We arrived at my parents' house right on time. We had about 2 hours before everyone would start arriving. My family welcomed John with open arms and since we had such a long drive, John and I both decided to nap before the party started.

Once the party started, I introduced John to my grandpa and the rest of the family.

"So this is John?" my grandpa said shaking John's hand.

"Yeah." I smiled.

"It's nice to meet you." John said with a smile.

I stood listening to their conversation for a few minutes.

"So John, let me show you around." I said pulling him away.

My grandpa smiled and continued to greet the rest of the newly arrived family members as I pulled John into the office.

"Nice place. He seems happy." John said looking out the window.

I nodded. "Yeah, but grandpa's doing fine. Everyone misses grandma, but it's so nice to finally have our huge family get together like we always did when she was still here."

Thinking about grandma upset me. I started to get teary eyed. I wish she was here. She'd be so happy and proud of me.

"Hey" John said quietly as he ran his hand up and down my back in a soothing way. "I know it's hard and I know you miss her, but try to have a good time. Everyone here has missed you, so just enjoy your time here before we have to go."

"I know. I miss them too and I wanna have fun while at home, but what am I gonna do?" I whispered back now looking at John.

He had a puzzled look on his face.

"The baby." I whispered. "What do I tell everyone? How do I tell my parents? I don't want to do this by myself. I can't do this by myself."

I began to panic. It was all setting in. What if my parents got upset and didn't want or care about this baby? But they're my parents. They would support me no matter what…I hope.

We faced each other. John now had both hands massaging my back before he stopped just below my shoulder blades. "You're not going to do this by yourself. What makes you think that?"

"I just thought that I'd have my mom through the whole pregnancy and have her be there to help me…before the baby is born and after…you know?" I said sadly.

John frowned. "I get that it's hard for you not having family, especially your mom, in Stamford, but you have me. I'm always going to be here for you."

"Promise?"

He chuckled. "I promise."

He pulled me into a hug. I held him tightly. He made me feel so good and took all the bad thoughts away until I heard my sisters voice.

"Acelynn, quit hogging John. Mom and dad want to talk to him some more." My younger sister Macy said.

John laughed as I pouted. He let me go and smiled at me.

"Go…" I said. "I'll make you a drink."

He smiled. "You know what I like."

I started to make John a drink when a few of my cousins walked into the office. We talked for a while about our latest accomplishments and how I was doing out in Stamford. They also asked me about John, but so was everyone else. They all wanted to know about the handsome man I brought home with me.

After awhile I finally found John talking to my dad and my uncle.

"Here." I said handing John his drink.

He grinned. I know it had been like 20 minutes, but I got caught up with other relatives.

"I know, but I kept getting stopped. I'm very popular today and so are you." I said.

John just laughed. "Thanks."

"Ace…" My dad said looking up at me.

"What?"

"So I hear some girls at the office have been giving you a hard time." He began.

"Yeah?"

"And you're just going to let them get away with it?"

"Well what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

My dad was a very kind person, but he wouldn't stand for any crap either.

"Don't let them walk on you. Stand up for yourself." He encouraged.

I nodded. "I know dad. I just try to ignore it mostly, but I won't."

"Don't let her start any fights now." My dad said to John.

"Don't worry. I'll keep my eye on her." John smiled and then winked at me.

"Acelynn can be full of piss and vinegar when she gets mad or doesn't get her way." My dad added.

John chuckled as I pouted again. "Well I've started to see that side recently."

"I'm sure you will if you spend more time with her." My dad laughed. "With that face…" he pointed at me. "You'll probably see it right now. She'll probably run out there and tell her mother."

I turned around and went out to the kitchen where all the women were gathered including my mom, sister, aunts, cousins and their kids.

"John seems really nice." My aunt Pat smiled.

"He is." I said sitting down at the table. "He's an amazing friend."

"How long have you known each other?" My cousin Sarah asked.

"Umm…" I began. I hoped to kind of avoid this question and get away with lying and saying I knew him longer, but telling the truth was probably the best. "About 4 months."

"Oh…" they nodded.

Once the questioning was over, it was time to eat. Everyone ate and visited for a while. Then John and I were left with my parents, sister, grandpa and my aunt and uncle and the cousins that lived across the street.

We opened gifts and talked more about my job and John's adventures in the business, when John said he thought it would be a good time to give my parents their gift.

John stood up from the couch and handed the small package to my mom.

She took it and read the gift tag that said from Acelynn and John.

She showed it to my dad and they both looked at us and smiled as John sat back down next to me. I began to feel really nervous. John took and rubbed the back of my hand as we watched my parents for their reactions. Once again in the situation of having to tell someone about my pregnancy, I felt nauseous and my hands were clammy.

My mom carefully unwrapped the frame as they both stared at the picture.

"What is it?" my dad asked as they both looked at us.

I bit my bottom lip and swallowed hard.

"Acelynn and I are….having a baby." John said, now with the whole family's attention.

The room fell silent as I began to feel more nervous. The tension in the room definitely made me feel like this wasn't going to be a happy announcement.

My mom took a deep breath.

"Omg." My sister said under her breath.

"A baby?" my dad said shocked. "I thought you only met a few months ago?"

"4 months ago." I said quietly.

"And how far along are you?" my mom asked.

I dropped my head down and whispered. "About 4 months."

"Acelynn Marie!" my mom yelled.

I knew this would happen. I wanted my parents to be happy, not yell at me like I was a little girl. I felt the tears begin to fall and John squeezed my hand tighter.

"How could you do this?" She added. "These past 4 months you never mentioned a thing about it."

"Mom…" I said quietly. "I thought it was just better to tell you rather than to call or send you an email."

"And you told us that he was married when you met." My mom said.

"I was." John said calmly. "My ex-wife and I started the divorce process a week after Acelynn and I met."

My dad shook his head in disappointment. I felt horrible, but John held his head high.

"Acelynn…" my mom said now more calmly. "I just can't believe what you got yourself into. You have a good career, you were making it good on your own, and now…."

I looked at John with tears streaming down my face. I felt so ashamed and I could see the hurt in his eyes.

"I know…." I said.

"I thought we talked about this. Most of your friends have children and look what happened. Most of them are now single and are without a job." My mom said.

"Mom, I know…" I began as I wiped my tears. "We didn't mean for this to happen…" I looked at John as I stood up. "But we're happy. John has been so supportive and I'm not going to end up like my friends. I'm going to keep my job and John is not going to leave. He is going to be in his child's life."

"Acelynn…I'm sure John will be as supportive as he can, but what happens when he's on the road all the time? Or when he…" my dad added.

I shook my head and ran out the door. I couldn't listen to any more.

I ran out in to the cold winter air as tears trickled down my face. I pulled out my cell and quickly called the one person I could depend on.