GOSH IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK!  Thank you, all my 
faithful readers who have eagerly waited for my return from the land of no 
writing, no inspiration.  I thank you for all your e-mail, and I want to say I 
appreciate all your support?I feel all warm and mushy inside whenever I 
think about it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!
	Keep up your writing to me, and I?ll keep up mine.
	I have written this story in honor of a dear friend, for it is her 
BIRTHDAY.  Happy birthday, Fushigi Kismet!  This story is dedicated to 
you?in the grand tradition of writers, you teach us time and time again 
that love is found truly within the self, regardless of who we think we are.  
Love is blind.
	Again, this is an alternate dimension thing?

Plenty of Love, Luck, and Luna,
Crystal Heart, your storyspinner

Disclaimer:  And then after the prince kissed the princess the princess 
woke up, and slapped him on the cheek, and?oh, are you reading this?  
Well, I don?t own the characters, but this is my story.

Three Words that Mean the World
By Crystal Heart

	?Rise and shine!?
	?Darien, go AWAY!? the blonde head muttered, under the pillow.
	Darien Williams entered Serena Diore?s room, plopping himself at 
the foot of her bed.  He then reached under the sea of sheets, and came out 
victorious with a ponytail of one of Serena?s meatballs.
	?That?s a fine way for a girl to act on her twenty-eighth birthday.?
	Serena?s head came from under the pillow, and she looked to 
Darien, who was knotting his tie.
	?Looking handsome, as usual?? she smirked at him.  ?What are 
you doing today?  We just got back from the book tour yesterday??
	?Well, considering today I?ve got another appearance at a 
bookstore at ten, I have to get up and dressed??
	??what I get for taking an apartment with a morning person?? 
she muttered, sitting up, looking around her.
	Darien got off the bed and went to her full length mirror, 
straightened the knot.
	He looked handsome.  He wore a button-down forest green shirt, 
with a burgundy-patterned tie, and light khakis.  His tie, however, was 
horribly knotted.
	Serena muttered a curse as she forced herself out of her bed and 
stuck her feet into bunny slippers.  She wore a slip nightgown of pink silk 
with white lace.
	She yawned and walked to Darien, and straightened his tie for him.  
?Next time you expect to schedule a morning book-signing, remember 
who has to tie your ties!? she stepped away from him, walking to her 
closet, and grabbing the matching robe to her nightgown.
	Being a romance writer, everything about Serena was very 
romantic.  She was elegantly beautiful with a poetic look, always elegantly 
and stunningly dressed.
	Her life was less romantic, but not much less romantic.  Serena 
Diore lived in an apartment of a classy building in Seattle.  She was fairly 
rich now, selling over eight million books every year, unfailingly.  Her 
newest books sold out within seconds of arriving at a bookstore.
	Yes, Serena lived a fairly nice life, filled with traveling and book 
signings, and writing.  However, Serena was still single, and now, she was 
28.
	Sure, women envied that she roomed with the handsome Darien 
Williams.  He was a bestselling writer as well, and wrote science fiction, 
as well as some of those ?enriching? depressing novels.  Darien was a man 
out of romance novels.  Tall, dark, and handsome.  His thick black hair 
played over dark midnight blue eyes, and his face was slightly tan now, 
with their current tour in California.  Serena and Darien always went 
everywhere together.
	It wasn?t because they were in love.  No, far from it.  They were 
too different.  In fact, Serena had a boyfriend, and was expecting him to 
propose soon?
	No, Darien was a good friend from college.  They?d met in their, 
interestingly enough, calculus class, and from then argued whether it was 
better to give people false illusions of the world in love, or whether to 
depress people by giving them the truth.  Serena was obviously for the 
former, and Darien for the latter.  They?d enjoyed arguing so much that 
when they first started writing professionally, they chose to be roommates.
	No, it didn?t complicate their lives, or anything.  In fact, Darien 
had his girlfriends, and Serena would always stand aside, as he would do 
for her boyfriends.
	They hung out together the nights they didn?t have some book 
thing, or some meeting, or some date.  They?d sit in front of the TV, and 
eat microwave dinners, and rot their brains over movies.  If it was Serena?s 
turn, she?d pick up a romantic comedy some time during the day, and if it 
was Darien?s, he?d pick up some tragedy.  When they were feeling so-so, 
they?d pick up an action flick together, or a comedy and just relax.
	It was hard working with him during the day, though, when they 
both were working to meet a deadline for another novel.  They each had 
their own computer, of course, but they had only one measly dot printer, 
that took three hours just to print out a novel.
	And then the paper would run out.
	Then, those days, they?d be ready to kill each other.
	But, there was something that made them stick together throughout 
the years, and that was their fear of being without the other.
	In the past seven years, they?d managed to find a way to coexist in 
such a manner that they?d never be able to go through a day without the 
other.  Darien woke Serena up, Serena tucked Darien in.  They argued 
over who was to cook every meal.
	Then, after they discovered microwave dinners, they argued who 
was to open the boxes and put them in the microwave.
	Serena sighed, as she started the shower water.

