A/N: Hello all!! I hope you have been enjoying this story... I have been trying to update a little more regularly... I am at least two chapters ahead at the moment which is great. My plan is to update either every Sunday or every other Sunday. I will be honest the more reviews i get the more likely I am to update sooner rather than later. I will admit I currently do no have a beta so all this material is a little raw. I have read through it but we all know that sometime you can miss stuff especially when its your own work. Either way i hope you enjoy this chapter and review... the take all the good bad and ugly!!!

Way Back Into Love

Chapter 6

What!

Serena sat furiously type away on her computer when Melvin first entered their office. His hair sticking up in every direction as usual, glasses pushed up against the bridge of his nose, but he seemed not to notice, or care. He watched her thoughtfully for a minute before dropping the books he had been holding onto his desk. The sound of the books seemed to draw Serena from her work, glancing up she smiled warmly at him before turning her attention back to the computer screen.

"Serena, are you okay?" Melvin ventured turning on his own lap top and waiting while it loaded up. She nodded, eyes still studying the screen feverishly. Melvin took a moment to examine her haggard appearance. After a few weeks of this behavior, Melvin was convinced something had happened when she had gone to the reunion. In the last couple years he had never seen her work herself so zealously, or look so gaunt. Even her once vibrant eyes, now seemed dulled somewhat. But the thing that tipped him off mostly was her attitude towards the weekend as a whole. Serena had told him all about it, but something was missing from her story, that much was obvious. All in all he knew not to push, if she wanted to talk about it she would, he wouldn't push her.

He sighed, picking up some memos he had neglected to read thus far, scanning through them one caught his eyes. "Have you submitted your book list for next semester yet?" Melvin asked, breaking the silence in the room.

Serena glanced up leaning back into her chair. Rubbing her eyes with her hands she nodded. "Yeah, earlier this week actually. I finished my syllabus too. What about you?"

Melvin laughed, shaking his head. "I must say I'm not quite sure what's happened to you over the last month but I'm pretty sure that Jonathan will be very pleased. You are usually the last one to hand these things in."

Serena shrugged again, closing down her computer. "I know, he thought I was playing with him when I sent him the email. Just trying to keep up with all my work," she lied. Melvin's expression told her he didn't believe a word she was saying but he didn't say anything to the contrary. "I think I'm going to head home a little early today. I'm still not feeling all that well."

Melvin nodded turning his attention to his work as she continued to pack up. She knew he wanted to say something more on the topic but refrained himself. She was exhausted and her feet hurt, even though she had been sitting in her chair most of the day. Turning off her desk lap, she bid Melvin goodnight.

"Rena," he began. It was so rare that he used her nickname that it caught her off guard. She turned to face him, the expression on his face sheer worry. "Don't work yourself so hard, it's not healthy. Go home and relax, you look like you could use it."

Serena smiled in thanks, promised she would before leaving for the evening. Stepping out into the warm spring air she sighed, trying to decide what to do. She had always enjoyed riding the train but as of late between the motion sickness and nausea she had been reconsidering that notion. Besides the motion sickness, her sense of smell had developed in the oddest of ways, the mixture of all the smells was just another reason she had taken to cabs. Better the smell of a cab for a short while, then the smell of the subway for an hour, she had convinced herself.

Walking a few avenues away from the college she finally hailed a cab, happily sinking into the worn leather of the backseat. The overwhelming scent of incenses filled her nostrils, causing a new wave of nausea to sweep over her. Shutting her eyes she willed the apple she had eaten for lunch to remain in her stomach. Ten minutes later, the cab pulled to a stop in front of her building, thrusting the money at the cabbie she exited the vehicle as quickly as she could. Sighing in relief she vowed to try the train again, maybe it wasn't so bad.

Lita was not home, as per usual, when Serena arrived and she was glad for it. It seemed as if everyone she knew had attended a secret meeting. She being the topic of discussion. She was tired of all the worried glances, fixed expression, and most of all the lingering questions about the reunion. She was sure that they were all aware something had happened over the weekend, but every time anyone questioned her about it she had blow the question off.

