Page 132 of Fielder's Choice

My heart is beating rapidly as it sinks in: Sage just called me hermom.

“Sage,” I stammer. “Your dad and I are just friends.”

We haven’t told her we’re dating, and I’m certainly not going to tell her thatnow,especially without Lane’s okay.

Sage emphatically shakes her head and says, “No.”

“Lovebug, why do you think Olive is your mom?” Rory asks her softly.

“She teach me ballet,” Sage shrugs as if that answers everything.

“That’s because I’m your teacher, sweet girl.” My voice cracks with emotion.

“Your mommy teach you ballet. My mommy teach me ballet.”

“Oh. I don’t have to be your mom just because I teach you ballet.”

“And you take me to tea parties! And pway with me! And dance with me! And read me stories!”

“All of your aunts do that, Sagie.” My voice is hardly audible anymore.

“And you come see my daddy,” Sage says. “And Daddy happy.”

Sage turns back to her toys now as Rory comes back to the kitchen.

I clasp my hands over my mouth as I sink back against the island, feeling the cold marble through the thin fabric of my T-shirt. Tears start welling up in my eyes, and the girls take notice.

“Liv, are you okay?” Harlow asks, placing her palm on my arm to comfort me.

“I just… I’ve spent the past five years thinking I’d never get to be a mom. But Sage…” I close my eyes, and the tears start falling. I take deep breaths to calm myself, but my emotions are all over the place right now.

“But Sageadoresyou,” Ella smiles. “Rory, Harlow, Lucia, and me? We’re her aunts, butyouare her mom. She’s not once called any of us that.”

“Never?” I whisper.

“Not even me,” Rory says. “And I spend a lot of time with her because I’m her nanny.”

I wipe my hand under my eyes to collect the tears that haven’t fallen. “She doesn’t even know Lane and I are dating.”

“Kids are smart,” Harlow states. “I’m sure she can tell the relationship you have with Lane isn’t the same one the rest of us have with him.”

I throw my head back and sigh. “I don’t even know what to think right now.”

“You’re overthinking.” Ella places her hands on my shoulders and has me look at her. “Don’t overthink this. Liv, you never thought you’d get this chance. But that girl out there, the girl that hasn’t known a mother since she was born, found her mom the day you started teaching her ballet. This is an incredible thing. Enjoy the moment.”

I take deep, steadying breaths as I absorb everything.

Sage has decided I’m her mother.

The thought is scary since Lane and I are in a brand new relationship… but my heart swells at the same time.

I didn’t think I’d ever get to have kids, but now the best one I know is basically considering herself mydaughter.

I allow myself to think of what that would look like.

Lane, Sage, and me. The three of us as a happy family.

When the thought brings me nothing but comfort, I’m struck with the realization that girls may have been right earlier.

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