XII

CHAPTER 12

"You're pregnant?" A surprised voice of a brunette asked.

She came close to the older woman and gave her a peck on the cheeks and walked in front of Samantha. She looked at her straight in the eyes to get her answer.

Samantha nodded, confirming what she heard was true. The brunette hugs the blonde and kisses her cheek. "Everything's gonna be fine, sister" the brunette comforted her sister who is now tearing up.

Their mother hugged them both and comforted her own daughter, she knows she is very emotional right now that she is pregnant.

"Can you tell me who the father is?" Her mom curiously asked her.

She nodded "Her name is Alexis" she said making her mom confused.

"How can another female get you pregnant?" She curiously asks her daughter, her sister just quietly seated and listening to the two.

"She is a female born with a male genitals. But she is still missing. Didn't dad told you I asked him to help me find my girlfriend whose plane crashed?" Samantha looks at her mom who doesn't have a clue.

"I have no clue about that, all I know is that he is helping the Leone's family locate one of its family members" her mom answered making her sister nod, that is all they knew.

"Exactly a member of Leone, Alexis Leone to be precise. The father of my baby." Her mom's and sister's eyes widened.

"You meant Alex?" Her mom asked, making her nod.

Her sister gasped and tears formed at the corner of her eyes, she sniffled, making Samantha confused why she suddenly felt upset.

"What's wrong Agatha?" She approaches her sister to know what is going on.

"I didn't know Alex was missing. She is the one I told you I like" she explained, making her tears drop. Their mother sighs, she didn't know both of her daughters liked the same person, and most importantly one of her daughters is pregnant by the same person.

"Shane, Samantha, let's go and call your dad about Alexis' whereabouts" she called on the girls and they both nodded, they walked to the garden where her friends were enjoying their lunch, which makes her remember she hasn't eaten lunch too.

She called out one of the servants to please make her omelet with cheese and bring her some honey to drizzle on it. When her friends heard her they grimaced most especially Donna. Dina smacks her sister's head making everyone laugh.

They called her dad to find out more clues but there's nothing. The only thing she needed to know now is about Julia's recent discovery, if it is her girlfriend or not.

Julia and Maximus are now waiting for the DNA test result to arrive. Paul is on his way to give his boss the result. He is making sure it is a hundred safe and in the hands of his boss.

"Boss" he called out and handed the test result to Maximus. Julia is sitting feeling so anxious, hoping that it isn't Alexis.

"It's negative," Maximus said with a relieved sigh.

Julia smiles at her uncle, they both feel a thorn taken out of their skin. The past two days have been overwhelming for both of them. They hide the news to their family not wanting them to worry. They rather want to take all the burden of worrying.

She excused herself from her uncle to call Samantha and tell her about the good news.

"Sam" she greeted the pregnant woman who is currently watering her flowers at the garden. She is happy to finally spend time with her lovely plants. She love flowers but her favorite is the pink roses.

"How have you been? Your cravings?" Julia asked, making sure her cousin's family is alright.

"I'm doing fine. My cravings? Well I have been munching a lot of pickles, honey and cheese most of the time. Then your fiancee is annoying me for complaining about it" she is frowning while telling her about Donna which made Julia giggle.

"I'll surely remind her not to annoy you. Anyway I called to tell you about the update..." She paused and looked at his uncle and Paul having a conversation, how her uncle's brows furrowed just like Alexis, "...the DNA test came, and it's negative which meant my cousin is still out there breathing" when Samantha heard it she burst in tears feeling happy the test is negative.

She thanked Julia for telling her about it, and to inform her of anything if they found something important about Alexis. She misses her so much and their baby needed her too.

"What's going on here uncle?" Julia came in to her uncle Max raising his voice to the person he was talking on the phone.

"Paul here received a call from one of our men and said they found out that there are a couple of people that match my daughter's descriptions. Those idiots asked me what they should do next, of course that pisses me off. Their job is to find your cousin, why asked me what to do next?" He complains and gulps the whisky he is holding.

"Please calm down uncle. I know you are stressed, let me take it over. I'll go with them and check every place where they think they found someone who they think is Alexis" she tried to make her uncle relax, he nodded and let her take over.