The truth was she still thought about that weekend a lot, which was the real reason why she had kept herself so busy. But in times like these, when no one was around, and there were no work to do she found herself wondering exactly what Darien was up too. The loneliness of those question seeped into her mind and heart, the little voice in the back of her head tell her it was her fault she didn't know. She knew that all she would have to do was pick up the phone and call him. He had emailed her a couple of times over the last month, but she hadn't the courage to write back.

Trying to clear the thoughts from her mind she opened the refrigerator door in search of something to eat. Her appetite had been very strange over the last couple of weeks. One minute she would be craving the weirdest combination and the next be repulsed by some of her favorite food. Lita had noticed, and commented one night but Serena evaded this question as well, blaming it on a stomach bug. Lita hadn't believed her, but she also hadn't pushed the topic.

Pushing a few items around she pulled out the carton of spaghetti and sauce Lita had brought home the previous evening and reheated it. After a quiet dinner in front of the television Serena could fight her exhaustion no more. Waiting up for Lita had become a task, checking her watch she noted Lita should be home any minute. Slinking to her bed she climbed in, but her stomach had another thing planned.

Serena had only been lying in bed for a few minutes when the copper taste; she associated with nausea materialized in her mouth. Rolling out of bed she knew what would happen next, it had been happening over the last week, and she was always glad that Lita hadn't been home for most of them. She didn't need more question and most of all, didn't want the phone chain that would accompany it.

Her bare legs against the cool tiled floor, hands gripping tightly to the sides of the porcelain toilet, she felt the first wave approaching. The unwelcome feeling of queasiness was always the first sign. Leaning further over the toilet, she watched the contents of her stomach being emptied. An unpleasant feeling she had always hated, as it happened again.

Ten minutes later she lay with her head against the wall, exhausted and drained. Serena pulled herself to her feet, rinsing out the foul taste from her mouth. She groaned, her body felt weaker than ever and she was sure this was more than just some stomach virus. The only problem was she didn't feel like she could tell anyone at the moment, every one of them would go into a frenzy. They would freak out, she convinced herself. This was something she could handle on her own.

"Sick again?" a voice greeted. Serena didn't look up as she splashed cool water on her heated face. Lita's voice was enough to convince her that she was making the right decision. When she didn't answer Lita continued. "Sere," her voice held worry and caution. She was choosing her next few words wisely. "I don't want to seem like I'm prying or anything-"

Before she could continue Serena shook her head, pushing past her friend. "Then don't," she interrupted bitterly. "I'm fine. I already told you, it must be some stupid stomach bug that's going around."

Lita eyed her friend closely, shaking her head. "I don't believe it. It's been over a week already. You look pale."

"And?"

"Will you please go and visit a doctor at least?" Lita asked, her tone demanding and yet pleading at the same time.

Serena glared at her friend, who was glaring right back. They had never been the ones to argue with each other. They were calm and collected the best of friends but now it seemed like Lita had joined the dark side. Why was everyone so concerned, she was a grown woman who was capable of taking good care of herself. She didn't need anyone telling her what to do.

"Why?"

"'Cause," Lita exhaled deeply sinking onto the corner of Serena's bed. Serena noticed for the first time how tired Lita looked herself. Refusing to believe any of it had to do with her Serena stood her ground. Arms crossed tightly over her chest, she continued to glare at her friend waiting for her to continue. "I know you know. Everyone is really worried about you." There was a pleading in her voice that Serena had never heard before. "I know something happened at the reunion even though you refuse to talk about it but that's fine. I know you well enough to know that no one can push you into something that you don't want to do yourself."

Lita sat up, sighed deeply and continued. This time when her eyes met Serena's, her guard broke down. The expression on her friends was pure anxiety, but it was more than that. She knew her friends cared for her; she cared for them the same way. Stopping to think for a moment Serena had to give in. If she was in Lita's position she would be doing the exact same thing.

"All I'm asking is for you to go and see a doctor. You have been so tired lately, and the so called stomach virus. It could be nothing but then again it could be something. I would hate for anything to happen to you," Lita finished, a tear slipping down her cheek. Serena smiled at her friend taking the seat next to her.

