Lynwood.

I quickly type the address Hera texted me into my maps app, allow it to load and follow the first instruction.

"Starting route to: 100-0 Ryloth Dr. Take a right onto Exposition Boulevard." The robotic female voice asks kindly.

Alrighty.

Complying, I turn my music I have on in the background down just a touch before I'm on Exposition.

"Merge onto I-110 E."

Easy enough.

Merging onto the 110, I hit the fast forward button on my steering wheel once, and the song changes once again.

That's much better.

Allowing myself to try and relax briefly while the traffic takes advantage of the brief moment of flow and ease of driving. Unfortunately it's interrupted by my friendly voice in my phone. "Take exit seven onto Long Beach Ave."

And…exit seven onto Long Beach.

"Take a right onto Entrance Road." She informs me.

Glancing right, I see a gated neighborhood set back from the road and up a hill. "Hell of an entrance." I mutter to myself.

I weave my way up the hill before coming up on a manned guard booth. "Name?"

"Ezra Bridger, here for dinner with the Syndulla family?" I smile at the grumpy looking man.

The man eyes a list, then waves me forward. "You're good."

"Thank you." I smile at him, and end up smiling to myself.

"Take a left onto Ryloth Dr."

I take the left, spot the children two houses away playing basketball in the driveway around a large black SUV.

Normal day, normal life.

"Arrived. 100-0 Ryloth Dr."

I can't help but smile as Hera's text pops into my head, her voice narrating. "Come over anytime dear. We want you to feel at home."

Hera is the best.

Pulling up into the driveway, behind Kanan and Hera's cars, one a massive grey SUV, the other a smaller, economic vehicle I quickly grab my welcome gift, some flowers for Hera.

My first instinct as to buy Kanan some Scotch or something, but I'm 18 and don't have a fake ID. So…

Walking up the front drive, a smile creeps onto my face before I stop at the semi-transparent front door, wood outlay before knocking three times and stepping back.

A small voice calls out, just before small footsteps rush toward the door.

If I know Hera and Kanan, they have a way for him to see me.

"It's Ezra." I smile to the bricks just off to the right before the door opens to a beaming Jacen.

"Wrong way." He smiles crookedly. "Those bricks."

I laugh and smile at him, then say "It's Ezra." To the left bricks, then turn back to Jacen and open my arms for a hug. "Good to see you bud."

"You too Ezra!" he says, bouncing on his heels as I step inside and close the door behind me, then turn back and see a massive white Tamaskan Husky sitting on all fours, eying me beside a blanket, where a baby is on its stomach.

Mira. Baby Mira with Ghost protecting her.

I take two steps into the house before Ghost is up on his feet and barks loudly before I laugh. "No Ghost! It's Ezra!" Jacen tells the dog.

I know Ghost. I've met Ghost. He loved me as a puppy. I rubbed his belly as long as he sat by me.

Spoiler alert: He sat by me a lot.

"Ghost!" I say firmly, instantly causing his ears to perk up and for him to relax and trot to me. "Hey boy…up?" I tap my chest twice. On command, Ghost stands on his hind legs, placing his front paws on my chest and lets me pet him. "How are you bud? Protecting the little one?"

"Oh yeah." Jacen smiles, walking back to his sister, still on the blanket as I hear footsteps upstairs. "He's always following her around, making sure she's safe."

He loves her, just like after they adopted Ghost he latched onto Jacen.

"Easy drive?" I hear Kanan ask me, and I turn to see him descending the steps.

I smile as Jacen and Ghost walk back to the blanket. "Not too bad." I answer when Kanan reaches the bottom step and extends his hand before shaking his hand.

"Good, good." He smiles, then lets out a breath.

"That's her?" I turn and finally let myself get a good look at Mira.

Kanan laughs as I hear Hera move something in the kitchen, followed by footsteps. "That's the little devil."

"Angel. Even though she doesn't sleep." Hera comments behind me before sliding her arms around me for a hug.

