Chapter Twenty Nine.

Nick.

"You're joking right?" Joe asked laughing at me.

I leaned back on my chair shaking my head looking between my brothers deadly serious.

"No."

I glanced at Joe who was now just staring at me taking onboard what I'd just said, his mind slowly ticking away. I redirected to Kevin who looked contemplative tapping his pen against the desktop a few times before nodding.

"I think it's a good idea, for Danielle anyway." He announced nodding.

"So you'll float the idea to her?" I asked eagerly.

Kevin stood picking up his paperwork evening it out on the desk, "Sure Nick, Danielle does always complain about how bored she is at home. I think it's a great idea, Dani loves Miley." We both turned to Joe who grimaced.

"Nick bro, I understand, I get it and hell I like the idea but…"

Joe shrugged, "Demi is, how can I explain it? Possessed at the moment." He murmured, "And by that I mean she is a complete emotional liability and sleep deprived. I just don't think she could handle that and Holly and Me." Joe stated slowly as I nodded in agreement planning this out already.

"Exactly, Demi is stuck at home with my niece constantly. She needs a break and who better to trust with Holly then Danielle and Miley as helping hands?" I suggested seriously, "The baby can be in the back room, we'll set up a temporary nursery and they can all work the hours they want-"

"This all sounds good in theory Nick, it does." Joe stated carefully, "And I mean it would be great for Miley to spend time with a baby before you have Lucy 2.0, but I really don't want to be the one to suggest it to Demi. She'd turn it around on me and somehow make it sound like it was my evil plan to get her a job."

"Well it is a job Joe."

"Not really, it's a florist, it's more like a hobby."

"A hobby that my wife is profiting from and enjoys." I snapped at him, "Look even just for the short term? Miley needs this."

"Sorry I have a meeting." Kevin announced heading towards the door, "But I'll tell her tonight promise Nick. It's a great idea. "

I focused on Joe as he looked at me pained, "Nick…." He whispered.

"Fine I'll ask Demi, but do you think it's a good idea?"

He nodded at me, "Hell yeah Nick, it's a fantastic idea. Anything to get her away from me right now is a good idea."

"Trouble in paradise?" I asked concerned.

Joe shook his head, "Screaming and vomiting baby in paradise makes it more like a constant semi conscious nightmare." He whispered, "I love her, I love both of them, but here at work it's an amazing break."

I laughed at him as Joe smirked, "Don't chuckle at me brother, remember your wife is pregnant now too. Any major mood swings yet?" My laughter instantly died as I swallowed.

"Well apart from the initial, not really. She seems happy."

"Seems…" Joe whispered standing up, "It's when you least expect it, they just snap."

"You're making it sound like a horror movie."

"It is, well with Miley it will be."

"Are you insulting my wife?"

"No I'm stating a fact, be prepared" Joe announced,

I rolled my eyes as Joe looked down at me, "I have a conference call with a vineyard manager in Napa Valley so if you want this whole Demi working with Miley thing to work you're going to have to tell Demi yourself because I'm not getting on board that sinking ship." He announced slapping me on the back, "But good luck with it, okay?"

Joe turned and hastily walked out leaving me alone in the empty office room. I spun the chair around 180 degrees considering their reactions not at all surprised. I'd expected both. The idea was simple and obvious to me. Demi and Danielle working with Miley at the florist. I knew it was obviously going to be more complex in the long term, but right now it was a short and sweet solution to keeping my wife's emotions and wellbeing in check. She needed the florist.

"Nick?"

I turned to see dad at the door frowning at me,

"A word?"

I nodded sitting up straight, "Sure, what's up?" I asked carefully.

Dad walked in leaning up against the desk, "Well I know things are better between all of us, well to an extent, but your mother she wants to make things more official." I listened nodding. Dad pinched his lips closed looking out the window, "Frankie's birthday is next week, you know that right?"

I didn't speak but nodded as dad smiled, "Well your mom thought it would be a good opportunity to have all the family around, and by that I mean the Stewart's too if they're available. We haven't seen them in a while, and seeing there was no official wedding party we thought it would be a good opportunity for people like me to completely wrap my head around everything."

"Dad, Miley and me are married we're having a kid if you haven't accepted that-"

"I have," He cut off, "I have Nick okay? But your mom wants this."

I looked at his eager expression and I nodded slowly, "Yeah okay sure dad, just let me ask Mi first. She's not exactly getting along with her sister's right now. But please can we not make a huge deal?" I pleaded and he smiled looking awkward.

"Your mom booked the caterer-"

"Cancel it. We should all bring a plate." I responded staring at him. "If we're going to be a serious family then we might as well start acting like it. No caterer, no fancy table settings, just your casual family get together, what about a barbeque?"

"A barbeque?" Dad asked looking horrified,

"Yep, a barbeque Frankie used to love when we had one." I responded.

