Darien said simply. Its much more convenient for her to live
with me. Im the lucky father after all. Darien had to admit he was enjoying
shocking them.

Whoa,
hold on! Dave said. I know you just didnt say you got Serena pregnant!

Yeah.
Arent you Mr. Perfect? Darien rolled his eyes at the ridiculous statement.
He was unwilling to accept even the idea that many people seemed to have
that he and his life were nothing short of perfect.

Looks
like youre being domesticated really early! Kai teased. I cant believe
you are the same guy who said he wasnt interested in any serious relationships
until he graduated.

I
am not domesticated! I knew I shouldnt have told you guys anything.
Im out of here. Ill see you guys later. Darien got up and left the guys
to mull over the shocking news with which hed left them.



Darien
walked into the enormous house his father and Brandi shared. The new housekeeper,
Lucy, answered the door and informed him that his father and Brandi were
sitting down to dinner. 

Darien.
I was beginning to think you wouldnt show, his father greeted. Take
a seat. I cant say I expected you to come. You hardly ever show your face
around here unless we insist.

I
have important news, Darien said getting directly to the point.

Well
dont keep us waiting, please speak your mind. Dariens father said impatiently.

Since
you insist, Im going to be a father. His father was quiet for a moment
a confused look on his face.

Im
not sure I understand you correctly. You say youre going to be a father?
Of a child?

Darien
had to smile. His father was usually rather eloquent and he considered
him the most intelligent man he knew but that was certainly the dumbest
question hed ever heard escape the mans lips.

No,
of an Orangutan, of course of a child!

Dont
be impertinent! Who may I ask is the mother of this child?

Serena
Chandler. His father was silent again.

The
same girl you said you werent interested in and whom you claimed was too
young for you to ask out. Is there some sort of strange standard you young
people have these days that Im not aware of. Shes too young to be asked
out but young enough to sleep with! Darien knew his father was
in his own way saying I told you so.

I
didnt exactly make plans to sleep with her! It just happened.

These
things dont just happen! Michael said, calmly taking a bite of baked
potato.

I
thought youd be pleased to know that in some round about fashion I took
your advice. She is, of course, the same one whose father you wanted a
business deal with. I seriously doubt now would be a good time to approach
him however, hes very upset at the moment. I think it might have something
to do with his pregnant daughter.

Dont
be impudent!You obviously think
this is some kind of joke!

Not
at all Dad. Everyone in this family gets what they want, except you Brandi;
youre only after the money after all. I get the girl I love, Mother gets
the daughter-in-law shes always wanted and you get the business connection
you want. You should be pleased.

There
is no need to insult Brandi or this family. We didnt get you into this
situation. We certainly didnt raise you to behave this way.

You
didnt raise me at all! I was raised by an English nanny by the name of
Marie. She died four years ago and you were too busy to attend her funeral.
Darien said coldly. 

Darien
realized he was being unfair. His father had been relatively receptive.
He had been worrying about details and by the time hed gotten around to
his news it had thrown him off track. He had automatically gone into defense-attack
mode in expectation of the usual arguments he normally had with his father.

Im
sorry Dad. I guess Im a little tense. Serenas family wasnt particularly
receptive, not that I expected them to be, but it has been on my mind.

When
do I get to meet this young lady? Why didnt bring her with you?

Shes
spending the day with her family. Her family arrived from San Francisco
to see her yesterday. Youll meet her soon hopefully.

I
hope to meet her family as well.

Of
course. Youre taking this rather well.

Im
not Puritanical. Your mother doesnt look as young as she does because
shes a blue blood as she claims. She looks young because shes only thirty-nine.
The business marriage you are so opposed to did not actually occur until
five months before you were born.

Im
not repeating your life am I? Darien asked suddenly worried about turning
into his father. There was too much evidence pointing in that direction.
He wouldnt mind the looks but the rest his father could keep.

That
depends. Are you harboring any computer knowledge Im unaware of? If you
are, then you may end up repeating my life after all. I was a biology major
studying to be a doctor before I picked up on the computer trend and made
a career change. My father wasnt particularly happy but he changed tunes
later.

And
you think Im going to do the same? Darien asked.

I
dont know. Are you? Michael asked his son teasingly.

