In the last Episode...

"Taylor, what is this about, you haven't let me work in the whole day...just say it." Joe insisted. He had spent the last half an hour in this room after a whole day of annoying calls from Taylor. According to her she had something important to tell him but he just wanted to get it over with and, if possible, break up with her after hearing whatever she had to say.

Taylor smirked slightly and bit her lip.

"Fine," she spoke proudly. "It seems that...you're going to be a daddy!"

CHAPTER 6

THE AFTER MATH

Joe suddenly felt like someone had punched him hardly in the gut. He could ask her to repeat but it would be pointless, he had heard her perfectly. Of course, he thought, something like this was bound to happen...he had been trying to leave her and something had to happen.

"Are you sure?" Joe asked seriously and without looking up at Taylor. "I thought you were on the pill!" he shot at her accusingly. "Besides, it's...it's been over two months since we slept together...I...wouldn't you have known earlier than this?"

"Well, at first I thought I was just a little late, it happens sometimes...but, lately I've been thinking that it's probably the other option," Taylor lied.

Joe looked up at her then, hope decorating his brown eyes. "So, you're not sure?" he asked enthusiastically.

"Not completely," Taylor spoke, sounding a little offended. "But I've got an appointment with a doctor in 10 days."

"10 days?" Joe asked, not believing this might be happening to him, Lilly had been right – he'd never be able to leave her, not if she was pregnant. "Isn't that just a little late, couldn't you go tomorrow and just find out?"

"Sweetheart, these things don't go like that, doctors can't just be there all the time...I thought you'd be happy about this," she added, faking a few tears and making Joe hug her awkwardly.

"I'm sorry," he told her. He had to be supportive but he couldn't do anything but picture all the life he wanted with Lilly fading away into the land of things that won't ever happen. "What about a pregnancy test?"

"I won't use such a thing – they aren't reliable, we'll just wait until the doctor tells us," Taylor insisted. Joe put his head in his hands and signed for a second before looking at Taylor again.

"This stays between us, okay Taylor? No one can hear apart this...you can't even tell your mother, please, wait until it's confirmed."

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Joe twisted and turned in his bed without being able to reach a peaceful sleep. He opened his eyes for the seventh time that night; he then looked at the alarm clock hoping to find it was time to get up: 2:01 am – no such luck. He through his legs off the bed and sat up, standing and walking a second later.

"You scared me," Lilly's voice was heard as Joe entered the dark kitchen. He looked up and couldn't help but smile; Lilly was sitting on the counter, her long hair falling behind her back, an extremely large red t-shirt covering her body and a container of ice-cream in her delicate hands – she was a goddess.

"I'm sorry," he told her; he was fed up of saying sorry but he couldn't help it – he deserved to apologize.

"No problem, Mr. Freezer," she told him slowly and in a whisper as she sank her spoon into the ice-cream container, got some of it and put the spoon back in her mouth, savouring the lovely product for a second.

"What are you doing up?" he asked as he walked towards her. She shifted to the right, offering her a place on the counter. He got up on it hesitantly, he wasn't used to doing things like sitting on a kitchen counter...the counter was made for cooking not for people to put their arses on it; however, he also had to take into account that Greta cleaned the kitchen meticulously every morning before doing any cooking.

Lilly signed. "I couldn't get any sleep, it's like something's wrong...so, I beat myself up a few minutes, trying to figure out what it was and I finally gave up and came down her, grabbed a spoon and strawberry ice-cream. What's up with you, Mr. Freezer?"

Joe couldn't help but stifle a little laugh, leave it up to Lilly to know there was something wrong with him magically and subconsciously. "There is something wrong, Lilly," he told her. He should hate this whole thing but this moment was totally bittersweet, he couldn't help but love this conversation with Lilly; at this moment, he wasn't her boss and she wasn't his siblings' nanny, at this moment they weren't even in love...at this moment they were simply Lilly and Joe...okay, maybe Lilly and Mr. Freezer...but he didn't care anymore, she had the right to call him anything.

