AN: In the famous words of Joey from 'Blossom'...WHOA! Thanks for all the reviews guys and gals! Just 2 more chapters left to come...quickly brushing away the tears...oh, I promised myself not to cry...no more further ado...Enjoy!

Chapter 18: Quasimodo

you can be right
and I'll be real
honesty won't be a pain that you'll have to feel
cause I don't need your approval
to find my worth
I'm trapped inside of my own mind
afraid to open my eyes cause of what I'd find and I
don't want to live like this anymore

there goes my pain
there goes my chains
did you see them falling
because this feeling
that has no meaning

there goes the world
off of my shoulders
there goes the world
off of my back
there it goes

An hour later, Serena was rubbing Sammy's head as he slept in her lap. Darien was sitting beside her, her head on his shoulder. Mrs. West appeared as she came out the elevator.

"Mommy!" Serena moved Sammy's head and jumped up. "How's Papa?"

"He's still in surgery. I just came down to tell you all that. He's gonna need more surgery before he will be stable enough, but for now he's alive."

"Alive?" They hugged.

"Yes, alive."

"You sound as though he was…."

"Can you take Sammy away from here? I don't want him here during this."

"But what about Papa? I can't leave him. We shouldn't leave him."

"Serena, you have school in a few hours. Go home and get some rest. Your father is strong. He will be fine."

"I don't want to fucking go!"

"Do not curse at me! I don't want you here."

"Why? Why can't I stay?"

"Because I said so!"

"I am not a child!"

"You are my child!" Serena's mother held her face as Serena cried. Irene had tears in her eyes as well. "You listen to me, I don't want you and Sammy here, okay. I will stay with your father, and call you if anything changes."

"No, I don't…."

"Darien, please." Darien pulled Serena to him. They hugged.

"Serena, your mother is right. Come on, let's all try and get some sleep." Darien picked up Sammy.

They stopped by Serena's house to get some of Sammy's clothes for school. Darien laid Sammy into bed, as Serena stood by his balcony.

"Baby, come to bed."

"I don't want to go to bed! I shouldn't be here! I should be with him!" Serena touched her chest as the pain took her. Darien rushed and quickly caught her as she fell to her knees. Darien picked her up and carried her to the couch. They lay on the couch together. Darien stayed awake, as Serena as she cried herself to sleep. He wrapped a blanket around her, holding her tight, wanting her to always feel and know he was there for her always.

Serena woke up to hear talking from the kitchen. It was her baby brother and Darien.

"Do you love my Serena?" Samuel had woke up and found Darien and Serena on the couch. Darien was awake stroking Serena's face as she slept facing him. He would plant kisses on her forehead and lips. Darien looked over and saw Sammy standing there. Darien got up and offered to make breakfast, as long as they were quiet and let Serena get sleep.

"Of course," Darien said getting some plates down after he finished the bacon. Sammy was sitting on the counter watching Darien cooking. "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, Papa says you are not good for her."

"Your father is wrong."

"My father is never wrong."

"I guess all little guys think that. But you'll learn."

"Are you using Serena?"

"Is that something your father said too?" Samuel nodded.

"For sex." Darien dropped some forks.

"Whoa, little man. What do you know about sex?" Darien asked picking them up.

"Nothing, just want I heard from Papa. He said to Mommy, you are just using her for sex, because she is young, naive and willing to do anything."

"Serena is young, but never naïve. She is smarter than me, I think. I love her with all my heart."

"Are you going to marry Serena?"

"You saw that ring on her finger?" Sammy nodded. "That ring means Serena and I are getting married soon."

"How soon?"

"Like July," Serena said coming into the kitchen.

"Not that soon. Good morning baby." Darien kissed her.

"Morning you two. How dare you ask Darien all those questions! Who do you think you are?"

"Your brother. Somebody has to look out for you!" Serena laughed.

"I already have Darien being so over-protective. I don't need my 7 year-old baby brother doing the same…thing." Serena thumped his head.

"Ow!" Sammy thumped her back.

