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Got Milk? Chapter 9 By: Hell's Huntress (DawnVampiress@aol.com)
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Silence filled the air. Only the faint sound of Darien's anxious footsteps, the wails and sobs of other people, phone calls, emergency sirens, nurses and doctors calling out to each other, and soft words of comfort could be heard.

The faint smell of alcohol entered Darien's nostrils as beads of sweat trickled down his neck. His heart thudded like a stick beating upon a drum. His hair was matted to his neck while his strong limbs carried him as he paced around in front of the delivery room.

Darien, Mina, Andrew, Ken, and Lita had arrived two hours earlier, right before Serena was rushed to the delivery room. The baby was due that evening.

He was going to be a father. Just the thought of it made his hope rise, but something always managed to pull it back down. Father of who? Father of Serena's baby? How could he be the father of the child she would soon have when she didn't even know him? How would he explain things to her or the child? Besides, in Serena's condition, what if she didn't make it alive after the baby was born? What would he do when the child has arrived, and what about Serena? Didn't he have to be a husband as well as a father?

Mina wrapped her arms around her shoulders while Andrew placed his own arms around her. Darien envied them. How was it that Andrew managed to be a good soul mate for Mina, even after only being with her for three months, while he couldn't even be a good boyfriend to Serena? Wasn't he suppose to prevent the accident? How could he expect to be a good father when he couldn't even be the good husband Serena deserved?

Darien's ears picked up the faintest sounds. Nurses speaking over the intercom, doctors discussing medical tests, loud sirens ringing outside.....but there were no baby cries. The only baby cries he heard did not belong to his own daughter. For one thing, no one came out from the delivery room to bring him the good news.....or bad.

Lita sighed heavily as she stared at the celing. Her eyes fell upon Darien while another sigh escaped her lips.

" Not excited I see, " she stated.

" Why should I be excited when my child's and wife's lives are in danger?! I shouldn't even call her my wife....."

" And why not? "

" Don't you see, Lita? Serena has amnesia because of that car accident. I could at least have been there to push her out of the way. "

" And what? End up getting hit yourself? That wouldn't help Serena at all. Knowing her, she'd rather get harmed than have those she care about be placed in danger. Seeing you injured would only hurt her more than she is now. "

" Well, I could've jumped out of the way as well. That way we could've both been safe."

" Darien....listen! No one could've prevented that accident. No one knew what was gonna happen, and even if you were in Serena's place at that time, she couldn't have prevented that as well. You can't expect to see the futurue and save someone before something bad happens. "

" Well, I could've been smart enough to just escort her...."

" I could've been this, I could've done that, she could've been saved....could've, could've, could've. Always could've! You're living in the past, Darien. The past is done. You can't grab a time machine and fly all the way back there to rescue her, so why keep blaming yourself for something that wasn't your fault? "

" No, Lita, you don't understand! "

" It's you who doesn't understand things, Darien. Living in the past is worthless. What you need to do is focus on what you actually do to make up for that accident. You need to think of your child's and Serena's future, and not keep blaming yourself for something no one could've prevented. "

Darien let out a deep sigh and clenched his fists in frustration.

" Darien, " Lita began in a more solemn tone. " Serena wouldn't be happy if she saw you like this. Things can still get better you know, and blaming yourself is not helping. I mean, think about it. You're going to be a father tonight. Serena's going to be a mom....they'll both need you in the future. "

" How can they both, when one of them doesn't even recall me? "

" You never know what could happen. Besides, you have a daughter now. Don't you think it's about time you started thinking about her future? If you think you didn't do your job being a good husband, even though you were the best husband for Serena, then maybe you can take this as a second chance and become the best father for Serenity. You still haven't lost everything...."

Darien stopped in his tracks and burried his face in his hands. Taking a deep breath, he raised his eyes and met Lita's jade ones. " How is it that you always talk the shit out of me? "

Lita smiled and shook her head. " I'm a girl, what do you expect? "

Darien chuckled at this and turned toward Ken who was half asleep with his arm resting on Lita's. Practically everyone around was a couple....so maybe he could still make one again. Perhaps Lita was right. Maybe there was still a chance. Serena could come back to him...

" Mr. Blake, " the sound of a doctor's voice cut the silence.