"What's she done to restrain you now?" the blonde asked, placing her hand on Joe's and looking him deeply into his brown eyes that were beautifully illuminated by the moonlight coming in through the window.

"It's not her fault this time," Joe told her, looking down at the ground. "Or maybe it is but I'm to blame too...I should've left her the first time you and me kissed – I should've confronted her and made it right before it's too late."

"Mr..." Lilly started but then she was quiet for a second and with great effort she took Joe's chin in her hand and made him look right at her. "Joe," she spoke in a low voice, making Joe look at her widely for using his real name. "What is it? You're worrying me."

Joe gulped and broke free from her embrace, getting of the counter immediately. Lilly did the same and stood right in front of him. "I'm sorry, I really really am sorry, Lilly, my Lilly..." he spoke more to himself than her as he caressed her cheek softly.

"Joe, you really are worrying me," Lilly stated in a very worried voice and fearful blue eyes.

"It's over, Lilly, this has to be over...I'm just hurting you and...You don't deserve that," he told her but, as she looked up at him, he could help but steal one last quick kiss.

"You're the one, you know that, right?" Lilly told him.

Joe nodded. "So are you...but sometimes it doesn't..."

Lilly put a single finger on his lips and went on her tiptoes, kissing him softly again. "I know, I know...whatever it is that has happened...there's always a light in the darkness, it's not always better than the darkness but...it helps get through it. I love you, Mr. Freezer."

"I love you too, my Lilly," he simply said before turning around and returning to his room.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

It was eleven in the morning and the whole household was up and making noise. Lilly and Greta were in the kitchen, the twins were doing who-knows- what in the garden, Nick and Joe were in his office, working, and Miley was playing around with Noah in her room.

The doorbell rang and Lilly, like always, ran to get it. She opened the door, revealing Tyler , who smiled at her.

"Oh, my god! You came!" she exclaimed as she hugged him quickly. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," he said, coming in. "It's a pleasure."

"I really am grateful that you took the job," Lilly told him as she leaded him to the couch, where both of them sat down. "Miley's really happy."

"Well, I couldn't say no, you seemed quite...what's the word...'keen' to find a piano teacher," he spoke. "By the way, what's your name? I didn't catch it the other day..."

"LIL!" Greta's voice was heard shouting. "Who was at the door?"

"Lil? Is it your real name or...?" he asked.

"No, it's Lilly...Lil is just my nickname," Lilly stated with a smile. Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Miley descending the big staircase with Noah in her arms. "Miles, look who came!" Lilly exclaimed as she took Noah away from the sixteen-year-old.

Tyler got up and walked towards Miley. "Hi," he said simply.

"Hello, you must be my piano teacher?" Miley asked as she shook his hand with a blush and a shy smile on her face. Lilly was right, he was hot.

"Yes," Tyler smiled. "I'm Tyler and you're Miley, right?"

"Yep, that's me," Miley spoke again, this time without any blushing.

At that moment, Joe entered the room. "What's going on?" he asked. "I heard noises."

"Joe," Miley said happily. "This is Tyler, he's the piano teacher that Lilly found for me."

"Piano teacher?" Joe asked, sending a look at Lilly, who sent him a begging look back. "Aren't you a little young?"

"No, he isn't..." Lilly spoke. "Come on, Freeze...Joe."

And that did it, Lilly saying his name...he just couldn't help but nod.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Nick watched attentively as Miley received her piano lesson. That piano teacher was placing his hands on top of Miley's small and thin ones, telling her how to play properly and Nick couldn't help but not like it...he didn't know why but he didn't like this guy and he definitely did not like the look that Miley and him were sharing. The song finished and the guy, who was probably in his eighteens, got off the piano stool.

"How about you play something you know?" Tyler asked Miley kindly.

Miley looked up at him and smiled. "Something like what? Shubert? Beethoven?" she asked, running her fingers over the keys softly and distractedly.