"I kind of assumed that." As Kanan walks over and easily scoops Mira up, who kicks her feet at the sudden movement and moves to look at her Dad.

"There's a new person here Mira! Look! His name's Ezra!" Hera crouches down, getting Mira's attention.

I crouch down as well and smile widely at Mira. "Hi."

Mira blankly turns to look at me for a moment before smiling at me and starting to drool while making a happy sounding noise. "Ooh! We are making a mess." Kanan smiles before wiping away her drool and lifting her up. "There we go. You want her?" He turns to me.

"Sure, if you don't mind." I say, then realize I still have Hera's flowers. "These are for you." I quickly extend them to her.

Hera smiles happily while taking them. "Ezra they're beautiful! You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to. Hi!" I tell Hera then turn to Mira as Kanan hands her off. "Oof!"

She's heavier than I thought she'd be.

"Hi Mira! I'm Ezra!" I smile at her as Ghost pads over to check on the situation. Mira looks at me with wide eyes while barely moving to touch, then grip my t-shirt. "You're heavier than I expected."

"She eats like her Mommy." Kanan jokes, getting Hera, Jacen and I to laugh before Mira gurgles and a sneak peek of a smile appears.

I smile, then try to recall the little bit of training we got in the Jedi Temple about acting around babies. How they feel comfort, to gain their trust, all that.

I remember that they're extremely tactile. So I should give her a finger or my hand and let her just explore.

"Here. Hand?" I offer her my right hand, keeping her cradled in my right arm. Mira takes me up on the offer and immediately brings the back of my hand to her mouth and makes a noise.

"Good guess. She's super tactile. Likes being held. Loves a good nap. Just woke up from a nap before you came so she should be in a good mood." Kanan smiles as Hera drifts back toward the kitchen before calling out to Jacen.

"Jacen baby, do you want to go play your game?"

"Yes please!" he bounces up and down ecstatically.

Hera smiles at her cutting board. "Don't run up the stairs please then."

"Yes Mom!" Jacen says, dashing off and running right up the stairs.

"JACEN!" Kanan snaps, causing Mira's eyes to move over to her father as he walks back to look upstairs. "What did your mother just say?"

A moment passes before Jacen answers "Don't run. Sorry Daddy."

Kanan sighs and runs his hand over his hair, currently pulled back into a ponytail before Hera smiles and says "Like clockwork."

"Does he do that often?" I ask as Mira grabs a finger individually and starts holding onto it.

"Yeah. He's a good kid, but then he'll do something like that and…" Kanan makes an exasperated gesture.

Hera laughs quietly. "He is just three Kanan. I know you're expecting him to be a Jedi like you, but he is a kid."

"And I'm trying to let him be a kid. But listening is important."

I think he knows that. Jacen's always been a good kid. His 'terrible twos' mostly consisted of him not napping and sleeping when he was supposed to. He just never wanted to stop playing.

Hera glances over at her husband, then turns to me. "Enough on that Ezra. How is school?"

"Good." I say as Kanan moves to the refrigerator.

"Drink Ezra?"

"Sure. Whatever works." I smile, trying to be low maintenance.

Hera turns and frowns at me. "No, no. Kanan, get out that bottle of red from last night. You'll like it."

Uhm, I don't know about—

Hera's eyes immediately light up. "Oh! Found one."

"Uh oh." Kanan says, digging in a lower cabinet.

She can still read me. Makes sense. It was the two of them, plus Cayle, Master Skywalker, Senator Amidala and Master Tano that were the first to talk to me after I surrendered in Miami.

She may always be able to just see right through me and read my emotions.

"Talk." Hera orders me. "You know this is a safe space. We won't report anything."

"You're overdue for a debrief anyway." Kanan says, finally standing up holding three wine glasses.

I warily eye him as Mira gently sucks on the tip of my index finger while I stroke her cheek with my thumb. "Fine. I'm avoiding alcohol totally. Legal age, plus, well you know."

"Your father." Kanan nods simply.

