Chapter 21 :)

With a gentle hand placed on top of her 6 month pregnant belly, Miley took her time getting down the stairs of her house as when heard the doorbell ring. She had been anticipating the ring for a few hours and was more than happy when the jingle filled her ears.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she quickly made her way to the door, flinging it open. "Hey, Nick." She smiled brightly at her boyfriend who was at the door. She then stepped back, making room for him to get through.

"Hey, Miles," he said, leaning in to give her a kiss. He kissed her softly before pulling away and scoping the room a bit He was a little nervous, something in which his facial expression promptly gave away. He had been called over by Miley to have dinner with her family so they all could get to know each other. They had never had a real conversation face to face, no matter how untrue that sounded. It just never occurred.

Miley grabbed his tense hand, squeezing it to reassure him that there was no reason to be nervous. "I have to finish changing but first we have to let me parents know you're here." Miley proceeded to drag her reluctant boyfriend down the hall of the foyer, past the living room and into the kitchen.

When the pair walked into the kitchen they immediately caught the attention of Billy Ray and Tish who were situated at the kitchen table, quietly having an intimate conversation to themselves.

"Nick's here," Miley spoke lamely, being that it was quite obvious. She rolled her eyes in annoyance when she heard Nick chuckle from beside and gave his hand a firm squeeze.

It was her father that was the first to speak up at he stood and made his way over. Billy Ray put his hand out, expecting Nick to shake his hand. "It's nice to finally meet the guy who's gotten my daughter pregnant," he said in such curt manner that Nick was caught by surprise; not only by his words but how he said them.

"Okay, dad, we're gonna head upstairs, just let us know when dinner's ready. Thank you." The brunette have her father a warming look. Billy Ray dropped his hand while Nick gave a small wave to Tish who easily returned the gesture with a soft smile.

Miley and Nick had barely left the room before Miley released a loud huff, irritated by her father's behavior towards Nick. "Nick, I'm sorry about him."

Nick pulled Miley over to the side near the bottom of the stairs and pulled her into him, resting his hands on her hips. "It's all good, Miles," he spoke truthfully, peering into her bright eyes . "I understand, he's your dad, that's what they're like."

Miley didn't drop the gaze as she slouched, still not happy about her father. "But he shouldn't be like that. I just hope you guys will be able to get along over dinner since you're going to be moving in. They've already agreed, I just don't want your stay here being awkward, Nick."

"It's gonna go fine." Nick was trying to stay on the positive side. He'd come through the door nervous and Billy Ray hadn't made his nerves much better but he didn't want Miley to worry at all about him so he stayed calm.

Scoffing, Miley took one of Nick's hands off of her waist, pulling him towards the stairs and up them. "If you say so." She cooperated when Nick placed his hand on the small of her back and one on her hip as he assisted her on walking up the stairs. She greatly appreciated the help Nick was there to give her already that she couldn't wait for her baby to be there and witness how good of a father she was positive her boyfriend was going to be.

"What are you smiling about?" came Nick's voice, knocking her out of her small daydream. Miley took in her surrounding, becoming conscious of the walls of her bedroom around her. She took a seat on her bed and lay back on it, her hand automatically sat on her protruding stomach.

"You."

Nick copied her actions, resting on the bed next to her. He grinned happily at her easy answer to his question. "What about?" he asked, not expecting the answer he was about to receive.

"How good of a daddy you're going to be," she expressed her thoughts in a soft voice with a content sigh. She felt Nick's arm fall over her stomach and his head snuggle into her neck causing her to giggle.

"Well, you're going to be a good mommy." He smiled against her skin, meaning his words.

"Hmm." Miley closed her eyes, resting her hand on Nick's arm and rubbed it. "I hope so," she mumbled.

Nick slowly removed his arm, using them to haul himself up onto his elbows to observe Miley's relaxed face. "I'm positive you will be because I love you and have faith in you."

A grin slowly formed its way on Miley's face as her eyes fluttered open. "I love and have faith in you too," Miley said. She felt herself get a bit overwhelmed of the love she felt right then and there for the man before her. Their love was radiating through the room, it felt amazing to the two of them., neither of them wanted to let go of it.

After minutes of continuously staring into each others eyes, Miley remembered why they had come up to her room in the first place and blinked her eyes, sitting up.

"What are you doing?" asked Nick with a confused expression.

"I have to get ready remember? We're eating dinner soon."

"Oh," was all Nick replied with as he watched his girlfriend rise from the bed and made her way over to her dresser. He paid attentive attention to her while she picked out a pair of sweat pants and a form-fitting top before making her way into the bathroom.

"I'll be right out," Miley stated right before disappearing behind her bathroom door.

