Author's Note: My first Two and a Half Men fanfic! :D AU Charlie is still alive. Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Two and a Half Men. I only own the OCs.

Chapter One: Still Gonna Hide Miss December

Alan couldn't contain his excitement as he adjusted the tinsel strewn over the mantel. Thinking no one was in earshot, he began to sing along to the jazz instrumental of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" lightly accompanying the night's festivities.

"My son's coming home for Christmas. My son's coming home for Christmas. My son's coming home for Christmas-"

"Better hide the Playboys!" Charlie sang, startling his brother. "But, seriously. These are the only issues I own that don't have Dorito stains on the corners."

Alan shrugged off his brother's concern and returned to the mantel. "I don't think we'll need to hide them. Jake said he was bringing his girlfriend home this time." Jake was constantly talking about this girl on his weekly phone calls; well, when he wasn't begging for cash or laundry.

"Yeah, it'll be nice to meet the mystery girl." Charlie agreed as he filled his old fashioned glass halfway with Makers Mark. "Still gonna hide Miss December, though."

The doorbell rang as Charlie hid his treasured Miss December. Alan opened the door to his nineteen-year-old son, his blonde hair hanging in his face. Next to Jake stood a tall, slender young woman. She was a pretty little thing, with red curly hair hanging to her waist, and big eyes the shade of cornflower blue.

"How's it going, dad?" Jake asked, embracing his father.

"Glad to have you home, son," Alan replied. He slowly pulled away. "Are you going to introduce us?" He asked, gesturing toward the girl.

"Oh, my bad," Jake laughed, "Dad, this is my girlfriend, Jillian."

"It's great to meet you, Mr. Harper," Jillian's voice melodically rang like bells in a quiet church. There was a welcoming song to her voice.

"Oh, call me Alan. It's nice to meet you, Jillian." Alan drew Jillian into a swift embrace as Jake took their luggage. He guided the two into the now fully decorated living room, where Charlie was adjusting the tilting Christmas tree.

"Damn thing keeps tipping," Charlie muttered under his breath.

"Uh, Charlie, this is Jake's girlfriend." Alan called.

"Jillian Hanks. It's nice to meet the famous Charlie Harper," Jillian giggled, as she took Charlie's hand in a quick, yet firm handshake.

"Ah, so once again my reputation precedes me." Charlie replied, a Playboy still in his hand. Once he finally noticed the magazine, he quickly put it in his back pocket with a chuckle.

"Uh, Jake, Jillian, why don't you get settled in your room and we'll catch up at dinner?" Alan suggested, trying to ease the awkward introductions to a halt. Jake led Jillian upstairs to his childhood bedroom, still covered in car posters, and quietly shut the door.

"Glad that's done," Jake sighed as he plopped the suitcases on his floor. "Now we can have some alone time." Jillian smiled as Jake pulled her into a long kiss. He took her in like a drink on the beach he'd been dying for all day. His loving embrace temporarily took Jillian away from her exhaustion. It almost pained her when he pulled away to start unpacking.

"You okay, babe?" Jake asked as he filled his closet.

"Huh?" Jillian snapped out of her daze, "Oh, yeah. I'm just so tired all of a sudden." She turned to see Jake's concerned face. Something was – off – about her lately. "Really, love. I'm fine. I've just been stressed from finals."

"Really?" Jake gingerly held her by the shoulders. "Because you've been like this since before finals. You sure you're not sick or something?" He cupped her cheek with his strong and gentle hand.

"I'm fine, Jake."

I mean, I am late. The thought suddenly came to her. She should have started her period weeks ago. Jillian had never been late before, but she tried to shrug it off as something stress-related. Still, she couldn't shake the idea that it could be that.

"No, you're not. Something's off." Jake insisted. He easily called her bluff. Jillian sighed as she tried to think of a way to tell him.

"I-I mean, I m-might be-"She stuttered, trying to understand what it was she wanted to say.

"What?" Jake hung on her every word, every possible outcome running through his head.

"I – might be pregnant," Jillian finally said in a half-voice, unlike her normal confident voice. Both sat on the bed in silence, trying to absorb what she just said. Jillian's heart began to race as the realization flooded her brain. How could I be so stupid? She thought. She turned to Jake, hoping he would say something instead of leaving her there in silence.

"Well," Jake finally sighed, "There's only one way to find out. If Dad or Charlie asks, I went to grab something real quick." He quickly grabbed his keys and jacket.

"Where are you going?" Jillian asked, tugging on her sweater sleeves.

"I'll be right back." Jake softly kissed her forehead and headed for the door, "Everything's going to be fine."

Jillian plopped on the bed and looked at the white ceiling as tears welled up in her eyes. She waited for the door to click shut to let them fall down her cheeks.

This can't be happening, she thought. We had always been so careful. Could I really be a parent? Would Jake really want to be a father? Maybe I'm not pregnant. Maybe I'm just stressing myself out. But Jillian knew better than to think that was the case. All she could do was wait for Jake to come home. Then she'd know once and for all.