Rose POV

        "What about this one?" Vincent asked me holding up a pink baby shirt that said Daddy's Girl.

        "Um, do you even know if it is a girl?" I asked.

        "No, but I just have a feeling, you know."

        I rolled my eyes and dragged him away from the baby section of Wal-Mart. "We're supposed to be Christmas shopping for our families, not picking out baby clothes."

        "I know, but can't help it. Ever since you've been okay with this I haven't felt more excited about having a kid. Of course I'm nervous and all, but I think I am genuinely happy about this."

        I smiled at him and squeezed his hand tightly. "I'm happy for you too, but we really need to find some gifts."

        "And what exactly do you expect to find at here?"

        "Well actually, I was just planning on getting some wrapping paper from here, I need to go to the mall to get the actual presents. Also I have something to tell you."

        "What is it?"

        "Well, my dad is supposed to be coming here for Christmas, and I want you to meet him."

        "You want me to meet your Marine father? That sounds potentially life-threatening."

        "It could possibly be. When he first met Jace, He made sure to polish his gun right in front of him, and then he decided to show Jace the barrel of his gun. I'm pretty sure Jace shit his pants. After everything that has happened since then, I'm more than positive you would want to do some hardcore physical and mental training."

        Vincent groaned and I laughed at him.

        I opened my mouth to tell him more about my dad but my phone rang.

        "Hello" I answered it.

        "Rose, you need to get home right away."

        "Mom, what's wrong? Are you okay? Did something happen to Tom?"

        "Just get home soon honey."

        "Okay, I'll be there soon."

        I ended the call and directed my attention back to Vincent who was putting tubes of wrapping paper in our cart.

        "Who was that?" He asked.

        "My mom. I need to go, I think there's a family emergency."

        "Is everyone okay?"

        "I don't know." I shrugged.

        "Okay, call me and let me know how things went, I'll get two bags of those ribbons and I'll pay for this, just hurry up and get home."

        I nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you later."

        He smiled and kissed me on the lips. In that moment I actually forgot that my mom called me. The only thing that was running through my mind was Vincent's lips on mine and our bodies pressed together. I needed to pull away before I get carried away. I mustered up all the self-control I had and I pushed him away. "I need to get home."

        "Okay, I'm sorry." He frowned and kissed me again, quickly this time.

        I pulled away and smiled at him before walking away.

~~~~~~~

        I hopped out of the car and rushed through the front door of my house. "Mom, Tom, is anyone home? I thought you said it was an emergency!"

        "Just come in the kitchen honey." My mom called. There was a hint of amusement in her voice and that instantly sparked my interest.

        I walked into the kitchen and my eyes went wide. "DADDY!" I yelled before running towards his open arms and wrapping my own around his large body.

        "Hey baby girl." he chuckled.

        "You're not supposed to be here for another week!" I exclaimed.

        "I got some extra time off so I decided to come a little early. Also, your mom informed me that you have a little boyfriend that no one has met." He raised an eyebrow at me.

        "Um, yeah, it just hasn't been the right time. I was planning on bringing him here for Christmas dinner."

        "She's been spending all her time with him over the last couple of months, and I have yet to see him. I'm beginning to think he doesn't exist." My mom said playfully. "But, he has been keeping her out of trouble, so he's a good guy in my eyes."

        "Well in mine he is just another horny boy trying to steal my daughter away."

        I rolled my eyes and sat at the table and patted the spot across from me so my dad could take a seat.

        "So how's life in Michigan without me?" I asked playfully.

        "Lonely," he sighed. "I miss you. I'm starting to think I was a little too hard on you. You've been through so much in your life, it just clouded your judgment."

        "No, I'm glad you sent me here. Not only did I meet Vincent, but I learned a lot about myself. I dealt with my problems head on. Literally. Anthony is here."

        An angry look appeared on my dad's face. "The boy who abandoned you? Where does he live? I want to give him a peace of my mind."

        "Let it go." I shook my head and he sat back down. "He isn't worth it. Plus, because of him, I was able to let go. I realized how much happier I would be if my life didn't revolve around my resentment towards him. I let it go, you should too."

        "I can't. Not after everything he put you through."

        "Dad, I've resolved everything with him, besides it was only partially his fault. I mean it's not like he could've just told his parents that he wasn't moving with them."

        My dad sighed and decided to change the subject. "So you're staying out of trouble I hear? That's good."

        "Yeah, I didn't want to keep disappointing you. I'm a good girl now."

        My dad smiled at me and I smiled back. We spent the next couple of hours just sitting around and reminiscing. When my mom was finished with all the work she had to do she joined us. Soon after Tom came home and joined us.

        "What do you say we all go out to dinner? My treat?" Tom announced.

        "No, I want to treat. It's the least I can do. You're letting me stay in your house." My dad objected.

        "Nonsense! You're a guest. You're supposed to be problem free."

        Sensing an argument approaching, my mom decided to take action. "How about you two split the bill." She suggested. Then she turned towards me and a devious smile was written on her face. "And you can bring that little boyfriend of yours."

        "W-what? I thought we were waiting until Christmas!" I sputtered out.

        "That's a great idea Clarissa!" My father bellowed. "I'm just dying to meet the bast- I mean boy who has all of our daughter's attention."

        I let my face fall in my hands and I groaned in annoyance. This was going to be a disaster."

