Chapter 04
Once I was able to actually see into the kitchen I could I could have fainted. I have no idea who I thought would be in there, but it definitely wasn't who was there. Elizabeth or Lita I could have believed, maybe even one of the other scouts. **Hold on for a moment, Serena. Do remember them 'all' leaving last night or just most of them? ** Ok I was starting to talk to myself. But come to think of it, I don't remember them all leaving. Maybe that was why I had slept so well. Heck I don't know. ** I've got to stay calm, not act surprised. Even though you are. Hey don't argue with me, I know what I am doing. You hope. Ok that's it hush now. Or what? Umm. I'll back up stairs. What are you chicken now? **I had to stop arguing with my self before it went any farther. I was starting to think that I was going crazy.
Before I lost the courage I took a deep breath and walked into the room like everything was fine. "Good morning." It must have startled him because he dropped the pan that he was holding; luckily there was nothing in it. He turned around wearing a sheepish look on his face. I couldn't help it I laughed; he looked like a little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner.
"Oh.umm.I thought that.umm.I would cook breakfast for you." He stuttered, which I thought was cute. It was really obvious now that I had surprised him. After all Darien was always so cool, calm and collected.
"That was sweet of you. Thank you." It didn't surprise me that he had gotten into my house; he had always found a way when we were younger. I walked over to the table and sat down. "So what are we having?"
He smiled, man he had a gorgeous smile. "Grits, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and jelly and orange juice. Anything special you would like?"
"No, it sounds wonderful." With that he brought over two plates and sat them down on the table then took the seat opposite me. We sat down to have a quiet breakfast, if it would have actually happened like it was planned who knows where it might have led. We had just started to eat when my phone rang; I excused my self and ran to answer it. It was Elizabeth and she was scared and crying. I ran back into the room apologized to Darien for having to leave right then, and quickly explained what was wrong. He wouldn't let me go by myself. We arrived at Elizabeth's house in about five minutes. I left the car running as I went in. I found Elizabeth in the study crying her eyes out.
"Oh Elizabeth what's the matter?" I said as I hugged her and rubbed her back trying to calm her down. I don't think I have ever seen my sister so upset.
"Eric.he was in.a.plane crash last night. I.I don't know how.he is." She managed between sobs. I was at a lost for words. There was nothing I could say that would make it better.
"Oh Elizabeth.I'll stay as long as you need me and longer." Eric and I had never gotten along that is true, but I had never ever wished such a thing on him or my sister. Just then my sister's grip on me tightened. "Elizabeth, are you ok?"
"Sere, I think I need to get to the hospital." She managed.
** Oh God, please not now. She doesn't need this now. ** "Ok, I'll get you there. Can you stand?" I hadn't noticed that Darien had come followed me into the house until he moved me out of the way and picked her up.
"Go to the car Sere, you're going to have to get her there." He said as he strode from the room towards the front door. I was numb I didn't know what to do so I followed him out to the car. I was glad that the hospitals where in the same place so I knew how to get there. We pulled up to the emergency room door and Darien got her out, they went on in as I parked the car. I was so worried.
I ran into the hospital and didn't see them anywhere. I rushed up to the desk and the lady their told me where to go. When I reached the room that they had put her in Darien was outside and stopped me from going in. "Wait a few minutes. The doctors are in there with her. You can go in in a minute." Always the voce of reason when I would have done something stupid, I listened to him and didn't have to wait long.
"Are you her sister?" Asked a nurse coming out of the room. All I could do was nod. "She's asking for you. You and your husband can go in."
**Did she just call him my husband? No I didn't hear her right that's all. ** With that I went in to the room to see Elizabeth lying on the bed, she had stopped crying but she was still upset. "What did the doctor say?"
"He said that I'd have the little one by this time tomorrow. I was worried that it was to early for him or her to be born, but he said it wasn't. And if I hadn't got so upset about Eric I still would have went into labor within the next 24 hours."
"That's good to I guess. Why don't you try to get some rest now."
"I can try. Serena, will you stay with me?"
I knew what she was asking and I couldn't refuse her. "Yes, I'll stay. I'm going to go a make quick phone call and I'll be right back." With that I gave her a small smile and walked out into the hall and promptly bumped into someone.
