eteyo2

Hello everyone!
Well, here's part two (the end) of Eternally Yours.
I just want to thank everyone who loved part one, and I want
to say that you for all the support I've been getting. I REALLY appreciate
all your comments and all the great feedback I've been getting.
Since I'm having fun with fanfic, I think I'll be back with another
story, perhaps my version of how the prince and princess met. (As you can
tell, I'm a Darien and Serena sap!) Tell me what you think. I have not yet
started, but I'm getting my ideas together....
Also, I'd like to thank Jennifer, who was my editor, and urged me
to keep my story up! Thanx your comments and support, Jen!
Again, thank you for reading, everyone!

Crystal Heart <crisinti@hotmail.com>

I don't own these characters, but I do own the story. Please don't
sue.

Eternally Yours - Part II
By Crystal Heart

(Now)
Serena smiled at Nurse Nagoya as she walked into the nurses
lounge, with Darien following her, silent, and relaxed.
Darien certainly didn't show those feeling he had shown at the ball
the previous evening, the evening he swept her off her feet, and into an
oblivion of confusion.
*DARIEN! Make up your mind! You've played too many games
already.*
In a way, Serena was relieved that he didn't allude to anything of
last night, the garden day, or anything romantic. He was just...well, a new
doctor, and she was his guide around a hospital. Serena, feeling more
comfortable with this environment was compelled to talk with him and
teach him quirks and funny things about what the kids loved, and which
dishes in the hospital cafeteria were edible, and what days to bring lunch.
He had smiled and said a few witty things in return, and had kept
the atmosphere between them calm, cool, and relaxed, and now, it was the
end of the day, *a wonderful day* thought Serena, hanging up her nursing
assistant outfit in her locker and grabbing her jacket. Darien had offered
her dinner, and since she was in no mood to cook for herself, and since she
was feeling very nice and comfy in his presence, and since he showed no
signs of the past romantic endeavors (which she was secretly relieved and
slightly disappointed by), she agreed.
Now, they had stopped by the nurses lounge, and she had picked
up her jacket and purse, and they set out of the hospital, saying goodbye to
Nurse Nagoya and Dr. Anderson, and headed to a bus station.
As they stood silently waiting for the bus, Serena found that now,
of all times, she was at a loss for words. In the hospital, it wasn't hard for
her to keep on talking, since she was guiding Darien around, and had to
keep on explaining the branches in the hospital. But now, well, it was
different, since they were now out of the hospital, and she had no idea
what to talk about.
Darien had not said much so far about his life, or why he had
decided to come back to establish his career, and why he hadn't stayed in
the United States. Serena's mind was tumbling somersaults trying to
understand.
It was a quiet, uncomfortable way to the restaurant of Darien's
choice, his favorite, a nice Chinese food place, and though it was silent
and disconcerting, Serena felt anything but cold. Her palms were sweaty,
and she was squirmy.
They sat at a nice table, facing each other, and Serena glued her
eyes to the menu. He had taken her here for dinner that rose garden day.
She remembered that they had just sat and talked the whole time about life
and school, and frustrations. And now, she was sitting across from him,
jittery, and confused. She shivered as she thought of the difference in
atmospheres.
She was NEVER this nervous, even for an exam. Darien, sitting
across from her, had just disconnected every sensible part in her brain,
and she was now left with only a few things in her mind. Darien, and his
roses.
"So...Darien?"
"Yeah?"
"How was America?" she began, carefully. America was a safe
enough subject, and hopefully, he'd talk so much she wouldn't have to say
much.
"It was wonderful. The people were different from Japanese, I
assure you, but still altogether very cool."
"And is the American college as wonderful as it sounds from what
I hear from Amy and Greg?"
"Johns Hopskins is a very prestigious university, and I loved
studying there, though there were many times I wished I could have just
stopped studying and go out for a walk."
"Mmm..." Serena sighed. "Yes, I can understand that."
Darien sighed, and said quietly, "I missed Japan though, I missed it
a lot. I missed the mornings, the way the sun rises and sets in Tokyo park,
and I missed my rose garden. I missed my Chinese food restaurant. I
missed..." he drifted off, gazing at Serena oddly.
Serena did not like the feeling. She started to sweat. She shrugged
his gaze off, and quietly said, "Well, you must be happy to be back."
"Of course I am! Could I be anything less? But I've waited from
the very moment I left to come back, and now that I'm here, and now that
I'm a doctor, I feel like I have almost accomplished my dream."
"And you haven't? I thought being a doctor WAS your dream."
"Being a doctor was always my dream, but my dream changed
while I was away, and now I'm dreaming of even sweeter dreams," he
mumbled, into his water glass.
The waitress came then with their food, and they started eating.
Darien noted that Serena did not eat as much as she used to, and said
something about it. "You've changed Serena. I noticed that the minute I
saw you. Something about the whole mood you convey. When I left two
years ago, you looked like you didn't have a care in the world. You
smiled and laughed all the time. But I've read from Amy's e-mail that you
haven't made your past years very easy, and looking into your eyes," he
said, holding her eyes with his stare, "you look like you've got lots to
worry about."
"Yes, I have lots of things to worry about, and I haven't given
myself lots of time, because I had a dream of my own, and I worked very
hard to achieve it. And now, I find that I have more than accomplished
it...I am finally going to be a true nurse, with a real uniform, and a real
job, and I'm very excited. This is going beyond my dreams. I'm only
twenty years old, but my dream is in my hands."
"So you think you've collected all life has to offer you?"
"Pretty much. I like my life now, Darien. I love it, and right now,
I don't think I could dream of anything more," she stated, determined, at
Darien. *How can I make him understand if I can't bring the subject up!
Foolish Serena!*
"You've changed Serena. What happened to the princess I knew?
The moonlight, the roses?"
"She grew up. She's a Queen now, and the roses faded a long time
ago." she bit with a hint of ice. "She has other things to do, and she's
planning on ruling her kingdom, her style," she laughed lightly at the end,
trying to keep it light, but failing miserably. "Mmm...now this sweet and
sour chicken is GOOD," she smiled, changing the subject quickly. "I'll
have to bring the girls some time!"
And that was as far as he got with her that evening. Serena didn't
like it. This feeling of being not in control wasn't good. Things were all
set for her before he came back. Now that he was back...
As Serena stepped up to her building, she smiled at Darien. "It's
nice to see you again; I'm...glad that you are at the hospital with me; it
gives us a chance to catch up with old times."
"We always DID have a special bond, didn't we, Serena?" he
leaned forward, and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Her cheek turned
bright red at the spot he kissed her. He breathed into her ear. "I'll see you
tomorrow, Princess Tsukino."
She stood at the door, wanting to find her keys, go inside, rush up
into her room, and just forget this whole evening. But she just stood there,
on the doorstep, looking at the figure walking away.
When he finally disappeared around the corner, she let out her
breath, which she had unwittingly held while he was walking away, and
slumped against the door. At her feet, she noticed yet another white rose,
which she had not seen him carrying before during dinner, laying at her
feet.
*DARIEN!!!!!!!* her mind screamed.

