Chapter 20 and we're at 95 reviews! If we can get to 20 today, I'll post another chapter early! If not, I'll see ya'll tomorrow! This chapter is a little longer than normal as well.

Emotions, fear, acceptance. It's all there for Lila in this one. No smut though. Just good old fashioned family.

Lila was a complete mess. On the outside, she was done up in subtle makeup and a flattering black and blue dress and black heels topped with a blue sweater, looking pretty good if she said so herself. On the inside, she felt as if she was going to puke. It was a possibility considering morning sickness could strike at anytime but she was sure it had to do more with the fact she was meeting Allen's parents. His kids she could handle. They were incredible. The people who had raised such a wonderful man, not so much.

"Lila, did you hear me?"

She jerked her head up and stared at Allen in confusion.

"Sorry, no, what?"

"We're here. Are you okay? You look ill," he said, pushing her hair back.

She leaned into his palm for a second and relished in the safety and warmth.

"Just... nerves," she admitted shakily, "I'm- What if they hate me? I'm weird and awkward. I curse at the worst times. I'm not Christian. I'm into women for fucks sake and-"

He cut her off with a hand on hers but she in turn stopped him from talking by speaking up.

"What if they realize how below you I am and don't approve?" she whispered, tears coming to her eyes, "I'm a huge step down from Wendy, as much as I dislike her."

"What the hell Li?" he asked gently, "You are not below me, and you sure as hell ain't a step down from Wendy. You're like ten steps above her darlin'. Just because you're not religious does not make you any less of a good person. They don't even need to know about your sexuality either. It's none of their business. Where is this coming from?"

Sniffling, she carefully wiped off the oncoming tears and muttered, "I don't know. I just- They did such a wonderful job raising you and I know their opinion means a lot to you. I just don't want to embarrass you or let you down."

"Lila, that is not going to happen and in complete honesty you already have the approval of the people that matter the most to me in that house. Ajay, Albey, Avery, and Anney adore you after meeting you only once. That means a lot. You just need to relax, okay? I understand you're nervous, but nothing is gonna change tonight. This is probably just your hormones talking and getting you all worried."

She bit her lip and let out a slow breath, nodding. He was probably right, but that didn't make the anxiety go away.

"The only thing they might mention, just to give you a heads up, is the age difference. Don't let it get to you. If for some reason they do ask about what religion you follow, just be honest and polite."

"Got it," she murmured.

"Now come on, I see four sets of eyes lookin' out at us."

She patted at her eyes to get rid of any lingering moisture and looked over to find out he wasn't joking. All four kids were staring out, Anney was actually jumping up and down and pointing at the SUV. When he came around and opened her door, she hesitated.

"Last worry," she said.

"What darlin'?"

"You're not bringing up the baby are you?" she asked, "I just- I know sex before marriage is a huge no-no, and to end up pregnant this early is just going to lead them to believe the same thing you did for so long."

"If it makes you feel better, we won't," he replied, offering a smile as he reached up, "Now come on beautiful."

Blushing slightly, she grabbed his shoulders and let him swing her down. Her hand clutched his arm tightly as they walked up to the door. He knocked three times but didn't wait, walking in. She quickly followed and tried to swallow down her fear

"Daddy!"

"Dad!"

Foot steps came barreling their way and a smile broke over her face as he dropped and caught them all in a hug.

"Aw, I've missed you guys. Have you been good?"

A mixture of replies sounded but the smallest figure started pulling away.

"Anney?" Allen asked.

She said nothing but bolted over and hugged at Lila's knees, making the older woman chuckle.

"Hey Anney, how are you sweetie?" Lila asked, crouching carefully to preserve her modesty.

"'m good."

Anney's blue eyes went wide as she reached up and touched Lila's necklace.

"That's so pwetty!"

"Oh, thank you. It was a gift. I love your barrette. Your hair looks so cute done up like that," Lila replied easily, patting at the dark brown curls.

"Thank you. Gamma did it for me," Anney said, "She said-"

"Oh there you are!"

Allen stood up, cutting off the conversation with his sons, at the sound of the woman's voice and Lila looked up just in time to see him hug a woman probably shorter than even herself.