"Fine, I'll go see a doctor if it will keep you from crying. Goodness gracious," Serena answered embracing her friend in a hug. Lita hugged her back laughing lightly.

As the middle of May approached Serena finally give in completely and made the appointment. This time it wasn't Lita's urging, or Melvin's worried expressions that caused the change of heart. It was her own growing anxiety that something might really be wrong with her. She swallowed nervously at the thought as she sat in the waiting room of her doctor's office. The room was quiet; only two other patients sat waiting. She allowed her eyes to roam the room. The walls were creamed colored and bland, a few replica paintings hung on the walls, nothing she recognized though. The maroon clothed chairs were well worn and the gray rug, shabby.

"Serena Hunter," a young brunette read, glancing up she smiled at Serena. Serena gathered her things and greeted the nurse. Her anxiety slowly rose as she followed the nurse past a few closed doors; she could hear voices behind a few of the doors but didn't get a chance to hear what they were saying. She was to focused on her own destination that when the nurse stopped abruptly in front of a scale she nearly ran into her.

"Sorry," she mutter, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment.

The nurse smiled pleasantly instructing Serena to step in the scale. Serena watched the numbers with interest; she hadn't been on a scale in a while. "One thirty," the nurse read jotting the numbers down on her chart. Serena stared at her in shock.

"I'm sorry, how much did you say?" she asked, shock evident on her face.

The nurse eyed her cautiously. "One thirty."

Serena nodded forcing a smile, as she followed the nurse into one of the examining rooms. It wasn't that big of a deal but how she could not have noticed that she had gained ten pounds. She couldn't remember a time when she didn't weigh one twenty, but if she had really allowed herself to see it all the signs were there. Her clothes were a little tighter and although her appetite had stayed the same somehow it was different.

Still reeling from the shock of her weight she sat on the examining table as the nurse did the normal physical examination. She asked a few question and made a few notes on her chart before leaving with a promise that the doctor would be in soon to see her. Serena nodded, only half listening. The florescent white lights bouncing off the matching walls did nothing to help ease the still mounting anxiety in her chest, the nausea that she had been suppressing edging its way to the surface. She wasn't sure how long she sat there in her own thoughts. What if something really is wrong? she thought.

"Hello Miss Hunter."

Serena jumped startled by the sudden entrance of her doctor, a short African American woman with a pleasant face and a calming smile. "Hello Dr Miranda."

The doctor smiled warmly picking up the chart and taking a seat in the chair opposite Serena. Taking a moment she read through a few notes before flipping to the next page. "So Serena, what brings you here today?"

Serena forced a smile and shrugged. Trying her best to act nonchalant she began, "I have had this stomach virus thing for a while now and my friends are all so worried about me. So I decided that it would be best to see a doctor to get them off my case."

Dr Miranda laughed shaking her head making a note on her chart. "Well then, are there any other symptoms besides the stomach virus?"

Serena stayed silent for a moment debating whether or not to tell her doctor the whole truth. The fear of all the possibilities with the fears of knowing the truth mixed into one emotion, she needed to know what was really going on. "Well," she began. "Honestly a couple of things have been off." Dr Miranda looked up interested in what she was about to say. "Over the last couple of weeks I've sort of developed these headaches, which I've never really had before."

"Anything else?" the doctor asked making another note on her chart. Serena sighed and continued, it was after all now or never.

"I mean I've had the usual bloating and my goodness I can't even ride the train anymore. The motion of it all makes me sick."

Dr Miranda nodded meaningfully. "When was your last period?" she inquired, eyes still on the chart.

Serena stopped and thought. When was her last period? She tried feebly to remember before shrugging. It had been over two months. "A while ago, I can't remember," she answered weakly. Dr Miranda nodded again making another note.

"Have you had any soreness of the breast?" Serena nodded; nervous anxiety began to slowly creeping up from her stomach and spreading throughout her body. Dr Miranda made another note, but when she looked up at Serena she was smiling widely. Even with the smiling doctor sitting a few feet away the apprehension continued to grow. "Serena, I would like you to take a blood test just to make sure everything is okay."