Lita was sitting at a cozy outdoor restaurant waiting for William.
It had been a month or so now, and she was feeling slightly, well she
didn't know. What she felt towards William, was...odd...and at some
moments, Lita wondered about exactly what it was that she felt. But what
was she to say. Even though he couldn't always spend time with her, and
even though the time he DID spend with her was not altogether pleasant,
with him always in a bad mood, she still LOVED him, right? *He was my
childhood crush! Or course I love him!* She looked up, searching for
William's face, but saw Ken. She brightened and called out. "Hey Ken!"
He showed no sign of a smile, but came up to her.
"I haven't really seen you lately, with my schedule and all," Lita
continued.
"Yeah, with William taking you away all the time," Ken said,
gritting his teeth.
Lita looked at him puzzled. Immediately, Ken regretted what he
had said, and put his hands in his jacket pockets and said quietly, "I've
been told to give you this," he pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
He then left, quickly, with a sure, slightly frustrated stride.
She opened up the envelope, but without even reading, she had
already felt what was in the letter. It had to be from William, and he had
something so bad to say, he couldn't tell it in person.
Dear Lita,
I am sorry to say this, but I don't think we were ever meant
to be. Renee just got divorced, and I realized that I DO love her,
after all is said and done.
I am sorry to be saying this all in a letter, but this was the
only way I could. I'm sorry for having hurt you, and I promise
never to hurt you again by making you go through this ever again.
I've asked Ken to give this to you, and see you through
because I know he's always been there for you, and I know he'll be
there for you now. I'm truly sorry Lita, and god bless.
William
Lita couldn't think clearly. She read the note in silence, and once
she had finished, she just sat there, and thought. No, he hadn't hurt her.
She was immune to that now. *I guess I had it coming! I really DIDN'T
understand myself now, did I? Lita, how could you be so blind? You
DIDN'T love him. If you had, you wouldn't be sitting here, calm and
collected.*
Her eyes drifted down the letter again, and settled on the sentence
about Ken. "I've asked Ken to give this to you, and see you through
because I know he's always been there for you, and I know he'll be there
for you now."
*He always was...* but as she looked up, she noticed that Ken
WASN'T there anymore, and that was when she realized. *He's not here
for me now.* She sat a while, sipping her coffee, thinking it over. She
felt an emptiness in her heart.
It wasn't about William. She'd already decided that. William left
her there, alone, which she didn't like to be, and though she felt anger to
him for doing it in such a manner, she didn't feel emptiness because of
THAT.
*See, the feeling of loneliness was never from William...* her
heart told her gently. *You never were lonely, Lita, only heart-broken.
You had people around you, and you had your friends.*
She sighed, and answered that voice angrily. "But I still DO have
my friends and though it feels nice, it's not doing ANYTHING for that
emptiness." Some of the people at the neighboring tables looked at her.
She blushed slightly, and got up from her table, and headed to the park.
For a while, she just sat at her gazebo, and she felt the wind blow
against her. The sky was getting cloudy now, and she felt rain start to
come.
She watched, as the rain pattered down, at first slowly, but then in
a flood. *My whole history could have been chronicled here, at this
gazebo.* And she started to cry, thinking of her pitiful waste of all those
years on a boy she had never loved. She cried thinking about all those
times she had prayed, wished, and dreamed for a relationship that would
ended up in disaster. She never loved William, and he was a total waste of
all those years.
That only made her feel even more empty, and Lita looked the
sidewalk, looking for an answer, something. *I don't know what I want. I
want SOMETHING...I want to see something that would help me think
clearly,* she got up and stepped out of the gazebo as the storm started to
become heavier. There were teenagers running away from the park,
seeking shelter, but Lita stayed, standing in the rain, looking for an
answer.
It comforted her to stand there, for some unknown reason. It was
like bathing in reality, in her thoughts. The rain cleansed her soul of
William and disappointment. She couldn't care about it anymore.
The thunder started crashing down, and she looked up into the sky,
and felt a somewhat light sensation. She spun around in the rain, and felt
the rain dazzle her. She danced a strange dance, with no rational reason in
mind; it was just the thing to do, and she gloried in the rain. It was her
storm.
And, as the ground spun around her, and as she felt dizzy with the
pleasure of her storm, rosy and warm from her exercise, she stood, looking
to the edge of the park, where a fifteen year old girl stood, under the
umbrella of her friend who stood by her. She was crying against his
shoulder, and Lita walked to the image, but found that the girl, and the boy
had vanished. What remained was an umbrella. She picked it up
carefully, and looked around her, and thought she saw a young man
walking away, in the rain.
"I'll always be here for you, and you'll always know that you're
never alone, and that you've got a best friend, or brother, ready to take you
into his arms, and let you cry in them."
The words echoed in her mind, as she stood in the rain, with the
umbrella in her hands. She looked to the sky, and looked to her umbrella.
Dazed, she opened the umbrella, and felt comforted...warmly, suddenly.
The emptiness was gone. All of it. She felt strangely complete,
and she felt very...at peace. She felt memories, and heard Ken's words,
when she finally realized it. *I don't feel empty anymore because I am
not. I AM complete, for the first time my life. My storm has come, and it
is gone from me now, and left me all the wiser, with the wise words, and
shelter of a friend...a brother...a...person whom I love with all my heart.*