Just as Nick was about to lay back onto the bed, someone came running into the room, startling him greatly.

"Miley!" the person exclaimed but soon their voice faded out as the realized Miley wasn't in the room. "Where's auntie Miley?" Dylan asked, pouting at the person.

Nick stared at the kid in front of him, not sure of who he was but judging by the fact that he was referring to Miley, he figured this had to be Miley's nephew. "Um, hi..."

"Where's my auntie?" Dylan's eyebrows were pressed inwards while he folded his arms, wondering what this guy was doing in his aunt's room.

Nick pointed towards the bathroom. "She's in there changing." Nick got to his feet and knelt down to the child's level, putting his hand out. "I'm Nick, Miley's boyfriend, and you are?"

Dylan nervously eyed Nick's hand, not knowing whether or not he should shake it. But before he could even make a decision, Miley finally exited the bathroom. She was shocked to see her nephew in her room.

"Dylan, what are you doing here?" she questioned as she threw her clothes in her dirty clothes hamper. She tied her hair in a tight ponytail and waited for Dylan to answer with a hand placed on her stomach.

"Mommy brought me home and told me to come play with you," he responded cheerfully.

"Is your mom here?" Miley somewhat hoped she wasn't; she still wasn't ready to speak to her.

Dylan promptly shook his head slowly. "No, mommy said she had to go somewhere," he said, feeling sad that his mother had left him. Miley, in response to his words, shook her head also. Of course she would leave him, she spat in her head.

Miley pursed her lips and shook her head, looking down at Dylan. "Oh, well, do you wanna go see grandma and grandpa? We're going to have dinner soon..." Miley did her best to force a soft smile on her face as she spoke to her nephew, not wanting him to pick up on her mood.

Dylan nodded hastily, quickly leaving the room. Miley giggled softly at his eagerness when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind and a head rest on her shoulder, kissing the crook of her neck.

Nick let his hands roam the front of her stomach as he uttered, "You look beautiful," into his girlfriend's ear, causing her to shiver with butterflies. He noticed her blush and laughed softly to himself while she placed her hands on top of his. He absolutely meant what he said though. He always thought she looked wonderful especially with the top that showed off her growing stomach, and he knew he never told her enough.

Miley curved her neck to get a glimpse of Nick and bit her lip shyly. "Well, thank you."

Nick nodded without a word and leaned back up, pulling on Miley's hand to turn her around just as they heard Tish's voice, letting them know that dinner was ready to be served.

"No problem." He grinned at her. "Now, come on. Dinner is ready." He proceeded to pull Miley along with him, out of the room and down the stairs. Miley trailed behind him, keeping a tight grip on his hand as they made their way into the kitchen.

Her parents were sat at the dinner table and Dylan was sitting in a booster seat, happily waiting for his aunt to come so they could eat.

"Hi auntie Miley," Dylan exclaimed, smiling widely.

"Hey Dylan..." Miley replied slowly, her focus being on her father who was silently eying Nick. "Hey mom, dad." She glared at her dad for half a second before looking at Nick.

Nick gave a polite smile before he and Miley went and took at a seat at the table. Because there weren't enough bodies to fill up the entire table, Nick and Miley sat across from Billy Ray and Tish, Nick across from Billy Ray, Miley across from her mom, and Dylan on the end.

"Hi Nick, nice of you guys to come and join us, now we can eat" Tish greeted him with a warming smile on her face. Unlike her husband, she didn't have anything against Nick. Like any other parent, she wasn't happy with the decision that her daughter and Nick had made, but she chose to be a supporting mother and at least come to terms with it.

Nick nodded his head at her. "Hello, Mrs. Cyrus." He glanced at Billy Ray whose face was hard and emotionless. "Mr. Cyrus. Oh and Dylan," Nick said, recalling Miley calling him Dylan a few times. He received a smile back from Dylan, which made his smile for some reason.

After dinner started, the group (except for Dylan who was taking a nap) was now beginning to have some conversations in which were making Miley a bit nervous. This was the time that Nick would really have to make a good impression on her parents. She really wanted them to get along because there was nothing more that she wanted than for her son to be born into a family that got along. With that thought, she subconsciously began rubbing her stomach.

"So, how are you guys doing?" asked Tish, genuinely interested in hearing the answer.

"We're going really good, mom," Miley informed her with a grin, relaxing in her chair a bit.

"I'm really glad to hear that. And Nick, how's packing coming along?"

"Um, I'm just about done, I just have a few more things to get packed. I want to thank the both of you for letting me come and stay, I appreciate it a lot." Nick grabbed Miley's hand and hesitated a bit before continuing, "I love Miley and my unborn son with everything, I'm just glad that I don't have to be away from them."

