"Wh-what did you just say?" Darien said with a look of total shock on his face.

"I'm pregnant," Serena repeated. "Oh, Darien. I'm so sorry." Tears then began to fall down her cheeks. Darien drew her close.

"It's okay. It'll be okay," Darien said as he stroked her hair.

"Darien, I'm so sorry about this. I should have been more careful. You didn't need this now. What with your medical training and your internship in the spring, a baby is going to be too much for you. It's all my fault" It was at that moment that Darien put his hands on Serena's shoulders and gently pushed her so that their eyes met.

"Serena, don't you dare say that this is all your fault. It's my fault, too," Darien said.

"But, what am I going to do now? You probably don't want anything to do with this now that it's going to mess up your life," Serena said.

"I never said that. Sure, it will have a big impact on my life, on both of our lives, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to look the other way," Darien said.

"Then, you aren't breaking up with me?" Serena said.

"Of course not. I'll love you until the day I die," Darien said.

"Oh, Darien," Serena said as she sobbed against his chest.

"Ssh, it's okay," Darien said.

"But, what am I going to tell my parents?" Serena said. "They'll probably disown me for this."

"Serena, when we first starting dating, I told you that I'd be there for you no matter what. If your parents make you move out, you can move in with me," Darien said.

"You really mean that?" Serena asked.

"Yes, I do," Darien said. "I love you more than you'll ever know. I would never leave you out on the street."

"Oh, Darien, I love you so much," Serena said.

"I love you, too," Darien said. He then pulled Serena close and kissed her. Once they parted, Darien rose to his feet.

"Now, we'd better get you to a hospital to make sure that the baby's okay," Darien said.

"Yes, I guess that would be wise," Serena said. She wrote a short note for her parents and left it on the kitchen cupboard. She then put on her shoes, grabbed her purse, and walked out of the house with Darien at her side. Once at Tokyo General Hospital, Serena filled out the necessary forms and sat next to Darien in the waiting room. Almost 2 hours later, a nurse came into the room.

"Serena Tsukino, you're next," the nurse said. Serena and Darien rose to their feet and followed the nurse into a small examination room. The nurse took Serena's vital signs, asked a few questions, and took urine and blood samples.

"Okay, Miss Tsukino, we should have the results in 15 minutes," the nurse said and left the room.

"Darien, I'm so nervous," Serena said.

"It's okay to be nervous, my love," Darien said. "But, don't worry. I'm here for you." He then reached out and took Serena's hand. In return, Serena flashed him the happiest smile she could muster. After what seemed like an eternity, a doctor came back into the room.

"Miss Tsukino, your suspicions are confirmed. You are pregnant," the doctor said. Tears began to well up in Serena's eyes as she squeezed Darien's hand. "First, we need to know how far along you are. Can you remember when your last period was?"

"I don't need to know that doctor. I know the exact night it happened," Serena said. "I'm about 7 weeks pregnant."

"Well, at least we know that much. If you are going to continue with this pregnancy, I would advise that you purchase a vitamin supplement rich in protein, vitamins C & B12, as well as folic acid," the doctor said. "You'll also need to eat foods high in fiber and carbohydrates to make sure the baby stays healthy."

"Thank you, Doctor," Serena said.

"Also, if you do not want to keep the baby, there is abortion," the doctor said. "But, I can give you a pamphlet on adoption if you'd like."

"Thank you, but we need to think about this," Serena said. "Goodbye, Doctor." After Serena put her own clothes back on, she and Darien walked to his car. On the way back to Serena's house, Darien spoke up.

"Serena, I know you haven't had much time to think about this, but do you have any idea of what you're going to do with this baby?" he asked.

"My parents will probably want me to get an abortion, but I just can't do that," Serena said. "It's not the baby's fault I got pregnant and I'd never be able to live with myself if I killed my own flesh and blood. I guess I'll have to give it up for adoption."

"Serena, I don't want you to do that," Darien said.

"Well, what other choice do I have?" Serena asked.

"I know this sounds crazy and probably a little stupid, but I want you to keep the baby. I want us to raise it together," Darien said.

"Darien? Do you mean that? Do you really want me to keep it?" Serena said with a shocked tone.

"Yes, I do," Darien said. "Ever since my parents died, I've wanted to become a father. I didn't think it would be so soon, but now that it's happened, it's a dream come true."

