An Eternal Tale

Summary: This is a story about Darla's human life before she became a vampire.
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns Darla, I own John, Rebecca, Mary, etc. etc. Practically everyone who isn't Darla ;).

1. No More Hope

1585, Virginia Colony

In the middle of the night, a young woman is laying on a bed. She's giving birth to a child. Outside there is a bad thunderstorm brewing, the weather fits the woman's mood perfectly. She's angry and hurt, because she's already been in labor since the last 36 hours.. and it's exhausting her. The woman's husband, John, was still sitting by her and holding her hand. He's looking very worried. They had to do it all alone, because the weather caused complete isolation from any possible help. He knew what to do, because they already had 8 children, but still, the thought of being completely alone was frightening. What if something went wrong? 'John..', his wife Rebecca said softly. He put a new cold cloth on her forehead. 'Yes?', he asked. 'I can't hold on much longer John... I'm going to—'. 'No.. don't say that! ', he said panicky. 'You can do it Becky.. Try.. One more time.. For me?', he desperately asked, almost begging. He would do anything to safe his wife.. and his baby, of course. But it was Rebecca who had to do it. He couldn't deliver this baby for her. Fortunately, she nodded, and gave one last push.. With that one using her last breath and passing her life on to her child..
Her baby.
Her girl.
Rebecca died.

John had been incredibly sad, and confused.. and panicked. It was 2 days ago now. Two awful, long days. He now had 9 children to take care of.. Including a newborn baby, and he also had to work.
They had already been nearly broke when they had 8 children, a 9th one, a baby, who needed milk, clothes, medications, and other routine things didn't help much with that. Shortly said, there was just no money for this baby.
John was talking to his eldest daughter, Mary. She had recently turned 15.
'Daddy... There must be a way to keep her..', her eyes were filled with tears. She had looked forward to this new baby, and now her dad was suggesting to give it to someone else.
Simply abandon it.
'If I knew one way.. only one single way, Mary, then I would tell you. Then I would do anything to make us keep this child. But there isn't. If we let her stay with us she'll definitely die. We can give her a better life! A good life, in a rich family maybe.', he tried to make her understand, show her the other side of the what seemed so cruel propose.
Mary staid silent for quite a long while. 'When are you going to.. do it?', she asked eventually, tears in her eyes. She knew her father was right. This was the best for both. They already had so little food, and money. There was no way they could keep this baby.
'As soon as possible.. Before we get too.. attached.', John said, sadly, and Mary nodded. 'Tonight. But.. can I please say goodbye to her, daddy? Can I do that?'.
He nodded. 'Of course you can..'. He got up and paced around the room. 'I know where to take her. There's a rich family. A husband and a wife. The Warners, I believe. They recently moved in that house close to the vicar. I heard the woman is infertile, so we would help them by doing this. The baby would be wanted.', he said, fighting against the tears welling up in his eyes. His daughter nodded and went into the small room in which the little ones were asleep. Including the baby. She picked her up and carried the little girl back into the main room, where her father was still pacing.
'We haven't even.. given her a name yet.', Mary said, ignoring the obvious pain sounding through in her shaky voice. John looked up at his two girls, they were both so beautiful. The baby seemed to have the same beautiful, golden hair. Just like her older sister and her mother. The least thing they could do was give her a name.. That would be the only thing they indeed could give her. And then he smiled. 'You name her, Mary. With your great sense of style I'm sure you can think of something nice.. Something that will stay with her.. Something from us.'.
Mary nodded. 'Okay, daddy.', she said, and looked down at her little sister who was contently asleep, not knowing anything about what was soon going to happen to her. She had no idea that in several minutes she would leave her real family. The family that loved her the most. 'Let's call her 'Hope' ', Mary said, smiling slightly, happy that she found a name that fitted this perfect little creature. She would give that other family new hope, and she also hoped that the name would give the baby strength.. to never give up. Yes, this was a perfect name. John agreed with that. 'It's a lovely name. Now say goodbye.. I want to do it before the sun comes up.'.
Mary gave a nod and softly hugged the baby, one last time taking in the sweet baby smell, watching the pretty little hairs on her head.. The tiny little nose, the content expression on the still so very innocent face..
This was her sister, and no one could take this memory away from her.
Ever.
With that thought, she handed Hope back to her father. They shared a look which showed despair, but also the knowledge of them doing the right thing. For all of them.
'I will be back soon', John said, and disappeared out of the wooden little house the 10, now only 9 of them, were living in. Mary sighed and sat down on the chair by the table.
'Make something of your life, little Hope.. I know you have it in you. ', she whispered to the memory of her baby sister.

Please review and let me know what you thought of it and if you want me to continue. Thanks!

xx-