Eric and Mia returned to a house with every light on. Jessica had been told in advance that she needed to get everything ready to leave in the morning. Eric walked into the living room, and a diaper bag lay on the couch. The items that would be going to Samara’s house with Liara were all neatly laid out. Mia did her best not to look at them, and Jessica was doing her best to distract herself by playing with Liara. She lifted the toddler into the air before catching her, making Liara giggle and nuzzle against her sister.

Eric watched from the side. His go bag rested near the front door with Mia’s. Mia walked up, watching their two daughters, and she rested her head on Eric’s shoulder. "I don’t think we should take Jessica." She muttered. "Bringing her to the Empire after all the shit she went through there might be asking too much of her."

Eric sighed and watched as Jessica lay Liara on the couch, tickling her. "I agree. We shouldn’t take her. But we need her."

Mia turned her head so that her face was in his shirt. "I don’t like it." She whispered. "Can’t they just leave us alone?"

Eric stroked her hair with his free hand. "I know. Dreha thought that fully merging the world would be a punishment for Mithrael, but all it has done is to stroke the God’s ego. Mithrael is a God, sweetheart. He won’t realize that he can’t win until we either kill the last two Ark’s or are within marching distance of the capital."

Jessica laid Liara in her playpen and walked over. She put her face against Eric’s other shoulder. "No more hero shit, eh?" She said softly. "Dad, it’s going to be okay, right? Ricky is still alive?"

Eric stroked her hair too while watching Liara jump up and down in the playpen. "Yes. It will be okay, Jess. And trust me, Ricky and the team are damn near unkillable. Those sum bitches would probably take out an entire Cartharic fortress before they die."

Jessica shook her head. "I’m serious, Dad. I’m really worried about this one. The Empire is made up of some really sick, cruel people. If Ricky and the team get caught, they will die in horrible ways. Please tell me you heard from them recently."

Eric kissed her head. "Jess. One thing you have to know about infiltration is that when you are trying to blend in with the population, you can’t do anything to raise suspicion. Ricky and the team are probably working twelve to eighteen-hour shifts, judging by the timestamps in their reports."

Jessica sighed and wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall. She let out a shaky breath as they all looked up at Liara. The toddler had grabbed a block and thrown it out of the playpen. Mia walked over and picked it up. She hid her worry behind her smiles, but Eric could see through the mask.

After all, it was the same one he wore.

Mia went to their room, and Eric gently grabbed Liara. He whispered into her ear. "Hey, sweetheart, want ice cream?"

In a voice that was too loud for the moment, Liara raised her fists into the air "I cweam! I cweam!" She yelled.

Eric looked around, sensing no sign of Mia, and he brought her over to grab some ice cream sandwiches. While they ate, he sensed a dangerous glare staring daggers into the back of his neck.

"Oh, husband... What do you think you are feeding my baby?"

Eric hid the evidence. "Nothing, babe."

Mia came into view from the dark hallway. Her green eyes lit up like danger signs flashing in the dimly lit area. "Oh, really? Then why do I see evidence that what you are saying is not the case?"

Eric handed Liara to Mia.

"No reason."

Jessica walked into the room, her eyes red and swollen, as she threw her bag into Eric’s. "I packed." She said sullenly.

Eric and Mia stopped playing around and sat down with Jessica.

Eric took her hand, and Liara crawled onto her lap. "Sissy?" The toddler said, grabbing Jessica’s face.

Jessica’s face lit up, and she hugged Liara tightly. "I’m gonna miss you, sis."

Mia ran her fingers gently along Jessica’s back. "This will be hard, sweetheart, but we can do it together. That way, we can make sure your fool of a father and his friends can make their way back here."

Eric groaned and looked up at the ceiling. "Awe come on, why do ya always gotta say that I am the bad guy here?"

Jessica glared at him. "Father. You literally have always charged in."

Eric’s eyes softened, and he moved in closer to hug her. "It will be okay, Jess, I won’t be doing that this time."

Jessica nodded, and she kissed Liara on the head. "I know. I still... I just wish that I could have a normal life. I never asked for these powers. I never wanted to end up being beaten when I didn’t fight... or having to hurt innocent people just because they wouldn’t follow orders."

Eric stroked her hair. "Do you want to stay back? You can watch Liara while we are away?"

Jessica shook her head. "Absolutely not. I am the only one who can sense mana well enough to detect illusion magic or barriers that might be traps. No offense, Dad, but you still have a long way to go."

Eric laughed and wrapped his arms around his daughters. Liara squealed in delight, and Jessica looked away, trying to hide a smile. Mia took out her phone and took a picture.

"Mm, Jess. That’s a good one. Maybe I should send that to Liam."

Jessica blushed and looked away. "Mooommmm."

Eric let them go, and his face turned serious. "Alright, we only have about eight hours before we have to show up at HQ. Mia, does Samara know we are bringing Liara over?"

Mia nodded. "Yes. And the other two heroes are aware of the hit time."

Eric furrowed his brows. "I’m still not sure about them."