That Simple Magic
Chapter Ten: Double the Trouble
"Oof- that's the last one," Darien grunted as he shoved the box filled with my shoes through the door. Sammy and Daddy had left only a few minutes ago. Sammy had gone because he had another date and Daddy because he couldn't manage to remember the reason why he wasn't allowed to mangle and crush Shields into gazillion smithereens.
"Today was tough work," I sighed in agreement. My feet were propped up by a few cushions on the coffee table and I had sunk deeply into the plump pillows on the couch. My companion snorted derisively.
"Tough work, huh Meatballs? I don't recollect you doing anything."
"Not true!" I protested. "You're still alive aren't you?" Darien rolled his eyes. Obviously he wasn't as properly appreciative of my effort as he was supposed to be. Next time I'll spare my voice and let Dad rip him up.
Hah, who was I kidding? I couldn't do that, I was too much of a gentle person. The cushions on the couch shifted and Darien settled down next to me with a sigh. Despite my gut saying never! You lie! I felt a twinge of pity for mine enemy. He had been working hard all day just for little old me.
"Do you want to watch the news or some boring history program?" I asked in an effort to reach out. Darien turned his head and regarded me through lidded eyes.
"Sleep," was all he mumbled before his entire body drooped and he collapsed. A tiny snore emitted from his mouth. Smoking shish kabobs! I had never known anyone, excluding myself, to be able to fall asleep in two seconds flat. One nanosecond he was looking at me and grumbling nonsense and the next nanosecond, he was dead to the world with his head pillowed on my shoulder. Strange… but then, I've seen stranger. For instance there was that television program where this girl and this guy- ahem, never mind.
A fuzzy, fleecy feeling curled in my chest and a smile crept over my face. The situation was certainly different from my regular, run of the mill life. But if I was going to live with one Darien Shields, I might as well get used to it- right? Because boy oh boy, I could definitely get used to this. Not to mention the fact that if he just so happened to drool on me, it would be excellent material for blackmail.
What? Did you really think my character was just going to change like snap?
Fortunately for Darien, my eyelids started feeling heavy and I rested my head on top of his (it was only going to be for a second! I swear) and drifted away.
"Serena, open up this door!" came a muffled voice, followed by a timid knock. A brief scuffle later: "Gerrof-hey, that's my hair you're pulling!"
There was a thunderous pounding noise which echoed through the apartment. I woke up with a snort. As I blinked my eyes rapidly in an attempt to focus, I noticed that Darien was still sound asleep. I couldn't believe that he could actually sleep through that entire racket!
"Huh?" I announced intelligently to the unconscious room. I spit out some fluffy black hair that had found its way into my mouth… just so I wouldn't accidentally eat Darien's head. I mean, you never know with these things.
There was some more banging. "Meatball Head, I know you're in there!" Rei's obnoxious shout effectively banished the cobwebs from my cloudy mind. With a grunt, I rolled the sleeping man sprawled on top of me to the side and made an attempt to get up. Unfortunately, gravity seemed to have other plans. I fell back onto the couch after the tenth try to leave its cushy confines.
"Darien?" I whispered, listening to the fervent raucous outside the door. If allowed to continue the way she was going, Rei was likely to burn down the door in a fit. I nudged my roommate. "Come on Shields, you zombie!" Finally I just gave up. Sorry girls, I guess you'll just have to come to me. It was too bad about the door.
"TSUKINO!!"
"COME IN!" I roared in response. Less than five seconds later an irritated Rei, accompanied by a mildly ruffled Ami appeared. I sniffed the air. "Hey, is something burning?"
"Rei melted the lock," Ami rolled her eyes. "I told her that working her powers was a fire hazard and could disrupt the balance between the elements in the mortar of the complex, ultimately bringing the building crashing around our ears but would she listen to me? Oh no!"
Uh right. Whatever you say Ami. "Yeah, okay, right," I agreed noncommittally. Rei took this opportunity to open her big mouth and start one of her infamously long rants when she took a good look at me and started to snicker.
"What?" I demanded frantically as Rei's snickers escalated hysterically. Rei shook her head and gasped for air.
"You couldn't get up, could you?"
"What's your point?" I pouted. At this, her laughter reached unparalleled heights. Oh please, it wasn't that funny. I'm sure hundreds of people have gotten stuck in couches before! Even Ami chuckled a little bit. "Well jeez," I grumbled, putting as much disdain into my voice as possible, "why don't you help me up instead of leaving me to rot?"
