Chapter 113

By the time Ruby’s second tooth started coming in…

Jennie knew.

Not because of the crying this time.

No—Ruby had evolved.

She had discovered a far more effective method.

“Mm… mm… mm…”

Lisa blinked, pausing mid-step as she watched their daughter crawl—yes, crawl now—straight toward Jennie, who was peacefully scrolling on her phone on the couch.

“…Jennie,” Lisa called slowly. “Don’t move.”

Jennie didn’t even look up. “Why?”

Lisa pointed.

Ruby climbed onto the couch like a tiny, determined warrior… eyes locked on her target.

Jennie.

More specifically—

Jennie’s cheeks.

“…Why is she looking at me like that?” Jennie muttered, finally glancing up.

Too late.

Ruby lunged.

“Mmmph!”

“HEY—!”

Lisa burst out laughing as Ruby successfully latched onto Jennie’s cheek like it was the most comforting thing in the world.

“Mmm… mm…” Ruby happily hummed, gently gnawing and sucking at Jennie’s cheek.

Jennie froze.

Completely frozen.

“…Lalisa.”

Lisa was already doubled over, clutching her stomach. “Oh my god—she got you!”

Jennie slowly turned her head, Ruby still attached like a tiny koala.

“…Remove her.”

“I can’t,” Lisa wheezed. “She looks happy!”

“I don’t care—she’s eating my face!”

Ruby let out a soft giggle—against Jennie’s cheek—before going right back to nibbling.

“…She thinks you’re a teething toy,” Lisa said, wiping tears from laughing too much.

Jennie looked deeply offended. “I am not a chew toy.”

Ruby disagreed.

She bit a little harder.

“OW—OKAY, THAT ONE HAD INTENT!”

Lisa finally stepped in, gently trying to pull Ruby away. “Okay, baby, let Mama breathe—”

Ruby resisted.

Tiny hands gripping Jennie’s shirt.

“Mmm! Mm!”

“No!” Jennie protested. “Why is she fighting you?!”

Lisa tried again.

Ruby tightened her hold.

“…She chose you,” Lisa said, barely holding in her laughter.

Jennie stared at her, betrayed. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Very much.”

“Unbelievable.”

After a few more attempts, Lisa finally managed to pry Ruby off—

only for Ruby to immediately turn around…

…and crawl toward Lisa.

Lisa froze.

“…No.”

Ruby grinned.

Tiny tooth.

Visible.

Dangerous.

“Jennie,” Lisa whispered, backing away slowly. “Take your child back.”

Jennie crossed her arms. “Oh no. You said she’s cute. Go enjoy it.”

“Jennie—”

Too late.

Ruby grabbed Lisa’s arm and—

“OW—!”

Jennie burst out laughing this time. “Karma!”

Lisa stared at her, betrayed. “She bit me again!”

Ruby, satisfied, leaned forward and started sucking on Lisa’s sleeve like it was the best thing ever.

“…Okay, that’s actually kind of cute,” Jennie admitted.

Lisa sighed, defeated, sitting down beside her. “We’ve become her teething toys…”

Jennie nodded. “Specifically—my cheeks.”

As if on cue—

Ruby crawled right back to Jennie.

“NO—!”

“Mmmph!”

Lisa clapped a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh as Ruby latched onto Jennie’s other cheek this time.

“…She has a favorite,” Lisa teased.

Jennie’s voice came out muffled. “I am being targeted.”

Ruby giggled again, clearly pleased with herself, her tiny hands squishing Jennie’s face as she happily gnawed.

“…She really likes you,” Lisa said softly this time, leaning closer.

Jennie huffed, though her hand instinctively came up to support Ruby so she wouldn’t fall.

“Yeah,” Jennie muttered. “Because I’m apparently delicious.”

Lisa smiled, resting her head on Jennie’s shoulder despite the situation.

For a moment, it was just them—

Ruby happily chewing.

Jennie suffering.

Lisa amused.

“…You know,” Lisa whispered, watching their daughter fondly, “this means she’s comfortable.”

Jennie glanced at her. “…By biting me?”

“Mhm,” Lisa nodded. “She feels safe with you.”

Jennie looked at Ruby again.

At the tiny hands gripping her shirt.

At the little tooth that had caused so much chaos.

At the way Ruby relaxed completely, like this was her safe place.

Jennie sighed softly.

“…Fine,” she muttered, gently adjusting Ruby so she was more comfortable. “But only because she’s cute.”

Lisa smiled.

Then leaned in—

and kissed Jennie’s non-bitten cheek.

“Mmm,” Lisa hummed. “Yeah… very chewable.”

Jennie’s eyes widened. “Don’t you dare—”

Lisa grinned.

And then—

pretended to bite her.

Jennie gasped. “LALISA—!”

Ruby squealed in delight, thinking it was a game.

And just like that—

Both of them had officially lost.

To a six-month-old baby with two tiny teeth…

…and a very strong preference for Jennie’s cheeks.