Chapter 43:

Denise, Paul and Danielle all came through the door, big smiles on their faces as Danielle placed a teddy bear into the hospital provided crib. Denise placed a couple of balloons next to the sofa, where Nick was sleeping soundly. Danielle sat at the end of the bed, and Denise came over kissing the top of my head, along with Paul.

"I'm sorry that you had to wait until today to come and see us"

"No it's fine sweetie, we understand"

"I feel bad because you were there for me most of the morning and than you had to leave because of visiting hours"

"We completely understand labor is exhausting and you have nothing to explain to us" Denise said pushing the bangs back out of my face and than placing a hand on Peyton's blanket and smiled at me

"So are you going to introduce us to our grand daughter?"

"Well Denise, Paul I would like to introduce you to your grand daughter and Peyton this is your niece Peyton Grace Jonas (Grey)"

"Oh I love the name" Denise said

"Do you mind if I hold her?"

"Yeah of course" I said as Denise leaned down and took her out of my arms and brought her to her own chest cradling her to her own chest.

"I can't tell whose looks she has"

"I was staring at her before you came, while Nick was asleep. I can tell she had my nose, and Nick's eyes shape. She hadn't opened her eyes much, but the nurse said her eye color would most likely change."

"Nick's eyes were grey at first, and now their a deep chocolate brown" I nodded and took a drink of the ice cubes that have now melted.

"Hello Peyton" Denise cooed rocking her in her arms. I watched Peyton's arm move a little in the blanket.

"Her eye's are opened"

"Aw" I laughed a little, and than fixed myself in bed so I was a little more comfortable "She's really pretty" Danielle said leaning over her moms shoulder to take a look.

"How is she doing with the feeding so far?"

"Well at first it was hard to feed her, she wouldn't latch on. But I fed her not to long ago and she was fine"

"That's good, usually it's really hard for a baby to learn how to eat. Danielle wasn't complicated but Nick almost made me give up and just give him formula. But he finally learned and it was fine"

"Can I hold her Denise?" Paul asked coming over and standing next to her

"You sure can grandpa" Denise winked, handing her off to him

"So Nick is a dad now?" Danielle asked getting up from the bed and walking over to Paul.

"Yep" I smiled

"And you are Peyton's mom?" She asked, looking over at me, and I nodded

"I feel sorry for Peyton with Nick being the dad, he can be mean sometimes and grumpy"

I laughed and ruffled her hair "Leave Nicky alone"

"Why who's saying what about me?" I heard a raspy Nick say, and looked over and saw him getting up into a sitting position

"Danielle thinks your serious all the time" Denise explained, sitting next to him on the couch. Nick rolled his eyes and pulled his sister onto his lap. Danielle giggled and leaned back into him.

"Has Robbie Ray and Heather came in yet?"

"Yeah" Nick yawned

"They can early this morning because they'll be back a little later before dinner"

"When do you get released?" Paul asked taking his eyes off of my daughter and looking at me

"Tomorrow, they said I should be good to leave later tomorrow"

"Nick did you run home and grab the over night back for Miley?"

"Yes mom" Nick rolled his eyes and laid his head back Denise patted his leg and Nick looked at her smiling. He than looked up at his dad when Peyton started crying.

"Sounds like someone's awake"

"She might be hungry" I said sitting back a little in the hospital bed

"Well I'll take them to lunch and come back later" Paul said handing me her as she was still crying. Danielle got off Nick's lap and followed Paul out the door. Denise waved and they all walked out the door. I pulled my hospital gown down and lifted Peyton up. I knew as soon as she latched on she would stop.

"I don't think I'll get used to this" I said to Nick, my theory was correct when i heard a drastic sigh come from Peyton and she started feeding.

"It looks like its uncomfortable"

"It's not the best feeling" I shook my head and used my other hand to move my hair onto the other side of my shoulder Nick stood up and walked over to the bed and laid next to me

"You just want to see my boob" I joked

"Do not" He laughed unwrapping her arm from the blanket. Her hand was so tiny compared to his finger.

"I can't believe she's really here" Nick said in awe

"Me either, I'm waiting for her real mom to come take her"

"But their not" Nick smiled

"Taylor and Joe are going to stop by the house on Tuesday. She said she wanted to give us time to get situated with Peyton"

"Sounds good, that's better because of not having to follow hospital visiting hours" I nodded and kept talking to get my mind off the feeling coming from the day old baby eating.

"So what happened at your meeting?"