"Is she going to be ok?"
** God I had forgotten that he was here. ** "Yeah the doctor said that she would have went into labor with in the next 24 hours anyway. But because she was upset about Eric it just made it progress faster. I'm going to stay with her; you can take my car and leave if you want. But right now I've to go call Ray to let her know where I am so that she can tell the others that out picnic is off."
"I'll tell you what you stay with her and I'll meet them at your house and explain them what has happened. That way if anything does happen you'll be here with her."
"You would do that?"
"Yes, I'll be back later. Do I need to bring you anything back?"
I shook my head. "No I don't think that I'll need anything."
He kissed my cheek as he walked off. Saying that he would be back soon. ** I will stay here as long as I'm needed; I'm going to have to call the school though. But that can wait until this is over. ** I walked back into her room and found her dozing, so I sat down in a chair by the bed. I soon found myself praying that Eric was fine and would come running through the door at any minute. I might not always like him, but this is my sister's husband. Hello! You can't wish something like that even on a stranger. About that time Elizabeth let a cry and I jumped up. ** Umm aren't they supposed to breathe when they are going into labor? ** "It's ok Elizabeth, just got to breathe. Jut think about what you get once this is all over. Think of the little one waiting for you." I had no idea what I was saying I was just talking and trying to keep her calm. And it sounded good. Trying not to let my fear show through to her. At the time I didn't know what I was afraid of. I would find out soon enough.
That pain subsided pretty quickly. Elizabeth was starting to get tired, for some reason I found that weird. A nurse had come into the room during the contraction. She left fairly quickly. I noticed the look on her face was one of concern. The next thing I knew the doctor on duty was in there. "Elizabeth, how are you feeling?" He was soft spoken and spoke of nothing to fear, but I knew that there was something there.
"I've felt better. Is anything wrong?" Apparently she could sense something too.
He sighed and glanced at his charts before saying anything. "The contractions are becoming too strong. I've been trying to get a hold of your doctor to see what she says, but so far I have been unable too. This could be nothing, and I would rather be safe than sorry. So I am going to have you taken down to the birthing room and prepared for giving birth." As he walked out of the door I told Elizabeth that I would be right back and went after him.
"Doctor." I called to get his attention. Never say Doctor in a hospital when there is more than one doctor around. Well I finally got the doctor's attention that I wanted and pulled him over to the side. "I'm Elizabeth's sister, Serena. "I briefly introduced myself.
"Yes what can I help you with Serena?"
"My sister. What's the matter?"
"Oh. Like I said the contractions are stronger than they should be and that could be dangerous to the baby, Elizabeth or both of them. I haven't been able to reach her doctor yet, so I don't really know how the pregnancy was going. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but it's my fear that we could lose one or both of them."
"Oh god no." Was all I managed to get out. "Thank you for not telling her."
He nodded in response and continued on to wherever he was headed. I watched his retreating form be for I went back to Elizabeth I couldn't let her know what the problem was. I couldn't do that. But was I strong enough to be strong for the both of us and let none of my fears show? I had to do something to get her mind off of what was going on. So I pushed all thought of it away to the back of my mind as I went in. The nurses had left and she was waiting for them to come and get her to go the birthing room. I faked a smile, which I hoped looked real. "If it's a girl what are you going to call her?"
"Umm.we hadn't decided on a name yet. I guess I'll call her whatever comes into my head."
"Ok, then if it's a boy?"
"Well.why are you getting so nosey all of a sudden?"
"Hey! I'm going to be an aunt in a short time. I have a right to know what my future niece or nephew will be called don't I?" I put on my best-hurt voice.
"OK, ok you win." She finally gave in. " If it is a boy his name will be Adam. And if it is a girl then her name will be Adriana. Happy now?"
"Oh pretty names. I like them. Yes I'm happy now. Thanks for telling me." I grinned happily. "I won't tell anyone that you told me. It'll be our secret." About that time the nurses came in and where about to ask me to leave when Elizabeth made it clear that I would be staying since her husband was not there. I don't know if that was a blessing or a curse. The nurses agreed hesitantly. And we went to the room.
