I really am trying to update more!! Thanks to my two reviewers: )

Chapter 36

Twister's POV

Over the last three weeks things seemed to clear up a lot. Otto was being a lot nicer, Reggie and Lars' relationship was going well, Sam had taken Hailey out to dinner a few times, and Melissa's health had stayed up.

I looked over at Melissa as we drove to the doctors and smiled. She held a hand over her now showing stomach; we finally decided that since she was now 5 months along it would be good to find out if the baby was a girl or boy.

Melissa looked over at me and smiled, "I'm really excited." She beamed.

"Me too Mel." I replied, excited and scared was more like it. Melissa lately had come up with a ton of energy which the doctor said was normal. But it still scared me that I was going to have a baby.

Melissa's energy also scared me; I wanted her to relax so she wouldn't over-do anything. But I learned quickly there's no such thing as stopping a pregnant woman. She had even dared to call me a few times in the middle of the night to buy her ice cream or something. Then again I always did get rewarded with kisses.

I parked my SUV and looked over at Melissa, "We're here."

"Well duh Twister. I don't see my mom though." Melissa's mood always changed fast.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

Melissa looked over and frowned, "Aren't you happy?"

"Yes, I'm excited to find out what the baby is." I replied.

Melissa leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Mama's always late." She said.

"I've noticed." I kissed Melissa. I liked her parents, and thankfully they seemed to like me.

Melissa giggled. That giggle I had become familiar with, it was that teasing one. She leaned over and kissed me, and not just a little kiss.

I wasn't sure what I should think about these little bursts of energy, but I truthfully did enjoy them. Even though they came at inconvenient times sometimes. Like in the parking lot at the doctors office. But that didn't stop Melissa.

Suddenly she quit, "Mama's here." Grabbing her stuff, Melissa got out.

I didn't know how other guys stood this. The mood swings were crazy. I opened my door and got out to greet Melissa's mom, Mrs. Castillo.

"Oh hi Twister honey." Melissa's mom embraced me in a hug.

"Hey Mrs. Castillo." I hugged her back.

Mrs. Castillo was happy about the baby, although she didn't approve of how it happened. But she figured both Melissa and I had learned our lesson and there was no reason to stop anything now.

"Well are we ready to find out if this baby's a boy or girl?" Mrs. Castillo asked excitedly.

Melissa grabbed my arm, her grip tightening around it. "Yes." She grinned.

Women…. The central confusion of men.

Reggie's POV

"How long does it take to find out???" Otto asked frustrated.

"I don't know Otto; I've never had a baby remember?" I replied sarcastically.

Everyone was at our house waiting for Twister to call, well everyone as-in Lars, Sam, Hailey, and Ryan. So far we had heard nothing.

Lars, who was sitting next to me on the couch tugged at my arm. I looked over at him; he had a "calm down" commanding look on his face.

Since our talk me and Otto had gotten a long a lot better, but we were still brother and sister and still argued.

Suddenly the phone rang, and automatically Otto and I both reached for it. I grabbed the phone before Otto and hurriedly answered.

"Hello? Twist?" I answered.

"Uh, no Reg, this is your dad." Ray's voice came over the phone.

I sighed and everyone looked at me, "It's Raymundo." Everyone else sighed as well.

"It's nice to hear from you too Reg." Ray said pretending to be offended. "I guess this means Twister hasn't called yet."

"No, we're waiting on him right now." I replied.

"Ok well make sure you call us as soon as you find out." Ray said.

"Alright Raymundo, we will." I answered.

"Ok, well I love you honey." Ray said. "Oh, and Tito said to say hi to everyone."

"Tito says hi to everyone." I told the room. "Alright dad, bye." I hung the phone up.

"Ugh, this is stupid." Otto said getting up and walking into the kitchen.

"That boy never did have many patients." I sighed.

"Wonder where he gets it." Sam smiled at me mischievously.

I grinned and threw a pillow at Sam; he ducked just barely missing getting hit.