"Ezra, it might be genetically linked, but don't let that stop you from experiencing things." Hera gently chastises me.

I frown as Kanan pours the wine at a small counter on the other side of their expansive kitchen. "It's not totally Dad. I don't trust myself in that state."

"All the more reason to drink here, where we can subdue you if necessary." Hera counters, ending that route of exploration before I glance at Mira, causing her to look at me.

"I think I'm gonna need this back." I gently slip my finger out of her mouth, only for her to instantly grab for it back, then make an upset noise. "No no, it's okay." Mira looks up at me, almost with a dirty look before crossing her arms very slowly and leaning onto my shoulder.

Kanan hands me my glass while crouching down to look at Mira. "Smile?" he smiles at Mira. Right away, Mira smiles and kicks her feet happily while grabbing onto my shirt for stability. "There we go."

"What else? Any weird happenings?" Hera asks, chopping vegetables.

"Some." I say dismissively. "I worked them out though."

"Homework?" Kanan asks, leaning against the counter.

"A ton. I spent the entire weekend working on it, only stopping to eat, sleep and work out." I confess.

Hera pauses briefly to look at me. "What's the schedule again? I had it memorized but can't recall it right now."

"University Strategies, Spanish and Composition on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Chemistry and Comp Sci on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Work every day except for Friday."

"That sounds like homework all the time." Kanan winces in sympathy as I sip the wine they gave me.

Tart.

I try to hide my expression and shrug to disguise it further. "So far it has been. Spanish hasn't helped because the professor is a Teacher's Assistant who has only bothered to show up six classes total all month."

Our class made up a group text yesterday after we actually met back to back times in case he cancels again. And people have given him a vicious nickname.

"That doesn't sound like much." Hera comments as Kanan does the math in his head.

"Half the time." Kanan says after a moment. "I can report him if you'd like. If he doesn't care enough to show up, he shouldn't have the privilege to teach."

I shake my head. "No, no. It's okay. I already know Spanish, remember?"

"Well, yeah, but still. Principle." Kanan argues.

"Why don't you want to go to that class?" Hera cuts through to the real issue.

Well, Sabine. I like having the time to have breakfast with her. Even though since Spanish has actually met this week, we haven't gotten the chance to do that.

Not that I've wanted to.

(Flashback)

I gather up my stuff easily, feeling Sabine do the same as fast as she can so I can't get away from her.

Other than good morning, we haven't said anything to each other. I didn't text her any this weekend after Friday and it's felt like it. The icy chill that's set in over text has manifested itself in person as well.

"Doing anything after this?" Sabine asks casually.

She knows my Monday schedule. Spanish next, if I actually have class.

I nod. "Spanish."

"They didn't cancel?"

"Nope." I shake my head.

Sabine is silent for a moment as I zip up my backpack and rise to my feet. "Would you be open to maybe getting something to eat? I'll buy?"

"You don't have to do that." I dismiss the idea.

I'll buy my food. I know she's offering to be nice and work her way back into my good graces.

"I want to."

I roll my eyes. "No, thanks."

"Ezra!" Sabine protests.

"I have to go to Spanish anyway. Okay? The damn TA never shows anyway, so it'd look really bad if I don't show when he does. Okay? Maybe another day." I tell her, leaving no room for argument.

Sabine visibly shrinks from me, then bites her lip and nods. "Okay. I just want to talk to you about Friday. Another day?"

"Sure. Sounds good." I say, ignoring the hurt in Sabine's eyes.

"Found it." Kanan says, drawing my eyes to him.

"It's the girl, isn't it?" Hera smiles. "Kanan already researched her."

I laugh. "Of course he did." Before Mira giggles happily and I look down. "Was that funny?"

Mira giggles again as I smile at her and Kanan answers. "Just basics. I'm sure you already know most of it. Soccer player from Chicago, father is a big player on the Walgreens board and most importantly, Mandalorian."

WHAT?

"Mandalorian?" I whip back around, causing Mira to squawk and grab onto me tighter. "Oh, sorry."