~~~~~

        "Make sure you aren't too dressed up or too dressed down." I mumbled through the phone.

        "I'm not." Vincent replied.

        "And make sure your hair is neat. I like your crazy sex hair, but my dad might not."

        "Okay."

        "And answer as my dad would want to hear. If he asks if we kiss, say no!"

        "Look Rose, I know you're nervous but surprisingly I'm not. I'm excited to meet your parents. I've never really met a girl's parents before. This could be an exciting experience."

        I rolled my eyes and checked the time on my phone. 7:30. "Okay, well just remember to be on time we're eating at Chez Bleu at 8:00. My dad's military has caused him to need people to be very punctual. If you're even a minute late he'll never let you live it down. Make sure you're on time. Scratch that, be early."

        "Okay, I'll see you when I get there."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        At 8:25, my mom, my dad, Tom, and I stood outside of Chez Bleu. Vincent had text me a little while before to let me know that he was already here. I took a few deep breaths before opening the door to the restaurant. Here goes nothing.

        We walked into Chez Bleu and I immediately scanned the tables for Vincent. I found him sitting at table staring at the menu in deep thought. He was so beautiful. I could just- No! Rose have some self-control! Your parents are right beside you. You'll have all the time in the world to make out with Vincent, but right now you need to get throughout this dinner.

        "Look, Vincent's here and he already got us a table." I pointed out as we walked towards where Vincent sat. I heard my dad grunt in disapproval. Seriously? He wasn't even going to give him a chance?

        Vincent noticed us walking towards him and he stood up and smiled. He looked so professional. This was a side of Vincent that I'd never seen before. It was oddly attractive.

        Vincent stepped towards my dad and gave him a firm handshake. "Hello Mr. Streker I've heard a lot about you."

        "Really?" My dad quirked raising an eyebrow. "Did she tell you that I am in the Marines?"

        "Yes actually, she did. Thank you for everything you do for our country." Vincent bowed a little and an impressed look crossed my dad's face. Sadly, it was gone as quick as it came.

        Vincent moved on to my mom. Getting on her good side seemed to be a lot easier than getting on my dad's. "Mrs. Dowdy," He began, grabbing my mom's hand and placing a light kiss on the back of it. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I see where Rose gets her good looks."

        "Oh, please. Just call me Clarissa. Mrs. Dowdy is too formal." My mom giggled and I rolled my eyes. She was too easy. Vincent went on to shake Tom's hand and get less formal with him as well. Tom also decided to let Vincent call him by his first name. Okay, 2 down, 1 to go.

        It was finally my turn to get a piece of my boyfriend. As bad as I wanted to kiss him, I settled for a quick hug. My dad was watching us closely and I didn't want to do anything with Vincent that would ruin his chances with my dad. "Look at you go, you've got my mother and Tom under your wing already." I mumbled to Vincent as we sat at the table, making sure he was the only one that heard me.

        "What can I say?" He mumbled back. "I'm a charmer." He flashed his pearly white teeth at me and I instantly wanted to kiss him again. Screw you hormones.

        "Hello. Welcome to Chez Bleu I am Cierra, your waitress, can I start you off with some drinks and appetizers?"

        My mom. Tom, and my dad ordered wine while Vincent and I were stuck drinking lemonade. I felt like such a baby. For an appetizer we got spinach and artichoke dip.

        "Okay, I'll be back in a few." Cierra said, scribbling the rest of our order on her notepad and bouncing away.

        "So Vincent," My dad began. "Graduation is in a couple of months, any idea where you plan on going to college?"

        "Well I don't want to stray too far from home so I've been thinking about USC, UCLA, or San Diego State. I want to study engineering or architecture, like my father.

        "Impressive, I figured you'd have no clue what you wanted to do with your life."

        "Planning for the future is something that my family has always found important.

        I looked down at the table and began playing with my napkin. Graduation was a few months away and I had no idea what I want to do, or where I want to go. Planning for the future want really on the top of my idea list. What did I want to be when I got older? Did I want to stay here with Vincent or go back to Michigan? Oh God! I'm going to grow up and be one of those wives with no education that cater to their husbands for twenty years until their husbands go out and find prettier, younger women. I don't want my husband to leave me for a prettier older woman!

        I abruptly stood from the table and everyone stopped their conversation to look at me.

"Rose are you okay?" Vincent asked me with worry on his face.

        "I-I need to go to the bathroom." I scattered away from the table and ran into the bathroom, praying that no one followed me. I opened the bathroom door and I was immediately taken back by what I saw. There stood Jessica, in a tight fitted dress, and really high heels, fixing her make up. But that's not what stopped me in my tracks. What made me so confused, was the fact that her baby bump was missing.

        What the hell was going on?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hehehehe I'm such a bad person. Who saw it coming? No one I bet! Just so we're clear, The surprise is That Jessica's baby bump is missing, not that Rose's dad showed up early. This was a long chapter, but it was A LOT of dialogue. I don't think I've wrote this much dialogue in one chapter in a long time.

Any whoo, I want to post at least two more chapter before Sunday, So please VOTE and COMMENT. Don't really have much to say so PEACE!!!

RANDOM MOMENT OF RANDOMNESS:

did you know that although the statue of liberty is associated with New York, It is technically located in New Jersey.

p.s. Also the song on the side is perfect for the ending ----->>>>

And isn't the name of the restaurant so cheesy???