Chapter 2

During the drive Demi couldn't help but ask Miley how she felt about Nick. How did she really feel about him? She wasn't too sure... He was her best friend and would always be but she couldn't let her guard down and tell him she was having his baby. She knew he would live up to his responsibility and she didn't want for him to feel restrained from living his dreams because he was a father at 21 years old. She knew he had a brilliant career ahead of him and didn't want to come in the way. She didn't want him to look at her a few years from then with disgust and disappointment because he hadn't been able to live his life to the fullest because she held him back. But was she really trying to protect just him? No matter how much she convinced herself that she was, she knew she was also being selfish. She knew she was trying to protect her heart. Having a baby with Nick meant that he would always be in her life and that point she didn't know if she could share a child with her best friend. They had shared a night together and somewhere deep inside she knew things would never be the same between them. The atmosphere would always be awkward as they would remember the night they had spent together... And that was bound to happen as they would be reminded every time they would look at their child. She wasn't ready to go through that.

"Miles what's going through your mind? Why were you so harsh with him? The Miley I know doesn't blame others for her own mistakes..." She knew Demi read through her like an open book and there was no point in lying.

"I know I'm as responsible, if not more..."

"Then why did you let him believe it was his entire fault?"

"For once I got drunk... I wished he would have stayed sober and taken me home like all the times I took him home when he got drunk. I never gave in when he pressurised me to drink... so why did he? I feel like he let me down... I know it's ridiculous but I just can't help it..." She glanced at the rear view mirror before looking back at the road and pulling up on the highway.

"Yeah I guess I understand that... It's not ridiculous... what's ridiculous is you letting him beat himself up the way he is..." Was he really that hurt? Miley couldn't help but wonder if it was true. No it couldn't be. She had never seen him feel guilty about anything... not even breaking up with girls who are totally in love with him. But again... Demi wouldn't lie... Her mind was racing with questions and she switched on the radio to distract herself from her thoughts.

Nick's mood had lightened up a little since he had seen Miley take off in her bright blue sports car. He decided to stop feeling sorry for himself and move on. He believed that this was a rocky patch but things would eventually look up. Joe smiled every time he looked at his younger brother. He had to keep his lips sealed which was really hard for Joe Gray. All he wanted to talk about was Miley and her growing tummy... but he knew he had promised to keep it a secret and he did. He noticed that Nick's mood had somewhat changed and was relieved to find him talkative again but it also made keeping secrets a lot harder. He bit his lip every time he thought of the drama that was going to erupt that summer and how Nick would react when he eventually found out about Miley's pregnancy. Nick noticed the smiles Joe struggled to hide and thought it had something to do with a girl.

"Come on Joe... who is she?" He demanded. Joe chuckled at the thought but played along.

"You don't know her..."

"So what's her name? Where'd you meet her? What does she look like?" Nick asked curiously. He was aware of the monumental crush Joe once had on Demi and was relieved at the thought of him moving on. Although Jo had never admitted his true feelings everyone was aware of them... except Demi, of course! Joe changed the subject.

"What about you lil bro? Don't you wanna go out with that Selena girl?" Nick frowned. The girl was always talking to him and dropping hints but he never took notice. (No offence to Selena fans, I have nothing against her! This is just a fanfic!). To say the truth he was always way too concentrated on what Miley was saying and doing to notice anybody else. Everyone had noticed the close bond between the two and the girls were jealous of Miley while the guys were jealous of Nick. Everyone had noticed the coldness that had settled between the two and it had everybody whispering. The girls were somewhat delighted at the thought of Nick being lonesome and needing comfort. Unfortunately for them he paid no attention to them and kept to himself. He didn't bother smiling back at those who smiled to him. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Not since Miley hated him.

"She's so clingy... Miley would never behave like that..." He let the last sentence escape from his lips and immediately regretted saying that when Joe's expression turned into a sympathetic one.

"Don't worry Nick... things will work out... I can promise you that much." Somehow, Joe was convinced that having a baby would eventually bring Nick and Miley together, not apart. She needed support and he would give it to her without a second thought... But she had to let her guard down first and he hoped that this summer would help her do that.

"Why does it feel like you know something I don't?" Nick asked suspiciously.

