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Just then, Frank waltzed into the room. “When you were going over the plans for her birthday, you didn’t mention a hefty dose of drama.”

“What are you talking about?” Manny looked bemused.

“I thought you invited Jasmine.” Frank questioned.

“I did.” Manny answered as he released her from his hold.

“Then why did you also invite Leonardo, genius?”

Grace joined them with an oh-oh expression plastered on her face. “That was me. I thought you had said Jasmine wasn’t coming.”

“Mom, when you saw her here, why didn’t you tell him not to come?”

“Honestly, I didn’t give it a thought. I’ve been playing with the babies. They are so cute.” Grace must have been in heaven. Amber and Karissa both had their children in attendance.

“Mom, can you call him and tell him not to bother to come?” Manny instructed.

“About that, dear. It seems he’s already arrived.”

Her husband looked worried as he looked from his Mom, Frank, and her. “Great. I wanted today to be perfect for Doc. Okay, fine, just keep them apart until I can get one of them to leave.”

“Manny,” Ivy touched his arm. “What is done is done. How about we do nothing? Let it play out. Maybe it’s time they face each other.”

After another look around, Manny shrugged. “Fine, but all of you stay out of it. No interference.”

Ivy made a promise and after all Manny had gone through to give her this wonderful celebration, she would do as promised. However, it didn’t stop her from smiling when they were cutting the cake. She glimpsed Jasmine slipping out of the room and Leonardo on the opposite side of the room, following.

Epilogue

There was a light knock on the door which echoed through the room. Emmanuel smirked, as he called out, “who’s there?” He knew exactly who it was, and he had no intention of making it easy on her. It was the reason he closed the door.

“It’s me, Ivy,” she called softly.

“Come on in.”

Ivy opened the door and pushed her head inside. “Are you all done helping Sage with her project?” Her head darted from side to side as if searching for something.

“Yeah. All finished.”

She smiled as she pushed the door open, came in, and closed the door behind her.

“Where have you been?” Emmanuel asked as he rolled his chair away from his desk, making room for her to join him. Without prompting, Ivy sat on his lap, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and kissed his cheek.

“Oh, I’ve been around.”

“Hm.” His grumble made her smile grow bigger. “Busy, were you?”

“Yeah. I’m a whole ass doctor.” Her answer was full sass.

“Who happened to be scarce while our child drove me up the bloody wall?”

She giggled. Emmanuel knew it was at his expense. He gave her a retaliatory pinch.

“I had to remind her I don’t work for her. Sage is worse than any project manager we have on staff. Daddy…” He switched his voice to mimic his daughter’s. “…I have standards. If you are going to help me construct this business pyramid, you are going to stick to the example I created.”

“Well, it is her project, and she is carrying a perfect grade point average.”

“She’s a mini tyrant.”

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