Chapter Thirty-Seven

Unexpected Trip Home

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Day Three of Five

"Come on Dare, you're going to sleep the day away." Serena said shaking the still sleeping man. She looked at the clock: 12:00. "Six hours is enough sleep. Now come on!"

"And what is wrong with sleeping the day away?"

"Come one we should-"

…RING…RING…

"You get up. I'll answer it." Serena said.

"Yah, I'll get right on that." He said turning on his stomach.

She picked up the phone. "Get up you lazy man." She ordered. "Hello?" She said into the phone.

"Everything okay?"
"Yah Mina. Darien is just sleeping…still."
"Oh, anyways sorry to bug you."
"It's no big deal. What's up?"
"Rini's sick."
"What's wrong with her?"
"I think it's the flu. She woke up last night puking."
"Can you please take her to Amy for me? We'll head out on the next flight."
"That's really not necessary Serena."
"But we don't want her getting Brad and Brit sick."
"True. Okay. I'll take her."
"Thanks. Tell her I love her, and we'll see her in a few hours."

"Sure. See you soon."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Serena hung up the phone and walked to the bed again. "Dare, get up. We gotta go home."
He shot up in the bed. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Rini's sick. Min thinks it's the flu."
"I'll get the car, and call the airport."
"You might want to get dressed first."

"True. Can you get our stuff ready?"
"Since we've been living out of our suitcases, I think it'll be easy enough." She quickly threw the few clothes in the suitcases and packed all their stuff.

"There's a flight taking off in an hour."
"I just need to get these in the car then."
"I'll help."

They quickly loaded their stuff and sped off towards the airport.

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"Hello?"
"Hey. We're at the airport. Where are you?"
"We came back to my place. We already took her to the doctor office. It's the flu."

"We'll be right over."
"Okay. See you soon."

"Bye."

Mina heard the phone click and hung up.

"Where's momma and daddy?"
"They're on their way over right now. They just got back."

"I don't feel good again."

"It's okay sweetie. Come on. Let's go to the bathroom." She said leading the small child.

…KNOCK…KNOCK…

"I'll get it." Josh called. He opened the door. "Hey guys. She's in the bathroom with Mina."

"My poor baby." Serena said rushing to the bathroom.

"Thanks a lot man." Darien said.

"Anytime. You should've stayed. It was only two more days."
"But I agree with Serena. We don't want her getting the twins sick."
"I guess your right.

…With Serena…

"MOMMA!" Rini cried running to Serena's open arms.

"Hi honey. How are you?"
"My belly hurts." The small girl cried.

"I know sweetie. It'll get better. Why don't you go see your daddy? He's in the front room talking with your Uncle Joshie."

"Okay." She said running out of the bathroom.

Mina flushed the toilet and walked out of the bathroom with Serena close behind.

"Thanks so much Mina."
"Don't mention it."
"We better head home. I'm still whipped."

"Okay." They walked to the front room to see Rini in Darien's arms talking to Josh.

"Come on. We better get going." Darien said. "I think she's ready to pass out." He said noting the child near passed out in his arms.

"Yah. Let's go. Bye Mina. Bye Josh. Thanks again."
"Yup. Bye guys."
"Bye."
Serena took Rini from Darien and climbed in the back seat. Darien got in the front and started the car. He drove home while Serena rocked Rini.

As they pulled in the driveway, Rini slowly awoke. "Momma, I'm tired."
"How about a nap then?" Rini nodded. "Come on. Let's get you up to your room then."
"Want me to take her?"
"Nah. We're okay aren't we sweetie?" She looked down to Rini…who was already sleeping. "That's my girl. But if you wanted, you could bring up a bowl for her if she gets sick."
"Sure." He sighed.

"Oh honey, she's just a mommy's' girl. Wait until we have the next one. You can possibly have your daddy's boy or daddy's girl."
"Yah, when are we going to get on that?" He asked wrapping his arms around Serena, putting Rini in the middle.

"Let's get Rini better first."
"Fine."
Serena quickly kissed him and headed up the steps.

"My girls." He said walking to the kitchen.

"Darien, back so soon?" Luna asked.

"Yah, Rini's sick, so we came back early."

"That's too bad. How was the honeymoon?" Artamis asked.

"It was beautiful. How did you guys enjoy the house to yourself?"
"It was peaceful. No screaming Rini or you two being goof offs." Artamis joked.

"Ha-ha. Well I need to get this to Rini." He walked out of the kitchen with Luna and Artamis following behind.

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"Momma, where are you going?" Rini asked when the warmth disappeared.

