"Well, here."

 He thrusted a black box into her hands. She looked at him then opened 
the 
lid. She 

gasped in surprised. It was a silver bracelet. It had 10 charms 
connected to 
it. Each 

one the symbol of the nine planets: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, 
Neptune, 

Saturn, Venus, Pluto, a rose and a crescent moon. And each symbol had a 
jewel 

with its color placed in the center of it. Serena looked at her little 
brother again.

"I was going to wait until Christmas morning, but I thought you could 
wear it 
to your 

party."        

 She hugged her little brother.

"Thank you Sammy I love it." 

"You do?"

"Of coarse. Who wouldn't?"

 He smiled.

"Just to let ya know. If that guy even thinks of touching you Dad and 
me will 
shoot 

em."

 He gave her a wink and a thumbs up. Serena laughed and hugged him 
again. He 

went into his room and she stood at the top of the stairs. She watched 
Darien 
talk to 

her mom. His back was to her, but her mom was facing her. She didn't 
see her 
yet 

she was busy talking to Darien. When she looked up she stopped in the 
middle 
of 

her thought.

"Oh my."

 Curious Darien turned around to look at what Ikuko was staring at.

"Oh."

 Was all he could force out, Serena blushed and walked down the stairs 
holding the 

front end of her dress so she wouldn't trip. She noticed Darien was 
dashingly 

handsome. Wearing a black suit and tie. It fit him perfectly. When she 
reached the 

bottom of the stairs she smiled at Darien. He was mesmerized by this 
beauty.

"Hi Serena you look wonderful."

"You look great yourself Darien."

"Thank you."

 He said while looking arrogant about it. She playfully punched him in 
the 
shoulder.

"Well, it is time you to should get going."

"That reminds me mom. Where is Dad?"

"Oh I locked him in the study dear."

 Serena smiled at her mom, hugged and kissed her. She walked to the 
closet 
and 

pulled on a coat. With Darien's assistance. They were standing by the 
door 
saying 

their last good-byes to Serena's mother when she pointed up.

"Looks like you two got caught."

 She smiled mischievously. Serena gave Darien an apologetic glance. He 
just 
smiled 

and leaned close to her.

"It's tradition."

 He closed the gap and kissed her. They saw a flash of light and turned 
to 
Serena's 

brother holding a camera with a sly grin on his face. Serena looked 
back at 
Darien 

and whispered in his ear.

"We must not break tradition then."

 He smiled back at her. He opened the door for her and they walked to 
his 
car. 

Serena swung the bag with gifts for the girls and him in it. She 
stopped and 
gapped 

at the car parked in the driveway.

"That can't be your car!"

 He smirked at her.

"Yep."

"What did you do steal it?"

"No, I saved up for it. Why?"

"It is a very nice car."

"Thanks."

 He opened the door for her and shut it when she was all the way in. It 
was a 
good 

thing she wasn't watching him he thought. She would have seen the leap 
of joy 
and 

that big goofy grin on his face. But, unknown to him Serena did see it. 
She 
smiled to 

herself. A small plan forming in her mind.

  *This will be his best Christmas ever. *

 Intently she looked out the window. Watching for signs of the park. 
When 
they were 

almost to the park Serena placed her hand on his. He looked at her.

"Pull over."

"Why?"

"Just pull over please Darien."

 He gave her a confused look, but complied. He watched her get out of 
the car 
with a 

package in her hand. He followed her. He listened to the snow crunch 
under 
her feet. 

He saw when she stopped by a bench looking over the frozen late. She 
motioned 
for 

him to sit on the bench and he did.

"What are you doing Meatball Head?"

 Instead of glare at him Serena looked seriously into his eyes. She 
gave the 
package 

to him and watched him stare at it.

"Open it Darien."

 He looked at her. He slowly untied the bow and ripped off the paper. 
His 
eyes froze 

when he saw his present. It was a picture frame. In the center was a 
picture 
of him 

and Serena. He looked at it and felt every inch of it with his hands. 
Like a 
blind fool 

he stared at the picture. He read the words slowly. 

Then looked at Serena.

"I know it was wrong to take this picture, but… I, I wanted to let 
you know 
that I 

would be there for you. And, and that I will be all the family you 
could ever 
want if you 

would just let me. And if you wanted me to."

 Darien just stared at her. Unable to speak. Unable to breath for that 
matter. He lifted 

his hand and caressed her cheek. Serena look his hand with hers. He got 
off 
the 

bench and knelt in front of her.

"Do you mean it?"

"Of course Darien. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."

 She smiled at him. He threw his arms around her and hugged her with 
all his 
might.

"Thank you Serena."

 Then he remembered his present to her. He smiled. She will have to 
wait to 
get it.

"Come on Serena. We better go. Andrew will have a fit if are late. Then 
again 
you are 

accustom to that aren't you?"

 Serena gave him a playful glare.

"You better watch it buddy. If you keep it up I might be forced to 
deprive 
you of a 

kiss."  

 Darien gave her his best pout. He picked her up and spinned her around. He 
stopped and look into her eyes.
"Then strike me dead for I could never live with out your sweet taste."
 She giggled."Well, then my sweet Let me give you what you yurn for."
 They moved their heads for ward and met halfway. Both swimming in bliss of 
being with each other."Have I told you yet?""Told me what?"
"How much I love you?" Serena looked at him."Three times."
 He looked at her confused. She silenced him by putting her finger to his lips.
"Don't ask."
 He gave her a confused smile. She bent her head down and kissed him.
^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^**^*^*^^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*
^*^^*(2 years later ^_^) 
Serena and Darien were sitting on that same bench facing the lake. Serena was 
wrapped in the arms 
of Darien. She felt him stir and looked up at him. She could see the obvious 
nervousness on his face. He got of the bench and knelt down beside her.
"Serena. Do you remember that Christmas when you brought me here?"
 She nodded her head.
"That was when you gave your heart to me Darien. How could I forget?"
"Well, I got you a present. It is a symbol of our love. I always carry it 
around with me 
just in case. Now I think I am ready to give it to you. Serena you were the 
first one to love me. You believed in me when others didn't. For that I am 
greatfull. I want you to 
know that I will always be there for you. I would like you to be mine Serena. 
Say you'll be my wife?"
 He held out the ring. Gently he put it on her fingers. She looked at the 
ring for a moment. Then at him. Tears found their way to her eyes.
"Oh Darien! You know I will."
 She launched herself into his arms. He lost his balance and they fell in the 
snow. She looked in his eyes and saw what she did 2 years ago. Love.
"I love you Serena.""I love you too my Darien.      END   
I hope you like my story! I know Christmas is over, but I thought it would 
make alovely scene. I made up the quote "Those who love us dearly are those 
who see us 
clearly" just for this story. Thanks for reading! Hope you have a nice year!
        SPOOKER