	Darien was standing at the kitchen counter, sipping black coffee, as 
Serena entered the room, with sweatshirt and jeans on, with a towel turban 
crowning her head.
	Darien poured her a cup of the black coffee.  She immediately took 
it, brought out the sugar and cream, and added lots of each.
	?Are you sure there?s even coffee left in there??
	?Very funny Darien.  You know I don?t take my coffee black,? she 
tilted her head back, and took her cup in almost one gulp.
	Darien touched his neck and cringed.  ?How can you do that??
	?You take your coffee slowly.  How do you have the patience for 
that??
	?You have the patience for cream and sugar??
	?Coffee?s indigestible without cream and sugar.?
	Darien rolled his eyes, and checked his watch.  ?I have another 
five, ten minutes.  So what are you going to do today, birthday?  Where do 
you want to go for dinner??
	?Um?Darien?I wanted to tell you about that, but the trip went by 
so quickly and all?Darien?well?Greg wanted me and him to have my 
birthday dinner together?alone??
	Darien?s face paled, as he remembered?Gregory Remington, 
Serena?s boyfriend, confiding to him that he was going to ask Serena for 
her hand in marriage this night.
	Darien shifted in his seat uncomfortably.  ?Greg?  Serena, if you 
keep on going out with him?you?ll find yourself married to him one of 
these days??
	Serena looked into her coffee, uneasily.  ?Well, Darien, that?s the 
idea??
	Darien?s eyes widened, and he almost choked on his coffee.  
?Woah?Serena Diore, queen of romance, marries a computer 
engineer?he never struck me as your?type.?
	?Well, Darien?I?m turning 28 today?and well?I guess I can?t 
hold out much longer?I?ve been too idealistic??  *I?ve dreamt about 
marrying YOU too long?I have to let this go?I can?t stay around like 
this anymore?*
	?But Greg?s?well, he?s so analytical??
	?But he?s got a good heart, and he means to make me happy, and 
I?ll be financially stable, and Greg will respect my wishes?most 
importantly?I feel something for him?  *Even if the something is only a 
liking, a friendship, it has potential to replace love.  I could be happy with 
him.  Not delirious, but happy enough.*
	Darien felt his life starting to fall out of his grasp.
	Serena poured herself a new cup, and smiled, trying to make light 
of the situation.  ?Besides, he?s not a morning person??
	?But that means you?ll never see sunrises, and never be able to 
catch the morning talk shows??
	?For more hours of sleep, I?ll give up anything?? she smiled 
teasingly, as she absently sipped her black coffee, without adding her 
cream and sugar.
	She sputtered it out.  ?You see what happens in the morning?? she 
tried to joke.  ?Anyway, I?ve got to meet with Raye this afternoon to 
discuss my latest novel, and Greg?s meeting me at five here, and I?ll be at 
dinner with him?um?don?t wait up?? she said, walking to the living 
room space, turning on the TV.
	?I?m going to check on something,? Darien gestured to his room, 
which was across the kitchen area and living room from Serena?s room.
	?Sure, check away,? she said, starting to watch the morning news.

	Darien paced the floor of his room.
	He knew it would happen.  He knew that Remington would have 
the nerve to propose, but he never thought that Serena was actually 
considering accepting the proposal?*Serena?Rena?*
	He sighed, sitting down on his bed, putting his head in his hands.  
A life without Romantic, Ridiculous Rena?no, he couldn?t handle it.
	He checked in his sock drawer for his own birthday present for 
Serena?which had just arrived yesterday?Serena had received no notice 
of this arrival, and Darien had been extremely secretive about it.
	He checked the wrapping, of cream background, with gold print 
flowers on it.  There was a cream ribbon around it.  He looked to the door, 
imagining the girl with the meatball hair, sitting in front of the TV.  What 
would she say if he gave it to her?
	He put the present back in the drawer, and closed it, turning to the 
door.  He opened to door, and rushed out.
	?I?ve got to go.  I?ll see you when I see you, then!? he smiled to 
her.
	?Bye Darien!? she called after him.

