Chapter Twenty Four.

Nick.

I watched the car slowly roll up to the sidewalk as I bounced on my feet feeling nervous as hell. The second the car door opened I was beside it looking at Demi apprehensively,

"Did she let you in?"

"Did you get it?" We asked at the exact same time,

My sister in law stared at me as I sighed, "No I didn't, she didn't respond."

Demi frowned, "Did you try to get inside, the door is unlocked I-"

"What, and risk a plate being thrown at my head? Hell no. Did you get it?"

Demi rolled her eyes and nodded clambering to her feet, "Of course I did Nick, although I did get a very weird look from the cashier, I think she was a little confused to why I was buying a pregnancy test when I'm very heavily pregnant." She announced with a smile as I just looked at her unimpressed, how could she be smiling right now?

Demi sighed the smile falling "Calm down, it-"

"My wife could be pregnant, don't tell me to calm down Demi." I snapped moving right up into her face,

She glared at me holding her ground, "Nick you aren't the one who is trying to comprehend growing a small human being in their body at the moment okay? Right now you freaking out is completely out of the question when it isn't you who is going to be pushing a child out of their-"

I groaned covering my ears, "I don't want to hear this Demi,"

She laughed, "Well you're going to have too if this is positive,"

Demi pushed a plastic bag at me as I clutched it feeling everything in me just drop. I couldn't even begin to comprehend if this was positive because honestly I didn't want another kid, not now. I opened it staring at the one test box as I turned to Demi frustrated,

"I told you to buy one of every brand Demi!" I hissed at her as she just looked at me.

"Nick this isn't the movies," She proclaimed pointing at the bag, "You're only going to need one test to tell you that crazy demon who used to be your wife is carrying your spawn." I winced at her choice of words feeling even worse. Demi snorted slapping my arm, "Nick come on I was joking, she's not that bad. I mean when I found out I was pregnant I wasn't completely thrilled either."

I stared at Demi confused, "But you wanted to be a mom?" I asked.

Demi nodded in agreement looking directly at me, "But at the same time I was completely and utterly terrified, I still am Nick. All I can think about is what if I'm going to be a bad mom."

My eyes widened as I looked at her now lost, "What? You're going to make a great mom Demi-"

She stared at me and shrugged looking away, "You don't know that, no one does until the baby comes along." Demi announced a smile growing on her face as she looked at her bulging stomach, "The thing is I know I have so many people to support me, and even if I suck at being a mom I have all you guys as back up. While Miley right now…" She trailed off as I sighed,

"Thinks she has no one." I finished letting out a groan,

"She's not herself Nick," Demi warned as I looked towards the apartment complex where Miley was held up in refusing to open the door to me. "And at times it takes someone to tell me bluntly to my face that I'm acting weird, strange, bitchy or whatever. You need to face her, you need to get it through her head that you are going to be there for her."

I kept my eyes locked on the building not knowing what to do right now. Demi was right, I completely agreed with her, but there was a horrible feeling in me that wanted to run right now. I was scared, no terrified, of having another child because I knew how hard it was with Lucy and the dramas that constantly came with sharing her with Selena. It felt like I'd only just started a normal life again after all the drama with Frankie, Miley, my family. It finally felt like my life had a plan, and this wasn't apart of it.

"Nick…" Demi whispered, "You are going to support Miley, right?"

I looked at her swallowing as her eyes widened, "Nick, I know this is a shock to the system right now but she's your wife." Demi stated looking at me pleadingly, "Don't make this another Selena situation."

"I won't," I confirmed, "The difference is I still love Miley,"

"Good," Demi murmured in relief, "Tell her that, make it clear."

"I will Dem,"

I moved to head towards the apartment only for Demi to stop me, her brown eyes staring straight into mine, "And Nick if it is positive, which I'm sure it will be…" She hesitated her lips trying to find the right words, "Don't make a decision today, or tomorrow, or this week, make sure you talk about this because right now I can tell neither of you are in the right state of mind to decide this."

My mouth went dry as I just nodded stepping away from her clutching the bag,

"I'll be here if you need me, waiting." Demi called out.

I nodded not turning back as I continued into the complex. Every step I took I felt the dread in me building because I wasn't even sure I wanted to know the result let alone force it upon Miley right now. I mean there was a change she wasn't pregnant? Right? A scarier thought instantly consumed my mind because if she wasn't pregnant how could I possibly explain why the hell she was acting like this? I was pretty sure we were going down the wrong path right now and honestly I doubted the positive or negative response we were about to get could benefit us in either way. By the time I got to the door I'd come to the conclusion I just had to let everything spill from my lips, no filter, nothing. I was going to tell her exactly what I felt.

"Miley I'm coming in." I announced waiting a few seconds.

The silence remained as I opened the front door and walked in. The second my foot touched the floorboards I heard the crunch of ceramic being shattered by my foot. My eyes instantly stared down seeing the debris as I sighed,

"Miley?"

