Hello all my faithful readers. I am in the process of rewriting this story, with the help of my editor "loki" Anyways here is the first redone chapter. I hope you all can enjoy this as much as you enjoyed the first version. As for the people that have never read the first version to begin with I hope you can enjoy this story all together. I was scared at first to put this out. I didn't know whether anyone would read it or not since the most likely have read the first version. Do not be fooled by this first chapter because in the next few you will notice the differences. I have changed some of the names around. I found that the first version of my story had a rushed plot so this story will be much longer than the original that means new extra chapters for you all to read anyways. Enjoy thanks for reading much love from PR.

Chapter 1

Serena Fields walked into the café fully aware of what was about to take place. They hadn't spoken since Serena's wedding, but she was sure Mina knew of her divorce.

She immediately spotted the vivacious blonde sitting in a secluded spot within the café. The cozy little eatery was a strangely comforting and intimate location, as she didn't wish to draw undue attention to herself. She wanted the conversation to be as private as possible; it would be the first time in four years she'd discuss exactly what happened between herself and her husband… ex husband that is.

"Hey Serena, over here," Mina yelled over the din within the popular cafe in an attempt to gain Serena's attention. She smiled warmly at her friend and took a deep breath to calm her already frantic nerves, and squared her shoulders before walking leisurely towards Mina's table and sat in the seat opposite.

"Hello Mina… it's certainly been along time, how is everything going?" Serena asked directing her controlled voice, something she desperately needed to do at the moment, control.

She felt as if she might collapse at any moment before mentioning her husband's name.

"I'm doing great, as you know after I personally handed you your wedding invitation, and I've been run off my feet with last moment preparations and the like, but I digress, I'm interested in your news, Sere. I here the new position at the newly constructed maternity hospital is going well, I trust," Mina said foraging around in her bag for her credit card before ordering a coffee for them both, knowing how Serena loved her coffee.

"Yeah, actually I'm doing okay. I've been accepted by the staff and they're a great team, I've no complaints," she affirmed.

"Glad to hear it, Sere … Serena, Tell me the whole story. I need to know it all, just as much as you need to get it out of your system, for bottling it up inside never did anyone any good," she said looking her friend straight in the eyes.

"Damn it woman, you've always been so forward, but I've come to expect that in you and I wouldn't have you any other way," Serena remarked shaking her head in amazement, Mina was the only girl Serena would ever open up to, and this was something Serena was grateful for on many occasions during their friendship over the years. She gave her friend a wry smile and shook her head.

"Serena, just come out with it, and please tell me the whole story. I don't even know how you two met in the first place, and I'm supposedly your best friend, makes a girl wonder sometimes, you know," she gently chided.

"Don't Mina, you know you're my closest friend," Serena inhaled sharply preparing herself to begin the long and painful story, cursing herself mentally for forgetting to bring at least some tissues. She knew it was likely she would cry, but she was too nervous to give it much thought and begun her long and sad tale. "Well, I guess it all began when I volunteered to work at the hospital next door to our college. If memory serves me well, it was called St. Nicolas' General Hospital. I wanted to get some work experience since I planned to study medicine in the near future. You remember, right. I was about 18 I believe; it was a dead night, meaning there was nobody on duty and I was sweeping the floors. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the ambulance pulls up, a team of paramedics brings in a young man on a stretcher, and I step aside as they rush past me heading towards the emergency department. I had learned soon after, the patient was a young college student struck by a hit and run driver. I was told his injuries weren't serious. Aside from losing consciousness, he'd only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Well, I ignored it at the time having quite a bit of work to do before I finished my shift. I was about to knock off when Clair, the senior night nurse asked me to do her a favor." Serena smiled as she relived these fond memories.