I remember going into the room and the next thing I remember is sitting outside in the hall my knees drawn up to my chest and me crying like a baby. Then there was a pair of strong arms around my shoulders offering comfort, which was not helping in the least. ** I lost them. I have lost all of them. My parents. My sister. My niece. My nephew. What do I have left to love for? ** These thoughts where running through my mind as I cried. I looked up, having no more tears to cry, as the doctor came out. He looked awful but there was something wrong. Apparently he saw me as I saw him and came to me as fast as he could. He didn't offer any words of comfort or say I'm sorry. But asked for me to follow him. I tried to stand but was unable to and fell back down. I guess it was then that I actually realized that Darien was there. He picked me up and followed the doctor to the room that Elizabeth was in.
"I really don't know how to tell you this. But there is no other family and there is a problem. If you don't want to I can find someone else." I didn't let him get the rest out of his mouth before I said anything.
"She is my family and I take care of my own. I will take care of her burial and the twins." I said it calmer than I was feeling.
"But you don't understand. The twins.they are.well why don't you look." He motioned to the two little beds that were in the room.
I was about to tell Darien to put me down but before I could he had strode over to them and I started crying again. This time it was tears of joy mixed together with tears of grief. My sister's beautiful twins where lying on their stomachs sleeping. ** I didn't lose everything. Oh thank you for not taking everything from me. **
"You are the only living relative that they have. Will you take them?" He asked quietly as if he feared the answer.
"Yes I'll take them. They are my only family. They will stay with me."
"Don't you want to talk to your husband about it first?"
"Huh? Husband? I'm not married." At this the doctor looked at me strangely. " Oh.umm.this is a really close friend of mine." I wondered why Darien hadn't said a word to anything yet. Turning my head I could tell why, he was embarrassed. He was redder than a tomato his mouth moved but no words were forth coming. I wanted to laugh.
"Oh. Ok, well then I'll get eh necessary paperwork for you. And please don't think that I'm rushing this. I know what you have been through. I lost my wife during childbirth also. I just don't want the babies to go to the state. What will their names be?"
"Are they boys or girls?"
"One of each."
I couldn't help but smile a sad smile at this. I was really glad no that I had gotten Elizabeth to tell me what they had planned to name them. "The little boy will be Adam Dylan. And the little girl will be Adriana Michelle."
"I'll take care of it." With that the doctor had the two nurses that where left in the room, take the twins to the nursery and followed behind them. By this time Darien had found his voice.
"I'll take you home. You could use some sleep." His voice was gentle. I agreed silently. "I told the girls what was going on. But I didn't know everything. They said that they would stop by later to see how everything was going." He didn't say anything after that.
I didn't know what to say about anything. To this day I think he was planning something that day, but. He drove me back to my house. And called a cab to pick him up after he made sure that I would be ok. He left the hotel's number and his room number by my phone. I lay down as if I was going to go to sleep, anything to get him out of the house basically. I wanted to be alone. I had things I had to take care of. I knew that if he was there I wouldn't be able to get any of it done.
I hated being the one that had to do all of this. But I now knew how Elizabeth felt when our parents died. And then there was the matter about Eric I still didn't know if he was alive or dead. I didn't know what to hope for. But until I knew that he was dead for sure I wouldn't worry about he arrangements for his funeral. This might sound mean but I was glad that I only had to make arrangements for one instead of three. I managed to get all the arrangements made before Ray and the rest of the gang showed up. I was on my way to lie down.
They wanted to know how she was, but none of them asked. I guess my red, puffy eyes and tear streaked face was enough of a giveaway. We talked about the past for a little while, before we ordered pizza. We all had the same question. I didn't want to bring it up being as I didn't know the answer. But I knew that it would be brought up before the night was over. I was right.
We had just finished off the pizza and were settling down to talk some more when Ami asked quietly "Do you know if we will get our powers back?" Everyone stopped what they were doing when she asked this. I just sat there not knowing what to say.
Finally I had to say something. " I don't know. We all know that after that fight, we lost everything but the world in some way gained a force field type shield and so far nothing has been able to get through. Now we might if something was able to get through. But I have no idea." No one did. WE all felt the loss heavily. ** But at least we can lead a somewhat normal life now. I mean they are all married or will be shortly. Ray has Missy, and she probably won't be the last. And I have.what do I have? Adam and Adriana that's who I have.
