The Battle for the Dragon Flame

Chapter 11: Getting Serina Back

The date was set.
Bloom was going to Gardenia with Daphne to get Serina from Mike and Vanessa.

Bloom couldn't be more happy. All her bags were packed and she had even packed some things for Serina. But Bloom was distraught. She has missed her baby's first birthday. Serina has turned one year old and Bloom hadn't been there to celebrate with her. She knew that her parents had taken great care of Serina and provided her with all the essentials and gave her a great birthday, but Bloom was still upset. And it was all Icy and Darcy's fault.

Bloom and Daphne left the next morning for Gardenia. Bloom was still feeling guilty about not being there for her daughter and Daphne, sensing and feeling Bloom's pain, tried to help cheer Bloom up. "Look I know it was her first birthday but just think of all the other birthdays you'll get to have with her. It would weigh heavily on me too, I'm not dismissing your feelings, I'm just trying to make you feel better" Daphne said. Bloom looked at her sister and smiled a weak smile "thanks Daphne. I know I've got the rest of my life with her but it just hurts, you know?" Daphne slid her arm around her sister and hugged her, Bloom then laying her head on Daphne's shoulder. They stayed like that the rest of the ride to Earth.

"Mom! Dad!" Bloom exclaimed once her parents opened the front door. "Bloom! It's so good to see you!" Vanessa chimed in. Bloom hugged her parents and Daphne stood back, smiling. "Bloom, who's your friend?" Mike asked. Bloom jolted out of her hug with her mom and stepped back to Daphne, putting her arm around her sister. "Mom, dad, you met her at the party on Andros, remember? This is my sister, Daphne" Bloom said, embarrassed. Mike and Vanessa felt just as much humiliation. "Oh my gosh of course we remember! Daphne it's wonderful to see you! You look well" Vanessa said, giving Bloom's sister a hug. "Thank you, so do you" Daphne said, laughing. "Where's Serina?" Bloom asked anxiously. "Right this way" Mike said, smiling. He lead the girls through the living room and into Bloom's old room. A crib was set up in the opposite corner of Bloom's bed and in the crib lay Serina. She had her thumb in her mouth and when they came walking in, she rolled over on her stomach to see what the noise was. When she saw Mike and Vanessa with Bloom and Daphne, Serina smiled and cooed. Bloom almost ran to her daughter, picked her up, and kissed her. Daphne stood beside Bloom, a hand on Bloom's shoulder and the other on Serina's cheek. "Hey baby! I missed you so much!" Bloom said "look who's here with me, your Aunt Daphne." Daphne smiled and took Serina from Bloom's arms "hey baby girl. How are you?" Daphne said, kissing Serina's cheek. Serina tangled her hands in Daphne's hair and gave a slight tug. Daphne laughed and got Serina's hands from her hair, then handed Serina back off to Bloom. Bloom adjusted to Serina's weight on her hip and handed Daphne Serina's bag. "Mom, dad, we'd love to stay but the flight back to Magix leaves soon and Daphne and I have to get back soon anyway. I really wish we could stay and catch up" Bloom said, feeling guilty to be getting her child then leaving immediately. "Think nothing of it" Mike said in response, and Vanessa nodded her head "we understand Bloom. It's okay." Bloom and Daphne, along with Serina, said goodbye to Bloom's Earth parents, then headed back to the van. Daphne sat down with Serina on her lap. Then soon got situated, then took off. Serina slept on the way back and so did Bloom. Daphne was tired too but someone needed to stay awake to watch Serina.

When they got back, Bloom, Daphne, and Serina were bombarded with hugs. The Winx and Roxy were all very glad to see them all back safely. "Hi Serina! I missed you!" Roxy said as Bloom handed Serina to Roxy. "Oh she's grown so much Bloom. And she's beginning to look more and more like you!" Roxy announced. Bloom laughed and said "yes. Yes she is." They all laughed and walked back inside Alfea.