Family is Forever

Repo Mantis: Part 4

Aria's POV:

Donnie & I stand as we look around for our brother. We find him a few feet away, wearing a vest containing baby bottles and nursing some of the younger pups.

Mikey: "And I'll call you Indiana Bones, and you Little Bones."

I facepalm with a groan as Donnie glances at me with concern before scowling at Mikey.

Donnie: "Mikey, come on!"

Suddenly, a ball smacks Donnie in the face. He redirects his scowl toward a brown puppy carrying a ball in its mouth. Todd laughs with an annoyingly peppy smile.

Todd: "Melvin wants to play! Could you toss his ball?"

Donnie: "Ok, fine. I will toss the ball if you give us the keys to your..."

Donnie throws the ball as hard as he can, accidentally stepping in, well, you know. Donnie looks down before exclaiming his discontent at the situation.

Donnie: "I am in something squishy. I am in something squishy!"

Donnie & I both turn to Todd with unamused looks, Donnie with Melvin in his arms.

Todd: "Oh yeah, I am so swamped, I never get to clean the yard up. But you guys are so good at this! Do you want to grab a couple shovels?"

Todd holds up three shovels. And so, we got to work. Wait, what?

{Time skip}

Me: "Why did we just do that?!"

Donnie: "I do not know, babe. I do not know."

I give a small smile at the idea that, even at his most annoyed moment, he still has some will to speak to me calmly.

Donnie: "Niceness is his superpower."

Todd steps up to us with more lemonade.

Todd: "Ah, you guys must be exhausted. Why don't you sleep over? In the morning, I can hold Sir Chomps-A-Lot while you guys floss his giant fangs!"

I turn to him with a glare.

Me: "No way! Now look, Todd, I have tried to stay as annoyingly peppy as you. But if I have to keep this up any longer, I'll go crazy! So, let's make a deal. You give us the RV, and I'll make you & the pups a new place to sleep."

Donnie & Mikey place their hand on my shoulders with confident grins.

Donnie: "We all will!"

Mikey: "Yeah, count us in!"

Todd's smile widens at the prospect.

Todd: "Really? And a place to feed, bathe, diaper, and play with the puppies?"

I grimace at him before changing it to a polite smile.

Me: "We'll even throw in robot-assistants."

I look at Donnie with a smile, hoping he isn't offended at me practically giving away his prized inventions. He kisses my forehead with a warm smile, reassuring me that he's happy to help however he can.

Donnie: "Anything for you, Queen of My Heart."

God, I love dating a turtle.

TO BE CONTINUED