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Got Milk? Chapter 8 BY; Hell's Huntress (DawnVampiress@aol.com)
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" Hello, " Mina greeted the moment she stepped inside the hospital room. Sunlight poured inside and it was almost too bright for her to see clearly. Squinting, her eyes fell upon Serena's still sillouhette gazing out the window.

Serena turned around and smiled gently. " Hi. "

" I came here with some rolls...they used to you be your fav-...I mean, I figured you'de like them," Mina bit her bottom lip. It's been about nine months now since Serena got pregnant. The baby was due soon and this only built up more anxiety within Darien and everyone else who knew Serena. They'de visit her everyday, yet most of the time they'de always forget the one rule they were suppose to follow....never speak of the past around Serena. It would be too much for her to handle.

Serena looked at the plastic bag Mina carried which she set on a coffee table.

" Oh, and I also brought you some milk, " Mina smiled while setting a carton on the table as well.

Serena smiled. " Thanks. The hospital ran out of milk and I badly need it. "

Mina grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with the white liquid. Even with amnesia, her cousin never failed to skip out on her favorite beverage in the world. " So how's the baby doing, " she asked while handing Serena the cup.

Serena took it gratefully and took a long sip, allowing her tongue to savor the cool taste. " She's doing fine, " she smiled.

It was a girl.

Doctors managed to take an ultra-sound of the baby a month ago, and they managed to determine the child's sex. It wasn't going to be long before she bore her child.

" Have you named her yet, " Mina asked anxiously.

For a month since she knew the child's gender, she's always asked her cousin what she wanted to name the child. Yet Serena never did come up with a name. Darien couldn't come up with one either. The two were like strangers even after all this time, and if he suggested a name then what would Serena think? That he was the father? Well he was, but she wasn't ready for any of that yet.

" Serenity, " Serena stated.

" What? "

" I want to name my child Serenity. "

Mina blinked. " Serenity? That's a really unique name..."

" I know. Even I don't know if there are any other children in the world by that name. "

Mina knew. Serena's mother was named Serenity though she died long before Serena turned seven. Mina remembered her very clearly. Serenity was like a second mother to her and probably the best mother for Serena. She wouldn't be surprised if there turned out to be a connection between the two.

" Why Serenity?, " Mina walked over to Serena to help her sit down. Her cousin's stomach had grown so big that she could barely walk.

Serena managed to sit down on the bed with a sigh. Sweat was actually pouring down her neck.
" Because....I just feel as if I knew someone before by that name. I just felt like it. Besides, my little girl hardly kicks....she just moves around a bit and kicks softly a few times. She seems like a gentle child so Serenity fits her....you don't think that's a bad name, do you? "

" Oh no, it isn't. It's a beautiful name and I think your baby will like it. " Mina smiled.

" Thanks....you're a great friend, " Serena smiled back.

Mina's smile faded. Friend? That's always the word Serena used around her...friend. Never cousin, at least not for a long time. Perhaps she knew how Darien felt...except in a different way.

" Something wrong, " Serena took note of her friend's sad face.

" Oh no, nothing...I was just wondering what her nickname would be, " she lied.

" I don't know. Maybe Serena too....or maybe Rini. I think I'll just leave that up to you guys. Sometimes nicknames just fly out of people's mouths and they don't even plan on it. We'll just see what you guys start calling her. "

" Alright. "

Silence followed the room. Mina's eyes were downcast while Serena seemed to be lost in deep thought. Her throughts traveled to her baby whom she was going to see very soon. Then her mind flew to Darien....who was he? Why did she feel as if she knew him, but why were they like strangers around each other? And why did he always look stressed. He had Barbara so why....

Barbara. Serena's eyes narrowed. She didn't like that girl's attitude. She always pretended to smile while Serena could see through her all along. Barbara seemed to always flirt with Darien during all these months but he never really seemed to take interest in her.

Serena's through left that cold name. Why should she care about Barbara? Just the sound of her name sent goosebumps down her spine. Perhaps she should start focusing on a better question. Something that she's always intended in finding out but never told anyone. Something that perhaps Mina might know.....

" Mina, " Serena's voice broke the silence.

Mina's head jolted up. " Yeah? "

" I wanna ask you something. "

" Go on. "

Serena seemed to hesitate for a moment. She was beggining to think it was silly of her to think of such a thing but then again, what did she have to loose? " Do I.....do I have a-a family, Mina? "

Mina's heart seemed to rise with hope and shatter in depression all at once. Of course you have a family, Mina's mind screamed. Your family's right in front of you, Mina cried inwardly. It pained her to see Serena in a state in which she didn't remember anyone. But then again, she couldn't tell her anything about the past.

" Well yeah, Serena. You do have a family. "

Serena's eyes seemed to sparkle. " I do? "

" Yeah.....they're always in front of you. "

" What do you mean? The doctors told me they don't know who my family is-"

" The doctors are wrong. I'm your family, Serena. Lita's your family, Rei's your family, even Andrew's your family.....and so is Darien. "

Serena's smile faded. How could she tell Mina that that wasn't she meant to ask. How could she tell her that she did look at Mina and the rest of them as a family, but she was looking for someone related by blood?

