As years passed on, Darren would admit that he'd be lying to himself if he said he wasn't having a good time at Aunt Daisy's. Apart from that brief encounter across the mall, there wasn't so much as a trace of Nora in sight. Occasionally, Darren would stare up at night and think about it, sometimes thinking about her well being, before shaking his head and deciding that "the bitch got what she had coming". As much as he wished Nora would change her ways, Darren decided not to get his hopes up. Despite all the shit she had put them through, Darren still felt like his life was worth living, and he'd be damned if he was gonna let her take that away from him.

2,000 years had gone by since they have moved in with Aunt Daisy. Chelsea was on her last year of middle school while little Cosmo was getting ready to enter elementary. Darren still remember the proud yet somewhat sad look on Linnie's face when he dropped him off at elementary for the first time.

"Oh, if only they could stay babies forever", Linnie sighed every time.

Luckily for them, Aunt Daisy didn't live too far from their school, so they didn't need to re-adjust, and whenever Linnie or Daisy couldn't pick them up, Mr. or Mrs. Birch from next door would sometimes volunteer, considering Casey was the same age as Cosmo.

Lately to Darren however, Mrs. Birch was starting to look more tired and weary every time they visited, it seemed like. At first, he passed it off as merely being overwhelmed and stressed from her job, but after a while, her skin started slowly turning pale and sometimes, she'd stare off into space before she answered a question. Her husband also seemed to give her some nervous glances every time she did, and would sometimes sigh sadly if he couldn't get her to speak to him. Though he knew it was none of his business, Darren had wondered if it was even sickness at all? Maybe they're getting a divorce and they're just not processing well?

One evening after a long day of study hall and practices, Darren had seriously hoped for pizza night to still be on, only for Daisy to pass him up as soon as he got through the door.

"Uh...hey Aunt Daisy.", Darren called out, catching her attention.

"Oh sorry kiddo, I'm kind of in a rush. I need to go over and help Carrie out. She needs help cleaning her place up a bit."

"She can't do it herself?"

"No, I'm afraid not.", Daisy frowned sadly, "I dunno what's going on but lately, she hasn't been feeling all of that. The doctors are hoping things will get better soon if she rests, but right now, she's pretty much bed-ridden."

"What about her husband?"

"He's too busy caring for Casey, and trying to get her to calm down since the poor baby's worried about her mama. I'm also gonna check on Barry to see how he's holding up. He's been a wreck since we've last talked. Sorry Darren, I gotta go."

"But we're still having pizza right?"

"If your father says so. He's in charge of dinner tonight.", Daisy said, in an almost scary-serious tone in her voice, "I might not be back until later. I'll see you later, Darren."

Darren's mood immediately turned sour as he entered the house, and the smell of tuna casserole entered his nose, one of his least favorite meals. Meanwhile, Chelsea, who was previously watching TV, crossing her arms and stared at Darren with disappointment in her aqua eyes.

"Pizza? Really? Are you that selfish?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Mrs. Birch is on her death bed, and all you think about is pizza? Like, are you serious Darren?"

"What do you mean on her death bed? She's prob just come down with something. It's no big deal. Stop being so dramatic. Now, what's on right now?", Darren said, sitting down and reaching from his side of the couch, trying to grab the remote before Chelsea snatched it up.

"Uh uh! It's a lot worse than that!"

"Well, I mean we're not related to them, so it's not really any of our business. Not my fault she's come down sick. I mean it sucks, yeah, but this doesn't really affect us. I dunno why you're getting all pissy with me."

"Ugh! You're so selfish! I overheard Mr. Birch talk to Aunt Daisy after he dropped us off yesterday, when it looked like he was about to burst into tears? Apparently, Mrs. Birch's been affected with a virus that has no cure. I don't remember what it's called exactly, but I seriously doubt it's just something you can get over, Darren. Seriously, it's like you only ever think about yourself!"

"Well, how was I supposed to know that?! I don't dive my nose into people's business, unlike you! Why do you give a shit anyways?"

"Because they're family friends, Darren! I guess I should have expected that you wouldn't know, considering you've never had a friend in your life, but friends take care of each other!"

"And what do you think I've been doing all my life! Taking care of you and Cosmo! And you find every chance to critique me or put me down! Who's the selfish one here?"

"I mean, the least you could do is pretend to care, you know. I also heard Aunt Daisy tell dad that there's a very small chance Mrs. Birch will live."

"See, there you go again! Being nosey! Don't you know to stay out of grown people's business?

"I just want to make sure Mrs. Birch is gonna be ok!"

"Well, then maybe ask someone instead of being nosey! If they didn't tell you in person, then chances are, it's none of your damn business!"

"Well I'm sorry I actually care about someone other than myself!", Chelsea snapped, suddenly getting up from the couch. "You know what? You're always going on and on about how you'll never be like Mama, but guess what? You're the spitting image...just as selfish as can be."

At that point, Darren had lost it. He took his right fist and swung at Chelsea as fast as he could, only for her to dodge the attack. He tried for a few more swings until he finally popped her on the right cheek. After the initial wave of shock, Chelsea retaliated by punching Darren square in the eye, causing a loud Yelp that earned Linnie's attention!

"Darren! Chelsea! What on earth are you two doing? Please stop! Now!", he cried as the two kept trying to pull punches towards each other. Cosmo cried while the two other children screamed at each other, calling each other names and telling each other how better their lives would be without each other. After a little while of this, Linnie had enough and stepped in, pulling apart the two kids, and holding them firmly (but not enough to hurt them) while he kneeling down, frowning at the two.

"Alright, now why don't the both of you go to your rooms? I think we need some time to calm down."

"Darren started!", Chelsea whined.

"What? You're the one that popped off to me?"

"Darren I-"

"That's enough, both of you. You know how I feel about fighting. Now go to your rooms please, while I finish cooking. We'll discuss this over dinner."