Note- Thanks polly2010 for your review! :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 18

Jo was shocked and mad. She had recovered and had the delicious dinner prepared by Emily. But she was mad at Seth for scaring her like that. How was she supposed to know she wouldn't give birth to a pup but a normal baby? She didn't know about all this supernatural stuff. Everyone had laughed at her expense later when she was fed and relaxed in Paul's arms. Paul rubbed her back soothingly while the others mocked her but he was seen trying to hide a smile as well.

But now she had to face the new day and the opening of her and Rosie's cafe and the arrival of her mom and the news of Paul with the announcement of her pregnancy. She was overwhelmed beyond words but everyone had been extremely supportive and encouraging. Kim and Emily promised to help out at the bakery. The guys offered their help as well but Jo refused. They'd just finish off everything themselves. There was an after party at the cafe later at night though and they were all invited.

Jo was anxious but she tried to calm herself by thinking of her baby. Kim had warned her against being anxious and stressed. It would cause health problems for both of them. Paul had insisted that he stay with her but she had refused. Emily had warned her against his overbearing concern. Kim and Emily promised to look after her and stay with her until he came to her.

Jo's mom was to arrive around 1 and she found her eyes going to the clock often. Bianca had asked for the address and said she'd come by herself.

"Stop looking at the time! It's stressing the clock out!" Rosie said while offering Jo a sandwich and water. She was extremely happy. She was going to be a great grandma! Pun totally intended.

Jo nodded and nibbled on her sandwich. These people were thinking that just because she was pregnant and they knew it, her appetite would magically increase.

"Hey sister! Long time no see!" Said a loud familiar voice.

Jo looked up to see her best friend's sister standing in the doorway with Bianca grinning brightly behind her.

"April? April! Oh my God! April!" Jo screamed as she moved to hug her. She had been the closest thing to a younger sister she ever had and she'd always wanted one. They had lived in Boston but now her best friend, Amelia, was married and had moved to Sweden with her husband while April had been studying in Boston.

The two girls screamed and hugged and while Emily, Kim and Rosie watched , Kim slightly jealous.

"How have you been babygirl?" Bianca said as she kissed and hugged her daughter. "I missed you."

"Me too mom." Jo said sniffing.

"Five minutes into town and she makes my girl cry." Rosie muttered under her breath making Emily and Kim giggle.

"Rosie! Ho have you been? You look...well." Bianca said while awkwardly hugging her.

"You're just 'J' I have lesser wrinkles than you!" Rosie snorted when Bianca hesitated.

Bianca rolled her eyes. They had never really got along.

"This place is really nice! I'm so proud of you, baby!" Bianca said as she glanced around. She knew her daughter was extremely talented. She was proud of her.

"Thanks mum! Come let me show you around!" Jo beamed as she untangled herself from April's hug.

"Hi! I'm April! Jo's best friend's sister!" April beamed at Emily and Kim and Kim felt guilty for feeling jealous of her. She was cute and nice and much younger too.

"Hi! I'm Emily and this is Kim. We're friends with Josie as well." Emily added smiling. This girl was cute like she even had the two dimples going and her hair was really long and black, like raven black and she had lovely green eyes.

"Cool! I hope we'll be friends too!" April said excitedly and the girls smiled genuinely pleased with her open and friendly nature.

"Come on girls! Come and eat something!" Rosie called as she joined Bianca and Jo in a private section of the cafe. They had to hire more help. The cafe was looking good and people had been asking about its completion date. That was when she had hired more help.

The girls were all talking, laughing and having a fine time in general. April was instantly liked by the group. Rosie liked her too. She was innocent and sweet and made her Jo laugh. She even had a few comebacks for Rosie's jokes or supported her in others. That got her in her good books. She wasn't fake.

"So, April, what have you thought about doing now that you've completed high school?" Bianca asked

"Dunno. Not really sure. I'm probably going to live like a hippy for some time before figuring it out." April shrugged as she dug into a piece of cake. This stuff was delicious.

Bianca made a face as April wiped her lips on the sleeve of her sweater.

"Don't your parents want you to attend college?" Bianca asked and the others frowned. This wasn't the place to talk about serious stuff.

"They do! "

"And you don't agree?" Bianca persisted while Jo nudged her under the table. She just rolled her eyes. Her daughter was too sweet and polite but she had to make sure Jo was hanging with the right kind of people. Not that she approved of her anyways. April's Hopi lineage did not endear her to Bianca.

"Nope! They care only when they away from each other which isn't for very long and once they are near, they are literally attached at the hips and too busy to care!" April giggled as she thought of her parents. They were fun loving people and although they did emphasize the importance of education, they didn't force their girls. Her sister had completed her business degree with Jo but now when it was April's turn to go to college, she had refused. She just didn't want to. She could not see herself committed to just one thing forever. They had transferred her college fund to her account and cautioned her to use it wisely since it was all they had for her. April thanked the almighty everyday for such awesome parents.

Bianca actually made a face at this reply and April stopped eating feeling conscious.

"Well, I think it's awesome! Not everybody is mature enough to wait to make that kind of decision instead of just going to college and wasting their parents money and then dropping out." Kim said in support of April.

"Yeah, you're young, what's the rush?" Emily said while offering her a comforting smile. She felt protective of her.

Rosie beamed at the two girls when Bianca scowled and shut up. Jo was feeling awkward. She didn't want April to feel bad but she couldn't hurt her mom either.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's head home. I'm tired. We still have to be back for the party at night." Bianca said. She was done with these people. She wanted to spend time with her daughter.

An: Hey guys! Please let me know if the story is not interesting enough. Please review to let me know you're still reading!

If you're reading, follow/favorite or review! TIA!