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While they worked Sage filled her mother in on her day. “Momma, guess what Navel did?”

Ivy laughed for the first time that day. ‘Navel’ was a classmate of Sage’s.

“Oh, I can’t stand that girl! She thinks we are rivals. But we would have to be on the same level for us to be rivals.”

Now the poor child’s name wasn’t Navel. It was Maureen. However, little Maureen had gotten a very bad tan, that made her look… like an orange. So, her clever daughter dubbed her Navel. All this happened a week after she had decided to spread a vicious lie about Sage liking to service the soccer team.

“What did she do?”

“She asked for an audit of the money we have raised for the spirit team. Oh, I can’t stand her! Uncle Frank gave me more for my birthday than we have raised so far!” Sage huffed and then her eyes rounded. “Anyways, no one went for it, but she tried it though.” Sage rushed on.

Frank! Damnit.Although Emmanuel and Ivy had a lot of wealth. They tried not to go overboard spoiling their children. It was an uphill battle. Especially with family members, who loved to overindulge her children. Frank was the godfather of all of them.

“Ivs, you guys knew I would spoil your children when you made me their godfather. Just go with it.”

“Back up. What did you do with the money, Sage?”

“I gave fifteen percent to charity because I know how you love us to give back.” Sage beamed at her mother in hopes of avoiding getting herself into trouble. Frank had bought the little girl a designer bag and Ivy had told him it was more than enough. It seemed he hadn’t listened.

“And the rest?”

“I put it in stocks. It is doing pretty well. I increased it by twenty percent so far.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Oh, because technically you knew when I got it. It was in the bag already.”

Frank was the King of damn loopholes. Ivy wouldn’t take a gift that her children had already received. Why hadn’t she thought about checking the bag?Manny!She was distracted because before the party he had blown her back out.

As if she had summoned him, he entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Daddy.” Sage immediately dropped what she was doing and launched herself into her father’s arms. He caught her effortlessly.

“How’s my girl?” he inquired.

Sage completely forgot she was helping her mom, as she sat with her father as he ate. They were joined by Ivy, who cut a slice of cake for each of them. Emmanuel’s, thank you, lacked its normal warmth. Ivy sat and ate her cake while Sage talked a mile a minute in between bites.

The lack of touch made the cake hit her stomach like pieces of gravel. He wasn’t being unpleasant towards her, but he was being so… civil! That was the word. It felt foreign. Ultimately, she knew it was her actions that were eliciting his behaviour. But still!

“Good night, Mom, and Dad,” Oliver greeted. Then attempted to ruffle Sage’s head. “Junior.”

“What, did you smell the cake from downtown?” Sage taunted.

“No, but it would have been nice for someone to call and let me know.” Oliver was a grown man, but in moments like this, all she saw was her sweet baby boy.

Oliver reached for Sage’s fork only to stop short, when she issued her warning. “I guess we are going to have to count on Benjamin to carry on the family name.”

“Mom, can I please have a slice?”

“You have hands Ollie.” Sage seemed to forget not too long ago her mom had presented her with her piece. Ivy got up and got Oliver some cake. He was on his second piece of cake.

“Oliver, where are you?”

“Crap.” Oliver’s eyes rounded. “In the kitchen.”

“Why are you in…” Benjamin trailed off. “You have got to be kidding me. You begged me for a ride over here to grab something. Then you leave me out there while you are in here eating cake?”

“Umm, Mom baked.”

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