Chapter 120

Lisa swore this was serious.

Very serious.

“This is a battle of will,” she whispered dramatically, sitting cross-legged on the soft rug in the living room. Across from her, propped up by a mountain of pastel pillows, was her opponent.

Ruby.

Six months old. Chubby. Drooling a little. And currently staring right back at her with wide, curious eyes.

Lisa narrowed hers.

Ruby blinked.

Lisa gasped softly. “Oh? You blinked. Weak.”

Ruby let out a tiny squeak, her lips wobbling into what could only be described as a proud gummy smile.

Lisa pointed accusingly. “Don’t celebrate yet. That was just round one.”

Ruby responded by flailing her arms, as if accepting the challenge.

And just like that, round two began.

Lisa leaned forward slightly, eyes locked onto her daughter’s. “No blinking. No smiling. No distractions.”

Ruby blinked again.

Lisa blinked immediately after.

They both froze.

“…Okay, that didn’t count,” Lisa muttered quickly, straightening her back. “Reset. Reset.”

Ruby cooed.

Lisa pressed her lips together, trying to look intimidating—which was hard when she was wearing fluffy house slippers and had a baby toy clipped to her shirt.

“Focus, Lalisa,” she whispered to herself.

Round three.

They stared.

And stared.

And stared.

Ruby’s eyes were big—so big. Sparkly. Innocent.

Dangerous.

Lisa felt her resolve cracking.

“No… no, don’t use that face on me,” she warned quietly.

Ruby tilted her head slightly.

Lisa groaned. “That’s your mommy’s move! That’s cheating!”

Ruby blinked again.

Lisa blinked harder.

“NO—wait—no—” Lisa covered her face with both hands and groaned into her palms. “I lost again!”

Ruby squealed happily, as if she understood victory.

Lisa dropped her hands and stared at her daughter in disbelief. “How are you this powerful at six months old?”

Ruby answered by grabbing her own foot and trying to eat it.

Lisa sighed dramatically and crawled closer, gently poking her daughter’s cheek. “You’re too cute. This is unfair. I didn’t sign up to compete with a tiny version of my wife.”

Ruby giggled—an actual, soft, bubbling giggle that made Lisa freeze.

“Oh my God…” Lisa whispered, eyes widening. “You’re laughing at me now?”

Ruby did it again.

Lisa clutched her chest. “Disrespect. Absolute disrespect in my own house.”

She leaned closer, nose almost touching Ruby’s. “Listen here, dumpling. I am your parent. You are supposed to lose to me.”

Ruby responded by smacking Lisa’s cheek with surprising enthusiasm.

Lisa blinked.

“…Violence too?” she whispered.

Before she could retaliate with tickles, the front door clicked open.

“Lisa? I’m home—”

Jennie stepped inside, balancing grocery bags on both arms, only to pause mid-step at the scene in front of her.

Lisa was kneeling on the floor, face inches away from Ruby’s, both of them locked in intense eye contact like they were in the final round of a championship match.

There was a long, quiet pause.

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “Should I come back later?”

Lisa didn’t even look away. “Shhh. This is important.”

Ruby blinked.

Lisa blinked right after.

“…Dang it!” Lisa groaned, falling back onto the rug.

Ruby squealed in triumph again.

Jennie let out a soft laugh, setting the groceries down on the table before walking over. “What exactly is happening here?”

Lisa pointed at Ruby like she was exposing a villain. “She’s cheating.”

Jennie crouched beside them, amused. “She’s six months old.”

“Exactly. Too young to be this good,” Lisa insisted.

Jennie glanced at Ruby, who immediately turned her big, round eyes toward her mother.

And just like that—

Jennie froze.

Lisa watched in real time as her wife’s expression softened.

“…Oh no,” Lisa whispered. “She’s using it on you too.”

Ruby blinked slowly, lips forming that tiny, heart-melting smile.

Jennie melted instantly. “Hi, baby…”

Lisa threw her hands in the air. “SEE?! That face! That’s your face!”

Jennie looked at Lisa, confused. “What?”

Lisa crawled closer and gently squished Ruby’s cheeks. “Why you have your mommy’s face? My baby dumpling,” she whined softly.

Ruby giggled again, completely pleased with herself.

Jennie laughed, brushing Lisa’s hair away from her face. “What’s wrong with having my face?”

Lisa pouted dramatically. “Because now I can’t win anything against her. She weaponized your cuteness.”

Jennie smirked a little. “Sounds like a you problem.”

Lisa gasped. “Betrayal. Both of you.”

Ruby squealed again, waving her arms like she was agreeing with Jennie.

Lisa looked between them, utterly outnumbered. Then she leaned forward and buried her face into Ruby’s tummy.

“Fine. I surrender. I can’t fight this kind of power.”

Ruby laughed loudly, kicking her legs.

Jennie smiled softly, sitting beside them and gently stroking Lisa’s back. “You two are ridiculous.”

Lisa peeked up at her, grinning. “You love us.”

Jennie hummed, leaning down to kiss the top of Ruby’s head, then Lisa’s. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Lisa beamed, immediately scooting closer so she could rest her head on Jennie’s lap while still holding Ruby’s tiny hand.

Ruby blinked at both of them.

Lisa squinted again.

“…One more round,” she whispered.

Jennie shook her head, laughing as Ruby squealed, ready to win all over again.