Raye rushed to Serena's apartment building and knocked
frantically at her door.
Serena opened the door and smiled.
Raye, puzzled, held a white rose in her hands.
"For me, Raye? You shouldn't have!"
Raye frowned. "No, Meatball head. It was on your doorstep."
* What is he pulling? Is this supposed to remind me of him?* Her
heart answered her, *He's already on your mind enough!* Serena
frowned. He left a rose for her every morning, and it didn't look like he
was going to let up soon. He was always on her mind. Darien had even
taken over her dreams that night, and she had woken up reluctantly, but
frightened, in the middle of the night.
"Earth to Serena! Who is this from?"
"My aunt Rose...her gardens are doing well this year" she
mindlessly said, taking the rose and putting it among some companions in
the small glass vase on the kitchen table. "Now what is up Raye? You
look like you're going to fly into the air! What is going on with you?"
"I'm in love!" Raye smiled, dancing dreamily into the room.
"So...I take it Chad said something."
"Yes...and he loves me, and he's going to stay at the temple, and
we're going to get married, and live happily ever after!" she giggled.
It was that moment when Serena saw a ruby gracing Raye's left
hand ring finger. "Oh my gosh you DIDN'T!!!!"
"Yes! I am engaged, and we're going to get married in the fall, to
give us some time to plan out everything."
"I think you already have!" Serena beamed at Raye. "Raye Hino,
the first one of us to get married! I can't believe this! I'm so happy for
you!" She went forward and hugged Raye.
"I can't believe it, either. Serena...I feel so happy, and so...I don't
know, but there's no way to describe it. It's like a fire...it's always
burning inside me, and it's my love for Chad. In a way, it's frightening,
because I'm afraid that something will happen to put it out, but I'm willing
to take that risk, because I KNOW he wouldn't do anything to hurt me,
and that only makes me feel that fire burn even more brightly."
Serena smiled. "As long as I don't get burned, you can keep up
your reverie while you come shopping with me." She looked to Darien's
roses, all stuffed in that glass vase, which was threatening to crack with all
the stems stuffed inside, "I need to buy a crystal vase for my roses."

(1 weeks later)
Amy wandered into the hospital, into the nurses' lounge, looking
for Serena. Serena was still making some rounds, but she came in an hour
later.
"Amy! How long have you been waiting?"
"Oh, not long, I suppose. Serena...Greg just broke the engagement
with Cassie off," Amy said, dazed.
"No...you're kidding!" Serena said sarcastically. "There's hope,
Amy."
"Yeah, right. I heard from Cassie, who called me to talk for a
while. We went to lunch together. Really, she's actually a very sweet
person."
*Yeah, she's gotta be nice now, since she's not marrying Greg*
Serena smiled. "So why did the engagement break off?"
"Cassie said that Greg didn't love her enough, and she loved him
too much as a friend to put him through it. He's inlove with someone else.
She was disappointed, of course, but she thinks it's better this way, and
that she plans to go back to England for a while."
"Did she...love Greg as more than a friend?" Serena breathed
quietly.
"No...she didn't. She doesn't think so now, but I think she's in
love with love."
"Oh..." Serena sighed with relief. Even though she had never met
Cassie, she couldn't help but feel sorry for girls who fell in love and
wouldn't be loved back. It was all a tragic case, and that was why Serena
never thought about falling in love...truly in love, herself.
"So what are you going to do, Amy?"
"Stay away from him."
"WHAT?"
"He's on the rebound, Serena, and there's still that other girl. I
don't want to be the rebound girl. I have to stay away, so that he can clear
up his feelings. I hate to do it, of course, since I AM his friend, but I
really have no choice."
"And what if he comes to you?" Serena bit her lip, as Greg came
walking into the lounge. Immediately, Amy shut up.
"So that's it Serena. I guess I'll see you later," Amy finished
quickly and turned right into Greg's arms. "Oh! Hi Greg! I've got to
really get going. See ya around!" she backed away, blushing, and ran out.
Greg blushed as well, and then looked at Serena and said to her,
"Hello Serena, I'm looking for Darien."
"Darien? I think he's still making a few rounds, but he'll stop by
pretty soon." *He always stops down right now to say hello and confuse
me.*
And as if on cue, Darien came in.
"Hey Darien!" Greg said.
Darien smiled at Greg, but his mind was too concentrated on
Serena to say more.
"I was wondering about some of that research you did at Tokyo U
a few years back. Do you still have some of those old notes? I told you
earlier that I was interested in neurophysiology, so could you perhaps lend
me a hand and let me check it out?"
"Yeah, sure!" Darien said. Darien looked to Serena to see if she
was going to say anything. She was so quiet now. Something had
changed. She became so...reserved. Darien KNEW she was a romantic at
heart, so he was just plain confused.
"Let's go now," Darien said.
As Darien left, Serena sighed and put her head down on her table.

