The Van Dekkers met the rest of the family in the diner by the overpass when it was asked of them.

Curiosity was in the air.

But... None them could have expected a sight like what they were met with.

Hennie voiced her parents' confusion first. "But that's a baby."

"Correct." Abigail told her cheerfully as the Van Dekkers parked themselves on the opposite side of the booth. "She's called Luna Irene, and she's part of the family now."

"Really?"

Abby and Abigail answered her in tandem. "Yes."

Hennie immediately turned to Bethel. "Please could I call Cooper?"

"Well…" but Bethel couldn't even finish her thoughts because she was yet digesting the bigger picture.

"You want to call Cooper so you can tell him about Luna?" Abigail said to Hennie.

The little girl arched her eyebrow in a manner quite reminiscent of Zelda. "Can you see my brain?"

Abigail chuckled at her phrasing. "No. But, I know that Cooper's mama already knows about Luna."

Hennie ruminated for a beat. "Then what about Uncle Gibbs?"

"Him, too." Abigail said. "He and Cooper's mama will tell Cooper about Luna when they go home tonight."

"Are you sure?" Hennie pressed.

"Very."

Hennie ruminated on a new thought. "Is Luna happy?"

Abby and Abigail had already discovered that their new daughter was a very happy person in general. Even for a baby. What bouts of grumpiness she did have weren't long-lasting.

So Abigail was able to answer her niece with confidence. "Luna is very happy."

"Good."

Hennie then turned to Zelda, signing an inquiry about food.

But Zelda kissed her daughter on the top of her head. "Soon."

Hennie just resigned herself to looking at a book.

Zelda bit the bullet first.

"What happened?" she asked the couple opposite her. "Or don't we want to know just yet?""

Abby chose her words carefully. "Let's go with door number two for now."

"We'll explain everything later tonight." Abigail decided. "For now, all anybody needs to know is that Luna is a Sciuto, and that we are her mothers. Everything came together very fast."

"But it's all air-tight?" Zelda pressed.

Abigail bobbed her head. "One hundred percent."

Zelda took her sister's words in stride, but turned mischievous. "Then it's mine and Bethel's duty to do some shopping. We're Luna's aunties now."

Bethel nodded. "Yes. We can go after this."

Abigail swiftly made herself the buffer. "Hold your horses."

Bethel huffed theatrically. "Why?"

"Do you remember Doctor Turner, from your first day in town?"

"Yeah..."

Zelda chimed in, "She looked after us and was very kind."

"Luna's case fell in her lap today. She took care of her." Abigail elaborated. "Doctor Turner gave us a bag of items for Luna. We haven't even had a chance to look through all of it just yet."

Bethel rolled her eyes. "You just don't want us to go overboard."

"Accurate." said Abby. "We'll quit holding back the reigns after a registry is made. How is that?"

Zelda said, "Perfect."

But Bethel signed her agreement.

Luna noticed. She immediately focused on Bethel's hand motions like a laser.

Bethel asked Abby, "Did Luna's parents use ASL with her?"

"Put that under the column of many things we'll never know. But Luna was absolutely paying attention when I signed to her earlier." Abby answered. "Would you like to hold her?"

"Yes." Bethel said. "I really would."

Luna was enamored by Bethel when she began to sign. It was all very fascinating. She even caught on to Bethel's wrist the moment it was low enough. Her delight grew even more when all of the Van Dekkers began their doting. Life at the center of attention was fun.

Abby's and Abigail's hearts filled with joy at the sight. Everything happening was exactly what they'd been hoping for. Their new daughter was fitting perfectly into the fold.

Some shopping was had after the family ate together at the diner.

Luna needed a few essentials. More diapers, extra formula, pacifiers. A carseat.

Bethel, Zelda, and Hennie elected to tag along. They'd been at the public library. But now it was too cold to do anything else. Going home was the best choice now.

And... All three of them were curious to see what the pets would make of the new family member when they returned to the homestead with her.

But so were Abby and Abigail.

When they did get home, Luna was content to be held by no one but Bethel. She loved being signed to now.

This gave Abby and Abigail time to congregate near the pet pantry together.

"Lu is going to meet the dogs, and the cat." Abby sounded like she was thinking out loud. "What about everyone else?"

Abigail gave her an 'as-if' look. "Luna can't even really sit up unassisted yet. I doubt she'd even register one sassy reptile. Or understand that she was looking at a room full of songbirds. And Lord knows Neptune would only talk at her."

"Hm. Those are good points. We'll give it some more time before we go down that road."

Loud meowing disrupted any further discussion on the matter now. Ruby had appeared. And she was making herself known.

"Hello, pretty girl." Abigail scooped up her pet and hugged her. "Nice to see you so early."

