Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update, but I was sick- then I had to go to school and do all the makeup work... so basically this week sucked for me...Thanks to everyone that reviewed! Keep reviewing please!

Chapter 6

A week had passed since the proposal and Chris's 18th birthday, and still no one in the manor had said anything about it.

But Chris didn't have time to think about this with other things constantly pressing at his mind. With his recent engagement and Bianca's ever growing stomach, he knew that the time to break the news to his parents was vastly approaching.

Although he was ecstatic that he was going to finally be with the woman of his dreams and become a true father to his future child, his constant nerves kept playing with his mind as he nervously waited for the right moment. Constant nightly visits to Bianca's helped ease his nerves a little as the two planned out their future together with large grins on their faces. The couple had already agreed that their wedding would take place after the baby was born, regardless of how Chris's family reacted.

"Chris! Earth to Chris!" Wyatt called his brother as he waved his hands in front of Chris's face.

Snapping out of his trance, Chris whipped his head around to face his older brother, "Sorry, Wy. What were you saying again?"

Frowning, Wyatt put a hand to Chris's forehead then lowered it, "Are you alright bro? You've been zoning out a lot lately. What's up?"

Lowering his head, Chris hastily replied, "Nothing, I'm fine." Raising his head, he gave Wyatt a small grin to reassure him.

Looking a bit skeptical, Wyatt finally relented, "I said I was going out to the mall with some friends. I won't be back till later tonight because I have a date with Cecilia."

Nodding his head, Chris answered, "Uhm, that's fine. Have a good time."

Studying his younger brother, Wyatt could see that something wasn't right, "Are you sure you don't want me to stay? I can just call and cancel-"

But Chris cut him short, "Don't worry about me. I'm just going to hang around and watch some T.V probably. Besides, Mom, Aunt Phoebe, and Paige will be back from the mall later. Ryan and dad should be here anytime too. I'll be fine."

"Alright then, I guess I'll see you later lil' bro." With that said Wyatt rose from his seat on the couch and headed out to the front door.

After hearing the slam of the door closing, Chris released a huge sigh as he sunk into the couch. Closing his eyes, he put his face into his hands and remained like that for a few minutes. The silence of the manor was actually relaxing; for once, being alone didn't bother him.

The past week had left him exhausted. The constant worry about telling his parent's the truth, late night visits to check on Bianca and the baby, then getting up early to make sure no one in the manor found out he was sneaking out. His mind was already being affected with the lack of sleep and stress.

Lifting his head, he shook his head a few times to clear his mind. Looking up at the clock, it read 4:53 P.M.

He had lied to Wyatt when he said that everyone should be here soon. No one would be home for a couple of hours at least. However, the fact that his older brother was actually concerned about him did feel good. Constantly worrying about the well being of Bianca, the baby, their future, money, getting an apartment- it was just nice to have someone worry over him for a change.

Although technically he had only been an adult for a week, it felt as though he had been one his whole life. Since he was little Chris had always been self-sufficient, learning to deal with things on his own and without his family. From an early age he knew he was different from his two brothers, the way his parents and aunts treated him. It had hurt when he realized this, and the pain was still there in his heart; flaring up occasionally.

Leaning his head back, Chris let his heavy eyes close as he was able to unwind for the first time in days.

Just when he was finally about to doze off, he shook himself awake.

'I should go check up on Bianca while I have the chance.'

Sighing, he got up onto his feet and stretched his sore limbs.

Before he changed his mind and fell into the inviting look of the large warm couch, Chris orbed out in a dazzling display of colorful lights.

"Are you okay sweetie? You look exhausted!" Bianca exclaimed as she led Chris into her living room.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Chris answered as he plopped down on the couch and Bianca sat next to him.

Scowling, she replied, "Don't lie to me Chris. Have you not been sleeping? Is it because you're coming to see me? Didn't I already tell you not to come every night! Jesus Chris, why do you have to be so stubborn! Do you want to see me lose it! Because I am THIS close to losing it!"