I
thought you disapproved of dramatic age differences, Darien Brand commented
suddenly, in her sickeningly sweet tone.

Five
years is quite minor as opposed to twenty. Darien replied tersely, reminding
her of the age difference between her and his father.

Lets
not do this. Michael ordered.

Of
course, dear, Brandi conceded, her nauseating tone unsettling Dariens
stomach.



The
moment Darien had informed his mother of his new girlfriend and their coming
baby, she had booked a flight for Tokyo. In just an hour two families would
meet to either become one or kill each other. He looked in the mirror and
straightened his tie once again. 

He
was ready far earlier than he needed to be which left him with plenty of
time to panic, worry, and pace the floor of the apartment before heading
over to the restaurant. He had decided on neutral territory; that way Chandler
and Tsukino would probably think before harming him. He certainly hoped
Chandler would be much calmer than he had been before.

Serena
brushed her hair for the final time. She had had to change her mid-calf
skirt and silk blouse for a full-length formal summer dress when shed
felt the waist was just a little tighter than it had been before. This
baby was slowly becoming a reality. 

She
was a little nervous about meeting Dariens parents. It was an enormous
comfort that they would be much calmer and more accepting than her own
parents. Of course, they didnt have a pregnant teenage daughter.

Yesterday
she hadnt said a word to any of her parents. She had gone out with her
Dad and Celine to lunch, where shed eaten quietly with the exception of
a few words to Irene and Catherine. Her little sister had made her feel
slightly better and shed spent a good part of the day playing with her.
Catherine was so sweet and innocent and she was the only one whose view
of her hadnt changed.

She
could hear her mother calling her. She looked herself over in the mirror.
She was wearing blue, a color that looked especially good on her. Looking
good did little to assuage her nervousness. Tonight the rest of her future
would be decided. She closed her eyes, said a little prayer, and went downstairs.


It
seems your son has impregnated my daughter Chiba, Richard said cutting
to the chase as soon as dinner was ordered.

Daddy,
Please! Serena whispered, embarrassed at how forward he was being with
people he knew nothing of but their names. 

Serena
had been surprised when shed met Dariens parents. Mr. Chiba looked exactly
like Darien only older and with a startling pair of light brown eyes. His
mother had luxurious black hair and the same shade of blue eyes as her
son. Serena was truly amazed. Arianna didnt look old enough to have a
son Dariens age. She had the air and grace of a princess. It was enough
to make Serena feel like a clod.

Unlike
Serenas parents, Dariens seemed calm and had already attached themselves
to her in a way that was comforting to her considering the situation she
was having to deal with her own parents, more specifically Kenji and Richard.


It
seems he has. Chiba replied calmly. His casual reply left little else
to be said, but Richard managed to find something.

Im
sure youre aware my daughter is only sixteen. Im very tempted to report
him to the police and have him charged with statutory rape!

Serena
and Darien sucked in a deep breath. Kenji nodded in agreement and Celine
and Ikuko glared at Richard, a pointless act considering he seemed to be
completely oblivious. Michael however, remained calm.

Youre
an intelligent man Chandler, Im sure youre fully aware that if you were
to charge my son with rape wed both end up with an everlasting court battle
pitting the best lawyers against each other, and if by some miracle you
were to win all youd get was a pregnant daughter with no father for her
child.

Richard
being the intelligent man he was easily recognized the logic in that statement.
If anything however, it made his blood boil that he hadnt realized the
stupidity of his threat in the first place. His anger at Darien while not
completely misplaced was bordering on the irrational. 

The
deed was done, his daughter was pregnant, and the young couple seemed very
much in love. Darien was very willing to stand by her side and take care
of his responsibilities. He only had one thing to insist on however. Before
he could say anything, Chibas ex-wife interrupted. Looking at the beautiful
woman he had to seriously wonder what sane man would choose to divorce
her?!

Mr.
Chandler, Mr. Tsukino, Arianna began diplomatically in her gentle, accented
voice, My son and your daughter are obviously well-matched despite their
age. I think it would be in all our best interests to make the best of
the situation and accept that we will be joined as a family. Its best
you men put your anger aside and let Darien and Serena work things out
on their own.

We
really have no problem with that, Ikuko said. I think what Richard and
Kenji would like to ensure is security for Serena and their child. We would
like to see these two married as soon as possible.

