Page 87 of My Eternal Light
Meryn whirled, hands on hips. “Rude!”
“True and you know it,” Ryuu said, his expression worried. “I am letting it go this far because we both know how invaluable you are. The second this operation is over, you need rest.”
“You won’t see me fighting ya on that,” Meryn said, yawning.
“I will go change your sheets and make sure your pillows are just right,” Pip offered. He passed her his phone. “I don’t mind helping with the phone, but I’d rather take care of you.” He kissed her forehead and walked toward the sleeping quarters.
Meryn smiled as Pip walked out. “I love him so fucking much.”
Ryuu nodded. “That you do.”
Cody sat back and had her lean down. She felt him kiss her forehead. “There, now you can feel better too.”
Zadie felt her heart warm. She leaned in and kissed his face repeatedly wherever her lips could land. Cody began to giggle and thrash, but his heart wasn’t into it. Zadie could tell he was soaking up the attention.
When Zadie relented, she saw Meryn was watching them closely. “I know Aiden wants a girl, but maybe a boy wouldn’t be too bad either.”
Cody nodded seriously. “You need to have a boy Auntie Meryn, so that he can grow up and protect you.”
“Auntie?” Meryn whispered.
Zadie wasn’t sure how the odd woman would accept the familial claim. “Uh, the kids started calling Aiden, Uncle Aiden, because he was one of the ones that rescued them and…”
Meryn blinked. “I am an Auntie,” she whispered. “Ryuu, we now have nieces and nephews outside Penny, Ame, Yuki and future nuggets.”
“Yes, denka,” the squire said, bowing.
“Make sure we prepare the appropriate chaos inducing gifts, like drums and tattoos.”
“Yes, denka,” Ryuu said, nodding as if it were a normal request.
“No way, Meryn,” Zadie protested. “I have to live there too.”
Meryn held up her hand. “Thems the auntie rules. Just be thankful I am only giving coffee to the ten- and fifteen-year-olds.”
“The ten-year-olds don’t need coffee.”
“I was drinking coffee at ten,” Meryn said.
“I was too, and I think we can both agree our childhoods weren’t exactly picture perfect,” Zadie refuted.
“Okay, I will compromise on giving the ten-year-olds coffee, but they all have to be in-Doctor-nated.”
“Agreed.”
Zadie sat back while Cody quizzed Meryn about who the Doctor was. Before they knew it Meryn’s computer was buzzing. She picked up. “Hey baby.”
“We’re on our way back. Any news?” Aiden asked.
“Nothing yet,” she answered.
“We’ll be there soon.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
There was silence.
“Stop rolling your eyes!” Meryn demanded.