"So who do we tell first?"

"Your parents."

"I just feel like we could do better," Duncan began. "I mean we basically know how my parents are going to react, why not tell our friends first? At least their reactions should be varied."

"Yes, let's tell our friends…only to have them tell your parents before we get the chance. That'll go over well I'm sure," Courtney chastised.

"Fine and I'm sure you want to tell them in person, right? Because over the phone is too impersonal."

"You know me so well."

"I'm just that good."

Duncan stood and left the bedroom, presumably to call his parents and let them know they would be stopping by, leaving Courtney to finish writing her e-mail.

Courtney's parents, Scott and Cindy, had abandoned her altogether when she had announced her engagement to Duncan, believing their little girl was making a big mistake and ruining her life. She had been crushed by their rejection, but sent them regular e-mails, that she never got responses to, to keep them up to date on her life. Her parents were miserable human beings, she could admit that much, but they were still her parents and nothing would change that.

Courtney had just hit the send button, when Duncan strolled into the room with an eyebrow quirked up.

"So telling your 'rents the good news?"

"Mmhmm. I think they should know about the possibility of their first grandchild."

"Yeah and people in hell want ice water," Duncan mumbled so Courtney couldn't hear him. The Powell's would always be a bone of contention between them.

"Anyway, I tried to convince Mom to let us come over this weekend, ya know 'cause it's a school night for you, but she insisted we come over tonight for dinner. I couldn't turn her down."

Courtney powered off the computer and walked up to him, planting a quick kiss on his lips and resting her hands on his hips.

"I know sweetie. You're a mamma's boy, but I love you anyway."

"Wow, you sure know how to make a guy feel good about himself."

"It's like a gift. Now put on a nice shirt," Courtney demanded and walked out of the bedroom, slapping his butt on her way out.

"That's sexual harassment!"

"It's not if you like it!"

Sighing, Duncan opened the bedroom closet and began rifling through his shirts.

"I love that woman."

"Oh, hi guys, I've missed you!"

Jane pulled her son and daughter-in-law into the house, practically suffocating them in her bone crushing hugs.

"I haven't seen you two in so long. How are you? What's new?"

"Jane let them breathe first before you start drilling them with questions."

The couple grinned at Paul's shouted comment from the other room. Paul only spoke when absolutely necessary, but it was always fun when he did. Duncan and Courtney met up with Paul in the kitchen where he was busying himself by setting the table. When the couple walked in, he looked up and immediately walked over to Courtney pulling her into a tight hug; he was fiercely protective of her and thought of her as the daughter he never had.

"Hello sweetheart."

"Hi Dad," Courtney smiled up at him.

"Yeah, hi Dad. Remember me, your son, Duncan?"

"Don't be rude boy," Paul joked, although his tone made it clear he was at least half serious. "I was getting to you."

Jane chose that moment to make her entrance, ushering Courtney to a seat at the table as she spoke.

"Hope you kids are hungry, we have a lot of food."

"Yeah, your mother went overboard. Again."

"Leftovers are always a good thing, Paul. You two can take home as much as you want, save Courtney some cooking."

"Hey, I cook," Duncan spoke up, sounding offended.

"Ordering Chinese doesn't count as cooking, babe."

That was how the entire dinner went. The family shared stories and laughter, enjoying each others company. It was true that Jane had gone overboard with preparing food. The Greek salad was followed by Jane's famous homemade lasagna and garlic bread and a cheesecake for dessert. As Courtney inhaled her second piece of cake, Duncan decided it was time to tell his parents the real reason they had stopped by.

"So, as much as we love visiting you guys, Court and I actually have something important to tell you. We're going to have a baby."

"Oh a grandchild from my baby! Oh!" Jane was close to spontaneously combusting and ran around the table pulling Courtney from her seat and into her second bone crushing of the evening.

"Oh, how do you feel sweetie?"

"Fine actually. I mean we just found out, I'm only a few weeks along, so nothing to really complain about yet," Courtney explained, swallowing a bite of cake.

"Well it's safe to say your mother and I are very excited for you two and if you need anything you know where to find us," Paul said, patting Duncan on the back.

At the end of the night, as Courtney and Jane were saying their goodbyes, Paul pulled Duncan aside and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"Son I want you to take good care of her, regardless of what may or may not happen. I don't want to see either of you the way you were after the first two…you know."

"I know Dad. We're both praying this works out. I can't stand to see Court upset or hurt or worried, but I know she's terrified of something happening again and it just sucks that I can't do anything to alleviate her fears."

"Well you two are good together. You look out for each other, either way you'll be fine. I'm hoping for the best for you two, you deserve happiness."

"Thanks Dad," Duncan said, giving him a hug goodbye.

