Luna was very animated after her nap.

Her pleasant mood increased after drinking her fill from a milk bottle, having a diaper change, and being put into a new outfit. She was ready to play.

But her mothers had other ideas.

Bethel and Zelda explored the house, looking for both Abigails. They had an offer for them. But it left their minds altogether upon entering the living room.

Why? Something of a sight was before them.

Abby and Abigail were both together on the couch, looking more put together than they had been. Even Luna had been spruced up. The little one was even in a fit of giggles because Ruby was curled up against her, purring like a motorboat. Hennie also happened to be in the room. She sat a few feet away, narrating one of her picture books to the dogs. All of them laid in a circle around her. And each seemed to be listening.

There was also a fire in the fireplace. Positively everything about the atmosphere felt cozy.

But Bethel was immediately beginning to suspect something.

"Is there something afoot?" she asked at once.

"Indeed." Abigail said with a very straight face. "It can wait for a minute. You two look ready to say something."

Zelda cleared her throat. "We have an offer."

Bethel backed her up. "Since your hands are full with Luna, we thought we'd cook dinner tonight."

"Wow." Abigail replied. "That's very kind."

Abby nodded in agreement. "It is. Thank you very much. Surprise us."

Bethel beamed. "We will. Care to share your thing now?"

Abby checked her watch and then tapped her personal computer, open in her lap. "My brother should be imitating a video call soon."

"Why?" said the Van Dekkers together in a blank tone.

"Because we're going to tell everyone in that house about Luna."

Intrigued, the Van Dekkers both sat on the couch, too.

"How does Luca know to call?" Zelda inquired.

Abby answered, "I sent him a text to say that we want to have an important chat today."

"His response?"

"To give him five minutes. He needed to wrangle everyone. That house is huge."

Zelda nodded. "Indeed."

Bethel glanced over at Hennie. "And what about that little miss?"

"She's eager, but she told us she was going to 'talk with the dogs for awhile.' Must be her way of killing time."

Bethel shook her head in amusement. "At least she's thinking outside of the box with her phrasing."

"Look!" Zelda said suddenly.

Pointing to the laptop screen, she indicated the incoming call signal. It was time. At last.

"Hennie!" she called out to her daughter. "Come along over here now! Quickly!"

The toddler immediately cast her book aside. Her company was asleep now, anyway.

"I'm here!" she swiftly clambered on to the couch, finding a seat beside Abigail. "Talk!"

Chuckling at her niece's eagerness, Abby hit the 'accept call' button on the screen. Luca came into view almost at once. Emerald was beside him. Ellie Grace was parked in her lap. Beau and Gloria were bookending everyone. All of them were gathered together at the kitchen island.

Luca greeted Abby. "Hey, sis! What's up?"

Abby's heartbeat quickened. "Something happened today. Very unexpected, but still very good. We promise."

Beau arched an eyebrow. "Is that right?"

"What is it?" Emerald pressed.

"To make a long story short… Our family has grown by one today."

There was a loud silence as the other Sciutos, even Ellie Grace, digested this. None of them had been expecting anything of such magnitude.

But Gloria broached the quiet first. "Are you saying to us that you and Abigail have a new child?"

"Yes! Everyone will have to come for a visit soon so you can learn her story, but we do indeed have a new baby daughter!"

Gloria lit up. "Where is she?"

Abigail promptly moved into view, indicating the baby on her lap. "An adoption happened today. Everyone say hello to Luna Irene Sciuto."

There was a collective, "Aww!" from the other delegation.

Luna had been absorbed in Ruby's purrs and very soft fur this entire time. But she looked around in curiosity.

Abigail said to Luna, "That's our family."

She finger-spelled the last word and pointed to the people on the screen.

Beau blurted out, "Does Luna not hear?!"

Zelda answered him. "Luna can hear, but she pays attention when anyone signs to her. Especially Hennie. She finds her hilarious."

"Well… that's good to know." Beau said in relief.

Gloria called for the toddler. "Hennie, my dear!"

The child poked her head into the frame. "Hi, nana!"

"What do you think about Luna?"

Hennie chirped, "I really love her! And please guess what now!"

