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

"One Step at a Time"

Todd: I don't know what it is, but I like you, kid.
Brian: I guess that's a good sign.
Serena: It's a good sign.
Brian: Does that mean you forgive me for punching you in the face earlier?

Todd stayed quiet for a second until he bursted out in laughter. Serena joined him in laughing & soon Brian let out a few chuckles.

Todd: I forgive you, Brian.

The trio enjoyed an early dinner talking & laughing. It had been months since Serena had seen her father. It was an unplanned, but perfect way for Brian to meet him as well. Serena was a little nervous spending time with her dad, considering all that has happened since the last time she saw him, but having Brian there put her at ease. He was a great buffer between the two. Serena had always been a daddy's girl & it made her heart happy to be with the two most important men in her life. At the end of the night, Brian waited by the car to let Todd & Serena say their good-byes.

Todd: Well, I guess this is good night.
Serena: We'll see each other again.
Todd: With Miranda too, I hope.
Serena: Of course. Let's just take it one step at a time.
Todd: I wouldn't have it any other way. I better let you go. Your man's waiting for you.

Serena turned around to look at Brian.

Todd: He's a good one. I can tell.
Serena: Thanks, dad. I love you.
Todd: I love you, baby girl.

They hugged one last time & then Serena cane walking towards Brian. Todd waved bye to Brian & Brian returned the gesture.

Brian: You ready to go?
Serena: Yeah. Hey Brian...
Brian: Yeah?

Serena pulled Brian in & while she tiptoed up to his level, kissed him.

Brian: What was that for?
Serena: Thanks for following me today.
Brian: I shouldn't have been so nosy.
Serena: No, I'm glad you did. I wanted you to meet my dad, but I just didn't know how to go about the whole 'meet the parents' thing.
Brian: Oh...
Serena: I guess you took the guess work out of it. In a good way.
Brian: Good. So you're not mad at me.
Serena: Of course not. You were so cute trying to swing at my dad.
Brian: I could've taken him.
Serena: Ok, ok...

Todd was seated in his own car & watched as his daughter & the new man in her life drove off. He felt replaced. He felt comforted in knowing that someone was taking care of Serena, but he felt bad knowing that it was no longer him. He knew that he was half responsible for Serena leaving home last year. No matter how many times he reasoned with Cynthia, Serena's stepmom, Serena still had to move out. Cynthia wanted Serena out & gone. Todd wouldn't let her get in between his daughter & now granddaughter. He was determined to keep a relationship with his daughter & hoped to start one with his granddaughter.