Jay's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "...Mia."
Mia shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, big brother?"
"You—" he pointed at the baby, then at Nelson, then at Mia, then at the baby again. "You time-traveled. And brought back... a child?!"
"She followed me home," Mia said defensively.
"She IS your child," Jay sputtered. "How do you follow yourself home from the future?!"
"She's got my nose," Rose whispered faintly, clutching James's arm.
James nodded slowly. "And my brows. That's definitely ours... somehow."
Kai blinked. "I'm sorry, can we back up to the part where your dead parents came back for an hour and this is how you spend it?!"
Mia frowned. "Kai, please, she's a baby. Be nice."
"Be sane!" Kai countered.
Nya, who had up until this moment remained calm, slowly reached out and gently tickled Akari's little hand. The baby grabbed her finger and gave a tiny coo.
Nya's expression melted. "Okay. She's cute. I'm in."
Jay's jaw dropped. "You're in?! That's your reaction?!"
"I mean..." Nya shrugged. "Time travel's been weirder before."
"Thank you!" Nelson chimed.
James looked at Mia. "So... this is my granddaughter?"
Mia straightened a little. "Yup."
Rose's eyes shimmered. "She's perfect."
And in that moment, the one-hour miracle of family revival didn't feel like a rush or a tragedy waiting to happen. It was just... peace. And a baby girl named Akari, the little light born across time.
Jay muttered, "I'm gonna need fifteen hot chocolates and a nap."
"Make that two," Nelson added, gently rocking Akari as she yawned.
Kai stared at them all, then threw his hands up. "If a ghost ninja shows up to claim that baby's soul next, I am out."
Mia grinned. "Don't worry. I'd fight the moon again before I let anything happen to her."
"...Again?" Jay asked weakly.
Mia just winked.