"Mhmm…" Mira lays her head on my chest once more as everyone looks on.

After a second, Kanan finally nods. "Yeah. I'm sure you know that's why we have the Temple in Chicago like we do. To keep an eye on the Mandalorian population there in case they get any ideas."

"It's one of the largest in the country, even though most are over in Europe still." I nod in understanding.

"I've looked into it with my SIS contacts, and there doesn't seem to be any smoke or fire there. Everything looks legitimate enough." Hera tells me.

Well that's good.

"How'd you meet her?" She asks as Mira perks up.

"Not you." I smile at her, then look back to Hera. "She just sat by me in Strategies. Partnered up on the first day, gone from there."

"Cayle said that you seemed hesitant about getting too attached to anyone while you're here. Doesn't sound like that lasted very long." Kanan smirks at me.

I shake my head then sip the wine again, trying to wash out the bitter remnants of the last sip. "I've kept my head down."

"Don't be antisocial. It's not healthy and you won't enjoy it here. Cooping yourself up and only doing homework isn't why you're here." Hera advises me.

I run the idea through my head, then turn to her. "But that's why I'm here. To get my degree."

"Which you probably won't use because you'll return to the Order." Kanan retorts.

The flaw in the logic of all this.

"Back to this girl." Hera smiles.

I smile and rub the back of Mira's hand. "Where's Zeb?"

Kanan and Hera quickly laugh, eliciting a tiny giggle from Mira along with more kicking feet. "He's on his way." Kanan answers as Mira turns and glances down at Ghost before reaching out with one hand. "Oh, we want to say hi to Ghost. Here Ezra."

I hand Mira over to Kanan then watch as Kanan sits on the floor beside Ghost as Mira smiles happily and sticks her hands all over Ghost's face before finding his ears and giggling happily. Ghost lovingly endures the abuse, then nudges Mira with his nose, causing her to squeal and bounce around in Kanan's arms. "Aww, they love each other." I smile.

"Ghost never had a problem with Mira like he did with Jacen. Once we brought her home we kept them apart for a little while, then slowly integrated the two. We were concerned, but now Ghost just follows her around, even sleeps in her room sometimes." Hera smiles.

Kanan nods while Mira continues clumsily petting Ghost, more clapping his face or anything but Ghost doesn't seem to mind. "During that thunderstorm the other night he wouldn't leave her room. Ghost doesn't love thunder but once he heard one clap of it, he rushed upstairs. I followed and there he was, right in front of Mira's crib with her fast asleep."

"Slept right through the thunder? Well that's nice of her." I smile. "So she's sleeping a little?"

"Thankfully." Kanan smiles.

Hera adds "It comes and goes. That's the only time she's really cranky. Well, that and if Jacen messes with her too much."

The sibling rivalry has to start early.

"Anyway!" Hera claps her hands. "You won't distract me any longer. This girl!"

I groan as both Kanan and Hera smile.

They're enjoying this too much.

"There's nothing to tell really. Met her in that class, sometimes we eat when Spanish is cancelled. She didn't tell me about the soccer thing, I found out on Friday and we've sporadically talked ever since."

"Sporadically?" Hera parrots. "Why?"

"I got caught blind by the whole thing. There's no reason to say you're on a school trip instead of lying about it. Just say so, playing soccer is cool. She's really good!"

Hera's frown deepens the longer I talk. "She doesn't have to tell you anything. Maybe she's had problems with people that she told? We all know how lousy and self-serving people can be. Maybe, what's her name?"

"Sabine." Kanan answers before I can.

"Maybe Sabine has her reasons." Hera finishes.

"But why lie about it?" I hammer the point home again.

Kanan takes the lead this time. "I think Hera's right. She has her reasons. And you, Ezra, need to be more forgiving."

"I am forgiving! Previously if you lie to me once, that's it! You're out!"

"That's the Sith philosophy ingrained in you. I know that and you know that. Part of being a Jedi is being better." Kanan hits back.