Miley bit her lip as she fought to keep tears from falling out of her eyes at Nick was saying. She rarely ever heard Nick speak what he felt, and to hear him tell her parents that made her so happy.

Miley rose from her chair, and hugged Nick tightly, not wanting to let go. "We love you too, Nick." She felt Nick pat her back a few seconds later and heard him mumble that he loved them too before pulling away. Miley sat back down in her chair and faced her parents.

Tish felt herself holding back tears at the undeniable love she hadn't realized the couple had for each other. And doubts she had previously were washed away with confidence that they were going to make it.

Suddenly, Billy Ray cleared his throat very loudly, gaining attention from everyone. The sight he'd just witnessed was a bit much for him. Whether or not he wanted to admit, his daughter was growing up, she did have another man in her life that held her heart and would have another one in no time, he was scared to lose his daughter.

"Now, the both of you do understand that when this baby comes, he will be your number 1 priority," Billy Ray started out getting straight to the point. He, like his wife, saw the two teens had but before he made any recognition to that, he had to make the two of them knew what was ahead of them.

Nick and Miley nodded. "Of course," the chorused.

"Good. And there will not be a repeat of what happened at Denise and Paul's house any-"

"You know about that?" Miley interrupted with wide eyes, shocked.

"Sadly, yes. I will allow you guys to share a room, but none of that happens in this house anytime soon, y'all don't need another baby." He lowered his brows, staring at them with a stern look. "Understand?"

The brunette folded her arms and mumbled to herself, not saying a word to her father while Nick actually answered.

"We understand, Mr. Cyrus, don't we, Miles?" Nick asked, tight-lipped.

"Of course, daddy, any other rules?" Miley inquired sarcastically.

Billy Ray looked back and forth between them, noticing how close they were and shook his head silently, officially ending the conversation.

Miley grinned, relieved, but didn't fail to notice the gleam in her father's eyes. Her face noticeably softened when she saw how...sad, he looked. She couldn't help but rise up from her chair, making her way over to her father.

She leaned down, and wrapped her arms around his neck, mumbling, "I love you so much, daddy." Miley felt her dad reciprocate the hug, tightening his grip around her back. Figuring they needed their time, Nick and Tish left the room.

He pulled back from the hug. "Love you too, darlin'."

Miley took what used to be her mom's seat and sat closely to her dad, resting her head on his shoulder. "I-I'm sorry."

Surprised, Billy Ray looked down at Miley who was looking downwards towards her stomach. "What? Mile-"

Miley averted her gaze up towards her father. "No, dad. I'm sorry. Sorry because I let all of this happen. I'm sure this is hurting you, I know it's affecting everyone around us, but I can't do anything about it." She frowned.

Billy Ray wrapped a careful arm around his daughter, gently rubbing her back. He let his eyes slip close, taking in the embrace. It was one they both missed. He hated seeing his daughter sad. All he wanted was to have his children be happy and he saw that Miley was, there was no way he was gonna have that be taken away from her.

"I don't want you to do anything about it," he mumbled into her hair. "I just want you to be happy Miles." He pulled away. "You're decision obviously wasn't the best but that's in the past. What I want from you now to be the best mother you can be to my grandson." A smile rose onto his face. "Something I know you will achieve."

A soft giggle escaped the teen's mouth as she wiped a couple of tears away and nodded. "I hope so, but I think with Nick here to help, I'll get through it."

Billy Ray adjusted his focus so it was on his lap. "Yeah..." he spoke softly, "Nick will be here to help you..."

Miley frowned and lifted his head to get a better glimpse of her father. "Dad, you are more than welcome to lend us a hand. Just because I'm having a baby with Nick doesn't mean I'll forget you, there's no need to be jealous," she joked, trying to brighten her father's mood.

Billy Ray chuckled lightly and gave Miley a gentle squeeze."I know, it's just taking a while to get used to all of this. But I'm sure this is a while lot harder on you and Nick so I'll just let you prepare for this baby and do what you gotta do to make it through the rest of the school year. Okay?" He lifted his eyebrows in question.

Nodding, Miley dealt with the small struggle of trying to get up from her chair. "Of course, daddy." She took the offer of Billy Ray's hands which were in front of her as he helped her up. "Thanks."

"No problem, Miles."

Miley left her dad in the kitchen with a pleased smile on her face. She'd felt as though she'd made a breakthrough with her father and knew that he being mad over her pregnancy was just one aspect in her life she didn't have to worry about as much. Now, if only she could make sure her father and Nick really got along. But for now, she was content enough with the fact that they didn't dislike one another.

How was it? Hopefully good enough to review and I know it's been forever and I have no excuse, just a plain old sorry :/