Serenas
eyes doubled and she gulped. Her life was being planned out before her
eyes. Just last year her only concern had been where to spend the holidays,
what to do on the holidays, and which guys were the cutest. Suddenly everything
was a whirlwind. In the last two months everything had changed. She was
expecting a baby, moving in with a man she had just realized she loved,
and now there was talk of a marriage, which in her mind hinted at wedding
and her seventeenth birthday was only two weeks away. 

Darien
was equally surprised. While he had every intention of marrying Serena
he had hoped that it would be an event decided between them not between
three sets of parents bent on running their lives. How had one moment of
ecstasy led to this? His whole life, his future, was changing moment by
moment and it was extremely unsettling.

Naturally,
we expected the same thing, Michael agreed with Ikuko. There is a problem
with age however. Your daughter is only sixteen, she does not meet the
age requirements for marriage in this country. If there is to be a wedding
it will have to be somewhere else.

Well,
they could get married in Florida. Celine suggested.

I
dont know, Ikuko said. Is it possible for them to marry in Paris?

Serena
and Darien looked at each other, frustrated at the direction of the conversation.
By the time the waiter arrived, they were both equally upset. Somehow at
the mention of a wedding their families had bonded but left the two subjects
of conversation out. The men were discussing money, and business and the
mothers were discussing all the other possibilities from location to maternity
gowns. 

They
gave in however and just enjoyed their dinner in silence, rolling their
eyes at the comments and suggestions being tossed back and forth and smiling
at each other. Their lives were being planned around them but at this point
in time they really didnt care. This would give them the opportunity to
focus on more important things like Serenas doctors appointment tomorrow,
the baby and each other.



Serena
stared at herself nervously as Celine placed the wreath of silk roses with
its short veil down on her loose blonde hair, perfectly curled around her
in ringlets for the wedding. Everything was happening so fast! On short
notice the wedding had turned out to be medium sized affair that was taking
place in a garden in the south of France.

Everything
was perfect. Her sleeveless empire-waist wedding gown was cream silk with
pale gold and white roses, designed by Irenes mother and altered to fit
her protruding stomach. There were flowers everywhere, a mini orchestra
and a brunch buffet awaiting the guests after the wedding. She was amazed
by how much her mother, her new mother-in-law, her stepmother, and her
sisters mother had gotten done on such short notice. 

It
had been her father, Richard, who had insisted on a formal affair with
many guests. In his own way, he was secretly happy, if somewhat dismayed,
to see her married. Serena was quite surprised to find herself looking
forward to actually being married, something she hadnt expected to happen
for years.

Over
the last few weeks she had come to accept her situation with less distress
and more ease than shes thought was possible. The moment of truth and
acceptance had occurred when Darien had held her hand as they heard their
babys heart beat for the first time. It was certainly an amazing feeling
to know there was another tiny heart beating inside you.

She
settled the veil around her shoulders and her mother and stepmother helped
her settle the long edges of the gown around her. With tears in her eyes,
Ikuko handed her the bouquet of cream roses and left the room to make their
way to the area outside where the guests were all seated. Serena would
walk down the aisle alone rather than choose between the two fathers whom
she viewed equally.

The
music began to play and she found her feet, as if on their own accord,
walking timely down the aisle. She glanced around at the guests, a sea
of pastel colors, finding her friends seated close to the front. Her closest
friends had all been flown all the way to France just to see her married.
Technically she and Darien were already married, having signed the licenses
at a short stop in Miami. It wouldnt be complete however, without the
ceremony that would declare them a couple before their friends and family.

Serena
found her eyes settling on Dariens expectant face and grew impatient with
what was beginning to seem like an everlasting walk. Darien had no doubts
as he stared into the face of the young lady approaching him at a pace
so slow as if intended to be torture. She had never looked more beautiful
and nothing hed ever done had ever felt so right. 

When
she finally arrived and he took her hands into his and refused to let go.
He was a little nervous and his hands shook a little. When it finally came
time to say their vows his nervousness increased as he began to recite
the vows he had spent an entire week writing.

