**Chapter 21: A Sudden Shift in Plans**

The doorbell rang, and Nia's heart skipped a beat. She was not expecting anyone, and Jon had just left for a meeting at work. She made her way to the door, wondering who it could be. As she opened it, she was surprised to see Jon's mother, Barbara, standing on the porch with a big smile on her face. She was holding a large suitcase and had a determined look in her eyes. "Hey, sweetie! I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Barbara said, giving Nia a warm hug. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to surprise you both." Nia was taken aback, but she quickly composed herself and invited Barbara in. As they entered the house, Barbara's eyes scanned the room, taking in the nursery that Jon and Nia had just finished. "Oh, wow! The nursery looks amazing!" Barbara exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you both for getting everything ready for the baby." Just then, Jon walked in the door, looking surprised to see his mother standing in the living room. "Hey, Mom! What are you doing here?" Jon asked, setting down his briefcase. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to surprise you both," Barbara repeated, looking around the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." Nia exchanged a glance with Jon, and they both knew that they had to tell Barbara about the baby. They hadn't planned on sharing the news with Jon's family just yet, but it seemed that Barbara had stumbled upon the secret. "Actually, Mom, we have some news to share with you," Jon said, taking Nia's hand. "Nia is pregnant, and we're expecting a baby." Barbara's face lit up with excitement as she rushed over to hug Nia and Jon. "Oh, congratulations, you two! I'm so happy for you!" Barbara exclaimed. "I had a feeling that something was going on, but I didn't want to pry." As they chatted and celebrated, Nia couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. She had been looking forward to sharing the news with Jon's family, but she had also been hoping to do it on their own terms. Now, it seemed that Barbara had taken matters into her own hands. As the afternoon wore on, Barbara announced that she had decided to stay in town for a while to help the couple prepare for the baby. "I've already booked a room at a local hotel, and I'll be here to help you both get everything ready," Barbara said, looking determined. Nia and Jon exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say. They appreciated the offer, but they also valued their independence. As they sat down to discuss the details, Nia couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay ahead. She had a feeling that Barbara's visit was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one that would bring its own set of challenges and surprises. As they sipped tea and talked, Nia realized that she had to be open-minded and flexible. After all, family was important, and she was willing to make some adjustments to make sure that everyone was happy. But little did she know, Barbara's visit was only the beginning of a series of events that would test their patience, their love, and their commitment to each other.