That night Joan was incredibly on edge. She threw up seven times. She had a really bad headache and was cramping up. She was eating all kinds of strange foods. Helen followed her upstairs and knocked on her door.

"Come in," Joan said softly

"Joan," Helen said gently sitting down on her bed, "I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to know that whatever the answer is I love you. That has never and will never change. Do you understand me?"

"GOD this reminds me of what dad used to say to Kevin before he got mad at him," Joan joked eliciting a small smile from her mother.

"Joan, are you pregnant?"

Joan swallowed hard. She knew that she had to tell the truth—and she knew it wasn't going to be easy.

"Yes," she said, "but there are special circumstances surrounding the pregnancy"

Patiently Helen waited for her daughter to continue.

After awhile when Joan didn't say anything Helen asked her, "Who's the father"

"You wouldn't believe me," Joan said

"Oh yes I would," Helen promised, "I would believe you because you have never lied to me. You have been honest even when it nearly got you in trouble"

"That's because you and dad aren't just my parents… but also my best friends too"

Helen put an arm around her daughter.

"Who's the father," she asked again.

"The baby doesn't have a biological father," Joan explained, "Remember how I told you about how I've been… communicating with and seeing GOD-"

Helen gasped.

"Joan," she said, "are you saying your child is GOD'S child?"

"Yes mom and I'm scared. I'm afraid I'm going to SUCK as a mother"

"You're not alone in this Joan," Helen said softly, "you have your father and I and Kevin and Luke-"

"Dad's going to think I belong back at Gentle Acres," Joan said breaking down crying.

"No I'm not," Will said coming in.

Joan looked up as her father came into the room.

"Listen Joan," he said kneeling down to her level and pulling her into a hug, "I don't pretend to understand what's going on but if you say this child is of the One who made you and me and everyone and everything else… as much as I want to doubt it I do believe it. You have never lied about anything in your life and you probably WILL never lie about anything in your life. I love you baby… and… baby," he concluded putting a hand on Joan's stomach.

"I love you too dad," Joan said crying partly because of her hormones and partly because she was very emotional.

"Do you have an OBGYN appointment yet," Helen asked

"Not yet. I was going to call tomorrow and make it," the 16 year old girl explained.

"I'll call for you," Will said, "I want you seen by the best"

It was not a long time later that Joan fell asleep.

A/N: Several things to understand here

This is AU (obviously) so Joan is only sixteen, not seventeen

This story has a purpose and there may be things right now that seem iffy and confusing but I promise that it will make sense

If you have any criticism for this story that's fine. I appreciate constructive criticism but please do not flame it. Or if you do flame it have the decency to flame it anonymously so I can erase the flame…lol

I am writing this story at the request of one of my friends and the request of one of my writing fans ((who I think of as a friend because I really do appreciate her reviews))

I need some names… unique names for both a girl and a boy as I am not sure yet which Joan is going to have and even if she has one I may use the other as a character. I will give you credit for the name.

If you have any requests send it to me and I will try to fit it in