The days before Elizabeth's funeral passed by fairly quickly when I wasn't preparing for it I was up at the hospital checking on the twins. They were so little but very pretty.
The day of the funeral was overcast, it was supposed to rain I hoped that it would hold off until after it was over. Then it could rain all it wanted I didn't care. Elizabeth's friends came and so did mine. I think that they were mainly there for me, but at the time I didn't care why they were there. Some may think that it is not right to bring a child to a funeral but deep inside I was glad that Ray had brought Missy with her. Just seeing the little girl helped some.
It started raining after the services and once everyone was home. I didn't cry I had no more tears to cry. I was numb all over. I walked in to the house that I had begun calling mine and went up to my room. I laid down on the bed, I know I had to go to sleep because the next thing I know some one is shaking me and telling me it is time to get up.
"I don't want to. Leave me alone." I mumbled half asleep.
"Oh come on, Serena. If you don't get up I 'will' dump some water on you. Now do you want that?"
"WHAT?! NO! I'm awake. I'm awake." I yelled sitting up in the bed to come eye to eye with a Mina. Of the people I would expect to do something like that it was not Mina. By no means was it Mina.
"Good." She giggled. "Now that you are awake I have a question. I know that with everything that has happened you probably don't feel like doing much of anything but you need to get some things for the babies. I'm sure that Elizabeth already had one of almost everything, not counting bottles and diapers, but you still need more. And by the way the hospital called they said that the babies could be brought home tomorrow so that means we need to go get the stuff today. Right now."
"They can come home? Oh my God you are right I do need some things. Oh let me get changed." I jumped of the bed and quickly changed into a pair of blue jeans that I had brought along just in case and a t-shirt. Threw on some tennis shoes and brushed my hair into a lose ponytail. I was ready in less than 15 minutes, which has to be a record for me. I ran down stairs to find Mina standing in front of the living room doors, her hands behind her back and easily blocking the doors.
"Do you want to go get the stuff from the house first?" she asked sweetly, a little too sweetly if you ask me.
"No, I'll get that stuff later. I don't really want to go in that house right now."
"We didn't think that you would. So I hope that you don't mind." With that she opened the doors and there in the living sat everything from the cribs and bassinettes to the changing tables and the little baby-sized bathtubs.
I must have had a stunned look on my face, because before I knew it everyone started laughing. "You guys. You didn't have to do that."
"We might not have had to, but we wanted to. We know how much the twins are going to mean to you. Since we have all this done for you. That means that we can have some fun buying clothes. I'm sure that you are going to need some." Ray said while trying to keep from grinning at something that I couldn't see.
About that time some one ran into me and hugged my legs. "Aunt Serena!" I looked down to see Missy attached to my legs.
I looked back to Ray who just smiled and shrugged. "She never had an aunt and she knows that we are friends so she asked if she could call you her aunt. I told that you probably wouldn't care and said go ahead. Oh yeah and guys that goes for the rest of you too. I know you won't mind."
I looked back at the little girl holding on to my legs. ** Well it looks like I'm going to be an aunt after all. **
"Aunt Serena? Are you better now?" Missy asked tugging on my pants.
I looked back down and smiled, still shocked. "Yes, Missy I'm better now. Did mommy get you your ice cream the other day?" I cut my eyes at Ray to see her frown.
"Ice cream? Where?"
"Oh.uh.Serena.ice cream is her favorite food." Ray said before I could say anything else. I just grinned at her. "Why don't we go shopping for some baby clothes?"
"Sure." My mood had brightened a little, and everyone could see that. So we all went out of the house and to our cars. That's when I noticed that half of them where missing. "Where are your other halves?"
"They went somewhere together. No girls aloud." Lita answered a little to quickly.
"Uh huh. OK. Well then. No boys allowed. But the only problem with that is that who will carry the bags?" I asked like it was a big dilemma.
"I know! I know!" Missy said jumping up and down waving her hand in the air, he black hair was flying up and down with her bouncing.
"Ok, who Missy?"
"Mommy will carry them!"
"WHAT?!" This came from Ray.