"He did," Dad agreed, "But we had someone cooking it for us-"

"We'll cook, and if we burn the steak or whatever then we'll accept it." I stated smiling at him, "It'll be fun okay?"

Dad looked at me disgruntled but nodded, "Fine, but you tell your mother."

"I'll add it to my list of people I have to call and break the news too."

Dad gave me a confused look just as my phone started blaring. I pulled it out glimpsing at the name on the screen as I smiled seeing my wife's name. Dad must have seen to as he gave me a look with raised eyebrows,

"Your first appointment is today isn't it?" He asked as I nodded.

"Yep, at three."

Dad nodded, "Well good luck, I'll see you later."

I nodded pressing accept giving him a wave as he left the office. I opened my mouth to greet Miley only to hear a huff

"Where are you?" She snapped as I froze.

"At work?" I whispered nervously, "Why? What-"

"You said you only had to grab some paperwork and that you'd be home soon." Miley yelled angrily, "I mean it's been two hours Nick, and I know it only takes twenty minutes for you to drive there so technically you should have been back here at home with me…about an hour ago. So why are you still at work?" I felt my mouth open realizing what this was. It was the beginning of the next seven or so months of my life with her.

"Miley, hun," I whispered calmly, knowing she'd calm down eventually. "I'm leaving now, I promise. Do you want me to get you lunch or-"

"No I don't want lunch! I've been sick all morning, why would I want lunch?"

"I was just asking!" I hissed frustrated.

"Don't use that tone with me! God Nick…I just…" She stopped huffing, "I mean if you aren't around now, will you be when I need you or-"

"Miley." I rolled my eyes shaking my head, "Of course I will be, just go lie down okay?" I suggested very carefully. "Get some sleep and I'll be home in no time, then we'll go the doctor."

There was silence for a moment until finally she sighed, "Okay, bye."

"Love you-"

The line went dead as I bit my tongue knowing well enough she'd hung up on me hearing what I'd said. She was mad now, but going off Demi's moods she'd probably be over it by the time I got home. In saying that I didn't want to risk it, I was grabbing lunch, a coffee and flowers before heading home because right now keeping her happy was my main priority.

Miley.

"You okay?"

I tapped my index finger against the plastic chair staring a head at a heavily pregnant woman. How the hell was I going to cope being like that? I chewed on my lip sitting in the waiting room a complete and utter nervous wreck. All around me sat women who looked so much calmer then me, and completely in control while I just felt a horrible mess compared to them.

"Miley are you okay?" Nick repeated as I turned to him nodding,

"Yeah…" I trailed off looking away, "Yeah, I'm just…I guess I'm nervous."

His hand moved over grabbing mine mid tap, entwining our fingers. "It's okay to be scared about this, you know that right?" He asked me quietly as I fidgeted in my chair, "This is a big deal."

"No one else looks as worried as I feel." I whispered turning to Nick.

He gazed around and turned back to me, "Notice the fact all of them are at least three months pregnant Mi, of course they're not as nervous as you, they've been here before, they've already accepted what's going to happen. You're allowed to be freaking okay?" I looked around and nodded in agreement, "Plus I'm sure all of them felt like you are at some point, I know Selena did."

I frowned hearing him mention her, "I'm not like Selena." I snapped.

Nick nodded, "I know that, I'm just saying-"

"Don't compare us." I hissed, "I'm not like her Nick."

"No, no you're not." Nick responded with attitude.

I felt the anger flourish as I turned to him completely annoyed, "What's that supposed to mean?" I questioned, as he looked at me confused, "What was that tone you just gave me, are you implying that you'd rather I act like her."

"What?" Nick hissed wide eyed, "No, why would-"

"The way you said it, you-"

"Gray, Miley."

I closed my mouth looking up to see a woman standing there holding a notepad looking around the room. I reluctantly stood up as her eyes focused on me and more importantly Nick, "The doctor will see you now." She stated smiling cheerfully at my husband, too cheerfully for my liking.

Nick got up to as he gave me a frown pulling me forward. I followed him up to the woman who continued to smile specifically at Nick as she guided us down the hallway. She finally stopped at the end opening the door for us,

"The doctor will be with you soon,"

"Thank you," Nick responded grinning at her,

I pinched my lips closed giving her a dirty look as the flirty little lip tilt fell from her face in a second. I heard Nick sigh as he pulled me into the doctor's room closing the door.

"Did you see that?" I hissed, "The way she was looking at you-"

"Miley, babe she was just being friendly."

"No, no she wasn't, God what a whore-"

"Miley, stop." Nick hissed at me.

I looked at him insulted pulling my hand away taking a seat. Nick huffed and sat down beside me as I kept my lips sealed feeling frustrated. First Selena now he was going to let some skank receptionist flirt with him? Was this just the start? Would I end up just like Selena? I closed my eyes feeling emotionally crippled; everything seemed to be consuming me. I felt so damn angry today.

"You look in pain." Nick noted after a moment, "You okay?"

