**The safe house in Arizona June 2005**
Serena and Darien walked the circumference of the silvery lake in companionable silence. They sat watching the water birds move in waves over its serene surface in search of prey.
Darien sighed and stretched, allowing his arm to slip about Serena’s shoulders and she automatically moved towards him. It was almost summertime. June was only days away.
The blossoming plants and the scurrying of wildlife in the underbrush, the clouds of multi-colored butterflies, the melodic cascade of songbirds was intensely evocative. Darien whispered into Serena’s ear, "It’s so amazing. I love coming here and it is so much better with you by my side, Sere."
"Darien, I have a confession to make… I think I am getting attached to this place more than I thought I would… You know," she said mischievously, drawing her knees under her chin.
"Just this place...?"
"And a certain absolutely wonderful, kind and lovable…good-looking and caring…" She found herself moving without a second thought into his embrace, the movement of their hands and the great need to lose themselves in one another putting aside all other considerations as they gave into their desire.
He had been redeemed through Anne and now he was given the fire of love as the ultimate gift, Serena. His heart exploded as they deepened their kiss and made love on the banks of the lake as all nature chimed in with the movements of their hearts and hungry bodies.
**Cherry Hill County at Dr. Ami Mazumo’s rooms August 2005**
Serena shook herself, looked at Ami and tried to say something, but couldn’t, "What is it, Sere. You look as white as a ghost," Ami told her, taking off her gold framed glasses and frowned.
"I remember… I know where the documents are that incriminate Diamond and the lot! You see, when I was that little eight-year-old girl hiding under the kitchen table, I had overheard it all…they discussed their plans to trick mom into joining their cartel and ceasing control by contriving an insider trading scandal as well as linking her to Diamond’s underworld activities and making it so she was the only one accused. The threatening letter came from Kaori Diamond and Hotaru was sent to spy on my mother and keep an eye on things for the Black Rose clan. It all makes sense… Come on Ami, session over, we’re going to the house! "
~*~
Ten minutes later, Serena opened up the house in which she had grown up. So many memories, good and bad, the familiar rooms that whispered their timeless secrets, the voices of her younger self, her brother and parents and the smell of the polished wood beneath the thin layer of dust took her back in time.
Ami held her hand as they walked up stairs and entered the study. Serena crouched behind a bookcase and removed a panel. Covered in a shroud of silvery webs was a strong box. The documents were inside. She cleared away the webs and took out the large metal box that she later handed to Mina with all the proof they needed to shut down Diamond Corp and have it liquidated.
She had watched the thirteen-year old Hotaru Tomoe put the papers into the box and hide it in the secret compartment. But until recently, her mind had blocked access to this deep-seated memory.
~*~
The trial of Alexander Diamond, his cartel executives, and almost all of the members of his IMF clique were found guilty of a host of offences. Diamond received twenty years, and was lucky not to end up on death row. But because he gave evidence for the prosecution, he was given a lighter sentence. Over 500 people were charged from everything from petty theft to murder and drug trafficking, almost everything in the statute books was listed.
After the trial, Sibyl and a changed Beryl came to live with Darien and Serena in a beautiful cottage abutting the main house. It was the perfect arrangement. Beryl would eventually marry a kindhearted man who bred horses on an adjacent property and had hinted as much to Serena. The two women got along famously, and Serena accepted she had changed and after her father’s funeral, the two women embraced and became friends and Sibyl was glad of that.
Sammy had changed significantly. He had quit Silver Corp and joined the marines. After serving in the Middle East and North Korea in 2009, he returned home and took a position with the Cherry Hill City Council. He married Tulia Stewart, an old high school sweetheart who was working as a secretary in the planning department and they were celebrating the birth of their second child, Mayetta -- her older sister, Clare was overjoyed to have a baby sister.
Chad and Rei had only just tied the knot and were spending there honeymoon in Ontario Canada and the second leg of their trip would take them to the Caribbean for two glorious weeks of sun and fishing.
Lita married Ken and their son, Max was a frequent visitor to the Shields household. Mina remained single, but had her eye on a handsome detective from California.
As for Ami, she was enjoying her single life and wasn’t quite ready to settle down, but she was -- keeping out an eye – as she described it to Serena in the back yard of their beautiful estate.
Serena and Darien were married on her twenty-fifth birthday. She was pregnant with their second child. Rini was as excited about the baby as her cousin Clare was and couldn’t wait for the birth of her new brother or sister.
Luna and Artemis -- not to be outdone – were proud parents of five beautiful kittens.
~*~
After pushing Darien’s feet off the desk, she patted her stomach, "Luck you say my dear husband. I think they would have had a hard time keeping me off the board even if I sat there and gave birth during the AGM! Darien Shields, you can be so infuriating," she giggled as he reached for her and pulled her into his lap.
"Hey meatball head lets eat. I was only kidding. Congratulations, I think Silver Corp will be an exciting place to work, especially with your good maternal self at the helm and your faithful husband as head of security and member of the board… I truly am grateful," he said, kissing her neck.
"Hey, almost forgot… Melvin and Molly are coming over for tea… Beryl is bringing Sibyl and we are going to have a great night…so my dear Darien lets go home, K? "
