It was kinda crazy how a week could fly by so quickly.

I was genuinely elated that my sweet Ivy was finally having her shining moment with all the recording she kept filling me in with, while I was back on the job.

But at the same time, I'd be crazy to not admit I did feel highly regretful of letting her do it all on her own.

I knew she would've never gone for it if I didn't make the choice for her. Though I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever made her feel like she had to choose between me and her passions.

I loved her too much for that.

However the way that Jake fella was doing what he did best—a.k.a ignoring me or just acting like I didn't have talent either by just referring to me so coldly as the 'bartender', he did manage to uphold his promise to me thus far.

So, I guess he maybe wasn't as full of BS as I presumed.

Though the only thing about it all I was wishing for was just to see more of her.

Between recording during the day and making it home to care for her family at night, I barely saw my baby. But I just had to keep reminding myself though that once this was all over, she'd be back wrapped in my arms...as it should be.

Just envisioning the way the woman touched me so gently but so extremely sexy— making my body quake with her lips all over me as I did the same with such great bliss, was making me want her even more right now.

But for the time being, I could at least pay her a quick visit tonight before she has to be recharged and rested just to do the same again tomorrow.

So, as I got out of my vehicle being greeted by the understandingly odd stares I noticed I received the last time I was here—but not taking a great offense to it, I knocked on her door.

To my surprise when it opened however...it wasn't Ivy at all.

"Levi! How wonderful it is that ya paid me another visit! What brings ya back?" Her sister Joy, shouted out in a cheerful tone.

Though the way she was smiling at me made it seem like she was feeling something else I didn't even want to cross over, making me feel a bit unnerving—and slightly flattered.

"Only to see more of the dazzling and fun Hart siblings, of course!" I playfully told her as she gasped happily, beaming like she'd just won a grand prize. I chuckled. "But I'm also looking for ya sister. Is Ivy back in yet?"

"No, but she called us earlier and told Jordan she had to work late. So she won't be home until after dinner. It's kinda weird. She usually never stays out of this house for hardly anything once the sun goes down." She explained shrugging.

Well that was a bit strange indeed. Aside from that party a while back, she didn't.

I wondered what was keeping her held up so much. She had an angelic voice as it is. One take to record an album was all that was truly necessary.

"So ya guys are just left all alone with your mother?"

"Looks like it. Though she also told me to ask if Mr. Jack could whip us something up instead. But Dale just now saw the man passed out fried on his couch from the window. So it looks like it's peanut butter and crackers for us all." She continued to go on, about to close the door.

The way she was making it seem was like it was just so expected.

But clearly...she didn't know me very well yet. "Peanut butter crackers? I don't think so." I let out, holding the edge of it with my foot sternly.

"Well ya got any better ideas?" She now inquired.

Smiling smugly, I checked the time on my watch realizing I had nowhere to exactly be right now. 

But while I continued pondering over everything, I actually did.

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"Ah! Levi!" Diana shouted giggling, as I splashed a few trickles of water on her from the sink.

We'd just finished putting together a swanky dish with whatever I could find in Ivy's cabinets, with a lot of a team effort from Joy, Jordan, and Dale too.

We were having some fun and though I was deeply terrified to even go into the den where their mother was with the door cracked again...I was more than happy to be here to help out.

Now yes, I knew good and well I wasn't no chef by any means and would practically burn everything to a flame. But somehow, it just felt so natural doing it for Ivy.

"Do I have to eat this?!" Dale yelled, gesturing to the plate of broccoli I also had to whip up.

"Well I worked really hard on it. Oh come on now, it can't be that bad. I'll eat one with ya if it makes ya feel better." I offered kindly.

"I dare ya!" Jordan then egged up playfully. Oh not a dare. Challenge accepted.

"Alright, fine! On the count of three!" I started off, holding a fork to my mouth as Dale did the same. "One, two, three!"

And just like that, he ate it whole as I put mine back down and the rest of the room erupted in laughter. I joined along as Dale gasped. "Hey!" Well, he did eat it.

Softening up to me though again, he finally laughed too putting his head down next in shame.

"Okay kids, settle down. It's almost time for us to ask the big questions!" Joy soon called out, laying out all the plates on the table in an orderly fashion.

"Oh yeah? Well what kind of questions, baby doll?" I genuinely wondered.

"Only the most important ones." Jordan added, pouring some juice in each of their cups next.

"Like do ya really like our sister?" Diana then spoke.

"Are ya guys gonna get married soon?!" Dale now chimed in.

"Dale!" Joy yelled toward him.

"What?! It's a big question, ain't it?!" He fired back.

Smirking, I sighed happily and stared at each of them. I couldn't believe I was getting integrated by children. Though, they did ask some pretty good ones.

"Well how about I answer both to make sure everyone is happy?" I offered.

They all smiled and agreed as I laughed again, drying my hands on the dish towel and pondering over those questions myself.

I still wanted to be married, settle down, and start a family.

But I never really thought of me and Ivy that far to the point of marriage. But I don't think it really mattered what I wanted when it came to being with someone like her in society.

It was a big sacrifice I would just have to take though if it meant I could stay with her.

"I do really like ya older sister. She makes me happy. I mean, who wouldn't want to be with her? She's amazing and sweet. But as far as the whole marriage thing goes...there's some rules in life that we just can't break." I tried to explain as best as possible.

"Like what?" Diana now inquired as I stood there staring at them all.

Aw crap, why did she have to get into detail about this? I always feared I would explain it wrong—but I guess for the sake of their understanding, I was willing to try.

"Here, come on. Gather around real quick, because what I'm about to tell ya is going to be the most important ya may ever learn..." I wrangled them up. They smiled again, attentively listening. "Make sure ya always remember that it doesn't matter what someone looks like and where they come from. Because when ya find someone who will put ya first no matter what, and they truly love ya...it should never matter what color or cultural background they have. Even if certain laws or people don't exactly agree. Ya understand?"

Eying me carefully, they all just simply nodded with a look in their eyes that screamed that they did.

If only the world however, was ever so simple as that.

"Ivy! Ivy child, come here!" We all suddenly heard Mrs. Hart shout out.

Uh oh. How do I tell her she wasn't here? How will she react if she has to see me?

Maybe she was hungry and wanted her dinner too. But I couldn't let the little kiddos carry all that with their tiny arms and legs.

So...looks like I had to face her alone.

Staring at me with the same fearful expression that I had that didn't make me feel any better, Dale then pushed the tray of food they all helped place onto it toward me.

"Good luck." He let out, handing the tea I had prepared too.

I hesitantly nodded, sighing while taking the food in my hands and slowly headed her way.

Okay, I had a plan. I could put the tray at her door and leave. Then again, it wouldn't do much good since the woman couldn't get up to get it herself. Aw crap.

Enough was enough. I needed to stop being such a sap, and get it done. The right way.

I just pray she won't freak out too much.

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Uh oh! Looks like Levi may have some explaining to do...

How do you think it will all go down?

See ya next time! ;)