Title: Our Lullaby

Author: Marie J.W.

Chapter: CHAPTER ONE

Rated: PG

Email: [email protected]

URL: www.clik.to/mariejwchan

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Summary:

    It all started on a rainy night in June when Lady Serenity ReCinny of the House of Chesterfield ran away from her home, her rich life and the ones that she dearly loved… And all for what? …A baby.

    This story is about a woman who sacrifices everything: her family, her best friend and her joy of life all for one little infant who doesn't even know her own mother.

AN: This is an alternate reality that takes place in the early 1800's. This is a Serena/Darien fan fic.

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         The sky poured down thousands of wet raindrops all over the Chesterfield estate. The lush green grass was barely visible through the thick sheets of water falling from the dark gray sky. The thick forest green trees in the distance swayed and brushed up against each other as the wind pushed and pulled them from side to side.

     I stood in front of the large bay window in the parlor, still wearing my light blue day dress and blue slippers. I stared out the window as I held my bag of clothes up against my chest. Can I do this?

     I have to do this. The wind picked up making me shiver in my spot on the dark blue rug. I bit my lip and looked away from the window to look around the dark lavishly furnished room. This parlor was once my mother's special place, the one room I could always find her. She often sewed, crocheted, embroidered or read in this room. She loved this room, the way the bay window opened to the extremely large back yard and the way the light beamed into room, brightening it natually. She would sit, watch, and hum lovely songs to herself, songs I had never heard 'till she sung them.

     She is gone now, such a beautiful Song Bird taken by the fever.

Swallowing hard, I pushed the feelings away and concentrated on crossing the large clearing before me. I had to leave before my father returned that evening. I had to leave all of this. I didn't want to but I had to… I was scared to leave my home but it was my only choice.

     I wiped the tears from my cheeks, "I have to leave…"

     Quickly scurrying out of the room and to the equally dark kitchen and found myself looking at the kitchen door that would finally lead me to the unknown. I straitened my shoulders and bit back my tears. I couldn't stay here and that was final. If father found out what happened… No, I couldn't think of that. And what of Darien? My resolve faltered. My best friend. Tears threatened but I quickly shook them away. He will understand. He has to… I can't stay here, if he knew… if he… no, I can't face him again, not after that night… I felt so ashamed and so sick. I wish I had never gone to that party… I wish I had never gone.

     I can't fix the past so I'll take care of the future. It's for the best. I quickly flung open the door. The cold rain came at me full force, taking my breath away. I sucked in some air and plunged into the night. I have to do this… if not for myself, then for the only man I'll ever love.

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      …Eight Years Later…

"Rini get back here! You must get ready before your father arrives! Rini!"

     I watched as my elder sister, Lady Ellie Starant, in all white and blue ruffles and petticoats chase a small seven-year-old blonde girl around the mansion. It was a ridiculous sight if I must say. I frowned at Rini's game. The child was definitely spoiled. If my sister would just put her foot down more than once a week I'm sure Rini would learn to be a good little girl but no, Ellie always left the disciplining to me, that's how it had always been. Unfortunately, I can't be home all the time.

     Ellie finally stopped half way up the stairs. She turned to find me staring at her looking quite calm, "Serenity!" She whispered frantically, "Please, make the girl behave!"

     I sighed and turned my gaze to the little fairy. She stared down at her mother through the stairway railing with a large smile on her pretty little face. She was obviously thrilled that her mother had run a marathon trying to catch her.

     "Rini, come down here at once and obey your mother," My lips formed a thin line as I looked disapprovingly up at her.

    Rini looked at me and frowned, "I don't have to mind you! I want to go ride Ally!" She pouted and held onto the railing firmly. I sighed; the girl could be so stubborn… much like her father.

    "I will not have you behaving so… What would Lady Mina say if she saw you?" I tried a different tactic. Rini looked up to my best friend Lady Mina Revolli and considered her a goddess of some sort. I mentally shook my head at the notion. It was utterly ridiculous. Mina couldn't be a goddess if she owned all the jewels in the world, she was too silly headed for that sort of thing.

    "I want to ride Ally," Rini stomped her foot then looked pleadingly at her mother, eventually adding tears to her act. I rolled my eyes as Ellie sighed in sympathy and nodded.

   "Oh… alright, sweetie, go play but don't take too long," Ellie relaxed and once again looked like a perfect lady. I quickly became upset. Ellie cannot keep letting the girl get her way! Rini on the other hand was ecstatic that she got her way. Her tears immediately vanished as she quickly ran down the stairs hugged Ellie then skipped down the hall towards the stables where her dear little pony Ally was kept.

