Page 93 of Fielder's Choice

To my absolute expectation, Sage picked out a purple dress. Light purple velvet on the top with a white tulle skirt covered in purple butterflies. It’s very her and very perfect for the afternoon I have planned.

I couldn’t think of anything better than bringing Sage to her first real tea party.

Afternoon tea, really, but to a not-quite-three-year-old, it may as well be a tea party.

There’s a place in Greenwich Village that hosts a kid-friendly afternoon tea with plenty of kid-friendly options, including mac and cheese.

Picked this place for a reason.

Sage is nothing but smiles as we hang up our jackets and take our seats.

We’re sticking with a selection of decaf teas today because I don’t hate Lane, and I want to make sure his daughter won’t be up all night. And since Sage is still a toddler, I’ve picked some fruity teas for us to try.

The peach green tea and blackberry sage black tea are hits with both of us, and I quite enjoy the mango Ceylon black tea as well. Sage devours the mac and cheese, just like expected, and I have a few of their finger sandwiches.

Overall, it’s a delightful afternoon with my favorite little girl.

“So, Sage,” I ask, “have you had fun?”

“Yes!” she says happily, grinning from ear to ear. “Love tea parties.”

“I know you do, sweet girl,” I smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. “That’s why we came here!”

“Thank you,” she replies in the toddler way of not capturing all the letters, and my heart melts. Lane has told me before about how he worries he isn’t always enough for Sage, but he’sa natural. His daughter is polite and well-behaved, and there’s something to be said about his parenting in that.

“Of course, Sage. I’ve had so much fun with you today.”

She looks up at me, her hazel eyes meeting mine. She really does have Lane’s eyes. “We do ballet, too, Owive?”

I laugh lightly. “Not today, but we do have another lesson on Tuesday!”

Sage grins widely. “I like ballet. It fun.”

“I think so, too. Did you know I’ve been doing ballet since I was your age?”

“Owive ballwina!” she claps.

“Yes,” I chuckle. “I’m a ballerina, just like you, sweet girl. And you’re already so good.”

She looks at me with bright eyes. “I good?”

“Very good. I love watching you learn. So does my mom.”

“Your mommy?”

“Yes,” I smile. “Eileen is my mom.”

“Eiween!” Sage’s excitement is palpable as she realizes her other favorite woman is my mother. “You do ballet with Eiween?”

I set my hand on top of hers, leaning in close. “She taught me everything I know. I’m a ballerina just like she’s a ballerina.”

“And I ballwina, too!”

“Exactly!” I chime, rubbing the back of her hand. “You’re the perfect little ballerina.”

“Daddy ballwina?”

I can’t hold back my laughter as I imagine Lane attempting a pirouette. “No, your daddy doesn’t do ballet. But I bet we could teach him.”

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