	Raye Grayson looked up from the manuscript to Serena Diore.  
The publisher smiled to the author.
	?It?s a great work.  Couldn?t sleep last night until I finished??
	?Explains the tired look in your eyes.?
	?As usual?as usual, a few grammar errors.  I will send this down 
to editing?I think it?ll be a great new bestseller.  However, I have 
something even more important to give you?? she reached under her desk 
to draw out a wrapped box.  ?Happy Birthday!?
	Serena?s eyes glittered.  ?Oh, Raye, what did you get me??
	?It?s a small something??  Serena smiled, admiring the red 
metallic paper and white bow.
	?Oh, I want to just tear the paper off, but the paper?s so pretty!?
	So, Serena contradicted her impatient nature, and carefully pulled 
the paper off.
	She discovered a box from Saks inside.
	She opened it carefully to reveal a glass statue of a princess, 
holding a rose?clear, crystal, reflecting rainbows inside.  The rose the 
princess held was tinted red.  The whole statue was six inches tall.  ?OH 
RAYE!  It?s absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!?
	 ?Now, I know I?m not the usual romantic, but I was looking at a 
counter display, and discovered her, and she reminded me of you?purely 
romantic?waiting for her prince?
	?Thank you Raye?but the prince hasn?t realized he?s wearing the 
crown.?
	Raye looked to Serena.  ?So, he still hasn?t taken notice?  Not even 
of the NIGHTGOWN??
	Serena sighed back in her chair.  As well as being her publisher, 
Raye was also one of her best friends, next to Darien.  ?Let?s face it?he?s 
an unromantic dolt?and apparently, the sight of a skinny blonde in a 
negligee doesn?t mean anything to him, especially if the skinny blonde is 
his best friend.?
	?He?s Darien?he?s always slow with this kind of thing??
	?It?s been seven years?I?d think he?d notice the sparkle in my eye 
from the first day I saw him??
	?And how far has Greg gotten along??
	?Well, I have a feeling that tonight?s the night?I?ll have to make 
the choice?and soon.  What should I do, Raye?  Hold on to an impossible 
dream?  Let status quo ruin my future?  Or settle for something less than 
I?ve been dreaming about?  I swear, Raye.  I?m 28 today, and I don?t think 
Darien has taken the hint yet.  I?m afraid that if I hold out any longer, I?ll 
never have another chance?at happiness??
	?Will Greg make you happy??
	?He?s the lesser of two evils.  I can spend an eternity with Darien 
living like we do now, feeling that stupid thing in my heart whenever I see 
him, or I can take what I can get, and hope that life can be charming, if not 
romantic and exhilarating.  Greg?s not Darien, but Greg?s a good guy, and 
he?ll try his best to make me happy?he?s sweet, and smart, and he?s 
handsome, and he?s so nice and perfect?but?he?s not Darien.  But 
Raye?he?he likes me?a lot??
	?He doesn?t love you??
	?Gregory Remington does not love?he?s too practical for it?if 
only we all were.  If we married, it would be a nice calm marriage, in 
which I?d live in one world, and he the other, and we might meet once in a 
while.?
	?But Serena, after all this writing of love and never settling for any 
less?aren?t you being a hypocrite??
	?Well?never settling for less is impossible at the moment.  Let?s 
face it.  Darien is just never going to turn the page and read on?he likes 
this chapter too much.?
	?And what of all your fans??
	?They like what I write, not who I am??
	?If my favorite author?s been preaching about never settling for 
any less, and she settles someone else, when she loves her best 
friend?well??
	?No!  Greg and I get along?even if Darien and I fell in love, we?d 
never agree to anything??
	?Kinda makes you wonder how you get on now, huh??
	?No!  We don?t get along.  Don?t you see?  We?re opposites.  He?s 
a morning person.  I?m an evening.  He takes his coffee BLACK for crying 
out loud!  I take mine normally, with sugar and cream.  He likes enriching 
the soul, even through pain.  I like healing the soul, even if it?s a little far-
fetched.  He?s patient.  I?m not.  He?s tragedy.  I?m romantic comedy.  I 
bet our blood types aren?t even the same?and most importantly, he only 
likes me.  I LOVE him.?
	Raye looked at her crying friend, and reached for the tissue box, 
pulling out a few, and handing them to Serena.  ?Opposites attract, and 
people get together not for what they do, but for who they are.  Darien 
won?t let you down?he never has before?until this??
	?Oh, Raye?I love him?I can?t live without him, but I don?t see 
how we can keep this up!  If I can?t have him THAT way?well?I?ll just 
be a dreamer?I guess I have to be?now.?

	?Serena!? Lita and Mina caught up to the blonde, walking out of a 
salon.
	Serena turned to them, smiling.
	?WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR??
	?I cut it?no more meatballs.  I?m 28, and I?ve outgrown that 
phase,? she smiled softly to Lita and Mina.
	Lita and Mina sighed.  ?Can you take some cappuccino??
	Serena checked her watch to find that it was only three.  ?Sure.  Of 
course.?

	As they sat down at the table, Serena smiled to them.  ?I make 
Raye pretty pissed off at me today??
	?What did you do now?? Mina teased.
	?Oh, she?s mad that I won?t uphold the idea of who I am??
	?What??
	?Well, you know tonight I?m dining with Greg.?
	?But isn?t this birthday night?  It?s Darien?s night!?
	?For the umpteenth time, Darien does not have a night, because he 
and I aren?t going out!? Serena sighed, indignantly.
	Lita, a star of a cooking show, who was taking some time off 
today, looked to Mina, the anchorwoman of the evening news of the TV 
station Lita worked for.  Serena had met both when she was invited on one 
day.  They became instant friends, and still kept in touch, and got together 
almost every week.  ?So, you?re giving up on him??
	?I don?t see how I can keep on going.  If I see him bring home one 
more potential girlfriend, I will SCREAM!  Raye says that I have to be 
patient, and that Darien WILL love me.  That he already does.  But why 
would he still go out with other girls?  And besides.  I?ve waited for seven 
years.  I?m normally not even patient.  I say I take Greg.?
	?Has he proposed??
	?No, but I have a feeling he will soon.  I met his parents on our last 
date, and we spent a weekend at their estate.  They liked me, and so, that?s 
pretty much our last step, and so, he?ll propose.?
	?Will he make you happy??
	?He?ll try.?
	?Try?  Will you be happy??
	?I?ll try.?
	Lita sighed.  ?What Mina?s trying to say is, does he make your 
heart beat faster whenever you see him?  Will seeing his smile warm you 
even when you are freezing.  Will the touch of his hand calm you, and 
show you that everything?s all right??
	?No!  But we know that Darien?s not going to do anything.  
Darien?s had too long.  I?m 28.  I?ve already turned down guys already.  
You two are already married, and Raye?s engaged.  Everyone around me is 
getting married, or already is.  If I don?t accept someone soon.  I?ll end up 
alone.  While I did appreciate the proposals form other guys, I turned them 
down with the hope that Darien would ask me soon after.  But I?ve 
realized that he?ll never ask.?
	Mina sighed, changing the subject, as she knew Serena wanted.  ?I 
have a birthday present for you?but I don?t have it with me?we didn?t 
count on bumping into you??
	?Me too?? Lita said.
	?That?s all right.  Want to see what Raye got me??
	As Serena got the present out, the irony of a princess waiting for 
her prince stung, especially in her eyes, which threatened to fill up with 
tears.

