Chapter 157

The third day of Lisa’s couch punishment started with suffering.

Pure suffering.

Lisa woke up with a crick in her neck, one sock missing, and Mochi the corgi somehow sleeping directly on her face.

“Great,” she muttered. “Even the dog abandoned me.”

From the kitchen came the sound of giggling.

Lisa immediately sat up hopefully.

Her baby mandu was awake.

She shuffled toward the kitchen dramatically, hair messy, blanket still hanging off one shoulder like a defeated warrior.

There sat Jennie and Ruby.

Matching pajamas.

Matching fluffy cheeks.

Matching pancakes.

And apparently-

Matching attitudes.

Ruby looked up from her strawberry milk.

Then narrowed her eyes.

“Mama.”

Lisa gasped softly. “Baby…”

Ruby continued chewing slowly.

“…You still on punishment.”

Jennie nearly choked on her coffee trying not to laugh.

Lisa pointed accusingly at her wife. “You’re turning my daughter against me.”

Jennie sipped calmly. “No, you did that yourself.”

Lisa crouched beside Ruby dramatically.

“Baby mandu,” she whined softly, “Mama misses you.”

Ruby looked conflicted for exactly two seconds before remembering the betrayal.

“You wanted another baby.”

Lisa immediately grabbed her chest. “No! Mama was joking! One hundred percent joking!”

Ruby squinted suspiciously.

“Really really?”

“Yes! Mama only wants one fluffy dumpling who steals my fries and cries over broken crackers.”

Ruby blinked.

“…That me.”

“That’s definitely you.”

Jennie watched quietly while hiding a smile behind her mug.

Lisa gently rested her chin on Ruby’s lap.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

Ruby stared down at her mama carefully.

“You made my heart sad.”

Lisa looked genuinely guilty this time. “I know. Mama made a mistake.”

Tiny silence.

Then Ruby whispered dramatically:

“I cried like… seven hours.”

Jennie corrected casually, “Closer to ten.”

Lisa winced. “Okay wow, way to expose me.”

Ruby crossed her little arms.

“What if another baby take my Mommy cuddles?”

“They won’t.”

“What if another baby eat my nuggets?”

“They won’t.”

“What if another baby call Mochi theirs?!”

Lisa gasped. “Absolutely not. Mochi is YOUR potato.”

Ruby looked slightly relieved.

Lisa took the chance immediately.

“How about Mama makes it up to her favorite dumpling today?”

Ruby’s eyes lit up a little despite herself.

“…How?”

“Oh no,” Jennie muttered. “Why do I suddenly feel nervous?”

Lisa stood dramatically.

“Today,” she announced, “is Ruby Princess Day.”

Ruby gasped loudly.

Jennie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Lalisa…”

“Anything Princess Ruby wants, Princess Ruby gets.”

Ruby nearly vibrated in excitement.

“Anything?!”

“Yes.”

Jennie looked at Lisa. “You’re overcompensating.”

“Yes,” Lisa answered honestly.

And that was how chaos started.

First stop?

Toy store.

Ruby walked in wearing her tiny bunny purse while holding Lisa’s hand like royalty.

Every five seconds she’d point dramatically.

“Mama. Need.”

And Lisa-

Still desperate for forgiveness-

Bought it.

Plushie?

Bought.

Tiny duck lamp?

Bought.

Giant dinosaur almost bigger than Ruby herself?

Unfortunately bought.

Jennie stared at the growing pile in disbelief.

“She’s manipulating you.”

Lisa whispered back, “I owe her.”

Ruby suddenly looked up at Lisa innocently.

“Mama…”

“Yes, baby?”

“You still no want another baby?”

Lisa immediately crouched down to eye level.

“Ruby,” she said softly, “Mama and Mommy love you more than anything in the whole world.”

Ruby blinked.

“You’re our first baby. Our only baby mandu.”

Jennie’s expression softened instantly hearing that.

Lisa continued gently, brushing Ruby’s fluffy hair back.

“And even if our family ever changed one day, nobody could EVER replace you. Understand?”

Ruby thought about it seriously.

“…So I still princess?”

Jennie laughed softly.

“Always.”

Ruby finally smiled fully for the first time in days.

Then she launched herself at Lisa.

“MAMAAAA!”

Lisa nearly fell backward catching the tiny missile.

“I MISSED YOUUU!”

Jennie melted immediately at the sight.

Ruby wrapped herself around Lisa dramatically like a koala.

“No more mean jokes okay?”

Lisa kissed her forehead repeatedly. “Never again.”

Ruby pointed a tiny finger at her sternly.

“Or couch forever.”

Jennie burst out laughing so hard she snorted.

Lisa looked offended. “Why is everyone threatening me with furniture?”

That night, Ruby climbed into Lisa’s lap voluntarily for the first time since The Incident™.

Lisa looked seconds away from tears herself.

“My baby loves me again…”

Ruby nodded while chewing cookies.

“But still little mad.”

Jennie smirked from the couch. “As she should.”

Lisa sighed dramatically before cuddling Ruby tighter.

“Okay. I deserve that.”