"Gem Atkinson."
"Father Atkinson."
Forsythia Brown and Clive's voices rang out behind Gem Atkinson. Gem and Beast both turned their heads.
Upon seeing Forsythia, Beast joyfully called out, 'Mommy... Mommy...' Forsythia, however, glared at the little creature. The little creature looked puzzled and turned its gaze to Forsythia, not understanding, then it saw Clive standing next to her and immediately became joyous again, calling out, 'Brother… Brother…' and reaching out to be hugged.
Clive had grown quite tall, and holding Beast was no hardship for him. He smiled faintly, took Beast from Gem's arms, and then spun around a few times, tossing the little one in the air and eliciting non-stop shrieks from him.
It was Forsythia who, upon seeing Gem, quickly tugged at his clothes.
"Hey," Gem smoothly dodged her, then whispered in her ear, "Is it really such a torment to go one night without seeing me?"