She glanced at Mina's eager expression and continued the story. "Well, all her active nurses were busy and she needed someone to give meds to their new patient. He'd regained consciousness by this time, and of course, I didn't let this chance pass by. I loved it whenever they asked me to help. I would imagine myself a doctor, and the fantasy made me giddy. Oh god, Mina, I'll never forget this night. It was one of the best nights of my life. The moment I walked into the ward, our eyes met, it was impossible to avoid his dark sapphire gaze. I stood at his bedside and gave him his meds. I wanted so badly to say something, but all I could do was blush as if I was giving him my best ripe cherry impersonation," They giggled before she continued her narrative. "I felt so embarrassed and was about to run from the ward when he grabbed my hand preventing me from doing so. I remember the thrilling sensation that rushed through my body when he touched me just then. I remember how smooth and tranquil his voice was when he beckoned me to stay. Oh, and stay I did. He was so handsome, do I need remind you, Mina: his dark eyes, black-velvety hair and fabulous body…

oh, don't get me started. The man was perfect by my definition, and if not, damn close. My shift had ended long before, and I stayed the entire night with him. I remember, as we talked how he had taken my hands in his and caressed them. He was 23 years of age, just five years older. I was surprised to learn we attended the same school. He was so suave and new exactly what to do to draw me to him, and it worked … it worked so well I slipped off my shoes, found myself crawling into the bed beside him and fell asleep in his arms, my head in the crook of his neck. Well, anyways, I eventually woke as the sun rose reminding me I had to rush off to school. I left him, but not before exchanging numbers. He did call and we maintained a strictly platonic relationship. He was on the brink of breaking up with his current love interest, for things had long soured between them and he had to tie up some loose ends.

Eventually, it was over, and we finally got together the year after, just after my nineteenth birthday. Mina, you'd transferred to another school at the time. Darien and I had a wonderful relationship, but since it was his final year of study, I had become incredibly insecure as the year drew to a close. I thought he'd end it, but he surprised me by proposing to me on graduation day. He already had a steady job since he was taking over the responsibility of running his fathers firm. He promised to take care of me, and I, naive as I was at the time, and in love, agreed without hesitation," Serena's tears brimmed within her light-cerulean eyes. She sniffed brushing them aside. "He was happy… Darien loved me back then; I know it. He loved touching, tasting my lips and in fact he loved everything about me, mind, body and spirit. Mina, he did everything superbly. His kisses always tender and we couldn't get enough of one another. He adored my mouth; we drowned in a whirlpool of primal desire. Need I say more?" She laughed lightly as Mina beamed at her.

Serena knew her friend well enough to know what perverse images swam within Mina's mind, and opted to clear up any misconceptions her friend might entertain. "I know what you're thinking, and yes, I was a virgin on my wedding day … albeit the idea of doing the wild thing before then was tempting, but we agreed it would make our marriage special if we held back until the wedding night. I won't bother to fill you in on the wedding itself, because of course, you were there, and the details of our honeymoon are a guarded secret, sorry Mina," Serena grinned mischievously enjoying teasing her friend.

"Oh come on, Serena, we're talking about the marriage you guys had, it's necessary you explain everything, my reasons are honorable I assure you," she implored her friend.

"Mina, some things aren't meant to be divulged, even to one's best friend," she said shaking her head and took a sip from her hot mug of flat white coffee.

"Serena, you're no fun," They both laughed. Unexpectedly, Serena grimaced as unbidden memories of what took place after their beautiful honeymoon flooded back. Mina took note and remained silent.

"Well… After the honeymoon, we moved into a new home he'd purchased for us. I knew he was rich, but I didn't know how much until we moved into the mansion. God it was huge, I was expecting something far smaller. I had met Darien's mother several times before the wedding, but after we'd moved into the house, I learned she lived only two minutes away. And let me tell you I never knew the true meaning of the word, bitch until this woman shed her friendly façade revealing her malicious nature. Her sole purpose in life was to make my life a living hell. Thank god, I was still in school at the time, and didn't have to pay much mind to her obnoxious presence. Fortunately, for all concerned including myself, her husband kept her in check. He was a sweet man; I loved him as if he were my own father. The first year ran smoothly, Darien and I worked hard to make our lives fit perfectly. I always held my tongue and attended those god forsaken business parties and those 'small' gatherings just to please him. On occasion, Darien would take me on vacation, just the two of us.

