The pouting stops. So do the tears.
Eliza looks at me with a blueberry-smeared mouth, andshe gleefully runs her hands all over my silk, pearl-white dress.
Hands that are covered in blueberry purée.
I look down at the damage as Lyndall plucks Squish from me.
Ruby and Vi rush up to inspect the damage.
Vi holds out her hands to take Squish from Lyndall. As soon as she is holding her, she takes Eliza to the sink and starts to clean my child up, which makes her bubble with laughter and squeals of joy.
Violet huffs. "Ugh, you goddamn adorable little monster."
"Eeeeh!" shouts Squish.
I look down at the mess she's made of my dress, trying not to cry as it'll ruin my makeup.
Lyndall rushes up with damp paper towels and hands some to Ruby as they both try to clean up all the blueberry puree.
"Oh, God. I don't have another dress."
But I can't be mad at Eliza. She is the cutest little Squish there is as she burbles at me in Vi's arms.
Vi looks at me over her shoulder. "You could wear a hoodie? They love hoodies."
Ruby nods. "Or maybe a top and sexy skirt."
And the traitors laugh.
"It's not coming out, and Dad's waiting for us. Enzo is probably birthing kittens since you're five minutes late. He's very controlling. Are you sure you want to marry him?" Lyndall sits back and grins.
"Why wouldn't I? He's mine. Besides, he'll like it."
"He will," Violet says. "He's a mess. I've never seen Enzo a mess until you came along. Hey, Eliza, can you say Cancun?"
Squish looks up at Vi. "Aamoo."
"Oh, Squish, you ruined mommy's dress." But I can't help but smile at her.
She's fisting banana into her mouth, right from the bowl.
My eyes widen at Lyndall. "You had banana?"
Lyndall rolls her eyes. "Eliza Squish loves blueberries, and earlier bananas weren't even allowed in viewing distance of her."
Lyndall has taken to calling her Eliza Squish, but her middle names are Anne and Maria.
Of course, she's definitely a squish.
I want to be mad, but honestly, who could be at someone so damn adorable? "I guess blueberries are going to be my something blue."
"You can barely even notice it," Ruby offers, red creeping up under her skin, and she can barely keep her mouth straight.
Lyndall nods. "It's edgy."
"It looks like it's part of the dress. Next season catwalk worthy." Violet lets Eliza continue stuffing banana puree into her mouth.
I bite back a smile, taking the empty dish from Eliza, whose chin starts to wobble and a scream starts up.