I gazed around noting her absence as I continued down the hallway. I got the bedroom and stopped finding Miley perched on the bed with her back to me staring out the window. I froze in spot watching her, trying to look over her shoulder to make sure she didn't have anything in hands that she could throw at me.

"Miley can we talk?" I asked calmly.

She didn't respond as I stepped closer, "Okay fine I'll talk. I'm sorry about the Liam thing, but at the same time I'm not." I announced, "I was trying to protect you, and he deserved it Miley. Don't you remember what he did to you? How much pain he put you through? Put us through? The way you reacted, it was like I was the one who attempted to rape you, it was like I was the bad guy. Sure I did some bad things but I did them with the intention to make things right. An eye for an eye. It pisses me off that you can't accept that." I stopped thinking about what I was going to say next,

"The thing is though I still love you, even if you left me in Paris with my daughter who was absolutely devastated. I still love you and I'm willing to make this work if you just start listening to me without overreacting before you've even heard the full story." I finished as I just watched the back of her head waiting for her answer,

Nothing. She had nothing to say?

I huffed frustrated, "Miley come on this is ridiculous. Look I know you could be pregnant I know-"

"I'm not." Her quite voice whispered.

I stood there for a moment unsure of what to say as her head slowly turned.

"I'm not pregnant, I'm not." She responded.

I looked at Miley's tear stained cheeks, her eyes bright red from crying. I knew exactly what she was trying to do, convince herself that it was okay, that this wasn't happening. I knew because this is the exact same thing I did with Frankie.

I moved over to her vigilantly putting the bag down as she watched me, her eyes following my every movement timidly. "Miley I know you're scared-" She instantly shook her head staring at me as she got to her feet.

"I'm not, because I'm not pregnant, I can't be." Miley snapped at me.

I moved closer again still keeping a few feet between us, "Miley, you don't know that. Why don't you take the test I got and-"

"I'm not pregnant!" She yelled this time letting out a sob, "No I'm not."

I watched her yet again not knowing what to do because I didn't know how I was supposed to help her. She was in denial. I kept moving towards her as Miley just stood there, her lip quivering. It was when I finally stood right in front of her that I knew she was going to attack me, not yet anyway. I reached out gently placing my hand on her arm as she distantly stared through me,

"I'm not pregnant, I can't be, I can't…" Miley repeated as I just watched her eyes flickering with pain, "I can't be Nick, I can't, because I just…I can't be a mom. I don't want to be, I don't want to be pregnant." I watched as she slowly unraveled and I nodded clutching her arm rubbing my thumb along it, "I don't want a baby, I don't want this."

"Miley," I stated very slowly.

Her eyes looked up into mine as I nodded, "I want you to take the test okay? I know this is scary, I'm scared too." I hesitated looking at her as more tears fell, "But I'm going to stay with you no matter what okay? We're going to work this out together. You're not alone."

She blinked a few times before finally nodding slowly leaning into me. I wrapped my arms around her as she slowly started crying,

"I'm so scared Nick." She whispered as I kissed the side of her head,

"I know, but let's make sure before we do anything else-"

"Okay," Miley murmured.

I held her for a moment refusing to let go because I was worried she'd fall completely apart in front of me. Miley continued to cry as my stomach felt tight and tied in knots. I already knew regardless of how this ended it was going to hurt both of us. It was at that moment I realized although Miley didn't want this baby I knew if she decided to get rid of it she wouldn't deal with the guilt, she'd never be the same. This was going to change everything about her.

"GUYS!" A scream emitted outside,

My arms instantly dropped from Miley and turned to the window looking out to see Demi standing awkwardly on the footpath her entire face drained of color.

"What?" I yelled down as Miley moved up beside me pressing her body against mine and I gently wrapped my arm around her back.

Demi pointed towards the ground as we both stared at the patch of darker concrete compared to the surrounding.

"Demi what is wrong?" I yelled confused and she just looked at me,

"My water just broke you idiot, the baby is coming."

Miley.

"Just breath okay?" Nick whispered.

"Breath,"

"Deep breathes, both of you!"

"God damn it you're not the one having the fucking baby Miley, stop hyperventilating!" Demi screamed at me, her face flushed red as I clutched the seat unable to move staring at my best friend completely frozen.

I didn't know what to do. I was panicking. I was freaking the hell out.

"You are officially the worst God mother ever Miley! You're supposed to be holding my hand and letting me break your fucking fingers" Demi announced through gritted teeth as I just looked at her speechless. I instantly offered her my hand as she huffed grabbing it, squeezing down with force.

"Miley call Joe, please babe you need to calm down okay? Stop thinking and just concentrate on Demi okay? Demi needs our help okay?" Nick stated breathlessly throwing his phone at me, while his eyes remained concentrated on the road,

I nodded sucking in a breath as Demi suddenly screamed, her nails digging into my skin as I let out a yelp in fear more than pain. I stared at her feeling my stomach heaving, I wanted to throw up, I couldn't throw up, I had to hold it together. I pressed the number into the phone pressing call as I moved the phone to my ear hearing the ringing as Demi groaned in agony again.