Once I was able to actually see into the kitchen I could I could have fainted. I have no idea who I thought would be in there, but it definitely wasn't who was there. Elizabeth or Lita I could have believed, maybe even one of the other scouts. **Hold on for a moment, Serena. Do remember them 'all' leaving last night or just most of them? ** Ok I was starting to talk to myself. But come to think of it, I don't remember them all leaving. Maybe that was why I had slept so well. Heck I don't know. ** I've got to stay calm, not act surprised. Even though you are. Hey don't argue with me, I know what I am doing. You hope. Ok that's it hush now. Or what? Umm. I'll back up stairs. What are you chicken now? **I had to stop arguing with my self before it went any farther. I was starting to think that I was going crazy.
Before I lost the courage I took a deep breath and walked into the room like everything was fine. "Good morning." It must have startled him because he dropped the pan that he was holding; luckily there was nothing in it. He turned around wearing a sheepish look on his face. I couldn't help it I laughed; he looked like a little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner.
"Oh.umm.I thought that.umm.I would cook breakfast for you." He stuttered, which I thought was cute. It was really obvious now that I had surprised him. After all Darien was always so cool, calm and collected.
"That was sweet of you. Thank you." It didn't surprise me that he had gotten into my house; he had always found a way when we were younger. I walked over to the table and sat down. "So what are we having?"
He smiled, man he had a gorgeous smile. "Grits, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and jelly and orange juice. Anything special you would like?"
"No, it sounds wonderful." With that he brought over two plates and sat them down on the table then took the seat opposite me. We sat down to have a quiet breakfast, if it would have actually happened like it was planned who knows where it might have led. We had just started to eat when my phone rang; I excused my self and ran to answer it. It was Elizabeth and she was scared and crying. I ran back into the room apologized to Darien for having to leave right then, and quickly explained what was wrong. He wouldn't let me go by myself. We arrived at Elizabeth's house in about five minutes. I left the car running as I went in. I found Elizabeth in the study crying her eyes out.
"Oh Elizabeth what's the matter?" I said as I hugged her and rubbed her back trying to calm her down. I don't think I have ever seen my sister so upset.
"Eric.he was in.a.plane crash last night. I.I don't know how.he is." She managed between sobs. I was at a lost for words. There was nothing I could say that would make it better.
"Oh Elizabeth.I'll stay as long as you need me and longer." Eric and I had never gotten along that is true, but I had never ever wished such a thing on him or my sister. Just then my sister's grip on me tightened. "Elizabeth, are you ok?"
"Sere, I think I need to get to the hospital." She managed.
** Oh God, please not now. She doesn't need this now. ** "Ok, I'll get you there. Can you stand?" I hadn't noticed that Darien had come followed me into the house until he moved me out of the way and picked her up.
"Go to the car Sere, you're going to have to get her there." He said as he strode from the room towards the front door. I was numb I didn't know what to do so I followed him out to the car. I was glad that the hospitals where in the same place so I knew how to get there. We pulled up to the emergency room door and Darien got her out, they went on in as I parked the car. I was so worried.
I ran into the hospital and didn't see them anywhere. I rushed up to the desk and the lady their told me where to go. When I reached the room that they had put her in Darien was outside and stopped me from going in. "Wait a few minutes. The doctors are in there with her. You can go in in a minute." Always the voce of reason when I would have done something stupid, I listened to him and didn't have to wait long.
"Are you her sister?" Asked a nurse coming out of the room. All I could do was nod. "She's asking for you. You and your husband can go in."
**Did she just call him my husband? No I didn't hear her right that's all. ** With that I went in to the room to see Elizabeth lying on the bed, she had stopped crying but she was still upset. "What did the doctor say?"
"He said that I'd have the little one by this time tomorrow. I was worried that it was to early for him or her to be born, but he said it wasn't. And if I hadn't got so upset about Eric I still would have went into labor within the next 24 hours."
"That's good to I guess. Why don't you try to get some rest now."
"I can try. Serena, will you stay with me?"
I knew what she was asking and I couldn't refuse her. "Yes, I'll stay. I'm going to go a make quick phone call and I'll be right back." With that I gave her a small smile and walked out into the hall and promptly bumped into someone.
