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Lane

Did I plan a mini celebration for Sage’s first ballet recital?

Of course, I did. I’m the dad that goes all out.

Hell, I’ll probably plan something for when she loses her first tooth.

Right now, though, it’s ballet.

There’s a large cake on my kitchen counter in the shape of a ballerina, while everyone there for my daughter today is gathered at my penthouse. We’re all spread out through the kitchen and living room, conversing and enjoying a lovely evening.

Maybe not Ari, though.

He’s currently being wrestled into the ground by a three-year-old ballerina in a tutu.

I’m leaning my back against the wall in the living room, watching the spectacle, when Skip comes to join me. “If your daughter injures my first baseman, I’m not going to be happy, Brooks.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “I make no promises. That girl is strong.”

Skip chuckles lightly. “Sage did great today.”

“She did,” I smile. “Thanks for coming, Skip. Means a lot that you did.”

“Sage is practically my granddaughter, Lane,” he says. “And she’s the only one I’ve got until those two,”— He gestures to Rory and Cole. —“decide to give me more.”

“You sure you want little Coles running around?” I tease.

“Yeah,” he grins. “Cole’s a good one. He makes Rory happy, and he’s so good to her. Wouldn’t mind some grandkids that take after him.”

“You’ve come a long way, Skip,” I chuckle.

He sighs. “I’m honestly lucky they speak to me at all.”

“Nah, they were always going to forgive you. They didn’t like it, but they knew your worries were coming from a place of love, not control. Once you apologized and stopped acting like a dick, they were past it.”

Skip levels me with a stern look. “I’m your manager. Don’t call me a dick.”

“You’re not my manager here,” I joke, shaking his shoulder. “You’re in my domain right now.”

“Liv must be a saint to put up with you,” he replies, shaking his head.

I smile brightly as I look across the room to see her spending time with her friends. “She is. She’s fucking incredible, Skip.”

“How the hell did I end up with a team full of lovesick fools?”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’ve still got one. Ari refuses to settle down.”

Skip looks at me in confusion. “I thought he had something going on with Lucia.”

I bark out a laugh at the suggestion. “Oh, please tell them that. I’m begging you.”

“I’m missing something,” he huffs.

“They can’t stand each other, Skip. All they do is argue.”

“Why?”

“None of us know,” I shrug. “They refuse to tell anyone.” I glance around and spot Lucia by herself out on the balcony right now, and I have the urge to make sure she’s alright. “Thanks for coming, Skip. I’m gonna go talk to Lucia right now.”

“I’m gonna go rescue my first baseman then,” he chuckles, and we walk off in opposite directions.

I make my way through the small crowd until I reach the balcony door and swing it open, enjoying the nice spring breeze that blows by.

“What are you doing out here by yourself, Torres?” I ask, closing the door behind me and coming to lean against the rail beside her.

“Because the girls know to give me space when I’m upset.” She looks at me now. “You, though, don’t seem to have gotten that memo.” Her words are light, and I can tell she doesn’t actually mind me being here.

“I’m stubborn,” I grin. “Still upset about Matt?”

“I’m upset with the situation,” she replies quickly. “Not Matt. I don’t get upset over men.”

I let that slide because delving into that won’t help anything. “So what about the situation has you down right now?”

Lucia stares ahead for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. “Matt was fucking Anna, his coworker, for at least half of our relationship. He wasn’t with us for New Year’s Eve because he was apparently with her.”

“Shit, Luc,” I breathe. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. Sorry I wasted my time on him.”

“It’s not wasted time,” I assure her. “You’re still young. You have plenty of time to find love if that’s what you want.”

“No, I don’t,” Lucia replies softly. “I’m turning thirty-one next month, Lane. Every guy I’ve met ends up being terrible. I’m no closer to finding love now than I was a decade ago. I’m gonna have to freeze my damn eggs soon if I ever want kids in the future.”

“I’ll get you a chest freezer then. You’re on your own for the rest, though. Have you seen the price of eggs?”

Lucia is trying not to smile, but it eventually breaks through when she starts laughing. “You’re ridiculous.” She playfully pushes me with her elbow. “But thank you for that. I think I needed you to lighten the mood.”

“That’s what I’m here for, Luc. Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”

“Thanks, Lane,” she smiles softly. “I see your girlfriend coming out, so I’m gonna go grab another drink.”

“As long as you agree to let me get you an Uber home. You can come pick your car up tomorrow.”

“Deal.” She passes by Olive on her way back in, and I hear her talk about how great she and Sage were today. I can’t see it, but I can picture the bright smile on Liv’s face.

Olive comes to stand next to me now, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we stare out at the sunset. “There’s my Ballerina.”

“Hey, Hotshot,” she says, nuzzling against my side. “Today has been so nice, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I smile. “Stars got the win, and then I watched my two favorite girls dance together on stage. Best day I’ve had.”

“I had so much fun teaching your daughter this year.”

“Our daughter.”

She looks at me nervously. “Do you really want me to start considering her my daughter, too?”

I pull her in closer. “Well, you’re her mom, aren’t you?”

Olive smiles as she rests her forehead against my chest. “Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted, Lane.”

“Thank you for finding us.”

She gazes at me sweetly, so much love in her eyes, before she speaks again. “I’ve been thinking lately. About what I want to do with my life.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she bites her lip. “I bought some GED test prep materials so I can study. I’m hoping I can take the exam this fall.”

“That’s wonderful, baby.” I pull her close and gently kiss her lips.

“Then maybe I can start college next year.”

“Have you thought about what you want to study?”

Liv grins happily. “I want to be a counselor, specifically for victims of sexual assault. I’ve done so much healing lately, and if I can help someone who’s been in my shoes, then I want to do that.”

“I think that’s a perfect idea,” I say, resting my forehead against hers. “You’d be wonderful at that.”

“You think?”

”I know. You know what they’ve been through, so you can help them on that front. But you’re also such a bright and amazing person. You’re going to be able to help every person you come in contact with.”

Olive’s eyes flutter closed, a soft smile on her face. “Thank you, Lane. Your support means so much.”

“You have all of my support forever, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Meeting Olive is one of the best damn things that’s ever happened to me, and I’m so proud of how much she’s accomplished since.

She was so nervous and shy when we met that day at Urban Grind, but she’s really come into her confidence. She still has her moments, but they’re fewer and farther between.

Olive is the epitome of strength and grace, and I can’t wait for Sage to see such a strong woman as she grows up.

With Liv beside me, we’re going to raise her to be strong and empathetic and loving.

Because Sage isn’t just mine now; she’s ours.

Our daughter.

And there is no better mother out there for Sage than my Ballerina.