So, heres the next chapter! I'm already done with chapter 6-but I may be ditching it and re-writing it. I realized I don't particularly like it. But, I'm leaving that up to my editor. =)

Here ya go everyone!

December Vacation

Mina sat down on the couch as an exaggerated sigh escaped her lips, "Are we done yet?" She looked at her nails and sighed again as she noticed one was chipped.

Rei placed her hands on her hips as she glared at Mina, "You moved like two boxes and lifted the couch ten feet."

Mina glared, "Hey! I'm working! I packed most of this stuff!"

Ami carried a box into the room and placed it on the floor, "Mina, Rei, come on you two."

Rei tossed her hands up and walked away while Mina just slouched deeper into the couch.

Serena and Lita walked in, both carrying the end of a table. "What do you ladies think of the new place?"

Both looked towards Ami. After placing the table behind the couch, Lita wiped her hands on her jeans, "I feel safer here. I'm glad we were able to find this place so quickly."

Both Ami and Lita looked at Serena, noticing her sad disposition. Lita walked up to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, "Hey, you okay?"

"Oh, sorry Lita, I was just thinking."

Mina stood, her eyes sad as she looked at Serena, "Have you talked to Darien lately Serena?"

Serena's eyes hardened, "Not really. He's called me and texted me. I responded to a few of the texts."

Mina ventured further, "Serena, I know what he did was kind of wrong, "she paused at the look she received, but continued, "but, goodness girl, he loves you! Are you going to ignore that?! He wanted to protect you!"

Serena only glared and moved back towards the front door. She stopped when Ami spoke up,

"Serena, I have to agree with Mina on this one. It's been over a month now. I think you should talk to him."

Lita grimaced, "Not to gang up on you Serena, but I agree with Mina and Ami as well. Don't throw this away. You told us about Lucas—don't allow that dirtbag to ruin this with Darien!"

Rei stepped back inside, another box in hand but stopped at the tension in the room, "Whats going on?"

Serena glared, "They are telling me to give Darien another chance."

Rei placed the box on the table and turned towards Serena, "I'm going to have to agree with them on this one."

Serena was about to respond when the doorbell rang and Lita opened it revealing the pizza they had ordered.

Mina bounded forward, "Good, I'm hungry and that smells delicious!"

Serena took a whiff, then slammed her hand over her mouth and made a run for the bathroom.

Serena flushed the toilet as she stood; turning on the facet, she began splashing water on her face and rinsing out her mouth. She heard her name being muffled through the door and turned the knob to pop it open.

"Serena?" Rei popped her head in, "Are you okay?"

Serena shook her head as she splashed more water on her face, "I don't know. I haven't been feeling well lately."

The door opened more and Serena saw Lita, Mina and Ami poke their heads forward.

All four girls looked at each other and seemed to volunteer Ami by just a look.

"Uhh Serena..."

Serena looked up, "Yeah Ami?"

"Serena, when was the last time you had your period?"

Serena tilted her head to the side, a confused expression on her face as she seemed to think it through.

"Maybe like a month or so ago why?"

Mina seemed to speak up, "Serena—when you and Darien…"

Three pairs of eyes looked from Mina to Serena and back again, "When they did what?" Rei inquired.

Serena glared at Mina then sighed, "Darien and I had, well," she sighed heavily again, "we had sex."

Three pairs of eyes widened and then Ami spoke again, "Serena did you and Darien use protection?"

"I don't..." she stopped, thinking back, her eyes widening, "I don't remember."

Lita moved down the hallway, grabbing her purse she made it to the door before Ami called out to her, "Lita! Where are you going?"

Lita's emerald eyes flashed, "I'm getting a pregnancy test for Serena."

The girls all sat on the floor in the hallway by the bathroom door, closed, as Serena waited inside for the results.

Mina leaned forward and whispered, "Do you think he would have sex with her without protection?"

"I think…well maybe they were caught up in the moment." Rei seemed offended for a moment, but shrugged, "It happens."

"It takes two you guys, if they didn't use protection it's his fault just as much as it is her." Ami's quiet voice piped up.

All three of the ladies could only nod in agreement, but looked up as the bathroom door opened.

A pale looking Serena emerged, her eyes wide and unfocused; a pregnancy test in hand.

All four stood quickly and Ami reached out gently for the test. "Serena, may I see?"

Serena only nodded and handed it off, her hand shaking.

"Serena? Ami?" Mina tried to see the test and moved forward,

Serena's voice was shaky, matching how her body was responding, as she brought her hand up to her face, pushing hair away.

"I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant with Darien's child."

And with that she fainted.

Serena pried her eyes open, hearing the noise and bustle of what sounded like medical equipment.