"I'll be in my room. If you need me or daddy, you can come get us."

"Can you stay with me?"
"Sure. I'm gonna get a blanket. You can wait for daddy."
"Okay."
Serena kissed the girl before heading in the hallway.

Darien walked in a minute later. "Where's mommy?"

"Getting a blanket. She's sleeping with me tonight."

"Okay. If you feel like you're gonna get sick tonight, use this." He said placing the bowl on the nightstand.

"Okay. Thank you."
"No problem pumpkin."
"I love you daddy." She said getting up and giving him a hug.

He kissed the top of her head. "I love you too. Now let's get you into bed." He said lifting the small girl."

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About a week later…

"You see, all better already." Amy said.

"YAY! I don't like being sick."
"None of us do honey." Serena said.

"So she's good?"
"Yup."
"Thanks so much Ames."
"Sure, no problem."

"Come on. Let's go get some ice cream." Serena suggested.

"YAY!" Rini cheered walking out of the room.

"See you Amy." Darien waved.

"Bye, thanks again Ames."

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One month later…

Ugh, not again. Serena thought as she shot out of bed. She ran straight for the bathroom and spilled last night's dinner. Rini had to get me sick. She sat with her back against the opposite wall of the toilet.

"Sick again Serena?" Luna asked walking in the bathroom.

"Yah…I have no idea what's wrong…I think Rini got me sick…I did sleep with her almost every night."

"You okay Sere?" Darien asked walking into the bathroom.

"I'm sitting on the bathroom floor ready to puke again. Do you think I'm okay?" She snapped. Darien backed up stunned at his wife's harshness. "God, I'm sorry Dare…I don't know what's wrong with me." She said getting up. She went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "What's wrong with me? I feel like an emotional wreck." She said starting to sob into his shirt.

"Shhhh, it's okay. How about I make you a doctor's appointment with Amy?"

"That sounds good. Maybe she can figure out what's wrong with me."

"I'll go call her."

"Thanks Dare."

He nodded and walked out of the room.

He went to the phone and called the doctor office.

"Good morning. This is Dr. Mizuno's office. How may I help you?"
"Hey Amy it's Darien."
"Hey, what's up?"

"Well Serena's been sick these past few days. You have any openings?"
"I'm not seeing anyone now? Can she come over now?"
"Sure. See you soon."

"Bye Darien."
"Bye." He said hanging up.

Serena walked out of the bathroom followed by Luna. "What time?"
"Now. You want me to drive you?"
"Sure, but what about Rini?"
"She can come. You want to come?" She asked Luna.

"Sure. I'll go wake Artamis."
"And I'll go get Rini." Darien said.

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"Daddy, I'm hungry." Rini complained.

"You guys can go ahead and get some lunch. It'll be a few with Serena." Amy said as Serena hopped up on the examination table. "You might want to take Luna and Artamis with you."
"Okay. Call me when you're done."

"Will do. Bye sweetie."
"Bye mommy."
"Love you."
"Love you too."

Darien walked out with Rini and the basket they often carried Luna and Artamis around in.

"So what exactly are your symptoms?"
"Well for the past few days, I've woken up to the need to puke, and this morning I snapped at Darien. Then I apologized and started crying on him…" She trailed off.

"As for the throwing up? What about the rest of the day?"
"Perfectly fine. I really don't get it."

"I have a hunch. When was your last period?"
"Oh God…uhhh…like a month and a half. You think I'm pregnant?"

"Possibly. It explains the mood swings and the morning sickness. I'll run a blood test."

Amy drew some blood. "The results will only take a few minutes. I'll be right back." Amy walked out of the room, and Serena sat there.

About ten minutes later, the door opened to reveal a grinning Amy.

"God news?"
"Great news. You're pregnant."

"What, really?"

"Yah, here. I'll show you the results." Amy said grabbing a piece of paper from the folder she held and handed it to Serena. "We'll want to schedule an ultrasound to check everything out, and to see how far along you are."
"I can guess, probably a month. Darien and I haven't since our honeymoon. I can't believe I never noticed the missed period.

"So…do you have a particular doctor in mind?" She asked sarcastically.

"Hummm…I don't know…would you be interested?"

"I'll set everything up."
"So that's why I was puking?"
"Morning sickness. Typical in the first trimester."
"Why didn't I have it with Rini?"
"It typically goes away when you enter your fourth month…you were in the coma for the first two and a half."
"Oh yah…maybe I can have a typical pregnancy."
"Hope so. Go home and relax. I'll setup your prenatal exams and all that."
"Thanks so much Ames. I can't wait to tell Dare."
"See you later."
"Bye."
Serena quickly pulled out her cell and called Darien. He then drove by and picked her up.

