Chapter 119

The afternoon sunlight poured softly through the curtains, painting the living room in warm gold. It was one of those rare, quiet days—no schedules, no meetings, no interruptions. Just the three of them.

Well… mostly peaceful.

“Mommy…” Ruby’s tiny voice wobbled, sitting on the couch with her fingers nervously poking at her mouth.

Lisa looked up immediately from the floor where she had been building a block tower. “Hmm? What is it, baby?”

Jennie, who had been scrolling on her phone nearby, also lifted her head at the tone. Ruby didn’t sound hurt—but she definitely sounded… concerned.

Ruby opened her mouth wide. “It’s wiggly…”

Lisa blinked. Jennie froze.

“…What?” they said in perfect sync.

Ruby pointed dramatically at her front tooth, the tiniest little baby tooth that had only recently completed her adorable smile. “It’s moving!”

Jennie’s eyes widened. “No way.”

Lisa scrambled up to the couch like it was an emergency. “Let me see, let me see!”

Ruby obediently leaned forward, opening her mouth again. Lisa gently tilted her chin up, her fingers soft and careful.

And then—

“…Oh my god.”

“It is, right?” Jennie gasped, already leaning closer. “It’s loose?!”

Lisa poked it very lightly.

The tooth wiggled.

All three of them went silent.

Ruby’s eyes got big. “Is it gonna fall?!”

Jennie instantly wrapped her arms around her daughter. “No, no, no—well, yes—but not in a scary way!” she rushed out, already panicking despite trying to sound calm. “It’s normal! It just means you’re growing up!”

Lisa, meanwhile, looked like she had just witnessed something life-changing. “Our baby… is losing her first tooth…”

Her voice cracked.

Jennie turned to her. “Lisa, don’t start.”

“I’m not starting!” Lisa sniffled, already tearing up. “She was just teething yesterday—remember how she used to chew on your cheeks?!”

“That was YOU encouraging her!” Jennie shot back.

Ruby looked between them, confused. “Am I okay?”

Both moms snapped back instantly.

“Yes!” they said again in sync.

Jennie cupped Ruby’s face gently. “You’re perfectly okay, sweetheart. Everyone loses their baby teeth. It’s a big milestone!”

Lisa nodded, still emotional. “Yeah… it just means you’re growing up strong and healthy.”

Ruby seemed to think about it… then grinned.

But then—

“Ow!”

Both moms jumped.

“What happened?!” Lisa panicked.

“It moved more!” Ruby whimpered, touching it again.

Jennie frowned slightly, shifting into problem-solving mode. “Okay… okay, maybe it’s ready to come out soon.”

Lisa’s eyes widened. “Already?!”

Jennie nodded slowly. “Yeah. Loose teeth usually don’t stay long.”

Lisa looked horrified. “But… but how does it come out?! Do we just… wait?! What if she swallows it?!”

Jennie blinked. “…Lisa.”

“What?! It’s a valid concern!”

Ruby raised her hand. “Can I pull it out?”

Both moms gasped.

“No!” Lisa said immediately.

“…Maybe,” Jennie said at the same time.

They turned to each other.

“Jennie!”

“What? Kids do that all the time!”

“She’s too small!”

“She’s literally the right age!”

Ruby watched them like it was a tennis match.

“Mommy,” she said, tugging Jennie’s sleeve. “I wanna try.”

Jennie softened instantly. “Okay… but gently, okay? If it hurts, you stop.”

Lisa hovered like a nervous helicopter parent. “Wait, wait—sanitize hands! Clean tissue! Emergency plan!”

Jennie sighed. “Lisa, it’s a tooth, not surgery.”

Still, she grabbed a tissue anyway and handed it to Ruby.

“Here, baby. Hold it like this,” Jennie guided, wrapping the tissue around the tiny tooth.

Lisa held Ruby’s shoulders gently. “You don’t have to do it if you’re scared, okay?”

Ruby shook her head bravely. “I’m not scared.”

(…She was a little scared.)

She took a deep breath.

Then another.

Lisa and Jennie both unconsciously held their breath too.

Ruby gently tugged.

Nothing.

She frowned.

“Told you it’s too soon,” Lisa whispered.

“Shh,” Jennie whispered back.

Ruby tried again.

A slightly stronger pull this time—

And—

pop

Silence.

Ruby blinked.

Jennie blinked.

Lisa blinked.

Ruby slowly opened her hand.

There it was.

A tiny baby tooth, resting on the tissue.

For a split second, nobody reacted.

Then—

“I DID IT!!!” Ruby squealed.

Jennie burst into laughter immediately, pulling her into a hug. “You did it, baby! Oh my gosh!”

Lisa, however, stared at the tooth like it had just rewritten history.

“She… she actually did it…”

Ruby turned to her, grinning proudly—now with the cutest little gap in her smile.

Lisa’s composure completely shattered.

“Oh no,” Jennie muttered.

“My baby lost her first tooth!” Lisa cried, scooping Ruby into her arms and peppering her face with kisses. “You’re growing up too fast!”

Ruby giggled uncontrollably. “Mama, it doesn’t even hurt!”

“That’s not the point!” Lisa sniffled dramatically.

Jennie couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “You’re unbelievable.”

Lisa looked at her, still emotional. “You’re not even crying!”

Jennie smirked. “I’m the strong one in this family.”

Then she looked at Ruby again.

At the tiny gap.

At how proud she looked.

…

Her eyes watered slightly.

Lisa immediately pointed. “Aha!”

“Shut up,” Jennie muttered, wiping her eyes quickly.

Ruby looked between them again. “Do I get money now?”

Both moms paused.

“…Money?” Lisa echoed.

“The tooth fairy!” Ruby said excitedly. “My friend said I get money!”

Jennie crossed her arms thoughtfully. “Well… she’s not wrong.”

Lisa blinked. “Wait, we’re doing that?!”

Jennie grinned. “Of course we are.”

Lisa immediately nodded. “Okay, yeah. Absolutely. We’re doing that.”

Ruby bounced happily. “Yay!”

Jennie took the tiny tooth carefully and wrapped it in tissue. “We’ll put it under your pillow tonight, okay?”

“And the tooth fairy will come,” Lisa added dramatically, already getting into character.

Ruby gasped. “Really?!”

“Really,” both moms said.

Later that night…

Ruby was fast asleep, hugging her stuffed toy, her tiny mouth slightly open—gap and all.

Jennie tiptoed into the room, holding a small bill.

Lisa followed behind her, whispering loudly, “Are you sure this is enough? Should we add more? What if she compares with her friends?!”

Jennie shushed her. “It’s her first tooth, not a salary negotiation.”

Carefully, Jennie slipped the money under Ruby’s pillow and took the tiny tooth.

Lisa watched the whole thing like it was sacred.

When they stepped out of the room, Lisa leaned against the wall, exhaling softly.

“…Our baby is growing up.”

Jennie smiled gently, intertwining their fingers. “Yeah.”

Lisa rested her head on Jennie’s shoulder. “But she’ll always be our baby.”

Jennie kissed her temple. “Always.”

From inside the room, Ruby mumbled in her sleep—

“Tooth fairy…”

Both moms froze—

Then quietly laughed together, hearts full and warm.

A tiny tooth.

A huge memory.