(1 month later)
Mina walked into the arcade, looking for Andrew, of course.
And there he was, talking with another boy about a game.
She walked silently up to both of them, and stood, looking at both
of them smilingly.
It had been pure, absolute, heart-wrenching torture. Knowing that
in about two months, he'd be gone...Mina shuddered every time she
thought about it.
And being in love with him, and not being able to do anything
about it, was even worse. She loved him, she was sure of that now. But
she couldn't TELL him; he looked at her as a sister, and besides, she
sighed, he'd leave anyway.
She smiled at Andrew turned to her and flashed that beautiful 5
million megawatt smile that never failed to stun her. She blushed slightly,
and smiled back at him, carefully, trying not to look too excited.
"Hey Andrew!" I wanted to stop by to say hello and stuff. I just
had some free time."
"Great! I haven't seen you so often. I've missed you."
Mina smiled softly. She hadn't come by for about four days now,
because she had a few things to take care of and didn't really have time to
visit Andrew. Four days was a huge chunk of time, considering that
Andrew was leaving in about three weeks, but she couldn't get out of her
business. Raye needed to be taken shopping, and her mother needed some
more care, and Mina had to bring her to some nice hot springs for physical
therapy. "I've missed you too!"
"It was only four days; I don't know how I'll get on when I
leave..." Andrew turned and started to get that distant sad faraway look
he'd reflect every once in a while. Mina swallowed a frag in her throat
and said quietly, "Well, I came by to see if you were busy, and I guess you
are, so I'll leave right now."
"Woah, Mina. I didn't say that I was busy. Come on. I'm off in
five minutes, and after, we can go out and eat dinner together."
"Um...all right," Mina said slowly.
In five minutes, they were outside on Main Street heading towards
a deli.
They sat and talked, passing the time away, at the table, and Mina
almost cried when she thought that all this would be over in three weeks,
as she looked at Andrew, he looked questioningly at her, "What's wrong?
I haven't seen you get that distant look for a long while. Why so
pensive?"
"I was thinking a little, about when you would leave..."
Andrew's brow creased into a frown and looked at Mina. "I don't
know about it. I'm a little afraid of America. I wanted to go to Tokyo
University, but the University of Michigan is offering two years on their
scholarship, and the money that I have earned at the arcade should give me
enough to last the other years. Tokyo hasn't even offered, and the classes
are for sure expensive, my money will get me only about two or three
years in med school, and that certainly isn't enough to build a med degree
on. Really, I guess there is no alternative. I wish I could stay though,"
Andrew started to have a thinking air about him as well now. "There are
so many things here that I'll miss." He looked up, into Mina's eyes.
Mina stood up, and gave a quivering smile, "I think I'll go pay for
our meal, and we can go out to Tokyo Park and see the sunset."

Mina sighed as she leaned back on the hill behind her.
It was wonderful. She smiled as the colors in the sky slowly
change...fading to a thin rainbow at the horizon. Layers of amber, orange,
peach, pink, gold, and yellow seemed to envelope the world, and violet
bordered, and stretched over her head. The sky was clear, and the stars
were going to come out soon.
There was already one, shining brightly at one side, and she smiled
as she pointed to it.
"Look at that beautiful star, Andrew!"
"It's not a star, Mina...it's Venus."
"Really? For a planet, it's so bright, and beautiful."
"It's definitely Venus." Whenever I look at the night sky, I always
look for Venus and it's always there, smiling at me."
"Maybe because she's in love with you?" Mina teased.
"No, because Venus reminds me of someone I know," Andrew
looked at the star wistfully and turned away.
Mina felt awkward. This evening was not as wonderful as she
thought it would be. As the night went on, Andrew got odder and odder.
Mina looked at Andrew as a tear started to go down his cheek.
"Andrew?"
"Yeah?"
"You're crying, why?"
"It's just that I'm going to lose her."
Mina looked at the ground, awkwardly. He was in love with
someone, and he was going to lose her. A part of her was angry. He loved
someone else. Not her. But pity won out, as she realized that he was in a
lot of pain right now, just as much as her.
She reached over slowly, and put her hand on his. When he
clasped it, she felt the tears coming too. She leaned against his shoulder,
and cried into his arms, and he held her comfortingly.

Mina walked to Andrew's the next day. She ran up the stairs, and
she knocked loudly at the door of his apartment. She was determined.
*I'm going to do it. Today.*
Andrew opened the door, and smiled at Mina. "I was going to go
looking for you. I wanted to say thanks for a great time last night, even
though we were crying for half of it," he blushed.
Mina drew in her breath and said, "I have something to tell you,
Andrew."
"Well, I have something to tell you. You see, after I got home and
checked..."
"I'm sorry to interrupt Andrew, but I want to go first this time.
Last time, you went first and I forgot what I was going to say. I will go
first, because I need to. This time, I'm not going to chicken out."
"All right," Andrew said.
"I think you'll have to sit down for this, Andrew."
He stepped back into his apartment, and Mina followed him in.
They sat down in his living room.
"Okay, Andrew, over this past summer, I've realized something,
and I've wanted to tell you, but I couldn't. Meanwhile, this not telling you
has made me feel worse and worse, and now, I have to tell you this.
Andrew, I am in love with you. I know you're leaving, and I know you
only think of me as a little sister, but I thought that you had to know,"
Mina stared at the floor. She then got up slowly. "I think I'll go home
now and cry a little."
As she turned to the door, she felt herself grabbed by the arm and
spun around, only to find herself crushed against Andrew's chest. He was
holding her tightly, and she felt tears fall into her hair, and she hugged him
back. She then leaned back in his arms and looked at him. She then
turned away.
"Mina, you should know something. I love you too. I have loved
you since we met, though I didn't realize it. I have been dreading my
departure since I received notice of it, and last night, under Venus and the
sunset, I decided that I was going to stay. I didn't care about going to
America. I thought that I could still get into Tokyo U and just work for
more money, maybe get a better job with better waged so I could get more
money in a lesser amount of time. But when I got home, and checked my
mail, I found a reply from Tokyo U Med school. I was going to tell you
this before. Tokyo University is paying full ride. I'm staying in Tokyo."
Mina smiled, all the tears welling up in her eyes with relief, joy
and pride. "I'm so proud of you Andrew," she hugged him.
"I couldn't leave you, Mina, I never could leave you alone. And
when you told me that you...well, I was relieved, overjoyed. I love you,
Mina, I love you with every breath, I love you more than anything else in
the world."

