Sera's POV

3 months passed without realising how. Winter was getting at its best, and this was the most time I loved. The cuddling… the warmth… the snow… Aspen was very attractive at these times of the year. I was finally getting accustomed to the place. As promised, dad had kept Jason's nursery around. It was the same… only few little changes… I loved it anyways. There was still his memory around.

I kept tapping my fingers and fidgeting with the pen. GEH was getting busier and busier these times of the year. Soon there was going to be the seasonal shut down, which meant we had to finish all work in time. Not to mention, school wasn't getting any easier. Natalie's life was already hard as it is, and the only thing I could do was help her out with Jace whenever needed. During our frees, we spend hours at her place, taking turns in taking care of Jace.

Christian's POV

I usually am the one myself fidgeting, and thinking ahead, but this time, my daughter took my place. She was taking way things ahead. Since she started school, we were barely seeing her. I was right on not sending her to the dorms. She even took up voluntary work, saying that it would look good for the bedside manner. I discussed this with my mother, and she agreed, but she was also concerned.

I looked up and realized she was still absorbed in her work. Her foot tapping nervously, her eyes darting everywhere… a book over a book… earphones in her ear… and my paper work on top of it. I wondered how she was keeping up with things. She started recording lectures which helped her in revising. That was a good idea… In my days, we weren't allowed to do so… I just wish it was still summer, where we all pulled all kind of pranks to each other.

Flashback – August

We were on the Grace, and Ana and Sera seemed to be planning something all day. It was at around 2pm, that my two girls decided to prank me. I had specifically ordered my daughter that she won't jump off the yacht to the sea. That was too much height, and I wanted to keep an eye on her when she did that. She was gutsy… and I hated that. She could get really hurt, hence I made it clear that she won't do it, unless I was there overseeing everything.

I was behind the deck when I heard something go off in the sea, and Ana's voice shouting.

'Sera! Get up here immediately!' Ana shouted as I realised what just happened.

'What the fuck?'

'She jumped.' She simply replied.

'I specifically said otherwise… ohhh she's going to be so sorry about this…' I replied. 'Sera Elizabeth Grey, get back up here right THIS MINUTE!' I ordered still waiting for her to resurface. A whole minute passed, and she was still not up. This is what I was afraid of.

'Christian…'

'Dammit…' I replied as I removed my shirt and jumped myself, only to realise that when I was in the sea, my two girls were up there on the deck, laughing their guts out hi fiving each other.

'YOUUUU!' I shouted as my daughter followed. 'Noooo!'

'Christian you bought it!' Ana laughed as my daughter resurfaced beside me.

'Dad… you said I can jump off when you're here… You're not only here but you've also jumped.' She replied.

'Oh you're so going to regret this Sera!' I replied as I splashed water in her face.

'Nooo! Not in my ears!'

'Yeah right… you wanted to jump…'

'You two look like kids!' Ana shouted back as she jumped joining us.

'Mum… together?' Sera asked as they ganged up on me.

'One… two… three!' They sad again as they splashed the water in my face.

End of Flashback

Although I didn't want any of my girls to take that risk, I enjoyed the fact that we did something together… risky yet exciting. We hadn't done this in years… Usually we did it in the pool, but since Ana taught our daughter this risk… they always wanted to do this… I started catching up to their little ploys. Only to catch them in the act. I scolded them both for doing this… I couldn't bear the thought of any one of them getting hurt…

I realised that her cold still didn't pass. She was sniffling like crazy, and at times I swear I could hear her wheezing. Not to mention the cough and the continuous nose blowing. She said she was feeling better… but I guess not…

'Sera, will you export the file once you're ready?' I asked gently, as I pulled her ear phones out.

'Yeah… I know… it wasn't the best report…' She replied back. I could notice she was still caught up on her assessment reports we received yesterday.

'Sera, I asked you about that file not the report! Besides you did great! You shouldn't worry, you just have to improve in your linguistics. You had straight A's… just improve that C…' I smiled as she sneezed three at a time. I handed her another tissue. The one she was using was ruined. 'I'll tell you what, I'll start helping you out. I aced my linguistics. I can teach it to you…'

'Yeah… It's my weakest…' She replied back hoarsely.

'You're still sick…'

'I'm fine…' She replied back avoiding my eye. 'I'm just tired…' She smiled weakly. I got up and brought her some food. She seemed to be getting thinner again. Different thinner… but I still didn't want her to relapse. 'What's that?' She asked as I placed a sandwich in front of her.