Serena,
we werent always the best of friends and now I swear it must have been
a miracle that made me realize how much Ive always loved you, because
I was so sure I could choose when, how and with whom Id fall in love.
I always thought I could plan my life and make things the way I wanted
them. You came into my heart unannounced, changing everything I thought
I knew about life and love. I realized that you cant plan to fall in love.
You are the unexpected gift I never knew I wanted or needed but now I cant
live without you. 

I
promise to love and care for you as long as Im able. You are the love
of my life, the one I choose to be with forever and always. I swear to
protect and honor you in all ways and make every attempt to make our lives
together a never-ending joy. I love you, and I choose you to be my one
and only loving wife.

By
the time he completed his vows both he and Serena were teary and smiling.
He could see the loving adoration in her eyes and it made his heart beat
faster as she prepared to say her own vows.

For
so long I denied the great things I saw about you. I denied myself the
love for you that was deep within, a love that now makes me feel strong
and complete whenever I am with you. Sometimes its hard to believe that
I have known you so long without giving in to the love that is so strong
between us now. 

You
can be sure that I will never give up on our love. Our love will be the
center of great things because it is eternal. I am blessed to know you
and even more so to love you. I love you, and I choose you to be my one
and only loving husband.

They
both barely heard the minister pronounce them man and wife as they reached,
without prodding, to kiss each other, joining them not only as man and
wife but as a family. 



Serena
unpacked the last of her clothing, looking around the new condo she and
Darien now shared. It was a wedding gift of sorts from both their parents.
His place while comfortable had been the ultimate bachelor pad and there
had been a need for more room. Their new place was certainly beautiful
and similar in size and layout to Minas place. 

The
second wedding gift had come from Irenes Mom. It had been a honeymoon
on a European cruise line, which to her great satisfaction kept her out
of a swimsuit, something she refused to wear with her swelling stomach.
Her fathers quote on hearing of the week and a half long cruise was a rather
loud whisper to her mother; What do they need a honeymoon for? Isnt that
what got them here in the first place? It was now safe for her to laugh
at that. 

She
found herself beginning to wonder if it were possible for her family to
get any larger and stranger. She now had three sets of parents. During
the planning of the wedding she had noticed something happening between
Arianna and Michael, something that had annoyed that Brandi woman who seemed
to be so self involved. If things turned out to be as she saw them, Darien
would have his parents back the way he preferred them.

She
looked herself over in the mirror. At eight months pregnant she was enormous.
There was this round ball protruding from her middle making her look alien.
Her body certainly didnt feel like her own. Being pregnant always seemed
more attractive on other people and it certainly felt more attractive on
someone else. 

Except
for the swollen feet and aching back however, she had to admit she felt
rather good. Every now and then her child would kick either gently tickling
or mildly painful reminder of its existence. Feeling her baby moving inside
her was the strangest yet most marvelous feeling shed ever experienced.

She
was suddenly aware of Dariens eyes on her, watching her amusedly.

How
long have you been there?

A
while, he replied smiling but not moving from the doorway. You look beautiful.
He looked over her rounded figure. Her face was aglow with warmth and the
weight shed gained from her pregnancy made her look like a cherub.

I
look fat!

You
look pregnant.

Im
scared Darien. What if my labor is as bad as Celines was? Her stepmother
had given birth to two rather large baby boys only after the doctors had
sped up the labor process after the first twenty hours.

Everything
will be fine, Serena. Celine had twins; this is very different. Well have
a healthy baby, youll be fine.

She
certainly hoped so. She couldnt bear to lose this baby now. It meant so
much to her and to Darien. She wondered whether it was a boy or a girl.
If they had a boy, it would be named after Dariens grandfather Anthony
Chiba as well as her own Michael Chandler if it was a girl it would be
named after Dariens mother and his nanny Marie who had died a few years
ago.

She
really couldnt wait to have this baby. Her body was feeling very uncomfortable
but she still had another three weeks to go before their baby was due. 

While
her friends were out of high school on vacation she had completed a good
amount of her studies. She still had the better part of a year of tutoring
to go but it was so much easier and more interesting than high school.
Her tutor, a beautiful woman named Setsuna seemed to know everything and
had far more interesting and comprehendible methods of teaching them than
any of her high school teachers.

Dont
worry Serena, Darien said reassuringly. Youll make me nervous too.
He walked over and put his arms around her, enjoying having that much more
of her to hug. 

I
love you.