"Oh I don't know Serena," Ami sighed, a wicked twinkle glittering in the depths of her eyes. "You and Darien sure look cute cuddled up on the couch like that!"
"You!" I fought against the couch to lurch to my feet- and lost. I collapsed backwards again. "You take that back or else Ami!" I shrieked. Some people mistook Ami for being a nebbish sort of individual but I knew better. Wow, nebbish is a cool word. Let's say it again: 'nebbish.' Hee hee, whoo boy.
"Now Serena," Rei said in what she apparently thought was a soothing voice. Like anything she said was going to sooth me. Did she think I had missed that high five she had just given to Ami?! I may be blonde but I'm sure not blind. "You need to calm down. For the baby's sake."
"Baby?! I'll baby you!" I growled. Of course, the threat was pretty ineffectual by dint of the fact that I couldn't get up. I'd work my way around that handicap in time. It was time to take out the big guns. I made a furtive glance at Darien. Now, if I was to be successful, he was going to help me out. If he didn't decide to help me out, my plan was doomed. I knew that there was a definite possibility that Darien would prove uncooperative and just laugh but that was a chance that I was willing to take.
"Hey, did you see that sky today? Talk about blue!" I said in an effort to distract the two fiends.
"Yes, Sere, riveting," Rei replied in what one could only call a VERY sarcastic tone. She and Ami exchanged glances. Seeing my chance, I seized the moment and my elbow swiftly found its way to the softer flesh in Darien's relaxed gut. Although, to be fair, it wasn't really soft.
"Argh!" Darien yelped, leaping from the couch and almost knocking Rei over.
"Ow!" I exclaimed, holding my elbow. But I let the bruised elbow go in case I missed an opportunity. "Quick, Darien, help me out of the couch so I can beat Rei to a pulp!"
"Huh?" Darien asked groggily. Okay, so obviously neither of us was very intelligent when first awoken.
"Oh ho ho, I don't think so Meatball," Rei crowed. "Come on Ami, let's bust on out of here. Catch you later, Mrs. Loverboy!" She grabbed hold of Ami's arm and quickly towed her out of the room, past the smoking remains that was formerly a lock, and out of the building. She really left because she was scared silly of me. I'm serious! It was.
"What was that about?" Darien asked, yawning and scratching his head.
"Nothing," I sulked, slouching further into the new bane of my life: the couch. "My life is ruined, that's all. Call in some take-out, would you?"
It had happened again. "Darien!" I yelled, in the wee hours of the morning. I was trapped by my own bed. A thump! came from the other room.
"You called?" He appeared with a disgruntled expression on his handsome face. There was a red mark on his cheek from where he had been sleeping on top of a wrinkle.
"Help me?" I begged with my best pout. "I really need to go to the bathroom." True, this was the third time tonight that I had woken up really needing to go to the bathroom and sure, Darien could supposedly hold a grudge against me for that. On the other hand, this kid was half his.
"We really have to think of a better solution to this," Darien frowned as he shuffled across the room to assist me out of bed. I ruffled his already messy hair.
"Thanks shmoopsypooh," I grinned as I held onto his shoulders for support. Once I was up, I made for the bathroom with as much speed as possible. Darien followed at a more sedate pace and dawdled in the kitchen until I had finished. I glanced at the clock when I returned: a cheerful two o'clock!
"So, um, Mr. Shields," was the beginning of my roundabout apology.
"Miss Tsukino?" he paused with a jug of orange juice in midair.
"You aren't going to swig out of that are you?" I demanded suspiciously, allowing myself to get sidetracked. No! Bad Serena! "Oh um, not that it matters," I added quickly, seeing his dangerous expression. "I just wanted to say," ergh, this was awful, "sorry."
Darien blinked and then blinked again like I had said something that had completely boggled the mind. The orange juice bottle hadn't moved from its place over his mouth. His face was starting to turn red. Finally, he ripped away the jug and started to cough. "Care to repeat that, madam?" he asked mischievously.
By this time, my face was much redder than his. "I said sorry, twerp," I growled. Sheesh, you try to be nice and then all of a sudden it's this MONSTER-SIZED deal.
"Say it again," an infectious grin spread across his face and his tone sounded like a petulant child.
