Chapter 10
Serena hardly got any sleep that night. She really wanted to know the truth about her Mum. She got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Where her Dad was sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
"Morning, love." Raymond said as Serena poured herself a drink of tea.
"Morning. You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep. I felt bad for shouting at you last night."
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does. You're my entire world. I never ever want to make you unhappy."
"You don't, Dad. I just want to know the truth, that's all."
"I know you do. And I will tell you when I'm ready."
"Ok." Serena smiled as she ate her breakfast.
"So have you decided where you want Bernie to take you today?"
"No, not yet." Serena said as she put her spoon down.
"What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I really like Bernie Dad."
"I know you do. And she likes you by the sound of things."
"She says she does. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to be in a relationship with someone yet."
"Sweetheart you have been single for over a year now. And after what happened with Shannon don't you think you deserve some happiness?"
"Shannon didn't think so."
"Shannon was a complete idiot and bully. You are kind, loving and you're beautiful. You're my beautiful daughter. You need to forget everything she ever said to you. Because not one bit of it is true. Are you listening to me?" Raymond said as he held Serena's hands in his.
"Yes I'm listening Dad."
"Good. Get yourself upstairs and get ready for your day out with Bernie."
"Yes Sir." Serena smiled as she stood up and walked to the door. Dad." Serena said as she turned back around.
"What darling."
"I love you."
"I love you sweetheart." Raymond smiled as Serena went upstairs.
"Good Morning Darling. You look very nice." Howard Bernie's Dad said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Do I really look OK?"
"I've just said you do. Sit yourself down and get this down ya." Howard smiled as he put a full English breakfast down in front of Bernie. Then sat down to eat his.
"Dad, I don't think I can eat all this."
"Just eat what you can. So are you looking forward to spending the day with Serena?"
"Yes. I really like her Dad. I just wish she could see what I see when I look at her."
"What do you see when you look at Serena?"
"I see the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. And after her last relationship with the bully. I want to make her feel good about herself."
"By the sounds of it it's not going to be easy."
"I know that. But I will do whatever it takes. Since she first came here to take Mum. I haven't stopped thinking about her. I really really like her Dad."
"Then you go for it with her."
"Thanks Dad."
"Have you got any plans for today?"
"I think I'll ring Raymond and see if he wants to go for a game of golf."
"You should."
"ANYONE IN." Stephen shouted as he and Louise came in the back door with little Maise.
"Morning son. Louise."
"Morning. You look nice Sis. Are you going somewhere?" Stephen asked as she sat down beside Bernie and nicked a sausage off her plate.
"Yes I'm going out for the day with Serena."
"Aww that's nice." Louise smiled as Maise lifted her arms for Bernie to take her.
"Come here to Auntie Bernie. Actually, do you guys mind if I take Maise with us today?"
"You want to take Maise out on your date?"
"Yes. Serena really liked Maise when she saw the other day. And Maise liked Serena. So can I take her?"
"Of course you can."
"I'll go get you her Buggy out of the boot. "
"Come on then gorgeous let's go get Serena." Bernie smiled as she put Maise on her hip. "Say bye to Mummy."
"Bye baby, have a good time." Louise kissed her daughter and so did Bernie's Dad. Before Bernie went outside.
"There's her bag here and there is a change of clothes in and plenty of nappies." Stephen said as he put the buggy and bag in the boot. While Bernie put Maise in the car seat. Stephen kissed Maise and went into the house. As Bernie drove to Serena's house.
As Bernie pulled up outside Serena's she got out of the car and opened the back door.
"Right Maise I need you to help Auntie Bernie to make Serena feel extra special today. Are you going to help me?" Maise clapped her hands making Bernie smiled as she got her out of the car seat and walked up to the front door.
"Good Morning Raymond ." Bernie smiled as Serena's Dad opened the door.
"Morning Bernie. Hello again Maise. Come in, Serena's just getting ready."
"Thank you." Bernie followed Raymond into the house. "My Dad's going to ring you later to see if you fancy a game of golf with him."
"He's already rang me, flower. I'm meeting him in an hour. SERENA, BERNIE'S HERE." Raymond shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm here." Serena said as she came down the stairs. "Hello you two." Serena beamed as she saw Bernie and Maise.
"Hi gorgeous." Bernie smiled as she kissed Serena. "I've brought your little friend along. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all. Have you come to spend the day with me and Auntie Bernie." Serena said as Maise put her arms out for Serena to take her. "Come here gorgeous." Serena smiled as she took Maise from Bernie. Maise put her arms around Serena and buried her face into Serena's neck. "Ahh thank you. That's a nice hug."
"She definitely likes you. So have you thought about where you want to go?"
"Why don't we take this little one to the zoo."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I bet she'd love it. And besides, I really do love the zoo."
"Then we'll go to the zoo."
"Dad, we are going." Serena said as she stood at the lounge door.
"Ok darling. Have a good time."
"We will, won't we Maise? Have a good game of golf with Bernie's Dad."
"I will. Bye love."
"Bye Dad." Raymond smiled as he watched Bernie put her arm around Serena's waist as they walked to the car.