I
love you too. He kissed her temple and she turned around I his arms, her
round stomach between them. He leaned in for a kiss only to hear her say,
Im hungry! Is there anything here to eat?



Serena
missed Luna. Intelligent as she was, she was still a cat and therefore
posed a health risk for her and her baby. So when she and Darien had moved
in together, Luna had not been able to go with them.

Luna
had been disappointed but this gave her an excuse to do something she hadnt
done for more than a thousand years and certainly didnt feel comfortable
with. She and Artemis made a concentrated effort to regain and be comfortable
in their human forms. She certainly wouldnt miss the opportunity to hold
Serenas baby once the child was born.



Serena
and her friends had been waiting for Darien inside a caf on the
university campus. They were all chatting happily, with the exception of
Serena who as a bit quiet. She was feeling anxious and tired, a feeling
only slightly relieved when her handsome husband (she loved the sound of
the word) arrived. They relaxed together for a while talking and chatting
until a beautiful redheaded girl headed over to their table. 

Hello
Darien, the tall redhead uttered flirtatiously, batting her eyelashes.
Darien was curious as to why she was flirting so obviously when he was
surrounded by five young women any of whom could be his girlfriend to the
best of her knowledge, especially the very pregnant one sitting next to
him. The rings on Serena and Dariens fingers apparently hadnt tipped
her off in the least.

Hi
Mandy, Darien said nonchalantly. 

Mandy
looked around at the group of girls. They were all cute but none of them
could be his girlfriend, they had no sophistication or maturity. The fat
blonde was as beautiful as the others but she really needed to lose some
weight. 

Theres
going to be a party at my sorority house this weekend, would you like to
come with me? Mandy asked sweetly. Darien was so stunned by this girls
stupidity he was unable to answer. Fortunately thats what wives were for.

Mandy,
is it? Serena began with a brilliant, if fake, smile on her face. While
Im not against a little fun once in a while; I really dont appreciate
my husband
dating other women especially when Im on the verge of
giving birth to his child.

Mandys
eyes widened. But, he cant be married to you! She squealed incredulously.
Hes the only guy on campus worth she trailed off suddenly realizing
she was making a fool of herself. She composed herself and gave a forced
smile. Im sorry I didnt know.

Thats
fine, just try to be more careful next time. Mandy walked away with a
confused expression on her face. That girl couldnt have been more than
eighteen.

Youre
good, Darien said smiling.

Thank
you! Serena replied smiling brilliantly as she planted a kiss on his cheek.
Now where did you meet her? That had to be the third one this week.

Darien
looked around in vain but found no help from the girls that surrounded
him. 

Serena
suddenly felt a cramping all along her lower stomach. She winced in pain
as the sudden realization that she was actually in labor came over her. 

I
guess I am on the verge of giving birth, she said smiling weakly
as she felt water running down her legs. Darien, my water just broke.
Get the car. Darien sat and stared at her for a while not quite believing
she was actually ready to give birth. 

Sweetheart
Serena said, If you dont go get the car now, youll have to deliver this
baby yourself. Youre brilliant but Id really rather have this baby in
the safety of a hospital room.

Ten
hours later after threats to Dariens well being, severe labor pains, screaming
and sweat, Serena gave birth to healthy screaming baby boy. Three sets
of parents, five young women, Andrew and Dave awaited the happy couple.
Even shortly after birth it was obvious that Michael Anthony Chiba looked
very much like his father.

His
eyes were brilliantly blue and curious and he was the most precious thing
both his parents had ever seen. Darien was instantly in love with the small
child and Serena knew this child was very much his. Shed be lucky if hed
let him go long enough to let her feed him. 

The
reaction of her numerous parents had been most amusing. The group of knew
grandfathers had become easily fascinated, completely monopolizing the
baby and refusing the new grandmas any opportunity to hold their grandson.
There would be no lack of babysitters. Even Andrew had found it endlessly
amusing watching the babys face crinkle as he opened his toothless mouth
for a sleepy yawn. 

Serena
had thought shed have been just relieved to have labor over with and she
was but she had been instantly impatient to hold her child. After holding
her baby in her arms for the first time, looking at the tiny miracle with
loving fascination, fatigue had taken over and shed fallen asleep in Dariens
arms. 

And
then came the diapers