"I am trying."

Hera leaps in. "Well have you talked to her?"

"Haven't had a chance."

"What do you mean haven't had the chance?" Hera wrinkles her face in disgust.

"I've had Spanish every day so far this week." I explain. "Sabine played a game Sunday, played today and practices I assume all the other days. She doesn't have a ton of time."

"Make time." Kanan offers up.

I roll my eyes. "I've only seen her once outside of class. I was eating in the Underground and she just appeared with a bunch of her teammates."

"How'd that go?" Hera asks.

"They stared at me. At first I was worried my cover had blown but I made it thru alright. I'm trying not to be paranoid. It's hard."

Kanan and Hera both immediately laugh. "I know what you mean." Hera smiles.

"How many were there?" Kanan questions me.

"Six or seven." I guess.

"Well that set off both alarms bells. Both your Jedi and Sith training warned about groups of people staring at you." Kanan bites his lip while standing up as Mira has gotten bored with Ghost and is playing with her shirt.

I turn to Hera. "Any movement on that end?"

"No." Hera answers coldly. "I think everyone was expecting that your movement would result in one of two things happening: Either we'd find out that our security is as good as we believed or that the Sith that have been driven underground such as Elias would pop up and come after you."

"He wouldn't be able to resist the chance. Not with Dad behind bars." I nod. "And the Council still moved Zeb out here."

"We do have three Jedi or potential at least in a 15 mile radius." Kanan comments as the front door open and Ghost starts barking before I hear Zeb's voice.

"Oh no, you've got me boy. How are you Ghost?" I hear the smile in his voice as Kanan smiles at me then leads the ways toward the door.

Zeb's imposing physique fills the hall as Ghost is on his hind legs again and Jacen races down the hall. "Zeb!" He calls out happily.

"Turbo!" Zeb beams at Jacen. "And Mira! Hi!"

Mira makes a cute noise as Kanan holds her out to him before Zeb takes her, hugs her then kisses her cheek, "Finally, everyone where they need to be." Zeb beams as Jacen crashes into him and hugs him. "How are you buddy?"

"I'm great!" Jacen says happily.

Mira makes a happy noise and waves her arms, causing everyone to either laugh or smile. "Well then I think we're all with you Jacen."

"I'm playing my game right now. I'll be back later." Jacen says in a rush, then runs back up the stairs, getting Kanan to wince.

"Still running up the stairs I see." Zeb laughs and smiles.

Kanan sighs. "He's my child alright."

I get it. Turbo. Because he's always running around at 100 MPH.

"I like the nickname." I laugh to myself, getting Zeb to clap me on the back as Mira giggles.

"It's not too bad if I say so myself." Zeb confesses as we all work back to the kitchen.

Kanan asks Hera. "Can I help dear?"

"Yes please, check on the short ribs." Hera asks him. "Hi Zeb. How are you?"

"I'm great. All the moving parts are finally in the same place. How's the house?" Zeb returns the question.

Hera laughs once. "Finally unpacked. Never knew we had so much stuff."

"Yeah, it just accumulates." Zeb confesses, then turns to me. "Sorry to interrupt. Have you talked about the girl?"

I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose, getting everyone to laugh, especially Mira before she reaches out for me again. "Oh, okay! You want Ezra? Here's Ezra." Zeb smiles and hands her off to me. Taking her firmly, I smile as Mira latches onto me strongly and puts her head on my shoulder.

"Yes, we have. They've already had a fight, but I think they're working it out." Hera smiles.

"Already had a fight? About what? That has to be a new record or something." Zeb turns to me.

Kanan beats me to the punch. "Did you read the brief I sent you? Soccer player with Mando parents?"

"Yeah, thought that was interesting. Weird combo but makes sense why she's out here scoring truckloads of goals." Zen nods. "She didn't mention either? The Mandalorian part makes sense."

I bob my head. "It's the soccer part, I don't get why she lied and said it was a school trip."