"So what did Amy say?"

She looked at him and leaned over. "I'll tell you later."
"Okay?"

"Mommy, what's for dinner today?"
"I guess whatever you are cooking."
"I don't know how to cook!"
"Well I guess I could cook dinner then." She sighed then giggled.

"I could help you mommy."

"It's okay sweetie. You still have to finish cleaning the toys from last night."

"Okay." She sighed.

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"Dare, come in here please."

He walked in and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Yah?"

She turned around in his arms. "So you still want your shot at your daddy's boy?"

"You know I'd love to have more kids with you. Rini's healthy now, we should get on it."

"We already have."
"What are you talking about?" He paused. "Are you saying?"

"Yes. I'm pregnant."

He lifted her and hugged her tightly. "That's so great Sere!" He put her back down. "I must be loosing my touch." She cocked her head in confusion. "I mean, I knew your symptoms. I'm surprised I didn't realize it."

"Yah, I'm surprised I didn't realize my missed period."

"You have to be what then…a month along?"
"I'd have to be…that was the last time we-"

"Mommy! I'm done!"

"Okay sweetie."

"Do you know where my Sailor Moon shirt is?"
"It might be in the hamper in our room."
"Can you help me find it?"
"I'm cooking dinner. Why do you need it?"
"Please." She begged. "I really want to wear it."
"Go ahead. I'll finish dinner."

"Thanks. Come on Rini. Let's go find your shirt."

The two walked upstairs while Luna followed.

"Mommy, why does Luna always follow you?"

Serena looked back to Luna and squatted down. Luna jumped to Serena's shoulder. "Not sure. She's like my guardian kitty. Huh Luna?" She pet the kitty's chin, and Luna meowed.

"She's so pretty." Rini said holding out a hand to pet Luna.

Instead of Luna smelling Rini's hand, she jumped on Rini's shoulder.

"She's never done that before." Rini giggled.

"Well maybe she'll start being your guardian kitty. How about it Luna?"

She looked to Luna who meowed.

"That's my girl. Come on. It's probably in the hamper of stuff that needs to be folded."

"Okay."

They walked to Serena's room. Serena found the hamper and started to look through it while Rini went to Serena's closet.

Rini was looking through her mother's clothes when a golden box caught her attention. The box had two markings on it. One was a beautiful crescent moon and the other was a perfect red rose.

"What's this?" She asked herself grabbing the box. She sat down and opened it. The first thing she saw was something golden that she recognized from her shirt and other Sailor Moon things she had. Some other things in the box she also recognized. A golden bracelet, a rose, some small, crystal ball, and a picture. The picture was of all the scouts and generals along with two kitties that resembled Luna and Artamis.

Luna walked in the closet and saw what Rini was doing.

Rini spotted Luna and held the picture to compare the two cats.

Luna immediately ran out of the closet and to Serena who was still looking through the hamper. "Serena, Rini found your box." She whispered.

"What!? Oh crap. Why-"

"Mommy, why do you have these?" She asked holding a few of the items from the box.

"Oh, uh-"

"Serena, Rini. Dinner is ready." Darien called from downstairs.

"I think your shirt is in the wash." She said carelessly taking the things from Rini. "Tell daddy I'll be down in a minute."

"Okay." Rini said before turning to the door and leaving.

"I can't believe she found the box." Serena sighed going to the closet to put the items Rini grabbed away.

"It's okay Serena. She'll eventually forget about it."
"You know, sometimes I miss those days."

"Why?"
"Well I don't miss the fact that innocent people got hurt, but I miss fighting against the monsters, defending the innocent, you know…all that."
"I know. Come on, I'm hungry."

"Me too." She said as they both walked downstairs.

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Serena and Darien were just lying in bed after they put Rini to bed. Serena sighed.

"What's wrong Sere?" He asked pulling her closer.

"Remember the box in the closet?"
"Yah. What about it?"

"Rini found it today while we were looking for her shirt. She looked through everything. She found your bracelet and rose, my broach and crystal, and the picture."
"I never thought she'd find it."

"You don't know the worst part."
"What would that be?"
"She asked me about it."

"What did you say?"
" 'Oh, uh' then you called us down for dinner. You really saved my butt."

"Guess so. Now let's get some sleep. I'm whipped."
"Okay. Good idea." She said snuggling closer into Darien's warmth…if it was possible.