	?So what do you think I should do??
	?I think you should tell her the truth!?
	?Yeah right!? Darien sighed, pacing in the kitchen.  ?Ames, you 
are no help at all??
	?She?s be a great sister, though.  She?s understanding, sweet, 
playful, and to put it on top of all this, she takes her coffee with cream and 
sugar, as all normal people do.  Don?t you ever get a jolt drinking black 
coffee??
	?I drink it slowly?and you should see Serena chugging down her 
cream and sugar mud.?
	?You?re changing the subject.?
	?You changed it first.?
	Any sighed, exasperated.  ?How did I ever end up with such a 
stupid brother.  You live two rooms away from her, in the same apartment, 
and you act as if it?s two worlds.  Believe me.  You have a chance.?
	?She?s actually considering this Greg?s proposal, which means that 
she?s either in love, or that she?s sick of me.  Either way, she wants to 
leave me.  It?s the end.  I have to let her go.?
	The lock jangled as the knob was turned.
	Serena entered the apartment, smiling to Amy and Darien.  ?I see 
you decided to be home this afternoon!? he smiled to Darien.  ?Amy!? she 
walked to Amy, placing her bags on the counter, and hugging her 
roommate?s little sister.  ?And what are you doing in town??
	?Wishing you a happy 28.?
	?When you get to my age, nothing?s ever happy anymore!? she 
smiled.
	Darien looked at Serena?s hair in shock.  ?It?s?short!?
	?It?s shoulder length,? Serena said, defensively, twirling a few 
strands in her fingers.
	?It?s pretty?? Amy played with it.
	?No more meatballs?I decided on it this morning.  Too old for 
that now, and besides.  Summer?s here, and I?m NOT going to bother with 
waist-length hair!  I swear, my head feels lighter!? she laughed.
	Darien looked to the bags.  ?Go shopping for the big date tonight??
	?No, got birthday presents??
	?Oh!  Don?t show them yet!  Open mine, first!? Amy smiled.
	Serena smiled at Amy, and took the wrapped box from the college 
sophomore on summer break.
	The box was white with light blue feather swirls all around with, 
with a light blue bow and a light blue rose threaded in the ribbon. 
	?Oh Amy?it?s already beautiful.  I don?t want to open this!? she 
took the rosebud carefully out of the bow, and smelled it.  She then 
reached into a cabinet, and grabbed a small rosebud vase of crystal and 
filled it halfway with cold water.  Placing the bud in the vase, sigh sighed, 
?Perfect?? she caressed the silk petal happily.  ?It?s beautiful.?
	?Now that only makes me wonder how you?re going to react to the 
present!?
	Serena laughed, and took the ribbon off, again taking care of the 
paper, and uncovered a box from Victoria?s Secret.  She then looked 
surreptitiously to Amy, and then slightly embarrassed Darien.
	?Should I leave right now?? Darien blushed at the pink box.
	?No, it?s nothing really bad,? Amy smiled maliciously.
	Serena opened the box and smiled as she discovered a small kit of 
bath scents from Victoria?s Secret, and three paperback romance novels of 
one of her favorite authors, Fushigi Kismet.  ?Oh, I don?t have these three!  
Thank you, Amy!  Now, when I spend a dateless night, I have a 
consolation prize!? she stepped off the stool she sat at, and walked around 
the counter, and hugged Amy.
	?And let?s see what else you got!? Amy smiled.
	Serena smiled excitedly.  ?Raye got me this one?? she grabbed a 
box from the bag, and took out the princess statue.
	?Oh, that?s beautiful!? Amy sighed romantically.  ?She?s??
	?Yeah.  I know.  Raye?s not really a romantic type, but she?s 
outdone herself this time?I love it??
	?Have you named her??
	?I?ve called her Serenity,? she played with the princess?s crown 
with the tip of her finger, and touched the rose softly.  She got up, and 
reached for another bag.
	?Now, this is from Lita?? she took out a beautifully baked cake of 
white frosting with pink roses and lacy design in yellow frosting.
	?How elaborate!?
	?You know Lita, the chef, but she also got me something else?? 
she reached into her bag, and drew out a box still wrapped.  ?Mina and 
Lita didn?t have time to see me open my presents, so they just forced them 
on me, and told me to open them when I had time.  Oh, this is pretty wrap.  
Everyone spoils me!?
	Lita?s present was wrapped in forest green paper, with gold print 
on it, in a marble swirl.  It was wrapped in a gold ribbon.
	She carefully took the box out from the paper, and smiled as she 
opened to find a box from Petite Sofisticate.  Inside, she found a silk scarf 
of the shade of pink, with light small hearts spangled on, along with roses.  
?Oh??
	?That?s beautiful!? Amy admired.
	?I can wear this tonight!? Serena smiled.  ?Always trust Lita to 
find something that?s stylish and beautiful!?
	?And there?s one more?? Amy smiled, pointing to a box wrapped 
in navy blue paper, with gold fireworks and stars splattered across.
	Serena took the box, and opened it carefully.  ?Let?s see what Mina 
got me??
	She found a delicate perfume bottle, intricately made and blown.  
?It?s gorgeous!?  It was of clear glass, with gold and blue swirls captured 
in the glass.  It was filled with a golden liquid, and there was a little small 
handwritten tag, undoubtedly written by Mina, on the neck of the bottle, 
which said, ?Your favorite, Tresor??
	?OH!? Serena almost screamed.  ?YES!?
	?I have to say it?s probably been a great birthday so far.?
	?Undoubtedly,? Serena smiled, toying with the scarf.  She then 
checked her watch.  ?Oh!  Greg?s coming in an hour.  I have to get ready.  
We?re going to some fancy party first, with his boss and then we?re going 
out for dinner and dancing.  Amy care to help me carry these things to my 
room??
	Amy followed Serena, looking back to Darien with a scolding 
look, mouthing the words??Your present??
	Darien gritted his teeth, again thinking whether he wanted to give 
Serena his present or not.