"If I had to guess? To protect you. Nothing's ever perfect. There's probably some teammates or friends she doesn't want you meeting. At least not at first. Have faith. Give her enough rope to hang herself, don't go out buying the rope."

"I'm not buying rope." I reply.

Hera jumps in before I can continue. "He's avoiding her. Kind of. They always talk when Spanish is cancelled, and he's had Spanish all week."

"And that's the only time you know to talk to her? You're more creative than that Blueberry." Zeb laughs, using my old nickname before snapping his fingers. "Oh what's that new app, the one that lets you take pictures that disappear?"

"Snapchat." I smile.

"I don't like Snapchat." Hera instantly scowls. "Security sieve."

Zeb ignores Hera and her intelligence instincts. "You've got the perfect picture right now. You're holding an adorable baby who happens…to be smiling."

I smile, then glance down at Mira to see that she's just smiling. "Fine."

"Yes!" Zeb claps his hands as Hera sighs in the background.

"I'll check on the ribs." Kanan says, moving to the other side of the kitchen to grab some oven mitts. I fish my phone out of my pocket and scroll over to Snapchat, then open it and bring it so that the picture encompasses both Mira and I.

Mira makes a curious noise and reaches out for my phone as the picture comes into focus of her smiling and reaching, with me subconsciously smiling.

Click.

"Perfect." I smile at the picture, then tilt my phone to show Zeb.

Zeb instantly smiles. "Can you save that and text it to me?"

"I can." I smile as I tap the small icon on the lower left, shortly followed by the trusty message that says it's saved. "You're photogenic. You know that?" I ask Mira, who is still looking at my phone and grabbing for it.

"Can you send that to us Ezra dear?" Hera asks as Kanan has his head in the oven.

I nod. "I thought you hated Snapchat." While moving to send it to Sabine.

"Just send it." She snaps before I laugh, send the Snap then move to my texts.

Creating a message to Zeb, Hera and Kanan, I—

Sabine Wren – New iMessage

"Already?" I say quietly, getting Zeb's attention.

"She replied already?" He asks, smiling. "She likes you."

"Or likes the cute baby." I remark, finishing my text to everyone, then flip over to Sabine's message.

"BABYYYYYYYY!"

I shake my head and start to reply "Yup." Before Hera glances up.

"What'd she say?"

"Babyyyyyyy!" I pitch my voice up, getting everyone to laugh and for Mira to wriggle around laughing. "Yeah, I'm funny huh." I ask her.

Mira doesn't reply, but my phone does light up with a darkened screen.

Sabine Wren…would like to FaceTime.

Accept

Decline

"Uhh…" I mutter to myself, then look up. And see that everyone is peeking at my screen.

Kanan gently whacks my head. "Why are you hesitating? Yes! Bye!"

"Okay, okay!" I hustle out of the kitchen, Mira in tow and hit the accept button. Quickly, the screen changes to Sabine's face with a white background.

"Hey!" She lights up as Mira wiggles around and starts grabbing for the screen. "Boy or girl?"

I smile. "Girl. Her name's Mira."

"Hi Mira!" Sabine waves, instantly getting Mira to make a noise and continue to grab for the screen.

"HmmMMM!" She frowns, unable to reach her.

I frown and rub her arm with my thumb. "I can't bring it closer, you'll put it in your mouth. We've played this game. You put everything in your mouth."

Mira makes a disgruntled noise and continues pursuing my phone. "Sorry if I interrupted anything."

"No, just using the extension Calhoun gave me. You weren't lying. That quiz is awful."

I did tell her.

Mira continues eying Sabine as my attention is distracted by Zeb slipping into the hall and handing me a note.

"Kanan says skip Spanish, you already know it and sort this out. Hera too."

I laugh, then shake my head. "What's so funny? Other than cutie over here." Sabine asks, sticking her tongue out at Mira, who giggles and kicks her feet, hitting my phone and knocking it out of my hand and right onto the wooden floor with a solid thud.

OH NO. Please don't be cracked…

"Uh oh!" Hera calls out as Zeb winces at me.