(1 month later)
Serena smiled as she looked out at the sunset. She smiled, as tears
started to trickle down her cheek. A white handkerchief was held to her,
and she took it, smiling.
"Hey, Darien."
Darien took a seat next to her on the bench.
"If you sit here further in that dress, you're going to ruin it, and
you can't wear it for Mina's wedding!"
"Darien, don't tease me now, please. After Raye's wedding. I
don't know. I wanted to come here, to my roses to just sit a while and
think. And please, don't remind me I have go through with this all over
again in November!" as tears started to come even faster.
Darien reached out to touch her cheek.
As he did, Serena turned away.
Darien was always nice, to everyone, and that was the exact reason
why Serena couldn't possibly love him.
*But I do!* Serena cried harder. *I do with all my heart.*
Somewhere in the last months, Darien stopped all his romantic notions,
and started to become her friend, listening to her, and he became her best
friend. She was relieved at first, but then started to wonder why. But she
realized, as time went on, that Darien was so important to her. She smiled
every morning when she'd get up, and find a white rose sitting at her front
door. She'd take the rose carefully, as if it would crumble in her grasp,
and would put in one of her numerous vases.
She had so many roses now...dried, still alive, at all different
stages. She would not throw out any. She loved them all, because they
were the only things that were keeping her going on this foolish fairy tale
of her heart. They were the symbol that Darien still felt something for her.
He was always there for her now, as a best friend should be, but as
she watched Raye and Chad tie the knot today, there was part of her that
wistfully thought that she wanted to be married too...to Darien.
*It's a ridiculous notion! I've told myself time and time again that
I didn't need anyone, that I was fine on my own, and that Darien and I
could possibly. I've been fighting this tooth and nail, and today, I just
HAD to realize it? This will spoil everything that we have. He won't
want to be friends anymore!*
Serena looked to the sunset, and slowly got up. Looking back at
Darien, she smiled a fake smile, and said, "I'll be okay. It's just the thing
with letting go of a friend who've you known since childhood. I can't
believe Raye's not RAYE anymore. She's Mrs. Chad. She's married. I
just lost a friend!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Serena! Raye is still your friend. Sure her
name's changed, but as Shakespeare said, 'What's in a name? That which
we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.' Raye is still your
friend, and she'll always be your friend. And now, she's even happier,
because she is loved by someone who is willing to give her the world, and
she loves him back. It's wonderful feeling Serena, and Raye will be very
happy, and I KNOW you love to see people happy."
*Yes, but it also reminds me of everything I want in MY life
too...like you, Darien.* "Yes, I DO admit Raye looks a lot happier."
"So why don't we go have dinner together right now, and celebrate
our friends' success?"
"In OUR clothing?" Serena laughed, looking as his tuxedo, and her
pink chiffon and satin dress. She thought of her fancy hairdo...having had
all the golden curls weaved into a crown of braids, entwined with a string
of pearls and pink roses.
"We'll go to a fancy restaurant."
Serena laughed. *It feels good to laugh! He ALWAYS knows
how to make me laugh!*
"Come on, my motorcycle awaits, but your dress may be ruined in
the process."
Serena laughed again, and grabbed his arm.
"Come on. I can ruin this dress. Mina wants bridesmaids to wear
marigold at her wedding, and I don't need this dress for much else."

(1 week later)
Lita sighed heavily as she settled back in her seat at her desk.
Another school year, another bunch of college classes. She sighed and
thought of better things, of Ken.
He had not so much as called her in the past summer. It seemed
that after she had gotten her letter from William, Ken had mysteriously
vanished. Lita found out later from his sister that he had gone to Europe.
He wasn't going to come back until the fall.
Lita felt miserable. She didn't know how Ken was feeling, and she
had all these worries and bad feelings that all would not end well.
She heard from his mother that he had came home today. he had
arrived with a girl named Denise. And he had not yet bothered to call
Lita.
Lita again reached for her tissue box. She rarely cried, but now, it
seemed, it was the right time. Even the sky was telling her it was okay...it
was looking morose itself.
She had to get out. Even though it looked like it was going to rain,
she wanted to be out there. In fact, it was even better that it was going to
rain.
She went outside, with the umbrella she had found earlier that
summer by the gazebo. She always brought it with her, whether it was
rainy or sunny. It was just a thing that she wanted to keep close to her.
She started off with no goal in mind, but in the end decided to go
to the park.
She wandered towards her gazebo, as the rain started to fall. But
as she neared it, she saw two figures standing at the gazebo. One was a
man, one was a woman. The man was whispering something into the
woman's ear, and she was looking at the man admiringly. She suddenly
threw her arms around him, and they stood, hugging.
Lita stood on the path, looking at them, and recognized the man as
Ken. The woman had to be Denise. It didn't matter WHO the woman
was. What mattered was that that woman had her arms around Ken.
As Ken looked up, he looked blankly to Lita, and gave her a small
nod, grave and slow. The rain was pouring heavier now, and Lita gripped
her umbrella, but would not open it. She clutched at it, as tears started to
come, and she ran away from the gazebo, into the crowd of people rushing
to seek shelter, as the storm got heavier and worse.
When she got home, she threw herself on the bed, and sobbed for
the better part of the day.