'What does it look like?'

'I mean I know what it is… but…'

'Sera, I'd like to see you eat something else… I don't want you to relapse…'

'You're testing me?'

'Well… not exactly…' I tried. 'Yes, I am…' I admitted. There was no use in lying. 'Sera you're getting thin again… and it's scaring me.'

'Dad, I'm constantly on my feet, I'm constantly walking around, babysitting Jace every day and…'

'Wow… hold it right there young lady… Repeat that again… Babysitting Jace?'

'Natalie wasn't managing with everything, and neither Mark has. Prescott was getting tired, so I kind of am helping her out. During our 'frees' we go to her place and study there… we take it in turns. Feed him, change him, clean him…' She explained as she sneezed again.

'Bless you…'

'Thanks…'

'Sera, it is her kid! You don't need to take care of him.'

'What are friends for if I let her fend on her own?'

'What I mean is, that she's taking up your little time. You're making a lot in 24 hours… you are keeping up with everything, but this… this is added stress on you…'

'What do you expect me to do? Let my best friend drown alone? She needs to study as well!'

'And so do you! But I'm not worried about that… I'm worried about your welfare.' I explained. 'Sera, when you were in deep shit, she turned against you. You are not obligated to do anything.'

'I'm not obligated to help her out… I chose to… Yes, she may have turned against me, but I have forgiven her… and helping her out comes with the territory…'

'Sera, I don't like Natalie!' I finally admitted to her. 'I know what she did to you… I know what I felt when I saw you lying in that tub lifeless because of her…'

'Dad… that is in the past…'

'Which I don't want to happen again!'

'…and it won't! I'm past that now… I know you guys love me, and that is one main reason why I should stay… Whether you see it or not dad, I need you both… and I love you, and I want to stay around to have you both…' She replied as she sneezed again while coughing in the middle. I smiled to myself. She truly did love us. I never thought we would arrive to this.

'You do?' I asked as she composed herself back.

'Yeah…' She chocked, as I handed her a glass of warm water.

'Sera, I know I'm getting on your nerves, but please do eat something…' I said again.

'Dad… I can't…' She replied. It brought shivers down my spine hearing her say that.

'Sera, you're not attending to therapy… you've stopped seeing John…' I explained as I rested against the edge of the desk in front of her. 'I think you should talk to John… If not to us…'

'Dad… stop…' She cut me off.

'Sera, you're not eating!'

'Dad… you understood wrong… what I meant was, that I can't because I can't swallow… It's like a million gravels are in my throat.' She explained. 'I'd rather have some warm soup…' She continued as she coughed again.

I moved forward and touched her forehead lightly. She was burning up. This wasn't just a cold.

'Dammit… you're feverish…' I noted as I felt her hands. '…and your hands are freezing… you are sick…'

'I'll be fine dad… it's not the end of the world…'

'I don't care… you and your mother are my world…' I replied back as I took the files from her hands. 'Get ready, we're going home…'

'Dad, it's not even 8pm…'

'I don't care… you need to be in bed resting young lady…' I replied as I helped her packing everything. '…and I still want you to see John… It will help you out… and it's not up for discussion so spare your words…' I ordered again as we exited my office and locked it. 'Keys please…'

'What?'

'Keys to the Audi…' I asked again.

'Why?'

'…because you are in no condition to drive…' I said again as we caught the elevator.

'Dad, I just have a little cold… I'm not dying for God's sake…'

'I know… but I want you to rest…' I said again as I took her bag and fished for the keys myself.

'Hey!'

'Don't 'hey' me… I'm your father, and you're sick…'

'Fine…' She replied as she rested her head to the elevator wall. I realized she was truly sick. She wouldn't have given up this easily if she was well. I had to call my mother if she remained like this till tomorrow.

As we entered the car, I switched on the heater. I didn't want her to freeze, but I was worried the fever would only increase. I quickly texted Ana and in few minutes we were already on the road. She looked so peaceful resting her head to the window, if only the coughs treated her well.

'We're home…' I notified her as she raised her head slowly, still blowing as I killed the engine off. I took her bags while Taylor also parked in the next Gate.

'Christian is everything ok?' He asked as he took some of our things.

'She's sick…' I replied as we made our way in still holding her from her shoulders tightly.

'Dad…' She started. 'I'm not crippled. I can walk…'

'I know you can… I chose to make sure that you don't fall…' I replied as Ana joined us in the living room.

