Hey all! So, I have been working on my stories! =D

I had a small "writers block" with The Queens-though I think I figured it out!

I'm about to take my dog for a lovely walk in the rain-and then get back to writing again. Walking helps me think. =)

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Spring Break- March

Serena smiled at her growing belly in the full length mirror, her tank top pulled up, exposing the growing bump. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she turned to each side, her hand rubbing her small belly gently. She couldn't believe she was almost four months along. Even though Lucas had remained quiet within the last three months, everyone was still on edge. She couldn't help but want to cry as the pain of putting everyone through this; all because of her. Then the other worry seeped in. She still had yet to tell her parents even as they sat in the family room. She had Darien pick them up from the airport not even 40 minutes ago and she still couldn't seem to remove herself from Darien's bathroom.

She sniffled quietly when the bathroom door was pushed open, "Sere? Dinner is ready."

Serena looked over at Darien and felt her eyes water. He had been so good to her these past few months. She didn't understand why or what she did to deserve him. He had not missed one doctor appointment. He rubbed her feet even after working 12 hour shifts. He grabbed every random food craving she had at any given time. He treated her like a Queen, so gentle. She would even catch him just looking at her, his face seemed full of awe and Serena still wasn't sure if she wanted to admit it out loud yet, but he looked at her like a man in love.

"Serena? Are you okay?"

"hmm? Yeah. Just thinking." She pulled her tank top down. "I guess it's now or never huh?" Darien grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. "I'm here Sere, you're not doing this alone."

She nodded and moved into his waiting arms. His arms had become a beacon of hope and joy for her.

"Alright." She smiled up at him, "I'm ready."

For the first time in ten years, Rei finally sat across from the woman who may have disrupted her original relationship with Jed. Sitting cross legged in the chair, Rei sat glaring at Jed's stepmother. The woman had just refused to admit that Rei gave her all those letters years ago. Jed had sat them both down and 'demanded' that they stay silent while he spoke to his father in the kitchen. Rei narrowed her eyes at the woman before her.

She was easily 15 years younger than Jed's father. Her long, bony legs peaked out of the pencil skirt she wore. Her low cut blouse and push up bra reminded Rei of a woman trying to act younger. When her green eyes narrowed at Rei, she did the next best thing; glared back.

"Teresa," Rei and Jed's stepmom turned at the deep voice. Rei glanced at Jed's father, Viktor.

"I remember Rei dropping off letters to you at least twice while Jed was in boot camp. Where are they?"

Teresa pouted her lips as she tried to pull off the 'puppy dog look' "Viktor, I have no idea what you're speaking about. Look, she's trying to pin us against each other. She was always jealous of our family. What, not having much of her own."

Rei's hands gripped the edge of the couch, "Why you little bi—"

"Rei..." Rei turned swiftly and realized that Viktor had spoken her name.

"Sorry Mr Bridge, but she is lying! You know she is!"

Viktor sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Give me a few minutes, okay?" Without a word he walked down the hall into a side bedroom.

Jed placed his hand on Rei's shoulder, "I do believe you Rei."

"Why would you believe her over me? I'm your stepmother Jed!"

Rei watched Jed repeat the action his father had done just a moment before, "Teresa, you have never acted like a "mom" in any way, shape, or form. Enough with the dramatics."

Teresa seemed to huff as she sat back in the sofa. "She is lying to you Jed. She cheated on you while you were away."

Rei swore she saw flames dance before her eyes as her anger got the best of her, "I never did such a thing you lying twit! I loved Jed! I have always loved him! I carried his baby! How dare you accuse me of such dishonesty! You've always liked him more than a stepmother should. Admit it!"

"How dare you speak to me in such a way, in my home you child! And you carried his baby? Where is that lovechild now, hmm?"

Jed intervened, "She lost it Teresa."

Teresa scoffed and laughed, "Oh is that what she told you? Yes, I'm sure she," she held up her hands, "lost it."

"Enough! All of you!" Viktor returned with an old purple box and Rei gasped. "I made that as a care package! That's the first one I gave her!"

Viktor handed it to Jed and without hesitation Jed opened it, though carefully.

Jed smiled as he saw pictures of the two of them as teenagers inside. A letter that still smelt like the perfume she would always wear and a small, homemade book. Flipping through, he smiled at the funny quotes she had written down and favorite movie one liners.

"Where did you find this?"

Viktor shrugged, "She's a packrat. I simply opened the closet in her office."

Three eyes turned towards Teresa as she shrunk back.

Viktor's own sky blue eyes narrowed at her, "What do you have to say for yourself Teresa?"

She sat up, "I did what I believed was best. That little harlot was going to bring him down."

Jed's eyes burned, "And you knew she was pregnant?"

Teresa locked eyes with Rei, "Yes."

Serena pushed Darien down the hallway first—her hands still trembling.

She heard her mother's soft laughter and felt her heart speed up as they stepped closer her body still shielded by his.

"Mr. and Mrs. Moore?"

Both turned at Darien's voice. He smiled, "Serena and I have something to tell you."

