It was sheer elation for both Darren and Daniel. The two best friends have met, at last, after about eight years of separation. Darren's tears of sorrow were now replaced by his tears of joy. They hugged each other for what seemed like eternity.
"So, Daniel, what are you doing here?" asked Darren.
"I came to pick up my son," replied Daniel. "He had a cold."
"Oh yeah, your Darren," said Darren. "Too bad he's sick - he was a fine kid. So well-behaved. Everyone liked him."
"Well, of course," said Daniel. "His name IS Darren, you know..."
"Oh stop flattering me!" said Darren, blushing. Just then the younger Darren came running.
"Hi Dad! Oh, hi Sir!" greeted Darren as he ran towards the two men.
"Darren, are you okay?" asked Daniel.
"Fine as a fiddle, Dad!" replied the youngster. Daniel was confused.
"But you said you had a cold!" said Daniel. "I just got your phone call a few hours ago!" Darren kneeled down and checked the boy's body temperature.
"Hey, he's all right!" exclaimed Darren. "He's perfectly healthy!"
"Okay, okay, I confess - it was all a trick," said the young Darren. "But it was all part of a wish from Mom!"
"A wish from Mom?" asked a surprised Daniel. "What wish?" Darren told his dad and the counselor all about his mom's letter, and how she wished to have Savage Garden back together.
"Oh my God, I never knew my wife cared," said Daniel. "I guess she's smiling at us right now, from heaven..."
"She's probably smiling right at Darren," continued Darren. "He did grant his mother's wish!"
"He sure did," said Daniel, stroking his son's head. Just then Leonie came walking by.
"Sigh...Daniel, you are so lucky," said Darren dreamily. Daniel was confused.
"Why should I be so lucky?" asked Daniel.
"Coz you've got a lovely sister-in-law," said Darren, his eyes fixed on Leonie. Yet Leonie did not notice them at all.
"Yeah, you're right, she is pretty swell," said Daniel. "She's been like a mother and sister to Darren ever since Chardina died..."
"Oh sorry Dan - my deepest condolences for Chardina," said Darren, regaining his senses. He then felt the other Darren tugging on his pant leg.
"You like Aunt Leonie, don't you, sir?" asked Darren innocently.
"Like? I adore her! She's been looking after me since your dad left till I got the job here...she and I were very similar...and ever since she came her, my attraction came back." said Darren, who was starting to blush. "Oh stop it, you're making me all shy!"
"Well, Sir, if you like her so much, why don't you ask her out?" suggested Darren.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," said Daniel. "You DO call her 'Female You', so she should understand!"
"Oh, I'm not sure," replied Darren. "The camp's still on...I still don't know if she likes me..."
"Sir, if she likes me, she must like you!" exclaimed Darren.
"The kid's got a point, you know," continued Daniel. "Come on, just go for it!" Darren hesitated for a while before agreeing to make a move. He walked towards Leonie, plucked a few wildflowers growing on the grass and gave them to her.
"Hey, nice flowers, Daz," said Leonie. "but what for?"
"Oh, just because I think you're...you're cool," said a very shy Darren. Leonie just smiled.
"Oh come on, Darren," said Leonie. "I'm sure there's an ulterior motive behind that!"
"Well...there is..." said Darren. "I was wondering...would you like to go out with me soon?"
"On a date?" asked Leonie. "Why, I'd love to!" Darren was in jubilation. He hugged Leonie tightly, gave her a quick kiss on her lips and skipped towards Daniel and Darren.
"I guess she accepted!" said Daniel.
"She sure did," replied Darren. "Oh boy! I can't wait!"