   "Ellie!" I snapped as my sister began to make her graceful way back down the stairs, "She will never learn to obey when you keep giving into her. It just makes her more of a brat."

    "Serenity, really," Ellie sighed, "she's just a child, let her do as she pleases and when she grows, then she can-"

   "Spoil her own children," I frowned, "We agreed at the beginning of this that you would bring her up to be a lady… not a… a hoodlum!"

   "You are exaggerating," Ellie gracefully tucked a strand of her pale blonde hair back into her elegant hair twist before looking around the mansion, "at least this time she didn't break anything."

    I swear my eyes popped out, "Excuse me! How can you say that?! Ellie this is not-"

   Suddenly Ellie's brown eyes weren't passive anymore. She was glaring at me, "At the beginning of this I also told you to stay out of her life! She's not yours anymore, Serenity. 'I' am her mother now… remember that." With that said, she swiftly turned around and left me standing shocked and hurt in the hallway.

  I swallowed hard to keep from choking on my own tears.

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      Later that night, Rini was sent to bed early. John Starant sent her to her room for her lack of table manners and for not coming when called for dinner. Rini threw a fit but unlike earlier that day, she didn't get her way. However, I didn't quite approve of John's way of discipline. He yelled all too much at the girl and he even threatened to whip her if she didn't do as she was told. Of course, I intervened and pushed Rini up to bed before the man got out of control. Rini cried all the way up to her room.

     "Why does papa hate me?" Rini looked up at me for answers. Tears were still streaming down her face. I ignored her sad eyes and did my best to remain impassive and cold towards her. I pulled out her nightgown and headed towards her, "Hands up."

     She lifted her arms and I helped her pull off her pink day dress. She sniffed under the material before I quickly pulled the dress over her head, "I wish I were prettier, and then maybe he would like me."

    "Being pretty has nothing to do with it," I quickly put in as I slid her nightgown over her head and around her body, "its manners and treating your elders with respect. The way you acted downstairs was uncalled for… I don't want to see it again, Miss Rini."

    "I only wanted to stay with Ally," Rini stretched out so I could take her shoes off, "He was lonely today."

    "You were with him all afternoon; I hardly say he was lonely. Besides, it's ridiculous to put your pony before your father," I put her shoes away and closed the closet doors. Turning around I found Rini staring at her hands. What was she thinking? My heart went out to her. She was only seven years old for goodness sakes, what was going through John's mind when he threatened to whip her? Suddenly I wasn't so calm anymore. I will have a talk with him tonight; I will not have him loosing his temper like that.

    "Time for bed, Miss Rini," I moved towards the bed. Rini looked up at me before turning around and crawling towards the top of the large queen size bed. I pulled back the fluffy pink covers and she slipped in, snuggling her little body under the thickness of her blankets. She laid her head down and looked up at me.

   "Do you like me, Aunt ReCinny?"

I blinked before quickly recovering, "I like you well enough, Miss Rini." My throat was tight. I wanted to tell her everything, everything I like and love and cherish about her. I wanted to reach out, pull her in my arms, and rock her to sleep like I once did… I wanted to comfort her and make her feel like the center of my world, for that is what she is… my world.

   However, instead, I gave her a tight smile and said, "Goodnight, Miss Rini," then left the room.

   Tears slipped from my eyes as my lips trembled. I hugged myself as I quietly made my way towards the stairs. Today was a trying day that was all. There was no real reason to cry. Everyday I faced Rini and her strange questions. Everyday I longed for her love and her hugs… today was no different, so why should I cry?

  I sat down on the stairs and stared at my lap. I felt so alone. When was the last time someone said, "I love you" to me or when was the last time I said that same thing to anyone else? When was the last time I was held and cherished? When was the last time I felt taken care of instead of the other way around?

  I wanted to break down and cry just then… I felt so alone. However, as I remembered Rini's sky blue eyes staring up at me I held the tears back. If I cried she would hear and come running. No, I couldn't let her break down my barrier. It was there for a reason, for a good reason. If I broke down she would find out and it would break her heart that her mean old Aunt was her mother.

  When was the last time I was called… "mother"?

To Be Continued…

AN: Okay, that's it for now! I know, I know, I have two other stories that I should be working on but I thought this up the other night and I just HAD to write it! You'll like it! It's got mystery, romance, and revenge! Hehe… well, anyway, please review and tell me what you think. It's a little weird with Rini being blonde with blue eyes but it's an alternate reality taking place in the 1800's, I don't think it would be a good idea to have Rini with pink hair and red eyes. That would be a little weird. Until next time!