"Hey ma."

"It's so good to see you Allen," the older woman murmured.

Lila looked away, feeling as if she was intruding, and back down at Anney.

"Have you had fun with your brothers being home from school?" she asked.

The small girl shrugged and looked over, her brows lowering in what looked to be anger.

"They are mean sometwimes."

"Are you still mad about that?" Albey asked with a groan, his cheeks turning slightly pink, "It was an accident Ann."

"What happened?" Allen cut in.

Albey let out a huff of a breath and muttered, "I accidentally knocked her over. I was just trying to tickle her dad! I didn't mean to hurt her."

"I towd you to stop," Anney whined, "He didn't stop daddy. It hurts."

With that, her eyes filled with tears as she rubbed her elbow.

"That was yesterday you little baby, it can't still hurt," Albey shot back.

"Hey, no name callin'. Everyone just needs to be careful and you boys need to remember she's a lot smaller and a girl. You gotta be careful with her."

Lila bit her lip to stop a giggle as Anney nodded along emphatically.

"I is like a flower!"

That made a giggle come out of the auburn haired woman and Anney grinned proudly.

"You must be Lila."

All the humor drained from her body but she managed to smile as she stood.

"Yes ma'am. It's nice to meet you."

She offered her hand.

"My name is Judy. It's nice to meet you too."

With that, she was pulled into a hug, making her gasp in shock. She didn't want to seem rude so she quickly gave the older woman a light hug back.

"I see she passed the test," an older male voice came.

When Judy let her go, she looked curiously at Allen and what looked to be an older version of himself standing close.

"Test?"

Allen smiled warmly and said, "Not so much a test. It's-"

"I wanted to see if ya were going to pull away like that one did," Judy said, chuckling, "I promise not to give ya surprise hugs any more sweetheart. I'm going to go check on the ham."

As she walked off, Lila's face colored dark red, embarrassed and shocked.

"Fred, get in here!" Judy called back.

The elder gentleman offered Lila a smile and said, "It's nice to meet you hon. Make yourself at home while we finish cooking."

"Grandma and grandpa are a little weird sometimes," Ajay said.

"Ajay," Allen said sternly, "Why don't you guys go upstairs and play until dinner is done."

…

An hour and a half later Lila found herself smushed against Allen in a comfortable love seat with Anney lying in her lap, seemingly tired, as he told some stories about his childhood and his parents washed the dishes. She'd offered but they seemed offended.

"Things changed though. It's much better now than when I was a kid," he wrapped up the story.

"I'm glad. A bond between parent and child is so crucial," she murmured, carding her hand through Anney's curls gently.

Her brown hair was now down from its barrette hold and the curls were limply hanging around her cherub face."

"That it is."

She looked up as he went silent and blushed slightly as she realized he was watching her with those intense warm eyes of his.

"What?" she asked.

"I can't wait until I get to see you holding our baby," he murmured, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

A smile curled up the edges of her lips at that thought and she held Anney a little closer.

"I'm actually getting pretty excited," she admitted quietly.

He leaned slightly to look at Anney's face and smiled gently.

"Ah, she fell asleep finally. I'm surprised she's taken so well to you, and I mean that in a good way. She can be really shy with people. It says good things about ya," he said, joining Lila in playing with the small girl's hair.

"Well I did have an awesome gift the first time I saw her thanks to you," Lila teased.

"That probably helped," he snickered.

"Aww, would you look at that."

Lila jerked her head up in surprise as Allen's parents walked in, both smiling. It felt strange, to be accepted. Considering her own parents hated her, she never expected that someone else's parents could like her.

"Allen, I gotta say, for only being together half a year, you sure look at her as if she's your world," Judy spoke up as they sat down.

For what had to be the hundredth time that night, her cheeks flared up with warmth as he leaned in and kissed the side of her head.

"Lila is special, that's for sure," he murmured.

"Alright, I gotta ask," Fred spoke up, "Ya look awfully young Lila. You are of legal age correct?"

"Oh goodness yes!" Lila spoke up, startled, "I'm twenty five, I'll be twenty six in February."