"NICK! Drive faster," Demi screamed.

"I am! I've gone through three red lights already-"

"I'm not having my fucking child in the back of this fucking car Nick." She yelled.

"You won't okay just-"

"Nick if your wife is still throwing plates I don't want to hear about it." Joe's voice announced in my ear as I instantly took a moment to process what he'd said, only for Demi to let out a shrill cry, "Nick? Are you okay? What was that-"

"It's Miley," I finally managed out.

"Oh Shit, Miley I did mean that-"

"Demi's having the baby, we're driving her to the hospital." I stated quickly.

There was just deadly silence on the other line as Demi screamed, "JOSEPH you better be at the fucking hospital by the time I fucking get there or I will rip your appendage off understand?" Demi yelled at the top of her lungs and I closed my eyes as she once again dug her nails into my hand,

"I'll be there," Joe finally whispered sounding terrified, "Miley tell her it's going to be okay, that I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I will, be quick Joe." I responded.

I went to hang up as Joe sighed, "Miley, please look after her, please."

I nodded staring at Demi, "I will, I promise Joe."

I dropped the phone and looked at Nick who caught my gaze giving me a weak smile. I turned my focus to Demi whose lip were trembling, while beads of sweat were forming on her forehead. Nick was right I had to stop thinking, I had to close off all of my own emotions and concentrate on what was right in front of me. Demi was having the baby.

"Okay," I hissed at her, "You need to listen to me,"

Her eyes focused on mine flaring as I glared, "You need to calm down, take deep breaths okay! We are going to make it to the hospital, Joe is going to meet us there and then you are going to give birth to your son or daughter-"

"Son!" She snapped at me, "It's a boy, I'm sure it's a boy!"

"Guess your not the only one that could be in denial," I heard Nick murmur,

I turned giving him a dirty look as I refocused, "Demi you just need to focus on your breathing okay, just-" Demi let out another cry as I bit my tongue when her nails yet again buried into my skin most definitely drawing blood this time.

It was the longest ten minutes of my life, the constant reassurance spilling from my lips, having to watch Demi's agony while Nick attempted to drive safely at what felt like a hundred miles an hour. Then seconds after we pulled up and Nick flagged down a nurse a mass of people were upon us, including a fretting Joe who seemed about as hysterical as I felt. Next thing I knew Nick and me were being ushered into a waiting room by a overly calm nurse who continually smiled while I blanked entirely on what she was saying.

"So…" Nick had announced minutes later, "Doesn't that make you want a kid?"

I turned and just stared at him, feeling sick at the lame attempt at a joke. The small smile he'd had completely fell and he leaned forward kissing the side of my cheek,

"I'll be back, you stay right here okay? I'm calling mom and dad."

Nick didn't give me a chance to respond before he got up and walked away.

I sat there alone waiting for him as all the thoughts suddenly began to consume my mind once again. The pain Demi was going through, I didn't want that, no matter what the end result. I didn't want a baby. I could barely look after myself let alone…I couldn't even think of the word without feeling sick. I bit my lip feeling the tears resurfacing as I looked around wanting Nick again because right now him being alongside me was all I needed to know I wasn't completely alone. When I didn't find him the panic started to rise until I saw a sign,

Drug store

I looked at it realizing that the hospital's drug store would hold answers. I needed the truth even if it killed me to find out. I got to my feet and walked over entering the store my eyes skimming around while the rest of me tried to stay brave. I was in control of my body. It was my decision after all.

I found the tests and reluctantly bought another one as the cashier smiled at me, but thankful didn't judge. I went to walk out only to see Nick standing with his family looked around frustrated, his eyes searching for me. He didn't need me right now, he just needed to be with his family and I had to do this test alone. I didn't want Nick to see my reaction until I was certain what the result was. I diverted and found a bathroom locking myself in the cubicle to do the test.

It took all of my courage just to open the box, my mind continuing to show me pictures of Demi and how much pain she was in. By the time I'd finally peed on the stick it was an hour later, and then I realized I had to wait five minutes.

Five long fucking minutes

Each second felt like a millennium

Every minute felt like eternity

Then five minutes were up and I didn't want to look anymore.

I wanted to wake up and be back to my wedding day where everything was perfect.

I wanted to go back and change everything.

The bathroom door suddenly opened distracting me from my thoughts as I looked up listening intently to a pair of high heel until they stopped right at the door, shit

"Miley you're in here aren't you?" I heard a voice snap.

A far too familiar voice, Danielle's voice.

I didn't respond as she sighed, "So what does it say? Nick told us Miley when you disappeared…I'm the only one smart enough to consider your intentions. It took me a while to piece it together, it'll take Nick even longer so we have time to talk. You'll surely have an answer by now, what does it say?" She repeated.

I don't know why, but I looked.

I looked and saw the red line.

The red line that informed my brain what my heart already knew.

I was pregnant.

A/N: Sorry for the absence...Uni is hard :( I'll probably be slow updating from now on. I only get the chance to write on the weekend :D