"No way buddy," I crossed my arms. "I don't think so."
"Come on Bunnykins," his twisted grin stretched wider across his face. "You know you want to."
"I think I don't," I retorted, childishly sticking out my tongue.
"Not even for Tuxedo Mask?"
That's it! I'm never sharing any details of my past crushes until I know who the person is behind the mask. Man was I dumb for ever letting that cat out of the bag.
"Shut up!" I grumbled, grabbing the orange juice container and taking a gulp from it myself. Then I shuffled over to the refrigerator, replaced it, and slammed the door. On a side note, I always find slamming doors, hitting pillows, throwing cats, and pinching people excellent vents of anger. With that in mind, I shuffled on over to Darien and pinched him.
"Ow, what was that for?" Darien demanded, cradling his arm. He shook himself, as if reminding himself that he was Tuxedo Mask and things like pinches from girls weren't supposed to bother him. Yeah, right. If I ever got Darien minus coffee he would be crying like a babe.
"Since when do I need a reason? You're just you," boom bam baby, I was just churning out these retorts. He grunted.
"Well, I've decided that you should sleep with me if you continue to need help getting out of bed," he announced, raising his eyebrows at my flabbergasted look. Frantically I pushed the idea of a razor out of my mind again.
"WHAT?" I squeaked in a good imitation of a mouse. "Are you insane?!"
"It's not as if I'd try to take advantage of you," Darien proclaimed airily, earning a death glare for his nonchalant tone. "After all, we all know where this situation started from."
"Oh sure, blame it on me mister," my jaw hurt from being clenched so tightly. My mood didn't improve when I felt a kick coming from inside of me. If it wasn't already obvious, I could tell who the father of this child was. Already out to get their own mother and they hadn't even reached the teenage years! "As if I had any control out of that stupid, miserable little crystal."
"You know, suddenly I've a yen to toss you out of the window," Darien crossed his arms, "but unfortunately I don't want to break my back. Stop being ridiculous, the bed is big enough that we don't even have to touch unless it's me shoving you out of the bed so you can go relieve your bladder."
Too good to even say go pee, I thought darkly. Sure, 'go relieve your bladder.'' "Don't think for one second, buddy that you'd even get away after pushing me out of the bed. I've got connections; they would hunt you down before you even made it to the Arcade."
A snort was his smugly eloquent rejoinder. "Suit yourself Meatball Head but I'm not getting up again to help you to the bathroom. Good morning."
And do you believe what that jerk did next? He turned around, returned to his bedroom with an exaggerated sigh of relief, and CLIMBED BACK INTO BED! Good grief, what is a good girl like me supposed to do in this sort of condition? Because I'm sure not going to let myself wet the bed at this age, let me tell you! I mean, surely Darien couldn't possibly really mean what he said, correct? Nobody's that heartless. I wouldn't put it pass Darien though, he has that spiteful streak in him. Hey, just because I'm the only one who has ever witnessed it- no, it's true! Grrr.
After a good two minutes of useless dithering, I growled. Darien was already lightly snoring; I could hear it through the opened door. Fine. If that's the way he was going to play this game then so be it.
I softly pattered into his bedroom and managed not to stumble over anything in the dark. I managed to get into the right side of the bed since his snores told me pretty accurately where he was. Now for my plan of attack; I kicked my cold feet through the warm blankets and they landed right where I wanted them to: on Darien's shins.
"Hey!" he yelped with a start and as he recoiled there was a great fwhoomp! Darien switched on his bedside lamp so that he could narrow his eyes accusingly at me from his seat on the floor.
"What?" I shrugged, feeling perfectly comfortable. "It was your idea, not mine!" With that, I propped some pillows around me and went to sleep.
"Hello darling," I cooed to the chubby little bundle in my arms, "yes, aren't you precious? Mama woves you, yes she does!" My adorable, rosy cheeked little boy gurgled and blew bubbles at me. He had sleepy blue eyes underneath a tuft of ebony hair. Yes, what a handsome boy!
"Serena, have you seen my silk tie anywhere? The blue one?" Darien asked, buttoning up his shirt as he walked barefooted into the kitchen. He stooped to place a kiss on my cheek and I smiled in spite of myself.
"Did you check the hanger?" I asked with as innocent a face as possible.
"Of course I did," Darien grumbled, running a hand through his hair so that it was rumpled just like his son's. His appearance was gorgeous as usual, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants that I knew personally were tailored to his shape perfectly. "What do you think I am, an idiot?"
