K8 bounces the plump infant on her knee. “Who’s a good baby? You are! Who was so good for their Auntie K8 and Uncle James? Little Brexa, that’s who!” The child coos, reaching a chubby hand up to wrap around a lock of her hair, tugging.

K8 winces as she pries the little moist fingers out of her hair. Then the child gives her a maniacal grin and promptly spits up the contents of their stomach onto her blouse. “Oh my,” she says, inspecting the damaged fabric.

Across the room, Lessa’s smile gleams as they eye her ruined designer piece with a knowing glint to their eye. James, who’s been staring at her for the last fifteen minutes, even as he’s been chatting, saunters over. He leans down and takes the baby from her, lifting Brexa so they’re at eye level with him. Little hands reach out, clumsily landing on stubble-covered cheeks. A series of impressed gurgles come out of the child’s mouth, and K8 can’t say she blames them.

“How about we give your back to your owner,” James says, handing Brexa to Lessa then reaching out for K8. “And how about we get you cleaned up?”

Lessa snorts. “Parent,” they correct James, slinging the diaper bag onto their shoulder before making their goodbyes. “Sorry about the blouse. Let me know where you got it and I can get you a replacement.”

K8’s cheeks pinch, she’s grinning so hard. “It’s fine. Don’t bother.”

“You’re sure? I don’t want to lose my two favorite babysitters.” Lessa bounces Brexa, who’s quickly becoming fussy, on their hip.

“Impossible!” K8 says. And it’s true. Never would she have imagined the joy the little creature brings her. It’s better than coin dropping at her favorite boutique. She’d been loath to sell her things, even when it meant saving James. But now, her things don’t seem so important. Who has she become? She isn’t entirely sure, but she feels fuller. More satisfied now. And to think, it all came about as an accident. Some faulty tinkering by some scientists in a laboratory attempting to make a fake lover more realistic. The irony causes a laugh to bubble from her throat.

Lessa only shakes their head as if they can imagine the zany thoughts dancing around K8’s mind. “Same time next week?” they ask.

“If not sooner,” K8 says. When the door closes behind Lessa, K8 slumps back onto the couch, delightfully full and exhausted. “Do you think it’s less tiring with your own child?”

Over the last year, the topic of her having sold her only opportunity has come up a handful of times. Her usual response is to steer the conversation to something more lighthearted. Like getting another dog, now that they can afford such luxuries, which James is adamantly against.

Since the GROW scandal died down and IdenTECH’s officially launched, James, Sable, and Oro1’s business has expanded to encompass a full range of services for a variety of identity related issues. It isn’t only for reincarnates or people with identity issues. James came up with a way to help people—a nonprofit division. With that, K8 has discovered how many businesses will trade in Blackmarks. This saves the hassle of currency conversion with the added benefit of keeping her flush Worldbank account clean. James kept his promise. Nothing is out of her reach. Well, almost nothing.

James laughs, answering her question. “I don’t think it matters. Your patience is probably less thin, though, when it’s your own child.”

He picks up the tablet, which is laying on the coffee table of their new unit in A Quadrant, and sits down next to her. “If you could have one, would you still want to?”

Those sinking feelings she gets every time she thinks of the loss come up unbidden. K8 tries to smile, she really does, but after three hours with Brexa, the feelings are too fresh to tamp down. She feels a tear trying to escape, but she holds it back, shrugging. “You know I would, but it doesn’t matter. I’m happy, James. We have each other, and that’s more than I could have hoped for. I love you.” She runs her palm over his cheek, cherishing every magical second.

“Do you remember when I told you that you deserve everything?” he asks.

K8 swallows the lump forming in her throat, curious about where this is going. “Yes.”

“I got you something. Us, really.” He’s broadly grinning now as he hands her the tablet.

On the screen is—her heart stops. “Oh Zorg. James, is this what I think it is?”

“It’s yours if you want it,” he says, studying her for her reaction.

Tears of joy fall freely as she sets the tablet aside, throwing her arms around him. She never allowed herself to hope. Didn’t think it was possible. But he did it. He kept his promises, all of them. Even the most impossible one. “You bought us a code, James. I can’t believe you found one for sale. We’re going to have a family.” She glances at him with tears welling in her eyes. “I’m going to be a mom.”

I hope you enjoyed this bonus scene from GROW. If you want to find out what happens next in the Love, Manufactured world, preorders are open for Volume 2.0: CHOICElover.