"Children!" Darien broke some eggs. "Let's just have breakfast and get you two ready for school."

"I'm not going."

"Me either," Samuel said.

"Your mother said to go on to school. She will call.."

"I don't care what my mother said. I am an adult. I can do what I want. And I am going to the hospital."

"Serena, please."

"Just to check on him. Then I can go to school. I promise."

"Me too."

"Copycat." Serena stuck her tongue out at him. Sammy smiled.

Darien found out where Mr. West was being held. He was in ICU after getting out of 6 hours of surgery. Serena gasped as they stood outside in the window before the room. Serena's mother hold her husband's hand, as she slept. Sammy looking through, his hands on the window with help from climbing the way. Serena touched his shoulder.

"What are all those lines coming out of Papa?" Darien looked down at him.

"Well, some are helping him breath, making him get better, Samuel."

"Will he get better?"

"Of course, Sammy! Don't ask such stupid question!" Serena knocked on the door. Serena's mother woke up and quickly went to the door. Serena was not allowed to come inside.

"What's with all that noise? All that…cling and clatter."

"What are you doing here?"

"We wanted to see Papa before school. How is doing?"

"Go to school."

"Mom, please…we should be here with you, helping Papa and you through this…"

"I said go to school now!" Serena's mother pointed down the hall.

"Fine!" Serena turned and stormed away. Serena's mother gave Sammy a kiss before he followed his sister, taking her hand, looking back at his mother.

"I don't want them to see their father like this. No one should be able to see him like this," Serena's mother said with tears in her eyes. "So weak, so helpless."

"But they might."

"No."

"I know you feel like this is too much for them, maybe Sammy, but Serena is not a child That's their father in there fighting for his life, and they could help him. As a family, you all need each other."

"Not when he's like that, Darien. I'll be leaving them in your care for a few days. Doctors say these next 24 hours will be crucial to his recovery. If there is a recovery. Take care of my children, Darien. Keep them safe."

"Of course, Mrs. West." Darien walked away.

Darien dropped Samuel and Serena off at school. Molly was the first one to Serena.

"I heard about your father! I'm so sorry!" They hugged.

"Thanks. He's still unconscious, but the doctors are hopeful."

"And should you too," Karie said.

"Yeah, your dad is such a hard-ass. He'll pull through."

"Thanks." Serena went on to her classes.

During ballet, Serena was unfocused as she practiced through her dance audition. Madame Sokolva knew the reason, but told Serena if she wasn't going to give 100 percent, don't train. Serena slipped with her spin. She stopped and walked back to the other side.

"Stop. Stop now. Come down here now." Serena sighed. She scratched her ankle as she walked to the edge of stage and sat down. "You don't have to be here."

"I want to be here."

"No, you don't. Now, I have errands to run. Go home. Call your mother."

"Madame, I want to…"

"That is my final say to you." Madame Sokolva walked away. Serena stayed sitting there. Darien picked up Sammy from baseball practice. They went to pick up Serena next, then dinner and home. Sammy followed Darien inside the studio. He motioned for Sammy to be quiet as Serena was lying on the ground in the middle of the stage. All of the sudden, music filled the studio. Serena slowly rose to the music. Darien and Sammy sat down watching her. Serena saw them and put on a smile, as she danced. She ended as she started on the ground. Sammy clapped loudly. Serena stood up, picking up bag and jacket.

"How are you not dizzy?"

"Because I got skills, kid," Serena said patting her brother's head.

"How many spins was that on one foot?"

"About 8."

"Wow." Serena smiled. Darien and her kissed.

"Thinking Chinese food for dinner." Serena shook her head.

"Sammy hates Chinese."

"What? Really!" Darien looked down at Sammy who was nodded.

"You don't really want to know why," Serena said. "It's crazy because he's..." Serena motioned crazy with her finger.

"Hey! I am not crazy! Chinese food is bad for you!"

"Of course it is, Sammy." Serena shrugged. "Let's get pizza and some movies."

"Yay!" Sammy ran ahead to the car. Darien took her bag and put his arm around her.