"Who is talking?" I hear Jacen ask upstairs. Ignoring him I pick up my phone and quickly check it.

Whew.

"Uh oh! Did we knock Ezra's phone onto the floor?" Sabine asks as I stand back up and Mira is now frowning.

"We did." I laugh.

"Who's that?" Jacen asks above me.

I glance up and see that he's peering down at me, curious. "Friend."

"A girlfrienddd…?" he mischievously smiles.

"Jacen." I say simply.

"EZRA'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND EZRA'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND—" He chants happily, suddenly running around.

Kanan suddenly flies around the corner and snaps "Jacen Syndulla!"

"Don't make me come up there." I lightly threaten.

I will tickle him until he cannot breathe. I'm not afraid to do it.

"I'm playing my game." Jacen replies to the both of us, then vanishes.

Kanan turns to me. "You can step outside if you want." And points me toward the door to the backyard.

"Sure." I say, then turn to Mira. "Let's go outside where mean big brother won't bug us."

Sabine laughs. "Yeah, he sounds fun." Sabine says sarcastically but gets Mira to gurgle. As I walk outside I notice that she's now drooling all over her chin and down the front of her shirt.

"We're making a mess." I state, then wipe her face with my shirt and close the door behind me after Ghost slips through. "There!"

"Where are you? I thought you were from Georgia?" Sabine asks.

"I am." I confirm as Hera impetuously opens the small window by the door.

So they can hear.

"They're family friends, and they just had a kid. That was her brother. Sorry about him."

Sabine waves me off. "No problem. I like Mira more though." Mira laughs at the sound of her name and moves to clap but misses with both of her hands. "We'll have to work on the clapping though."

"She's only four months old though. She's got time. I'd never met her before today." I smile.

"Really? Fun day then."

"Yeah." I smile. "So hey, I was thinking of skipping Spanish tomorrow. You want to grab breakfast and—Mira!" I snap as clearly I've put my phone too close to her hands because she's grabbed it and brought her face to the screen to bite it.

"MHHHHMMMMM…." Mira mouths as Sabine loudly laughs.

"Yeah Mira! You take his phone!" She laughs. Mira briefly gnaws on the screen, unable to get anything before repositioning, biting half of my case where the camera is. "And now Mira's close up!"

Sigh.

"Hey…let go." I gently prod Mira as she's clearly enjoying herself. "Let go of my phone…we were talking to somebody."

"HMMMMM!" Mira protests loudly while tightening her grip on my phone.

"Mira…" Sabine says nicely. "Can you give Uncle Ezra his phone back?"

"Please?" I ask, gently prying off one finger at a time before getting one hand off my phone before Mira whacks me lightly in the nose then grabs onto my phone. "Ow! Mira!"

In a flash, Hera's out on the porch and snatches Mira up. "NO. We do NOT hit. NO. NO." Mira's face scrunches up as Hera tears my phone out of her hands and gives it back to me. "Inside. No. You know better than to hit people." Hera says firmly, frowning at Mira.

Mira simply gives an earsplitting wail, then starts bawling and swinging her arms and legs around before Mom starts taking her inside, shutting the door behind her.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Mira cries as Hera totes her upstairs. "WAHAHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Poor girl.

"Sorry." I apologize to Sabine, who looks extremely sad.

"It's okay. Did she really hit you?"

"My nose. Didn't hurt." I shrug.

Sabine frowns. "Poor girl."

"Where were we?" I ask her blankly.

"You asked me to breakfast and are skipping class." Sabine informs me simply.

"Oh yeah." I smile. "So?"

"Sure." She smiles back. "it's a plan."

"Great."

Sabine smiles back. "Great, Well hey, I won't keep you. Have a good night. Text me later okay?"

"Okay." I nod blankly.

"Oh, and Ezra?" She asks.

I stop and look at the screen. "Yeah?"

"Let her play with your phone. She clearly liked it."

I laugh, then nod. "I will.