"Oh, Darien! I love you so much," Serena said as tears began falling down her cheeks.

"I love you, too, Serena," Darien said.

"Darien, do you think I'm capable of being a mother?" Serena asked.

"I do. Just seeing the way you care for others warms my heart," Darien said. "That's one of the reasons I fell in love with you." Serena couldn't answer because she was crying so much. A few minutes later, Darien pulled his car up in front of Serena's house. Serena's heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw that her parents' car was in the driveway.

"Don't be scared, Serena," Darien said as he climbed out of the car. "They're going to find out sooner or later." Serena reached for Darien's hand and stepped out of the car. The couple walked up the front path and into the house. Serena's mother, Ikuko, and her father, Kenji, were in the living room.

"Hello, Serena. Hello, Darien," Ikuko said.

"I hope you've been taking good care of my little girl today, son," Kenji said from behind his newspaper. Serena's parents loved Darien and they thought he would make the perfect son-in-law someday. How would they react when they found out that he was the father of their daughter's baby?

"Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you," Serena said as she sat down. Kenji slowly put down his newspaper.

"What is it, dear?" Ikuko asked. "I hope it's nothing too serious."

"It is, Mom. It really is," Serena said. "I just want you both to know that I love you and that I'm sorry for what I've done."

"Serena, what's wrong?" Kenji asked.

"Daddy, I'm pregnant," Serena said.

"WHAT?!" Kenji shouted, his head nearly exploding.

"Oh, Serena," Ikuko cried as she buried her face in her hands.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," Serena said.

"Is Darien the father?" Ikuko asked.

"Yes, he is," Serena said. "We were just at the hospital."

"How far along are you?" Ikuko asked.

"7 weeks," Serena answered.

"Well, I'm phoning a clinic right now and making an appointment for you to get an abortion," Kenji said as he rose to his feet.

"Daddy, no! I'm not killing my baby," Serena said. "I refuse to kill my own flesh and blood."

"Young lady, as long as you live under my roof, you'll obey my rules. You're getting the abortion!" Kenji yelled.
"I don't care what your rules are, Daddy! I'm not killing my baby!" Serena yelled back.

"Darien, do you have anything to say about all this?" Ikuko asked.

"Just as Serena said, I'm sorry for what I've done," Darien said. "But I do love your daughter very much and I do want to marry her someday. This baby is my responsibility, too."

"Serena, if you won't get the abortion, you can give the baby up for adoption," Ikuko said.

"Mom, neither Darien nor I could give up our child," Serena said. "We haven't had much time, but we've both decided to keep the baby."

"You're not keeping it! I forbid it!" Kenji yelled. "Either you get an abortion or it goes up for adoption!"

"DADDY! LISTEN TO ME! I'M KEEPING MY BABY AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!" Serena yelled.

"Well, than, you are forbidden from ever seeing Darien again," Kenji said.

"Kenji, be reasonable. He is the father," Ikuko said.

"I don't care. If Serena wants to ruin her life, she has to live with the consequences," Kenji said. "And that's the last I'm going to hear about this."

"No, it's not, Daddy," Serena said. "I may only be 17, but I can still decide what to do with my life. If you say I can't see Darien anymore, then I'm moving out."

"But, Serena, where are you going to go?" Ikuko asked.

"She'll move in with me. I already told her that she could if this happened," Darien said. "That way I can take care of her and the baby."

"Serena, are you sure that this is what you want to do," Ikuko said and turned to her daughter. "I mean, you haven't had much time to think about this."

"I know that, Mom. But, I believe in my heart that this is what's meant to happen," Serena said.

"Okay, sweetheart. Just take care of yourself," Ikuko said as she hugged Serena close. "I'll come and visit as often as I can."

"Have your things moved out by the end of the week," Kenji said, not looking at Serena. "And, don't come to me for anything. As of right now, I no longer have a daughter."

"If that's the way you want it, Daddy, but don't ever expect to see your grandchild," Serena said and turned to her mother. "Mom, I'll talk to my and Darien's friends and see if they can help me move my stuff out. When I'm finished, I'll leave my house key on the kitchen table."

"Okay, baby. I'll come visit you as often as I can," Ikuko said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Thanks, Mom," Serena said. She gave her mother one last hug and walked up to her room to pack what she could.