"I see. You're so young, and yet you're steppin' into such a serious relationship. Don't ya want to live out your young years and do as the kids do now days?" Judy asked.

Here it came. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself to speak. But Allen cut in.

"Ma, there is no reason-"

"No, Allen, it's okay. Mr. And Mrs. Jones? Let me assure you, there is no other reason for me to be with Allen other than the fact I really and truly love him, if that was your worry. I know twenty five is young for a serious relationship with the way people are today, and a year ago I never would have thought I'd want this, but now? I can't imagine it any other way."

She slipped her hand in Allen's but stared straight at the older couple lest she get teary.

"We were at odds at first for personal reasons, but I've come to realize how damn near perfect he is. Not perfect as in flawless, but perfect as in his flaws work with mine. I have my own career, I have friends and family, I have everything I could need so I don't look to him for those things. He- He's been here for me even when we fought, even when I was unlovable, and that's what I get from him. So no, I wouldn't rather be out partying, hooking up with random people. I'd rather be furthering my career with him by my side every night."

When she finished, she had to blink away tears, surprised at her own admission. She hadn't planned on going that deep; Hadn't even realized she felt that deep but, now that she said it, she knew it was true.

"Wow," Fred said simply.

Judy all of a sudden grinned and clapped her hands together.

"Please tell me you're not gonna let her get away Allen!" she exclaimed.

Lila had to laugh at that.

"Nope, never. She's mine for good," Allen replied, pulling her close again without disturbing the kid in her lap.

With a smile, she leaned into his chest and silently preened as he rubbed her arm.

"I'm sorry to bring her up again, but that Wendy? She could never say somethin' so sweet about our boy. She was all about the weddin', havin' kids, and puttin' her wants first. Even though he treated her like royalty, she always looked at him as if he was beneath her. When he started that wrasslin' she didn't support him until he started gettin' the fame and the big checks. Then she was all about him bein' a big shot wrassler. You havin' your own career, especially in the same place, just eases my worries a bit. There are plenty a' people who'd love to have a piece of his money and flaunt him off."

Lila raised her hand, then immediately felt foolish but grinned.

"I might flaunt him off, but that's just because I'm proud of him. I'd be honored to one day say that I was lucky enough to land such a wonderful man as my husband that's an even better father to his kids."

"And that right there is another reason I like ya so much already," Fred cut in, "I see how you look at those kids. You got the eyes of a mother and they're not even ya kids."

"These are all very valid points darlin'," Allen added, gently pulling her head back.

Rolling her eyes, she stuck her tongue out playfully before he kissed her softly. Should he be doing that in front of his parents?!

"Speaking of kids, we should get them home. It's getting' late."

"Sounds good," Lila replied, shifting the toddler in her arms to carry her.

"No, don't," Allen said sharply.

Her eyes widened in surprise at his clipped tone but she let him take his daughter without questioning him. That was weird.

"Its was really nice to meet you," Lila said as she stood.

She offered her hand and Judy lifted an eyebrow.

"Can I hug ya again?"

With a chuckle, Lila nodded and said, "Sure thing."

After a quick embrace from the older couple, and the kids and Allen saying their goodbyes, they buckled kids in and were on the road. It was a twenty minute drive to his house and the kids were asleep in ten.

She figured that it was then safe to ask about his attitude.

"Why did you get mad when I was gonna carry Anney?" she spoke up softly.

Lila took to playing with her fingers so she wouldn't have to look at him.

"I wasn't mad," he replied, "I just couldn't say out loud that you're pregnant and not supposed to be carrying heavy things, including children."

"She's only like twenty five pounds," Lila replied.

"She's thirty, but let's just not chance anythin' okay? You're still early and I don't want anythin' to happen when I could have avoided it," he muttered.

Her fingers clenched tightly when she realized what he was saying. She finally brought her gaze up and saw him looking solemn.

"I understand," she assured him, "Thank you."

He was silent but his hand slid into her lap and squeezed her thigh gently as he flashed her a small smile.

"I love you," she murmured.

"Love you too Li," he said back.