He reminded Paul to look out for Julia. She is like a daughter to him too, she is Alexis' closest cousin.

Paul and Julia left and came to the closest location where one of their men found a patient that matches Alexis. They drive for around an hour to the first location. Their people were waiting for them, when they arrived two men came rushing to Paul and reported their findings and handed them some papers and photos.

"Let's go inside and ask about this patient, all of you spread out, find more data as much as you can then tell me" Julia took the lead, her and Paul came inside the lobby to ask a nurse which floor room 118 is.

When they got the information they rushed to the third floor but when they got in there was no patient inside. They tried to look for some attending nurses or doctors to ask about the patient.

"Excuse me, where's the patient in room 118?" Paul asked the nurse who was holding a tray with medicine and a syringe on it.

"The patient was rushed to the OR this morning because something went wrong. Are you a family of the patient?" The nurse asked, Paul didn't answer and looked at Julia who nodded and said they are.

The nurse told them to wait in the waiting area, she told them that a doctor will come out as soon as they are done or to tell an update to the relatives of the patient. The two have been patiently waiting for half an hour. Their people called them to tell them what they have found out about the current patient.

They said the patient's face was disfigured so it is hard to tell if it is their Boss' daughter. Julia is playing with her fingers trying to ease her tensions when the door suddenly opens revealing a doctor wearing a gown that they wore when operating.

"Are you family?" They stood up and nodded.

"I'm sorry but we did everything, he is gone, we're so sorry"After saying that the doctor left.

Julia shivered hearing that, she tried to calm her nerves, she is still not sure if it is her cousin or not. She exhaled and stopped her tears not to fall, she faced Paul, "Gather some data from them, and get blood samples too. I will wait for you in the car when you are done. We will leave and go to the next location. I have no time to grieve, we need to make sure it is my cousin first" Paul nodded and left.

Julia is still trying not to let the news of the dying person that is probably her cousin take in her. She needed to be strong for her family and Alexis' family. She is seated in the car waiting for Paul when her uncle asks for some update. She did not dare to tell him that the patient died, but all she said was that she had taken a blood sample from the first patient because the face is disfigured.

Paul arrived and told Julia that he sent the blood sample to the clinic. They drive to the next location which is a five hour drive. They will arrive there at nightfall. They have two more places to go after this one and it is going to be an overwhelming day for her.

She wishes that it will also turn negative, she wants to find a breathing Alexis rather than a corpse.

"How is your day going babe?" Donna asked her on the phone.

She sighed, doubting whether to tell or not about what she found out, this burden is heavy for her but still bearable.

"It's busy." She replied shortly, making the shorter girl raise her brow, she knew something was wrong. They both have gotten closer, talking everyday ever since they became fiancee and they are planning to date this weekend.

"Something is bothering you, you can tell me" Donna said with worry in her voice. "Is this about Alex?" She guessed that Julia is one of the people who helped investigate.

Julia sighs and decides to tell her some details, "Yeah" she pauses and looks out the window where you can see the sun is almost setting, "Promise me you will keep this information from Sam and the others" Donna agreed and promised. "We found four people that match Alexis but I am on my way to every location and find out the truth. We are going to take blood samples or I need to see them all face to face" Donna smiled hearing about it.

Julia reminds her again not to tell the others, she knows Donna is excited about hearing the good news but she isn't sure yet if one of those four is her cousin. She doesn't want to keep their hopes up this time.

They arrived at the second location almost seven in the evening. The ride was tiring, she was tired and hungry but she needed to see it for herself before eating her meal. She can't eat until she is done figuring out if it is Alexis or not.

"It's in that house Ma'am" one of their men said pointing to a house that had a red door.

"Anything you know about that house? Number of people inside? Is it safe to go in now or I need to bring more people with me?" Julia asked a lot of questions to make sure it was safe to go in. Her uncle Max said she needs to keep herself safe that's why Paul is always beside or behind her.

She figures out there are three people inside the house including the patient. They had gotten information that the patient was taken home today. Paul and Julia knock on the door waiting for someone to open it.

A little boy that is almost six years old opened the door and smiled at them.

