“That’s different,” Juniper protested, bewildered by his surprisingly crafted argument. “I don’t even know what she’s talking about with all that recursion stuff.”

“Then I’ll just read the book you were telling her about!” Jacob announced proudly.

Juniper’s eyebrows shot up. “Absolutely not, sir. No space princesses for you.”

Jacob’s laughter bubbled up as he spun away from her attempted tickle attack, nearly colliding with Lillian who caught him with practiced ease.

“Remember that math book you made me read?” he asked, still breathless with giggles. “I was crying so much and you said -” he straightened up, doing his best Juniper impression - “‘if you hate it this much, it means you’re growing. You’re on the right track!’”