Chapter 112

Morning came softer this time.

No crying. No panic. No tiny, heartbreaking wails echoing through the house.

Just quiet… and a suspicious amount of it.

Jennie was the first to notice.

She blinked awake, frowning slightly as she stared at the ceiling. “…Why is it so peaceful?”

Beside her, Lisa was still half-asleep, hair messy, face buried in the pillow. “Mmm… maybe she’s… finally giving us a break…”

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

“Or,” she said slowly, sitting up, “she’s doing something dangerous.”

That woke Lisa up instantly.

They both rushed to the nursery.

And there—

Ruby was awake.

Wide awake.

Lying on her back, staring at the little mobile above her crib… giggling.

Not crying.

Not fussing.

Giggling.

Lisa froze at the door. “…Is that—”

Jennie blinked. “—a happy baby?”

They exchanged looks like they had just witnessed something illegal.

Carefully, Lisa stepped closer, peeking into the crib. “Hi, baby…”

Ruby’s eyes lit up the moment she saw her.

“Mamamamama!” she babbled excitedly, kicking her tiny legs.

Lisa’s heart melted instantly. “Oh my god—she’s happy!”

Jennie snorted. “Congratulations. You survived the teething apocalypse.”

Lisa reached down and picked Ruby up, peppering her cheeks with kisses. “You’re in a good mood today, huh? No crying? No drama?”

Ruby just giggled, grabbing onto Lisa’s shirt.

And then—

She bit her.

“…Ow.”

Lisa froze.

Jennie raised a brow. “Did she just—”

Lisa slowly pulled back, eyes wide. “…She bit me.”

Ruby looked up at her innocently.

And then did it again.

“OW—JENNIE!”

Jennie burst out laughing. “Wait—wait, let me see—”

Lisa turned Ruby slightly, gently pulling down her bottom lip.

And there it was.

A tiny, little white tooth.

Barely visible… but definitely there.

For a moment, everything went silent.

Jennie blinked.

Lisa blinked.

“…Is that…?” Lisa whispered.

Jennie leaned closer, eyes widening. “Oh my god.”

Lisa gasped. “Oh my god!”

Both of them looked at each other—

And then back at Ruby.

“Our baby has a tooth!”

Ruby, completely unaware of the life-changing event she had just achieved, squealed happily and reached for Lisa’s face—

and bit her chin.

“OW—SHE HAS A WEAPON!”

Jennie laughed so hard she had to hold onto the crib. “I told you! Peaceful baby means dangerous baby!”

Lisa pouted, rubbing her chin. “She attacked me…”

But her eyes were shining.

She looked back at Ruby, softer now, carefully brushing her thumb over the tiny tooth.

“…Your first tooth…” Lisa whispered, voice full of awe.

Ruby grinned.

Actually grinned.

And there it was again—that tiny little tooth peeking out.

Lisa’s eyes immediately watered.

Jennie saw it.

“…No,” Jennie said instantly.

Lisa sniffled. “She’s growing up…”

“Nope. Don’t start.”

“She had no teeth yesterday—”

“Lisa.”

“And now she has a tooth—Jennie, she’s getting big—”

Jennie sighed. “I swear—”

Lisa’s voice cracked. “She’s not a tiny baby anymore—”

“Lalisa Manoban, if you cry again—”

Too late.

Lisa started tearing up, hugging Ruby closer. “My baby…”

Jennie stared at her in disbelief.

“…Unbelievable.”

Ruby blinked between them—then, for absolutely no reason—

started fake whining.

“Mmm… eh… eh…”

Jennie pointed immediately. “See? SEE? She learned it from you!”

Lisa gasped. “No she didn’t!”

Ruby’s fake whining turned into giggles.

And then she bit Lisa’s shoulder again.

“OW—JENNIE, CONTROL YOUR CHILD!”

Jennie crossed her arms. “Oh, now she’s my child?”

“Yes! She’s biting me!”

Jennie leaned closer, inspecting Ruby like a tiny scientist. “Hmm… yes. Confirmed. First tooth. Also confirmed—she has chosen violence.”

Lisa huffed. “She’s bullying me…”

Jennie smirked, then gently kissed Lisa’s cheek. “You’re just an easy target.”

Lisa pouted again—but softened when Ruby reached up, patting her face clumsily.

“…She’s still cute,” Lisa mumbled.

“Of course she is,” Jennie said. “She’s ours.”

Lisa smiled at that, resting her forehead lightly against Ruby’s.

“…Our baby has her first tooth…”

Jennie nodded, watching them both, something warm settling in her chest.

“…Yeah,” she said softly. “And she survived it.”

Lisa laughed quietly. “Barely. I didn’t.”

Jennie snorted. “You cried more than she did.”

Lisa didn’t even deny it.

Instead, she just kissed Ruby’s tiny head again.

“…Next milestone,” Lisa whispered.

Jennie raised a brow. “What now?”

Lisa smiled softly.

“…More teeth.”

Jennie looked at Ruby.

Then at Lisa.

Then back at Ruby—who immediately tried to bite her finger.

Jennie pulled back. “Absolutely not.”

Lisa laughed.

And just like that—

Their house was loud again.

But this time—

It was filled with giggles, soft bickering, and the tiny, toothy smile of a baby who had no idea she had just unlocked a whole new way to cause chaos.