Page 6 of Pretty Little Disaster

“I haven’t told the father yet and when I do, Iknowhe’s going to be mad.” Now all I have to do is break the news to her, that the mad father is her brother.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine about it. These things happen all the time. Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing someone?”

“I’m not seeing anyone, this was a one-time thing,” I admit. Trying not to think back to that night.

“Well, now it’s a lifetime thing.” Dario takes the opportunity to fire another joke and Madalina’s head spins around so fast she must get whiplash.

“Exactly, and I’m so mad at myself for being so stupid.” As annoying as he is, Dario’s right. This is a lifetime problem and I only have myself to blame.

“Come on, he can’t be that bad, not if you slept with him. I’ll bet whoever this guy is he?—”

“It’s Nic!” I rip that Band-Aid off, again. Shocking my best friend silent.

“Nic?”she screeches and when the floor between her legs puddles with water I take a giant step back.

“Holy shit, did you just pee yourself?” I check.

“Her waters broke.” Dario gets up and rushes toward us. “Madalina, the baby’s coming!” I watch him take her face in his hands and smile.

“Nic knocked up Lorna.” She seems oblivious to the fact she’s gone into labor as she stares back at him, still in shock by what she’s heard.

“Yes...I heard but we can’t worry about that, now. We need to get you to the hospital. Lorna, watch the girls. Vito. VITO! Get the car!” he calls out, before crouching between the girls' chairs.

“Girls, Mommy and Daddy need to go to the hospital to have your baby brother. Auntie Lorna’s going to take care of you, okay?” He smacks a kiss on the top of their heads as he straightens himself up. “Come on.” He starts trying to usher Madalina to the door, but she isn’t budging.

“Nic?” She’s staring at me as if she doesn’t believe me.

“I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant to happen. As I said, it was a one-time thing, and no one is more mad about it than I am. Ireallyhate him,” I promise her.

“Ohhhh!” Madalina grips the back of Isabella’s chair with one hand and strokes the side of her stomach with the other

“Okay, that was a definite contraction. We’re leaving.” Dario wraps his arm around her waist in another attempt to get her moving.

“No, wait.” She shoos him away. “You're pregnant with my brother’s baby.” She looks back up at me, surprising me with the huge smile on her face.

“What are you smiling for? This is a disaster.” I shake my head.

“You're having my niece or nephew.” She starts to laugh, in between rubbing her tummy and breathing slow, steady breaths.

“Can we talk about this when you're not in labor?” Dario looks really eager to get going and when he manages to get her a few feet closer to the door she halts when another contraction binds her up.

“Dario, I can feel that pressure. The one I felt just before the girls came.” She looks petrified when she looks up at him.

“Yes, I know, and we’re going to get you some drugs this time. You promised me, remember?” He urges her on like he’s training a puppy.

“No. I mean I think he’s coming,now!” She leans forward and moans.

“Hecan’tbe coming now, these things take time, we have to get you to the hospital first.” Dario shakes his head.

“Oh shit, I need to push.” She grips the back of another chair and crouches forward.

“Mom?” Little Carlotta looks worried when she sees the pain her mom is in.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Why don’t you go play with Auntie Lorna?” Madalina smiles before looking up at me and gesturing her head toward the door.

“Come on, girls, let's go find those dolls Nonna Serena got you.” I take both their hands and get them out of the room as quickly as their little legs can carry them and when I hear the wails of pain coming from behind us as we climb the stairs, I do the only thing I can do and sing over the top of it.

I’m on the floor playing with Carlotta and Isabella when the door opens and seeing Nic step through it has me quickly leaping up on my feet.

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