About two weeks later Loren and Jess were out dress shopping. The date has been set for July 12, and they are in a crunch to find dresses. Jess decided that her colors were going to be violet and silver. Donnie's one niece was going to be flower girl she was wearing violet so Loren got silver. Silver was a hard color to find in the spring that was her excuse as to why she hadn't found a dress yet. Jess on the other hand didn't have such an excuse. She was on her seventh dress of the day. The sales woman was getting a little pushy cause everyone Jess tried on looked really great but she was having trouble deciding. Loren was in the dressing room with her helping her into yet another dress, when something occurred to her.

Loren - "If I didn't know better I would say you were trying to sabotage your own wedding." Jess turns around so fast she ripped off the button Loren was trying to fasten.

Jess - "I'm having trouble finding a dress it doesn't mean anything." Loren holds up the button. "Oh great now what are we going to do?"

Loren - "I didn't see it fall off." She tosses it over her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Jess - "Yeah I'm just nervous, I've been like this since Donnie asked me." She sticks her hair up under the veil.

Loren - "But you do want to marry him, right?"

Jess - "Of course I do, I love him."

Loren - "Okay do me a favor? Don't let your dad see you like this he'll send you for therapy."

Jess - "Deal. Whatcha think?"

Loren - "I looks like the first one. Which means it's time to quit for the day.

Jess - "Thank god. I'm famished, want to get some lunch?"

Loren - "Actually I have a doctor's appointment."

Jess - "Really, what's wrong?"

Loren - "I think I might be pregnant." She starts crying. "And I don't know what to do."

Jess - "Oh honey. Here sit down." She sits on the little stool. "Does Greg know?"

Loren - "I told him I thought I might be and he got mad. He said if I am its not his cause he's too careful."

Jess - "That bastard. You want me to go with you."

Loren - "Would you?"

Jess - "Yeah."

They leave the dress shop and head up town to her doctor. He confirms the pregnancy. She is about two months along which will put her are six months for the wedding. After the appointment they get something to eat.

Loren - "I'll understand if you want to use someone else as your maid of honor."

Jess - "What, don't be silly. You are the closest thing I have to a sister. I won't get married if you're not standing next to me."

Loren - "I'm going to be like six months by then."

Jess - "So you'll have a belly big deal. Hey now we can go
shopping for baby clothes."

Loren - "Anything to avoid wedding stuff. Are you sure you're okay?"

Jess - "I'm fine. When are you going to tell your parents?"

Loren - "Probably when we are all over next month."

Jess - "Their anniversary?"

Loren - "Yeah. Greg is suppose to go with me so I'll have to explain that I might as well get it all over with."

Jess - "I'll be right behind you."

Loren - "Thanks Jess."

__________________________________________-

Stephen flew into New York so that way they could just all go over together. His flight got in about two hours before the next flight so he just stayed at the airport. Donnie and Jess decided to go early that way he didn't have to wait by himself. It will also give them all a chance to catch up. They were waiting at the gate when his plane lands. Jess sees him coming on the walkway and starts jumping up and down. He sees her and breaks in to a huge smile. She practically tackles him.

Donnie - "Do you greet everyone at the airport like this?"

Jess - "What? Yeah pretty much. I missed you."

Stephen - "Missed you too sis." He kisses her cheek. "Hey man whats up?"

Donnie - "Not much. How was your flight?"

Stephen - "It was alright. The next one's going to be awful. Ten hours on your butt is not easy. Where's mom and dad?"

Jess - "Oh they went to get Grammie Shirley, they'll be here later. I just didn't want you to wait by yourself.

Stephen - "Thanks." They go into a little restaurant and sit down. "So Donnie you haven't met the grandparents yet?"

Donnie - "Nope, I'm really looking forward to it."

Stephen - "You thought my dad was bad you are in for a treat. Speaking of disasters waiting to happen is Loren still planning on telling them?"

Jess - "Yeah and she's probably really going to need our support so no smart ass shit okay."

Stephen - "Gramps is going to be so mad about that he probably won't notice if you get up on the table a do a naked hula."

Jess - "Maybe it won't be that bad." He gives her a look. "Okay it's going to be that bad."

Donnie - "I think maybe I should stay home."

Jess - "Nope your going now buddy you have no choice." they eat and just hang out waiting for everyone else to get there. They are actually going over a day early.

Vanessa was there to meet them at the airport. Stephen lifted her off her feet in a huge hug. Sean was in bed with the sniffles so he couldn't come. He was not in a good mood when everyone got back form the airport. He was in his study reading a book. Goldie went in first.

Goldie - "Hey dad, how are you feeling?"

Sean - "I feel fine Vanessa won't let me leave the house."

Goldie - "She just wants to make sure you're well for the party."

Sean - "I've been married to the woman for 45 years now you would think she would know that a runny nose won't keep me from a party." She feels his forehead. "Goldie I'm not a child I think I know if I need to stay in bed." He lets out the biggest sneeze. "Now where are your children? I understand that Jessica brought a friend with her."

Goldie - "She brought her boyfriend."

Sean - "She made up with Richard?" He always liked Richard.

Goldie - "No. She's got a new boyfriend which you are well aware of."

Sean - "Well might as well get it over with." They come out in to the hall. Jess is telling Donnie a little bit about the history of the castle. "Hey Sweetpea." She spins around and hugs him.

Jess - "Hey Gramps I missed you." He eyes Donnie over her shoulder. "Oh Gramps this is my boyfriend Donnie Wahlberg. Donnie my grandfather Sean Connery." Donnie shakes his hand.

Donnie - "Nice to met you sir. you have a beautiful house."

Sean - "Thanks. Where's Loren and Greg?"

Kurt - "She's coming tomorrow."

Sean - "Isn't Greg coming with her?"

Jess - "So Gramps I heard that your painting is coming along nicely can I see it."

Sean - "She's went through another on when will that girl settle down."

Shirley - "Why don't you let her get here to explain herself before you jump to conclusions."

Goldie - "Mom. Let's get you settled in."

Shirley - "What, Denis let go of my arm. I am perfectly capable of walking..." her voice trails off as Goldie takes her upstairs.

Vanessa - "Well Jessica why don't you take Donnie on a tour of the grounds and I'll see about lunch. Kurt will you come with me."

So Stephen and Jess take Donnie around, Kurt goes with Grammie in the kitchen and Sean heads back into the study. Things remain pretty quite for the rest of the day. When it comes time to go to bed they realize that Donnie's stuff is in Stephen's room. "What did you expect? You know Gramps will be in his grave before he lets you have a boy in your room. That's where mom gets it. Come on roomie." Jess kisses him goodnight and goes to bed.

Chapter Nine