"No," he stated. "Something that you like...that you can sing too, maybe. You up for it?"

Miley nodded enthusiastically, she shifted in the stood and turned to look straight at the piano.

"Remember when, we never needed each other
The best of friends like
Sister and Brother
We understood, we'd never be,
Alone

Those days are gone, and I want you so much
The night is long and I need your touch
Don't know what to say," Miley sang sweetly as she pressed the right keys, making a beautiful melody. Nick couldn't help but take his hand to his mouth and gasp slightly, just when he thought Miley couldn't sound any better, she had surprised him again. He subconsciously walked towards the piano, his eyes set on her and how unreal she looked at that moment, his mouth still clasped tightly over his thin lips. Then he saw how Tyler was looking at her too and she was looking at him through the reflection of the piano.

"I'm going to go and see Selena," he said more to himself than anybody else.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

An hour later Tyler was still in the house, the lesson had ended but he and Miley were talking; he was enjoying her company.

"I don't get how you can have a secret band..." he spoke after Miley had told him all about the group and how they kept it away from Joe.

Miley laughed. "It's such a mess," she confessed. "We're always all over the place...trying to hide, sneaking out...but if my brother finds out, we're all dead..." she stated as she gestured someone cutting her neck open. She then remembered something. "You know what? We're having a practice tonight...you know, sneaking out and putting pillows under the covers, why don't you come?"

Tyler took a second to think about it. "And, if instead of going to the band practice..." he spoke. "What if you and me go out to dinner or something?"

Miley bit her lip, she liked this guy but the band was the band, besides she really didn't want to mess up stuff further with Joe. "Well, I...tonight's the band practice and maybe you and me can go out another day, if...you know...things go well."

"Okay," Tyler said, a little surprised by the rejection. "Fine, we'll do that."

"So," Miley then spoke. "Will you come tonight? To the practice?"

"Sure, I'll be there."

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Nick walked down the kissing pathway and was surprised to see Joe standing next to a cafe.

"German!" Nick exclaimed as he made his way to were Joe was standing. "What are you doing here?"

Joe stiffened up immediately and went a little defensive. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?" Nick said. "I've come to see Selena, you know, my girlfriend?"

"No, I, I was just – I wanted to see if I could talk to Lilly about something, it doesn't matter anymore..." he confessed.

"Why? What's wrong?" Nick asked, slightly worried.

Joe looked at Nick for a second, giving telling him the truth a think...Nick had been his best friend since he was 3 years old, when his parents died and Joe had just started studying in Germany, Nick had taken over the whole family until he came to his senses and came back home. Nick was his brother, he was his 'person' but he didn't want to distress him, not until it was completely certain that he was actually going to be a father.

"Nothing," Joe said quickly. "Did you see Miley while you were home? Did you see the piano lesson?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah, but I don't think this teachers appropriate. Far too young, in my opinion, I think she'd be better off with a professional...in his fifties minimum."

"I know," Joe agreed. "But she's playing, Nick, and she seems to like this guy – whatever the reason may be – so I'm gonna go along with it."

"You're her brother," Nick spoke a little drily and he had to admit he was kind of angry with Joe, since way did he let Miley choose?

"Yes, and her brother's got to go...I've got a meeting in half-an-hour...see you," Joe said.

"See you!"

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Nick walked into the shed and towards Selena, who was sitting on the improvised stage.

"Wow! Look who's here!" Selena exclaimed with false enthusiasm, obviously decorated with sarcasm. "What made you praise us with your presence, your majesty?"

"Oh, come on, Sel," Nick spoke kindly. "Don't be like that, I've been busy..."

"Well, the other day you weren't busy and you came in here and ignored me completely," Selena reproached. Nick caressed her cheek and kissed her hardly on the lips.

"I'm sorry," he said as he pulled back. "You think you can forgive me?"

In response, Selena kissed her back. Their lips crushed against each other and their tongue slipped into each other's mouth but they weren't exactly amazing together. Her mouth was small but her lips were slightly voluminous while his mouth was big and his lips were long and thin, the exact opposite of hers.