"Aaron, I told you not to open the door without me" A woman said walking to them while wiping her wet hands with a towel.

"I'm sorry mommy" the boy apologized and hugged her mother's legs. The mother picks the boy and kisses his cheeks telling him it's okay and not to do it again.

"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked the two of them who are still out the door.

"Ma'am we're so sorry for intruding, but we are looking for someone and heard that he could be here" Paul said politely not wanting to scare the woman and the child.

"Who are you looking for?" the woman asked curiously.

"My cousin, Alexis" Julia butted and stared at the woman whose expression was confused.

"There's no Alexis here, goodbye" the woman replied then closed the door on their face.

Julia knocks on the door again which made the woman annoyed for disturbing their family.

"We heard someone who looks like my cousin was an outpatient today, can I see him? I need to make sure it's my cousin or not '' Julia explained but the woman tried to close the door again, making her stop it using her hand and then yelped in pain.

The woman apologized for hurting her arm, Julia apologizing too for her behavior. The woman sighed and let them in. She let Julia and Paul sit on their couch, leaving her son staring at them.

"Are you taking my daddy from us?" he sadly asked the two making Julia nodded no, which made the boy smile in relief.

The woman came to the living room, pushing a man on the wheelchair who had a broken leg that is casted. One arm is on a sling and his head with some scars and bruises, the woman said he had difficulty speaking and will recover his speech for months.

Julia is staring at him from head to toe, he also has the same blue eyes like her cousin, Alexis. His build is like Alexis but he is blonde, her cousin has brown hair. They thanked the couple for letting them confirm that he isn't her cousin that is missing. They wish for them to find Alexis safe. Julia left some cash to the little boy telling him to be quiet. She left two grand to the boy named Aaron, she figured out they are having financial problems about the medication they needed for the recovery of her husband. She wanted to help them a little.

"Let's call it a day, Paul, Please get us a hotel and rest, we will be flying early in the morning" Paul nodded and drove them to the nearest hotel.

They booked some room for them and their men. Some men are sent back to their city after confirming the second person isn't Alexis. The next morning they flew to Houston where the next person was located. It is a more than two hour flight from  Phoenix.

Julia and Paul arrive before lunch time, they grab something to eat first they drive to the next location, their men driving behind them. They went inside the hospital to ask for a patient that is admitted in room 87.

"The patient was transferred this morning." The attending nurse told them which made her ask for more information.

"Which hospital?" The nurse replied that she is not aware of it and it is confidential.

"I need to know, it's my cousin" she said claiming it is Alexis even though she isn't sure. "Or can you at least tell me if he is well?" the nurse nodded to tell her about the condition of the patient.

"The patient was in a bad state, he was in a coma. Since he was admitted here for the past weeks, he was in coma and the family decided to move him away. I'm sorry but that's all I can tell you Ma'am" the nurse explained and apologized.

"One last question, is the patient aged like in early twenties? and brown hair?" Julia asked, trying to find more information.

"Yes he had brown hair and in early twenties" the nurse answered, Julia thanked her and left the hospital.

She sighs, she still doesn't know if that patient is her cousin. She called her uncle to inform him about the third person. She told him to conduct surveillance camera review from this morning in the said hospital and the streets nearby to gather data on where the patient had been brought.

"I will contact you as soon as I find something. Julia please continue with the last person in our list then I'll see you in a few days" Maximus ended the call.

They are going to Canada in the next hour and it's a long journey. They landed in Nova Scotia in Canada two in the morning. Paul and her booked a hotel for the night stay together with six people. The next morning they are going to the town of Lunenburg to see the last person on their list.

Donna called her to ask how she was going, "I'm fine, just a little tired from traveling here and there," she explained with a sigh.

"I know you're tired, we can reschedule our date so that you can rest when you come back" Donna suggested, making her whip her head not agreeing.

The two face timing in the middle of the night. It is now almost midnight in L.A. and it's almost four in the morning in Canada. Julia couldn't sleep, she wanted this to be over. She is overthinking what if she came late again before she can meet the person.