"You okay?"

"I have you." They kissed.

"That you do baby. That you do." They went to get some dinner.

Saturday morning, Serena woke up in the arms of Darien. Sammy asleep in front of her. Serena smiled and moved some hair from his forehead. Sammy looked so much like their father. He had his brown hair. No one really knows where Serena got her blonde locks. Her mother had dark brown hair; her father's hair was a few shades lighter, about medium brown. None of Serena's grandparents had blonde hair in their past, so it was rather surprising when Serena was born with a head full of blonde curly locks. Serena turned her head slightly when Darien moaned. He kissed Serena's shoulder though half asleep. Serena sat up between her favorite boys going to the bathroom. Serena came out from the bathroom to find Darien awake stretching in his black boxers. Serena hit him in the stomach, getting him to nearly fall over when he let out a breath. He wrapped his arms around her, tickling her. Serena was tossed to the bed, with Darien falling on top of her, kissing and biting at her neck.

"Children!" Sammy yelled pulling at the covers over his head. Serena and Darien burst into laughter.

"Listen here, squirt! You are lucky Darien let you share our bed. The couch would be so much better for you. In fact you should try it out now."

"Hey!"

"Get out!"

"No!" Sammy sat up.

"Out now!"

"Fine!" Sammy grabbed a pillow and tugged at the covers. Serena and Darien smiled, watching him leave before looking at each other. Serena laughed.

"You are so mean to him."

"I know. I love it." They kissed. Darien pulled at the sheet around them. After 5 blissful minutes of kissing, Darien and Serena were interrupted. Sammy tapped Darien on the head.

"Where is my breakfast?"

"There is cereal in there, help yourself," Serena said bringing Darien's head back with her hands.

"But I don't want that cereal!"

"Couldn't give us peace for just 5 minutes! And this is why I don't want children." Serena moved beneath Darien. She straightened her top and walked out the room.

"You don't want to mess her, Sammy boy."

"What? Why is she PMsing?"

"How do you know about PMsing?"

"Molly and her talk about that all the time. Once a week, I shouldn't to be messing with them. It's usually around this time of the month."

"You really are a scary little boy." Sammy smiled as Darien shook out his hair.

"Well, aren't ya gonna help!" Serena yelled from the kitchen. The boys followed quickly, not wanting to piss off Serena at all.

Serena's father refused to stay in the hospital another day after being there over a week. He was a stubborn man and refused any more help from the hospital, though doctors were worried. It was just May 22nd, a Thursday afternoon when he was released. Irene and Serena helped him into the car, as Sammy and Darien carried the bag.

"What is he doing here?"

"Papa, Darien drove us home."

"I don't want him here."

"Honey, you heard the doctors. Don't over-exert yourself."

"I am fine."

"You were just shot, Papa! Let us help you!"

"I said I was fine!" Darien pulled Serena away.

Serena helped her mother with the bed, fluffing out the pillows. They were in the downstairs bedroom, cleaning it up, so Serena's father wouldn't have to use the stairs, plus the bedroom had it's own bathroom.

"You know your father can be the most stubborn man."

"I know." Serena's mother smiled as she caught Serena's left hand.

"I still can't believe my babygirl is getting married." Irene pulled Serena to her and they hugged.

"Me too, sometimes." Serena's father was in his wheelchair watching them. "Are you sure, Mommy, you don't want Darien and I to stay here for a few days and help you with Papa?"

"Absolutely not, I will not allow that boy to stay under my roof another moment!"

"That boy, Papa is your future son in-law."

"I have no daughter to have a future son in-law." Serena gasped.

"How dare you say that to her! Apologize now!"

"No."

"Fine! Take care of yourself then!" Irene walked out. She barely gave her husband a glance. He rolled over to the bed. Serena tried to help him into the bed, but her efforts were shoved away. Serena held back her cry as she walked out. Darien caught her into a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Ser."

