Part 4 Serena sipped lightly from the tall champagne flute and then laughed softly as the waiter gave her a strange look.  "Are you sure this is conventional?  I mean, apple juice mixed with ginger ale isn't something they usually serve, and I think the maitre 'd would probably let you get away with a bottle of champagne." Darien shook his head, sipping from his own glass, "Actually, I could get used to this."  He raised his own glass, offering a toast.  "To beautiful women, strange drinks and hope," he told her smiling. "I'll drink to that and to gorgeous men, delicious beverages and hope." They drank from their glasses and then set them down.  Serena folded her hands together and then leaned her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her hands.  "This is wonderful, Darien," she told him, her eyes sparkling.  She was enjoying herself, but there was an underlying emotion he saw in her eyes.  He removed the flute from her hand and then stood and gallantly offered her his arm, "May I have this dance, milady?" She blushed a pretty shade of pink and nodded, tongue-tied.  He took her arm and led her onto the dance floor.  Very few people were dancing but he didn't mind.  The song was slow and he pulled her gently into the shelter of his arms, holding her close.  "What's the matter, sugar?" he asked softly. She rested her head on his chest as they swayed to the music, "I never want tonight to end," she told him softly.  "Everything is so magical, so right.  I have this fear..." she trailed off and looked up at him, warring with the need to talk to someone and the habit of being strong and keeping everything inside. He raised one hand and gently cupped her face; the other arm stayed around her waist and held her protectively.  "What is it, my sweet?  What troubles you on this most wonderful night?" his eyes darkened as he looked at her, becoming stormy, "As I part of what troubles you?" She shook her head, a soft smile on her lips for him, "No.  My aunt paid me a visit this afternoon.  I can't help but feel she intends to try something rash to get the fortune my father left Sam and I.  I'm frightened, Darien," she told him, a shudder wracking her small frame, "Terribly frightened of what she will try and what she can do." He bent his head and rested his forehead on hers. The position hurt his neck but he didn't care.  He slid his hand gently around the base of her head to the nape of her slender neck and gently brought her forward to kiss her.  He kept it short, knowing that if he kissed her for long it would tax his control, but she sighed and melted into him as he pulled away from her.  "Nobody will hurt you ever again, my sweet Serena." He said softly. "They'll have to go through me first.  They continued to sway to the music for a while, wrapped closer than was necessary, oblivious to the looks and smiles of the other people in the room.  Their feelings evident in the way they held each other.  Finally he took her hand and led her back to their table where their dinner was waiting. They ate in a comfortable silence.  When the waiter came to clear away the table Darien motioned him closer and then whispered something in his ear.  The Waiter's eye's flashed to Serena briefly before he looked back at Darien and then nodded.  He left without a word. "What was that all about?" she asked, feeling lazily content. He smiled, "You'll see." The band started playing a soft melody she didn't recognize.  She looked at them, and then she turned her questioning gaze to Darien, "What song is that, I swear it's familiar... I just can't place it." He smiled, standing up before her bowed gallantly to her and said, "Milady, would you do me the honor of this dance?" She reached out without hesitation and allowed him to pull her out of her chair, "You would honor me, milord," she replied.  The dance floor was empty this time, only the two of them crossing to the middle to begin swaying to the music.  This time they danced gracefully, like two instruments blending together in a perfect soaring crescendo at the peak of a piece.  They complimented each other perfectly.  He spun her around gracefully, his steady hand leading her around the floor.  She allowed him to take control and followed, as if it was second nature to do so, and felt her heart begin to pound faster as he pulled her close and then dipped her back over his arm.  She didn't pause in the slightest, knowing her would be there to catch her and allowed her head to fall back, exposing a long, slender throat to his gaze.  He dipped his head, unable to resist, and dropped a feather soft kiss on the soft skin under her chin. She shuddered in his arms, her hand closing convulsively over his.  He righted her and they began to dance again.  She whirled and twirled around him, a vision in champagne and crystal, her dress catching attention and her sun kissed hair keeping it.  It fell to her shoulders in soft waves, framing flushed cheeks as he finally stopped and bowed to her, kissing the back of her hand gallantly.  And then, to her ultimate shock, he dropped to one knee and reached into his pocket, "Serena, my love.  I know this is sudden, and I already asked you once today, but humour me, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" the velvet box her produced and opened revealed a small single diamond solitaire on a band of white gold.  He gently took one of her hands and slid the ring onto her ring finger. Tears welled in her eyes as one hand flew to her mouth in shock.  