9 Late update

Ash went towards Isabella's home. She , apparently, in a bit of a hurry forgot to take the present she had for Isabella.

Halfway to her house, she remembered it and facepalmed. 'Damn it! How could I forget something like that!!!' She then looked around the area she was currently standing in and saw an accessory shop.

Clapping her hand, she exclaimed, 'Got it!' and went to the shop. Opening the shop, she heard the store clerk call out to her.

"Welcome to the store! How may I help you, young lady ?" Ash paused and asked the clerk if they had any earnings with a black stone on it. The clerk nodded and directed her to correct the shelf where earring where held.

Ash roamed around a bit, looking for the desired object. One by one, she dismissed them , as they didn't seem to appeal to her. Then, at the corner of the shelf, she found what she was looking for. A moon dangling with one small star, both detachable.

She then took it to the clerk and told to gift wrap it. Paying the amount, she grabbed it and merrily went her way. On the road as she was walking, a figure could be seen running in her direction. Soon enough she heard her name being yelled.

"Ash! Ash! Hurry.....hurry, your dad is calling you back home! Hurry.....it's your mom." It was her neighbor's kid Sept, who came running.

Ash, alarmed, started running back home with Sept. She asked about the matter but Sept replied they took her mother to a doctor and her father gave him the task of informing Ash.

They kept running all the way to their area doctor, where more likely her father took her mother. In a few minutes, they could see the building they were looking for. Ash dashed inside to find her father sitting near the doorstep. Seeing her finally, Jared stood up.

Ash huffed, putting her hands on her knees. She looked at her father. Sensing her question, he said ," You're gonna be an elder sis soon, kid."

With widening eyes, she pocketed her gift and asked, "Are you serious? I'm gonna be a sis soon!?"

Jared nodded amusingly and ruffled her hair. She scowled at him and straightened her hair. Ash sat down with her father on the chair nearby. After some time, a person came out of the room and alerted Jared, "She's ready."

Then a scream was heard from the room , where Amelia was occupying. Ash startled and looked towards her father who apparently too was startled hearing his wife scream. The man assured them she was doing fine. Then a child's cry could be heard, and another person came out to invite both of them inside to see their family.

The doctor informed him they had a little girl. Jared quickly went towards Amelia to see her smiling tiredly at him. She then inquired about her baby. Jared took the baby from the doctor and looked at the baby. Seeing a small chubby face looking back at him, he said to his wife, " A cute daughter just like you."

Ash also peered at her sister from her father's side. "She is cute." Ash said to her parents. She then whispered to her," Hey! Lil sis. Welcome to the family."

The baby suddenly yawned and grabbed the finger Ash was holding towards her. Ash startled, then smiled at the apparent display with her father smiling too.

Amelia then motioned towards her daughter, at which Jared handed the baby carefully to her. She began feeding her. Jared took Ash outside to let them be.

"What's her name, Father?" Ash looked towards him. "What about Fate? ...huh Ash?" He said thoughtfully. Ash nodded her assent. The doctor then filled the birth certificate and handed it to Jared.

"You can take both your wife and daughter back home tomorrow. We'll be keeping them here, under observation, just for tonight." The doctor told them.

Jared went inside again with Ash. With the baby fast asleep, Jared sat next to Amelia and ran his hand over her forehead. "What's our baby's name? Jared? ", she inquired tiredly.

Jared smiled," Fate. Her name is Fate. Just like fate brought us together, it brought us Ash and our newest kid, too."

Amelia then laid her hand on Jared's hand, which was caressing her cheek. "Such a romantic you are." Jared smiled and kissed Amelia on her head, and pecked her lips. " You bring that out of me."

Meanwhile, Ash was looking at her sister sleeping. She ran a finger down her chubby cheeks. 'So soft,' She thought. She smiled down at her, 'I'll be the best sister you're ever gonna have. I'll protect you, I swear on my life.'

Unknown to the people in the room, a small light shined on the baby and Ash, sealing the little promise of hers.

All this ordeal had taken up the whole morning and the day had progressed to evening. A hungry stomach announced its presence and demanded food. Jared went to the market to get some food for the family.

Ash sat on the chair near the bed and Amelia gazed at her attentively and beckoned her forward. Ash scooted her chair nearer and looked questionably. Amelia held her hands and spoke in a hushed voice, " Ash, take care of your sister now ..ok. You're a big sis now."

"Don't worry, ma.....I'll be the best sis to her. She won't have to worry ever. You too. Now sleep, ma." Ash said.

Jared came back carrying food after some time. "Food's here. Ash, come here, take this and get it out."

The family had their food and spent some time together. Night came, and the duo went back to home and promised to come back next day earlier. Ash went home, crashed on her bed, and was out in a flash.

'Love, don't leave me ...why did you leave me behind?!? *sniff* I....can't live...without you..." Ash looked down and said to the person laying in her arms. She ran her palm over the person's face, caressing her.

The said person was a female. Her lips were quickly turning pale from blood loss. She fluttered her eyes open with great difficulty, coughed some blood and spoke a broken voice, "My knight....*cough* I'm sorry...to..leave you like this.....I'll be... going first...May we meet again .....if there is a next life."

Soon life left the lady, and her hand went limp.

"Sophiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"