"Hey Guys!" Miley's enthusiastic voice shouted as she came into the shed, followed by the rest of the band members and Tyler, who's hand she was holding as she pushed him in. Selena and Nick pulled apart at the sound of the noise and Nick couldn't help but ask why the hell that guy was here too.

"Tyler's coming to see us tonight, okay?" she asked everyone. There was a few 'cool's and 'good's.

"It's a closed practice," suddenly a voice said. Everyone turned to look at Jake immediately.

"Well, if it is, then..." Tyler then said.

"No!" Miley exclaimed. "No it isn't...you're coming."

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Tyler was now talking to Charlotte, Drum and the twins about something so Miley moved away from him and walked towards Jake, who was setting up some equipment for tonight.

"Jake, what was that?" Miley asked as she reached him.

"What was what?" Jake asked incredulously as he turned to look at Miley.

"Why did you say it was a closed practice when it wasn't? Tyler can give us tips...he's a very good musician, his group will most probably be getting a record deal soon...who knows, if we're lucky, he might even let us open for them in some occasion," Miley told him.

Jake made a noise that could only be explained like a sigh mixed with disgust. "I don't want to open for someone just because you're sleeping with them."

At that point Miley had to fight herself not to hit him, she knew he didn't mean it and she knew that he was aware that she was not that kind of girl, they'd dated, hadn't they? But he had no right. "How...dare...you?" she spat at him angrily. "I'm not dating him, and you know I', not that kind of girl. Besides, I know just why you're acting like this and you have no right to be jealous! I told you I loved you and you pushed me away, Jake!"

"You're right, I want you away!", he shouted at her before walking off.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Nick was gazing at Miley once again, why was she talking to Jake? Had they not broken up? He was confused as to what this girl kept on doing but he knew for a fact that he wasn't liking it one bit, she was only getting herself into more trouble than she needed.

"Nick, I'm here!" Selena told him when she realized he wasn0t listening to her, let alone looking at her.

Nick snapped out of his trance quickly and looked at Selena. "I'm sorry...I'm gonna get going, okay Selena? I need to...well, I'm going."

"Fine," Selena spoke a little stubbornly giving him a light kiss. "See you."

"See you."

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

"Have you seen, Noah?" Lilly asked Nick as she came into the room. Nick, who was standing over the piano, distracted and invaded by his own thoughts, turned around.

"Noah? Umm...her bedroom, I think...she said something about a Barbie having a baby and needing Kent to drive her over to the hospital," Nick answered absently.

Lilly looked at him for a second, analysing his attitude. "Are you okay?" she asked, making Nick come back from his thoughts.

"Me?" he asked. "Yes," he smiled, completely back to his normal self now. "I'm great...it's just, something really weird happened to me a few days ago."

"What?" asked Lilly, intrigued.

"Well, I...I saw Miley playing the piano," he spoke, moving his fingers in front of him as if playing an invisible piano, suddenly he took his hands to his chest. "And something happened...I...I felt something flutter inside of me...something extremely weird."

Lilly was looking at him, her eyebrow raised and a strange feeling in her gut.

After a small silence Nick spoke again. "She's grown, hasn't she?" Nick asked making Lilly more comfortable all of a sudden.

"Yes, completely," Lilly exclaimed with delight. "I've noticed too. They're all looking so big...the twins...when they came back from that basketball camp...they've grown so much and Noah...it's like she grows every night..."

"Yeah," Nick said, not looking convince. "But, it's...it's different with Miles, she's just grown so much and so quickly she just...look older..."

Nick had an absent smile on his face, and Lilly could tell he was picturing Miley and then, the feeling in her gut appeared again. "No..." she whispered. "No!" she then exclaimed louder, causing Nick to look at her, confused. "You're having feeling for Miley!" Lilly exclaimed, causing Nick to look at her with bewilderment, how the hell had she reached that conclusion?