(2 weeks later)
Amy walked slowly off campus, as she relaxed slowly having
finally found a teacher to assist her in her PhD studies. She smiled with
relaxation, and walked a little lightly than usual.
She bumped into someone around the corner on the way to the bus
stop and she said shyly, "I'm sorry."
As she looked to the person she bumped into, she looked into
Greg's eyes.
"Hi Amy! I was hoping I'd see you!"
Amy smiled nervously. "Hello, Greg! How are you? Have you
found a prof?"
"Found mine last week. Professor Ikato."
"I just got Professor Kitcho today!"
"I'm so happy for you!" Greg smiled.
"I'm relieved. Now I don't have to worry about getting a prof and
I can start researching."
"Yeah."
"Well..."
"I was wondering, Amy. Do you want to go for coffee right now?"
Amy smiled, a cautious twinkle coming into her eye. "All right."
They walked down the street into a cafe.
As silence seemed to pervade their time together, Amy started to
seriously contemplate everything that had happened after Greg and Cassie
had broken up. Their friendship became much stronger, and it seemed as
if Greg as clinging to her, and wanted to spend a lot of time with her.
Amy didn't mind, and since he didn't mention the other girl whom they
had never talked about, Amy felt better."
Greg looked pensive today.
"What's up, Greg? You look distracted."
"I'm just thinking about something. I need to tell you something,
Amy."
"All right," Amy smiled.
"Well, umm...uh...okay, I really don't know where to start, but I
guess the beginning's the best. When Cassie and I broke up, she had told
me that I loved someone else. It was true. It's just that I didn't know it
was really love until I started to look at her and notice everything about
her. She's special, Amy."
Amy felt her insides burn, as tears threatened to come to her eyes.
"Well, I let the situation go on this summer, and now, I think I
want to tell her how I feel. But I'm scared, because I don't know what
she'd say. She's always thought of me as a friend, and at one time, even
lesser than that. I don't think she cares for me that way. But I love her so
much. Over this past summer, I've realized she's my best friend, and I
love her so much, I want to marry her. So, what should I do?"
Amy stood up, slightly mad. "Greg, make up your own mind,
because I'm sick of hearing all this."
Greg reached out for her hand and tugged her back into her chair,
and said quietly, "Hear me out..."
"No, hear me out. Greg. I don't know if you're blind, deaf,
immune, insane, or just plain stupid. Greg, can't you see that every time
you talk about some other girl you're killing me inside? I love you! I
want to be with you! I want to marry you and live happily ever after and I
don't care who you love because she doesn't deserve you! And right now,
I'm ready to say that you don't deserve her, because of all the things
you've done to me! You're so insensitive!" Amy started to cry.
Realizing what she said, and that the whole restaurant was watching her,
she turned red. "Now look at what you've made me do! I'm crying and
I've totally embarrassed myself. I think I'll leave right now." She made a
grab for her purse but Greg got to it first and pulled it out of her reach.
"Give it back to me!" Amy shouted, crying. "I don't want to deal
with you ever again."
"Well, then, I want to ask you one question, and that I'll leave you
alone forever and ever."
Amy contemplated the situation. He was her best friend, and now
she had just ruined their friendship. She had embarrassed herself in a cafe
and she pretty much all she had left was in that purse he was carrying. All
her credit cards, her ATM card, and every single photo of Greg that he had
given her of them. It couldn't get worse, and he'd be out of her life, so she
looked to Greg and replied, "Go ahead, ask away. It can't get any worse."
"Right...it can't get worse, it can only get better. I was going to
ask you if I ought to go for the girl I love, but I think you've pretty much
answered my question. Amy Anderson, I love you," Greg took a velvet
box out of his pocket. He calmly opened it to reveal a gold ring with a
sapphire surrounded by diamonds "Will you marry me?"

(1 month later)
Serena stood by and watched Mina and Andrew take their vows.
Her heart was again pulling as she looked across the aisle to find Darien in
a tuxedo, standing as best man. He looked so handsome.
She felt thrilled to walk down the aisle with him, and felt chills
when she heard people whispering of their wonderful coupling. She had
to admit, she looked pretty today. Marigold satin was a flattering
combination on her, and her hair was put into two braids with gold ribbon
weaved in. They were then looped around the sides of her head, slightly
behind her ear. Gold lilies were then stuffed in the holes in the center of
the loops.
Serena felt like she was going to cry. As she looked at Darien, he
caught her eye, and sent her a signal though their eyes. "Look in the
pocket of your gown."
She reached towards the pocket, and clutched a handkerchief
inside. She smiled, almost laughing at the wonderful time they went to
dinner after Raye's wedding. Darien's eyes conveyed to her that they
were going to do so tonight as well. Serena sighed with relief.
She didn't want to spend tonight alone, and she knew Lita and
Amy were not going to stick around with her; Amy was going to be with
Greg, dreaming and planning their wedding over a rich candlelight dinner,
no doubt, and Lita was going to take one of those mysterious walks of
hers. Lita was so odd now. She didn't want to be cheerful, and she had a
haunted look in her eye. Serena knew it had something to do with Ken,
but she knew that it was Lita's business, so she left it at that, even though
she wanted to do more about it.
Darien was the perfect companion. He knew just what to say to
make her feel better, and he knew her so well. He could pick out what was
bothering her by looking into her eyes, and he could always come up with
a solution to her problems.
Also, she loved Darien. Darien didn't love her that way, which
made her feel sad, but she still was happy that he cared very much about
her. There were times she'd cry at night, wishing for his love, for his arms
to hold her, and for his kiss to calm her, but she'd get over it, and she was
starting fill that little void in her heart with other things, like her ambition
for being head nurse at the hospital and other items like that.
Right now, Andrew leaned forward to pull the veil back and kiss
Mina. Serena sighed happily, wistfully. She looked into the crowd to see
Raye and Chad. After all, after a woman got married, she wasn't to play
bridesmaid anymore. Amy and Lita were still up there with her though, so
Serena still felt somewhat comforted. *One day, I'm going to find that the
only woman up here at bridesmaid is going to be me...Amy and Greg are
getting married in February, and I'm almost positive that even though this
Denise girl and Ken are engaged, they are going to break apart soon! If
only Ken could see how much he was making Lita suffer!*
After the wedding, Darien came to her and offered her his arm.
"Care to go, princess?" He had taken to calling her princess, mockingly of
course, for he had once found her and one of the patients talking, and
found out that all the patients didn't just call her Serena, but Princess
Serena, for she could bring the sun out, and she ruled over and healed the
sick.
"Sure," she threaded her arm in his and they walked off together,
leaving Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina to wonder about them.
"Do you think those two could...?" Amy asked.
"It looks like they could," Mina said.
"We DID notice something last summer..." Raye said.
"But she hasn't told us anything about loving Darien, or loving
anyone. She looks pretty happy with her life now. And Darien seems to
look at her only as a friend. H hasn't tried anything romantic. He's only
taken her places occasionally, and Serena says that they are friends and
nothing more," Lita said.
"But there is something mysterious about this whole thing, even
though all the cards are dealt. I still think there's something bothering
her...and him," Raye said.

