Pete Wentz has defended his ladylove against rumors that she is pregnant by sending an ironic email to MTV News Monday but speculation is persistent: Ashlee Simpson is expecting her first baby and wants to marry her bassist fiancé, reports People.

People.com reports, quoting “a source close to the family,” that Ashlee Simpson is pregnant and intends to marry fiancé Pete Wentz at a private residence in Southern California next month.

The May wedding supposedly will take place at a friend’s house in La Jolla, Calif., north of San Diego, reports People.

The 23-year-old singer, younger sister of pop star/actress Jessica Simpson, is engaged to the 28-year-old bassist and founding member of Fall Out Boy. The couple announced the happy event last week, through a message posted on Friendsorenemies.com that explained that, although the matter is private, they wanted their fans, which are all-important, to know.

“We are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged. Thank you for all of your support and well wishes - it means the world to us. We consider this to be a very private matter, but we wanted you to hear it straight from us,” the message read.

When speculation arose once more that the two are also expecting their first baby, Pete sent an email to MTV News on Monday, saying the media’s interest in their private matters is similar to a “witch hunt.”

“There is a witch hunt for people to be pregnant whenever they get engaged in Hollywood,” he wrote. “This is all news to me. I can’t wait for the story about how I’m really in a gay relationship and this is all just a cover ... I mean really, this is crazy ... I mean we’re engaged, that’s true, and happy about it.”

The following day, Ashlee sort of denied pregnancy rumors, during an interview with MTV after taping TRL in New York. She only said, “Some things you want to keep personal.”

Ashlee and Pete have been linked since fall of 2006. Earlier this year, Ashlee was seen wearing a diamond ring on her engagement finger, which she explained was a promise ring from Pete.

Ashlee’s dad, Joe, has already confirmed to People that the two are engaged and added that he is “totally happy” and “so excited to have Pete as part of (our) family.” He concluded, “We are blessed.”

Monday, a rep for the couple would only say, “We are thrilled to confirm their engagement and congratulate this happy couple. Beyond that there is nothing to add.”