She felt a hand grasp hers and looked to her left. Ami's blue eyes shined back at her, "Ami?" Her voice felt hoarse, "What happened?"

Ami squeezed her hand, "You fainted Serena. We had to call 911 as you weren't responding."

"Oh." Serena glanced at the IV in her arm.

Ami looked down, unsure how to continue, "Serena…" she trailed off, waiting for Serena to look up.

"Go on Ami, what's wrong?"

Ami took a deep breath, "We voted on this so please know that it wasn't just one of us."

Serena's sapphire eyes narrowed as confusion took over, "Voted on what?"

Ami swallowed and glanced back at the door, "I wish the other girls could say this but-"

"Serena?" Both Ami and Serena looked towards the door at the male voice.

Darien stood there, his cobalt eyes worried and looking over her from the foot of the bed to the top of her silvery blonde locks.

Serena turned towards Ami, "You all voted to call him?"

Ami nodded and gasped slightly when Serena ripped her hand from hers and turned her head away, looking out the window.

Darien stepped forward, placing his hand on Ami's sagging shoulders, "Would you give us a few minutes?"

Ami looked back at Serena and nodded, standing she left the room, closing the door gently behind her.

Darien moved the chair closer to her and folded his hands; placing them on the bed, he sighed deeply.

His voice seemed tired as he brought his hand up and ran it through his hair, "Are you okay Sere?"

Serena found that she could only nod.

"Do they know why you fainted?"

Serena turned towards him then, her sapphire eyes wide, "The girls didn't say anything to you?"

"No. All they said was that you came out of the bathroom and passed out. I rushed over here as quickly as possible."

Serena leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes she breathed deeply.

"I think I'll be fine. Exhaustion and everything."

He nodded as a knock on the door interrupted anything else he had wanted to say.

The doctor walked in smiling at them both.

"How are you feeling Serena?"

Serena glanced nervously at the doctor then back at Darien.

"I'm feeling fine. A lot better now. Can I go home?"

The doctor smiled as he looked at the chart in his hands.

"Of course, everything is good. Thankfully your friends caught you or I think it would have caused some damage and of course the fall wouldn't have been good for the baby-"

"Baby?" Darien's cobalt eyes widened.

The doctor smiled, missing the look of shock on Darien's face and the ghost look on Serena's.

"Yes. Congratulations are in order I presume?" The doctor finally looked up from his chart and glanced around.

Darien moved his eyes to Serena and watched her look down, unable to make eye contact.

"Just exhaustion?" He glanced back at the doctor, "How far along?"

The Doctor appeared apprehensive, but answered, "About a month."

Darien nodded, "Thank you." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving Serena.

"I will leave you two to discuss this." The doctor cleared his throat and exited quickly.

"Serena, when did you find out?"

She glanced down, picking at her hands. "Today"

Darien nodded, "Will I have a say in anything?"

Serena looked up at him, color slowly returning to her face, "What do you mean?"

Darien leaned forward, his chin resting on his folded hands, "You're carrying my baby, Serena."

She nodded, and then her eyes narrowed, "It's our baby and I don't plan on having an abortion, Darien."

"I didn't think you were Serena. I want to be there for you-for our baby-"Darien leaned forward, his hand grasping hers gently, "I've been sick without you. I don't just want you in my life. I need you in my life."

Serena's eyes widened, her voice was barely above a whisper, "Darien…"

Rei leaned back against the uncomfortable waiting room chair. Jed sat beside her as Lita, Ami and Mina sat across from them.

"Is the doctor letting her come home tonight?"

Ami looked over at the nurse's station, "They should."

Everyone nodded, but glanced back when a man carrying a bouquet forward to the nurses asking, "These were ordered for a Ms. Serena Moore?"

Lita and Rei both jumped up, "Those are for Serena Moore?"

The florist jumped back, "Yes."

Lita stepped forward, already grabbing it from his hands, "We'll take them for her. Thank you."

He had no choice but to let go as Lita pulled away.

Rei looked for the card and found it shoved in the middle.

She opened it and read it once. Then twice. Her eyes narrowing. She marched to the group and sat down.

Jed leaned forward, "What does it say Rei?" She handed it to him as she placed her elbows on her knees and looked towards the door Serena was behind.

Jed shook his head. Mina, Ami and Lita all looked expectantly at him. He sighed,"It says; You ruined her life. You ruined my life. –B"

Serena closed her eyes unable to focus on the intensity of Darien's stare. How could he seem so sure? So in control? Their lives were about to change completely!

"Serena? Please, talk to me." His larger hand still encompassed her smaller one, his warmth a comfort.

"How can you be so calm?" She sighed in frustration, "Did you plan this or something?"