"Oh I don't!" Said Joe a little too quickly. He clamped his hand over his mouth and gave Nick an innocent smile. Nick chuckled but left it at that. He knew better than to pressure Joe into admitting something. He would find out when it was time, he decided.

Demi and Miley had seats switched on the way, and Demi was now driving. She pulled up in front of a beautiful house which she said belonged to her grandmother. She was now too old to come during the summer and had offered the house to Demi for her vacation. The girls got out and stretched their legs while admiring the scenery. On the other side of the road stood a small gate surrounded by flowers. The gate had a code to open it and beyond it was the beach and the beautiful blue and green ocean. Many boats were tied up not too far away and they could hear the squeals of young children playing in the water and in the sand. Miley subconsciously rubbed her tummy and followed Demi into the house as she showed her around. It was a beautiful house and had 6 bedrooms along with a swimming pool which could be heated in case of cold weather. The huge living room with its large glass windows faced the swimming pool and the ocean. Demi wouldn't hear of Miley carrying her bags and brought everything in on her own. The girls chose adjoining bedrooms and Demi explained that the boys would stay on the other end of the house.

"I don't exactly want to hear them snoring!" Demi smirked while Miley giggled. Miley was aware of the attraction between Joe and Demi and had urged them to tell each other but neither of them would hear of it. Miley was quick to pull all her stuff out and grab her swimming suit. It was hot and the drive down had certainly made her want to swim freely. She urged Demi to change and they soon found themselves on the beach, making their way through the crowd and dipping their feet into the cool water. Miley clung onto her towel not wanting to reveal her baby bump which stood out.

"Come on Miles... it's ok..."

"Yeah I guess... it's not like anyone knows me here, right?" She laughed at herself before throwing her towel to the ground and walking towards the water. Demi followed her and gave her an encouraging smile. She knew how self conscious her best friend felt but she also knew how beautiful she looked. Her pink and white bikini top revealed a large part of her swollen breast while her underwear hung low on her waist at the start of her growing tummy. Her face was flushed from the heat and her smile seemed to radiate on the people around her. It was the effect Miley had on her friends and family. She was like the ray of light in their lives and they all loved her dearly. Demi noticed the looks her friend was getting from the male population. Her tummy was now covered by the water and she walked further in, letting the water submerge her over heated body. Demi laughed as she saw Miley throw herself in the water and swim around. Even pregnant, she was still bubbly and full of energy. It was refreshing to see her like that again. The weeks before her departure had been difficult, she had a hard time accepting the fact that she was pregnant and the nausea was a constant reminder. The few weeks spent in Tennessee must have really helped her Demi thought. After the girls were done swimming they walked back to the villa and showered to rinse off the salty water. Demi called Joe when she noticed she had three missed calls from him. She had totally forgotten to call him to let him know they had arrived safely.

"Hey! Where were you?" He asked worried while Demi giggled.

"Relax... we got here about 45 minutes ago... we went swimming right away. It's so nice down here!" She said happily.

"Oh good... how's Miley?"

"Oh you know... after the shyness of showing her bare stomach had gone she was fine. You should see the way the guys check her out..." Joe chuckled.

"Hmmm... I don't know if Nick would really like that..." Demi smiled to herself. She had always noticed that Nick was protective of Miley but it had increased over the past months.

"Do you think this is a good idea? I mean... are you sure she isn't gonna kill us for bringing him in the same house as her?" (he he surprise!) Joe and Demi were desperate to have their best friends and brother talk again and it seemed like having them spend the summer in the same house was the best idea. They hoped that after a few days filled with tension and fights things would ease down and they would finally go back to the best friends they always were.

"Don't worry Dem... I'm ready to have Miley hate me if it means that Nick is happy!"

"Yeah but will he be happy? What if she just hurts him even more?"

"She just needs some convincing... they need time together to figure out what they are going to do... and to do that they have to start out by forgiving each other..."

"Yeah I guess... I'm blaming it on you if it doesn't work!" She said playfully and Joe chuckled.

"No chance... we're in this together, remember?" Oh how he loved the sound of that and he wasn't aware that she was too.

"You know sometimes I wonder if those two are meant to be together..." Demi finally spoke out.

"They totally are... but won't admit it because they don't want to lose their friendship..."

"Well their friendship is pretty much ruined now..."

"Yeah but they continue hoping that it will work out..."