(3 weeks later)
*It's December! Snow!* Lita commanded the sky.
So far, December brought no snow...only more and more rain.
And not just light drizzly rain...heavy, bone-chilling rain. Not that Lita
minded. She like all rain. She only wished it to snow, seemed snow was
more appropriate at this time of the year.
She was walking in the park, carrying her umbrella as usual. She
liked walking in the rain. She had caught a few colds this fall because of
it, and she felt one coming on now, but that never stopped her from taking
her walks, with her umbrella, which she never opened, but just carried,
even when it rained.
It comforted her to walk in the rain. She could always dream in the
rain. *He's MY rainy day man. He may be engaged to Denise, but he's
still My rainy day man.*
He had not even bothered calling her when he came back, and he
still had not called her. Lita thought he was happy, so she let him be.
*After all, he waited so long for me, and I never gave him anything. It's
only right that now, when I realize that I love him, he loves someone
else.*
As she came to the gazebo, she saw two figures. She suddenly
remembered the last time she had seen two figures at the gazebo...that day
when she saw them hugging.
She stood still, standing in the rain, as she looked at the two
figures. The woman was looking away, and saying something. The man's
figure seemed to slump over slightly, and that was when the woman
started to run away. The man started to chase after her, calling her name.
"Denise!"
And then he stopped, as he saw another woman standing in the
distance. She walked slowly to him, wet, with a sad expression on her
face. She looked pale, sick and thin, but she was there. She came
forward, and handed him an umbrella. She then turned away, and walked
back home.

(1 day later)
Lita felt numb to the weather. The rain was falling hard, and
thunder was crashing. She sat at her gazebo, looking into the weather,
thinking.
*So he's free now. What happens?*
Mysteriously, at the horizon, a figure appeared, and Lita rushed off
the balcony to it. She stood in the rain, ten feet away, facing the man she
had been in love with since childhood.
He held the umbrella, not opened, just at his side. He looked to
her, and he saw the tears that were brimming up in her eyes.
"Lita, I've come home."
Lita didn't say a word, but rushed into his arms, and for the first
time in weeks, felt warmth.

(2 months later)
Serena smiled as Amy went down the aisle to Greg. Lita followed
behind her.
Darien was sitting in the audience.
Well, this wedding did have its strong points, despite the fact that
Amy was no longer going to be Amy Anderson. This time, Serena wore
sky blue silk, and didn't have to walk down the aisle on the arm of the best
man. This time, she didn't even know the best man, so it wouldn't have
mattered if she had to.
Not that Serena prepared any less. She still strived to look
stunning enough to make Darien look admiringly at her, but she only got
friendly admiration. The sky blue silk smooth fell to her feet, and her hair
was swept up, with tendrils falling out here and there, in a stylishly
reckless yet elegant look. She had gotten some morning glories this time,
and had them blooming in her hair gently.
The past months were confusing. Serena had resigned herself to
the fact that Darien was never going to look at her that way, and she
accepted it. She still loved him, but she'd love him in her heart now, and
not in her life.
Darien was her best friend. There was no question. Hands down,
he knew her better than anyone. However, he didn't know the most
important thing. He didn't know that she loved him.
But he probably had his clues.
After rose 99, he stopped sending the roses. Serena lost hope of
everything. Now, she had 99 dried roses sitting in her bedroom in a
vase...and that seemed to describe Serena's dream of Darien ever falling
in love with her...beautiful, fragile, and dried up.
Now all she had was the friendship.
But that was just nothing. It was everything. Darien was her
friend, and listened to her at all times, and helped her when she needed.
He even went grocery shopping with her when she was too exhausted to
go by herself. He would do anything and everything with her.
And tonight, he was going to take her out to dinner, as he always
did after a wedding.
She smiled at him, as she told her through their communication of
the eyes to reach into the pocket of her skirt. Serena wasn't even aware
she had a pocket, but when she searched for it, she found it, and her hand
clasped over yet another handkerchief. It was enough to make her smile
even more and get through the service without crying too much.
And at the end, Darien whipped her off to another dinner, laughing
all the way.

