The weekend came faster than I would've liked as we had agreed to go and visit my parents. To say I was nervous was an understatement and Joshua wasn't far behind. I had never really seen Joshua so nervous and if it wasn't for my own nerves, I would have been laughing my head off at him.

Joshua and I agreed after some discussion that I would introduce him to my parents as the baby's father. Joshua told me that in his eyes he was the father and it didn't matter if it was through blood or not. He said that the love and connection he felt towards our baby was more important than any blood type. My heart melted as always at how sweet and caring he was.

The drive to my parents' house would take about four hours and we had now reached about half way. I felt drained by thinking how they were going to react. I kept telling myself that it didn't matter to me if they accepted us or not but the truth is, I knew it would. I know we never shared a love like Joshua and I did but I still loved them. They were never horrible but they never truly put themselves out for me either.

I had a feeling that they were going to be really happy by the news but for not for the reasons I wished for or even longed for. Knowing my parents better than anyone, I knew they would be relieved to know that they would no longer have to care for me because the way that they would see it, is that, that was now Joshua's responsibility. However, I knew it wasn't and that's what bothered me more than anything.

As we drove alongside the beach, I opened the window up loving the welcoming smell of the salty sea. The wind blew through my hair giving me that same homely feeling I felt every time I was here. I loved being so close to the water. It made me feel so alive. My head filled with memories of the times I used to walk the length of the beach when I couldn't sleep or when I felt alone.

"Hey beautiful what has put that big smile on your face." I laughed at the way he stared at me out of the corner of his eyes. "I just love being so close to the sea. Being back here just brings back the times I used to walk the beach and play in the sand. Most nights I would stay out here just to watch the sun set. Isn't it beautiful?" I asked him as I looked out over the ocean.

"I have to admit it is. I have never been one for the beach but this here looks nearly as beautiful as you." I punched him lightly at his cheesy remark but loved his cheesiness all the same.

We both laughed and it felt so good, especially after the hours we had spent in our own silent thoughts. "If I had known how happy the beach makes you, I would've brought you well before now." He said sounding annoyed with himself.

"Joshua. We still have a lot to learn about each other but there is plenty of time for that" I said meaning every word. His entire face lit up making me smile. "God I love you so much, you know that right?" he asked. Taking his hand in mine I covered my heart with both of our hands. "Yes I know you love me just as much as I love you." I whispered feeling so overwhelmed by the love that flowed between us.

As we pulled into my parents drive my stomach sunk as I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. I had spent so long trying to work out the best way to tell them that I was pregnant but kept coming up blank. There was no easy way for me to tell them, so I left it at, I would just tell them straight.

Looking up onto the porch, I was shocked to see my mother and father both standing on the open planned porch waiting for our arrival. In all my years of visiting them they have never gave me a welcome such as this. Usually I would've had to find the spare key under the pot or call them to tell them I was home but not today. Today they were both running towards me with open arms. However, as soon as I stepped out of the car they both froze. Ha ha I was so worried about telling them that I had forgotten that my big swollen belly gave it away all by itself, I mentally laughed thinking how I hadn't thought of this before now. Damn I could've saved myself a lot of worry.

The silence was starting to get to me and as much as I was scared of their reaction I wanted to wait for them to get over the shock of their only daughter being pregnant. When it started to get uncomfortable for me let alone Joshua I had to say something.

"Mother, father this is Joshua. Joshua this is Peter and Irene my parents." I introduced them hoping it would snap my parents out of their shock. Thankfully Joshua stuck his hand out and acted as if he hadn't noticed their shocked expressions. It was funny seeing my parents stunned into silence, not that I blamed them but truthfully, I wasn't expecting this reaction. Hell, truth is I didn't know what to expect but silence wasn't one of them. My father was the first to snap out of it as he took hold of Joshua's hand and shook it.

After getting over the initial shock of me being pregnant, we all settled down into easy conversation. Just like anyone Joshua meets, he had instantly won my parents over. The more we talked the more they brought the baby up. They ask me how I've been coping with the pregnancy and when is the baby due and so on. At first I thought they were just asking because of Joshua but as time went by, it was me that was shocked into momentarily silence. For once in my life they were actually really interested in me or should I say my baby. Nevertheless it still felt amazing that they were talking to me in a more parental way, I guess.

Dinner went over smoothly and by the end of dinner it was as if I had never been away. Joshua seemed to really get along with my parents too which was a major plus for me. They told us about their move and although I was mad at them that I hadn't been informed of such a move before now, I didn't blame them. They had decided they were going to travel for a while before they bought a smaller house, where they both could live without the stress of the B&B.

It was getting late and although they asked us to stay, I just wanted to go to the hotel we had already booked. As much as I was thrilled at how things had worked out, I still needed to have some space. Space where it could just be me and Joshua. Without having to worry about what my parents thought or what they were going to say next. Thankfully, Joshua politely refused their offer to stay and within seconds we were back on the road on our way to our hotel.

Once reaching the hotel, Joshua got a call from our lawyer telling us that a court date had been settled and that he will email us all the information through to us. My first thoughts were the worst but then I thought of how I had managed to face everything else head on so far. My parents, my old house, even Jaxon. Looking how far I had come, gave me the strength knowing that this will be the last thing I would have to go through before I could finally put this part of my life behind me.

"Isabella." Joshua called while waving his hand in front of my face. Leaving out a bellowing laugh he stood there nodding his head from side to side. "Off in lala land again?" he questioned still laughing. "Sorry I was just thinking." I replied laughing. "No problem. I was just asking would you like something to eat before we go to bed?" I was just about to say no when my stomach rumbled loudly. "Well I guess our princess is hungry." He said as he rubbed my swollen stomach lovingly. "I guess she is." I giggled. Gosh she's not even born yet and she's speaking up for herself, I thought to myself laughing.

****************

3 uploads this week yeee ha! ha ha

I guess you've all noticed that i have taken the week off by now lol

What do you think of Isabella's parents now?

I loved the way the beach brought such happiness to Isabella and i hope Joshua had took note lol

Next upload over the weekend.

All my love Mel xx