"Let's just go!" Ryder said, eagerly.

Skylar had come accustomed to Ryder's restless demeanor. She knew it was his way of coping, to get up and get out. Old habits die hard, and most of the time, she would just indulge him.

Like now.

He needed to drive. He needed to get behind the wheel, and just drive. It enabled him to focus. She understood that by now.

"Where are we going?" She asked him, as he dragged her by the hand.

"The beach" he said, and the minute he said it, she felt excited. She loved the beach, but she rarely came close to visiting one, she had only gone a handful of times in her entire lifetime! And now Ryder was responsible for giving her that gift twice...Mexico was their first time, this was the second time. But to Ryder it seemed so natural...let's go to the beach! It is natural, it ought to be, right?...easy, peasy...for most people it would be...just not for her.

Nothing was easy for her. Only people with a serious illness would get that mindset. Everything seems to be a struggle, you have to be prepared, in controle, expecting the worst is always the first priority! That way you stay alert, and on your toes, ready to react and retreat. It sounded like she was preparing for war...and to some extend she was.

Only her enemy was inside of her, this volatile, invisible companion she had to carry around constantly, it was exhausting!

But Ryder made it easier somehow.

He made her forget this dark companion of hers, and if it weighed too heavy on her, he would help her lift it, that's what it felt like. He helped her carry that heavy burden of hers.

As he was about to pull out of the parking lot, she made him stop.

He looked at her with sheer surprise.

"Are you okay?" He asked her. He immediately gave her his full attention. She realized, just how sensitive to her signals, he had become lately?

He seemed so intuned. So attentive and caring.

"I am fine" she said, and instantly noticed how he seemed to relax.

She reached out and pulled him closer, she just felt an urge to kiss him, so she did. She felt his lips on hers, and it caught him by surprise, she felt his lips form a smile, as he put his hand on her face, he slowly pulled away. The look on his face gave him away. Despite her lack of experience, she knew that look. That gentle, sweet stare, capable of melting away any residue of doubt, like the warm rays of the sun hitting her face just now, reassuring her, that he really did care for her. She felt the warm vibrations inside, filling her - and overpowering her entire being, like the waves she was about to see.

She couldn't help but smile.

Is this what love feels like?

She certainly hoped so.

They took the scenic route to the beach, driving up the coast was amazing. She had the window down, feeling the warm wind on her face, it almost took her breath away. She almost felt sorry she couldn't drive...wondering how it would feel?

He found a remote spot, and parked the car. He went to open the door, but she was already halfway out of her seat. She was that excited.

As they sat down in the soft sand, close enough for the water to reach their feet, she felt like crying. It was almost emotional for her.

"When I die...promise me you will scatter my ashes right here...on this beach!" She almost regretted saying it out loud, as she saw the look on his face.

He just crumbled. His heart broke into a million pieces.

"I can't talk about stuff like that" he said. Looking away.

She felt bad. But she needed to do this, she needed him to know her dying wish.

"Ryder...right now, I am not scared. I don't feel scared right now, just please promise me...I am saying this now, because I feel so happy, I am happy right now, being here with you" she said, leaning up against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He felt so strong, yet fragile at the same time.

She realized he was crying.

"I promise"' he whispered, and she knew him well enough to stop talking.

"I love you" he said.

"I love you too" she said.

"I want to have this baby with you" he said.

"I do too" she said.

"But I am scared making this life, means taking yours" he said, truthfully.

"Don't be" she said, and it sounded almost poetic to her. The way he contemplated the whole thing, surprised her? Ryder had transformed into this sweet, caring guy...he was nothing like the guy she met a few months ago.

He was completely different.

"Let's take this chance" she said.

"Everything in life relies on chance anyway, if you ask me!" She said, and smiled, as she realized this meant they were still doing the bucket list!

"Taking a chance", doing something out of character, risking everything!

"It feels more like gambling" he said.

Were they gambling with Skylar's life? Were they willing to take that chance? What were the odds?

They had no chance of predicting the outcome! Just like gambling, you just never know...but that's part of the game, that's part of the thrill.

Taking a chance, hoping for the best.

"Hold me" she begged him, but she did not have to beg, he did it willingly.

Right there, on that beach, it felt like they had sealed their fate?

At least they both agreed. They wanted this baby...no matter what. It felt like fate to them, what are the chances anyway? Meeting someone under these circumstances, it had to be something bigger than the both of them...

They both knew it, and they both wanted it!

They were willing to risk it.

Relying on chance?