All eyes instantly fell upon him as everyone crowded anxiously around the man, waiting for the news. Ken had snapped out his sleep at the sound of Darien's last name, while Andrew and Mina forgot about their words of comfort and stood up to greet him as well. However, Darien was there the moment he heard the man step out of the room.

" What happened? Is she alright? Where's the baby, " the Darien interrogated.

The doctor smiled. " She's doing fine, but the baby isn't out yet. The nurses need just about five more minutes and they'll get you your baby. "

" So you're saying that they're still trying to deliver the child? "

" Well, yes. It took us a long time since Serena has some injuries, I believe. We're taking things slow since we don't want any damage to afflict the mother or the child. "

Darien let out a sigh of relief, yet his heart remained thumping.

" I do, however, want to discuss some matters with you, Mr. Blake. "

Darien flashed the doctor a questioning look. " Matters about what? "

" About the child. About her family....she has no family. "

" What are you talking about? She has a family....Serena's her family, I'm her family, Mina and the others are her family....what else doesn't she have? "

" Yes, she does have a family with you....but not a complete one. "

" With me? I think you're forgetting that-"

" That's the problem, " he sighed. " Unfortunately, Serena wouldn't be capable of taking care of her own child. In her current state, she has no recognition of you or any other famlily members. So if she were to raise the child, then what would she tell her daughter who her father is once she's old enough to ask? Where would she take her daughter for education....for a child's needs? Within this hopital? How will she teach the child, and where will she get the money for support? "

" The hospital will provide, of course. "

" The hospital can't provide. Besides, do you expect to visit the child here everyday, saying you're her father? The child can't live in here.....she needs to live somewhere in which she shall be living a normal life, not one within a hospital with her mother who has to recognition of her past life. "

" But Serena is her mother. Every mother deserves to be with her child, and I do not want my daughter growing up thinking that she has no mom. I don't want to send her to a normal school where she'll be treated like an alien all because her mother's in a hospital. "

" Don't you want the child? "

" Yes, I do, but Serena needs her more. Please doctor, Serena is already experiencing more pain than she should. The last thing she needs right now is having her baby taken away from her. And if I do take Serenity, then that wouldn't be any different. She still wouldn't have a complete family..."

" That's another matter I wanted to discuss with you, " the doctor cleared his throat slightly. " Mr. Blake, I believe that you know someone named Barbara? "

Darien's brows knitted together. Now how did that slut get in this picture? " Unfortunately, yes doctor, but the topic at hand is my family, not-"

" Well, apparently, Barbara has claimed to be your fiance and has graciously offered to take care of the child with you. This means that the child will have a complete family....just with a differen't mother. "

" What?! No! I refuse to have Barbara as my child's mother, when Serenity already has a mother far better than Barbara. I never agreed to any of this, and Barbara have never even planned to adopting a child. This is Serena and my child...not hers! Besides, I never proposed to her. We have never even gone out on dates and I've never held any affection for her. She doesn't have the right to just come up and-"

" Well, she seems like a nice lady. She even kept asking me if Serena was alright, and if the baby was doing fine so far. She even volunteered to donate money to help Serena- "

" Well, she's a fake actress who lies, to say at the least. No one even informed her about Serena's birth today, so how would you expect her-"

" Well, she heard of it and the important thing is, Barbara seems like a nice lady and I think she'll make a good foster mother for Serenity. "

" Are you out of your mind?! You take Serenity out of her mother's arms and dump her in the arms of another woman who doesn't know the first thing about caring for people other than herself! Besides, you don't know Barbara like I do. She's not what she seems-"

" I know we have different opinions, Mr. Blake, but if you don't want Barbara to be the mother because you don't like her, then do it for the child's sake. Please. This is the only way. Think about it. "

" There's nothing to think about! "

" Then who else would take care of Serenity? Mina? Lita? Andrew, or Ken? Even if they were a couple they're not Serenity's real parents and the child needs at least one real parent to raise
her. "

" Then why not Serena?! "

" I already told you the reason for that. She's not in the right condition to take care of a child. "

" She's not now, but she will be. Just have me take care of her....alone.....for the first few weeks and I'll return her to Serena after that. Surely Serena would be in a good enough shape to care of her own child. "

" Until she regains memory, no she won't. Besides, what will you tell Serena? Do you honestly plan to tell her that you're the father and you're going to raise the child for the first few weeks? "

" Doc- "

" Be logical, Mr. Blake. I know you're a reasonable man, and I know that it's hard to use you head in things like these. Unfortunately, you must. For the child's sake, Mr. Blake....for your own daughter's sake, please don't make things harder. The hospital knows what's best for Serenity and your wife, so you might as well go with the flow. You do want your daughter to have a good life, don't you? "

" Of course, but I don't see how she will have a good life by staying with someone like Barbara. "

" Just go with the flow, Mr. Blake. Please. "

Darien was about to protest when the sound of a baby crying echoed from the room. Nurses rushed out to call the doctor, before running back inside.