"Babe" Donna called her with worry when Julia failed to respond. "Why don't you take a little rest, a two hour sleep before you take off to another town. You need to take care of yourself too, Alex wouldn't want you sick" she nodded, Donna is right her cousin wouldn't want her to overwork herself. If she is here she will be smacking her head and pinch her ears just like what their abuela does to them.

She closed her eyes after they ended the call and the next thing she knew, someone was knocking at her door that woke her up.

"Ma'am we need to leave in fifteen minutes” Paul reminded her. She looks at her phone and it's almost seven in the morning.

She hurriedly washed her face and prepared herself. The ride to the town of Lunenburg was quick, she told them to drive fast. When they came to the household where Alexis could be, they saw an old couple pushing a blonde woman.

Julia looked at their every move, they came to another man with brown hair who was sitting on the bench. The blonde woman reaches for the man and kisses him on the lips. The old couple left the two who are now laughing together. Julia and Paul came to them to ask some questions. Julia can tell it is not her cousin but they need datas.

"Good day, do you mind if we ask some questions from you?" Julia politely asked them with a smile, the old couple nodded and gave her a sweet smile.

She asked them if the patient with them was the one on a wheelchair or the one sitting on the bench. "It is actually both of them. My grandson didn't take much damage but his girlfriend did." Julia and Paul listened to them and gathered everything they needed and thanked them.

Julia, Paul and their men drive back to their hotel to get some of their stuff and they will be leaving Canada and be back to L.A. and talk to her uncle Max. It has been a busy three days for her and another half day of flying back home.

"Did you contact Julia?" Rose asked Donna who is picking a new lipstick. The four of them are shopping for new clothes for the pregnant woman who says she is getting fat day by day which isn't true.

Donna nodded while picking up a concealer and put it inside her basket. "I heard you and Julia talking in the middle of the night," Rose said, making Donna's eyes widen.

"What exactly did you hear?" She nervously asked.

"Well I heard you say you will keep it a secret from us about her locating Alexis" Rose answered while smelling some perfume. "I will not tell Sammy, don't worry" Rose said, to which Donna nodded and smiled to thank her for not to tell about it.

"What is it you two not telling me?" The blonde asked raising her brow to her friends, she also looked at Dina thinking she also knew something but Dina shrugged, she also doesn't have a clue.

"You two tell me about it, you mentioned my name. Is it about Alex?" Donna and Rose look at each other, mind linking if they should tell her or not.

They decided not to tell her, apologizing to their pregnant friend. Samantha walked out leaving the three. Her friends are keeping secrets from her and she doesn't like it, especially about Alexis.

"How could they keep something about Alex from me?" she kept complaining while her tears fell.

She is walking way too fast from the three who are trying to catch up, there are a lot of people shopping today and it is hard for them to catch up with Samantha.

Donna swears while walking as fast as she can. They left their basket on the ground when Samantha walked away from them. The three sprinting, walking, running around just to find where the pregnant blonde went.

"There" Dina pointed out when they see Samantha riding her way down the escalator. They quickly went to the escalor too.

Samantha was still complaining about the secrets and how hungry she is, and she wanted some fruit yogurt with chocolate on top.

"Sammy look out" Donna screamed when someone was running on her way who wasn't looking.

"Ahhh" she screams when someone bumps into her making her drop on the floor, the man who bumps into her only stares at her and continues running away.

Some security are running behind him trying to catch up. He stole something from a store and caused a scene.

Samantha tried to stand up and fix herself when her friends came beside her.

"Umm Sammy" Dina speaks with worry.

"We need to bring you to the hospital, you're bleeding" Dina said when she noticed some blood on Samantha's dress.

"My baby!" The blonde cried out, making her faint in panic.

Rose and Donna caught her, Dina calling for help. Some people came to help them, a young man helped carry Samantha in the car. Rose stepped on the accelerator and drove fast to the hospital.

Dina called Marcelina, Samantha's mom, to please go to the hospital. She sent a quick message of the hospital's address. She also sent a text to Julia telling her they are bringing Samantha to the hospital.

"Shane, we need to go to the hospital. Your sister needs us" Marcelina, hurriedly informed Shane who is currently pouring her apple juice on the glass.

"What happened to my daughter?" A manly voice asked.