" Um....thanks Mina. You are my family, " she smiled weakly.

Mina knew what she thinking. She was right. Mina and the rest of them were her family and she just gave out the truth. But Serena didn't know it. Perhaps the doctors were right. Maybe she couldn't handle the truth yet...not in her state. She'll probably just have to figure things out on her own.

" Just look for your family within you Serena. I'm sure you'll find them, " she smiled. " So, I'm going to work now. I'm gonna visit you again later. Do you want me to bring you something on my way back here, " Mina changed the topic.

" Sure....if it's not too much trouble. "

" No, of course not. What do you want? "

Serena bit her bottom lip. " Um...cheese sticks in peanut butter, " she blushed.

" Alright, " Mina giggled at her cousin's cravings. Being pregnant must make people want the wierdest foods in the world.

" Okay, I'll get you some. "

" Thanks Mina. "

" You're welcome. I'll see you later, " Mina bid good bye before turning toward the door to leave.

Serena smiled and weatched her "friend's" form retreat out of the room. She could've smiled since Mina bought the time to visit, but something made her stop...

A horse seemed to suddenly kick her, causing her to nearly double over in pain. Her breathing slowly became ragged, as she grabbed the nearest bed covers and slutched onto to it tightly, hoping the pain would go away. But it didn't.

Sweat began to pour down her neck as she seemed to feel more horses kicking upon her. It wasn't long before she let out a pain-filled scream...

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" Hello, " Darien spoke into his cell's receiver upon hearing it ring for the sixth time.

" Hello, Darien... "

A small chill rose to his spine. He cringed at the sound of the voice, knowing whom it belonged to. A small frown caused his brows to knit together. He gripped the his phone tightly as a strong urge began to creep upon him, willing him to just hang up...

" How are you, dear? "

" I'm fine, thank you very much Barbara. I've been having an okay day until now, " he bit back sharply.

" Oh, poor baby's feeling bad. What's wrong?, " she cooed annoyingly.

You! Darien's mind screamed out. However, self control got a hold of him and shut his mouth before he said anything. The woman on the other line was obviously too dense to know the answer to her question, so he might as well not make things worse.

" Nothing, " he replied flattly.

" Nothing doesn't sound right. You don't have to lie to me-"

" Look, I have to go. Work awaits me, " he forced the words out through gritted teeth.

A small sigh came from the other line. " Alright then. See you at dinner then, baby? "

" Dinner? We're not having dinner. I never said we would...never had dinner. What makes this time any different? "

" But- "

" I gotta go. "

" But I reserved- "

" Well that's not my problem is it? You never discussed dinner with me, and I never agreed to anything. I never will. So cancel whatever you saved. "

" Fine! I'll talk to you later, then? "

" Barbara...I have important clients whom I am going to converse with on my phone later. "

" Alright then. No dinner...no phone calls...why are you so harsh?, " her voice began to crack as she began to put on another crying act. " It's just not fair. You're always so cold when all I do is try to make you feel better. What's wrong with me? Do I do anything wrong? Tell me, baby. This hurts me so I have to know- "

" Barbara, the last thing I need right now is a stupid little act on this shit. Stop it. You're talking about nonsense. I never said anything about what you've planned for me. "

" Exactly. But you surely show bad feelings toward me. Why can't you just-"

" Barabra, we've been over this numerous times. Just please stop it. I've had enough. "

" But- "

" Good bye Barbara. "

" Wait....don't hang up! Oh, fine! Be that way! Bye! "

Darien let out a small sigh of relief before opening his mouth to say something once again. " Oh, and Barbara..."

" What, " came her squeaky voice.

" The name's Mr. Blake to you, " he replied sharply before hanging up, a small smile playing upon his lips. That got her to shut up.

Darien let out another sigh of relief right before hearing his phone ring again. Frowning, Darien cursed in frutstration before turning on his cell.

" What do you want now, Barbara?!, " he barked.

" Darien, it's Mina...."

The anger within him slowly faded as relief began to take over. However, his relief was not going to last. " Oh, sorry Mina. I thought you were someone else. Is something wrong? "

" Darien, I have some important news...."

Anxiety suddenly seemed to fill him. Important news? " What important news? "

" It's about Serena...."

Darien's heart suddenly pounded within his chest. A part of him cried out that perhaps Serena had regained her memory, but the sound of Mina's voice killed all rays of hope within him.
" Serena? W-what about Serena, " his voice nearly cracked.

" Darien, Serena needs you at the hospital now. "

" Why?! "

" She's having your baby tonight...."

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Author's Notes: Cliffhangers! =O Don't you just hate then? Well, at least I managed to get this chapter out, as I promised for this week. Hopefully I'll be able to start on chapter 9 soon.

Thanks again to all those people that have been so nice as to pay me compliments. I appreciate all your generosity in doing this and I am eternally gratefull. Thank you very much.

So I must take my departure for now. I shall see you all nextime and Happy Valentine's Day!!

P.S. Out of curiosity, do any of you have a valentine? ^^'' Just curious