"But what does this all mean?" Serena asked unable to keep the panic out of her voice.

Doctor Miranda just laughed shaking her head. "Don't worry it's nothing horrible. If I am correct, congratulation is in order." Serena stared at her shocked, a jumble of thoughts racing through her head. Upon seeing the confused expression on her face Dr Miranda continued. "You're pregnant."

Serena sat cross legged, phone at her side. The results of her blood test were due back anytime now. Of course as soon as she had left the office she had raced to the drug store and bought several different tests. Every one of them confirmed her greatest fear, she was in fact pregnant but she still had hope that the blood test would come back negative and it would have all been a false alarm.

The sudden ringing of the phone jerked her out of her reveries. Answering it on the second ring, she knew her voice sounded panicked. "Hello?" she blurted.

"Good afternoon, is Serena Hunter available?"

"This is she."

"Hi, this is Theresa from Labcorp. I have the results of your blood test here, and I would like to be the first to congratulate."

"About what?" she asked, she needed to hear the words. Have her worst fear confirmed.

When Theresa spoke again, her jovial voice was a little less bright. "You are in fact pregnant."

"Thank you," Serena deadpanned. Theresa continued to talk giving her a few instructions that she only vaguely listened to. As she hung up the phone she felt nothing. It's better to be numb, she thought sinking deeper into the couch.

There was no doubt in her mind who was the father of the child. Subconsciously her hand began to rub her belly. The pressure behind her eyes was too much and slowly the tears began to flow. When she had imagined being pregnant it had always been after she was married, when she was ready. She was definitely not ready for this now.

The front door to her apartment opened, Serena quickly wiped her eyes hoping that her face wasn't puffy yet. Lita dropped her bags in the kitchen before sinking into the couch next to her. One look at her friends face and Serena knew she had been caught.

"What happened? Did the doctor finally call? What did he say?" Lita's questions came out like a nervous ramble. Serena swallowed the lump in her throat, it was now or never. Besides, she needed as much support as she could get.

"I'm fine," she answered, emotion thick in her voice. Lita gazed at her friend unbelieving. "I'm just pregnant."

The look on Lita's face was enough to make Serena burst out laughing. It was a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty. "What?"

"I'm pregnant." Serena watched as the words slowly sunk in. Lita's expression changed into a muddled mess. She didn't know whether to be happy, upset, or worried.

A moment of silence passed between the two, each deep in their own thoughts. "Whose the father?"

Serena wasn't prepared for it to be the first question but she sighed closing her eyes even more tightly. "Darien."

"When?"

"The reunion."

"And does he know?"

"No."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Dunno."

"Are you going to keep it?"

It was a question Serena had been pondering since Dr Miranda told her of the possibility. Serena didn't believe in abortions, and as much as she supported adoptions the thought of someone else raising her child was distressing. One too many lifetime films, she had told herself. She was old enough and had a stable enough job to handle it on her own. After mulling it over for a few days she knew the answer.

"Yes."

"How long have you known?"

"A couple days, but the test just came back today."

"Oh."

An unusual silence filled the air between them. "Will you come to my appointment with me?" Serena asked voice just above a whisper. Lita nodded a smirk on her face. "What?"

"You're pregnant!"

Serena groaned and shook her head. As much of a shock and as scary as the whole experience seemed, the excitement began to slowly take over. Lita reached over and rubbed the small pouch that had formed still smiling widely.

"There is a lot to think about."

"I'm just glad the semester is over," Serena breathed, Lita still rubbing her belly. It was an awkwardly welcoming feeling. "At least I have a few weeks before the summer session begins."

Lita jumped up leaving the room for a few moments. When she returned her cell phone was in hand. Serena shook her head; there was no point in trying to keep it from the others. Her decision was made; she was going to have this baby. "We need a phone conference!"

Over the next week Serena's nonstop questioning continued. She had told everybody, including her mother and Melvin. All of whom questioned her about the identity of the father. Serena informed them all of the truth but made them each swear not to say a word to him. She would when the time was right. Raye had given her the biggest grief about this decision, understandably in Serena's opinion. Raye just couldn't understand how she could keep something this important from her cousin, Serena didn't have an answer she just ignored the question all together.

