Spencer watched Ava getting ready. He found himself doing that a lot and he was amazed at how lucky he was. She didn't notice him as she stood sideways in front of her mirror. She pressed her palms to her stomach and scrutinized her reflection.

She caught Spencer watching her and wrinkled her nose at him. "Well, if you're gonna be a creeper, can you at least tell me if I look OK?"

"You look beautiful," he said, gesturing for her to come over. He hugged her around the waist and felt the firm, round bump of her stomach. She wasn't obviously showing yet, but some of her clothes were starting to get too tight.

"I never thought I'd be here, you know?" Ava said.

Spencer nodded. He did understand how she felt. She leaned over and kissed him. "I'm glad to be here though," he said.

Matt ran into the room. "I wanna pet the baby too!" he announced.

Ava gave Spencer a private smile as she took Matt's hand. He was very careful and gentle. Tears welled up in Ava's eyes and she had to laugh at how quick to get emotional she had become recently.

Since finding out about the baby, Matt had started watching the Rugrats videos Penelope had given him. He was quite enamored with the idea of a baby and nothing Spencer or Ava said convinced him that his sibling wouldn't be like Tommy and Chuckie.

Ava grabbed her purse and they started the process of getting Spencer settled into the handicap van they were renting.

::::::::::::

Ava was gripping Spencer's hand tightly as the family started to gather. "Guys, we have an announcement," Ava said.

After a few moments of getting settled the room was silent.

"I'm pregnant," Ava said.

Chaos broke loose. A few of Ava's sisters-in-law started crying. Her mother pushed her way to Ava and hugged her daughter. Congratulatory sentiments came from every direction. Ava's nieces were all squealing with excitement. Ava's brothers shook Spencer's hand. Matt was included in the celebration and he looked absolutely ecstatic. His uncles lifted him up and told him how great it would be to be a big brother. He laughed as he was passed around. His eyes were bright.

After the initial shock passed, Ava's mother and the other women excitedly asked several questions and started making predictions.

"It's a girl," Ava's sister-in-law Diane declared. "I was so sick with all three of my girls."

"Well that's not true," Marissa contradicted. "I was hardly sick at all."

"I don't know," Ava's mother said. "I remember my pregnancy with Ava being the toughest.

"I think it's a boy," Daisy said.

Amy agreed. "Yeah, definitely a boy. Poor Matt is going to need a little brother with all these girl cousins."

They all laughed as the truth of that statement was proven by a chorus of shouts from the children. Matt ran into the room and leapt into Ava's arms. She caught him effortlessly. "What's wrong, little man?"

"They're crazy!" he yelled.

"Inside voice," Ava said with halfhearted sternness.

"They tried to put lipsticks on me," he said.

A few of the nieces came running in. "We didn't do it!" Avery shouted.

Ava laughed. "Girls, a bit of advice from Aunt Ava. Wait until you're accused before you deny it."

"You girls be nice to him," Diane warned.

The girls rushed away, but Matt didn't want to be put down. "Momma, you seriously need to get another boy in here. These girls are makin' me crazy," Matt said. His little face was so serious that Ava had to set him down and shoo him away before everyone broke into laughter.

:::::::::::::

"So, what are you hoping for?" Jeremy asked as he opened a can of beer.

"I don't know," Spencer admitted.

"Girls are a handful," Robert warned. The men shared a laugh.

"I don't know. You boys gave me enough headaches when you were growing up," Ava's dad joked.

Mark sighed. "But I tell ya, there's nothing like daddy's little girl."

"Until they start looking at the boys," Steven added.

Matt was a blond-headed blur as he ran back to the kitchen, chased by his giggling cousins. "Momma!" Matt shouted.

The men chuckled. "I guess we know Matt is hoping for a little brother," Adam said.

::::::::::::::

Ava helped Spencer into bed and then wheeled his chair to the corner. "You happy?" she asked as she settled next to him.

He wrapped his arm around her. "Very."

"So you never have said what you hope it is. Come on, Spencer. Boy or girl?"

"I really don't care," he said. "I just want a healthy baby."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Well, duh," she said and then she smiled. "So do I. But secretly you know you're hoping for one or the other."

"Well, which are you hoping for?" Spencer asked.

"I'm not telling 'til you tell," Ava teased.

Matt appeared at the doorway with his teddy bear, followed closely by his dog, Harvey. "Can I sleep with you guys?"

Ava lifted the covers and Matt carefully climbed in between them. He cuddled close to Ava and put his hand on her stomach. "Hi, baby," he whispered. "Good night." He put his teddy bear next to Ava's belly and started to fall asleep.

Ava and Spencer smiled at each other proudly. Soon, Matt was sleeping soundly. They both kissed Matt on the cheek.

"It doesn't matter," Ava said.

Spencer had to agree.

A/N: So far the majority is hoping for a girl, but there's still time to give me your opinion. Please review (: