~The journey had started later than he had wanted, but it wasn't until early evening when his daughter and her friend Emma arrived at the brooks' house all packed for the summer. Another hour was spent packing everything into the van and making sure that everyone had not forgotten everything. Then they had to make a stop at a drug store to pick up sunning lotions and other necessary summer equipment.<br/>Finally the family was on the road with Darren brooks at the wheel of the spacious full-sized family van that was rented particularly for this trip. The weather was not good and by nightfall rain was pummeling at the roof and windshield of the van causing Darren to grunt with frustration while driving and often looking to his wife of six years, Diane, and shaking his head or commenting that,<em>"this is not the best start for our vacation, is it?"</em><br/>Despite the weather and the slow start Darren was determined to have a good time on this trip, and he smiles to his wife and reaches out to hold her hand as he drives then glances into the rear view to get a glance at his kids, who were the main reason he decided on the long, relaxing trip in the first place.<br/>Elliot was asleep in his single seat behind Diane, the boys glasses having slid down the bridge of his nose to tangle in the cord of his i-pod that thrummed in his ears. The boy was handsome, with a shaggy mop of blonde hair that reminded Darren of his first wife, Serena.<br/>Darren was unable to see his daughter who was most likely asleep in the seat directly behind him, but when the father gazes further back into the dark back of the van he sighs softly to himself, noticing the soft, caramel colored legs of his daughter's friend Emma stretched out on the spacious back seat of the van which she had all to herself. HE gives his wife's hand a squeeze as if remdinging himself that the thoughts he had been having recently concerning Emma were not proper. He returns his attention to the road, but after another hour he is still thinking of the young college girl riding along with the family and he turns to his wife while stifling a yawn and says in a soft voice so as to not wake the kids,<em> "I may have to take a rest and let you take over the driving... Think you're up to it in this rain?"</em><br/>Darren shifts uncomfortably in his seat, glad he had at least dressed comfortably and hadn't worn shirt and tie like he did just about every day. His neatly groomed, short brown hair was pushed back and impeccable as always, giving him that businessman image of a well tailored and kept man of money. A few flecks of gray were beginning to show at his temples and he wondered if it was time to hide the gray with some coloring after this vacation. His upper body was covered in a white, short-sleeved collared shirt that was unbuttoned at the top, showing his tanning-salon tan of his chest and the soft dusting of light chest hair tickling his chest. He wore khaki shorts and brown sandles to complete the relaxed outfit - he seemed ready and eager for vacation, and oddly enough hadn't talked business since they left and hadn't used his cell phone at all.~