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Between his new job and school, Todd was gone for long hours everyday. Madeline tried to wait up for him every night, but she was getting further along in her pregnancy and had a hard time staying awake by the end of the day. He came home one night and found her curled up on the couch, sleeping soundly, with one hand on her soft, pregnant belly. She looks like an angel, he thought. “How did I get so lucky” he whispered as he looked down on her. Todd bent down to his knees and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She jumped, startled. “Todd!” she said “I must have fallen asleep.” She rubbed her eyes.
Todd brushed the hair from her face. I’m sorry, Madeline, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Madeline got up from the couch and stretched. “That’s ok. I shouldn’t sleep on this couch anyway.” She put her hands on her back. “Ugh” she groaned. “Now my back is killing me.”



Todd stepped behind her and started rubbing her shoulders. She sighed with relief. “You know, Madeline, pretty soon it won’t be just you and me anymore. We won’t get all this quiet time alone.” She laughed. “Yeah, I know. It’s crazy, isn’t it? How time changes things.”
Todd continued to rub her back. “Yeah, it doesn’t seem like long ago that I didn’t know where my life was going. Now I feel like I have all the answers.”
Madeline turned around to look at him. She put her arms around his waist. “I know I feel like my life is complete now.” She said, smiling.
Todd looked back at her, running his hand through her hair. “Well, maybe not entirely.” He said. Madeline looked confused.



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“Madeline, before you came along I never thought I would have any of this. I loved you from the moment I laid my eyes on you, and I always hoped that we would wind up just like this.” he got down on one knee and pulled a small box out of his pocket. “I couldn’t ask for anything more, and I just want to show you that I’m willing to devote my entire life to you and our child.” he pulled out a ring from the box. It was small, but it sparkled like the moon shining on the leftover snow crystals outside. “I want you to be my wife, Madeline.”
She threw her hands over her mouth in shock. “I.. I can’t believe… when did you…” she stuttered as she looked at the tiny stone.
“Buy a ring?” he said, smiling. “I wanted to surprise you. To do this the right way.” He handed her the ring.
She took it from him as a tear fell from her face. “But Todd, I can’t marry you.” She said quietly. Her voice was trembling.
He looked at her, confused. “Why not? I thought…”
She wiped her eyes. “I’m still married to someone else, Todd. I can’t marry you while I’m married to someone else.” She handed the ring back to him.
Todd’s face dropped. “Well, can’t you get a divorce?” he asked, hopeful.
“Yes, but then I would have to find him and I’m scared. I don’t want him around you or our unborn baby. He’s dangerous, Todd. There’s no telling what he’ll do.” She started to cry. “This is all my fault. You planned this beautiful surprise for me and I ruined it.”



Todd stood up and put his arms around her. He whispered in her ear “It’s not your fault, I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry.” He said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
He held her tightly as she cried. He ran his fingers through her soft hair. “If you weren’t already married, would you have said yes?”
She pulled away from him. “Of course I would, Todd! You know I want nothing more than to be with you!”
He picked up her hand and slid the ring on her finger. “Then wear this. We will be married one day, this is my promise to you.” He kissed her hand.



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Madeline threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much, Todd. I’m so lucky to have you.”
He hugged her back. “I love you too.”