"Is she going to be ok?"
** God I had forgotten that he was here. ** "Yeah the doctor said that she would have went into labor with in the next 24 hours anyway. But because she was upset about Eric it just made it progress faster. I'm going to stay with her; you can take my car and leave if you want. But right now I've to go call Ray to let her know where I am so that she can tell the others that out picnic is off."
"I'll tell you what you stay with her and I'll meet them at your house and explain them what has happened. That way if anything does happen you'll be here with her."
"You would do that?"
"Yes, I'll be back later. Do I need to bring you anything back?"
I shook my head. "No I don't think that I'll need anything."
He kissed my cheek as he walked off. Saying that he would be back soon. ** I will stay here as long as I'm needed; I'm going to have to call the school though. But that can wait until this is over. ** I walked back into her room and found her dozing, so I sat down in a chair by the bed. I soon found myself praying that Eric was fine and would come running through the door at any minute. I might not always like him, but this is my sister's husband. Hello! You can't wish something like that even on a stranger. About that time Elizabeth let a cry and I jumped up. ** Umm aren't they supposed to breathe when they are going into labor? ** "It's ok Elizabeth, just got to breathe. Jut think about what you get once this is all over. Think of the little one waiting for you." I had no idea what I was saying I was just talking and trying to keep her calm. And it sounded good. Trying not to let my fear show through to her. At the time I didn't know what I was afraid of. I would find out soon enough.
That pain subsided pretty quickly. Elizabeth was starting to get tired, for some reason I found that weird. A nurse had come into the room during the contraction. She left fairly quickly. I noticed the look on her face was one of concern. The next thing I knew the doctor on duty was in there. "Elizabeth, how are you feeling?" He was soft spoken and spoke of nothing to fear, but I knew that there was something there.
"I've felt better. Is anything wrong?" Apparently she could sense something too.
He sighed and glanced at his charts before saying anything. "The contractions are becoming too strong. I've been trying to get a hold of your doctor to see what she says, but so far I have been unable too. This could be nothing, and I would rather be safe than sorry. So I am going to have you taken down to the birthing room and prepared for giving birth." As he walked out of the door I told Elizabeth that I would be right back and went after him.
"Doctor." I called to get his attention. Never say Doctor in a hospital when there is more than one doctor around. Well I finally got the doctor's attention that I wanted and pulled him over to the side. "I'm Elizabeth's sister, Serena. "I briefly introduced myself.
"Yes what can I help you with Serena?"
"My sister. What's the matter?"
"Oh. Like I said the contractions are stronger than they should be and that could be dangerous to the baby, Elizabeth or both of them. I haven't been able to reach her doctor yet, so I don't really know how the pregnancy was going. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but it's my fear that we could lose one or both of them."
"Oh god no." Was all I managed to get out. "Thank you for not telling her."
He nodded in response and continued on to wherever he was headed. I watched his retreating form be for I went back to Elizabeth I couldn't let her know what the problem was. I couldn't do that. But was I strong enough to be strong for the both of us and let none of my fears show? I had to do something to get her mind off of what was going on. So I pushed all thought of it away to the back of my mind as I went in. The nurses had left and she was waiting for them to come and get her to go the birthing room. I faked a smile, which I hoped looked real. "If it's a girl what are you going to call her?"
"Umm.we hadn't decided on a name yet. I guess I'll call her whatever comes into my head."
"Ok, then if it's a boy?"
"Well.why are you getting so nosey all of a sudden?"
"Hey! I'm going to be an aunt in a short time. I have a right to know what my future niece or nephew will be called don't I?" I put on my best-hurt voice.
"OK, ok you win." She finally gave in. " If it is a boy his name will be Adam. And if it is a girl then her name will be Adriana. Happy now?"
"Oh pretty names. I like them. Yes I'm happy now. Thanks for telling me." I grinned happily. "I won't tell anyone that you told me. It'll be our secret." About that time the nurses came in and where about to ask me to leave when Elizabeth made it clear that I would be staying since her husband was not there. I don't know if that was a blessing or a curse. The nurses agreed hesitantly. And we went to the room.