	Serena looked at herself in the mirror.  She wore a pink silk dress, 
sleeveless, with a light pink rosebud print on it.  She wore pink pumps, 
accenting her nice calves.  Her hair was pulled up, and tied up with her 
pink scarf.  She smiled to her reflection, applying some light pink lipstick.  
She then grabbed some rose quartz earrings and put them on, and stood 
back, grabbing her watch, and her purse.
	She walked to the door, and smiled to Darien, who was trying to 
knot his tie.
	She smiled, took it from his fingers, and tied it for him.
	?So you found a last minute date??
	?Well, I figured since Amy?s home, we?d eat dinner with our 
parents tonight.?
	?How adorable.  A family dinner!?
	Darien looked at Serena, and rolled his eyes.  ?It?s not too late.  
Come with us.  My mother loves you??
	?I promised Greg??
	?Yeah, but birthdays are ALWAYS promised to me?no 
exceptions??
	?Darien?Greg?s my boyfriend??
	?And I know, I?m not?? he said, turning away as she finished her 
knot and straightened the tie.  ?Well, I?ll stay in my room until you leave 
with Greg.  Amy?s coming about ten minutes after Greg comes.?
	?All right.?

	?Serena!  You look beautiful.?
	?Thank you Greg.  You?re handsome yourself.?
	Greg was a charming young man in the computer engineer.  He 
was tall, in great shape, and his eyes were a clear honest blue of good 
humor, which Serena thought a strange contrast to Darien?s mysterious 
dark blue gaze.  Greg?s brown hair was carefully combed, and he smiled ot 
Serena.
	?Let?s take some coffee before we leave, while I get some last-
minute things done?? she walked into the kitchen.
	As she poured her coffee, she smiled to Greg, feeling her heart 
pound.  *Oh?I can?t do this?can I?Serena, you must.  This is the 
ONLY chance you have a happiness.*
	As Serena walked back, handing him a cup, Greg smiled to Serena.  
?Birthday girl?I was going to give you your present later, but I think now 
would be a perfect time??
	*OH NO!!!!!*
	?Hey Greg!?
	Serena looked up to Darien, who stood, with a blue shirt and light 
yellow tie, under a black suit.  Her eyes narrowed.
	?Um?hey, Darien?? Greg said, shifting uncomfortably form his 
kneeling position in front of Serena.
	?Oh?I just came to get some coffee,? he said, reaching for the pot.  
?I though I heard you leave??  In reality, it was far from it.  He was ready 
to fight Greg for his girl.  But he chickened out.
	Greg kneeled forward to whisper, ?Well, I wanted to give this to 
you?? he said, looking up at Darien, who was apparently just relaxing by 
the counter drinking coffee, not watching them.  He reached inside his 
brown suit pocket and drew out a small wrapped box.
	Serena took the box in her hand, and examined the elegant blue foil 
wrap.  She opened the present, and took out a small black velvet box.
	Darien was biting his lip when he saw it, and looked away, to the 
coffee maker.
	*Should I?*  She breathed deeply, and opened the box.  ?Oh 
my??
	A solitaire.  It gleamed in the light.  Pure.  Innocent.  Bright with 
promise.  And that was when she realized that she could NEVER marry 
Greg.
	Tears came to her eyes.
	?Serena, will you marry me??
	The silence froze the room as she looked at Greg.
	*I?m so pathetic?I can?t even marry a nice guy?who likes me.  
Oh Serena?you?re stuck?*
	?Serena, you can?t!? he blurted.  Serena and Greg looked up from 
the ring to Darien, who stood at the counter now, his knuckles white, 
gripping the countertop.
	?You have some nerve?? she stood up, confused, and slightly 
mad.  *You can?t chose to ruin my life anymore.  It?s my decision.*  ?It?s 
my right to make the decision.  It?s my life.  I can do what I want with it.?
	Darien looked at her, her eyes flashing dangerously.  *Maybe she 
DOES love him?*  he looked to his room.  ?Well, I put in my two cents.  
I?ll? >ahem!< ?see you later?? he said, gruffly.
	He left the room.  *Oh Darien.  Shout!  Fight!  What are you 
doing?  Just three words, and I?m yours?*
	?Good night, Serena?? he said softly, closing his door.
	Serena?s eyes started to fill up even more?*not those three 
words?Darien, you idiot!*

