"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Stubborn Serena"

Serena looked at the calendar hanging on her bedroom wall. It was filled with doctor's appointments & homework or project due dates. She also realized it had been a whole week since she was put on bedrest. Sure she got to catch up on all the movies on her watch list & she even watched a few new releases on Netflix, but she was starting to get bored out of her mind. Grandma had been in & out of the house more than usual & Serena thought maybe she was out getting things for the baby's room which had not been finished yet. Summer excitedly offered her old room for the baby to use & Serena was grateful. The only thing she had done in preparing for Miranda's nursery was pick choose the paint color. She also only had picked out a few clothing items. She was allowed to walk around for only a small portion of the day so she decided to walk to the nursery. She scanned through the 3 articles of clothing in the closet, looked at the crooked paint lines across the wall. The streaks were uneven & looked sad. She felt bad she hadn't even finished painting her daughter's room. She had been putting it off thinking she had so much time. Bennet had promised he'd go furniture shopping with her weeks ago. Now she realized he was just a waste of time. She was usually a happy go lucky type of person, but this whole pregnancy changed her. She heard the keys jangling as the front door opened. "Good, Grandma's home", she thought.

Serena: Grandma!
Grandma: Hi sweetie, I'm only here to grab a scarf. I'll be home by dinner. Text me if you need anything.

Serena peeked over the banister only in time to see Grandma walk out. Grandma didn't have any shopping bags nor did she bring anything to the nursery. Serena let out a sigh & got dressed & ready for the day. She was overwhelmed with all she needed to do. It was a Saturday, her usual errand day, and she wasn't going to let her bedrest get in the way of her to-do list.

Just as she was on her way out, she met Brian in the driveway. Brian was surprised to see Serena with a bag in hand & out of the house.

Brian: Hey, aren't you supposed to be in bed?
Serena: What are you doing here? And what's all this for?

Brian was holding flowers in one hand & a gift bag in the other.

Brian: These are for you & this is for Miranda. Just a couple of essentials for a newborn.
Serena: That's very thoughtful of you. Thanks, Brian.

Serena quickly brought the gift & flowers inside & told Brian of her plans to Uber around the city to run her errands.

Brian: Uber? Why don't I just take you?
Serena: You don't mind?
Brian: Not at all.

Time was flying as Brian drove Serena around town. They visited 2 baby stores for clothing, more essentials & furniture. Serena put the money Bennet had left her to good use. Brian looked at his phone & realized they had been at this for 3 hours now. Brian was getting worried for Serena & was hoping she'd ask him to drive her home next. As Serena was getting into Brian's car, she felt a sharp pain shoot up her back. She paused & closed her eyes from the pain. She regained her composure & got in the car completely.

Brian: What was that? Are you ok?
Serena: I'm fine. I'm fine. One more stop, please?
Brian: Ok, just one more then we gotta bring you & Miranda home.
Serena: Ok, ok...

Serena was focused. She had most of the things crossed off her list. Their last stop was a baby specialty store where she wanted to buy a special take home outfit for Miranda. She had seen it a month ago, but didn't have the money for it at the time. She made the purchase & was feeling sharp pains again. The pains were getting more severe. She was holding on to Brian's arm & as they walked out of the store, Serena was feeling weak.

Brian: Ok, why don't you just hang on here. I'll go grab the car. Wait here.
Serena: Ok...

Just then, Serena felt a rush of liquid between her legs. Brian turned around & saw a puddle beneath & all around Serena.

Serena: Brian?
Brian: Oh shit...
Serena: That's my water. It just broke. Call Grandma.
Brian: I'll do it in the car. We gotta get you to the hospital.

Brian walked Serena over to the car & drove her to the hospital. He tried calling Grandma & it kept going to voicemail. Serena was getting worried. She needed Grandma to be there for her. She was scared.

Brian: You're gonna be fine, Serena.
Serena: I need my Grandma. She was going to help me with breathing exercises & pushing just like we practiced in all my prenatal classes. What am I gonna do, Brian?
Brian: I'll help you.

Brian started to breathe with Serena through her painful contractions. They soon reached the hospital. A nurse came to bring Brian & Serena into a room at triage. She asked a few questions & hooked Serena up to a monitor. Baby's heart rate was fine, but Serena's heart rate was high. The nurse encouraged Serena to calm down I relax. They were in the waiting room filling out paperwork & Serena started to panic.

Serena: Brian, nothing is ready. The baby's nursery, the car seat, the...
Brian: Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it.
Serena: Ok.
Nurse: Excuse me sir, are you a family member.

Brian & Serena looked at each other.

Brian: No.
Nurse: Then I'm going to have to ask you to stay in the waiting area.
Serena: It's fine if he stays. I need someone with me.
Nurse: Your birth plan states you wanted your grandma. Is she here?
Serena: No, she's not. I want Brian to stay with me.
Nurse: Ok, if that's what you want.
Serena: Yes, that's what I want.

Serena stretched her hand over to Brian's hand. He took her hand in his & smiled in reassurance that she would be fine.