'Oh God… You look aweful!' She started as she felt Sera's forehead and face. 'Damn you're burning up… Come on… off to bed…'

'Mum…'

'Now young lady! Don't make me tell your father to carry you upstairs… you know he will…' She threatened.

'Fine…' she replied.

'I'll soon be up with some medicine…' She notified her as Sera made her way upstairs.

'I'm calling my mother tomorrow if she remains like this…'

'Yeah… we have to try and keep her home first… She still went to school didn't she…' Ana replied as we made our way to the kitchen. 'Gail, would you please make some camomile?'

'Sure…' She smiled as we brought out everything.

We went upstairs, and Sera was resting her head on her desk with a book underneath her head. She barely realised we were there.

'Sera, I thought we told you to get in bed!'

'I need to shower first…'

'What? No!' I fought her on this. 'It would make you sicker.'

'Christian, a warm bath would help her…' Ana suggested. 'I'll prepare it myself.' She smiled. 'In the meantime take some Nyquil and let your father take your temperature and drink that camomile while it's hot…'

'Yes Ma'am…' She smiled weakly, as I handed her everything and took her temperature. '102… You're sick…'

'I'm not…' She grumbled.

'Yeah keep saying that…' I replied sarcastically as Ana came out of her bathroom.

'The bath is ready honey…' She smiled as Sera got up about to change.

'Um… I need some privacy…' She stated looking at both of us.

'You have 20 minutes…' Ana ordered. She was as overprotective as I was when there was someone sick, and I could understand why. Last time I was sick I ended up in hospital delirious with high fever. From then onwards, none of us took any chances.

Sera's POV

I woke up at around 4am, wanting to make sure, that none of my parents would stop me from going to school. Today, Natalie, Peter and I had to do the presentation we had to put up as our assessment. As usual, we split up the work evenly, apart from the public speaking. I let them do the work, why I presented the information. Not to mention that we had a study group at the library till 11pm for sure. We had to finalise our 3rd presentation for next week, and it was the only way to work things out.

Dad remained with me changing the facecloth from my forehead, till my fever decreased, and it worked. I felt awful, but I had to do this. I couldn't just ditch my friends just because I have a cold. I quickly got dressed and wrote a quick note to leave it for them at the table. I knew that they weren't going to approve of this… but I had to do this…

I quickly took the books necessary for the day, along with my laptop. Dad left me the car keys on my desk. I retrieved and placed everything. My face looked totally flushed… but I knew why. I took two caffeine tablets, hoping they would help me out along with some Nyquil. My nose was like a running waterfall, and my throat was feeling worse by the minute. It was Friday, so I could go to grandma tomorrow morning… It can wait.

As I went downstairs, I realised that Gail was already there preparing breakfast. She greeted me but as she turned facing me, I could see that she wasn't going to approve.

'God, you look sick Sera…' She started as she came forward and touched my face and forehead. '…and you seem to be running a fever, not like last night… but…'

'Gail…' I chocked, trying to spare my voice.

'You can't even talk…' She said again.

'I'm fine… It's probably laryngitis…' I replied back. 'Can you please give this note to my parents?' I said again as I handed her the piece of paper while she opened it and read it.

'You're going to school?'

'I have too… Don't worry, I'll come home if I feel worse…' I smiled weakly, as she handed me a box.

'Here, take these lozenges; take one every 2 to 3 hours. They helped me…' She smiled. 'I should advice you; you may receive a rather angry phone call from your father once he'll know about this…'

'Yes, I know…' I smiled. 'Which is why I woke up early, so that I kind of avoid them…'

'You cheeky little kid…' Gail smiled. 'Please, if you do feel any sicker come home… I'll take care of you honey…' She smiled as she hugged me and kissed my forehead.

'Thanks Gail.'

'Love you kiddo…'

'Love you too…'

Ana's POV

As I woke up, I decided to check on Sera. I woke up around three times. I could hear her whimper in pain and with fever. Christian and I kept changing taking it in turns. She never got sick, but when she did, all hell breaks loose. She wasn't in her room. 'Maybe she's already up…' I thought to myself, as I made my way to the kitchen.

'Gail, have you seen Sera?'

'Yes Ana…' She replied. 'She left you this note…'She continued as she handed me the note. I started reading

'Good morning… I'm sorry I didn't wait up, but I woke up early, because I have my final presentation for this year. I'll be back home by 11pm. I'll be in the library with Natalie and Peter working on another presentation for January. Don't worry, I feel better, and please DO NOT GET WORKED UP ON ANYTHING. If I feel worse, I'll come home… Promise…

Love you… xxxxx'

'How was she this morning Gail?'

