Colden looked happy and Liz smirked. “Being a father looks good on your Colden.”

Lotus knew that Colden wanted to be a better father than Xunatar and be a better overall parent than his mother. He didn’t have to work hard to be any of that though but at least his family would be there to help him.

“Oh, Colden… Before I forget… You shouldn’t to–” Angela was about to explain when Colden touched Angelette’s hair and all of it came out leaving puffs of soft white hair and black tips. “Touch her hair…”

Liz looked in shock but it was Eldora who came out and put her hands on her hips. “Angelette is molting like a bird. Seems like her black hair was protecting her white hair. Her wings will feather with a soft down in the next few days. Also… Crystaline is up and asking about the baby. We told her to stay asleep but she is being stubborn.”

It’s was odd; for Colden, one that had been so selfish in life before these last few years, that now he wanted nothing more in the world than just to protect the little baby that was in his arms. Didn’t seem like there was a world outside between him and his new daughter, that was until her hair fell out. And then the freakout began as he frantically tried to capture the hair in midair.

“Boy, her hair is fragile or something. There’s no saving that”, Garland offered his two cents before Eldora clarified what was really going on. “So…I didn’t break her?” Colden looked at the now white hair that she sported and settled down enough to continue rocking Angelette steady.

“She probably won’t rest until then” It was likely better for Crystaline to see her child than to keep her away even if it was for her best interest. Colden took the charge and headed inside where he had formerly passed out. “Crystaline, they wanted you to rest up first. But I know you won’t until you see her.” Coming around to her side, he held the baby right in front of her so that she could see the adorable little bundle. “She’s fine. Just lost some of her hair…somehow but she seems content. How are you doing?”

“No, you didn’t little brother.” Eldora offered a smile.

Angela supposed that Colden was right and let the boy lead the march up to see Crystaline. The small angel was up in bed sitting against a fresh set of pillows. Her long white hair had been braided and it was obvious that Angela had dressed her and taken care of her. All of the blood and scenes from the birth were gone but that was nothing for the goddess to do.

Her eyes were closed as if she was drifting but just the sound of the door opening made her snap awake and look towards Colden. There was a tired but satisfied look on her face. “You know me so well Colden…” Crystaline took a big look at Angelette as she was brought over. “Oh…”

“She is molting then? You can’t tell but Crystaline used to have golden hair before it all fell out and became white.” Cathrine was near by with a book. “It’s natural… I just didn’t think to say anything to the two of you as I suppose it is an odd little feature. Your brothers weren’t like that at all and neither was Liz.”

Crystaline took a breath and smiled back up at Colden. “As far as I can be.” She kissed him gently and took the baby into her arms. Angelette was so content and quiet, a good baby. Cathrine had regrets about worrying about crying if she was this quiet but her eyes went to Liz and her stomach. Immediately the half werewolf felt the world on her.

“What? Don’t look at me like that…”

“You are going to go into labor soon yourself,” Angela smirked a bit as she caught the invisible conversation between mother and daughter. “Are you well Liz?” She didn’t want to steal the lime light from Crystaline and her small family but it looked like they were in their own little world. Crystaline moved enough so that Colden could be on the bed with her and the baby.

“I’ve been having false contractions but that’s it. Figured you would know when it was time.”

“I would say you have another week or two left in you.” Angela could see Liz being weary but also the look on her face was that of exhaustion. “It’ll be over soon… I know it’s hard on you right now but it will all be worth it.”

“Do I look that miserable?” Liz mumbled up to Krys.

“You look like any other mother who is carrying three living beings in her for the last nine months… It will be alright.” Cathrine smiled now as she spoke. “I’m sure Garland and Krystopher are taking good care of you.”

While Colden tended to Crystaline and the couple enjoyed their child, Krys had been watching it unfold from the sidelines. He seemed to remind him a bit of himself when his first love had been pregnant with Isabelle. He had been a nerve wreck himself as a first-time father, always being as gentle as possible with her. There was a part of him that wished he had done more for her, and for her mother when they were at odds because of his foolish ambitions. He had been a neglectful father to his oldest daughter, and the bridge between them was still shaky at best. He couldn’t afford to screw up with the three that Liz was carrying now. He looked over to her showing stomach which looked like it was ready to burst.

“They seem so excited, being first-time parents. Just wait until that honeymoon is over”, he chuckled. Those long, sleepless nights…silence coming briefly and being their greatest friend at the time…and then the horrors really begin once their girl will start walking…and then running. He followed Liz into the room where Colden was now peaking over Crystaline’s head and imagining her with blonde hair once an upon a time.

“We’ve been on top of things, and so far it’s as Liz says…” It wasn’t to say that Krys didn’t panic a little each time when the contractions happened. But it wouldn’t be too long, and both of them were looking forward to that time. “No, you look great”, he reassured her, making sure to lightly tiptoe over her worries. He knew that she was all ready to have them out so that she could shift and run. He kissed her head before looking at Cathrine.

“Yea…surprisingly he has.”

“Balderdash! I’m the best damn help for those lovelies cooking in Liz’s oven”, Garland stumbled into the room with a bottle in hand. He shoved it into Colden’s hands. “Congrats boy. I now deem you a man.” Colden, looking every bit confused, slowly nodded. “Krys will finally be a man himself once those triplets are out and he’s tearing his hair out..”

“Father…” Krystopher rolled his eyes. But Cathrine was right; Garland had been helping him with her throughout the entire time. Even in his own way, he was sure to look out for his future grandchildren. No one could say that the old fool didn’t love children dearly, especially those of his pack.