Author's Notes: Okay, here's chapter 16. The last chapter before the finale. :) Hope you like it....
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Got Milk? Chapter 16 By: Hell's Huntress
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" Barbara, " Darien's voice echoed within the silent house. With angry strides, he slammed open every door searching for the red haired witch. " Barbara, " he repeated, this time in a louder voice.
Barbara's footsteps echoed through the hallway. Rushing down the stairs, she opened her arms wide to embrace Darien, only to have him push her arms away. A bit shocked at first, she looked up at him with silent confusion.
" Barbara, we need to talk, " he stated sternly.
" Oh....about what, " she asked with hesitation. His actions had already surprised her, and his tone of voice wasn't helping.
" About Serenity. "
" What about Serenity, " she frowned, suddenly bothered by the mention of the child's name.
" Barbara, what have you been doing to her when I left her in your care? "
" Why, I took care of her of course. I made sure she ate good food, slept when she needed to, and-"
" And I suppose you did all this by force, am I right? "
" What....what do you mean, " Barbara replied, trying so sound as sweet as possible.
" You know damn well what I mean, " he barked, increasing his tone of voice.
" No, I don't. Why don't you just tell me? "
" You've been yelling at the child as if she were an unwanted cat picking of scraps of food from your table, and from what I've been told, you also shake her as if she were a lifeless doll, " Darien gritted his teeth together, trying to hold his patience.
" And who told you this, " Barbara demanded. " Is it Serena? "
Darien cocked a brow at her and chuckled. " Why Barbara, I didn't know you had a brain up there. "
" How dare you?! After all this time that we've been together, you dare treat me like this? "
Darien gripped her roughly by her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. " Remember Barbara, we've only been living in the same house because you had to help me take care of Serenity. Our relationship has never grown any more than friends. In fact, we've never been friends, and I don't have any intentions of rising to that level with you. "
Barbara stared at him in mute shock, not knowing how to reply. She had to admit that she feared the way Darien was acting right now, but she only pushed his hands away and replied, " Well, Darien, I don't know why you believe that little witch. How could you be sure she's not lying to you, after getting amnesia and everything? She probably doesn't even remember you right now. "
" That's where you're wrong Barbara, " he smirked. " Serena just regained her memory back, and she remembers every single detail of her past life. She remembers Serenity, she remembers me....she remembers seeing what you did to our child. "
Barbara cringed at his last two words. " So what exactly are you telling me? "
" I'm telling you to get out. "
Barbara stared at him for a long moment. " What, " she laughed nervously.
" You heard me. I am telling you....no, demanding you to get out of my house now Barbara, " he commanded in a firm voice. " Now that Serenity's going back to her mom there's no need for you anymore. Come to think of it.....I don't think there ever was a time I needed you. "
" Yes, you needed me. I came here because you needed me to help you with Serenity. "
" You came here because that's what the contract demanded. It was a forced choice Barbara. I could've taken care of my own daughter without your help. I would've probably done a better job without you around. The only reason you lived here is because I was forced to have you stay at my house. I have welcomed you no matter how disgusted I was, and now I am inviting you to leave. "
" You can't do that to me! "
" Barbara, I have hands and a body......I can very well do it forcefully if I must. I don't think you'de want me to resort to that now, do you? "
Glaring at him with hateful eyes, she silently tried to pursuade him into changing his mind. However, she only received a cold and unaffected glare back at her, sending her stomping up to her room.
" And be sure not to leave any of your belongings here. I don't want any rat's cheese lying around my house, " he called out to her, only to have her let out an annoyed scream. (AN: You do know what I meant by "rat's cheese" right?)
Grinning to himself, Darien walked into his dining room and was greeted by his house maid.
" Oh, good afternoon sir, " the middle aged woman greeted. " May I assist you with anything? "
" No, but thanks anyway Nancy, " he smiled. " Though I wouldn't mind hearing the latest news. "
Nancy, being the first person in the entire neighborhood to know about every single news happening in town, hesitated at first.
Darien knitted his brows together. " Is something wrong? "
She looked up at worriedly and bit the skin of bottom lip. "Well sir, I'm afraid it's not exactly good news."
Darien cocked a brow at her. " Is that so? Well, would you mind telling me anyway? "
" I wouldn't mind, but I'm afraid you would. "
Darien stared at her. " Why? Does it concern me or someone I know? I don't think I'de get upset if it didn't...."
" Well sir, you'll have to know about this sooner or later anyway. It's not exactly concerning you, but it's concerning Miss Serena. "
Darien knitted his brows together in concern. " What about Serena? "
" Do you remember Father Raphael from that church down the block? "
" Yes, of course I do. What about him? "
" Well.....he's hosting a wedding today..... "
" And? "
" And, " she hesitated for a moment before continuing. " And it's Serena's wedding. "
" What? What do you mean, " Darien's tone of voice began to rise in anxiety.
" He told me this morning on my way back here from the grocery that he was going to celebrate Serena's wedding today. He said it was only a small one but I'm not sure..... "
" And who is she marrying? "
" I don't know, sir. Just some man....he didn't say. "
Staring at Nancy for a long moment, Darien searched her features for some sign that she was joking. Seeing that she was serious, he pushed open the nearest door he got to and ran outside.