"Nooo," I drawled out, careful not to look at him so that a giggle wouldn't escape. I shifted our baby's position so that his head rested on my shoulder, freeing the other arm.
"Okay Meatball Head, what did you do with it?" Darien folded his arms, his blue eyes searching me.
"What makes you think I did anything?" I inquired, the wide grin on my face obviously looking suspicious.
Good morning Andrew…
I blinked briefly; Darien's image fuzzed out and then reappeared. "Serena, I need this client if you want to buy that monstrosity of a gift for Mina for her wedding party."
…wake us up… it's okay… what?...
"Oh yeah," in my mind zoomed a quick picture of a colossal basket of goodies and a giant orange bow. I had the vague distinction of a shopping trip searching for it.
…yes, she's right next to me… asleep… WHAT?!... oh no buddy…. Umm hmmm….
"Spill, Bunnykins," Darien commanded. "I know you're up to something. Dimitri is telling me."
"What?" I squawked. I eyed the baby I was holding. "That's not fair! You aren't allowed to read Dimitri's memory!"
…of course I won't tell her… let the girls know…
Won't tell who?
What girls?
What in the world is going on around here?
"Hunghr," was the first word out of my mouth as I opened my eyes. It must have been an automatic reaction because I wasn't really feeling hungry at the moment. With a lot of effort, I managed to flip onto my back and see Darien on the phone beside me. He was leaning drowsily against the pillow and every so often his words would slur slightly.
Wow, did I just have a weird dream or what? There must be something in this room that causes weird stuff like that.
"Good morning," Darien said, his eyes flicking to me. "Drew, can you hold on for a second? Thanks."
"Somphin' goin' on?" I asked. So apparently my vocal skills weren't at their peak early on in the day.
Darien covered the mouth piece of the phone with a hand. "Lots. Molly Fitzpatrick called around eight to say that everything's going smoothly at work but there is a folder of stuff you need to okay. Your dad also called," he winced at the memory, "I didn't mention that you were sleeping right next to me, thank goodness. Andrew is on the phone right now and he says Ami wants us to meet her at her office at two so that she can do a check-up on you and the baby, and Rei's wedding rehearsal is in the evening."
I looked at the clock which read 11:28 in neon red numbers. "You don't have to work today?"
"I took a vacation for the next week, hold on," Darien uncovered the mouthpiece on the telephone. "Okay Andrew, everything's all set. I'll call you back later, alright? 'K, talk to you later." There was a dial tone and then Darien hung up the phone.
"Okay, are you ready for the plan of action?" he asked, with a wink. "Don't say yes unless you really mean it."
"Wow, you really take these 'plans' seriously," I rolled my eyes. "Bring it on, baby."
I slouched in the front seat of the Darien's car, grumbling under my breath. Things had been off to a rough start ever since the beginning when he stole the shower away from me. I was forced to putter around in the kitchen and sip orange juice while the JERK took his OWN SWEET TIME singing in the shower. And I mean singing, literally, at the top of his lungs- just to rub it in that I was sitting with a bathrobe on and yucky hair because it hadn't been washed yet. After that, he insisted on taking me out for breakfast (which was really more of a "snack" since we were eating at one and then going out to lunch with Ami.) Well! You'd be surprised how many places don't serve breakfast meals at one in the afternoon!
We could have gone to Andrew's arcade because at least my good, loveable, friendly pal Andrew would have given me scrambled eggs and bacon in the afternoon. But oh, no, apparently Andrew was "Too busy" for us to stop by. At least we ended up going to the BBB again so I got a delicious pastry. That is beside the point though!
Hmph. That wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was when we visited Silver Moonbeams Ink, let me tell you.
We walked into the lobby and of course Darien acted like a gentleman in public (he couldn't ruin his image now could he, the shower stealer!) In his nice, gentleman-like way, he opened the doors for me as if I couldn't handle pushing a door handle myself. I'm pregnant, not a pile of noodles!
"Serena!" Molly rushed over as soon as we entered the building. She looked very attractive and slim today in her crimson pant suit today. Damn. Behind her trailed the eldest of her evil brood, an eight year old named Maegan who had had it out for me ever since we met (she was four at the time and had stuck her gum in my hair after I said she was adorable. Hah! See if I ever make that mistake again.) You may laugh but you have noooo idea the trauma little girls can cause! I should know, seeing as I was one of them.