"I said I was fine." I hissed through gritted teeth.

"Okay, tell me if you're not okay? I love you." He added on the end.

I moved my hand up pinching the bridge of my nose realizing. This is what it felt like, I hadn't realized but this was a mood swing. I was angry but now I really thought about it this wasn't a big deal, yet it felt gigantic.

"I love you too." I whispered.

The door opened as I looked up to see a middle aged woman with a tight bun, stethoscope and white coat making her looking utterly like the definition of a professional doctor. She walked over grinning offering her hand as we both stood up,

"Mr. and Mrs. Gray it's a pleasure to meet you I'm Jane Hunter, I couldn't believe it when my receptionist Jenny told me another Gray had called and asked for an appointment. I only just got rid of Demetria." She joked shaking both of our hands motioning for us to take our seats,

"Yeah well it came as a bit of a surprise to us too." Nick murmured.

The doctor looked at us with raised eyebrows as I looked down, "So I'm assuming you think your pregnant Miley." I looked up nodding at her,

"Yeah, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive so…"

She looked at me and smiled calmly, "You seem worried?"

"She is," Nick cut in,

"I'm not," I stated looking at him, "I'm just…I think I'm having a bad day."

Doctor Hunter smiled again and nodded picking up her pen, "Completely normal don't worry, some days you feel like every single little thing is going to create the end of the world next day nothing could be more perfect." She explained.

"Exactly," I responded wishing I understood my body right now.

"Well this all sounds very definite, but I think before we talk about anything else we should check and see if you are indeed pregnant. You okay with doing an ultrasound?" She asked casually standing up as I nodded getting up too.

"Yeah, yeah of course. Can Nick come too?" I asked.

She nodded, "Of course he can,"

I turned to Nick who grinned taking my hand again as the doctor opened a side door as we both eagerly followed, "So any other major symptoms apart from being emotionally charged?" Doctor Hunter asked as we walked into a smaller room that was obviously set up just for ultrasounds.

"Yeah morning sickness, constantly."

Her face fell apologetic; "Yeah I know that can be hard too, but it'll get better once you hit the three month mark. Now could you lay down for me and pull your top up?" She asked as I nodded moving onto the bed.

"And what about you? How are you doing?" She asked Nick.

He laughed nodding, "Okay I guess, I'm excited but worried."

"Good, a bit of both is exactly what you want at this stage."

The Doctor Hunt turned to the electrical equipment as I looked up at Nick who squeezed my hand sitting down beside me. "You excited?" He mouthed as I looked down at my bare stomach nodding.

"Okay so I'm going to apply the gel and these electrodes which monitor heart rates then we'll see what we can find, are you both ready?" She asked looking between us with a grin that almost made me feel like she was excited too.

"Yep, we're ready." Nick confirmed squeezing my hand tightly. I felt the nervous smile spreading across my face as she applied the gel knowing that this was it, I was about to see my baby for the first time.

"Okay let's have a look…"

I watched the screen biting my lip as Doctor Hunt pressed against my stomach and I stared at the black and white pixelated screen waiting. I didn't see anything though, and I felt everything in me drop as a sickening feeling filled me. I turned to Nick whose grasp on my hand had tightened significantly, only for a noise to suddenly fill my ears. My head spun back to the Doctor who smiled staring at the screen while I listened to the perfect rhythm,

"You hear that?" She asked turning to us, "That is a very healthy baby."

I felt the laugh come out before I could stop myself as I looked at her hopeful,

"It's okay, it's healthy right?" I asked eagerly and she smiled.

"Yes from what I'm seeing it's a good size, you can see it right there…"

Her finger pointed at the screen as I covered my mouth feeling tears fill my eyes an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness flooding through me. "It looks like a peanut." I whispered dropping my hand as the doctor laughed,

"Yep it sure does, a little peanut which is going to be hopefully in your arms by mid next year." I turned to Nick who was smiling so brightly, his eyes finding mine a look of pride in them. He leaned down kissing my forehead twice squeezing my hand,

"Are you happy now?" He asked, "Less nervous?"

I nodded looking back at the screen feeling for the first time ownership, he or she was mine, they always would be and I could feel myself falling in love with them.

"So do you want photos, or is that a stupid question?" Doctor Hunt asked.

I laughed and nodded as she smiled, "Okay well I'll do the photos and then the real fun begins. Get ready for the next seven months they're going to be a rollercoaster."

"We'll be fine." Nick announced confidently looking at me. "I know we will be,"

I nodded in agreement, "I love you."

"I love you too, and our little peanut."

A/N:HAPPY NILEY DAY! So guys next chapter is the official "last chapter" and I'm writing an epilogue which Iluvmileyandliam has basically written for me! (Thank you!) It will be short snippets over the months until baby is born basically so hopefully you enjoy this slowly coming to end :D Sorry for delay= exams= me stressed= me procrastinating :D