" Mr. Blake, where are you going, " Nancy rushed to the door frame.
" Make sure Barbara leaves the house. I'll be back later, " he called out before disappearing out of her sight.
At the top of the stairs, Barbara watched as Nancy closed the door and grinned. Her bags were laid around her feet, ready to be carried out of the house. Reaching into one of them, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Alexander's number. Shifting the weight of her body from her left leg to her right, she waited impatiently as the ringing from the other line continued.
" Hello, Alexander, " she whispered into the phone's receiver after hearing his voice. " Yes, it's me Barbara......oh, shut up you ignorant bitch. I have a job for you........yes again. Let me just tell you that if you get this one right then I won't bother you anymore.......okay fine, this will be the last job I have for you. Satisfied, " she replied in an annoyed tone. " Look, that whore is getting married and I'm hopping on the first train out of here.......not I'm not going to bail on you! Darien just wants me out of his sight. Besides, once I'm gone then I won't be around to bother you anymore " she lied. The truth was, she didn't want to have anything to do with him after he got his job done, but she only kept that thought in her mind.
" Okay now, listen....she's getting married at that church near Darien's place.....yes, it's the church next to the........just shut up, " her voice began to rise above a whisper before she remembered to keep it down once again. " Look....I just want you to go that church as soon as I hang up and kill her.......Well, killing is the only thing that will finish her off for good......Because she's going to get Serenity. With Serenity gone, Darien won't want me around anymore. That won't make a difference, but if she's not dead then there's still a chance that she'll get back with Darien. If that man is driving me away then she can't have him! Do you understand me.........no I am not jealous! "
Nancy walked passed the stairway, only to freeze in place. Looking up, she cocked a brow at Barbara who was ranting on and on in a low, yet obviously angry voice. Crossing her arms, she cleared her throat, getting Barbara's attention. " I believe that Mr. Blake wants you out of here miss, " she reminded her the moment Barbara had stopped talking.
" Yes, I'll be out of here in a second, " she frowned. Picking up her bags, she walked out of his house before returning back to her conversation with Alexander. " Listen, " she stated in a calmer tone once she was far enough from Darien's house. " Just do it, okay? Just get rid of her today...right now. We don't have a lot of time. That wedding could start any time now so I want you in that church in five minutes! I'll be watching until I see that you do what I have told you to do, " she finished with a smirk before turning off her cell.
" Taxi, " she called out. The yellow cab stopped for her to enter. Opening the door, she stuffed her bags inside and slammed the door shut after she got in.
" Where to, " the cab driver asked.
" Could we just drive to that church down the block really quick? Let's just wait there until I say so. "
" Alright, " the cab driver cocked a brow before driving off to the church.
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Serena paced around the large room in anxiety. Biting her bottom lip, she looked at the casual white dress she was wearing in a full length mirror and sighed. She was getting married, so why wasn't she happy? Isn't this what she wanted? She was finally going to have a husband and her daughter back, so why was she skeptical about this?
" Serena, " David walked in the room. " The priest is ready to start. Are you sure you really want to do this, " he questioned her while gazing at her with worried eyes.
Serena laughed nervously. " If I weren't then I think I wouldn't have said yes. "
David was skeptical about her answer but made her comment. He knew she was far from ready for this. He knew that he probably wasn't even the man she cared for, but he made no protest.Instead, he took her by her hand and led her into the church.
The two walked down the isle toward the altar where the priest waited silently. There was no one else in the church other than the three of them. No sound could be heard other than their almost inaudible footsteps.
Finally reaching the altar, both Serena and David stood before the priest who was also pondering over the look on Serena's face. Even to him it was obvious that the girl didn't seem as happy as she should be on her wedding day.
Clearing his throat, he began. " We are gathered here today to celebrate the holy matrimony of.... "
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Outside, Barbara smirked upon seeing Alexander walk up to the church. The man seemed to look for her and even seemed to back away from the church. However, upon seeing the cab, he only frowned and silently approached the back of the church which had another door. Taking out a gun, he gripped the pistol in his hand before slipping in through the door.
" Take me to the nearest train station at once, " Barbara commanded once Alexander was out of her sight, feeling satisfied upon seeing this.
The driver, who didn't see Alexander, did as Beryl commanded and left the church.
As soon as she had left, Darien had arrived at the church door and weakly pulled it open. Silently panting, he entered the church only to freeze in place upon seeing Serena and David by the altar. The priest stopped in mid sentence and looked up, causing the two of them to turn around.
Darien stared at them blankly, not exactly knowing what to make out of this. Knitting his brows together, he walked toward the two of them. His eyes locked with Serena's as his blue orbs seemed to question her own. However, she couldn't survive having his gaze locking with her own anymore.
" Please continue, " she turned around to face the priest, breaking their gaze.
The priest, slightly confused, only continued.
Darien could only stare in disbelief as the mass went on. Walking up to the altar, he held a distance close enough for him to search Serena's eyes as a sign of what she was doing. Obviously, she was getting married on her own will. He would've stopped the marriage but seeing that she made no protests, he could only stand there, trying to catch her gaze.