"Molly!" a real smile plastered my face; I had missed my gossipy secretary! My third mom! Tears rose in my eyes as I hurried to give her a hug.
"You're fat," Maegan announced carelessly, crossing her arms and glaring at me. My jaw dropped so low I swear I was eating the dirt on the ground.
"Maegan," Molly, who had been smoothing her hand over my stomach in a motherly caress, paused to admonish the demon child. "That is not polite." The demon child just shrugged. As subtly as I could manage, I tried to check to see if she had a forked tail.
Nope.
I wouldn't trust that though. It was probably just hidden by her skirt.
"So," Darien cleared his throat. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Fitzpatrick, as always."
"Likewise," Molly hastened to agree, sticking her elbow into my side to say 'see? I told you he was charming.' Poor, misguided fool. "Mr. Shield, may I introduce you to my daughter Maegan? She has no school today so she's tagging along with me."
"It's wonderful to meet a young lady as beautiful as you," he added to the devil-spawn. DS blushed.
"Th-thank you," she stuttered. Oh no, this was too rich! That twerp had a crush on Darien! I barely refrained from snickering.
"So Molly, you said you had the layouts for me?" I asked, only the smallest hint of a giggle escaping into my voice.
"Oh yes, of course," she shook her head. "Mr. Shields, would you mind watching Maegan for a few minutes while Serena comes with me?"
"No problem," the vile man said easily with a wink, "it will be good practice for when our baby gets older."
"Ew," Maegan scrunched her nose, "you're having a baby with her?"
Huh! Why that little- grrr. I'll grind her bones for my bread.
"Meatball Head's not that bad once you get used to her."
"Meatball Head?" I could hear the way her voice picked up with interest at the nickname. Note to self: Kill Darien. Luckily for Darien's personal safety, I didn't hear the rest of the conversation since Molly and I had walked into the floor's break room.
"Serena, he's so gorgeous!" Molly exclaimed in a whisper that was as loud as speaking regularly as soon as we had entered the break room. "You sure caught one of the best fishes out there."
"Um, right," I said in a non-committal tone. When I became Queen of the World (only a matter of time since I was the Moon Princess! What? You don't think so?!) I would make it mandatory that every citizen attended an informational meeting that said "DARIEN IS EVIL. YOU DO NOT LIKE DARIEN. HE IS BAD. BAD!!!" Clearly, it would help to get rid of all the confusion and help the poor deluded souls who thought he was a good guy back onto the smarter path. My path.
"Here you are!" and Molly handed me a several heavy folders stacked with glossy photos and papers a foot high. I grunted as I attempted to balance the papers against my belly. Or maybe I just grunted because that was the time when someone decided to kick me from the inside out. It's sort of unnerving, having that happen to you.
"Urgh, thank you." If I died in labor, at least no one could ever say I wasn't polite.
Oh my goodness. I never thought of the danger in giving birth.
WHAT IF I DIED?
No Serena, no, you're just being foolish, I sternly reminded myself. Besides, standing right next to me was a woman who had given birth four whole times and she was still breathing! Although how she managed to do that with Miss Devil in the lobby was beyond me, that's for sure.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Ms. Fitzpatrick, but Serena and I really must go," Darien entered the room right before I began to have a nervous breakdown, Maegan trotted along behind him with starry eyes. Insert giggle number one here. Deftly, Darien took the pile of work from my weak arms and the pipsqueak scowled at me. Time for giggle number two? Yep, I think so! Take that Maegan! "We have an appointment to be at and we cannot afford to be late, I'm afraid."
"Yep," I agreed, "it's urgent. Utmost importance, what a shame we have to leave but what can you do? Thanks a bunch Molly! Lovely to see you again, Maegan."
"You betcha!" Maegan put on her angelic face. I ground my teeth again and grabbed Darien's elbow, virtually dragging him out of the building. I turned my head to toss a triumphant look at Maegan and she sneered at me before she returned to her 'I am perfect' face.
Some people might thing me immature. Hah! I spit in your face! If you had to deal with this…inhuman thing… you'd understand.
"Boy am I hungry!" I announced as we headed into the parking lot. "The sooner we get to Ami's the better!"
"That's for sure," Darien's forehead had was beaded with sweat. "I think I'm going to need some therapy soon."
