So many reviews! You guys are lovely! So I am working on actually reading through these before I post them... I switch POV alot... SORRY!

It's about to get real folks! The big reveal!

read. rate. review. be jolly and eat blueberry fritters.

After dinner they all decided to migrate to the living room to talk some more. Stephanie took deep breathes and held Valerie's hand which was shaking quite fiercely. Stephanie didn't know what to expect. She worried about the harsh things that could be said and about how much Val really needed all the support she could get right now. The last thing her older sister needed was to feel alone. Stephanie stood and turned the television off. When she turned to her family Val looked terrified and her body vibrated against the couch she sat on, Helen looked disapproving and Frank looked a bit annoyed.

"Mom, Dad, Valerie has something she needs to tell you," Stephanie said firmly. She had made the decision to be Val's rock.

Helen did not look too surprised but Frank certainly did. Frank Plum was not the kind of man who took news lightly. No, he had raised his girls with the understanding that it would have to be a pressing matter in order for it to be discussed seriously. Stephanie thought this warranted a serious discussion. After all, with the exception of her, they were all adults. She thought she might be overestimating the maturity of her family, but decided against it. Yes, they were a tad scatter brained, but they could act mature for 20 minutes... couldn't they?

Val took a deep breath and Stephanie sat next to her and rested a hand against her back. With an exhale Valerie straightened and with a determined look she spoke clearly.

"I'm pregnant."

Frank looked like he was going to be sick and Helen looked very confused. Stephanie thought she was trying to decide on an emotion and she was correct.

Helen Plum only wanted the best for her girls. She wanted them to have the burg lifestyle that had been so good to her. She knew it was a lot of pressure but her girls were strong, they could handle it. Until recently she had thought that a burg boy would be the best for them, but the Joe Morelli sniffing around her daughter's heels was starting to worry her. Sure, he seemed like a good burg boy... but as a mother she could smell that rat a mile away. And she had heard things. The kind of things that make you look at someone twice. Joe Morelli was a rumoured man whore and his father was a drunk who beat women. She didn't want her baby subjected to that. No. Steph would find someone else. Someone better.

Valerie, her little Val, who had always been an ideal daughter, was not only having sex but pregnant too. This was a shock. Sure, she had seen the signs. The glow, the modest clothing, the new air of a woman. But she had been hoping that it was because of a new skin treatment or school going really well. She couldn't decide whether she should be angry or if she should be excited. Quite frankly, she was both.

"Pregnant?" Frank whispered.

"Yes, Daddy, Pregnant. I'm going to have a baby." Stephanie noticed her hands no longer shook, but were clenching her dress.

"I- I don't... Who is the father?" Helen stuttered.

"It doesn't matter. I'm doing this on my own." Valerie spoke with a steadiness she didn't feel.

"Like hell you are!" Frank shouted.

"Dad." Stephanie said in a scolding manner.

"No. My girl is not raising a baby on her own. Val you don't understand how big a responsibility a baby is! It's another life."

"I knew this would happen! I don't understand? I'm not a little girl anymore. Damn it! I tell you I'm pregnant and you act like I'm a child. Dad, I have sex and I know what can come of it. Obviously I made a mistake but I don't need a lecture. I need your support. I know it won't be easy... I know I'm not the most well equipt person in the world. But I know I have a family who will stand by me and help. And if you can't do that, well, then I don't want you to be a part of my baby's life."

"You want to keep the baby?" Helen sounded proud.

"Yes. I don't need a man. He wouldn't be a competent father anyway." Val looked a little sheepish admitting that the father was not someone worth having around.

"Well, then, I think you are making a... brave choice and your father and I will support you. I assume you have already called a doctor to set up an appointment?" Helen said with a wavy voice. She was shocked. She had assumed there was at least a man! But to do this on alone would be a new challenge. No, not alone. She would have her her family.

"In two weeks." Val looked a little nervous.

"Okay then. How about something sweet to celebrate?" With that Helen went to the kitchen to prepare something.

Stephanie smiled at Valerie. They shared a hug. Frank looked a little irked, but otherwise pleased with his daughter's new found independence. Val looked exhausted and her sister insisted she go lay down for a bit. While sitting on the couch, Stephanie began to think. Perhaps this was a little wake up call. One she had very much needed. Thinking about her activities with Carlos, they had began to rush forward. They needed to slow down before she ended up pregnant. She would tell Carlos about Val... about all this. He probably wouldn't understand how she felt but she would tell him anyway. He would either respect it or not and if he didn't... well, then, Adios Carlitos.

SO THERE WE GO!

the next chapter will be an update and an apology... read it or don't but SORRY FOR THE WAIT!