As much as I loved my parents I respected their views.

In all I did, in the manner I carried myself I aimed to implement the lessons they taught me. They were the kind of people who believed that being genuine was best over blindly following the ways of the world. My mother in particular planted the idea in my head never to just spread my legs for just anyone. She took care of the flowers budding in my mind by telling me within my skin was gold and that I give parts of who I was to those who earned it.

I had been apprehensive from the time I stepped on Nicky's plane already trying to conjure up excuses to avoid leaving. Truth was I was afraid my parents would be disappointed. However, I had to do it, I owed them that much to tell them they'd be grandparents. Though I knew they'd be there for my child I feared they'd handle me differently. However, when I caught sight of my father waiting for me once I landed I was excited to be back to the very place my life began. As we caught up in the car ride I couldn't help keeping my eyes glued on the buildings from which I gained the first real peek of life.

It was when the car entered the driveway that I grew nervous once again. I had done my best to appear normal to my father who happily chattered off telling me about his business. He even told me about his plans to take my mother on a cruise for their wedding anniversary. They had already been together for thirty years. Though their marriage wasn't perfect I truly hoped Nicky and I would get to that point in our relationship.

At the thought I placed a gentle hand discreetly on my belly hidden by the sweater as the door to my childhood home opened only to be bombarded with the smell of fried chicken wafting towards me. It caused my tongue to lick my lips in anticipation. "I hope you bought your appetite," my father joked walking up the stairs to place my luggage in my old room and as he moved away I couldn't help but think, "Yep my kid and I certainly did."

Scurrying off to the kitchen I found my mother moving around dancing to the song on the radio. For a second I was transported to a time when I was a little girl watching her in awe of the beauty that oozed out of her. I was truly convinced she was a manifestation of the princesses I read in books.

It was when I felt my hands being grabbed that I snapped out of my daydream to see her smiling up at me bumping my hips with hers in time with the beat. Giggling I joined her swaying to the song making exaggerated facial expressions that made her chuckle. It was always entertaining being my mother's assistant in the kitchen that often ended in us singing to the music. Such that it was a miracle the meals were ever completed in adequate time with how goofy we both were. "It always makes me happy seeing my girls like this," beamed my father who stood by the entrance that led to the dining room. The smile he wore prompted one of my own as I went up to give him a hug, "Don't get all mushy on me," I teased.

"If your father had it his way you'd remain a little girl forever, I swear," my mother stated grabbing the chicken she had prepared and walked past us to place it on the table.

I followed suit turning a deaf ear to his excuses to justify the need for me to have remained a child and helped her set up the table where we settled to dig in to the meal. I chuckled under my breath when I noticed my mother smack my father's hand away when he tried to reach for the kool-aid only to pour a glass of water for him.

He frowned, the expression evoking no pity from my mother who was set on keeping him away from sugar, "As you can see your father is still as stubborn as ever," she huffed talking directly to me. "I hope for your sake Nicholas is more conscious of his health," she continued making me laugh. Although he kept himself in shape Nicky never missed an opportunity to consume a good steak nor pass up the chance to appreciate a sip of hard liquor every now and then. I had been lenient on his cigar habit but fortunately he hardly smoked it in front of me. "He's getting there."

"If he turns out to be difficult like this one," she pointed towards my father who feigned hurt by placing a hand over his heart dramatically at his wife's blunt words, "when you guys have kids pray that stubbornness won't rub onto them."

"I feel so attacked right now," my father scoffed picking at his food and though I would have laughed I grew stiff as a board at the innocent mention of children. Peeking up through my lashes at my mother she was oblivious to the effect her comment had, "So..." I gulped shifting in my seat treading lightly in the field to avoid stepping on any possible grenades hidden beneath the grass, "you have no objections to us having children?"

"Of course not, although I wasn't too sure about him he strikes me as a good man who cares for you. And if the time ever comes when you guys have children I'll be there," the approval was music to my ears but I knew I wasn't yet in the clearing.

Taking another cautious step holding my breath I dropped my cutlery summing up all the courage I could to look at them both, "Well, the time has come..." I murmured watching them look at each other briefly before switching their eyes back to me seeking more clarity on what I meant. Opening my mouth to explain the words remained on the tip of my tongue when my mother cursed. Her eyes blinked a couple of times on me as if she was seeing her daughter for the first time, "You're pregnant."

Nodding my head still feeling tense I nibbled on my bottom lip whilst my hands landed on the side of my chair, should she or my father decide to whoop my ass I needed to be prepared to bolt from my seat in any second if my mother in particular planned on lunging across the table.

