So many reviews~ I did a happy dance! I must make this clear once more. Helen will not be a crazy bitch in this story.

Thanks for reading! CHAPTER 10 EVERYBODY! WOOHOOOOOOOOO

read. rate. review. be jolly and eat jelly beans.

I took a deep steadying breath before entering my house. In the car I had been grinning like an idiot but now I was shaking in my boots. I was more than three hours late and my mom would be furious. I should be more wary but meeting Carlos' parents had gone splendidly in my book and I simply adored them; the way Carlos Sr. was a Rangers fan too and Maria was just all around lovely and quite outspoken! Carlos had this pleased little gleam in his eyes, I couldn't help but notice, when he came down stairs and saw us all conversing. I think it must have meant a lot to him that his parents liked me. And suddenly, facing my mother or Val didn't make me quiver. Carlos had been proud of me.

Steeling myself, I raised my chin and plastered a smile on my face and I opened the door.

My mother was on the couch with Valerie and my father was in his chair. He barely lifted his gaze to recognize my arrival. He was much too busy with his newspaper. In truth, I knew he was using it so mother wouldn't force him into a conversation. Val looked as great as ever, better even. She was simply glowing and she was dressed modestly. She wore a simple lavender dress and low white heels, her hair had been cut to her shoulders giving her a more mature look, and her eyes were shining with happiness. It was something I had never truly seen in her eyes. She turned to look at me and jumped up.

"Stephanie," she ran to hug me. "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too Val." I said honestly. I had missed her. Even though she was mother's favorite and she sort of annoyed me when she was still in highschool, being two years older than me, making me the annoying sister always hanging around. I had missed my sister. "You look great!"

"Really? Thanks! I started working out." She looked so happy it made my heart swell. We sat on the couch and my mother didn't say anything about my tardiness. How strange. She went to the kitchen to check on dinner. Val and I entered an animated conversation about her life at college and newest events. She asked me how school was and I couldn't help but blush. All that came to mind was Carlos and his lips and chest and arms and...

"Stephanie! You like a boy!" She said with a big ole smile. I groaned.

"Val could you keep your voice down, please!" I hissed in a whisper. The last thing I needed was out mother coming in here in a fit.

"Come on!" She said before grabbing my arm and ran up the stairs to my room. Once inside she closed the door and sat on my bed, her body emitting rays of anticipation. "Tell me all about him."

I sighed and then bit my lip before relenting. "Okay. So his name is Carlos. He is Latin and has the most beautiful caramel skin and his body? He looks like a sculpture; every muscle perfectly formed and easily traceable. His eyes are this deep brown but when he gets... excited... they turn black and his eyelashes are unnaturally long and thick and black, his hair is like a waterfall of black silk and is kinda long and shaggy but he keeps it pulled back, his nose is thin and straight and his lips are like velvet. And don't even get me started on how amazing he smells! His hands, though, are large and calloused but so gentle and warm. I can't get enough of him and whenever he is near me I get this tingle and there he is. And his smile? It's like the sun and warms every inch of me. And the way he looks at me makes my knees weak and I feel the need to be around him every minute of everyday! And he just... he has a motorcycle and his ear is pierced and he is great and sweet and manly and,"

"You really like this guy, huh?" Her face had a soft warmth.

"Yeah... I really do." God, I really liked this guy... what the hell is wrong with me. I gotta take a break!

"So... I have something to tell you." Oh no. Oh no... here it comes... "I'm pregnant." She said with a smile. Oh shit!

"Whose is it?" I asked softly.

"No one of importance. The point is... I'm happy. At first, I was really scared and I didn't know what to do but... I'm keeping it and it'll be great."

"So... you're going to raise a baby... all on your own?" I was kinda proud of her. Mom would expect a marriage. Daddy would be very upset and threaten to kick the guy's... and he would stop like that, turn red with rage and go into the garage to fix something.

"Yeah. I have a good job. I'm almost done with school for awhile... and I know I can do this!" She was so sure of herself.

"I am so proud of you Val! And if you ever need anything, you know I am here for you!" She hugged me and gave me the biggest smile

"I need you to be there when I tell mom and dad... after dinner." I swallowed.

"I can do that." I could do that and if they gave her a hard time I would step in. "I have your back."

"Girls! Time for dinner." Our mother called. Val looked at me with wide eyes.

I grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before we headed downstairs.

That's all folks! I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

NEXT CHAPTER Val and Steph talk to their parents! What will they say/do? Is Steph gonna back off of Carlos?