Serenity paid the cab driver and trudged up to the backside of her mansion. It was 9 o'clock at night and her family might have just completed their dinner. Her appetite was gone and she didn't have any wish to face anyone at the moment. Still, she had to inform her parents of her arrival, so she reluctantly walked into the main building, straight to the dining room.
"Oh, sweetie, you've come back? Sit and have dinner with us, " said her mom, coming forward and hugging her.
"No, mom. I ate on the flight," she lied. She just needed the privacy of her room.
"Are you okay? Is your work in San Francisco done or do you need to go back?" Asked her dad.
"Done, dad. Can we talk tomorrow, please? I'm too tired," she said and everyone stared at her. <
Liam returned home from college and decided to call Alexander and demand an explanation first before leaving for his work. He entered his bedroom and closed his door.He dialed Alexander's number and waited for him to pick up the call. After five calls, when he still didn't pick up his phone, Liam gave up and got ready for work. He was already late so he left within fifteen minutes. The rest of the day Liam was too busy with work and everything else escaped from his mind. He returned home dead tired at dinnertime. At the dinner table, a fresher-looking Serenity was sitting down, having her dinner. His dad looked happy and his mom looked very excited."Am I missing something?" He asked everyone."We just informed Harry about Serenity's decision. They're coming over tomorrow evening for the engagemen
The next morning a more exhausted Serenity was pampered with a relaxing beauty bath before getting her ready for her wedding. She closed her eyes and allowed Kathy to do as she pleased. She wasn't interested to see how she looked. Dreams that she shared with Alexander regarding their perfect wedding day played on her mind and fresh tears appeared in her eyes."Don't cry, sweetie. You can always come and stay with your parents. I'm about to do your makeup. It'll be ruined," Kathy said, wiping her tears lovingly.Her mom came into the room and looked at her. She hugged her to her chest. "Every woman gets married and lives with her husband, sweetie. It's nature's way. You can always come home to us, visit us but we'll be happy to know that you're happy with your husband," she explained to her.Serenity nodd
Sandra helped her calm down with a clear lemony soup. She felt drowsy and dozed off to sleep. Sandra quietly left the room and called Laurence to inform him.Serenity woke up feeling much better. It was late afternoon and Serenity couldn't believe that she had slept for so long. Sandra came to check up on her after fifteen minutes."Feeling better?" She asked and Serenity nodded at her. "Can you go downstairs to eat or should I bring something for you here?" She asked with concern."My head's spinning. I don't think I can go down, " she said, apologetically. Her new family might find her behavior a little odd but she couldn't possibly go downstairs in this condition."No problem, Serenity. I'll get you something to eat, " she said with a smile.
Alexander at last felt relieved. The whole of last week had been a nightmare for him. He boarded his flight from New York back to San Francisco. On his way to the airport, he had bought for himself a new mobile after his last one fell from his hands and broke down. He didn't get time the whole week to do anything but look after his depressed sister, Paige. Paige, who was three years younger than him, was Mark Orbitz's daughter. Alexander loved her like his own little sister.So when she and her husband Brandon Crosby left their home in San Francisco after a fight with Brandon's parents, Alexander sheltered them in his home on Clay Street. Paige was pregnant with twins and was prescribed bed rest due to complications from her pregnancy. They both were worried and very stressed so Alexander gave them their privacy. Although he wanted to take Serenity home, he couldn't. He didn't wish to disturb Paige a