	*Darien, you idiot!? he leaned back on his door.
	He should have made a move earlier, before she met Greg?she 
should have swept her off her feet the minute he saw her, because she 
caught him at that moment.
	And now, she was for sure going to go with Greg.  She loved Greg.  
It was so evident.  Why else would she protest so loudly to his protest?
	He paced his room, sweat coming to his head, and finally threw 
himself onto his bed, and stared to the ceiling.
	Life without Serena.  Didn?t she know that it wasn?t possible?  
That he needed her?that he?he?loved her?
	He sat up in his bed?Darien, you are a fool indeed.  Somewhere 
in the past seven years, the attraction, the need to have her in his life and 
deepened?to love.  And he?d been totally unaware.
	*What a fool.*

	They stood in the room, silent.  ?Greg?I?m?very flattered that 
you asked me to marry you, but Greg, I can?t.?
	Greg looked at her understandingly, and said quietly, ?It?s Darien, 
isn?t it??
	?No, it isn?t him??
	?Serena, don?t pretend??  Greg stood up, tucking the box back in 
his pocket, then looking at Serena.  ?Serena, I won?t pretend that I love 
you, because I know that you don?t love me.  We?d be good together 
though.  We get along, and I know life would be nice between us??
	?Nice?huh?? she said, some fresh tears, starting down her cheeks.  
?No, nice isn?t enough?? she said, looking at the blue rosebud at the 
counter, the little princess who stood next to the vase.  ?Greg, we both 
deserve more than nice??
	Greg looked at her, and bent his head to kiss her cheek, taking the 
box from his pocket, and putting it in her hand.  ?Keep this.  As a gift from 
a friend.  We can still be friends, can?t we??
	Serena looked to him, and smiled.  ?Of course.?
	?Then I?ll let you have the night to yourself.  I think you need 
some time to think??
	?You?re telling me?? she said softly.
	She walked him to the door, opening it to a pretty Amy, dressed in 
a light blue sweater, and a light blue silk floral skirt.  ?Hey Serena, I 
thought you?d be gone by now with Gr-? she trailed off, as her eyes met 
Greg?s.
	Serena watched the whole scene unfold in front of her.  The change 
in Greg?s eyes was evident?it was so evident, a softness htat flooded in, 
and a daze that came, as spell over everything that made everything 
suddenly right in the world?Serena knew she just saw something 
rare?someone falling in love.
	She looked at Amy, and found the girl to be looking at Greg so 
admiringly it seemed the stars had come to twinkle in her eyes.
	?Greg Remington.  This is Amy Williams, Darien?s sister?Amy, 
this is Greg??
	?Nice to meet you,? he said, softly.
	?The same?? Amy blushed, looking at the floor, looking guiltily 
at Serena.  Serena wanted to laugh.  ?I was just showing Greg out.  You 
know, Amy, if you?re not busy, you could ditch Darien.  I think Greg 
would like some company tonight,? she walked out into the hall, closing 
the door halfway behind them.  She took the velvet box and put it into 
Greg?s hand.  ?Have fun.?

	As the two left, Serena sighed.
	So, that was what it was like.  To feel that ardent, bare love that is 
untainted by anything.  That was purity.  True love.
	Serena longed for that love.
	It hurt her heart to believe that Greg had finally found it, and yet, 
she hadn?t.
	And the whole business with Darien.  He was undoubtedly very 
mad at her by now.
	She looked as Darien?s door opened.  He came out, only to stop 
suddenly when his eyes focused on Serena.  ?I?um?I thought I heard 
Amy.?
	?You did.  She canceled on you.  She left?with Greg.?
	?With Greg, huh??
	?Yeah.  I think I?ll just go down for some coffee for a while, get 
some air.  I?ll be back.?
	?Yeah, I think that I?ll go to my parents? anyways.  They?ll 
probably be worried if I don?t come??
	?Yeah.  Well, um?I won?t wait up.  See you,? she said, grabbing 
her purse, and walking out the door, closing it behind her.
	She had to think.

	When she thought it was safe to return to the apartment half an 
hour later, she took the stairs, taking her time, rather than taking the 
elevator.
	What a life.  Yes, it was true.  It pained her to live this way, loving 
Darien, and turning the other way, acting as if she could live this way.
	But when Greg proposed?she had decided against the 
proposal?she couldn?t go through with it.  And now, she thanked the 
heavens she didn?t ruin their lives by marriage.
	But that left her where she had always begun, with her feelings for 
Darien.  She sighed, as she reached her floor and started walking on her 
floor.
	She loved Darien.  She could envision a life with him.  But she 
couldn?t envision one without him.  No, getting married and moving away 
wouldn?t be the key.  She could run from, him but not her feelings.  The 
message was then obviously clear.  The only way Serena could possibly 
live a somewhat happy life was to stay with Darien.
	And that left her back at square one.
	She sighed, resigning herself to an eternity of pain and longing.

