An update is finally here!!! Thank you, @truly_ally for encouraging me to update this book. So here ya go!

*****

Two months later, making me seven months pregnant, I started having weird thoughts that Crystal was about to come. But that didn't make sense. I remembered earlier on in the pregnancy when the nurse had mentioned that "mythical" pregnancies were different from human ones, but could Crystal come two months too early and be okay?

"What's wrong?" Ryder asked.

We were on a walk--Alex thought it was a good idea.

"Something doesn't feel right. I think you should--"

My water broke.

"Get me to the hospital," I more demanded than finished my sentence.

The ride there felt way too long. By the time we got there, the contractions were inhumanly closer together. But that was just the thing--I'm not human. I should've expected things like this to happen to me. Because I'm not--nor will I ever be--normal.

The process of me going to the delivery room was all a blur. But once I got in there, I did everything the doctors told me to. Oh god. Breathe... Breathe.

*three hours later*

Crystal was out of my body and the doctors were weighing her and cleaning her up. They had already cut the cord. They handed her to me and I stared down at her. She was beautiful. Her eyes were closed at the moment, but specks of her dark brown hair showed. It was Ryder's hair! And her skin wasn't incredibly pale, nor incredibly tan. She had the perfect complexion. She stirred in her little pink blanket and made a small whimper and her little eyes fluttered open.

Her eyes were perfect. Almond shape with the crystal blue eyes. They radiated innocence and purity. I just knew she would grow up to be a precious woman. I know that sounds cheesy, but once you have your baby, you'll understand. And yes, Crystal may get into trouble, but I had no doubt that she'd be a good girl.

"Hey," Ryder came in. He wasn't already here? That's another thing I guess. You only care about your baby when you're in labor.

"Look," I whispered.

He leaned over me and he smiled from ear to ear. "She's... So tiny."

"I know," I said. "Wanna hold her?"

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Ryder," I said. "She's your daughter, too."

As I handed her to him and he held her, I couldn't help but think it was way too early, but at least she was healthy and alive.

A few days later, I was ready to go home with my new family. Once we reached the mansion, there were balloons on the outside. When we entered, everyone came up to us and started hugging us, holding Crystal, and just cooing over her and loving that we were all okay.

"Give me Crystal, please," I said. "I wanna put her to bed, so I can go to bed," I laughed.

"Wait," Ryder said. "I wanna do this now."

"What?" I faced him.

"Usually, I don't like making public... I don't like talking in front of people. But, I want everyone to know how much I love you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I am the luckiest man in this room, because you chose me to be your boyfriend. The only way you could make me even luckier is if you would choose to be my wife," he kneeled at the last sentence.

I covered my mouth with my hand, eyes wide, heart pounding at infinity miles an hour, and eyes already watery. All I could do was muster up a nod and he slipped a ring on my finger. Everyone erupted into applause and awe and I just forgot everyone else existed for a minute. He stood back up and kissed me. Short and sweet, but filled with love.

But for some reason I couldn't help but ask, was all of this happening way too early? And fast, for that matter. And of course I wanted to marry Ryder. But you know what they say, people stay engaged for years sometimes. All I did know was that I was in love with Ryder and just absolutely loved my family more than you know. Possibly more than a crazy cat lady loved her hundreds of cats. I dunno. That's debatable.

*****

Sucky update, I know, but I'll fix it in editing! Love y'all!

WritingMelody<3