I remember going into the room and the next thing I remember is sitting outside in the hall my knees drawn up to my chest and me crying like a baby. Then there was a pair of strong arms around my shoulders offering comfort, which was not helping in the least. ** I lost them. I have lost all of them. My parents. My sister. My niece. My nephew. What do I have left to love for? ** These thoughts where running through my mind as I cried. I looked up, having no more tears to cry, as the doctor came out. He looked awful but there was something wrong. Apparently he saw me as I saw him and came to me as fast as he could. He didn't offer any words of comfort or say I'm sorry. But asked for me to follow him. I tried to stand but was unable to and fell back down. I guess it was then that I actually realized that Darien was there. He picked me up and followed the doctor to the room that Elizabeth was in.
"I really don't know how to tell you this. But there is no other family and there is a problem. If you don't want to I can find someone else." I didn't let him get the rest out of his mouth before I said anything.
"She is my family and I take care of my own. I will take care of her burial and the twins." I said it calmer than I was feeling.
"But you don't understand. The twins.they are.well why don't you look." He motioned to the two little beds that were in the room.
I was about to tell Darien to put me down but before I could he had strode over to them and I started crying again. This time it was tears of joy mixed together with tears of grief. My sister's beautiful twins where lying on their stomachs sleeping. ** I didn't lose everything. Oh thank you for not taking everything from me. **
"You are the only living relative that they have. Will you take them?" He asked quietly as if he feared the answer.
"Yes I'll take them. They are my only family. They will stay with me."
"Don't you want to talk to your husband about it first?"
"Huh? Husband? I'm not married." At this the doctor looked at me strangely. " Oh.umm.this is a really close friend of mine." I wondered why Darien hadn't said a word to anything yet. Turning my head I could tell why, he was embarrassed. He was redder than a tomato his mouth moved but no words were forth coming. I wanted to laugh.
"Oh. Ok, well then I'll get eh necessary paperwork for you. And please don't think that I'm rushing this. I know what you have been through. I lost my wife during childbirth also. I just don't want the babies to go to the state. What will their names be?"
"Are they boys or girls?"
"One of each."
I couldn't help but smile a sad smile at this. I was really glad no that I had gotten Elizabeth to tell me what they had planned to name them. "The little boy will be Adam Dylan. And the little girl will be Adriana Michelle."
"I'll take care of it." With that the doctor had the two nurses that where left in the room, take the twins to the nursery and followed behind them. By this time Darien had found his voice.
"I'll take you home. You could use some sleep." His voice was gentle. I agreed silently. "I told the girls what was going on. But I didn't know everything. They said that they would stop by later to see how everything was going." He didn't say anything after that.
I didn't know what to say about anything. To this day I think he was planning something that day, but. He drove me back to my house. And called a cab to pick him up after he made sure that I would be ok. He left the hotel's number and his room number by my phone. I lay down as if I was going to go to sleep, anything to get him out of the house basically. I wanted to be alone. I had things I had to take care of. I knew that if he was there I wouldn't be able to get any of it done.
I hated being the one that had to do all of this. But I now knew how Elizabeth felt when our parents died. And then there was the matter about Eric I still didn't know if he was alive or dead. I didn't know what to hope for. But until I knew that he was dead for sure I wouldn't worry about he arrangements for his funeral. This might sound mean but I was glad that I only had to make arrangements for one instead of three. I managed to get all the arrangements made before Ray and the rest of the gang showed up. I was on my way to lie down.
They wanted to know how she was, but none of them asked. I guess my red, puffy eyes and tear streaked face was enough of a giveaway. We talked about the past for a little while, before we ordered pizza. We all had the same question. I didn't want to bring it up being as I didn't know the answer. But I knew that it would be brought up before the night was over. I was right.
We had just finished off the pizza and were settling down to talk some more when Ami asked quietly "Do you know if we will get our powers back?" Everyone stopped what they were doing when she asked this. I just sat there not knowing what to say.
Finally I had to say something. " I don't know. We all know that after that fight, we lost everything but the world in some way gained a force field type shield and so far nothing has been able to get through. Now we might if something was able to get through. But I have no idea." No one did. WE all felt the loss heavily. ** But at least we can lead a somewhat normal life now. I mean they are all married or will be shortly. Ray has Missy, and she probably won't be the last. And I have.what do I have? Adam and Adriana that's who I have.
