Hello fan fiction readers; I know it's been a long time since my last update of this story. But with life and three active stories, what can I say? Things happen. But I'm back once again with an update, and I hope it satisfies you until next time. The story picks up two weeks after the White house correspondence dinner. But no worries, you'll get to see how that scene played out. Stay tuned, and enjoy!

Kerry sits out on the deck of her and Tony's house. It's a gorgeous California day, and a great day to be in the hills. The trees are swaying, the wind's blowing, the birds are chirping, and the air is unbelievably fresh. Despite being surrounded by one of the most beautiful views she's ever seen, one she can never tire of.

Her mind is all abuzz, she's distracted about the verbal slugfest with Shonda a few weeks back, in addition to pondering what she's going to be facing in the next half hour when her parents arrive. She knows her father is struggling with the news of her being pregnant, on top of the complexities of her and Tony's situation. And right now, it scares her to death to know that in less than an hour; her father and Tony will be in the same room. Her only saving grace is her mother; she's the buffer in this, like always. But this situation is still one she's not sure her mother can help her navigate through without bloodshed.

Suddenly, her thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice, saying, "What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" She shakes from her thoughts and looks over at him. Immediately he knows exactly what's got her so entranced. Between the fallout from the white house correspondence dinner with Shonda, and her parents impending visit. It's understandable that she'd be a little stressed.

Nonetheless, he takes pride in helping to reduce her stress, and keep her feeling balanced. In an effort to do just that he strokes her face, as he stands next to her, and says, "Ker, please relax. You know the stress isn't good for you and the baby."

She takes a breath as she says, "I know T. I just can't clear my head. And I don't know what to do. With this thing with Shonda and now my parents, it's just all too much to consider at once." Concern and comfort fills his eyes as he responds, "What you do Ker is take a breath, and see beyond the drama of it all." She appreciates his supportive and positive nature but asks, "How exactly do I do that?"

Feeling and seeing her stress and tension e responds, "You do that by leaning on me, and letting me guide you through this baby. Stop trying to do this on your own, you don't have to. Besides, despite the bullshit with Shonda going on right now. I think your parents took the news rather well about us and the baby." She responds, "Babe, that's only because my mother ran interference for us in advance of us skyping with her and my dad. Had the conversation happened in person, or mom wasn't there; I and terrified to think of how it would've gone."

He nods in acknowledgement of her comment as he says, "I will agree your mother kept things on track to being calm. And it was obvious that your father wasn't the happiest guy in the world hearing the news. But baby, you can't stress over how things could've gone as well as the situation itself too. That's complete over kill, and it's something that you can control."

She responds, "I just don't want things to be so chaotic T." He replies, "Neither do I Ker. But ask yourself when has anything been easy when it came to us?" He pauses and watches her, as she thinks. He then breaks the silence as he sees her settling a tad, and says, "Never, right?" She gives a nod and a slight smile as she says, "You're right. I know you are."

He replies, "Good. Just like I'm right about that. I'm right about everything working itself out. Because like I told you; I'm in this to the end. There's no turning back." She adores his commitment to them and their future, and says, "Me too babe. We're in this together."

They share a kiss, and he feels her soften in her stance and her stress. When the kiss breaks, he says, "You know. I still don't know how your mom figured out the announcement before we made it." She responds, "She's my mom. She knows me better than I know myself."

He replies, "With her instincts she should've been a detective." Kerry jokingly says, "Well, she certainly has always put those skills to use for me, all my life. Whether I asked her to or not."

He smiles as he replies, "I'm sure it was done with love Ker. You know she loves you. Both of your parents adore you babe. So there's no way you have anything to worry about concerning their visit."

Kerry gives him a look of amazement as she says, "You can't be serious T. A week ago, my mother cornered me about us being a couple. And three days ago, we sat down with them and acknowledged it to both of them, and admitted to our pregnancy. My dad still isn't too taken with everything. So how can you say we have no concerns?"

He understands her point, but says, "Ker, I agree with you. This isn't going to be easy at all. Your father and I had words, and he's made it clear how he feels. Which is why I invited him and your mom out here. We will sit down and talk everything out, and I know that it will all work itself out." She looks at his adorable, hopeful, boyish, optimistic smile. And she doesn't have the heart to tell him he's out of his mind. Because a big part of her wants to see it his way. She wants to believe his logic, despite feeling the opposite may be true.

Seeing his lady is slipping back into her woes of worry; he takes her into his arms, and she falls into his chest. With his arms around her, she's always in a better space. She needs the escape, so she allows him to make her feel better; while they await the arrival of her parents.

The Reckoning

An hour later Tony is sitting opposite Kerry's parents, with Kerry sitting next to him. But purposely a half of a cushion away from him. Tony notices Kerry stressing, and he feels terrible about it. But what can he say to her with her parents being present?

While the kitchen staff prepares their meal; they are seated in the living room with Kerry's mother Valerie and her father Earl. Despite Kerry and Valerie making small talk about the house, and the décor.

The tension in the room is high. While not overbearing; it's certainly far from being an easy breezy moment. The tension level is just enough to give the impression of the seriousness of the situation at hand. Which has been felt since they arrived, making the greeting cordial. But far from the casual and friendly response that normally occurs when her parents are around them.