Squad X (a Nuzi Story)

Chapter 9: Grandma's Here

When you think about your grandparents visiting, what comes to mind? Maybe they bring fresh-baked treats, spoil you like you're obviously the favorite grandchild, or teach you how to knit. Well, that's not the kind of grandparent experience I got. My grandma Nori (from my mom's side) is the source of all my mom's fierce, untapped energy—not to mention her Solver abilities. Whenever she visits, you can bet my dad's on edge, probably sweating through his visor as he scrambles to make her happy. Grandma Nori isn't exactly fond of him, mostly because, well... he's the robot equivalent of a vampire, and under his adopted sister's influence, he killed a lot of innocent Worker Drones.

"And yet, my mom married Dad anyway." I like to joke that I'm the robot lovechild of the Twilight equivalent of Bella and Edward. Not that anyone gets the reference—they're all a bunch of uncultured swine.

Anyway... it was early morning at our place. Mom and Dad were cuddling in bed (like high school sweethearts—gross), Michael and Nyx were snoring away in their room, and I was laying low, letting my mind wander before fully waking up. Colt had already moved out; he and Tara (aka the best sister-in-law ever) wanted their own place before their wedding.

The house was peaceful until I heard a loud, almost thunderous knock on the front door.

I froze, my mind racing as I tried to guess who could be at the door so early. Only one person I knew could make such an ominous, no-nonsense entrance at sunrise.

"Aw, hell." I rolled out of bed, throwing on a hoodie as I hurried down the hallway. No way was I about to let Mom and Dad greet her half-awake.

By the time I reached the door, I was proven right. There, looming in the doorway with a smirk sharper than her perfectly polished wings, was Grandma Nori herself. She stood there, sizing up the place as if she hadn't been here a million times before. A small bag was slung over her shoulder, but I knew better than to assume it was anything light or harmless.

"Oh, good, you're up," she said, striding in as if she owned the place. I didn't get a chance to reply before she gave me a quick look over and added, "Nice hoodie. Still dressing like a goth—I respect the consistency."

"Good to see you too, Grandma," I muttered, stifling a yawn.

She gave a little chuckle before dropping her bag on the kitchen counter with a clank that suggested it held something much heavier than it looked. "Where's your mom?"

"Asleep," I replied, keeping it vague in the hopes she wouldn't march right upstairs. But knowing her, she'd already noticed Mom's room was quiet.

Grandma Nori merely nodded, heading for the coffee maker like she owned it, which was accurate considering she'd gifted it to my parents years ago. I watched as she expertly fixed herself a cup, filling the house with the scent of freshly brewed coffee—a good smell, one I remembered from my childhood. She wasn't the stereotypical grandma, but she had her ways of making herself at home.

Just then, Dad appeared in the hallway, looking less than thrilled. "Nori. Welcome," he said, trying and failing to sound casual. He gave me a quick glance, a silent plea in his visor eyes. Great—already passing the "Nori duty" baton to me.

Grandma Nori turned, one eyebrow raised, looking Dad up and down as if appraising an intruder. "N," she replied, the tone cool enough to make even him tense up. "I trust you've been taking good care of my daughter."

Dad gulped—he actually gulped—and gave the world's most nervous nod. "Of course. Uzi's, uh, she's doing great."

"Hmm." Grandma took a slow, deliberate sip of her coffee, watching him over the rim of the mug. "I'll be the judge of that."