Following Saturday morning, Darien woke up to find Serena out of bed. She was sitting on the couch in the early morning. She hadn't been sleeping much since the accident. Her ballet forgotten, her schoolwork as well, lucky she was in her last weeks, or else there might have been a problem. Serena went through the motions of life, in school, she wasgetting her A's, but withno emotions putinto any of her works. Darien came downstairs and sat beside her. He put his arm around her.

"Your recital is tonight, you should be resting." Serena hasn't put on her ballet shoes but once since the incident, little training for her final high school ballet performance and her audition in June.

"I'm not doing it."

"What?"

"I said, I'm not doing it. I'm going to stay with my father today."

"He doesn't want you…"

"He's still my father!" Serena stood up. "I think I need to move back home."

"What?" Serena turned to Darien with tears in her eyes.

"I don't think I'm going to New York."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to dance anymore." Darien hugged her.

"It's only been a week, Serena. You are just still in shock about the shooting. You shouldn't give up on your ballet. You've worked for many years to do this."

"I don't care!"

"Well, I care. And I am sure your parents would not want this."

"I need to take care of my father now, ballet means nothing to be now."

Serena was bringing in a tray of doctor recommended foods with help from Darien a few hours later.

"Papa, I got breakfast."

"I am not hungry."

"But I got fruits and cholesterol free eggs, with lit juice and…"

"I said, I'm not hungry!"

"Don't yell at me! I am trying to help you!" Serena's father was sitting up with the paper in his lap.

"I told you before, I don't want that boy here!"

"Papa, I really don't care what you want right now, you are not well." Serena put the tray beside him.

"Why are you throwing him in my face!"

"I love Darien! We are to be married!"

"Over my grave."

"I don't need your approval to live my life! I am an adult now! I am not some Quasimodo that you can control. I am marrying Darien, with or without you!"

"Fine! But know this, if you marry him I will never want to see or hear from you again." Serena gasped.

"I am your daughter how can you..."

"You stopped being my child the day you chose him over me."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine, I'll leave now."

"Go, I don't need you here treating me as a baby."

"Fine by me. Why do I even try?" Serena threw the nap she had opened at him and stormed out the room. Darien picked up the pillow, Serena had dropped.

"I'm losing my daughter because of you. How dare you stand there after you stole my daughter away?"

"I'm not stealing your daughter away, sir. You're losing your daughter on your own. Did you know gave up her recital tonight?"

"What?"

"To be here with you."

"But she…"

"Loves to dance, I thought so too, until this." Darien put the pillows on the bed. "She's giving up her dream of danceto please you."

"Nothing in the world would please me morewhen she dumps you."

"That's not going to happen, sir. I won't let it."

"She is just a child! There are plenty of women out there for you!"

"Yes, that may be true. But there is only one woman I love and that's Serena."

"She is just 18! You corrupted her, using her…"

"I won't fight with you over this, okay. I love your daughter, she loves me. We're getting married. If you want some advice…"

"I don't."

"Here is some still, stop pushing Serena away. Stop fighting her on this, because you won't win. We are together and nothing or nobody will stop that." Darien left the room.

Serena was sitting in her old room staring out her window. Darien knocked on the door though it was open. Serena wiped her face.

"He's never going to accept this, is he?" Serena asked with tears flowing.

"Looks that way."

"It's not fair."

"I know baby." Darien sat on the bed, and put his arm around her.

"I want to marry you, you know that. But I don't know if I can do that without him."

"What do you mean?"

"I choose to love you because I can't see myself loving another person, but I won't marry you without my father walking me down the aisle."

"You won't?" Darien asked confused.

"That was always my dream and I can't…I won't."

"But Serena, what if your father never accepts us? Are you saying you will never marry me until he does approve?"

"I don't know. But, I don't see myself walking down that aisle alone."

"You're not alone!"

"But I want my father there! This isnot fair, I know. I can't lose him, Dar. He's my father!" Darien sighed and pressed his lips to the side of her head. Serena's arms went around him. Tears rolling down her face. Irene had been listening outside in the hallway.

oooo...How will Irene fix this...Will Serena give up all hope and dreams for her father...until next time :P