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

"The Perfect Gentleman"

Antonio & Serena reached the end of the evening. Serena didn't remember the last time she smiled so much in one day. She enjoyed the evening with a do-over dinner at Antonio's grandparents' house, meeting Antonio's friends & hearing him sing. She wondered when she would get to see him again since all their parenting classes were done. The kiss they shared didn't feel like a kiss between friends, it felt like so much more.

Antonio drove Serena home & walked her up the steps to her house. They took their time saying goodnight.

Serena: Thanks for tonight, Antonio. I enjoyed every bit of it.
Antonio: Well, I'm glad.

Serena shyly smiled & looked down to hide how big her smile was. Antonio gently lifted her chin up.

Antonio: You don't have to be shy with me. Thank you for spending the last couple nights with me. I loved introducing you to my family & friends. And one of my passions, music. I hope you enjoyed the show.
Serena: I did. You were great. I could listen to you sing all day.
Antonio: To be honest with you, I never get nervous, but tonight I was... shaking.
Serena: Really? Why is that?
Antonio: I get a rush when I'm with you. I get nervous & excited altogether.
Serena: I think I know what you mean.
Antonio: When can I see you again?

Antonio gently swept away Serena's bangs from her face.

Serena: When do you want to see me again?
Antonio: Tomorrow?
Serena: Sure...
Antonio: Tomorrow at 2:00?
Serena: Sounds perfect.
Antonio: Great.

Serena turned around to unlock & open the door & pushed it open to go inside.

Serena: Goodnight, Antonio.
Antonio: Goodnight, Serena...

Antonio stood there on her porch & wanted to kiss Serena one more time. Serena noticed he wasn't leaving.

Serena: Did you forget something?
Antonio: Yeah...

Antonio walked closer to Serena. He placed one arm around her back & kept one hand on her face & kissed her goodnight.

Antonio: Goodnight...
Serena: Goodnight...

Antonio walked off the front porch, Serena was peeking from behind the cracked open door. On his way back to his car, Antonio tripped over one of Grandma's potted plants & the pot tipped over & broke. He bent down to clean it up.

Serena: Antonio, don't worry about it.
Antonio: Are you sure? I feel bad...
Serena: I'll get it tomorrow. She won't even notice.
Antonio: Ok... I'll see you tomorrow.
Serena: Can't wait.

Serena was head over heels about Antonio. She couldn't stop thinking about him all through the night. She was looking forward to their time together tomorrow.

The next day, Serena got up earlier than usual. She spent the morning with Grandma & Summer before Summer left for Virginia & then she spent the rest of the day visiting her daughter & meeting up with Antonio there.

Serena headed into the nicu wing & saw Nurse Dana.

Nurse Dana: Hi Serena, you look extra beautiful today. Is today a special day?
Serena: Hi Dana! Yeah, um... I have a date later.
Nurse Dana: Really?

Serena nodded & was smiling from ear to ear.

Nurse Dana: Visiting your little princess?
Serena: Yes ma'am. I can't wait to take her home...
Nurse Dana: Hopefully soon, sweetheart.
Serena: Oh before I forget, any visitors come by to see her?
Nurse Dana: Yeah, there was a young man who's been dropping by every day.
Serena: You don't have to tell me who. I know who that was.

Serena was smiling & thought Antonio was so sweet for visiting Miranda. Serena walked over to Miranda's room after checking in with Nurse Dana. She spent the next hour or so holding, talking & singing to her daughter. Antonio went to go visit Manny & received news that he could go home tomorrow. He was overjoyed & contacted his grandparents with the good news. He wanted to share the news with Serena, but held off on it when he peeked into her room & saw her holding Miranda. He knew Miranda couldn't go home with Serena for another week or so & he didn't want to make her feel bad with his good news. He softly knocked on the side panel of the door to her Serena's attention. Serena looked up & immediately smiled when she saw Antonio standing there.

Serena: Hey you...
Antonio: May I come in?
Serena: Of course.

Antonio squatted next to Serena as she sit on the rocking chair holding her baby.

Antonio: She's beautiful... Just like her mommy.

Serena kissed Miranda & then placed her back in her crib. She sighed knowing she wouldn't be bringing her home anytime soon. Antonio held Serena & cheered her up by saying he wanted to take her somewhere special. Serena loved that Antonio wanted to share every aspect of his life with her. It kept her busy & kept her mind off of the negativity of her situation.

Serena: So where are you taking me?
Antonio: Another surprise.
Serena: Okay...

As usual, Antonio shared the backstory of where they were headed. He said that the place they were going to was where his Grandma & Grandpa met. His grandma was cook & his grandpa was a tailor. These were trades they learned from childhood. His grandmother was from Ecuador & his grandfather was from Spain. They moved to Seattle for a better life when they were both 18. Neither of them went to college, but instead did things that they loved. They came to this shelter for the homeless every weekend & volunteered their time. His grandmother would cook meals on end whenever she could. The people there loved her cooking & the best part was she sang while she cooked & served. Her contagious personality cheered them all up on those gloomy Seattle days. His grandfather helped mend their clothes & even found old tattered clothes & made them look good as new. They became a good team & eventually took interest in each other.

Antonio: And the rest is history...
Serena: Aww, I love that.
Antonio: Here we are.
Serena: This is the same shelter?
Antonio: The very same one. You ready?
Serena: Yeah.

Antonio opened Serena's door & held her hand as they walked into the shelter. The manager & social workers were all familiar with Antonio. Some of them even knew his grandparents from back in the day. This was all new for Serena. As much as she was hesitant, she trusted in Antonio & followed his lead. Pretty soon, she was comfortable in her surroundings & was able to help out. Antonio & Serena helped prepare & serve lunch & while they were cleaning up, Antonio performed a few songs to the group of people gathered there. After his set, he shook hands with many of the homeless folks & new a few of them by name. Serena's level of "impressed" just kept getting higher & higher. Antonio was the perfect gentleman & everything he touched turned to gold. Everywhere they went, people loved him. She was beginning to love him.