"And Duncan, I just want you to know, for the record I think you'll both make great parents. I think you'll be a great father."

"That means a lot Dad, thanks."

"Well, Courtney's already in the car so you should go, but if either of you need anything do not hesitate to call."

"We won't. Bye Dad."

Kissing Jane goodbye, Duncan ran out to the car where Courtney was patiently waiting, seatbelt buckled and ready to go.

"Did Dad give you any good advice?" Courtney questioned.

"More than you could ever know."

The following weekend found Duncan and Courtney standing on the doorstep of Bridgette and Geoff's beach house. In the previous two years the pair had moved from their small apartment, so that Bridgette could be closer to her surf business and to make a larger move towards actual adulthood.

The beach house was beautiful with two levels and large windows overlooking the water. The selling point had been that Geoff's more hardcore party guests could stay on the second level, while the more laidback guests mingled with Bridgette on the first. Geoff's powerboat was on shore, covered with a tarp to protect from the weather. This was the closest the couple would probably ever get to a life of domesticity and they both seemed happy with the arrangement.

The door swung open revealing a beaming Geoff.

"What's up dude and dudette? Glad you made it, come on in!"

The couple walked into the spacious living room where mostly women were talking, drinking, and lounging on the plush furniture.

"As you can see," Geoff began, "most of the dudettes are chilling down here with my best gal, while the dudes are upstairs with me watching the game. Duncan, dude, I finally got that pool table set up too!"

Duncan threw Courtney a withering glance, pouting his lips and nearly batting his eyelashes; Courtney rolled her eyes.

"I don't care if you go play pool with the boys."

"Thanks baby." Duncan kissed her quickly before following Geoff up the stairs to the 'party floor.'

"You've got him trained. I gotta say I'm impressed."

Courtney turned and pulled the owner of the voice into a friendly hug.

"Behind every good man is a woman who's controlling him," Courtney joked. "It's great to see you Gwen, it has been way too long."

"I know! Trent just got finished with his tour, so we were just happy we got here. Come on, grab some grub and we'll catch-up."

It turned out that Gwen and Trent were the only people, aside from Bridgette and Geoff, Courtney knew at the party. Trent had come downstairs, for more alcohol, but had stopped to say 'hello' and to let Courtney know that Duncan was kicking his ass at pool.

"You want another drink?"

"Um, nah, I'm good," Gwen replied. "Courtney, you want anything?"

"No, I can't."

"Oh, okay. Well I'll see you ladies later; I have to return to your husband so he can take more of my money." Trent gave Gwen a lingering kiss before disappearing upstairs.

"So are you on pills or something?"

"No," Courtney hesitated before continuing. "It's just that pregnant women shouldn't drink."

Gwen froze and her eyes widened.

"Shut-up! Holy crap, congratulations!"

"Thanks," Courtney blushed.

"Oh my God, Bridgette, Bridgette come here Courtney needs to tell you something!"

Bridgette made her way from the kitchen to the living room couch, stumbling a little bit as she went, miraculously not spilling her drink in the process. She collapsed in between Gwen and Courtney, putting her feet up on the coffee table.

"What Gwen?" Gwen gave Courtney a pointed look.

"Well, I was hoping to tell you when you were a little more…coherent, but I'm pregnant."

Bridgette stared at her open-mouthed.

"JC Chasez, that's incredible!"

Leaning over so her mouth was level with Courtney's flat stomach, Bridgette began to speak softly.

"Hi baby, it's your Aunt Bridgette. How are you? Are you all warm and cozy and protected in there?"

Courtney raised an eyebrow at Gwen.

"Just let her go. God only knows what'll happen if you ask her to stop."

"A baby? Dude, you're gonna be a dad! You are seriously getting old. How're you feelin'?"

"Slightly sick to my stomach Geoff, now hit the damn ball."

"Please, Courtney's going to be doing all of the work, all you have to do is support her," Trent put in, taking a swig of his beer.

"Well yeah," Duncan agreed, taking his turn at the pool table. "But I'm gonna have do stuff too."

"Holding her hair back as she pukes doesn't take skill, man. Eventually Courtney's gonna start feeling down on herself and it's your job to perk her back up."

"Who are you Dr. Phil? How do you know this stuff?"

"I have two older sisters and I'm an uncle to five. There's no way I'd have made it this far in life if I didn't learn a thing or two," Trent explained.

"You just officially moved to number one on my speed dial."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone! And if you're adding it to your faves. and haven't reviewed...I'd love to hear from you! :D Just a side note, as the story progresses anything that seems out of character, especially with Duncan, is on purpose. The possibilty of becoming a parent is a lifechanging one...so you do and say things that you wouldn't normally.