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“Well, hello Leonardo dear.”

“Mrs. Scott,” Leonardo greeted his mom.

His mom had been through a lot the last few days, but her sunny disposition was back. She gave Leonardo a huge smile. “Let’s go with that name for now.”

His brother returned the smile with an incline of his head.

“I see the two of you share more than looks. What a charming, well-mannered man.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Scott.” Leonardo sounded uncertain, as if something about his mother’s tone alerted him that there was a ‘but’ coming.

“I know you have been through a lot, and it must have been a terrible shock to find out that you weren’t all alone the way you did. However, that doesn’t excuse the horrible thing you did to your brother, your sister-in-law, and the mother of your child. Hell to all of us.”

“I wasn’t in the best place. I have extended my apologies. In time, I hope you can see how sincere I am.”

“Of course, dear. Like I said, you and my Emmanuel don’t only have your looks in common. You two carry so much in your eyes.”

Turning to Emmanuel, his mother commented. “I miss you wearing your hair like this. We all know why you cut all your beautiful hair. Screw him. Long or short hair, your profits last quarter are better than he or his old man ever achieved.”

“Um, thank you Mom. Tell me how you really feel.”

“You can be sure I will. I have so many surprises up my sleeves. Which reminds me, I spoke with Anna Harkness. Isn’t she a gem? Oh, I spoke to your father. We are meeting in two days. I want Ivy, Leonardo, and you to join me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, I’m positive. We are going on a fact-finding mission. I’m off to find Sage. That child always comes up with the best snacks. The boys are waiting in the den, pretending not to be overeager to meet their uncle.”

Wow! It was nice to see a spring back in his mother’s step. Well, it was nice for him. While his mother was a pleasant woman, she was not one to be crossed. He had seen it time and time again. When people took his mother for a fool, she’d retreat. Only to reemerge with the most chipper of dispositions. Right before she struck. If Larson wasn’t such a bastard, he might feel sorry for him.

The reaction Benjamin had when he met Leonardo is what his father would expect from him. What surprised him was Oliver’s reaction. It was exactly the same as his brother’s. They both greeted him with a mixture of wariness and detached politeness. Unlike with their sister, their mother didn’t need to intervene.

Ivy looked at Emmanuel for an explanation. All he could do was shrug in response. They didn’t have long to dwell on their sons’ greetings of, “Good evening, Mr. Baldi.”

Before it was time to leave for Sage’s debate. She made the announcement as she entered the den with her Grandma and Darren.

“Okay folks, it is time to go. I have an opponent to crush. Navel will not know what hit her.”

“Junior, are you still calling Callie’s sister Navel?” Oliver questioned.

Sage’s annoyance was immediate. His little girl always struck back hard when someone irritated her.

“Sure am. She started it and I’m going to finish it. Besides, I’m not the one who wants to get into Callie’s pants.”

“I’m not trying to get into Callie’s pants,” Oliver answered, although now his complexion looked a bit flushed.

“Don’t care. It is time to leave for my debate. Let’s go people.” Their little tyrant announced. As the family all piled out of the room, Leonardo remained seated. “You’re not coming Mr. Baldi?”

Everyone froze at Sage’s question. It was unclear who was more shocked by her question, her father or Leonardo. Who looked towards his brother, as if to ask what am I supposed to do here? Before, Emmanuel could figure out what to do.

His mother interjected. “Are you sure you’re alright with Mr. Baldi coming with us?”

“Yes. Of course. I haven’t figured out how I feel about him yet, but Momma is right. I was raised with manners. We can’t just leave him here. Plus, if I don’t know him, how can I find out if I like him?”

“Junior, some of that could have been internal thoughts,” Benjamin advised.

“Probably.” Sage shrugged. “So, Mr. Baldi, are you coming?”

Leonardo stood and walked over to Sage. His tone was gentle as he told her. “I’d love to, Sage, but I think showing up on your big night before anyone knows anything about me would be distracting. I understand you have a Navel to defeat.”

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