Chapter 101

The decision didn’t happen all at once.

It wasn’t some dramatic “yes” in the middle of the night or a grand plan written on a calendar.

It was quieter than that.

It was in the way Jennie would absentmindedly watch Ruby play, a small smile forming when Ruby would line up her stuffed toys and say, “This one is the baby. I’m the big sister.”
It was in the way Lisa would catch Jennie’s eye during those moments, both of them already thinking the same thing.

And eventually…

They gave in.

–

Months later, the house felt different.

Softer. Slower. Fuller.

Lisa stood just outside the bedroom door, holding Ruby’s tiny hand in hers. Ruby was unusually quiet-no bouncing, no chaotic energy. Just wide, curious eyes.

“Remember,” Lisa whispered gently, crouching down to her level, “baby sister is very small. So we have to be gentle, okay?”

Ruby nodded seriously. “Gentle. Like pat-pat.”

“Exactly,” Lisa smiled.

With that, she pushed the door open.

Jennie was sitting up on the bed, looking a little tired but glowing in that quiet, indescribable way. In her arms, wrapped in a soft blanket, was the tiniest little bundle.

“Come here,” Jennie said softly.

Ruby didn’t move at first.

She just stared.

Her hand tightened around Lisa’s finger as she slowly stepped forward, like she was approaching something magical… or maybe slightly suspicious.

Lisa lifted her up carefully, settling her beside Jennie on the bed.

And then Ruby finally saw her clearly.

Her baby sister.

Tiny. Pink. Squishy.

With the softest cheeks imaginable.

Ruby’s eyes went wide.

Like… comically wide.

She leaned in closer. Closer. Closer.

Then she gasped.

“Why baby sister looks like mandu?”

Jennie blinked.

Lisa froze for half a second-

-and then completely lost it.

A laugh burst out of her as she quickly covered her mouth, trying (and failing) to stay composed.

Jennie looked down at the baby, then back at Ruby, clearly holding back her own laughter.

“Hey,” Jennie said, pretending to be offended, “what do you mean mandu?”

Ruby pointed very seriously at the baby’s cheeks. “Round. Soft. Like Mommy’s.”

Lisa snorted. “She’s not wrong.”

Jennie shot her a look. “You’re not helping.”

Ruby, completely unaware of the mini betrayal happening, gently poked the baby’s cheek with one finger.

“…squishy,” she whispered in awe.

Lisa leaned in, smiling warmly as she wrapped an arm around Ruby. “That’s because she came from your Mommy Jennie,” she said softly, “who is also a mandu… just like you.”

Ruby froze.

Slowly… she lifted her hand and touched her own cheek.

Then she gasped again.

“I’m mandu?!”

Jennie couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed, pulling Ruby into a careful side hug. “The cutest one.”

Ruby looked back at the baby-at Jane-with a completely new level of understanding.

“…baby sister mandu,” she declared.

Lisa nodded solemnly. “Yes. A very tiny mandu.”

Ruby beamed.

Then, very carefully, she leaned closer and pressed the gentlest little kiss on Jane’s forehead.

“My baby sister mandu,” she whispered proudly.

Jane stirred slightly, making a tiny sound.

Ruby froze in panic. “Did I break her?!”

Jennie immediately shook her head, smiling. “No, no. She just knows her big sister is here.”

That seemed to calm Ruby instantly.

She sat there for a moment, just staring at Jane again-this time softer, filled with something new.

Protective. Loving.

“…I will teach her everything,” Ruby said quietly.

Lisa raised a brow. “Everything?”

Ruby nodded. “How to share. How to sing. How to be gentle.” She paused, then added, “And how to be mandu.”

Jennie laughed softly, leaning her head against Lisa’s shoulder.

“God help us,” Lisa murmured, smiling.

But neither of them would trade that moment for anything.

Because right there on that bed-

A tiny “mandu” baby.

A wide-eyed, proud big sister.

And two very, very soft-hearted moms…

Their little family had just grown.

And Ruby?

Ruby was already taking her new job very seriously.