Looking alarmed at her outburst, Chris just stared at her for a minute before a look of regret and guilt crossed his face. "I'm sorry Bianca; I didn't mean to worry you. I just didn't feel right leaving you alone everyday."

Immediately regretting her outburst, Bianca mentally scolded herself. 'He gets yelled at enough in his own home; what the hell am I doing?'

Leaning over and giving him a tight embrace she answered, "I am so sorry Chris; I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's not your fault at all sweetie. All these hormones are making me kinda crazy I guess."

Releasing from their hug, Chris nodded understandingly, "its okay, I understand. But I don't want you to stress yourself out; think about the baby too, okay?"

A sad smile spread across her face, "Chris, when are you going to start thinking about yourself for once? You're always trying to help other people, but you need to try and consider yourself too. I know you're trying to help, but putting all the stress onto your shoulders isn't healthy."

Shaking his head, Chris flashed her a smirk, "Don't worry Bianca, I can take care of myself okay? You just worry about yourself and our baby." Saying this, he leaned down and landed a kiss on her belly, "Hey there baby; did you know your mommy is a worry-wart? I bet she'll have grey hair by the time she's thirty."

Laughing, Bianca smacked Chris on the arm, "Well I won't if your father quits being such a smart ass!"

Chris gasped as a look of mock horror crossed his face, "Our child isn't even born yet and here you are setting a bad example! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Chuckling she replied, "Oh shush, you're over reacting. Besides, the baby is getting hungry which causes the mommy, which would be me, to get very cranky."

"You're hungry? Hmm... What do you want to eat?" Chris asked as he straightened himself up.

Looking thoughtful, Bianca finally answered, "Fried chicken, some mashed potatoes, and some chocolate mousse."

Frowning, he tried to think where he could find all that food, "Umm... How about we go over to my place and I'll cook up some frozen chicken nuggets and fries?"

Nodding her head in agreement, "That would work... What about the chocolate mousse?"

"Hmmm... Does jell-o chocolate pudding cups work?" he asked sounding skeptical.

"Yeah, that'll do it," she nodded with a smile but then an idea crossed her mind, "What about your family?"

"Its fine, they won't be home for a while. We'll just eat quickly before I drop you back here."

Sounding satisfied, she reached out her hand, "Alright then, beam me away!"

Rolling his eyes, he grabbed her hand and orbed them away in bright orbs.

"Oh my gosh, I feel so stuffed. I think I need to sit down," Bianca exclaimed as she plopped herself down on the couch and put her feet up.

Standing over her, Chris snickered, "I'm not surprised! Geez, I've never seen anyone eat like that! That's saying a lot considering I live with Ryan!" Gesturing down at her stomach he asked, "Are you sure the baby has room in there? I think your stomach is suffocating our child."

Glaring up at her fiancé, she replied, "Well Ryan doesn't have to eat for two! Or constantly chuck out yesterdays dinner into the toilet, so don't you be comparing me to Ryan mister!"

"I'm just kidding! Wow, you're hormones are starting to scare me," Chris told her as he held his hands up in a defense.

Reaching up suddenly, she pulled Chris's arms until he fell on top of her and trapped his lips with hers. Smirking, she replied, "You know you love me."

Readjusting himself so he wouldn't squish the baby, he straddled her and captured her warm lips again as he inhaled her sweet aroma, "Always and forever."

As the two lovers were engrossed in each other's love and continued to passionately kiss, they never heard the front door open or the footsteps that followed into the living room until it was too late.

"What the hell is going on here!"

Jumping at the sound of a booming voice, the two jumped off of each other and spun around to see the rest of the family, excluding Wyatt, staring back at them from the doorway.

Nervously standing up, Chris looked at his families' mixed expression of both shock and anger. A strong sense of dread, fear, and panic filled his gut. All the emotions were so intense that he almost felt like gagging.

