I walk the streets of our small Australian city without knowing where I'm going. I just had to get out of the house before I said something I'd regret, and I'd thought the fresh air would calm me down. I was right. The nice, salty breeze and the sound of the wind through the palms has helped sooth my nerves a lot since I stepped foot out here. But my mind is still abuzz.

Cleo? I think. Pregnant? Oh god, oh god, her Dad is gonna KILL me!

After circling a few blocks, I realize I'm not getting anywhere. I need to talk to somebody. I need to sort this out.

Before I know it, I end up at Will's house, one of my best mates. He and Bella, like Emma and Ash and Rikki and Zane, are still dating- only Cleo and I have taken the step of marriage.

"What's up?" Will asks me when I knock on his boat-house door.

"Can I come in?" I wonder. Will steps aside.

Sitting down at his desk, Will inquires, "So, what can I do for you?"

I sigh. "Cleo … Cleo just gave me some big news."

"What happened?" asks Will, immediately concerned. I shake my head and assure him that nothing is the matter. "Oh … well then why are you here?"

Taking a deep breath, I break the news: "Cleo's pregnant."

For a moment, Will looks shocked. "What?" he asks.

"She's going to have a baby."

The clock ticks. Will seems to be taking the news the same way I had.

"Will? You okay in there?" I finally say.

"Huh? Oh, yeah … Cleo? Pregnant? Geez, her Dad is gonna kill you," Will says. I chuckle.

"My thought exactly."

"So … what's wrong? Besides the surprise, I don't see much of a problem. You guys are actually lucky!" Will exclaims after a minute.

I take in his words. "But, no! Cleo and I are so young- we want to live our lives before having a baby. We want to travel and have adventures together!"
"Yeah, but a baby is an adventure, mate. And you can travel with kids, right?"

I shake my head. "No, actually, you can't. Not really."

"Well then press pause on the traveling, I guess. But still, Lewis, this is great! How's Cleo faring?"

Will's question strikes me; I hadn't even asked Cleo is she was okay! "Oh, no! What an idiot!" I say angrily.

"What's wrong? You didn't react well to the news, I take it?" Will guesses. I nod. "Well then go to her!"

I stand up and shake Will's hand before I go, in a rush to comfort the love of my life. I haven't let her down so badly since the whole Charlotte episode.

"I just have one question," Will says in the door as I walk out. "Will the baby be a mermaid, too?"

I turn to him, open-mouthed. I hadn't even thought of that! And so, without another word, I begin to sprint home. I need to get to Cleo.