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

"Bye Bye, Brian"

The lactation consultant finished up a quick session with Serena & left the room so that Serena could finish feeding Miranda. After a while, Miranda fell asleep in Serena's arms & Dr. Welling came knocking on Serena's door.

Doctor Welling: Hey there, how's the feeding coming along?
Serena: Well, my milk has finally come in & Miranda's has had a good latch since day one. The lactation consultant has been helpful too showing me different feeding positions.
Doctor Welling: That's good to hear. So Serena, I have some good news & some bad news.
Serena: Ok.
Doctor Welling: What do you want to hear first?
Serena: We'll go with the good news. I could use some good news. The
Doctor Welling: Ok. The good news is you can go home tomorrow.
Serena: And the bad news?
Doctor Welling: Bad news is... Miranda needs to stay here for at least 2 more weeks.

Serena started to shake her head.

Doctor Welling: Serena, I understand it'll be tough to work around, but it's for the best. We'll need to make sure her immune system is strong enough. We need her to gain more weight before we can discharge her. There are also a few tests we will have to do on her within that time frame.

Serena looked down at Miranda who was in her arms. The nurse standing by asked to bring Miranda back into the nursery. Serena kissed Miranda's forehead & then handed her over to the nurse. The nurse wheeled Miranda back to the nursery.

Serena: Is there a way the 2 weeks can be cut down shorter?
Doctor Welling: It's best to take it one day at a time. If Miranda passes her tests & is able to pick up some weight, then we can plan for an earlier discharge.
Serena: Thanks, Doctor Welling.

Doctor Welling stood up & smiled.

Doctor Welling: Let me know if you need anything, Serena.

Doctor Welling walked out of the room. Serena pushed her dinner tray to the side. She wasn't feeling hungry at all. She couldn't wait until her sister got there. She needed help, but was not getting it. She was nervous about leaving Miranda at the hospital while she would go home. She didn't want to be apart from her baby. She checked her phone & saw a text from Summer saying that she was on her way. She didn't see any messages from Grandma. There was another knock on the door.

Serena: Come in.

It was Brian. He poked his head but had his hand over his eyes. The last time we walked in, Serena had been breastfeeding Miranda. So now he was a bit cautious about entering her room.

Serena: The coast is clear.
Brian: Hey, how are you doing?
Serena: I'm hanging in there.
Brian: Thought I'd catch my two favorite girls before my shift at work.
Serena: That's really sweet of you. You uh... just missed Miranda. She was here for a few hours. It was nice to be able to hold & feed her. We also did some skin to skin.
Brian: That's awesome.
Serena: And I spoke to Summer earlier & she's on her way over here.
Brian: Really? That'll be good to get some extra help.
Serena: I know. I'm relieved.
Brian: Before I go is there anything I can get you?
Serena: No, I'll be fine.
Brian: You sure?
Serena: Yeah, Brian you don't have to keep checking up on me.
Brian: I know. But I just wanted to see you.

Brian held Serena's hand.

Serena: Brian, please don't take this personal. You know how much I appreciate you & your friendship.
Brian: What are you saying?
Serena: I was thinking a lot about you & us.
Brian: And?
Serena: I really want us to just stay friends.

Brian let go of Serena's hand.
Serena: I have a lot going on right now & I don't want it to get in the way of our friendship.
Brian: I get it.
Serena: No, I don't think you do, Brian. I don't want to lose you as a friend.
Brian: You tell a girl you love her & she tells you to get lost. No, I get it.
Serena: Brian, it's not like that at all. The timings just not right.
Brian: It's never been the right time, Serena. I don't know what we're waiting for. I know in my heart that you're the one for me.
Serena: Brian...
Brian: I got to go. Tell Summer I said "hey".
Serena: Brian...

Brian walked out in a hurry out of Serena's room. He went to check on Miranda who was fast asleep in the nicu nursery.

Brian: Hey baby girl, this is your uncle Brian. I uh... I want to let you know that I'll always be here for you & your mom. You have to keep growing so that you can go home with your mom. She's kinda worried about you & to tell you the truth that worries me. Thanks for chatting with me, but I gotta run. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't you ever forget that I love you & your mom so much.

Brian blows a kiss to sleeping baby Miranda & then walks off.