Sadly, a year later his father died before his twenty-sixth birthday. He didn't take it as all well as one might expect, for they were extremely close. I did my level best to support him through the grieving process, but no matter what I did, he'd push me away. Matters weren't helped when his mother practically moved in with us, and 'I couldn't run the, 'I hate your mother-in-law trip on him.' Unfortunately, as it turned out, he clung to her like a good little mama's boy, and gave her the upper hand. Then the fights started, lord knows I tried to prevent them, but he continued to criticize and attack me for just about every little thing. I eventually grew tired of the constant bickering and avoided him at all costs. I refused to sleep in the same bed as him, and for the first time I was grateful for the many rooms within that huge house. At least I could get a peaceful night's sleep. This continued until I discovered I was two months pregnant, I was happy about the idea of giving birth, but I was too terrified to tell him. It took all the courage I possessed to bring myself to walk into what used to be our bedroom before midnight and break the news to him of my pregnancy."

Flashback

"It's open, Serena, come in," He said groggily after she'd knocked on the door softly. Serena trembled with fear as she stepped into the room. He calmly turned on a bedside lamp, sat up in bed, and regarded her quizzically while she stood a few paces from the bedroom door.

"What is it, Serena? It's very late," he asked drowsily.

"I know," she replied meekly, her voice quavering. Her husband noticed this, but kept his silence. "Darien, I need to speak with you."

Unbeknownst to Serena, Darien himself was also terrified. He feared she was about to ask him for a divorce. He wanted so badly to hold her against his bare chest and apologize for the way he'd been acting toward her, and beg her to forgive him and not leave him.

"Okay, Serena," was all he could manage.

His heart was slowly breaking, for over these last two months he felt shunned and out of her life and it was truly unbearable.

"Darien, I'm two months pregnant," Serena, whispered looking down at the carpet, scared to death of the reaction that never came.

Darien was shocked and completely taken aback. He hadn't expected this.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive …" Serena looked at him, tears descending her soft pale cheeks. "Darien, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She cried and collapsed, but Darien had moved swiftly and caught her. He held her securely in his embrace as she sobbed uncontrollably. Darien carried her to their bed, set her gently on the bed, and comforted her, cooing softly and whispering endearments into her ear. Serena eventually calmed down and her ragged breathing eased into a relaxed rhythm.

"Oh Serena, you have nothing to be sorry about, my love, nothing at all. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. Ever since my father died, I've been cruel to you, haven't I? It was easy for me to simply blamed you whenever my mother acted up," He said while gently placing a hand behind her sweet head tilting it so he could look into her stunning azure eyes. "I promise you, Serena, I won't let it happen again. I've wanted to talk to you ever since you moved out of our bedroom … I was afraid, and you were so aloof, but I blame myself for that and realize how selfish and cowardly I had become. My beautiful Sere, I don't want you to leave it ever again. You will move back won't you?" She nodded her approval and he continued. "Everything will be different from now on, I promise I'll take care of you both, and won't let anything, or anyone get in the way, Sere … I'm so sorry, am I forgiven?"

"Of course, Darien, I love you so much," she affirmed.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as they lay together under the bedclothes and stayed like that for a long while, kissing and hugging until sleep began to claim them, but before she drifted off to sleep, she heard him whisper his words of devotion. "I love you too, my darling Sere."

End of Flashback

"Oh, he was so sweet back then," Mina, said as an afterthought.

Serena then recounted events after their reconciliation. "Darien for the most part was true to his word, I quit school to concentrate on preparing for the baby's arrival. I was so excited about being a mother. Despite the fact we were happy, his mother despised the fact I was pregnant, but couldn't do shit about it and we weren't about to let her meddle in our relationship again. I thought she'd taken the hint, but when I was seven months, she began to undermine our marriage behind my back telling him malicious untruths about me. She actually had the audacity to say the child might not be his, I wanted to kill her, and God help me I wanted to rip her heart out and feed it to a pack of dogs. If I were in better condition, I might have done just that, I was livid.

Well, our relationship quickly deteriorated, and adding to the already inflammatory situation was the fact I was extremely hormonal at the time. Darien was away half the time due to business commitments. I began to wonder if he was cheating on me after his mother suggested he might. I couldn't see how I was falling into her trap and having sewn the seeds of doubt in each of us, she must have been ecstatic after hearing of our heated confrontation. The end result being his once again taking yet another 'business trip' … I thought myself a pitiful, bloated blimp and as you can imagine, my self esteem was at an all-time low. I thought about what he might be getting up to, and had to wonder. However, at about eight months into my pregnancy-," Serena hesitated, letting her tears fall freely before pushing on. "I was dreadfully ill, Darien was away yet again. The doctor told me I had the flu, but he couldn't prescribe medication as it might harm my unborn child. I would just have to ride it out. Then my water broke during the worst part of the flu, I had no choice, but to ask my mother-in-law for help." Serena sobbed uncontrollably; she fought to regain control of her emotional tumult and continued her narrative.