"Alex stop, I beg of you," Lucas shouted, his voice gone hoarse from the constant yelling at Alexander to stop."Stop, I love you, Alex. I won't let you do this," cried Lucas, running as fast as his legs could carry him. He knew that he was no match against Alexander's strength but still he blindly plunged into the ocean to save his friend.Alexander didn't listen to a word Lucas said. He had lost the will to live. He didn't have anyone to live for. The ocean beckoned him and he wanted to embrace it and unite with his parents in heaven. He wanted to ask them why they brought him into this world? To live like a piece of trash, unloved and uncared for?Colton along with Grant from the surf school along with two lifeguards patrolling the area rushed to rescue Alexander. They saw Lucas trying to swim after A
Serenity tested positive when she tried the home pregnancy test kits that Laurence got for her. They decided to wait for a fortnight before announcing the news of her pregnancy to his family. Serenity hid her nausea well and went downstairs often to bond with her new family.After a fortnight, they announced the good news to everyone. His parents were the happiest people on earth. Laurence took Serenity to a good gynecologist. When Serenity's parents heard the news of her pregnancy, they sent Liam over to Laurence's house to see her."You have been sick since the day of your wedding. Tell me honestly whose baby it is, Sera," said Liam when they were alone in her bedroom. Laurence had gone to work and after meeting the whole family, Liam went upstairs to have a word with her.Serenity stared at him
"You both know that I've never divorced my Aria. She still carries my name. You have faked her signature and prepared false divorce papers to get me remarried. I didn't object as it was your last wish, mom. But now that your health has improved, I can't stay in this marriage any longer," said Laurence with a fierce conviction."Yes, I want a divorce too. This was a mistake that I've been repenting for the last few months. I want my children to know their real father, " said Serenity."What can we say when you both have already decided," said his mom, her face flushed red with indignation. Serenity felt that it was a strange way of expressing her happiness. Her own granddaughter had been found and yet how could she look kind of angry?Laurence's dad didn't look happy either hearing their announcement. Lau
After Three Months"Mom, Dad, please I need to join work. Nancy's there to look after the twins. I'll express enough milk for them to last for at least four hours and then go to the office. Please," pleaded Serenity. She hadn’t been able to re-join work ever since she had returned from San Francisco, a year back. With the able nanny, Nancy Smith looking after the twins, Serenity was bored out of her mind."Not yet, Sera. Your body needs to recover. Regain your strength in three more months and then you can re-join work. But not at the moment, " said her mom strictly.“At least I can freelance from home. I’ll go crazy, mom,” she pleaded. Her mom considered it for a moment.“You can talk to your dad about that. If he agrees, I don’t have a problem
9 Months LaterSerenity devoured the sundae that her heart had been craving to have and grinned happily at Alexander. For the last nine months, she had been having weird food cravings and Alexander had obliged her to the best of his abilities. He had transformed himself and had become a very good cook, putting all of them to shame. Serenity couldn’t have asked for a better life partner and she was glad that she got a chance to see this side of his character.He was very caring always but the way he selflessly cared for his family was something she had never seen anyone do. He took her to every doctor visit and took out time to make her a diet chart to follow every day. Not only their unborn baby, but the way he cared for Adriel and Alexa was also applaudable. Her parents had arrived last month and even they couldn’t help but praise Alexander’s efforts. The tw
Two Years Later"Sera, we're leaving with Alex for our surfing classes," yelled a fifteen-year-old Walter."Pwetty pease, ucl Water, can we goo too pease?" Said two-year-old Alexa, with puppy dog eyes. Walter picked her up in his arms. She looked so tiny compared to his five feet eleven inches in height."Not today princess. Today we have a test," he said and she stared at him with hope."What s a tes ucl Wiill?" Asked Adriel, looking up at William who was of the same height as Walter."It is something to check if you're learning or not," he explained.Alexander came out of their bedroom, dressed up for surfing. He kissed Serenity's forehead, "Take care, Serena. If you need me just call, ok?" He said.
