Page 57 of How to Accidentally Become the Devil

“You’re a magnet for trouble and chaos and I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“You’re stronger than any demon I’ve ever met. I never expected that from a human raised on Earth,” Oz cuts in before Maddy can say anything. “You complete me in ways I never thought possible.”

“Sweetheart you are the cause of every good thing that has happened to me in recent memory and I hope you’ll say yes to being the cause of every good thing that ever happens going forward. Marry us?”

We all drop down on one knee as Zar finishes the big question and Belz presents her with a gorgeous ring made from a demon metal that resembles platinum and in the center surrounded by vines and small leaves sits a large dark stone that upon closer look appears to contain the entire night sky as seen on earth.

“You’re all a bunch of assholes… except you Zar. But how could I possibly say no?”

“So that’s a yes?” I ask eagerly.

Laughing, she nods her head. “That’s a yes you big dummy.”

We all stand as one and Belz slips the ring on her finger before we smother her, all four of us surrounding her and hugging her at once.

Madelyne

Once everyone finally backs away and I have space to breathe, I decide now’s the perfect time to share my news.

“So, I knew you all were up to something but I let you have your fun because while you were all trying so hard to keep your secret from me, it has made my secret much easier to keep.”

“Hey! You’re not supposed to keep secrets from us,” Zeph pouts.

“Neither are you,” I sass back, sticking my tongue out at him for good measure. “But here we are and it’s a good secret, I promise.”

“Shut up and let her tells us,” Belz glares at Zeph.

“You shut up,” Zeph grumbles back.

“Thank you, Belz,” I start again hoping to get it out this time. “Anyhow, as I was saying, my secret was much easier to keep thanks to your plotting and scheming, and now I’m ready to tell.”

“Princess, if you do not get to the damn point I am adding to your currenttally.” Oz drawls.

“Shut up, Oz!” Belz, Zeph, and Zar shout in unison.

“Oh my hell guys, screw it. I’m pregnant!”

Zar freezes and stares at me slack-jawed. Zeph stammers the wordpregnantover and over again, while Belz looks at me in awe and breathes the word.

Oz is the quickest to overcome his shock, scooping me in his arms and spinning me around. When he sets me down, the others rush to my side.

“Is it true? We’re going to be daddies?” Belz asks in wonder.

My eyes get wetter as my smile gets bigger. “Yes. You’re going to be daddies,” I confirm.

“When did you find out?Howdid you find out?” Zeph says, clearly not too educated on how babies are made.

“Women just know.” I roll my eyes. “Well, that and I know the signs and symptoms because I randomly researched the topic to traumatize Reed with random facts. Did you know women are very emotional when they’re pregnant?”

“That explains a lot,” Zar mutters, earning a smack to the back of his head. “What? You were thinking it too!”

“Yes. But I’m not stupid enough to say it out loud.” Belz shakes his head.

“Anyway.” I glare at Zar. “That should have been my first clue but I had valid reasons for being emotional and stressed out so I didn’t think much of it. Then right after Luc and my parents left I got really sick. I swear I’ve never felt so bad in my entire life. Turns out morning sickness suuucks. But what finally tipped me off was this insatiable craving for cookie dough ice cream, I’ve conjured six cartons this week!

“Are you feeling better now?” Belz asks. “We can go home if you’re not feeling well. I wish you would have told us. I hate it when you’re sick,” he mumbles.

“I’m fine. Trust me, if I was sick like the first few days, there’s no way I’d be out of bed right now. Unless I was in front of a toilet. I’m actually feeling really good today. It’s interesting though, I’ve always heard morning sickness lasts months, not days. But ever since then, I swear I’ve never felt so good.”

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