Back to the moment unfolding now.
Lilia frowned.
"Mother… father?" she repeated softly, clearly not processing the term.
"Why… are those combined?"
Ruby instead bounced lightly on the bed.
"Yes! Yes!" she exclaimed, clenching her fists. "She is Motherfather!"
Lilia looked at Ruby, then back at the photo, then at Ruby again. Her brain worked hard, but came up empty.
"Wait." Lilia rubbed her temple. "You mean…"
She stepped closer, then knelt so she was level with Ruby.
"She's your father's mother?"
Ruby nodded firmly.
"UN!"
She then reached out, grabbed Lilia's head, and patted it casually—like an adult to a child.
"Girlie Papa smart!" she said, satisfied.
"…Huh?"
Lilia's confusion only deepened.
Her father? Her father's mother…?
Nathan?
"You—"
Before Lilia could open her mouth again—
THUDDD—
A heavy impact echoed.
Not like something falling.
More like a low bass sound slamming in from all directions.
The air vibrated.
