Chapter 12

Serena woke up the next morning not in the best of moods. Liz was crabby also. Zan and Max sat at the kitchen table sipping coffee. They looked beyond stressed. "Daddy", yelled Sammie running into the kitchen followed closely by Alex. Zan's face broke out into a smile. He loved being a father. It was one of the things he was most proud of. Alex jumped up and down smiling waiting for Max to pick him up. Max smiled down at his son. He was like a ball of pure energy. Liz would get mad at him when he gave his son sugar but he couldn't help it. He would give him that smile and Max would cave.

"So daddy, can we, can we?" asked Sammie giving her father the puppy dog face.

"Oh she is good", said Max holding his son on his lap.

"Aight, baby girl, we will find swings for the both of you", said Zan smiling.

Sammie hugged his tightly on his neck kissing his cheeks.

"Tank doo daddy, yous the bestest", said Sammie.

"Hear that Max, I'm the bestest", said Zan.

Max just smiled.

"Mommy, not here?" asked Alex taking a bit of his father's donut.

Max was going to stop him but he didn't. He knew that Liz would kill him later for giving Alex sweets but his son loved the stuff.

"Yeah she and the girls are talking Alex", said Max kissing his son's forehead.

"Mish her", said Alex looking at his father.

"Alright let's go find her, alright", said Max carrying his son.

"Miss your mom too, baby girl?" asked Zan.

Sammie nodded his head.

"But loves you too daddy", said Sammie smiling. Zan kissed her nose making her giggle.

"What are we going to do?" asked Isabel sitting in front of Serena, Liz and Maria.

"I don't know", said Liz rubbing her eyes.

She didn't like this at all. They weren't ready for some battle. What would they do with the kids? She couldn't bring them out to the battle field. What if the kids got caught in the crossfire? She would die if anything happened to her son. Serena looked at her backyard where they were now sitting having this discussion. She was thinking along the same line of Liz right now. Her daughter had been so much of her world for so long the very thought of someone hurting her made her heart dip in her chest. It was so hard to even swallow. She knew something else too. She would have to kill again. She didn't want to. She didn't want to be that mean person anymore but she knew she had no choice. A tear fell down her face. She brought her knees to her chest hugging herself. Isabel looked at Serena and sighed.

"Serena, are you alright?" asked Isabel.

Serena looked at her with her eyes devoid of any emotion except pain.

"I'll be fine", said Serena wiping her tears away.

Isabel was going to push but Maria gave her a look telling her not too. Maria understood why Serena was this way. She had a feeling it had to do with the whole having to kill. Michael had the same look on his face last night when Liz and Serena told them what was going on.

Flashback………….

Michael walked into his room, the one he shared with Maria and sat on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his face and sighed. Maria stood before and looked on. He bent his head and covered his face with his hands. Maria knelt in front of him taking his hands in hers.

"Michael?" asked Maria.

"I have to do things Maria, I'm a solider, I have to do them", said Michael.

Maria looked confused for a second before it dawned on her.

"You mean kill?" asked Maria looking into his eyes.

Michael looked into her hazel eyes and nodded his head. Maria nodded her head understanding it.

"Maria do you think, umm", said Michael looking nervous.

"Do I think what?" asked Maria.

"Do you think I'm a monster?" asked Michael looking at her with vunerable eyes.

"No Michael, I saw into your soul and its beautiful there is nothing monstrous about you. You Michael, my space boy are the love of my life", said Maria.

Michael pulled her into his lap.

"I don't want you to change your opinion of me after you know", said Michael leaning his forehead against hers.

"I won't I know your heart too well", said Maria tilting his head to and cupping his face before kissing his lips softly.

Michael nodded his head and leaned his head on her shoulders. Maria ran her fingers through his hair. She loved his man. She really did.

End of Flashback…………….

"Mommy", said Alex running towards Liz smiling as she kissed his face.

"Alex, my little man", said Liz smiling and cradling him in her arms.

Isabel and Maria smiled. Serena still was staring off into space. Liz was scared for her. She was such a strong person but there were moments where she could be so broken.

I know that Serena is feeling this pain. I just wished she would tell us what is going on with her. The only time I ever see her happy is when Sammie and Zan are around. It's like she comes out of the darkness when she sees her little girl. Serena looked up when she saw her three year running towards her. See what did I tell you her whole personality changes completely. She is smiling now.

"Baby", whispered Serena before pulling her into her lap.

You probably wondering what is going on with Zan and Serena. Humm it seems that they had some issues to work out but when they did. Let's just say I'm glad me and Max's room is not directly next to there's. Zan I think is trying to make up for the years he wasn't there or something. He gives her private time of course but he is attached to her all the time. Just like he is attached to Sammie. He loves that little girl. She got him wrapped around her little finger. He is in love with his family.

Flashback…………..

Zan sat in the dance room. He watched Serena glide around the room. She was so graceful. She was teaching his daughter so type of ballerina steps. Sammie was so adorable in her tutu and pink leotard. He just loved watching them. This was the life he always wanted. He had the woman of his dreams and he had a child with her. This had t be the most amazing thing that ever happened to him.

"Daddy look I's bal erian", said Sammie looking at her mother for confirmation.

"Ballerina sweetheart", said Serena running her fingers through her tangled hair.

Sammie smiled jumping into Zan's arms.

"My big girl", said Zan kissing her forehead.

"Love you daddy", said Sammie.

"How much?", asked Zan.

"Lots and lots", said Sammie giggling and hugging her father.

Serena smiled at her little girl. She knew that Sammie loved having her dad around. Serena looked at him and smiled. Zan looked up and trapped her with his eyes. She could fall so deep into his eyes. She loved him a lot. Her and Zan have not slept together yet because he was waiting for her. She wanted him though so much. Serena smirked and swayed her hips.

"So daddy there anymore room on your lap?", asked Serena smiling at Zan.

He swallowed and nodded her head.

"Yeah mommy sit, daddy strong", said Sammie like her father was the most amazing person in the whole world.

Zan chuckled at that. Serena sat on his lap and hugged them both.

"I love you two too much", said Serena kissing Sammie's forehead then kissing Zan softly on the mouth.

End Flashback…………..

"She is beautiful", said Zan looking at her daughter that was now sleeping in her room.

They had talked all afternoon. All the guys discussed how they would fight this battle.

"We have to be ready for anything", said Chris sitting down.

These past few days had really tested his sanity. He wasn't resentful towards Zan for Ava no, he wasn't he was just so tired. He missed his girl but he didn't trust her with his heart any more. He was scared of getting hurt. He just didn't understand why she would hurt him.

"Chris, Chris you alright buddy", said Zan.

Chris rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah just tired, this shit is not good for the nerves", said Chris.

Zan knew otherwise though. He didn't want to bring it up though.

"Let's get some rest", said Zan.

Serena walked into the room with her pj.

"Zan", said Serena.

Zan nodded his head. He knew she was scared and she needed him tonight. Zan got up and walked towards their room. He held her close to his body.

"Zan", cried out Serena.

"I know I know", said Zan holding her and rocking her back and forth.

They heard the noise, it has begun. Serena ran to her daughter's room. Liz and Max followed closely behind. She saw the person that would try to take her daughter and Liz's son away from her and Liz and bring them to their enemies.

"Ava".

"I have to do this", said Ava with tears leaking from her eyes.

Serena stood and looked at her.

"Remember what I told you if you joined their side?", asked Serena.

Chris walked into the room then and looked at Ava in the eyes. He felt the pain come back quickly.

"You will kill me", said Ava crying.

Serena said nothing then. Ava's fate had already been decided.