Author: goddessalthena

Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Thoroughly exhausted, Serena collapsed heavily onto a sofa next to Lily. She and Darien had re-entered just as dinner had finished and the Cavanaughs had just begun readying themselves to leave for the evening. Holden had been the first one out the door; evidently eager to make his departure. Considering the fact that Serena had been just as impatient for the evening's end, she couldn't really blame him.

But now the house was once again an ex-boyfriend free zone, and Serena was determined to keep it that way. She leaned back into the exquisite comfort of the sofa and sighed contentedly, enjoying the delicious silence.

"So what was that all about?"

Lily's voice intruded upon her much desired peace and without moving, Serena lazily responded, "What was ‘what' all about?"

"What happened out there with Holden?" Lily clarified, her tone insistent. When Serena showed no signs of providing an answer, Lily probed further. "He excused himself to go to the washroom, but I knew he was going to find you."

Serena grimaced at the words and finally relented and turned to Lily, feeling somewhat annoyed. "Well, if you knew he was leaving to find me," she grumbled, "why didn't you stop him?"

Lily scowled in response. "Hey, don't get mad at me; what was I supposed to do? Tell him he couldn't go? I did my best tonight."

Serena sighed and nodded her agreement. "Sorry Lil, I know you did, and I really appreciate it. I just…really wish he hadn't come out."

"Well, he probably wouldn't have if it weren't for Darien leaving right after you," Lily paused, a sly look forming on her face. "I take it he didn't have to go to the washroom either?"

Serena groaned in irritation and bonked Lily on the head with a nearby cushion. "Don't start singing that tune again Lil; tonight has been enough of a hassle."

"I'll take that as a yes," Lily chuckled and hugged the cushion. "Anyhow, I only asked because Holden looked miserable when he came back in."

Serena let out a low breath and shifted uncomfortably. "He…well, Darien and I were out on the terrace and Holden –"

"Oh my God," Lily interjected excitedly, "he walked out and saw the two of you kissing, didn't he?"

"No, you goose!" Serena grabbed the cushion and used it to cuff her little sister again. "Holden walked out and just started accusing us of…ugh, God knows what. I don't want to talk about it."

Lily's expression fell dejectedly and scrunched in confusion. "Wait, I don't understand. What did he accuse you of?"

Serena shook her head, desperately wanting to avoid the topic at hand. "Lily, I don't know, he was angry. He spouted some nonsense about Darien being interested in me."

Lily's expression turned to one of triumph. "So you were kissing! I knew it!"

"No, we were not! God in Heaven, what is it with you?" Serena snapped angrily. "Holden just went into a tirade for no reason at all."

"But why would Holden get so angry if you two weren't doing anything? That's not like him…" Lily's words drifted off in contemplation.

Serena shifted uncomfortably once more. "Well, I mean…I don't know. I suppose that it might have seemed like something could have been going on…"

Lily snapped back to attention and she raised an eyebrow in askance, "Oh?"

Much to her consternation, Serena felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks. "Well, it's just…it might have looked a little questionable. Darien was rather close, and from that angle…but nothing was going on!"

Lily smirked and had a chuckle at her sister's expense. "You know Rena, there's this river in Egypt…"

Serena's eyes slanted in annoyance. Siblings were really quite overrated; way more trouble than they were worth. She ignored Lily's insinuation and instead announced in a deadpan tone, "I think I'll go to bed before this evening gets any worse."

"Serena, darling, your father and I would like you to join us in the study for a moment."

Too late. A low groan emitted from Serena upon hearing her mother's call from the doorway. She turned to Lily in the hope of some miraculous intervention; her only response, a clueless shrug of the shoulders. She groaned inwardly and turned to see her mother standing patiently with a determined expression on her face. Not ready for what would most likely turn out to be yet another upsetting tête-à-tête, Serena tried desperately to think of an excuse. "Can it wait until morning, Mother? I'm really quite exhausted, and Lily and I were just about to get ready for bed."

"It won't take long, Serena. Good night Lily, dear." Their mother's tone brooked no refusal and she turned and walked off in the direction of their father's study; clearly confident that her eldest daughter would obediently follow.

Serena remained in her seat a few moments longer, willing herself to find the gumption not to obey…but it was a fruitless effort; her role of the dutiful daughter was far too ingrained in her nature. Leaning over, Lily gave her shoulder a quick, comforting squeeze. "Don't go thinking the worst. Perhaps Mama just wants to apologize," she said, in an attempt at reassurance.

Serena gave a weak smile at Lily's effort, but knew better than to put any faith in her words. "Thanks Lil, but if Mother just wanted to apologize, she wouldn't need Daddy." She sighed lightly and added, "No, I have the distinct feeling that it's going to be two against one in there."

Lily cringed faintly in response, no words forthcoming. They both knew that their mother only involved their father in situations such as these, in order to strengthen her position in the matter. While George Davenport could never be described as anything other than a kind and loving father, when it came to their mother's wishes, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Serena shook her head to clear her thoughts and stood up resolutely. She turned to help Lily up and forced a positive expression on her face. "It can't be all that bad," she started, building up her resolve. "It's not like they can force me to get back together with Holden. No, it'll probably just be a tedious lecture and then I'll be finished with all of this."

Lily's supportive smile wavered only slightly unconvincingly and she gave her sister another quick hug before turning and making her way upstairs. Serena could hold her own, she supposed; but this was the first time her sister had ever done something so wholly out of character. It had been enough of a shock for Lily, and she hadn't been invested in the relationship like their mother had been. A wedding between Serena and Holden had been an unspoken certainty for some time now. For Serena to demolish those hopes so unexpectedly…well, she had a feeling that her sister was in for a lot more opposition than she expected. Lily whispered a hushed prayer for Serena's sake as she entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

***

Downstairs, Serena was doing the same as she timidly stood outside the door to her father's study. Darien's earlier words unexpectedly came to mind,

"…you're going to make this night harder on yourself if you're walking on eggshells from beginning to end. Just relax for a moment and you'll realize it's not so bad."

She did relax, feeling a tad foolish for being so anxious. It was just her parents, how bad could it be? With that firmly in her mind she pushed open the door and walked in.

Oh how naïve young minds could be…