The days before Elizabeth's funeral passed by fairly quickly when I wasn't preparing for it I was up at the hospital checking on the twins. They were so little but very pretty.
The day of the funeral was overcast, it was supposed to rain I hoped that it would hold off until after it was over. Then it could rain all it wanted I didn't care. Elizabeth's friends came and so did mine. I think that they were mainly there for me, but at the time I didn't care why they were there. Some may think that it is not right to bring a child to a funeral but deep inside I was glad that Ray had brought Missy with her. Just seeing the little girl helped some.
It started raining after the services and once everyone was home. I didn't cry I had no more tears to cry. I was numb all over. I walked in to the house that I had begun calling mine and went up to my room. I laid down on the bed, I know I had to go to sleep because the next thing I know some one is shaking me and telling me it is time to get up.
"I don't want to. Leave me alone." I mumbled half asleep.
"Oh come on, Serena. If you don't get up I 'will' dump some water on you. Now do you want that?"
"WHAT?! NO! I'm awake. I'm awake." I yelled sitting up in the bed to come eye to eye with a Mina. Of the people I would expect to do something like that it was not Mina. By no means was it Mina.
"Good." She giggled. "Now that you are awake I have a question. I know that with everything that has happened you probably don't feel like doing much of anything but you need to get some things for the babies. I'm sure that Elizabeth already had one of almost everything, not counting bottles and diapers, but you still need more. And by the way the hospital called they said that the babies could be brought home tomorrow so that means we need to go get the stuff today. Right now."
"They can come home? Oh my God you are right I do need some things. Oh let me get changed." I jumped of the bed and quickly changed into a pair of blue jeans that I had brought along just in case and a t-shirt. Threw on some tennis shoes and brushed my hair into a lose ponytail. I was ready in less than 15 minutes, which has to be a record for me. I ran down stairs to find Mina standing in front of the living room doors, her hands behind her back and easily blocking the doors.
"Do you want to go get the stuff from the house first?" she asked sweetly, a little too sweetly if you ask me.
"No, I'll get that stuff later. I don't really want to go in that house right now."
"We didn't think that you would. So I hope that you don't mind." With that she opened the doors and there in the living sat everything from the cribs and bassinettes to the changing tables and the little baby-sized bathtubs.
I must have had a stunned look on my face, because before I knew it everyone started laughing. "You guys. You didn't have to do that."
"We might not have had to, but we wanted to. We know how much the twins are going to mean to you. Since we have all this done for you. That means that we can have some fun buying clothes. I'm sure that you are going to need some." Ray said while trying to keep from grinning at something that I couldn't see.
About that time some one ran into me and hugged my legs. "Aunt Serena!" I looked down to see Missy attached to my legs.
I looked back to Ray who just smiled and shrugged. "She never had an aunt and she knows that we are friends so she asked if she could call you her aunt. I told that you probably wouldn't care and said go ahead. Oh yeah and guys that goes for the rest of you too. I know you won't mind."
I looked back at the little girl holding on to my legs. ** Well it looks like I'm going to be an aunt after all. **
"Aunt Serena? Are you better now?" Missy asked tugging on my pants.
I looked back down and smiled, still shocked. "Yes, Missy I'm better now. Did mommy get you your ice cream the other day?" I cut my eyes at Ray to see her frown.
"Ice cream? Where?"
"Oh.uh.Serena.ice cream is her favorite food." Ray said before I could say anything else. I just grinned at her. "Why don't we go shopping for some baby clothes?"
"Sure." My mood had brightened a little, and everyone could see that. So we all went out of the house and to our cars. That's when I noticed that half of them where missing. "Where are your other halves?"
"They went somewhere together. No girls aloud." Lita answered a little to quickly.
"Uh huh. OK. Well then. No boys allowed. But the only problem with that is that who will carry the bags?" I asked like it was a big dilemma.
"I know! I know!" Missy said jumping up and down waving her hand in the air, he black hair was flying up and down with her bouncing.
"Ok, who Missy?"
"Mommy will carry them!"
"WHAT?!" This came from Ray.