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“That sucks. It will be settled.” Ivy walked over to him, and he slipped his arm around her.

“You’re right. This is what I get for trying to be fair and make it, so everyone got a piece of the pie.”

“Don’t apologise for having a big heart and being a man of integrity. It will all work out. You’ll see.” She pulled away from his hold and was already at the door of the bathroom. “Anyway, I’m jumping in the shower. Want to join me?”

Something about the look he gave her made her reconsider the offer she had given him. She clarified, “just to shower. We don’t have time for anything else.”

His grin was wolfish. “Sure.”

“How did Junior beat us here?” Oliver asked as he entered the private dining room at Fusion. Sage was affectionately called Junior by her older brothers because she looked so much like Ivy, but her personality was all Emmanuel. Actually, the nickname was rich coming from Oliver. Physically, all that separated him from being his father’s double was a few years, an additional inch, and his darker complexion.

“I came home early this morning and drove over with Momma and Daddy.”

The boys greeted their parents and sister. The immediate family was meeting up earlier and would later be joined by the extendeds. They didn’t have the time they used to, with both boys being out of the house pursuing their post-secondary education. Oliver was in his second year and, like his father, was a football star. While Benjamin was in his first and ran track. It was rare that Manny missed games or meets. He was a hands-on parent.

Drinks and appetizers were ordered, as they sat around catching up. They were a rowdy bunch. Laughter was abundant. Teasing a guarantee. Love, well, it was the foundation of everything.

The Grands, as the children called them, were the first to arrive. Of course, Emmanuel’s mom was bearing gifts for her grandkids. She always did. The couple had failed to curtail her behaviour early on.

“Listen, you two, these are grandchildren. I will shower them with gifts and sugar and then send them back home to you. You both will say nothing.”

Emmanuel barely suppressed his eye roll. Yes, they had a lot of privilege, but he didn’t want to raise a bunch of spoiled, entitled brats. Thankfully, Ivy was by his side, and they raised well-rounded kids. They played hard, but they worked even harder. All their grades were outstanding. Although he credited their mother with their intellect, he was no slouch. When they first met, Ivy questioned his commitment to his education. On one of her many noise complaints visits, he had had to set her straight.

“Christ, your ass is judgmental. You know I’m in half of your classes, right? Because I have a double major in Business and Science, play football, am the captain of the team, and have a 3.7 GPA. So yeah, I work hard. Now, run back to your apartment. As always, the music will be turned off by 10:59. Bye-bye now.” He waved and slammed the door in her face.

Emmanuel smiled at the memory. He looked up and her eyes were waiting for him. This connection is what he lived for. No matter what was going on around them, they had each other. The smile she gave him was reserved for him. It lit up her entire face and made her eyes look like sunshine itself.

“I love you.” They both mouth simultaneously.

Benjamin burst their bubble. “Dad, can we order now? I have to get back to the dorm and study.”

Thankfully, Kimberlin, Ivy’s best friend, was next choosing that moment to arrive. Followed by Frank. As always, cheers greeted him from the kids. ‘Uncle Frank’ was the coolest, according to Oliver and Sage.

They were finally able to put in their orders to the contentment of his children. With a nod to Frank, he grabbed his attention, and the men excused themselves. They sat in the foyer of the private waiting room.

“What’s up, Emmanuel?” Everyone called him by his full name, except for Ivy.

“I thought the packing ligation was settled?”

“It is. The final, might I add way too generous settlement, has been finalised.”

“Don’t start. You know why I settled. It doesn’t sit right for a ‘family’ run company to break the back of the little guy. Anyway, it’s settled. What the hell is this?” Emmanuel handed Frank the envelope.

“I have no idea. It’s my day off and I’m at a family brunch. I can’t believe you have me working.” Although Frank was complaining, he was breaking the seal and removing the document. The look on his face…

“For the amount you get paid—” He was cut off as Frank lifted his hand, halting him.

“This isn’t a company matter.” Frank waved the document, thrusting it at Emmanuel. “It’s um… personal.”

“What is it?” Emmanuel took the document offered to him. He scanned the paper and was jolted by the information. “Is this shit some kind of joke?

“No. You saw me break the official seal. This is as legit as it gets. Do you have something to tell me, man?” Frank pierced him with a suspicious look.

“Like what? I have no idea why this woman is requesting a paternity test.”

The air was ripe with Frank’s accusation. He hadn’t come out and said that he believed that the suit had merit, but his disappointment was etched in his features. How could his best friend of all these years think he would do something like this?

Emmanuel huffed in agitation, jumping to his feet. “Seriously? You think I would disrespect Ivy this way?”

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