She walked to the reception party in the garden. A huge white tent-like structure was made under which everyone was gathered. The entire area was decorated using natural tones like sandy beige, white and gray complemented by bright purple and lavender. Bouquets and centerpieces were also kept simple and featured white roses, vibrantly deep purple tulips, and lavender sprigs.The 20-foot head table covered in a white cover was lined with real white and neutral sea coral as well as floating candles and lavender ranunculus. The chairs were covered in white with lavender bows tied around them.Her eyes searched for Alexander who was enjoying a drink with her brothers, Lucas, Liam, and Tyler. Mark, uncle Colton, uncle Ethan, and her dad were laughing loudly with their better halves sharing jokes. It was a completely different scene from her last reception part
On the day of the wedding, Alexander was whisked away to Lucas's house by Liam, Walter, and William much to his dissatisfaction. He had imagined watching her getting ready for him!The men were all getting ready at Lucas's house so that the women could get ready in peace at Serenity's house. Aunt Kelly, River, and Carmella helped Serenity get ready. Nancy, Violet, and Valerie's nanny, Mary looked after Valerie, Ryder, and the twins. Last night Mark Orbitz and his family arrived and they were accommodated at Colton Young's house. Serenity met Paige and felt glad that her misunderstandings had been cleared.They would all directly go to the chapel. Alexander had requested a first look and Serenity agreed. River and Carmella fixed her hair into a braided updo, beautifully secured with sequin pins. She wore a 3D lace applique, sleeveless wedding dress w
After breakfast, Alexander received a panic call from Lucas. Violet's water broke and she was in pain. They were rushing her to the hospital. He informed Serenity and asked her to call her parents and rushed out. Serenity called her parents and informed them. They would reach the hospital directly. Serenity couldn't leave her babies and go see Violet. She would have to wait for Alexander to return home. She waited patiently the whole morning for an update.At lunchtime, Walter and William came over to her house to inform her that Violet had given birth to a healthy baby girl. They had all decided to name her Valerie, as it contained the letters V for Violet and L for Lucas. Violet was fine and would be released the next day. Lucas, Liam, Alexander, and their parents were all there with her at the hospital. Their parents would return back to Lucas's house while the three men would take turns to
Nancy came into the nursery with a smile the moment Alexander went out. She helped Serenity to switch the babies.After they were done, Serenity went to Alexander's room to freshen up for dinner. However, to her immense embarrassment, Alexander sat at his desk on his laptop. The moment she walked in, he looked up at her. Serenity’s cheeks colored profusely as his piercing gaze swept over her body. “Umm, I’ll just change out of this,” she said awkwardly. Alexander nodded silently, his eyes not leaving hers for even a second. There was a strange electric current in the air around them and the se*ual tension was too much to bear. Serenity picked up her clothes and rushed into the en-suite to change as Alexander’s eyes followed her around. She changed into a navy blue A-line, chiffon, sleeveless dress and walked out into the bedroom. Alexander’s eyes again took h
Alexander carried her all the way and up the stairs much to her embarrassment. "Lex put me down. I can walk, " she said, her cheeks flushed and hot. Did he forget that Nancy was inside somewhere?"No, I want to carry you," he said stubbornly, glancing at her and winking. She rolled her eyes at him but her heart was beating faster and faster with every step that he took. She wondered where he was carrying her to. With his admission came the realization that she had unnecessarily misunderstood him. He had always loved her. If she hadn’t been so stupid, they would have been married by now."Alex, where do I keep Serenity's stuff?" Asked Grant, coming up behind them with Serenity's luggage. She wriggled to get down but Alexander held her tightly, not releasing her at all. Serenity’s cheeks colored profusely.
It was a wild, searing kiss that heated her whole body. His tongue plunged into her parted mouth and he tasted her like a hungry predator, not able to contain himself anymore. His arm left the wall and went around her waist pulling her closer and crushing her against his hard body. His tongue played with hers, making her surrender completely to the intense and wild kiss. His body was already on fire, his kiss was full of passion too and it melted Serenity to the core of her heart. He was all she'd been craving the whole of last year. Now that he was with her, she couldn't help but hold him close. Her fingers tangled in his silky hair as she moaned into his mouth. He kissed and kissed her more till she was completely breathless."Oh, God, I've wanted to do this for so long," he said in between kisses. She couldn't move out of his arms, not that she wanted to. Her knees had turned to liquid. He had tha
"Let them come in, Alex," said his mom. Alexander helped Serenity with the strollers. She came inside and sat in the living room. His mom poured over Alexa and Adriel, cooing at them, making them gurgle with pleasure."Oh, aren't they cute? They must be quite a handful," she said, picking up Alexa in her arms. Alexander took Alexa from her arms and held her to his chest, nervously so as not to hurt her."She's so tiny. What's her name?" He asked, slowly rocking Alexa. She snuggled into his chest and Alexander felt choked with emotions at her behavior. He felt a strange connection to her and he had no idea how."Alexa," said Serenity, her cheeks coloring a little. Would he realize the connection?Alexander looked at her, and at Alexa. He was confus