"Are you mad? Lilly, no! Of course, not..." Nick tried to make her listen.

"I can't believe you, this is - " Lilly started muttering to herself but Nick shushed her quickly.

"No! Please Lilly, I've known her since she was born..."Nick stated clearly. "Besides, I'm going out with Selena, you know that..."

Lilly looked at him with doubt. "Okay, I'm sorry, it just...seemed...the way you were talking. I guess I've been daydreaming far too much, you're right, it's mental. I'm sorry," she apologized one last time before leaving.

"Yes," nick spoke to himself absently one again. "That's completely mental..."

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

It was past 10 pm and everyone was getting ready for the late practice.

Nick couldn't help but continue looking at Miley, who was getting help from Lilly to prepare her mike. She looked gorgeous...her dark locks cascaded freely down her back, letting her beautiful blue eyes stand out without any hair in the way. She was wearing a knee-length beige skirt that moved gently each time she made a movement and that showed off her toned legs. She was also wearing a tight red top that matched her auburn hair in a way that was almost magical and she stood on a pair of red peep toes that made her look even older than she already looked.

"Nick, what the hell are you looking at so much?" Selena asked him, irritated. It was like he had eyes for everything but her lately.

"I...I'm just...nervous...you guys are just contagious, I can't wait until the practice begins!" Nick lied.

Selena raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Guys, come on!" Jake shouted, making everyone take their places on the stage, and so...the music began. (This time it's a Miley Cyrus song...party in the USA)

"I hopped off the plane at LAX

With a dream and my cardigan

Welcome to the land of fame excess,

Am I gonna fit in?

Jumped in the cab,

Here I am for the first time

Look to the right and I see the Hollywood sign

This is all so crazy

Everybody seems so famous

My tummy's turning and I'm feeling kind of home sick

Too much pressure and I'm nervous,

That's when the taxi man turned on the radio

And a Jay Z song was on

And the Jay Z song was on

And the Jay Z song was on

CHORUS:

So I put my hands up

They're playing my song,

And the butterflies fly away

Nodding' my head like yea

Moving my hips like yea

I got my hands up,

They're playing my song

I know I'm gonna be ok

Yea, It's a party in the USA

Yea, it's a party in the USA" Lilly sang with Jake and Miley as they all dance to the rhythm.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Meanwhile, Joe walked into Miley's room, supposing she still wasn't asleep; however, he was surprised by its darkness. He decided to get out quickly but he then realized her window was open. He slowly made his way to the source of air and, trying not to make noise he shut it close; however, a strong wind blew and it shut on its own with a loud bang.

"I'm sorry, Mil..." but he didn't finish his sentence as he turned around and realized that the wind had moved Miley's cover, revealing a big white pillow. "I can't believe this!" he shouted at himself as he then walked to the twin's bedroom, only to find they weren't there either. He was about to check on Lilly when he realized she had the night off so she wouldn't be at home...he checked on Noah quickly, happy to see she was sleeping peacefully in bed and grabbed the car keys, running for the car and heading to the only place he thought they might be.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Tyler entered the shed and smiled as he heard the music...Miley spotted him and waved to him, 'causing both Jake and Nick to turn to look at their unwanted (at least by them) visitor. He walked in, smiling at Miley the whole way and sat down in between Demi, who Miley had invited and Nick, who glared at him. He didn't notice though, he was too busy looking at how amazing Miley looked.

---How?Did?I?Fall?In?Love?With?You?---

Joe stopped the car in front of the shed he knew Lilly's friends own and as he got out a thousand thought run through his mind. The music could be heard from out there and for a second he could swear he heard Miley's voice singing...he quickly took a hand to his head.

"I really hope this isn't what I'm thinking it is," he said to himself.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, Oh!

This doesn't look good.

Sorry for there not being too much Niley interaction

There will be in the next, I promise.

So, we're nearly on the 100's review.

Let's see if we get there....

There might be a little present (kinda present)

For the review 100

So...

REVIEW!!