	?Darien?? she asked into the dark apartment.
	She sighed with relief, turning on the apartment light, noting the 
time to be about six now.
	She sighed.  Microwave dinner and a nice relaxing night in front of 
the TV, watching whatever corny comedy show as on.
	She walked into her room, dropping her purse on her bed, taking 
her pumps off.  She then proceeded to change into a tired old T-shirt and 
sweatpants, and took off the scarf around her ponytail, folding up the 
material, putting it in a drawer.
	She then went to the kitchen, and opened the fridge.  Nothing 
appetizing.
	At that moment, the door sounded.
	?Who is it?? she walked to the door.
	?Wong?s Chinese Express.?
	?You must have the wrong address??
	?No, apartment 508 in 17 and Main.  I?ve got it right.?
	?Oh,? she opened the door.
	She looked back into her apartment, seeing that a present and some 
money and a note had gone unnoticed.  Also, there were a dozen cream 
roses in a vase.
	She went to the counter and picked up the note.
	?I took the liberty of ordering you some dinner.  Here?s some 
money to pay for dinner.  Happy birthday, Serena. Darien.?
	She sighed, picked up the twenty, and gave it to the boy, and took 
the food.  ?Keep the change.?
	As she closed the door, she noted from the wonderful smells that 
Darien had ordered her favorite.  Sweet and sour chicken and friend rice.

	Having finished dinner now, it was around six thirty, and she 
stared at the present.
	So he HAD gotten her a present.
	She took the package, wrapped in cream paper with the gold print, 
and smiled at the dozen cream roses that were on the counter next to it.
	She opened the gift carefully, and unwrapped a hard cover novel.  
?Moon in her Eyes? by Darien Williams.
	So he had just gotten a novel finished.  And he didn?t even tell her.  
strange, she never even saw him writing it, proofing it or anything like 
that.
	The cover was navy blue with a pale full moon at the top, and the 
silhouette of a young woman?s profile was tilted up to it, her eye the only 
thing evident of the woman?s face.  They were blue, with silver sparkle in 
the corners.  The title was in the moon, and the byline was in the silhouette 
of the face.
	She smiled resignedly.  A book.  All the suspense?for a book.
	But probably a good one.  She loved Darien?s novels, even if they 
all were tragedies.  Just like Darien to make her feel depressed on her 
birthday.  She cleaned up her mess in the kitchen, and brought the book, 
and its wrapping paper with her into her bedroom.  She turned on the lamp 
by her bed, and sighed, opening the cover, and reading the flap.
	?A dazzling portrait of society today, and the ideals that we all 
dream of.? 
	?Bestselling author Darien Williams comes back with another 
story of life and love, bringing the story of a young girl named Arenes 
Eroid, who grew to have magic in her eyes?
	Neal Neirad was proved magic to be a farce?for a living.  But 
then, in the middle of an age where cynicism takes society, there comes a 
strange chain of events that give people of a small town hope.
	Neal Neirad comes to this town, in search of answers.  The only 
thing he finds is a young woman, who talks of strange happenings of 
fairies and dreams.
	Aneres Eriod is a woman who had grown up in a world where 
magic ceased to exist, and yet, fought to keep her own.  Now, as the young 
Dr. Neirad comes to disprove her theories, she realizes that the fight has 
not even begun??
	Serena looked at it?strange.  Darien?s story was in modern times, 
a change from his usual tragic science fiction epics.
	She turned a page and read more praise.
	?Williams?s first happy ending will guarantee tears for 
everyone?stunning?a wonderful read.?
	?Williams has outdone himself this time?never have I seen a 
novel so rich of ideals and the need to keep them??
	Serena?s eyes widened.  *His first HAPPY ENDING?  Keeping 
ideals?*
	She turned the next page.  ?To the romantic at heart, no matter how 
hard she tries to kid herself.  Her name is Ridiculous Rena.  Couldn?t have 
a sad ending this one??
	Serena blushed.  *What?s going on?*
	Eagerly, she started to read.

	He entered her room, at noon the next day, opening her door 
quietly, sipping his coffee, and watching her sleep.
	He?d gotten home past midnight, and from the light that seeped 
through under her door, she was apparently awake.  He simply went to his 
own room.
	His parents had given him an hour long lecture on the merits of 
marrying Serena Diore.
	God knew he already knew them all.
	She was so beautiful, laying there among her sheets, his book 
tucked in right next to her.
	He smiled at that.  So she was reading his novel last night.
	He hoped she liked it.
	He thought the hint was more than loud enough in that book?and 
the crafting of the book was very wonderful.
	He had started the book out as an experiment, in which he?d see 
what happened when a girl was so out of the world she thought roses 
bloomed in the desert, and could make them grow so.
	Finally, he found himself attached to the character quite a bit?so 
attached that he saw that a tragic end could not be possible for the fighting 
fairy.
	His publisher had loved it from the first.  She had wanted to 
publish it immediately, but Darien told her to wait, a few months.  And 
now, it was done.  In more ways than one.
	He walked into Serena?s room, and sat at the foot of her bed.  
?Wake up??
	?Darien, go AWAY!? she mumbled.
	?Can?t.  I actually made you some coffee, the right way this 
morning.?
	Serena sat up, still in her T-shirt from last night.  Darien laughed at 
the words, ?Don?t hate me because I?m beautiful!?
	?Well, fork it over.  If you plan on carrying on a sane discussion 
with me you better give it to me.  Wait, the sun?s high in the sky.  What 
time is it?  Did you actually let me sleep in??
	?Yes, it?s noon.?
	?Good?I?m hungry.  Lunch time.  You?re cooking.?

