"God! I've missed you like hell, El dear. Come give me a big hug!" Gianna squealed, darting toward Eleven and enveloping her in a fierce embrace that nearly lifted her off the ground.
"Me too," Eleven murmured warmly, hugging her back. "You're the second to arrive." She chuckled, then glanced over Gianna's shoulder to see Lincoln standing tall and poised. "Hello, Lincoln."
"Little Eleven," he said, a small, amused smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Eleven paused, momentarily taken aback. He had never addressed her that way before, and now that he did, it stirred a laugh in her throat. She turned her gaze back to Gianna and leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Did you guys... spend the weekend together?"
Gianna flushed a faint rose and nodded. "Yes. I finally introduced him to Grandma Jean. She was positively thrilled to meet him."
