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

"Questions & Answers"

Sirens were soon heard & everything happened so quickly. The cops who Summer had called had arrived. Guests were questioned. Nick was arrested & placed in a cop car. Grandma came out to bring the cops hot coffee. She & Jack went around handing out mugs to each officer.

Grandma: Thank you, officers.
Officer Jenkins: They tell me you're the hero here, Miss Nora.
Grandma: Oh please! Call me Grandma.

Dylan was sitting next to Summer on the front porch swing. Summer sat there, still & quiet. Everything was playing over & over in her head. Michie waited in the distance with Brian & Serena who were also being questioned. A few moments later, the cops left & started to question Jack & Grandma. Serena placed her hand on Brian's arm.

Serena: I'm gonna head inside.
Michie: Serena, sorry about all of this. I hope you still enjoyed your shower.
Serena: Are you kidding? I was afraid it'd be boring. It was far from it. Thanks for coming, Michelle.
Michie: Take care.

Serena walked towards the house & walked up the porch steps. She leaned over to hug Summer & then walked inside. Brian could tell that Michie was thinking about Dylan & Summer by the way she watched them from where she stood.

Brian: He loves you, you know?
Michie: I know.
Brian: Then what's the matter?
Michie: I also know he's never gonna be fully over her. Everyone sees it. It's just a fact.

Brian put his arm around Michie & the two walked towards Summer & Dylan on the porch.

Dylan: You know I'm always here for you, Summer.
Summer: Thanks for saving me again. And thanks for always being there, Dylan. You better go. Looks like someone's waiting for you.
Dylan: You need anything?
Summer: I'll be fine.

Dylan hugged Summer & then stood to walk over to Michie. Michie & Summer waved to each other. Summer watched as Dylan & Michie walked off hand in hand. She was honestly happy for them. Brian walked inside to keep Serena company & to give her one last gift.

The time came for Summer to be questioned. An officer with a coffee in hand approached her on the porch swing.

Officer Jenkins: Summer, is it?
Summer: That's me.
Officer Jenkins: I'm Officer Jenkins.
Summer: Hi.
Officer Jenkins: I know you've been through a lot today so I'll make this brief. Can you tell me about Mr. Nicholas Chambers? What is your relationship with him.

For the next 20 minutes Summer went back & forth talking to Officer Jenkins. She said Nicholas was her client & someone she considered an acquaintance. Although his case as confidential, she explained that Nicholas was abused & in turn developed a bipolar disorder.

Summer: I guess what I'm saying is that I don't want to press any charges. He had a good heart, it's just his mind is keeping him from showing it all the time.
Officer Jenkins: Is it true he had you at gunpoint?
Summer: He had a gun, but he never pointed it at me. I don't think he meant to hurt me. Or anyone for that matter. He wouldn't.
Officer Jenkins: I've seen cases like this where things ended badly. A stalker gets obsessed with his target & although at first he seemed harmless, he would end up hurting or even killing his target. I'm not trying to scare you. I just...
Summer: Look, I don't mean any disrespect, Officer. I get it. Nick needs help. Unfortunately I couldn't provide the help he needed. But he does need help. He shouldn't be imprisoned for this.
Officer Jenkins: Ok. You have a good evening. You take care, Summer.
Summer: Yes, sir.

The cops took time talking to Nick & during that time, Jack, Grandma & Summer went back inside the house.

Brian: Serena, I actually have one more gift for you & Miranda.
Serena: What? Seriously? But you already did so much helping with the shower &...
Brian: Follow me.

Brian lead Serena upstairs to the nursery. Brian reaches for the door handle & then looked back at Serena.

Brian: Wait, hold on...

He whipped out a blindfold from his pocket & placed it over Serena's eyes.

Serena: Is this necessary?
Brian: Come on...
Serena: Ok, ok.

Brian held Serena's hand to guide her into Miranda's nursery. They were both inside. Brian turned the lights on & as soon as they reached the middle of the room, he asked Serena if she was ready.

Serena: Yes!

Brian took her blindfold off & Serena eyes widened & she covered her mouth with her hands. Her eyes welled up with tears as she beheld the nursery for Miranda. One wall had pink & white floral wallpaper & the rest of the walls painted a very light pink. Furniture had been set up. The crib, dresser, rocking chair, changing table were all coordinating in color. Even the closet had been filled with clothes & toys for Miranda. As Serena spun around the room, Brian watched how happy she was. All the hard work spent in that room was worth seeing her smile. He lived for it.
Serena: Did you do all this?
Brian: I had some help. What do you think?
Serena: This is perfect... How & when?
Brian: The last couple days before or after class while you sleeping or out, I'd come here & did what I could. The flowers took the longest. You know I painted those by hand?
Serena: What?! Really?!

Serena ran up to the wall to investigate. She ran her fingers over the flowers.

Brian: I'm totally kidding. That's wallpaper!

Serena playfully hit Brian & the two found themselves in each other's arms.

Serena: Thank you, Brian...
Brian: You're welcome, Serena.

Nick was surprised that Summer wouldn't be pressing any charges. He got out of the cop car, had his handcuffs removed & walked towards Summer who was standing at the door.

Nick: Summer... Thank you.
Summer: You can't come in.
Nick: I understand.
Summer: After today I don't think we can be friends anymore or see each other. If anything happens, I'm going to be putting a restraining order against you.
Nick: I'm so sorry for everything. I don't know what came over me. I felt like I was on top of the world even if we... I was pretending.
Summer: Nick, please get some help.
Nick: You've been helping me, Summer. You were my escape from reality & from the pain of my past.
Summer: I called Nat earlier he's on his way & should actually be landing soon. There's an officer who will be escorting you back to the air bnb to gather your things & taking you to the airport to meet Nat.
Nick: When will I see you again? I need to see you again, Summer.
Summer: This is good bye, Nick.
Nick: It can't be.

Nick took a step toward Summer & Summer simultaneously took a step back away from him.

Nick: Please don't be afraid of me. You know I'd never hurt you, Summer. I love you.
Officer Jenkins: Mr. Nicholas Chambers, it's time to go.
Summer: Bye Nick.
Nick: Summer...

Summer closed the door & cried as soon as the door closed. Grandma came to her side & held her as she wept. Officer Jenkins was sure to escort Nick to his air bnb & then to the airport to meet his brother. That was the last time Summer had seen Nick.