She'd come to anticipate, even expect, romance from him but never this!  This was almost too much.  He looked so roguishly handsome with his black hair kissing his eyelids and his perfectly cut black suit.  She smiled against her fingers and then reached out shaking hands to his and nodded, "Nothing," he said fiercely, "would make me happier." He rose to his feet amidst applause from the other patrons of the restaurant and opened his arms to her.  She practically flew into them, reaching up to tangle her fingers in the rough silk at the nape of his neck.  She pulled hi head downwards and closed her eyes as his warm lips settled onto hers.  She shyly opened her mouth under the pressure of his. She pulled away, her breathing ragged, as the applause of the other people in the restaurant registered.  She blushed, unused to public displays of affection.  "Darien," she whispered, circumspectly looking around, "everyone is staring." He kissed the tip of her nose, his own breathing not quite steady, "Relax, sugar, they're happy for us.  Come, we have drink to share."  He led her back to their table, smiling down at her, his expression open and she could read all of his feelings for her on his face.  It was a very humbling moment. He helped her into her chair and then took up the bottle of champagne and popped the cork out of it before pouring them both a glass. She eyes him suspiciously.  "Are you sure about that?  I mean, I'm not really supposed..." He nodded, "For the engagement we drink." He lifted his glass to her, "To life, health and you, my angel." She felt a warm glow suffuse her.  Everything was turning out so right.  Maybe, just maybe, life would get better from here on out.  She lifted her glass and dared to hope, "I'll drink to that.  And to hope, love and you, my darling."  ***** Darien dropped Serena off at home, walking her to her door with a smile.  She was curled into his side, under his arm, and had a serene smile on her face.  She felt content and sublimely happy.  "Darien..." "Hmmm?" "I love you." Darien helped her up the steps of the front porch and then smiled down at her, "I love you too." Her lashes fluttered as her eyelids slid over her luminescent blue eyes.  Darien bent his head and gently brushed a kiss across her lips, careful not to allow it to go too far.  He pulled away after gently nipping at her lips and then opened his eyes to look down at her.   Her cheeks were flushed and she had a smile on her face that melted his heart.  "Let's get you inside," he told her softly. Serena opened her eyes and smiled up at him, "Are you coming it tonight?" He shook his head, taking her house key from her hand and then inserting it in the lock, "Not tonight.  I can't.  See, my fiancée is this gorgeous creature who makes my self control become iffy at times.  Right now happens to be one of those and I don't want to hurt her.  Good night, Sere, I'll see you tomorrow when I come over after work, alright?" She nodded, "Good night Darien.  Thank you for a magical night."  She turned and walked inside, retrieving her key from the lock, and then closed the door as he walked away from her.  She started humming a gentle song as she stepped out of her heels and sighed, wrapping her arms around her waist.  She felt perfectly beautiful and loved, cherished. She'd never, never felt this way before. She raised her hand to her eyes and watched the ring on her finger glitter in the faint light from the lamps she'd left on.  She sighed again; she was never going to take this ring off, no matter what happened.  The shrill ring of the phone brought her out of her thoughts and she reached for the offensive instrument, "Hello?" "'Rena?" her little brother's voice was panicky. "Sam? What's wrong?" "It's Lisa, she's here at Mike's!  She's telling me I have to get my things and leave with her tonight.  I'm scared, 'Rena, she's a really freaky lady.  Mike's dad kicked her out of the house but she's going to call the cops and make me go!  I don't want to leave, 'Rena! I just couldn't!" Serena felt bile rise in her throat, feeling a sudden wild urge to hit something but she reigned it in and hid it, keeping her voice steady.  "I'll be there in five minutes, Sammy." She hung up the phone, her temper simmering.  She ran for the door and slipped her feet into her boots before opening the door and running down the blocks towards Mike's. ****** Sammy glanced out the window and into his Aunt Lisa's twisted face.  She looked like a woman possessed.  "Sammy! Aunty Lisa is here to take you away from all this!" she called as sweetly as she could.  Sammy flinched.  His friend Mike, a boy his age with a wild temper glared at her through the window, "Git!  We'll call the cops and nail you for trespassing!" She just laughed and retreated to the sidewalk and continued to call to Sammy about getting him out of his miserable life and taking his away from a controlling and manipulative sister.  Sammy looked at Mike, "I think she's crazy.  Why is she doing this?" Mike shook his head, his lips one straight, thin line betraying his anger, "Because she can't intimidate your sister, probably... Don't worry, Sam, she's not taking you anywhere without the cops and legal proof she's your guardian." Sammy looked at his friend gratefully and then gasped as his sister came tearing around the corner still in her finery of this evening save for the boots she wore.  "'Rena!" he whispered, disbelieving his eyes.  