Gloria pretended to think. "Why don't you tell me, princess?"

"Luna likes when I hug her." Hennie said proudly. "And when I sign to her."

"That's pretty neat." remarked Gloria. "Maybe I should come for a visit and help you teach her some new things."

Hennie gave an eager nod. "Yes, please. Tomorrow?"

"Not so soon. The grown-ups will sort it out." Gloria told her. "Just keep on practicing. Will you do that?"

"Yep!"

Gloria winked at her. "Outstanding."

In the middle of the line, Emerald chose this moment to check in with her offspring. "Ells, what do you think of Cousin Luna?"

"I like her." Ellie Grace told her mother sincerely.

"But…?"

"I need to get her a present!" And Ellie Grace promptly slid from the camera's view.

"Hey!" Emerald called after her. "Just where are you going?"

Silence.

But Emerald replied, "You can't write yet. Wait for us."

Zelda had a chuckle. "Anyone care to fill us in?"

Beau did. "She signed that she wants to make a list of presents for Luna."

"Is there a registry on the table yet?" Gloria tacked on.

Abby shook her head. "No. But we will make sure you know when one is."

"Excellent." both of the elder Sciutos chimed together.

"And we're looking forward to that." Emerald said happily.

"Mhm. We also eagerly await the okay for a visit." added Luca. "Congratulations on your new addition."

"Thanks, Luca." Abigail said happily.

Abby signed 'I love you,' to her brother.

And Gloria read the room. "Thank you so very much for telling us about Luna. She is beautiful. We're going to take a page out of Ellie Grace's book, though, and exit stage left."

"Yes." Beau cottoned on. "Time to go think about making dinner."

Abby said to her father, "We totally understand. Talk to you later."

So both delegations bade their farewells to each other and signed off.

Zelda rose to her feet and stretched. "That was a great talk."

Bethel nodded as she also rose up. "Yes, and if anybody needs us, we'll be in the kitchen."

They exited. Hennie followed. Maybe she could help. Ruby fell into a slink of a prowl astride Hennie—sometimes that delightful human dropped food in the kitchen. But all of the dogs remained asleep. Two of them were even snoring. How very typical.

Abby gave an audible sigh of relief that Abigail didn't fail to notice.

"You alright?" the redhead asked.

"Yeah. I was just nervous."

Abigail kissed her. "I don't blame you. But they all met Luna with love."

Abby nodded. "Just like we thought they would."

"Bingo."

Abigail deposited Luna into Abby's lap as she also got up.

"I think someone wants to play."

True enough, Luna Irene was at her most animated yet so far.

Abby hugged Luna. "I'm happy to indulge her. Where are you going?"

"Up to my office. I'll print a picture of Luna and write home. Need to get that done." Abigail pulled Abby to her feet. "I'll be back down after."

"Alright." Abby gave her a hug of reassurance; talk of Charm was yet a heavy subject. "I love you."

"And I love you."

Abigail then kissed Luna on the cheek. "Same to you, little one."

Luna giggled.

Abigail kissed Abby's middle twice. "And I love both of you."

The redhead ended with a kiss on Abby's forehead. "I'll be back down soon."

"Okay."

Abby watched Abigail go before looking back to Luna. Her heart melted.

Luna was looking at her with nothing but rapt adoration.

"Alright, kid." Abigail headed to the other end of the room where a few bags of Luna's purchases had been set aside. "Let's go see where mommy put your toys from before."

Luna babbled happily. She just liked being in motion.

Abby soon found the toys and happily engaged her daughter.

Moments like this were something she'd been dreaming of. Ever since she first knew she wanted to be a mother.

But... For a few moments, Abby entertained thoughts of how Luna and the twins would be getting along in a year's time. She could only hope for good things.

Abigail did indeed rejoin them after dispatching a fully-written, addressed, and stamped envelope to the mailbox on the front porch. Word home was now out of sight. Out of mind. Just the way she liked it.

And Abigail wanted to start on the registry, but… she also didn't want to miss a moment of playing with Luna. It would be worth it. Soaking in everything.

The registry could wait. Until much later.