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

"The Date Date"

Grandma: Are you all ready for your date date?
Serena: I don't know what to wear. This postpartum body is...
Grandma: Beautiful.
Serena: Clothes just don't fit me like they used to.

Serena threw her dress on the edge of her bed & sat down. Grandma sat down next to her.

Grandma: Honey, Brian likes you for you not for what size you are.
Serena: Thanks, Grandma.

Grandma stood up & grabbed a couple pieces from Serena's closet & handed it to her.

Grandma: Try this.
Serena: Thanks...

A moment later, Serena was all dressed. She was was wearing jeans & a flowy top. She felt both comfortable & cute in the outfit Grandma picked out. She laid Miranda down after she fell asleep in her arms. Serena put her hand up to Miranda's forehead.
Miranda's forehead & body felt kinda warm. Grandma walked up the stairs to let Serena know that Brian was there. Brian waited only the foyer. He was adjusting his collar & fixing his hair in the mirror. He was nervous & felt like he'd start sweating bullets. He couldn't believe he was finally going on a real date with Serena.

Grandma: Brian's here, hon'. What's wrong?
Serena: I just noticed Miranda's a bit warm.

Grandma bent over Miranda's crib to feel her forehead.

Grandma: She does feel a bit warm.
Serena: What should I do?
Grandma: Don't you worry about a thing. Babies get fevers all the time. It's probably just teething.
Serena: Are you sure? Yesterday she slept a whole lot. A lot more than usual.
Grandma: I'm sure it's nothing. You go have fun with Brian. We'll take care of Miranda.
Serena: Ok. You sure?
Grandma: Yes, just go.
Serena: Ok.

Serena hugged & thanked Grandma one last time. As she walked downstairs, Brian turned around to look at her. It was as if she was walking down the stairs in slow motion. He could feel his heart beat out of his chest.

Brian: You look... absolutely beautiful.

Serena smiled & looked down.

Brian: You ready?
Serena: I'm looking forward to it.

Brian & Serena headed to a sushi place downtown before they went to a local band's concert. Being the gentleman he is, Brian opened doors & pulled out chairs for Serena. This was something he had always done for her all throughout their friendship. It was one of the many things Serena loved about him. They are to the heart's content at the sushi bar & when it got closer to the concert's showing, they headed out. As they exited the restaurant, Serena looked up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set. It was a beautiful sight. The pink & purple swirls in the sunset looked like a painting. Serena looked up at her date & smiled.

Serena: Hey, isn't this place just a couple blocks from here?
Brian: Yeah. It's just down that way.
Serena: It's such a nice evening. Why don't we walk?
Brian: Let's do it. Walk... that is.

Serena smiled & held Brian's hand as they enjoyed the stroll to their next stop.

They stopped with a quarter left of the way. Serena was the one to pause.

Brian: Everything ok? You want me to get the car so you don't have to walk the rest of the way?
Serena: Brian...
Brian: Yeah?
Serena: Why me?
Brian: What do you mean?
Serena: Why do you like me? I'm irresponsible. I'm a troublemaker. I'm stubborn. Most guys would run away from that.
Brian: I'm not like most guys, Serena.
Serena: I have a baby.
Brian: It's a two for one. Who wouldn't want that? And you're wrong about something.
Serena: What's that?
Brian: I don't like you, Serena. I love you... I have since the day we met...
Serena: I love you, Brian.

Serena wrapped her arms around Brian & kissed him interrupting his sentence. Brian wasn't expecting it, but he held onto her waist & continued kissing her.

Serena: Come on, we don't want to miss the concert.

Serena held Brian's hand as they walked the last half block to the concert. The followed the cue & fell in line waiting for the rope to drop. Brian stood behind Serena & held her with his hands over her stomach & his head resting on hers. They couldn't keep their hands off of school other. It was clear that they were both into each other. They walked in the building & had a great spot on the side right in front of the stage. They enjoyed the concert, sang along to the songs they knew & even danced a little.

As they were exiting the concert, Serena reached into her purse to get her phone. She had 5 missed calls from Grandma. She quickly called Grandma back.

Serena: It's Grandma.
Brian: Everything ok?
Serena: I don't know... Hey, Grandma?

Brian could sense the worry in Serena's voice.  Serena's voice became shaky as she spoke to Grandma. Grandma tried her best to sound calm as she explained to Serena that they had to bring Miranda to the hospital. Miranda's fever wasn't going down & when Grandma contacted them hospital, they instructed them to bring Miranda in to the E.R. Serena felt guilty for going out when she should've been taking care of her daughter.

Brian: Don't blame yourself, Serena.
Serena: There's no one else to blame.
Brian: Babies gets sick. This is normal.
Serena: I should've known. I should've stayed home to take care of my child instead of...
Brian: Instead of having some time for yourself? Instead of going on a date with me?
Serena: I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I just can't help but feel guilty.
Brian: Serena, you have to take it easy. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Serena: You're right.
Brian: Look at me...

Serena looked up from her phone to look at Brian.

Brian: It'll be fine. And I know a short cut to the hospital.
Serena: Ok...

Brian rushes & sped down the road taking the short cut he knew to the hospital. Serena was battling with her inner feelings of regret & guilt. Brian was right, she needed to calm down & not be so hard on herself. Brian got to the hospital in no time at all. He pulled up to the curb where he dropped Serena off. She got out of the car & took off running to where Grandma & Jack were.