His sister, his sweet loveable protective sister looked ready to kill their relative. Serena slowed her pace to a walk, the skirt of her dress swirling about her legs from her change in momentum.  She walked calmly towards the woman who was threatening to tear her world apart once again now that she was finally finding something worth holding onto.  It took all of her will power not run up to Lisa and kick her good and hard.  She stopped a good three feet away from Lisa, just out of range, so that she wouldn't be tempted to do something rash.  "What do you think you're doing, Lisa?" she demanded, her tone even. "What's it look like, dearie?  I'm collecting my charges and going home." Lisa lunged at her, surprising Serena completely.  They went down on the pavement, Serena's head snapping back and hitting the pavement with a solid crack.  Stars danced in front of her eyes as blackness closed in on her vision. "Serena!" Shrieked Sammy, darting past Mike and his parents and throwing open the front door.  He raced towards his sister.  Lisa climbed off her, noticing that the once immaculate dress Serena wore was now smeared with dirt.  She shook her head, "Stupid niece.  You can't best a woman who's spent most of her life besting a father twice her size."  She made to bend down and pick her up but a sudden movement out of the corner of her eye had her spinning to her feet out of reach. Sammy's fist missed her face by inches. Lisa laughed at him, an evil maniacal laugh that sent shivers racing down his spine.  "Don't hurt her," he told her softly, his eyes flashing dangerously.  All his life he'd watched his sister protect him from his father.  He knew how hard it was on her and he'd watched her become a different person with Darien.  No one, especially their father or his family, was going to get past him to tear his sister from finally finding happiness; he'd seen the flash of an engagement ring glittering on her finger.  Not unless they killed him first.  "What, are you going to stop me, you sorry excuse for a boy?  You let your sister fight your battles and avoided your dad, letting her do all the tough work.  I know who the real threat is in your family, Sam, and it isn't you."  Lisa sneered as she bent down and reached for Serena's unconscious form again. Sammy let a kick fly at her face, causing her to back pedal again as he planted himself between her and Serena.  He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring daggers at her, "You aren't going to touch her, Lisa.  You're going to have to kill me to get to her." Lisa eyes him, staring deep into his eyes, as if searching for a sign of weakness.  Sam stared right back at her, his eyes hard and unyielding.  "It would seem I didn't give you enough credit, Sammy.  Do you really think that protecting her from me now is going to stop the legal wheels from ordering you to come to my ranch?  I'm your legal guardian." Sammy laughed at her, he couldn't help it.  "Some guardian.  If you really cared about us you'd leave us here and never come back.  In fact, I never, ever, want to see another relative on my father's side again!  You're all a bunch of conniving, deceitful, two-faced prunes!  You care only for yourselves and nothing for us, get out of our lives, Lisa, and don't look back.  Dad's legacy to us is a strong one, and you're not going to tear my sister from her life when she's finally found hope.  I won't let you." "Oh, really?  Are you speaking of Darien?  He's only in it for the money, Sammy, can't you see that?  There's no other reason for him to be hanging around!" Sammy smiled a mirthless smile at her, "He showed up on the scene before dad died, Lisa, not after.  You're the only gold digging whore in the bunch." Lisa shrieked and threw a punch at him, leaping at him as she did. Sammy turned out of the way and lifted his leg, kneeing her in the gut as she flew by him to land next to Serena.  She groaned, sucking in wind, or trying to. Sammy kicked her again and then planted himself back between Lisa and Serena, lining up for a kick to her head should she try anything.  "Go away, Lisa, or I will do whatever it takes to get-" "She's not worth it kid.  I think she's gotten your message."  Sammy turned disbelieving eyes to the man who came up behind him and gently scooped Serena up in his arms, cradling her close.  "Come on, Sam, let's go home." "No! They're coming with me!" wheezed Lisa, trying her best to scream and coughing in the process. "Hardly.  If you come near either of them again I will have the police deal with you, Lisa." Darien told her coldly.  His hold on Serena tightened a bit, "Go back to your cows and your horses, civilized cities are not the place for people like you." Lisa glared at his back, wheezing slightly as she regained her breath and her footing.  She reached into a pocket and pulling something that reflected a dull metallic.  Darien dove to the side in reflex as a shot rang out.  He curled, rotating so that Serena was protected by his body upon impacting on the grass.  Prone, he was an easy target indeed.  He waited, tense, to see if the second shot would come tearing into his body.  He flinched when another gun shot came. "Stand down.  Drop your weapon and put your hands on your head!" a strange voice intoned. Sammy looked up to see Mike's father standing in a stance with a clear shot on Lisa.  He couldn't miss.  Her gun swung towards him and a third blast rang out.  Lisa shrieked in pain and dropped the gun.  