Serena's mother gasped, her brown eyes widening in glee, "YOU'RE ENGAGED!"

Darien chuckled nervously, "I actually would love to say that, but no, we are currently not."

Serena's father stood from the sofa and placed his hands on his hips, "Serena, for heaven's sake, come say hello to your father. You've ignored us long enough."

Darien's hand held hers gently as he pulled her out from behind him and heard the collective intake of breath from her parents.

"Mom, Daddy..." Serena looked up at Darien, he seemed to understand as she spoke, "Darien and I have been blessed with a child."

The reactions from her parent's faces were like night and day. Her mother's face went from shock to confused to amazement to what Serena hoped was joy in the matter of seconds. Her father though, was a different story. His face turned red as she noticed his hand clenching and unclenching. Her mother reached down and gave his hand a tug.

"Mr. and Mrs. Moore, please know and understand that this was not planned, but I will not be leaving Serena to handle this on her own. I realize this is not what you wanted for your daughter, and believe me, I wanted her to be my wife before this happened." Serena turned her head quickly towards Darien, her sapphire eyes widening as his own stared back at her as he continued speaking to her parents, "But, it didn't turn out that way. However, I love her and not just because she's carrying my child but because you raised a beautiful woman. And if she ever accepts my hand at marriage, I promise that I will spend the rest of my life proving to her that I love her."

He turned his head back to Serena's parents, "If you wish to be disappointed or angry, be disappointed and angry at me."

Serena could only stare from Darien to her parents and back again, her mouth plopped open in shock.

"Well Darien," Serena's mother smiled gently at them, "This does come as a surprise." She looked towards her husband, his face returning to its normal color.

"Indeed. I wanted my baby girl married before she became a mother."

Darien nodded, "I know sir."

He sighed, "I don't doubt your love for my daughter, Darien." He seemed to sigh again as he looked between them, "If you screw this up, I will shoot you." Darien chuckled nervously at the seriousness in Mr. Moore's face. "But, you have my blessing."

Serena could only stare in disbelief between Darien and her father. 'Did he just…?' Serena shook her head, "Daddy did you just?"

"Serena, you're not a child anymore. I honestly want to take my shovel and hit him over the head multiple times. But, even though I've just met him, I can't deny that he does love you. It's evident."

Darien turned towards her, "This isn't how I planned this but..." she blinked and realized she had to stare down as Darien kneeled on one knee before her. "Serena, this isn't because of the baby; ask anyone who has been in ear shot of me since I met you. I need you in my life. I love you. Will you marry me?"

Serena gasped when he pulled a beautiful vintage diamond ring from his front shirt pocket. Her eyes widened as tears filled them up. "Darien…" She swallowed gently, a small smile formed on her lips as a few tears escaped, "Yes."

The squeals of joy from her mother could be heard in the background as Darien slipped the ring onto her finger.

"This is all so romantic!" Mina cooed as she grabbed her smoothie from the counter. "I want to get married!"

Grabbing her own smoothie, Rei rolled her eyes as they called her name, "You want a wedding or a marriage Mina?"

Mina sipped her orange concoction as she seemed to think that over, "uhh…both?"

Serena and Ami giggled as Lita and Rei seemed to give up.

Ami came to the rescue, "Hey Sere, have you two thought of any names yet?"

Lita nodded her head, "Yes, please spill!"

"Well, we can't agree on a boys' name but we both like Rini Victoria Shields for a girl."

Rei sipped her smoothie, "Rini?" Serena nodded her head, "It's unique and Victoria is after Darien's mother."

"uh huh. So, out of all the names you picked Rini?"

Serena kicked Rei under the table. When Rei winced, Serena continued, smiling, "Yep!"

Serena sat in her classroom, chewing on her sandwich, as her students sat outside for lunch. She didn't realize she could actually be as happy as she was. She looked at the ring Darien had picked out for her, her smile widening. The band itself was made of white gold as small diamonds trailed through intricate leaf shapes around the top of the band. The center stone, a large one carat oval diamond, glittered up at her. The design was simple but elegant. He had even purchased the matching band.

She had expressed that night as they went to bed, that if he ever felt cornered or pressured to stay that she wouldn't keep him against his will. He had moved so quickly to her side that it had surprised her. His eyes had seemed to plead with her to understand that he wanted this before the baby and would have done it without the baby. That when he said he loved her he meant it.

Her hormones had gotten the best of her and she broke down in tears, only to be surrounded by his comforting arms. They had made love after that.

Serena blushed and felt relieved when a knock sounded on her classroom door. Putting her sandwich down, she stood and with what felt like the beginning of her wobbling, made her way to the classroom door.

I want to say thank you to the four individuals who posted about how to say "review" in Russian! The only one with a Penname is Grumpy DelSan13.

Other then grumpy-are the rest of you Russian? Мне бы хотелось побывать в вашей стране! =D

So-due to the difference in opinions- Отзывы , обзор!

hahaha-I also asked my Russian friend and she gave me a list of different ways-with both of those in it. Expect both randomly!

~LAla and LaNaHwAnNa