It always seemed like I end up in this chair with TJ and Mom, one way or the other. Today, we are finally going to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. The doctor just ran my tests and we're sitting in the room waiting for the results.

"Have you decided on names?" Mom asked eagerly.

TJ shrugged. "Haven't given it that much thought-"

"Gretchen." I blurted. I honestly haven't talked to TJ about naming the baby after Gretchen if it turned out to be a girl.

They both looked at me. TJ grew a big smile on his face and pulled me into a hug.

"I would be so happy if we named our daughter after our best friend." He chuckled.

"What if it's a boy?" My mom asked. I pulled away from TJ and thought.

"I'm not sure. I guess since I came up with a girls name, TJ should come up with a boys name." I gave him an evil smile.

TJ groaned, but didn't fight it. He sat and thought for a good five minutes.

"Charlie. After my Great Grandfather Charles."

I gave him a smile. I liked that name, Charlie.

Three knocks on the door and the doctor strolled in.

"I'm so glad to see you much better, Ashley." She smiled. "Now, are you ready to know the sex of the baby?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, it looks like you're having a boy."

My heart sank. This pregnancy has been a roller coaster of emotion, and honestly, I didn't want it at all. But I figured if I was going to be having a baby, I would want it to be a girl. Boys pee on you and do gross things. Girls, I can relate to.

Mom must have seen my disappointed look and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Boy or girl, you will make a wonderful mom." She assured me.

"Charlie it is." TJ said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

Yay...

"Ashley, I need to talk to you," My mother peaked in my room and gave me a look like this needed to be discussed now.

"Sure, mom. What's up?"

She came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed.

"I just want to start off by saying that your father and I are very proud of you with how you're coping with the current events that have fallen onto your path. We also want to express how much we love you and TJ, and that we both know you two will make great parents." She paused. Where was this going? "But we also understand that when you make adult decisions, you have to follow through with them. And you can't make the proper choices with your parents hanging around you."

"What are you saying mom?"

"I think it's time you and TJ found your own place, with the baby."

"What? Now?" I knew it was a matter of time, but I thought they would help me out, give me time.

"Now, we know TJ has been working very hard with his uncle on the local job sites doing construction and you've been working with my sister at the local art studio. We also know that right now, you two can't afford to get a place right now. So your father is giving up one of the houses he bought for you, you just need to pay us the rent, which is the cost of the mortgage."

Mom wants me to move out into one of dad's houses that he buys, fixes up, and sells. Well, it could be worse. I could be going out onto the streets.

"When do you want me out?"

"Don't say it like that Ashley." Mom gave me a look like she really didn't want to have this conversation. "We were thinking next month."

I nodded, taking it all in.

"I'll call TJ tomorrow." I said.

Mom kissed my forehead.

"I love you very much Honey."

"I love you too, Mom."

She stood up and left my room. I wonder which house they're going to have us move into...

"You're dad is giving us a house? Best. Wedding present. Ever!" TJ pumped himself up. I did a face palm at his stupidity.

"No Babe, They're letting us move into one of his houses. We have to pay the mortgage by paying him rent. He said something about six-hundred a month." We were sitting outside in my back yard. The leafs were changing to the autumn colours and the air was getting cooler, but warm enough to lounge outside with some root beer.

"That's not that bad. My sister and her husband are paying twelve-hundred for their house." TJ said, sitting down next to me in the grass.

"And I have a cousin paying the same as your sister, but he lives in an apartment in the city." I tipped my glass in his direction like I was being fancy or something.

TJ scooted closer to me and rubbed my belly.

"You know, at this stage, they're developing the sense to hear. A lot of the books I'm reading suggest playing music or singing to him or even talking to him can help with his learning development when he's born."

TJ stared at me like I spoke Russian, which I can't.

"Talking to the belly with the baby in it helps the baby." I said slower.

"Oh!" He looked at my stomach and smile. He laid his head on the bump and rubbed. "Hey Charlie, it's me, Daddy. I love you very much son. And I cannot wait to meet you." Suddenly, TJ's watch started beeping.

"Work?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbows.

"Yeah, I got to go," he kissed the top of my head and stood up. "I love you Sugar. I'll call you when I get home."

"Hey, tell your mom the plan," I called after him. He waved and jumped my fence to his truck. I watched him pull out and drive away. That's my fiancé.

"Well he seems like he'll make a great daddy. He is the daddy, isn't he?" I groaned, know very well who was standing behind me.

"Yes, Nick. He's the dad. What do you want." Geez, this guy was like that annoying neighbor kid that always thought he was cooler than everyone. Kind of like Randall.

"Nothing, I was just strolling about when I saw you and your boyfriend out here. He took off before I could introduce myself."

"Don't bother, we won't be here long enough for you two to even have a full conversation." I mumbled.

"What do you mean?" He asked, sitting on the grass cross-legged.

"It doesn't matter."

"What's up Spinelli," something about his voice made me look up, like he was actually concerned for my feelings. I sighed, giving in.

"My parents are making us move into one of my dad's houses. I'm not sure which one though, he owns a lot of property."

"Well, that should be good for you, right?"

"I've never been on my own before. I just graduated four months ago." I take a sip of my soda. "Want one?"

"No thanks. So you're only eighteen?"

I looked up at him.

"Yeah, how old do I look?"

Nick shuffled uncomfortably.

"I don't know, twenty-one, twenty-two maybe."

"But I'm so small!"

"Not any more..." He said, referring to my baby belly.

"Thanks, ass."

Nick laughed and patted my shoulder.

"You'll do fine, kid."

"Kid? How old are you?"

He stood up and stretched his arms up over his head, lifting his shirt up, revealing his stomach. He had to have worked out, because all I saw was a chiseled six pack. He released and looked down at me.

"How old do I look?"

I looked him up and down and came up with my number.

"Twenty-four."

"Oh that's cute, but no. twenty. But thanks for the complement."

"Yeah, no problem." I tried to stand up but couldn't get the right momentum to hoist myself to my feet.

"Here, let me help," Nick reached his hand out to me. I suddenly got a strange feeling, like I should refuse the offer. But if I did that, I would be stuck here until Mom got home from work, which was in about seven hours. So I took his hand and instantly felt warm. I mean, it was warm outside, but this kind of warm came from the inside. He pulled me up and smiled down at me. He was a good two feet taller than me.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem. I guess I'll see you around Spinelli," He pulled his hand out of mine and walked away. I shook the feeling out of me and glared at him. Nick Riley, stay out of my life.