Mike's father continued to hold the gun on her as Sammy scrambled and collected the fallen weapon.  The police officer nodded to Sammy, "Go inside and call for an ambulance, Sam.  You did good kid, you should think about becoming a police negotiator!" Sammy fairly beamed as he scurried across to the house and disappeared inside.  Darien cradled Serena on his lap, brushing her bangs out of her face, unaware that the back of his tuxedo jacket was completely ruined.  He looked over at Mike's father.  "Thank you." He told him, gently running a finger across Serena's check in an attempt to bring her too. "I'm Bill, sorry I took so long.  My wife insisted that I wear my bullet proof vest, otherwise I would have been out here sooner." "Smart woman.  I'm Darien." He extended his free hand to the man and then looked back down to Serena, a worried look on his face. "Nice to meet you.  She's just unconscious, took a pretty hard crack to the back of her head." Darien examined her carefully and breathed a sigh of relief, "She'll probably have a doozie of a headache but she'll be alright.  Thanks again, Bill, I appreciate you stepping in like that." "Just doing my job.  She alright?" Darien nodded, breathing a silent sigh of relief, "She won't come out of it for a while probably. Bill, if you don't mind, I'm going to take her and Sam home." Bill kept his gun trained of Lisa where she was moaning on the ground, clutching her arm to her body, "Sure.  Take care of them, their old man never did." Darien rolled to his feet, "I intend to.  Oh, and please, I'm sure Sammy will want you to come to Serena and my wedding in a week or so.  I'd be honored to have you there." Bill raised his eyebrows, "So that's how you're doing it!  Treat her right, boy, she's been through hell and back and lived to tell the tale." Darien looked down at his young fiancée, "I know, Bill, and I intend to give her everything she could ever want." Bill nodded and watched as Darien walked away, the young woman cradled in his arms.  Sammy came out of the house just then, said his goodbyes and trotted off after the couple.  ****** Later, Sam sat with Darien as he watched over his sister.  "You're going to marry her, aren't you?" he finally said, breaking the silence and levling a stare at his profile. Darien slowly looked up from Serena and met his gaze steadily.  "Yes, Sam, I am.  I love her very much and I would die if anything ever happened to her.  I promise I won't make her do anything she doesn't want to, I never want to see her hurt." Sam looked away as he leaned back in his chair and then nodded once. His gaze was serious as he met Darien's again.  "Make her happy, Darien.  She deserves nothing less." ****** Serena sat in the witness stand three months later.  She was shaking from being examined and cross-examined.  The lawyer who was defending her aunt was good, but not good enough, in her opinion, to nail this case.  "No, I did not say that, councillor.  I said that Darien and I have been married for three months now.  No, we were not 'sleeping together' as you so nicely put it.  Your honour," she spoke directly to the judge, drawing a startled gasp from everyone in the courtroom, save her husband, "I do not see what this has to do with this case.  In my father's will it clearly states that I am able to choose my own way, should I not like the arrangement he made with his sister.  I do not like it, I have said that seven, now eight, times.  If you are going to find her guilty, please do so, unless you feel this... farce should continue?" The judge slammed his gravel down.  "Order!  Young lady, you will answer the questions presented to you, is that clear?" "Yes, your honour.  No, Councillor, I did not see my aunt pull the gun, and no I did not hear the shots fired.  I was unconscious." "No further questions, your honor." "You may step down." Serena stepped off the witness stand with a calmness that was only in body.  Her mind was in turmoil, so much so that she almost didn't hear the closing statements of the lawyers. Then court was adjourned as the jury went out to decide their verdict.  She sat next to Darien, slipping an arm around his waist as soon as she could. "You were wonderful." He told her softly. She smiled wanly.  The last three months had been a mix of bliss, frustration and terror. Now it was coming to a close.  She smothered a yawn with one hand.  With school just starting again after summer vacation, she was getting little sleep.  Darien was good to his word.  He moved in with them and took their parent's old room and treated her like she was his girlfriend and not his wife.  He took her out on dates, laughed with her and teased her, doing his best to help her enjoy life.  Then they'd been given directives to testify in court against Lisa.  Serena had gladly done it; if she could sever all ties to her father's family she would. As she waited for the verdict Darien looped his arm around her shoulders, gently cradling her head on his shoulder.  He knew how little sleep she'd been getting the last few weeks and wished he could have helped her.  They'd talked a lot about testifying against her aunt and Darien had not wanted her involved but he'd caved when she'd told him that if they both did her aunt would probably be locked up a long time.  She closed her eyes with a small sigh, falling asleep almost immediately.  Darien held her tightly, letting her doze.  She needed it.  