These four chapters are a bonus to celebrate the two new collections received , and I will stand by my word and release two extra chapters for each new collection received 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Bonus Chapter(1/4)
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Will didn't even realize the moment had started.
He'd only stepped away for a second—to grab Eliza's sweater from the hook near the door and fold it the way she liked it. Eliza had gone upstairs for a quick call, some Foundation issue that needed only her voice to be settled. That left Lyra in her favorite spot—on the thick cream rug near the couch, surrounded by her colorful plushes and the big cloth books she liked to chew on.
It was just a normal afternoon.
But then he heard it—something shifting.
He turned, expecting to see her rolling lazily toward her bunny again.
Instead, she was… moving.
Will froze.
Not rolling. Not squirming. Not kicking.
Crawling.
At first, it was awkward. One tiny hand, one soft knee. Her balance wobbled, her other hand landing too far forward. But she adjusted, her brow furrowing in the same intense way Eliza's did when she focused. Then, with a huff of determination, she dragged herself forward again—toward the plush fox in front of her, the one Eliza had bought on a whim at a boutique while still pregnant, "because she's going to love it, I just know."
"Oh my God," Will breathed, not sure whether to grab his phone or stay still and soak it all in.
"Lyra, are you—? Are you actually—?"
She made a squeaky sound, part gurgle, part grunt. Another inch forward.
Will dropped to his knees, too stunned to cheer, too filled with awe to speak.
By the time Eliza came down the stairs, barefoot and casual, still adjusting the cuff of her sleeve, Will was sitting cross-legged on the floor, grinning like a man who had just witnessed a miracle.
"Why are you—" she paused. "Will?"
He looked up, beaming. "She crawled."
"What?"
He turned slightly, tilting his head at the baby. "Show Mama. Come on, little bean. Do it again."
Lyra looked up, eyes wide and bright, face flushed with effort.
And then—like she knew she had an audience—she moved again. Slower this time. Almost shy. But unmistakable.
Eliza dropped to her knees beside Will, one hand flying to her mouth.
"She's crawling. She's actually crawling," she whispered, her voice cracking on the last word.
Will laughed softly, wrapping an arm around Eliza's shoulders, and pulling her in. "Told you she was in a hurry to take over the world."
Lyra reached the fox and face-planted into it with a triumphant noise that sounded like victory. The parents clapped gently, stunned and proud and very, very still—as if breathing too loud might undo the magic of the moment.
Eliza leaned into Will. "I can't believe we almost missed it."
"But we didn't," he murmured, kissing her hair. "We're right here."
She watched their daughter lift her head, her hair messy, her eyes bright. "We're going to blink and she'll be running."
Will looked at her sideways. "Then I guess we better start running, too."
Eliza turned her face toward his and smiled. "With you? Always."