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

"Secrets & Lies"

Todd had been texting Dana all throughout dinner. She kept texting him saying how much she wanted to see him. He wanted to see her too. She was getting off of work soon & asked if they could meet up. They had planned on meeting up after Todd finished dinner with Serena & Brian.

Todd: Well, honey, I better get going. Thank you for a delicious 3 course meal. You gotta promise me that you'll do this again soon.
Serena: Thanks, dad. Hey I know she's not my favorite person, but maybe you could bring Cynthia during our next dinner.

Brian looked at Todd.

Todd: Maybe. I'll see you soon, baby girl.

Todd kissed Serena's forehead & got into his car & drove off to see Dana. Truth be told, since Todd & Dana had met a couple weeks ago, they had already gone on a couple dates.

Serena & Brian sat on the couch. Serena was so tired.

Serena: Ugh, I still have to do the dishes & clean up.
Brian: Why don't I finish up in here & you go enjoy a warm bath?
Serena: Are you trying to get laid?
Brian: No! Are you offering?

Serena held Brian's face & kissed him.

Serena: We'll see...

Todd & Dana agreed to meet at a local bar. Todd was quite the secret keeper. Todd kept secrets from his wife. He kept secrets from Serena. And he kept secrets from Dana. Dana had no idea that he was married. Todd always took his wedding ring off whenever he met up with her. His wife, Cynthia thought he was meeting up with friends or off on a work conference. Cynthia didn't like the idea of Todd going to visit Serena & Miranda so often. Todd pacified her by saying that he had only visited them once. In actuality, he was visiting them every other day. Todd kept all of this from Serena, but was sharing it with Brian.

Brian didn't know if it was Todd's way of testing him or what. Brian just knew that he didn't like it. He didn't like any of it. In fact, he hated it. The thing Brian hated the most was that now he was a part of all the lies & secrets by keeping it all from Serena. Things were going so well between them. Their relationship had finally reached a pinnacle of trust & purpose. Brian knew that the longer he kept Todd's secrets that it would eventually cause a tear in his & Serena's bond.

In Serena's mind, she felt she had reached a good place with her dad & was even open to trusting her stepmom again. Todd had showed so much interest in Miranda's life. He had started a bank account for her. He was visited so often that Miranda noticed when Todd wasn't there. Todd had easily become Miranda's favorite person. Serena also loved that Todd & Brian were getting along. Todd had hated all of Serena's boyfriends growing up. Todd accepting & even liking Brian was a huge deal.

The next day, Serena wanted a day where she didn't have to worry about school work or housework so she invited Brian & Todd to the park for a picnic & play for Miranda.

Todd woke up to Serena's call.

Todd: Sweetheart?
Serena: Dad? Sorry, did I wake you?
Todd looked over at Dana. She was still asleep. He tiptoed out of Dana's room to continue his call.
Todd: Yeah, don't worry about it. I was just getting up.
Serena: Oh good. Well, we're going to park today. I prepared sandwiches. I know it's not a 3 course meal, but I just wanted to see if you were available. Todd: Oh...
Serena: It's ok if you're busy.
Todd: No. No, I'm not busy.
Serena: Oh great! Um Did you want to meet us there?
Todd: Yeah, I can.
Serena: It's the park by the mall. The same one we went to last week.
Todd: Yeah, yeah. I remember where that is.
Dana: Todd?
Serena: Oh! Is that Cynthia? Did she like the cobbler?
Todd: Um, loved it. Hey baby girl, I'll uh. I'll see you at the park.
Serena: Ok, see you, soon. We'll be there at noon.

Brian, Serena & Miranda got to the park first. They had a picnic blanket sprawled out across the green, luscious grass. A picnic basket sat on top keeping the blanket pinned down in-spite of the breeze sweeping across the hill. The sandbox kept Miranda occupied while they waited for Todd. It bothered Brian to hear Serena speak so highly of her father.

Serena: I'm just so happy he's back in my life.

Brian remained quiet.

Serena: Hey...
Brian: What? What do you want me to say?
Serena: Well, it'd be nice if my boyfriend was happy for me. Brian, I haven't been able to spend this much time with my dad in months. I feel like our relationship has been mended.
Brian: I can't lie to you, Serena.

Serena had a look of confusion on her face.

Brian: He's cheating on your stepmom.
Serena: How do you know this?
Brian: He told me. I wasn't supposed to say any of this to you. I can't keep secrets from you. I'm sorry, Serena. I know things were going well & I didn't want to ruin anything between you & your dad.
Serena: He broke my trust. You didn't ruin anything. My dad did.

Todd parked his car across the street. He had a big smile on his face. He got out & waved at them.

Serena: Stay here with Miranda.

Serena got up & marched over to her dad. Brian could see that by the way Serena waved her arms around that she was telling him to leave. He felt bad, but Serena needed to know.

Todd: Serena, you don't even like your stepmom. She doesn't even like you.
Serena: That doesn't make any of this right. Dana doesn't deserve this either.
Todd: I should have never told Brian.
Serena: No... You should've never come out to visit us.
Todd: What do you want me to do, Serena?
Serena: Fix this. Make it right with Cynthia & sort things out with Dana. And then maybe you can come back to visit us.
Todd: I'm sorry.
Serena: Bye dad...