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At the far side of the church, Alexander settled in the darkness beside the pews while reaching into his pocket. Taking out a few bullets, he placed them into the gun in his hand and tried aiming it at Serena. Seeing that David was in the way, he moved sideways and crouched down before aiming the gun at Serena again.
" Fuckin bitch, stop moving, " he cursed, upon seeing David shift in place every now and then, feeling uneasy.
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" Now do you, Serena Parker, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? "
Serena stared at the priest for a long moment. Her eyes shifted to David who only flashed her a concerned look. As much as she tried to avoid Darien's gaze, she couldn't help but look up at him and hesitate before giving her answer. Looking back at the priest who seemed to be staring at her a sign to hurry up, she opened her mouth to reply but no words escaped her throat.
The seconds ticked yet they seemed like passing hours. The silence allowed Serena to hear her own heart beating, while sweat drops made their way down her back.
" Do you, Serena Parker, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, " the priest repeated.
Opening her mouth to reply, Serena only found herself speechless again as Darien caught her gaze. " I, I....." the words were caught in her throat. She didn't even know what to say.
All the other men stared at Serena in mute anxiety. All were frozen as they waited for her to reply.
" Young woman, " the priest broke the silence. " Do you really want to proceed with this marriage? "
Serena looked up at him. " Yes, " she replied quickly, not even realizing what she had just said.
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" That's right, don't move, " Alexander muttered, getting a better aim at Serena. Gripping the gun firmly, he tightened his finger, ready to release the bullets. Just as he was about to shoot, David had moved once again, blocking Serena from his view. " Fuck, " Alexander muttered.
Turning to face the other side of the church, he narrowed his eyes, trying to find a better spot in which he could settle in that allowed him to easily shoot Serena. However, the other side of the church had no nearby doors, so he couldn't just shoot the girl and not get out.
The only way he could shoot Serena was if David only stayed in one place. Moving sideways a bit more, he aimed the gun at Serena's head.
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" Well then, do you, Serena Parker, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, " the priest repeated for the third time, with impatience evident in his voice.
Looking up one more time at Darien, Serena held his gaze for a long moment. Debating with her own mind, she turned away in an almost embarassed manner and hesitantly replied, " I do. "
Darien's tense body seemed to weaken upon hearing her answer. Serena noticed this and forced herself not to look at him.
" And do you, David Taylor, take Serena to be your lawfully wedded wife? "
David looked at Darien who's hopeless eyes were glued on Serena as if he expected her to take back her answer. Turning away, David shifted his gaze to Serena who refused to look at him or Darien.
Sighing inwardly, he looked up at the priest and replied, " I don't. "
Serena's head instantly shot up as Darien's eyes suddenly fell on him. The priest only cocked a brow at him. Everyone seemed to be silently questioning him.
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" Shit, " Alexander cussed almost outloud upon seeing Serena's head suddenly move. " Barbara, you owe me your life for making me do this, " he muttered under his breath.
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Turning toward Serena, he took her hands in his own and kissed them. " Serena, as much as I care about you, I can't go on with this. "
Serena's questioning eyes searched his own for an answer even though she said nothing. Her brows knitted together in confusion.
" Look, I need you badly Serena, and you know it....but...." his sentence trailed off as he let go of her hands and turned toward Darien. He walked up to him, refusing to aknowledge his confused look. " But, he needs you more than I do, and I know you want him more than you want me, " he replied solemnly before turning back to face Serena.
David knew how much Serena loved the other man, and he loved her too much to keep her away from Darien. Hesitantly, he flashed Darien a reassuring look before walking toward the church's door.
Darien stared at Serena with questioning eyes that somehow seemed to be filled with some small amount of hope. Serena didn't exactly know what to do. She had to admit that she relieved in a way, yet she could hear her own heart pounding rapidly for no reason she was aware of.
Walking up to Serena, Darien looked into her eyes, locking with her gaze. The two of them only stared at each other in anxiety. Darien was waiting to see if Serena did want David to leave, while Serena was debating with her mind.
" Do you want to continue, " the priest cut through the silence.
Serena looked up at him. Finally making up her mind, she replied, " Yes. "
Darien seemed to smile weakly as he stood by Serena's side.
" Well then, do you, Serena Parker, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband.
" Yes, " Serena replied, absent mindedly staring at Darien.
" And do you......young man, take Serena Parker to be your lawfully wedded wife? "
" I do, " Darien replied without hesitation.
" Well then, " the priest replied, obviously satisfied now that both had said yes. " I know pronounce you, man and wife. "
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" God damnit, " Alexander cursed once again feeling impatient now that Darien had moved beside Serena.
" Excuse me, " David's voice came shortly after Alexander had cussed.
Alexander's head instantly turned to face David as a frown formed on his face. Acting on impulse, he jerked up from his crouched position right before a gun shot was fired into the air.
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Author's Notes: Not as detailed as I hoped it would come out, but good enough. :) Anyway, thanks again for all your reviews and emails. Please excuse all the typos and I shall see you all again during the finale...... :)