'Feverish… and she couldn't quite talk… but she said she's not bad…'

'Christian is going to flip…' I replied as I sat down and quickly texted her.

'Why am I going to flip?' Christian asked as he came from behind me.

'...because of this…' I replied as I handed him the note, and saw his face change shades.

'FUCK!' He replied. 'I swear to God, she will be the death of me…' He said again as he grabbed his blackberry and called her.

Christian's POV

I knew why she left early. She didn't want to face us. She knew we wouldn't have let her go to school… but no… she had to be hard-headed, stubborn, and fucking stupid to go to school sick. I quickly called her, and after 5 rings she picked up.

'Sera, where the fuck are you?' I started.

'Hey dad… Good morning…' She replied. Her voice was cracked and she barely sounded as girl.

'Good morning my ass… Sera you are fucking sick! You risk your health and welfare so fucking easily!' I fought her on it.

'Dad, I'll be fine… I need to do this…' She replied. 'Look, If I feel worse, I'll come straight home… ok?'

'I'm coming to pick you up now…'

'No dad… I'll be fine…' She replied again. 'I promise if I feel worse, I will come straight to home… ok?'

'Sera!'

'Dad… please… just trust me on this ok?' She replied again as I heard someone calling her. 'Look, I have to go … Natalie needs me to set up everything. Tell mum I love her, and please do not worry. I'll go to grandma tomorrow…'

'Ok…' I finally agreed. She was taking the responsibility and she was being honest. I had to trust her on this.

'I have to go daddy… I love you…'

'Love you too peanut…' I smiled. '…and Sera…'

'Yeah?'

'Knock them dead…'

'Will do…'

'What did she say?'

'What do you think Ana?' I asked rhetorically.

Sera's POV

The day seemed to be going slower than usual. I was tired, and after we finished our dissections, we made our way to the library. For the first time ever, I really felt queasy when it came to dissections. I let Natalie and Peter do everything while I took care of notes. At one time I threw up. Everything was making me sick… but finally we were out of there.

My parents kept checking up on me every hour or so. Even Carter. He was concerned, and offered to spend this dreading day in the library with me… he was so sweet. I was falling deeply in love with this man.

'Are we ready?' Natalie grumbled. 'It's already 11.30pm… I want to go home and sleep and see my baby…'

'We're almost done…' Peter replied. 'You really grumble Nat… Sera is sick and she hasn't said a word…'

'That's because she can't speak…' She teased.

'As a matter of fact I can…' I replied as I coughed.

'You should go home Sera…' Peter said again.

'Once we're ready… I've already notified my parents.'

'Maybe someone should drive you… you look like you're about to faint…'

'I'm fine…' I smiled as both Natalie and Peter closed everything.

'Come on… we're all tired. Let's go home, and finish everything on Monday…'

'You can come to my apartment…' Natalie offered.

'Or mine…' Peter continued. 'No offence Nat, but that baby of yours never stops crying…'

'Tell me about it! You're not the one that has to wake up at night…'

'Guys, are we ready? I really want to go home!' I said again as I packed everything. 'You can keep talking…'

'Yeah… we're ready…' Pete smiled as he hugged me. 'Take care and get well soon…' Both of them said in unison as Natalie hugged me. 'Text me as you arrive home…'

'Will do boss…' I chuckled as I made my way out, only to find my phone vibrating. I picked up and realised it was dad.

'Hey…' I greeted.

'Are you ok peanut?'

'Yes dad… we just finished. I'm soon home…' I replied. 'Don't wait up…'

'Yeah right…' He chuckled. 'Do you want me to come and pick you up?'

'No need…' I smiled as my phone started ringing again. 'Hold on for a second… There's Carter on the other line…'

'Ok…' He replied as I quickly got Carter on the line while unlocking the car.

'Hey baby… so… you wanted some of me?' I chuckled lightly.

'Sera… still me…' Dad replied with some humour in his voice.

'Sorry…' I blushed as I changed the calls. 'Hey Carter… you won't guess what just happened!'

'Sera… it's still me…' Dad replied again. 'You have to block mine to actually talk to Carter…'

'Sorry… still getting used to this…' I replied back as I finally managed. 'Carter?'

'Finally! What took you so long?'

'It's funny… I was talking to you, but dad is on the other line…'

'Wow… what happened to your voice?'

'A cold…' I replied. 'I'm fine…'

'Yeah… I can hear you… anyways… you home?'