"I told them, well I called them on my way here and told them you were in labor. Your dad apparently already called them and told them that I had to leave early, so they were okay with it"

"So you still have a job?"

"Yeah they weren't happy at the fact I had to leave early but I still have my job"

"I'm sorry, I tried to wait" I laughed, but Nick shook his head.

"You knew when you called me didn't ya?"

"Yeah..." There was no sense in lying to him now

"I knew it" He groaned "I should of followed my instinct and just called out of the meeting"

"Well I lied, and it's not your fault so let's not talk about it" I smiled and kissed his cheek. Nick got off the hard cold hospital bed. I took Peyton and sat her on my other side of me and held her with my hand, while I covered myself up. I placed my hand on her back and started to pat it. Honestly this was a little awkward. I've hardly been around babies except for Nick's sister when she was a baby. And now here i am with one of my own. I knew I was doing it right but still, I got that feeling that I'm not doing anything right. And I haven't even gone home yet.

"I'm going to head down and get something to eat" Nick said grabbing his wallet

"Do you want something?"

"Uh, maybe a sandwich or something" I smiled "Thanks"

"I'll be back" And with that, he walked out the door. I looked at Peyton's face and saw that she was already fast asleep. I hope that she burped because I didn't here her, and that she ate enough. I mean she would be awake and crying if she didn't. I heard a knock on the door and a head pop in. I was shocked to see Oliver smiled and come in.

"Wow long time no see" I said still in awe that he was standing at the door.

"I know I'm sorry about that" Oliver said standing awkwardly at the bottom of the bed.

"So what's been going on?" What was I supposed to say to him? We used to be so close and now we've grown so far apart. I haven't seen them in so long, and now he's just here "Where's Lilly?"

"That's the thing..." He said coming over and sitting on the chair next to me 'We broke up, I found out that she's been cheating on me"

"Oh my gosh... for how long?"

"I don't know" He said running a hand through his hair "I caught her though. I had taken the baby to the park and took her for a walk. Lilly had insisted that I did. About an hour and a half later I came back and there they were on our couch. I mean it's almost like she wanted to get caught. I took Rachel (I forgot if I named her or not but I changed her name to this) and we are staying at my parent's house. Lilly has her on every other week"

"Wow, I'm so sorry Oliver" I said, still not much I could say that would make this any better

"I'm glad I found out before I decided on the date I would propose to her"

"Aw Oliver" I felt really bad for what he's been through, this didn't even sound like Lilly

"Yeah, and the other day I found out she was pregnant with the other guy's baby"

"What!" I shrieked and I felt Peyton jump a little, and her face scrunched and I knew she was going to cry.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to scare you" Here comes the lungs...I cradled her to my chest and patted her butt a little trying to calm her down. The door opened and Nick came in with a worried face.

"What's she screaming about?" He asked setting down the food on the counter and coming over to the bed.

"I startled her and I can't seem to calm her down" I lifted her up hoping that Nick could calm her down. I watched as he took her in his arms and started to rock her a little.

"Hey" Nick said softly kissing her forehead and her cries started to subside and finally she stopped all together. Nick finally looked up and saw Oliver standing there

"Hey man didn't see you there" Nick said nodding

"It's been a long time"

"I know" Oliver said smiling a little "But I just came to stop by, I've got to go get Rachel from Lilly. Peyton is really beautiful you guys, congrats" He waved, and walked out the door without saying another word. Nick met my eyes and confusion was written on his face.

"Long story short...Lilly cheated on Oliver and he's living with his parents. They have to share Rachel on a every other week schedule. Oh and Lilly is pregnant with the other guy's baby"

"What" Nick said shocked

"My word exactly" I nodded

"Poor guy, no wonder they haven't been around"

"Yeah I know..." I drifted off and thought about how horrible things must be. Which only made realize how thankful I am and how lucky I must be to have a guy like Nick. The

Next Day...

I really didn't want to leave. I know that sounds stupid but I don't think I'm ready. But Nick was at the nurses station signing papers to release us, great. I walked over to the bag and placed my toothbrush in there. I than went over and grabbed my pillow. I really didn't want to forget that. Nick came through the door and a nurse with a wheelchair followed right behind. I hate those things.

"Five minutes, you'll be in it for five minutes" Nick smiled a little

"The cars pulled up in the front, it'll be quick"

"Fine" I mumbled and Nick came and stood in front of me

"I left the car seat in the car. I figured you'd want to hold her" Nick said going over and taking Peyton from the hospital crib and walked over to us. I nodded and took her from him, and sat in the chair. He grabbed the bags and all the stuff and placed it on a cart, so he didn't have to carry it all. Than he placed the gifts on there to.