"Hi, I didn't know you guys were coming back so-"Chris began anxiously as his gaze fell to the ground, afraid to meet his parent's eyes and see their disappointment, but was quickly cut off by his father's booming voice.

"Your mother asked you a question, Christopher! Now answer her!" Chris visibly flinched at his father's harsh tone

"I uh- I was just... well, me and-" Chris began stuttering, his anxiety and nerves working overtime.

"You were just what! Making out with a girl in the house with nobody home! What were you thinking! Are you out of your mind!" Piper screamed at her son, as she flailed her arms around.

"You're supposed to set an example for your younger brother Chris! What are you showing him acting like this?" Paige asked as she too joined in. Looking helpless, Chris just fidgeted as he looked nervously at his feet.

Ryan, remaining quiet until now, finally decided to speak, "Hey! That's not fair! Chris isn't my caretaker! He should be allowed to do what he wants!"

Shaking her head, Phoebe put a hand on his shoulder, "Ryan, maybe you should go upstairs. This isn't about you."

"But this isn't fair! Chris didn't do anything wrong!" Ryan exclaimed, getting angry at the way his parents and aunts were acting towards Chris.

"Ryan, listen to you aunt! This isn't about you!" Piper exclaimed frustrated.

"Chris, do you ever think before you act! Or do you like getting into trouble!" Leo screamed as he turned his attention back to Chris.

Before Chris could even open his mouth, a voice had already cut through.

"This isn't Chris's fault, and you have NO right to yell at him!" Bianca bellowed back from her seat on the couch. The whole while, she had tried to restrain herself from doing something stupid, but this was too much. Her whole face red with anger, she stared at the family with venom in her eyes.

Everyone stared at the stranger for a second, forgetting she was even there, and were shocked by her outburst.

"Who the hell are you!" Piper asked with annoyance in her voice.

"Mom!" Ryan cried out, shocked at his mom's coldness.

"Do any of you even think before you all immediately jump down Chris's throat? Jesus Christ! Let him explain before you start screaming at him! Maybe if you actually listened and pretended like you give damn, then he would tell you stuff! No wonder he doesn't like talking to you people! You're freakin' impossible!"

"Bianca, its okay; calm down," Chris said in a soothing tone tuning towards her. He was afraid all the stress would hurt the baby.

"I think you should leave, this is a family discussion... you know for family members only," Paige notified her as she too stared at the young lady in front of her.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed; I'm carrying one of your future family members in my uterus!" Bianca stated sarcastically as she stood up next to Chris who had his eyes closed, bracing himself for what was to come. Standing, everyone in the room had a clear view of her protruding belly.

There was a stunned silence... no one spoke. Shock was evident on everyone's face as all eyes lay fixed on Bianca's stomach.

However, there was a rapid growth of tension in the air that indicated the incoming impact soon to come. The thick air enveloped the occupants of the room, signaling the storm soon to come.

Getting clammy, Chris was filled with intense anxiety that was suffocating him. Fear, angst, apprehension- all burning a hole through his guts. The storm was coming, he already knew it; that wasn't what scared him. The fact that there was nothing he could do to stop it; that's what scared him.

Feeling a warm, encouraging hand wrap around his, he lifted his head and looked beside him to see her smiling at him with a heartening look.

She didn't have to say a word- he knew what she was telling him.

In that second he gazed into her smiling eyes, he knew... he knew deep inside of him what she had known all along; no matter what happened tonight- it wouldn't matter... it wouldn't affect them... because in the end, everything would be ok.

With new hope filling inside of him, it gave him the courage to straighten up and look straight into the faces of his family. A warmth finally spreading within him, he was able to look at Bianca and flash her a smile- a real genuine smile that held no sadness behind it.

Giving her hand a tight squeeze, he turned and faced his parents with a solid stand.

'I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel...'

TBC…