'Soon… am on the way… just finished from the library… will I see you tomorrow?'

'We'll stay in… I'll bring some movies…'

'Thanks…' I smiled.

'Now go… I don't want you to stay up late… and get plenty of rest…'

'Yes snicker doodle.'

'I love you honey doodle… and please text me once you arrive home…'

'Will do baby…' I laughed. 'Love you…' I replied as we hung up. 'Back to you dad.'

'Where are you?'

'About to set on the road…'

'Ok… drive safely peanut… and take your time…'

'Love you dad…'

'Love you too.' He finished as we hung up.

I quickly fixed my rear view mirror, and put on the seatbelt. You could kill someone in this darkness and nobody would have noticed. I brought the engine to life, and started my way home. My eyes were itching and my throat was burning. 'Come on… you've made it this far… few last things and you're home to rest… come on…' I kept telling myself. I realized that the road was practically empty. 'I'll just close my eyes for a second…' I told myself as I did so, making sure on keeping the steering wheel in place.

I kept viewing the road in front of me. I started feeling more relaxed, however soon a horn brought me back to my sense. There was a bulldozer in front of me and I pulled at the last minute before I crashed into it. I stopped the car to a halt. Thank God I didn't crash. Dad would have killed me. I realised I was in no state of driving. I was tired and sick… I pulled over parking by the pavement, and quickly called dad.

'Sera?' He asked.

'Yeah…' I replied. 'Listen, I know I told you that you don't need to pick me up… but… is the offer still open?'

'Yeah sure… I'll be right there… Are you ok?' He asked as I heard him call for Taylor.

'Yes… I'm just tired and I'm in no state to drive…'

'That's actually a very mature thing you did peanut…' He chuckled. 'Where are you?'

'There's that Chinese takeout restaurant mum loves…'

'Ok… stay there…'

'Don't worry… I'm not moving…' I chuckled. 'I'll be locking the car and will be on the passenger's seat… Knock on the window please…'

'My lessons are serving you something…'

'I told you I'll follow your rules…'

'I'll soon be there peanut…' He smiled as he hung up.

I moved to the passenger seat and rested there. I had to admit defeat… whether I wanted it or not… but at least, I made dad realise that I trusted him. I closed my eyes and rested till dad arrived.

Shawn's POV

'Dude! That was the best party ever!' Blake said as he sipped some of his beer.

'Leave some for me Blake!' I replied as I snatched the beer from his hand. 'Hey… you want to experiment this monster?' I asked again as I pressed the gas pedal.

'Yes dude!' Blake replied back.

'Hold on Blake…' I said again as I pressed the gas and started speeding.

'WOOOOOOOOOOOO!' We both screamed in unison. It was such a thrill. My head was all fuzzy… and this was so damned exciting. Cars swift near us and plenty of horns rang. We simply put one finger in the air.

'I'm tired on the right side of the road… Let's go on the left!' Blake suggested as I obliged. I wanted thrill, I wanted excitement. I pressed the gas pedal, but soon a car was running against us. 'SHAWWWWWN!' Blake shouted as we quickly pulled over to the pavement. There was a car in front of us and we crashed straight right through it. I was glad we both were wearing a seatbelt. I knocked my head to the steering wheel, but the air bag saved me. Blake on the other hand was lying unconscious beside me. Blood was gushing out of his head.

'Blake!' I shook him. 'Oh God… Blake wake up!' I said again, but it was to no avail. He laid unconscious beside me. I looked in front and realised that car before me was a wreck. I was hoping nobody was in it. My land rover crashed what seemed to be an Audi. I picked my phone and undone my seatbelt. I got off from the car, and moved forward, but I wasn't prepared for what I was going to see. I dialled 911 immediately. My best friend laid lifeless in the passenger seat, and on the bonnet, a girl laid lifeless.

'Ms!' I tried. 'Ms!' I tried again. She flew straight out of the windscreen. She was barely breathing. I think I killed her. Fear crept through me. My parents will kill me.

'911 emergency… How can I help you?'

'Hi, I had an accident… my passenger is unconscious in the car, and the other one crashed right through the windscreen. Please come I need help…'

'Sir, do you know where you are?'

'No…' I replied as I started to feel dizzy. 'I… I don't feel so good.'

'Sir, we need you to hold on…' Her voice started drifting.

'I… my head is hurting…' I said again, as I felt darkness take over me.

'Sir… sir… we'll be right…' Her voice faded away.

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