The feline gave another loud meow and even let Abigail show her a little more affection. But then she made herself comfortable. Ruby was demonstrating her power.

Abby chuckled. "I guess I'll open the kennels."

Abigail waited for her to complete the task. Her girlfriend was back in no time flat with a trio of extremely excited dogs.

But when they got to the living room, all of the animals could tell that something was up.

"Here we go…" Bethel murmured as she read the room.

Abby sat beside her and lifted Luna from her arms. "Time see what baby girl makes of Miss Ruby."

So Abigail crossed the room with Ruby and also took a seat on the couch. Her cat had yet to leave her arms. And Ruby's gaze had been fixed on Luna, anyway. The dogs just watched from a safe distance. Even the Van Dekkers had fallen quiet.

Abby held one of Luna's hands against the cat. "This is Ruby."

She also signed the name with her other hand as she spoke and indicated the animal.

Luna noticed. But what she noticed even sooner was Ruby moving from Abigail's arms and slinking closer until they were inches apart. Everyone could see that Luna was becoming entranced.

Ruby gave a soft meow. Then she waited.

Instead of being startled, Luna just giggled. She found Ruby's meow to be amusing. The cat seemed to realize this and made more happy noises after that. Ruby even leaned into Luna for a few moments and purred. This tiny human was alright.

A collective sigh of relief was had from the rest of the humans.

Abby whistled for the dogs. "Come here. It's alright."

Darwin, Scooby, and Bowser approached Luna as one.

She noticed them immediately. A small gasp even escaped her. Grasping motions were also made. The dogs excited Luna as much as the cats had. And there were three of them.

Darwin was the first one to act brave. He gave one of Luna's hands a tentative lick. The sensation surprised Luna. But… She just continued to giggle all over again. All of these animals were very fun.

For the second time that day, Hennie voiced what the adults were thinking. "Wow. Luna likes everyone."

"That's for sure." Abigail agreed as the dogs began playing gently with Luna. "What do you think?"

"Luna is cute." Hennie gave the baby a gentle hug. "Very a lot."

"You're so sweet to say that."

Hennie hugged Luna once more. "I love her."

Abby made a sound of amusement. "Kid, someone is curious about you. Check it out."

Indeed: Luna had noticed Hennie again. She gave gentle hugs.

"Could I sign to her?" Hennie asked her aunt.

"Sure. Luna is just a baby, though."

Hennie understood. "Luna is learning."

"That's right. Just go easy on her."

In the end, Abby and Abigail only had to give Hennie a few pointers. The little girl was very adept at signing. It also thrilled Hennie that Luna was eating it all up.

Bethel and Zelda watched fondly. It was moments like this that made their dramatic exodus from the heartland completely worthwhile.

But before long, Luna began yawning. And rubbing her eyes. The little one's actions were universal.

Hennie back off. "Luna needs a nap?"

Abigail nodded. "Yes, but you've been doing so good with making her feel welcome."

Hennie's chest puffed up with pride.

Abby asked her, "Do you have any questions?"

Hennie gave a slow nod. "When will my Luna meet the rest of the animals?"

"Maybe tomorrow. She's had a super long day." Abby smiled at Hennie. "Go play with your toys now. Luna will still be here later."

Satisfied, Hennie blew everyone a kiss and exited. All of the four-legged animal followed. Bethel and Zelda also left. They had their own things to do.

A hush fell over the room. Both Abigails were basking in the glow of their good fortune. Introducing Luna to the animals had gone off without a hitch.

But Abigail rose to her feet first.

She also helped Abby up, saying, "I'll meet you upstairs. Gotta go get Lu-love's bed from the car."

One of the things they'd procured while out was a bassinet. It would have to do until a crib was purchased.

Abby kissed Abigail. "We'll be waiting."

They parted.

When Abigail did make it to the bedroom, it was to find a very sweet sight.

Abby and Luna were cuddling. Skin-to-skin.

Abby looked up when Abigail closed the door behind her. "See something you like?"

"Yes. Yes, I do." Abigail set the bassinet box aside and climbed on to the bed. "Was Luna getting fussy?"

"Like nothing else. I'm all for her not being cranky right before she has a nap."

Abigail pulled them both closer. "You also just wanted to hold her like this, huh?"

"Guilty. Plus, you already did earlier." Abby rubbed Luna's back. "She also likes it. Look."

Ever pleased, Luna kept yawning and rubbing her eyes. It was clear that slumber wasn't far off. She also moved closer to Abby when Abigail pulled a blanket over them. Peace was the only thing Luna felt.

Abigail wrapped her arms around Abby's waist. "Putting together the bassinet can be set on hold."

"For a few more minutes." Abby agreed. "Let's just talk to Luna."

They did just that, until their new addition fell asleep.