It was early in the morning in Montreal, and the sun was slowly rising between the buildings.
Angie, still a bit sleepy, was in the kitchen. She was preparing the milk bottle for the baby who just woke up.
Returning in the room, she took little Eugene in her arms. He instantly stopped crying when she gave him the bottle, and started drinking with gluttony.
"Easy. Easy. Don't drink too fast."
Sitting on the bed, she checked her phone while feeding the baby. There was a message from Marvin saying he had arrived safely in London.
Looking thoughtfully through the window, she calmly admired the early daylight outside. But she was preoccupied with what was going to happen. She really hoped that Fluffy knew what she was doing and that this mission was not going to become some kind of suicidal plan in the end.
When he was done with his breakfast, Milky got up on his mother's lap and started to jump on her, just for the fun of it, like babies do sometimes. Angie was holding him carefully while he was bouncing.
His little legs were pushing frantically, so that he was going up and down, up and down.
"You're really full of energy, my baby! You shouldn't jump that much. You've just finished eating."
"Must… train… harder…for the goddess!"
If she had not witnessed all these incredible things that had turned her life upside down lately, Angie would not have believed her ears.
"Eugene! You can speak now ?"
The baby stopped bouncing, and hesitated a bit, opening wide his big eyes.
"Yes. It seems that I can speak now." he said with his tiny baby voice.
"Damn! It's way too early for that. Of course, that's because of Fluffy again." thought Angie aloud. "Come on, say something else. Speak to me again!"
Milky took some time, then he said: "I love you, Mommy."
"Awwwww! I love you too!"
And she hugged him tight.
"I can't believe it. A couple of days ago you learned how to walk. Now you're able to speak like a grown up. Probably tomorrow I'll discover you're ready for high school."
"High school?"
"Never mind, my love. Mommy is just kidding."
"Where's Daddy? And Fluffy?"
"They're gone quite far away. To take care of some important business. But don't worry, they'll be back soon."
"I can't wait!"
Angie paused for a short moment.
"You said you have to train. For Fluffy?"
"Yes."
"How do you know that? Did she say this to you?"
"I have to train for her because when I do, that's when she loves me and she lets me caress her fur."
"Oh, I'm sure she loves you anyway. That's why she chose you in the first place."
"She chose me?"
"Yes. Knowing what a marvelous baby you'll become. And eventually a strong young man."
"I want to become strong! Because Fluffy likes me strong."
"I'm sure you will become very mighty. The strongest of all."
"Of the entire universe?"
"Yes. Of the entire universe."
Milky smiled. He seemed to like this idea. But soon, he frowned a bit and went serious again.
"But now, for that I have to train some more."
And he started bouncing again on his mother's lap.
Meanwhile, in London, Marvin was sitting on a bench, having a chicken sandwich.
"I would have liked to sit in a nice restaurant. But that's all I can afford now, after you made me spend like crazy on travels, and flights and diamonds… You want some?"
"Yes, please. Thank you."
Marvin's phone rang in his pocket.
"Oh, it's Angie."
He took the video call. Angie appeared on the screen together with Eugene.
"Hello, honey." said Marvin.
"Hi Marv! You've arrived safely in England? How was your flight?"
"Quite smooth for me. Not that much for Fluff."
"Oh, really?"
"No comment." said Fluffy.
"How is it going at home? You all right?" asked Marvin.
"Yes we are. But we've got a little surprise for you. Ready? You won't believe it… Come on, say hello to Daddy!"
"Hello Daddy!" said the little baby.
"Oh my! Don't tell me… Hey, wait! Is it some kind of AI generated deepfake that makes babies speak?"
"No, no. It's really him who speaks."
"Really? You can speak now?"
"Yes, I can."
Angie was laughing, and so was Marvin now.
"I can't believe it! Have you heard that, Fluffy? Any thoughts? Must be one of your tricks again."
"Time flies…"
They joked some more, then Angie asked about the carrying out of the plan.
"Please, be careful. Don't take any unnecessary risk."
"Don't worry." answered Marvin, although he didn't really know what would mean not to take any risk when he was about to try to rob a priceless ancient piece of art from a great museum.
"I'm sure everything will be just fine. Fluffy's got this. Right, Fluff?"
"For sure."
"You heard her."
"All right… Take care. Both of you. And give me a call as soon as it is done."
"Sure."
"Bye bye!"
"Love you, Daddy!"
"Oh, love you too, son."
Marvin finished eating his sandwich on the bench.
Then, there was a sudden gust of cool wind blowing on him. He didn't know if the shiver he felt was because of anxiety or because of the wind.
"Okay, I'm done. Shall we go to that museum now and do what we have to do?"
"Yes. Let's go."