It was at the first gynecological appointment that Serena received the second shock of her pregnancy. Lita was sitting at her right, when Dr Carter entered the room; a middle aged woman, whom Dr Miranda had recommended.

"How are you feeling today Serena?" she asked pulling sitting on the stool and reading over the chart.

"Okay, tired but fine."

"Are you still having your headaches?"

"Depending on the day," Serena answered. Lita laughed shaking her head, Serena knew that Lita was the most excited out of the bunch, even more excited then Mina. "Dr Carter, this is my friend Lita."

"Nice to meet you," the doctor returned shaking Lita's hand. "Are you two life partners?"

"Life partner?" Lita asked, a mixture of confusion on her face.

Serena laughed shaking her head. "No, not at all. We have just known each other since high school."

Doctor Carter smiled as she began her examination. After a few more questions and being poked and prodded, Doctor Carter took out the jelly solution. "This will be cold," she warned.

Serena hated the feeling of the jelly on her belly, next Dr Carter rolled over a screen and took a contraption Serena had only seen on television out. "If the conception date is correct then according to my calculations you will be about eleven weeks along by now." Serena nodded, she had done those calculations herself. "So, would you like to hear your baby's heart beat?" Serena shook her head, this was the proof. Not that she didn't believe it, but to actually see her child was something completely different.

The doctor turned up the volume before placing the contraption onto her still exposed stomach. Slowly she moved it around, a soft thud emitting from the speaker. Dr Carter smiled her finger on the screen. All Serena could make out was a large mass. "Let's see, here is are the legs," she began then stopped. She moved the ultrasound tool around to the other side before she let out a chuckle.

"What is it?" Lita asked, not sure if she should be laughing or getting ready to hear awful news.

"You are having twins," Dr Carter announced. Lita squealed, but internally Serena went numb. "See, when I was showing you the legs I noticed that there was a third one, when I moved the scanner over the second child became visible," she explained. Serena nodded listening intently as Dr Carter pointed out the different body parts.

A half hour later, Serena was sitting on the couch contemplating everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks. Was she excited about the babies? Of course but with the suddenness of the news of twins she wasn't quite sure she would be able to handle that on her own. She thought about the possibility of telling Darien, he would be more than willing to help her out, she knew how important family was to him. The thought made her insides twinge, closing her eyes she let her mind wander for the first time, Darien had no immediate family. She knew he wanted on, but she wasn't sure how he would take the news.

Getting up she decided to clear her mind. Pulling her lap top onto the coffee table she flipped it on and opened her email account. For the next few minutes she weeded through the spam and opened important mail from work. As she neared the bottom of the list, she gasped. In bold letters was an email from Darien, which was dated three days prior. Did he know? Did Raye tell?

Heart racing she clicked it open, fearful of what it contained. Taking in a deep breath she began to read it.

Serena,

It has been a while since I last wrote you and since you refuse to respond to my phone calls or emails I figured it was time I made my confession to you. That night you said that you wanted to be friends, and I have tried. Yet you seem to refuse any little attempt I have made. I spent the last two months hoping that you would have changed your mind somehow but I can see that the chances of that happening are very slim. So here it is. The truth is with you it has always been an all or nothing situation. I have given you my all and I have received nothing in return, so with this I am saying that I am done. I can't do this in between thing where I hope you will come around someday. So I lay it out, I am not expecting an answer back from you, although it would be a welcomed surprise.

Let is be known that I have tried and I meant every word I said to you but I just can't do this to myself any longer.

Sincerely Yours,

Darien

Serena sat dumbstruck. Reading the email over and over she just couldn't get her mind around the words in front of her. Tears slowly slid down her face. All or nothing, she repeated to herself. She wasn't ready for that big of a commitment, not with the twins on the way. The twin, if he was being serious shouldn't tell him now. He would want a commitment; want them to be a family. She wasn't ready, would she ever be, she asked herself. Leaning back into the sofa a melancholic though ran through her head. He had made her decision for her; there was no way she could tell him now. She would just have to deal, and do this on her own.