She opened her eyes in time to see him frown. His eyes then seemed to narrow in anger, "I didn't plan anything Serena. If you recall, I simply was sitting on the bed. It was you who initiated sex."

"So are you saying this is my fault? That I planned this?"

Darien leaned back in his chair; his hands shoved his black hair back as they grasped the back of his head. He seemed annoyed.

"No, I'm not saying that at all." He stood up and took a few strides towards the window. He looked out for a few minutes. For once, Serena noticed he seemed unsure. She felt angry at herself for accusing him. She knew it took them both to create this child and it wasn't fair to blame him. She just felt annoyed that her first reaction was to faint and his—well, his was to offer support and express his feelings. She rolled her eyes. The roles seemed reversed in this.

She even contemplated where they stood in their relationship. They had been dating a few months and she had almost stopped talking to him completely for this past month due to him invading her privacy. She knew she would never abort her baby and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she could not give it up for adoption.

She rubbed her still flat stomach. Her dream was to always be a mother. Oh god. Serena sighed in frustration how was she going to tell her own mother and father?

She laughed to herself at her own pathetic explanation 'you know that guy I was dating for a few months? Yea, the one you haven't met yet. Yep! That one! I'm having his baby!' That will go over well. She felt like hitting her head against the nearest wall.

Like all things for Serena, her mind wondered off to what her baby would look like. A girl with blonde hair and cobalt eyes or a boy with black hair and sapphire eyes? She looked over at Darien. Or a boy who looked just like his father?

Darien turned and leaned against the window seal. His eyes drinking her in.

"I don't know how to react Serena. What's done is done. While I would have wanted for us to wait until we were more established or even married; I can't say that I'm-" he paused for a minute carefully choosing his words, "I'm not terribly upset. Maybe thats not even the right words to use. I've always wanted a family of my own. Maybe it's not in the way we planned," he seemed to shrug, a boyish grin forming on his face "but it's happening regardless." He moved back to his chair, his eyes seemed to captivate her into silence as he spoke, "Look, I know what I did was wrong. I am sorry. Dammit Serena, all I want to do is protect you. I want to keep you safe. I didn't know how to do that without seeking the answers. This lunatic stopped bothering you when we were separated, now I know he'll come back. I will protect you and our unborn child. I promise you that."

Serena's sapphire eyes softened, "Darien…I am sorry for reacting the way I did. While I am still rather pissed, I can at least understand your side. I don't agree with it," She tapped his nose playfully, "but I understand."

She leaned back against the pillow, her hand moved to cover her eyes, "I'm scared. I'm scared about what type of mother I'll be. And, I know I'm an adult, but I'm actually terrified to tell my parents."

Before she could even get her first tear out, Darien wrapped her in his strong arms. Serena felt herself snuggle into his warmth, his soothing tone allowed for her tears to fall for the first time in her life without worry, "And I will be with you every step of the way Sere." He kissed the top of her silvery blonde head.

January

Mina swooned at the small pink outfit in the baby section at Target, "Serena! It has to be a girl! I need to dress her!"

Serena rolled her eyes as Mina showed off the pink dress to Lita who shoved an equally green onsie in front of it, "Green. The baby will be wearing green. It's a neutral color."

"My baby wont be a doll you get to play 'dress up' with Mins."

Ami laughed as she replaced a blue and white striped baby shirt back on the rack, "Hey Sere, did the detective ever get back to you about those flowers that were delivered to the hospital?"

Serena pushed the cart closer, "No. It's been a month already, you'd think she would. Darien has been all over the case though." She glanced at a soft pink onsie, "Darien thinks it is Beryl from the martial arts studio. She sent him similar flowers before."

Mina plopped an orange outfit in the cart, "That's creepy. Can't the girl take a hint?"

Serena shrugged, "Though, I don't know how she knew I was pregnant unless she was stalking him or me? I mean, literally, just hours after?"

Ami nodded, "It's difficult to say. Is she known for stalking?"

Lita grabbed the orange outfit out, and replaced it with a green one, "Nathan said she would only come to the classes Darien taught and would literally walk out if he was unable to teach it. You never know. Some women are crazy!" Mina could only nod, as she casually tossed another baby outfit in the cart.

"Darien noticed the same. Anyways, where's Rei? I thought she was just grabbing some yoga pants?"

"I'm right here! Look what I found!"

All four pairs of eyes turned and saw Rei holding up a white onsie that had 'My daddy's a Cop!' in bright red letters.

Mina swooned all over again, "Awww! Sere! You have to get that one!" Before Serena could even make a sound, Mina snatched it from Rei's hands and tossed it in the cart.

"Mina..." Serena started laughing, "I don't even know if it's a boy or girl and you're tossing in outfits!"

