Oz’s hands shot across the table to gather Ever into her arms, her hand patting her back gently . “Shh, don’t cry. Auntie Oz will hold you.” The words tumbled out of my females’ mouth quickly, as if she worried that if she stopped speaking, Ever might burst into tears. She looked at me, eyes wide as she mouthed “Auntie Oz? What the hell?”
Meanwhile, Ever’s tears had vanished, a look of glee on her little face as she shook Quackers happily.
Acer threw his head back, laughter spilling from the Prototype Model. “She played you! And another one bites the dust!”
Oz glanced at Ever and the small cyborg peered up at her, a smirk on her face. “You did, didn’t you?”
Ever giggled. She made her lower lip tremble for a second, her eyes filling again before it abruptly halted, her face breaking out into a huge grin. It was like someone had flipped a switch. In fact, I think that is exactly what she had done.
Oz lifted Ever up, making it so they were face to face. “You’re lucky you’re cute. If you weren’t, Auntie Oz might be pissed.”
“Pissed,” Ever echoed. And everyone but Oz’s mouth dropped open. My female simply grinned, snuggling Ever on her lap. “I like you, little one. If all kids were like you and Theo, I might want one or two.”
“Theo!” Ever clapped. Theo was one of Ever’s favorite people. She loved that Military Model with her whole heart and Theo felt the same way.
“Wait, when did you meet Theo?” Marley questioned.
Oz laughed. “I woke up in the lab and he was staring at me. Never in my life did I think I’d wake up one day and find a mini-Reaper asking about my pink hair.”
“Pretty,” Ever cooed, stroking Oz’s hair.
“She is,” I agreed.
Oz blushed, ducking her head. Picking up her fork, she went to take a bite of her pancakes but Ever caught the handle.
“Yum. Yum!” Ever grinned, redirecting the fork into her waiting mouth.
The whole table laughed, and I felt my heart expand beneath my chest.
I couldn’t wait to have more moments just like this.