(2 months later)
Serena smiled as she, the sole bridesmaid of Lita Lynmir, walked
up the aisle in a sea green satin gown. She wore a wreath of ivy in her
hair, and left it all streaming down, so she looked like a woodland sprite.
She was well aware of it, and smiled at Darien with a wicked teasing
smile.
They had taken to flirtation in the past two months. He no longer
called her just "princess" but "My princess" and one could just hear the
capitalization of "M" in the "My." She loved the flirtation, for even
though it was pretended, Darien showed affection.
He spoke to her though his eyes that she looked charmingly pretty,
and that she ought to look in her pocket if she felt she was going to cry.
Serena always wondered how he managed to stuff a handkerchief
into her pocket without her ever knowing about it. She now concluded
that he had a sixth sense for pockets.
Lita and Ken said their vows never taking their eyes off each other,
and Serena thought that they were so dazed with each other both were
afraid they were going to wake up and find themselves dreaming.
*Let the dream continue.* she wished for them after the wedding,
standing at the altar in candlelight, looking at the cross. *They love each
other so much!*
After the ceremony, she found herself the only single woman left
in their group, winning the bouquet by default. She felt the tears coming
on. *What was that saying? 'Three times bridesmaid, never a bride?'
This makes it four, so I guess I'll be like this forever, lovesick for Darien,
and missing him forever, even though he's right here. Why does
everything not make any sense anymore?*
She thought back to the dream of so long ago...the prince, the
princess, the kiss. It wasn't a dream. He had kissed her, right?
She was still contemplating that when she suddenly felt an arm
come possessively around her waist. She turned suddenly in the grasp and
found herself staring into Darien's eyes. "Umm...hi, Darien!"
"Ready to go?" he smiled. "The bride and groom's gone, and most
of the guests are leaving. Come on, My princess, your chariot awaits."
She laughed lightheartedly and leaned into his shoulder as they
walked out of the empty church.

(Another 2 months later)
Serena walked into the ballroom with her white mask.
It was the company ball she had met Darien at the year before.
Who knew? There was something magical about this evening. The
crystal chandeliers, and wine, the elegant music...everything spoke of
romance.
She had dressed carefully this evening. She wore a spaghetti-strap
white dress with satin lining, and creamy layers of transparent white silk
that ended at various waves and layers at her feet. Her feet were laced in
white high-heeled sandals with satin ribbon. Her hair was flowed freely
down to her feet, and was pulled back by two pearl barrettes and crowned
with white roses. She wore a pearl on a white choker ribbon, as well as
elbow-length dancing gloves.
She looked through her mask at the people already in the room.
She smiled as she saw Raye with Chad, Mina with Andrew, Amy with
Greg, and Lita with Ken. *The rightful couples...a huge improvement
from last year!*
She wandered about the ballroom for about an hour, but grew tired
of standing around. She walked out the balcony. *I shouldn't have come
without a date. These things are only fun when one breings someone with
them!*
And that got her thinking about Darien...dear, sweet, unreachable
Darien. He still fondly flirted with her, but she could tell he didn't care
more for her. In fact, when she mentioned the ball to him, he didn't even
seem to hear her, and just started talking about a patient.
He had grown more distant, and more reserved. He still flirted, but
Serena could tell that he was different. She didn't know what was
different, but she thought that it was a girl. He found someone. Perhaps it
was the new doctor, Dr. Lauryl Minea. She was tall, brunette, blue-eyed,
elegant, and she was gone on Darien.
Serena started to cry as she thought about it. She looked the sky
and wished to the moon. *I'd be almost perfectly happy if he weren't
going to be with anyone at all, if he isn't going to be with me. Please, if
he isn't with me, don't let him be with anyone else. Let everything go on,
just as it is, with him laughingly flirting with me, and me stealing looks at
him when he isn't looking.*
She opened her eyes as her vision blurred with tears. She saw red.
She blinked hard, and blinked again, and all she saw was red. It was
tickling her nose. She turned her head, took her mask off, and wiped her
eyes.
When her vision cleared, she still saw red. It was a red rose, and
she looked up to see Darien's eyes looking at her fondly through the mask.
"Did you think I'd just leave you alone here tonight, My princess?"
He placed weaved the red rose among her white rose crown, and
kissed her forehead. Serena shivered, and smiled shakily. "Darien. I
didn't know if you were coming."
"Like I said. Did you think I'd let you stay here, when there was
an anniversary to celebrate? When there was a 100th red rose to finally
give? The rose of true love?"
Serena was startled by his words and pulled him down to the bench
where she sat. She removed his mask carefully with her glove-encased
hands, and looked into his eyes. They were shining with something that
she had been searching for this past year. The love.
She leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back and pulled
her into his arms. When they stopped kissing, she leaned in his arms, and
he held her carefully, afraid she'd vanish.
"Darien? Are you crying?"
"Yes, I am Serena."
"Why?"
"Because I love you, and I've finally gotten the chance, and I'm
not sure if I can go on without having your love anymore."
"You always had my love!"
"Yes, I did, but it feels better when I don't have to guess it's there.
I love you so much Serena. When I went to America, I didn't like it one
bit because no matter how many people I met, there were none like you,
and you were the person I needed the most. When I came back, well, I
saw you, and you were beautiful, and I fell in love with you all over again
just by looking into your eyes and realizing that you hadn't even changed.
I love you Serena, and when you didn't return affections earlier, I thought
you had given up on me and found someone else."
Serena held him tighter. "I love YOU Darien Chiba and no one
else. I was scared at first, but you were patient, and you swept me off my
feet so fast I didn't realize I was in love with you until I was in so deep I
was willing to go through life without your love as long as no one else got
it."
"But you don't have to now, dear, because I love you," Darien said,
drawing out a small box out of his tuxedo jacket, and presenting it to her.
She opened it, and smiled as she saw a gold ring, with a rose with
gold sculpted petals, and a diamond in the heart of the flower.
"Marry me. I want you to be mine, now and forever."
"Of course I will be yours. I've been waiting for you for so long. I
love you, My prince. I love you now and forever, and I have always been
and will be yours, eternally..."
"As I am eternally yours, My princess."