Mina shrugged, "Better to be prepared! Besides, it's my Christmas gift to you!"

All the girls either laughed or shook their heads.

Rei decided to be the bearer of bad news, "Mina, Christmas was a month ago. Remember, we moved? Serena found out she was pregnant, all that stuff?

Mina only shrugged, "I'm starting early this year!"

Serena smiled at the young cashier as she purchased her own pair of yoga pants and rolled her eyes when Mina piled on the baby clothes behind her.

Mina could only smile as she peeked through her bag, exiting the store. "I think I got some good deals. What about you—" the sound of tires screeching pulled all five girls from their musings. Ami and Rei reacted quickly and shoved Serena against the wall out of the way of the car as Lita took a running leap towards Mina.

Darien and Jed sat in the uncomfortable waiting room chairs of the hospital. Rei sat beside Jed, her slender fingers tapping lightly on her jeans.

Serena sat beside Darien, her eyes watery, her hands shaking, as Darien gently massaged her back. Ami sat across from them,her own blue eyes wide, uncertain.

Rei glanced at the clock for the thousandth time in the last minute. "When will the doctor be out?"

Jed grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it, he sighed when she pulled away. "Soon Rei. How about I go ask again?"

Rei could only nod as she watched him get up for probably the third time since they arrived.

Ami leaned forward, placing her hand against Rei's. "They're okay Rei."

"Darien Shields?" All eyes turned towards the detective as she moved forward, Darien stood to shake her hand, "Detective Kit, glad you were able to make it."

She smiled warmly, "Please, call me Brenda, Darien." Serena and Rei shared a look. "I came as soon as I heard. A couple of witnesses were able to get the license plate. It was rented to exactly who we thought, Lucas Taggort. We're searching for him as we speak. We also have a Beryl Fern in custody as we now believe she may be tied to this. She is swearing she's never heard of Lucas nor did she send any flowers recently. We're checking her bank statements."

Jed returned, "Hey Brenda! Long time no see. When did they put you on this case?Wasn't Johnson taking care of it now?"

Brenda's face seemed to contort in discomfort, if only for a brief moment, "Hello, Jed." She seemed to ignore his question as she turned back to Darien, "When I receive any more information, I will update you."

Darien nodded, taking a closer look at the new detective on the case, "Didn't we graduate the academy together?"

Brenda seemed to smile at the recognition, "Yes. We did. I was the top rating female in our class."

Darien could only smile, "I apologize for not noticing sooner. Forgive me."

She waved him off, "No need. I already got the statements from your two friends and I know my partner received all of yours statements. We'll contact you if anything comes up." She turned and walked away-almost in a rush.

Rei pulled on Jed's hand, "What did they say?"

Jed smiled down at her, "They're almost ready to go home." All the girls nodded as Nathan stepped into the waiting room, his blue eyes wild and frantic.

"What happened?! Are they okay?"

Darien reached him first, "They're okay. Lita reacted quickly and got Mina out of the way, though they took a pretty hard fall. Lita fractured her arm and is bruised. Mina was shaken up, bruised and has a small concussion. Other than that, they're fine."

Nathan could only nod as he looked at the other three women, "Are you ladies okay?"

Serena did her best to smile, "We're perfectly okay Nathan. Really. Perhaps you'd like to stay with us for a few days?"

Nathan shook his head, "No. I plan on staying with you ladies until this fu-" he cleared his throat, "until this freak show is in police custody. I already talked to Zachary as well. He's offered his help."

Serena smiled sweetly at him, "Thank you Nathan."

All turned at Mina's giggling and saw Andrew helping her to them.

"Hey everyone, please, meet my doctor!" The school girl giggles did not go unnoticed by Ami, Rei, or Serena. Rei simply rolled her eyes as she stood.

Ami, always down to business piped in, "And how are you feeling?"

Mina looked towards Malachi, "I'm feeling great. My real doctor gave me this wonderful meds."

Andrew smiled, "She will need plenty of rest."

Serena smiled back, a grateful look passed between them.

Lita came out next, as Nathan swept past everyone almost jogging the short distance. She smiled, "Nathan, I'm alright."

His eyes looked everywhere at once, "Are you sure?"

"Yep. I think Mina actually took the brunt of the fall. Except she landed on my arm." Lita tossed Mina a sisterly glare and turned back towards Nathan.

Jed felt Rei push him slightly and knew she wanted to get going, "Anything we need to pick up for them?

Andrew turned his attention from Mina, "They prescribed some pain medication for us to take home . We just need to pick it up from the pharmacy. "

Mina's face boomed, her eyes lighting up as her mouth opened up into a pearly white smile, "Yep! I need more of this stuff!"

Until next time!

Пока!

~LAla