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“Babe, what’s up?” I demanded.

Meadow just sobbed louder.

“Mom went upstairs. When she came down, she was devastated. Chill, I don’t know what happened!” Cassian exclaimed, sounding almost panicked.

I knelt by Meadow. “I’m sorry for leaving you,” I gasped, grabbing her hand. “Christ, you’re freezing.” I began rubbing them between his.

“You’re going to split up with me!” Meadow wailed, and everyone stiffened.

Nanci hurried over, looking worried. “Hey, you were a bitch, it’s okay. I was too. Chill won’t break up with you for that.”

Meadow released a wet gurgle as Nanci attempted to hold her hand, and I finally realised Meadow was clutching something.

“Babe, you’re stuck with me. I ain’t going nowhere,” I reassured her, rubbing her arms. Panic was welling inside me as I tried to understand why my woman was so upset.

“You’ll hate me,” Meadow wailed. Alarm flashed through me. What the hell had happened? Was this over her bitch fit? Christ, everyone was entitled to their off days. Or did Meadow think I’d fail her because I’d freaked in the maze?

“Nothing you can do will ever make me hate you,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm.

Nanci got Meadow’s fingers open, and she released a soft gasp as something dropped into her palm.

“Chill,” she murmured. I glanced up, and Nanci dropped the item in my palm and moved away with Cassian. “She’s okay, kid,” Nanci reassured him.

I stared at the item, and for a few moments, I didn’t understand what I was holding. Then I saw the word pregnant. I fell on my ass, staring at the white stick. Meadow began sobbing again as I tried to process my thoughts.

“You’re pregnant?” I asked finally.

Meadow nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t hate me. Please don’t break up with me!”

“We’re having a baby?” I asked, making sure I understood.

“Yes!” Meadow wailed loudly.

“You’re not happy?” I demanded, wanting to know where she stood.

“You’ll think I trapped you!”

Got it. I scuttled forward on my knees and pulled a ring from my pocket. Meadow hiccupped to a stop in shock.

“I’ve been waiting for the right moment. Marry me, babe,” I begged.

“What about the baby?” Meadow whispered.

“She or he is going to be as spoiled as hell,” I promised.

“You’re not mad?”

“No. This is a gift I never expected, and we’ve got three kids. This is a bonus,” I stated, gripping her hands and holding her eyes. I needed Meadow to believe me.

“I love you!” Meadow yowled like a scalded cat and threw herself at me.

“God help us if she’s this hormonal already,” Cassian said, disgusted.

“No wonder she was a raging bitch,” Daisy Duke added.

“I’m sorry I was a meanie!” Meadow cried as tears began falling.

Nanci sat down beside her and hugged her. “Me too!” she wailed.