	As they sat at the kitchen counter, eating some PBJ sandwiches 
and chocolate pudding, Serena was very quiet.
	Darien was trying to find the right words.
	?Serena??
	Serena looked up.  ?What??
	?I?m sorry about last night??
	?That?s all right.  I?ll live.  Besides, I think Greg and Amy hit it off 
really well.?
	They ate in silence a little more.
	Darien cleared his throat, catching Serena?s attention.
	They both started talking.
	?Oh, no, you go first,? Darien said.
	?Well?I just wanted to say that I liked your book very 
much?you even let them get together in the end.?
	Darien smiled.  ?Couldn?t see any other way to end a sappy story.?
	?No, it wasn?t sappy.  It was?insightful.  I liked her 
determination.  She never let anything but her ideals take her where she 
wanted to go?and, more than that, people believed in her.?
	?A lesson we all want to learn?? Darien muttered.
	?Did you say something?? Serena asked.
	?No??
	They ate on in more silence.
	?Darien??
	?Serena??
	?You go first.?
	?No, you go first?? he gestured.
	?I was going to say that I appreciate your gift a lot?it meant a lot 
to me??
	?When I wrote it, I discovered a lot of things about myself??
	?When I read it, I did as well?? Serena noted, remembering how 
the reversal of their names made up the character?s names.
	>Ahem?< Darien started.  ?Serena??
	She looked to them.  ?what??
	?I know, you probably don?t want to talk about last night, but I 
think this is important??
	?Do you have to go somewhere?? she asked him, changing the 
subject.
	?What??
	?I mean, you usually are busy in the mornings, and you are all 
dressed up,? she noted his polo and knakis.
	?I went out earlier today to buy something?? he said, 
remembering a small velvet box in his pocket.  ?As I was saying before, 
about last night, I?m sorry I interrupted?really sorry, and after I want to 
my room and thought about it, I just couldn?t make any sense of it.  But 
then, it seemed only natural that I didn?t want you to marry him.  Do you 
know what I mean?  We?ve spent so long this way?seven years.  Serena 
in these years, you?ve become very important to me??
	Serena was about to say something, but Darien put his hand up, to 
stop her.
	?I have to keep on going, because I?m not sure if my courage will 
keep up.  What I want to say is that in these years, you?ve become a friend, 
a best friend, and I?ve come to care for you very much?as a 
sister?you?re closer to me than Amy??
	Serena?s hopes fell, crashed, and burned.  ?Sister?? she asked, 
softly.  She stood up, ?I have to change.?
	?Serena?? he took her arm, stopping her, and forcing her back 
into her stool by the counter.  ?I?m not done.?
	?Well, finish soon?? she said, impatiently.  ?Darien, I have to go 
shopping for some groceries??
	?Look, Serena.  I know that this all sounds kind of strange, but I 
have a point??
	Serena?s heart cried out at his distress, but she wanted to get out.  
*A sister?*
	?The point, is, Serena.  It just kept on bothering me that you 
wanted to marry him, and then I thought about it a lot.  And then I realized 
it; in the past seven years, I?ve fallen in love with you.  You?ve become a 
part of me, of my life, that I just can?t let go of.  I couldn?t let you marry 
Greg, because I love you.  I want you to marry me.  I want you to live with 
me in the same room, and wake up with me, or at least be right there, next 
to me, sleeping peacefully.  I want to take care of you, and I want you to 
take care of me, as we have been.  Serena?I love living like this, with you 
in my life, but Serena, I want you to belong to me, and I want to belong to 
you.?
	Tears were clouding her eyes, and streaming down her cheeks.
	?So, Serena, that leaves me with the concluding question,? he 
reached into the pocket of his khakis, and drew out a velvet box, opening 
it and getting down on one knee.  ?Will you marry me?  Fight with me for 
life??
	Serena looked at the ring.  A perfect diamond, surrounded with 
small rubies.  A promise of a lot of heated argument, fights, but pure love.  
And as she looked into his honest eyes, she could see the promise of a 
lifetime.
	She smiled, through tears, ?That?s two questions??

	She walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, and smiled to 
her husband-to-be.
	Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina smiled in the audience at Serena.  She 
was a beautiful bride.  The white silk and satin made a dreamy white 
cloud, and Serena looked like an angel.  Her smile made her look like the 
queen of happiness.  Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and happiness, 
and love.
	As she came to the end of the aisle, Darien took her hand in his, 
and kissed it, and brought her to the priest.  He stood next to her, tall and 
handsome, in his black tuxedo.
	?Dearly beloved??

The End.