A slight blush crept up Hailey's face as she watched Sam. They were so cute, if only they both had a little more courage.

My glaze went across Ryan who was watching me smugly. I scooted over closer to Lars. Things between me and Ryan were still awkward. I had convinced Lars not to beat Ryan up, and I don't think Otto cared much for Ryan anymore.

Lars looked down at me and I looked back up at him. He put his arm around me and pulled me close. When his glaze went to Ryan, I knew Lars knew what had bothered me.

The phone rang again causing everyone to jump.

"I GOT IT!" Otto called from the kitchen as something dropped to the floor. All that could be heard was Otto's muffled voice.

A few minutes later Otto came out, he looked mad.

"Well?" Sam questioned.

"He wouldn't tell me." Otto mumbled, slumping down onto the couch. He folded his arms, "He said he wanted to tell us with Melissa."

The whole room groaned.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocked and pulled it out, the caller ID surprising me. "Oh hey Sherri."

"Hey Reggie! I heard Twister is supposed to find out about the baby today!" Sherri's bright voice said.

"Yeah he just called but wouldn't tell Otto yet." I replied.

Even though I couldn't see her, I knew Sherri had just frowned. "Hmm… Well we should throw Melissa a baby shower."

It took a minute for the thought to process. I had never thought about it until now. "Yeah, that's a good idea." I said.

"Ok, well, call me tonight and I'll call Trish and I'm sure Trish will call somebody…. Oh! And don't forget Lizzy! I'm sure she would like to come. And of course Cleo has to come!" Sherri was always good at planning parties.

"Ok, I'll call you later then." I replied.

After hanging up I looked at Lars, "Sherri." I replied before he could answer. Lars nodded.

Otto sighed and picked up the remote control turning the TV on. "This sucks…"

It seemed usually long before Twister finally opened the front door, Melissa close behind him.

Everyone sat up as the two walked in smiling. Melissa clung to Twister's arm smiling brightly. Twister seemed very happy himself. Happier than he had been in awhile.

"Are you gonna tell us now?!" Otto asked impatiently.

Twister kissed Melissa's cheek and whispered something in her ear.

Melissa smiled, "We're having a girl!!"

Within seconds I found myself hugging Melissa. She had become like a sister to me. I finally let go noticing everyone else had gathered around, and then hugged Twister.

The room buzzed with excitement.

Lars POV

I couldn't believe I was going to be the uncle of a niece. That, my family joined Melissa's in dinner at a nice restaurant.

I thought back about how upset both Melissa and Twister had been when they first found out about the baby, and now everyone was celebrating. I couldn't believe how fast time was going; the baby would be born in about four months.

As I lay in bed I remembered how happy Twister and Melissa had looked. Melissa's older brother who had been married for a couple years had even came from San Diego to join us at dinner.

A knock sounded at my door.

"Yeah?" I called.

"Hey bro." Twister said walking in. He still had that grin in his eyes he'd had all day.

"Oh, hey." I replied.

"Can you believe it Lars?" Twister sat on my bed making himself comfortable.

"Not really." Since when had my little brother become so grown up?

"I just wanted to tell you Lars… Thanks for being there." Twister's look turned solemn. "Even if we didn't get a long when we were teenagers that much, you were still always there for me. And I appreciate it."

Not another emotional moment. "Yeah, well someone had to look out for you." I reached up and ruffled Twister's hair.

"Hey!" Twister was suddenly trying to hold me down.

I quickly flipped him, "Don't think that just cause you got a girl and a baby means you can whomp me."

"BOYS! It is too late to be wrestling!!" Mom called from downstairs.

"How does she hear us?" Twister asked.

"Beats me." I replied getting off Twister.

"Ok mom!" Twister called back.

"Buenos noches mis hijos!" Mom said.

"Goodnight mom!" Twister replied.

"Night!" I called after. I grinned evilly and pushed Twister off my bed.

"LARS!" Mom warned.

Twister laughed, "Ha-ha, busted!"

"Whatever you dork." I said settling back into my place.