" I have to go. Your wife and daughter needs me, " the man stated before hurrying inside.

A nurse came out to greet them, but held no baby in her arms. " The baby will be delivered to you soon. You can't go in yet though. We'll inform you when Serena's ready for short visitations. You will be allowed to hold the child for a maximum of five minutes, then she will be carried to the nursery. You can visit Serena after that, and you can visit both of them again tomorrow. "

The sound of Serenity's cries still rang. It went on for a couple more minutes then it finally died down. Darien, Ken, Andrew, and the girls waited in anxiety when silence suddenly filled the air. It's as if someone had just placed a thick door in front of them, preventing any sounds from escaping. It was like a plague.

Seconds passed like minutes, while these "minutes" seemed to extend to an hour until an eternity. Darien was begining to feel the urge to just go right in there and see what was going on. He couldn't handle this any longer.

The seconds ticked, and silence rolled on.

The silence could've killed him right then and there, together with the thoughts that haunted his mind.....

" Mr. Blake, someone wants to meet you, " one of the nurses announced as she stepped out of the room, carying what seemed to be a large mouse wrapped in a pink blanket.

Darien could only stare as his hands carefully felt the small child within his palms. Serenity struggled to move her fingers, as she softly yawned and squirmed in her father's hands. Her eyes have not yet opened, though Darien could see a soft blue color wtihin them, everytime she tried to open her eyes. Small baby noises escaped her throat, while a soft cry could be heard every now and then.

Darien stared at his daughter with amazement. Her small hands were closed tightly, and very few blonde strands matted across her delicate head. He carefully shifted the child into a better position within his hands, though he did find this harder than he thought. His hands were shaking since he wasn't used to carrying a child....let alone his own daughter.

Mina looked at her neice and giggled. " She's so small, " she commented.

" Babies are always small when they're born, " Lita replied, her eyes fixed upon the child. It was as if Serenity all had them under a spell and held their gazes for an eternity.

Andrew and Ken chuckled at the little girl. She looked almost exactly like her mother. She was a golden angel.

" She's so beautiful, " Mina whispered while gently stroking the child's hand.

A small smile came to Darien's lips. " She's my baby, " he replied proudly yet weakly. She was his baby....he had a daughter. But wasn't she Serena's baby too? Wasn't he suppose to have a wife as well?

One of the nurses gently took the child from Darien's arms and flashed him an apologetic look.
" Sorry sir, but we need to take Serenity into the nursery. You'll be able to visit her there tomorrow. "

Hesitantly, Darien allowed his daughter to be stolen from his arms before being escorted into the delivery room by another nurse. " You have five minutes, " she stated. " Ms. Blake needs a lot of rest...she's a weaker condition than what normal mothers who just went through labor are suppose to have. "

Ms. Blake....now why did that sound so right? It rang through Darien's ears like a sweet symphony, yet it would never come true. It was only a term. It couldn't mean anything now that Serena lost her memory.

Darien nodded weakly at the nurse before walking into the room. The girls were ordered to stay outside with Andrew and Ken. Only one person could visit Serena at that time. Despite their protests, the other four grudgingly obeyed and simply stayed by the doorway.

Darien's eyes fell upon Serena. Her hair was matted to her body which seemed to shine with sweat. A few bloody towels around her were quickly cleaned by the doctors and nurses while another nurse carefully wiped her body with a small towel. A clean blanket was placed upon her, while two other nurses carried the bloody blanket away.

Darien slowly approached Serena, feeling lost upon seeing her this way. Her breathing was ragged and her face was terribly pale. He wanted to reach out his hand and stroke her, but one of the doctors in the room restrained him from doing so.

" She is the mother of my child. Why can't I touch her, " Darien inquired.

" Hospital rules, sir, " one of the nurses replied. " She's still in a delicate condition at the moment, and we just want to be careful and make sure that she doesn't catch any diseases. "

" I don't have a disease, " he protested softly, since no one in the room wished to disturb her.

" Yes sir, we know. However, we don't want to risk anything. If you do wish to touch her sir, then just please avoid her face. "

Darien frowned at the nurse before facing Serena. Placing his hand upon her own, he softly sighed while gazing upon her deathly form. Perhaps they were right. Serena did look like she was in weak condition...weaker than she was suppose to be. Perhaps protests weren't....

" Mr. Blake, " one of the doctors called. " Your time's up. Serena needs medical treatment. "

" Medical treatment, " Darien echoed as an interrogation.

" Yes, sir. As you can see she's too weak right now so we need you outside. You can see her again tomorrow. "

Turning back to face Serena one last time, Darien bent down and placed a butterfly kiss upon her palms, before hesitantly walking out of the room. The doctor was conversing with the girls while Ken and Andrew flashed Darien a look that had "pity" written all over it.

Darien knitted his brows together as he approached them. The doctor turned toward the Darien and sighed. Now the girls seemed to have that same look on their faces as well.

" What's going on here, " Darien half asked, half demanded.

" Mr. Blake," the doctor began. " I have arranged a conrtact for you and Barbara that I need you to sign. Barbara has already signed it, so all we need is your confirmation. "

" My confirmation? Barbara signed it? This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the whole "complete family" thing, would it? "

" It has everything to do with that, " he replied, handing Darien a sheet of paper.

Darien took one look at it and frowned. " No, " he barked. " I won't sign it. "

" Mr. Blake you must. We have agreed to this earlier already-"

" I have not agreed to anything! "

" Mr. Blake, look at Serena. Tell me, what do you see? "

" I see my wife who deserves the chance to be with her duaghter. "

" That is not what I see. Look....she's weak, weaker than she's suppose to be. Do you think she will able to support her own child in that condition? She can't remember anything, and she won't be able to recover until after at least three weeks. "

" Then we'll wait-"

" Mr. Blake, " the doctor sighed impatiently. " Do you want the truth? "

Darien cocked his brow at the man and clenched his fists. " What truth, " he narrowed his eyes.

The doctor seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing. " Serena nearly died while giving birth to Serenity. That's why it took a handful of doctors and nurses such a long time just to deliver the child. She needed more treatment than normal mothers do, and she will need more. We have only managed to save her life for now, but if she has to take care of her child and strain herself anymore than she is now.......she won't make it. "

Darien could only stare at the man in silence. A black cloud of death seemed to surround him, as the realiztation hit him.

" Mr. Blake, we didn't want to tell you this because we didn't think you needed to worry anymore than you are now. But you have brought me to tell you this, so for the child's sake and Serena's life.....you must sign the contract. Your family's future lies upon you, so I suggest you make the most out of it. "

Darien's eyes fell hopelessly upon the paper handed out in front of him. Defeat seemed to haunt him while the knowledge of this being the only way cursed him continously. It was the only way.... those words rang through his ears like a plague. He just never though they'de turn out to be right.

The doctor handed out a pen to Darien which he weakly took into his hand. Leaning over, he hesitated for a moment. The pen's tip was less than an inch away from the contract, and Darien knew that the moment that tip touched the paper, his child and Serena's fututre would be forever sealed....and so would his.

The pen shook rapidly within his palms. Darien was about to turn back when Serena's frail form caught his eye. This instantly changed his mind.

Letting out a soft sigh of defeat, he bended down again to sign it. Lowering his arm, he flashed Serena one more look before allowing the tip of the pen to touch the paper......the touch that would seal his family's future forever.....

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Author's Notes: No!!!! Darien signed the contract, which means wedding bells will be ringing...except not for Serena and Darien. Who would've thought that he'd do the most unthinkable and worst thing he could make in his whole history of being the number one anime heart throb......marrying someone else????

Anyway, thank you once again to all the readers that have reviewed my work. I have kept my promise and I have finished this chapter during the weekend. So rejoice! I have more time now! =D

So I must take my departure. Chapter 10's coming up.....I don't know when. But I'll make sure to get a quick start on it. Hopefully it will be in before my birthday which is on March 3rd. :) Please excuse the typos as well. So thank you once again and belated Happy Valentine's Day!

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The fruit is ripe and above you. All you have to do is reach for it.
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