Neither of us said a thing and the situation was painfully similar to the time I told them I wasn't applying to the community college close to them. I was scared that time and in that moment I was shitting myself at the blank expressions they both wore. Eventually my mother sighed pushing her plate to the side clasping her hands together, "How far along are you?"

Rubbing the back of my neck feeling awkward, I mulled over the question before answering that I was three months into the pregnancy. "And does the father... know?" the question came from my father whose murderous gaze had me quickly saying, "Yes, and he's on board. He's not the type to leave," I insisted.

The last thing I wanted was to have my parents seeing Nicky as the bad guy in any shape or form. He relaxed slightly crossing his arms over his chest eyeing me, "I trust your judgement but if he does anything... I will kill him." My mother placed a hand on his arm rubbing it gently to calm down the protective raging bull ready to burst out inside my father. "I-I know this is a lot for you but I completely understand if you're upset," I sighed feeling tears build up.

"Sweet pea... we're not upset," she murmured. "Well you don't look too thrilled either," I croaked fighting the tears at the thought that that they could just disown me. I had heard tales back in high school of girls in the streams ahead or below me getting kicked to the curb after falling pregnant. But my mother was quick to stand up from her seat to come occupy the chair next to me and throw an arm over my frame, "You've just unloaded something that we thought would come years from now. I think we have a right to process," she reasoned squeezing me to the point it emitted a chuckle out of me.

Releasing a shaky breath I looked at my father to see him coming to join us and grasp my hand, "It's definitely a surprise but..." he grinned, "it's a good surprise. I'm going to be a grandpa!" he bellowed making us laugh at the goofy smile on his face. I leaned my head onto her shoulder taking a few calming breaths. The new chapter of my life was fast approaching but it brought me comfort knowing they would be there. Past the unexpected twists and turns I attain the beacon of hope.

***

It had proved a lot more difficult to leave; the visit had been the breath of fresh air I needed to get my mind back at a state of ease with my parents on board.

The glee on my mother's face when I showed her the pictures from the sonogram had been heart-warming. My father was already trying to place his name in the running to be named should the baby turn out to be a boy. The idea of a boy with Nicky's killer smile or a little girl who'd inherit my nose made me picture how our child would look like. It was something I found myself doing a lot. Despite being in the dark of what the gender was one thing was certain Nicky and I would love them.

When I returned I found Nicky waiting with some of his men, clean shaven wearing a tailored suit. It appeared the man was back to his full glory falling easily back into his role.

Walking up to me, he engulfed me into a warm hug breathing me in, "Glad to see you came back in one piece," he mumbled pulling back to smile down at me.

Sucking my teeth I brushed past him and replied, "Nah, it's not me who my dad wants to kill." Greeting Leo I entered the vehicle only to be joined by Nicholas who cursed lightly, "I don't think I'll be able to fall back into his good graces," he frowned. "He's a protective man and you didn't honestly think he'd let you off easy after knocking me up, did you?" I joked reaching up to pinch his cheek.

"If I'm being honest though," he paused grabbing my hand, "your mother is the one I'm more scared of." Staring in disbelief at the man the laughter tumbled out of me, to know that a tough man like Nicky was weary of her was shocking. "Don't tell her," he quickly added. "Don't worry," I smirked leaning forward to peck his cheek, "your secret is safe with me, baby."

We continued chattering throughout the drive. When we arrived at the penthouse I perked up when one of his men came and whispered something in his ear.

It was when Nicholas ushered me inside what had become my home that I noticed an unexpected guest standing in the living room shuffling nervously on his feet. The second he looked up I immediately recognized him, "Matt," Nicholas said nodding his head acknowledging him. Matt returned the gesture lifting up a file in his hand that had me turning in question to Nicholas who went to take it. "Your efforts will be awarded," he assured walking away from him.

Their interaction had been short to the point from the outside it looked like a harmless conversation. But I knew there was more to it and in time Matt's mere appearance would prove to add more of a clear view into Nicky's life.

Begrudgingly keeping my lips sealed I waited patiently for Matt to be escorted to the door before I quickly turned on my heels ready to bombard him with questions. However, Nicky was one step ahead and answered the unspoken query that had emerged in my head, "This file contains information to verify everything I need to know..."

"About what?" I asked moving towards him watching him take in a shaky breath as his hands moved over the file. When he opened his mouth to answer I grew to comprehend the reason for his behavior in that moment as he said, "My father..."