"You ready?" The nurse smiled backing me out of the room.

No...

"Yep" I said situating her in my arms as we reached the elevator. I started at her, she was finally here and yet I wasn't ready to start playing "house" just yet. The ding of the elevator snapped me out of my thoughts and brought me five floors closer to start of our lives by ourselves and independent with a baby. The nurse rolled me out and Nick following close behind.

The wheelchair stopped and was put in park as Nick went to the car and unloaded everything before making sure the car seat was in check. Thank goodness we had installed it before he went on the business trip and it was already in the car.

"Here I'll take her and put her in the car seat for you" Nick said coming over and lifting Peyton in his arms and placing her gently in the seat and buckling her in. He kissed her forehead before pressing the button to close the door. The nurse had already helped me in and said her good byes before walking into the hospital. Another step to becoming truly independent. Nick went to the other side of the van and opened the door.

"Your going to sit in the back right?" Nick asked as I slowly walked to where he was standing and I nodded.

"Yeah I'll sit next to her" I got in as Nick went to the drivers seat and got into the car. I buckled my seat belt and closed my eyes, trying not to freak out. I heard the van start and I opened my eyes and watched as Nick pulled out of the hospital and watched as another step was taken away.

We were on our own now. I looked over and saw that Peyton was yet again asleep. It was only going to last so long. I really just needed to take a chill pill, I mean I knew what was to come. I needed a better attitude, I had Nick, I had Nick's family, my family and my friends. I could do this on my own, and I was determined to do this and do it right.

"When do you have to go back to work?" I asked Nick as he turned onto the highway

"Well I have a week home, so that means I have to go back to work on Wednesday" I nodded and leaned back in my seat, playing with the end of her blanket. Denise had made a beautiful blanket for Peyton, it was a light green and yellow. I remember Nick having a blanket like this and Danielle to. Denise was always crafty like that, making blankets and scarves. I wish I could do things like that but they wouldn't turn out like that. She even made a hat for us to use when we took her home from the hospital, something that matched what we had picked out. Nick soon pulled into the driveway, and I shockingly wasn't getting nervous. I was anxious more than anything, good attitude Miley.

Nick shut off the car and turned back giving me his perfect smile.

"You ready?"

"Are you?" I asked taking my seat belt off

"I think we're ready"

"Well we're going to have to be ready" I giggled before opening the door and Nick taking the keys out of the engine and opening his door. I went over to the passenger side and took Peyton's car seat out, and Nick was already getting the bag out. I followed him as he unlocked the door and turned the lights on. I looked down and saw that Peyton's eyes were slightly opened, meaning she was somewhat awake. I turned her car seat towards the entrance of the house.

"Welcome home Peyton" But only a couple seconds after I spoke, I heard the claws of Elvis' paws running in. He came around the corner like a bat out of hell and ran to Nick who kneeled and pet him so he'd calm down.

I walked past them and set the car seat on the table and taking Peyton out of the seat and held her in my arms. I walked over to Nick and Elvis and kneeled down a little. I wanted Elvis to get her sent and make it so he wouldn't freak out so bad. Elvis' head snapped from Nick's view and to me. Nick took his collar in his hand before Elvis could run too far.

"Calm down boy" Nick warned as they got closer to us. And soon Elvis was sniffing her out. Nick looked up smiling "He's not doing to bad"

"No" I laughed as Elvis went to lick her face and stood up and he went to jump on my leg and made me stubble a little. Nick helped me by taking Elvis off my leg.

"I think Elvis likes her" Nick smiled coming over and peeking over my shoulder, resting his chin on my shoulder. He put a hand on my waist and ran a hand over Peyton's face. I rested my head on his and closed my eyes.

Wow we sure have grown up.

Well sorry it's taken a lot of time to get this chapter up, but this chapter was so hard to write. I don't like how I ended it either. So forgive me for a suckish chapter. But I really did try. I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. My was good and New York was awesome and my 17th birthday was too.

I am thinking that the story is going to be over by the end of January. Only a couple of chapters left. Every chapter seems like it's getting harder to write. But I've got a couple of things left. Thanks for all the reviews the past chapters. Ten reviews until 800! I am so blessed to have you guys reading my stories so thank you so much. Please review...10 reviews until next chapter thanks again. xo