"She did help; she took me to the hospital and made sure I was well taken care of. In the middle of giving birth, I passed out. I didn't wake up for two days. I had the unfortunate luck of waking up to her sinister face glowering at me, as I lay helpless and exhausted. She looked so pale it scared me." Serena's words were distorted by her sobs made it extremely difficult for Mina to understand her words. She finished her coffee that had long since gone cold and closed her eyes taking deep breaths as Mina stroked her hand to soothe her friend's pain.

Serena braced herself for the apex of her story. " She… told me… my baby died," Mina gasped and left her seat and rushed to Serena's side and gathered her in an embrace and comforted her friend. She grabbed a napkin, handed it to Serena, and took one for herself as her own tears spiked the corners of her eyes. "You know, Mina … if the shock wasn't enough to kill me inside, what came next dealt the final and decisive blow. The bitch told me Darien blamed me for our child's death. She took a great deal of pleasure in shattering my world leaving nothing standing , she told me Darien hated me and accused me of murdering the baby and he wanted me out of his life. I was so heartbroken I accepted responsibility for the death of my child. Once she had left in triumph, I checked out of the hospital as soon as I could, moved to Chicago, and divorced him before he could do it to me. Mina, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and on top of that, I had to find a place to live and fortunately found a position as a nurse at the hospital. Mina, I loved him… damn it, I still do… Oh Mina it's been four years and I haven't been able to forget him. I've not dated, nor become involved with anyone else. I never accepted the truth of the phrase, 'one and only' until now." Serena sobbed allowing herself to grieve for herself and the loss of her child and husband. A wound she knew would never heal.

Mina gripped Serena's hands tightly.

"I needed to hear the story, Sere … so I could tell you what I've discovered two weeks back," Mina explained as she produced the clipping she'd taken from the New York newspaper from her white-leather shoulder bag, and unfolded it before Serena's eyes. "Sere, I was in New York meeting my in-laws, and well, I stumbled upon this." Serena took the paper in her trembling hands and read.

The first thing that caught her eye was the name 'Darien Moss'. She was wavering between fainting and vomiting at that moment. It was an ad seeking a nanny for his four-year-old daughter. She wanted to die.

"Did he remarry, Mina?" Serena asked all expression leaving her face.

"I checked it out, nope; he never remarried, and get this, she's four years old, the same age as your child should be if she lived, Sere," Mina said as a look of satisfaction moved across her friend's face.

"What are you suggesting, Mina?" Serena gasped.

"I'm suggesting they lied to you, Serena, I'm suggesting they told you she died knowing you'd believe this lie and run, and kept the kid for themselves. I'm suggesting Darien is a fucking asshole just like his mother," she hissed.

"How do I find out whether this child is mine, do I simply go to New York and demand an answer?"

"No, Sere, I've got everything planned out for you. Once I found out about this I immediately called, and they hired me on the spot with all the references I gave… well, I gave them yours," She laughed lightly and continued. "I'm suggesting you disguise yourself and play the part, and see if she's really yours, Sere. Get involved in her life and at the right moment break the news to her. She'll come to love you, and as for Darien, well, you'll fight him for custody. They almost always go with the mother incases like these, and considering he lied to you and purposely kept her out of your life, you'd most likely win, Sere."

"Mina, this is a ludicrous idea … he'll know it's me," Serena protested claiming the idea flakey, but she was desperate to see this child and determine to find out whether or not she was her daughter denied her for so long.

"No it's not, Serena, you said it yourself, he was never around while you were married. Why do you think he's hiring a nanny? You can easily avoid him whenever he decides to put in an appearance. You'll have your disguise to help Serena, you have to try, Sere. Don't just give in and let those two pieces of shit win, if she's your daughter, fight for her,"

As Mina spoke the only clear thought that rendered in her mind was, my daughter could be alive. That thought alone was worth risking anything for. "Okay… Mina… what do I have to do?" Serena asked eyes ablaze with determination as the two women prepared to set their plan in motion.