"Why's that?" I asked curiously. Then I realized I was just setting myself up. "And you better not mean because of me buddy!"
"No way! I'm talking about that girl, Maegan!" he shivered. "There must be some mental trauma from a kid like that." Wow, how astute of him. Maybe Darien wasn't as bad as I had previously thought. Perhaps I should change the informational meeting from 'DARIEN IS EVIL' to 'MAEGAN IS EVIL'? Nah. I'd better just make it a two for one deal.
"Darien, Serena," Ami greeted us, quickly ushering us into her cozy little office with five different filing cabinets. I'd get lost pretty quickly trying to deal with that mess, that's for sure. "My Serena, you are getting large."
"So I've heard," I retorted sourly while Darien snickered. "I couldn't tell when I couldn't get out of the couch." Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't be bitter over that still, did you? Hoo boy, I wasn't getting over that baby until I managed to get my revenge. Muwahahahaha!
Ahem. Anyway….
"So are you going to be doing a check-up, Ami?" Darien asked as he settled into a chair. Ami perched on the edge of her desk.
"Yep, only this time I'll be using this handy dandy item!" she waved her little blue computer left over from the days of Sailor Moon kicking butt and vanquishing evil like nobody's business along with her trusty mascots, I mean scouts, and her sidekick Tuxedo. Uh, right… you know, I think Ami's been hanging out with us for too long if she's starting to use words like "yep."
"So do I need to be standing up or may I sit?"
"Go ahead and sit down," Ami said and I plopped down into the chair next to Darien with relief. We exchanged weary smiles. My feet were absolutely killing me here! Ami frowned as her computer blinked and started emitting high pitched beeps. "Hmm, this is odd," she muttered to herself. "Actually, Serena, I think you need to stand up for this."
That was a little strange. Position had never really mattered before to Ami's computer.
"Hmph," I grunted. "I wish you had told me this before I sat down." I attempted to climb out of the chair. "Hey darling face, a little help here?" I demanded of Darien who was smirking at me. Jerk.
"Of course, sweetie pie," he murmured with a cruel wink. I'm positive that man lives just to aggravate me. "Hurgh, umph, ah!" he lifted me out of the seat.
"That was totally exaggerated and you know it!" I yelped once I was standing again. We made faces at each other but since Darien's face is so weird anyway (not) he won. I turned my back to him with a sniff. "Is this okay Ami?"
"Um, yeah," Ami said. Her face started to turn pink. "Oh boy, you are going to kill me Serena for not warning you of the possibility…."
"What possibility?!" I screeched, horrified. "My poor baby's not deformed because of that stupid crystal, is he? Ohh," I growled. "What I wouldn't do to that crystal if I could!"
"Uh no, that's not it." Ami studied her computer carefully. I was starting to get impatient enough to whip the computer out of her hands and try to analyze myself. Darien was looking concerned as well.
"On one hand, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you are due any day now," Ami informed us.
"Any day?" I exclaimed. "Like even today?!" What in the world were we going to do? We hadn't even been crib shopping! Damn it, why hadn't Darien thought of this? He was supposed to be the smart one around here!
"That's not all," she accidentally let loose a giggle, "oh Serena, if only you knew."
"Knew? Knew what?!" I yelled. "Tell me before I go into early labor!"
"You're having twins."
… uh….
…ergh…
…woa…
Well really, what was I supposed to say to that after she dropped such a bombshell? Our faces were identical in disbelief as Darien placed a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Are you sure?" he inquired.
"One hundred percent positive." I half turned into Darien's embrace and he looked down at me. A beautiful smile slowly slid across his face and onto mine.
"If we have two daughters I will laugh and laugh," I smirked.
"I'll be the one laughing when we have two sons!" Darien lashed back, his smile never leaving. With that we both laughed and laughed, and then laughed some more.
For the record, I'd put money on my prediction.
Well, I mean, it is my prediction.
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Author's Note: Extra points to whomever recognized the quotes scattered throughout the chapter, heehee! Oh gosh golly darn, this chapter took so much longer than I expected to come out. I want to apologize for the belated chapter and to all the people who I e:mailed saying that this would be up before the new year: SORRY!!! I'm so bad! All the wonderful reviews and the e:mails I was getting really succeed in making me feel happy and guilty at the same time (guilts a good thing though: I write more when I get guilty!)