Finally, after three hours of deliberation, the jury walked back through the door and retook their seats.  He kissed her forehead gently and she stirred.  She was so easy to wake with a touch or caress and he smiled, knowing he would be the only one ever to be given that privilege.  She yawned and looked around, seeing the jury back and then smiled her thanks to her husband. She waited anxiously as the jury was asked it's questions and to give its statement. "We, the ladies and gentleman of the jury, find Miss Lisa Tuskino guilty of attempted murder and assault with a weapon." Serena threw her arms around Darien and hugged him tightly.  Now, perhaps, their lives would become steady and maybe, just maybe, she'd see the happy ending that she longed for.  She didn't hear anything else as Darien turned his head towards hers and captured her lips in a passionate, soul sizzling kiss.  Oh yes, everything would definitely be alright; she was finally home. ***** A piercing wail brought Serena out a dreamland.  She yawned, blinking rapidly to dispel the sleep from her head.  She sighed.  She was warm, comfortably so, nestled in her husband's arms.  She gently tugged at them and he stirred, groaning.  "What time is it?" Serena glanced at the clock, "1:30 in the morning." She pulled away from him and grabbed her robe from the chair beside the bed.  She pulled the terrycloth onto bare skin, shivering as she did.  It was winter, snow blanketing the world outside and making the house temperature drop by a few degrees. She stepped into her slippers as she quickly walked from the room. She belted the robe as she walked, yawning again.  She walked into her old room and a gentle smile creased her face as the source of the wail met her eyes.  She went to the crib and lifted the small bundle into her arms.  "Shhhh, mommy's here." She said softly, cradling the infant to her chest.  She bared her breast to the babe and sat in the rocking chair, sighing as her mind thought over the last while.  Her aunt had been in jail for close to five years.  About nine months ago, she'd taken the next logical step with Darien as his wife and their first coupling has resulted in her pregnancy.  She looked down at the midnight haired infant, smiling softly. "You're going to be Mommy's little angel, aren't you sweets?" she murmured to it as it suckled.  She looked up as Darien entered the nursery. He looked tired but he'd insisted that if they did have kids he would be up with her every step of the way.  An amused smile tugged at her mouth.  She would bet anything that he was regretting it.  She did appreciate his help though.  "How's Alex?" he asked her, coming to kneel by the chair, careful not to get in the way of the gently rocking legs. "He's just hungry." She told him smiling.  Her eyes glowed as she looked at him.  Darien reached out a cautious hand and took the baby's small one in his. The tiny fingers curled around his index finger trustingly and he felt his throat tighten.  He was amazed how small his son was, how fragile.  Serena closed her eyes and then they popped open as another wail split the air.  "Darien, would you get Adrianna?" she asked softly, gently raising a now sleeping Alex to her shoulder.  She gently patted his back and he burped.  She stood up as Darien lifted their daughter from the crib.  It amazed her that he could tell the difference between the twins by sound alone. Darien gently cradled Adrianna as Serena put Alex back in the crib.  The twins were a hassle but he loved every minute of it.  He handed her to her mother and then watched as Serena repeated the process with their daughter.  He caressed her thigh through the thick terry cloth of her robe, "What is Sammy coming to see the twins, Love?" "Next week.  He'll be done with finals.  I can't believe he'd been gone a whole year at University!  Taking chemical Engineering, no less!" she said, her eyes shining.  She'd been as surprised as everyone else when Sammy had skipped grade twelve and gone straight into University.  He'd taken some equivalency test and passed it with flying colors.  Darien chuckled as he watched her burps his daughter and then passed her back to him.  He lifted Adrianna carefully, supporting her head, and then brought her back to the crib, but not before he'd placed a kiss on her forehead. Serena stood in the doorway, watching him with the infants.  He was so gentle, so caring.  A slight smile curved her lips; who would have known he'd be so passionate in bed!  She waited until he turned towards her.  His black silk robe was falling freely around his shoulders and knotted loosely at his waist, revealing the broad expanse of his smooth chest, barely hiding his waist from her view.  He walked towards her and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her back to their bedchamber.  She looped her arms around his neck. Other than the counselling she'd been attending weekly with Darien for the last five years, her life was perfect.  She kissed his neck gently, nibbling with her teeth and his hold on her tightened.  She smiled contentedly and then laughed as he kicked their bedroom door shut behind him. The End Author's notes:  First off, thank you to everyone who wrote me, I love you all, and I really appreciate the feedback on this story!  Secondly, that's it.  It's finally done. I'm not going to be adding anymore to this, I think I wrapped it up nicely.  Alright, comments, questions and flames to: Jade_Max@innocent.com Thanks again!! Jade_Max