"Yeah..." Demi suddenly became quiet as Miley walked in the room. She smiled and mouthed "Joe?" And Demi nodded while biting her lip. "Say hi from me" she said and Joe smiled as he heard her.

"Say hello from me too... and give her a big hug from me!" Demi pouted and put on her baby voice.

"What about me?" Joe chuckled at her cuteness.

"Well give yourself an extra tight hug!" She laughed.

"So when will you guys get here?"

"About lunch time tomorrow..."

"Ok sounds good... what about...." Her voice trailed off and Joe quickly understood what she meant.

"Do you think it's better we arrive while you guys are at the beach? So that Miley isn't too shocked to see Nick?"

"Yeah good idea... just text me when you're half an hour away and we'll go to the beach then." She whispered the last sentence hoping Miley hadn't heard it. Joe chuckled before adding seriously.
"Just make sure her tummy is covered... they don't need two shocks in one." Demi giggled although the situation wasn't exactly funny but Joe's peculiar wording always had that effect of her. They said their goodbyes and Miley and Demi spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and talking. It felt good to relax and have nothing to do. When supper time approached they decided they needed to buy some groceries and went shopping.

Nick was watching TV when his phone rang. He picked up was surprised to hear Tish on the other end of the line.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you?" Tish asked sincerely concerned. She loved Nick and had tries to convince Miley to forgive him but she knew time was the only factor that would play in his favour.

"I'm good... How are you?"

"I'm good... I think you know Miley came here for a few weeks..." Nick sighed. Yes he knew. "I just wanted to tell you that if you need anything I will always be here for you... I know she is stubborn. Just give her some time Nick and she will come around... She just has a lot on her mind..."

"I know... I just want things to go back to the way they were... I miss her..." Tish smiled.

"I know you do sweetie and I know she misses you too..."

"Yeah right... she hates me..." Nick mumbled. He always felt really open with Tish, she had always made him feel comfortable when talking to her and considered her like his second mom when his own mom was away.

"Nick don't you dare believe that! Please don't think she hates you because I know for a fact that she doesn't..."

"Then why does she blame everything on me?"

"Because it's easier for her to do that... but she knows she's as responsible as you are... I can promise you that. Don't give up sweetie, ok?"

"Thanks Tish... I needed that..."
"It was no problem... Take care of yourself Nick and my daughter when she finally lets you back in her heart..." He smiled as she said 'when' and not 'if'. She was her mother, the woman who knew her the best, why shouldn't he believe her? His spirits picked up as he packed his clothes.

Miley fell back onto the couch and put her legs up.

"Oh gosh my feet are swollen!" She whined. Demi laughed at her. "So what did Joe want earlier?"

"I forgot to let him know we had arrived safely!" Demi said casually. Miley's eyes narrowed and she asked playfully:

"Are you sure he wasn't missing you too much?" Demi rolled her eyes.

"Don't you start playing match maker!" Miley chuckled.

"Aw come on Dem... you guys would be so cute together... him tall and dark, you petite and dark..." She said dramatically and Demi burst out laughing.

"You've officially lost it!"

"Hey I lost it when I met you my friend!" Miley laughed.

"Sure whatever you say... you're lucky you're pregnant or else..."

"Or else?" Miley challenged.

"Or else I'd... I'd... I'd" Demi paused as she raked her mind for the perfect revenge. Miley burst out laughing.

"You wouldn't lay a finger on me because you love me way too much!" She said cutely. Demi couldn't help but smile and shake her head disapprovingly. Miley pulled out the large tops she had bought in the mall and tried them on for Demi.

"Please tell me you can't tell I'm pregnant..." She begged. Demi took a good look and shook her head.

"If you don't flatten the cloth against your tummy no one will be able to tell... People will think you're fat, that's all!" She added the last sentence playfully and earned a glare from Miley. "Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself a boyfriend this summer!" Demi added slyly. She secretly hoped that Nick and Miley would get together. She knew that there was something way beyond their friendship even if they weren't aware of it. Miley laughed.

"Sure! They'll be like hey what's your name? And as soon as they see me in a swimming suit they'll go running the other way!"

"Depends on whom..." Demi smirked and Miley rolled her eyes.

"In your dreams Dem!"

"Yeah sure, whatever you say..." She smirked again. "You're aware that a lot of my dreams come true, right?" Miley laughed and rolled her eyes again.