Buzz…Buzz…
I roll my eyes and pace around the kitchen.
Buzz…buzz….
C'mon stupid school.
Answer the telephone.
Don't make me come down there tomorrow morning.
I keep pacing as the phone rings in my ear.
…
"Kennedy Middle School, how may I direct your call?" A lady suddenly hops on the line.
"Yes, hi. I'd like to schedule a conference with multiple teachers?" I say kindly, walking towards the pantry.
Quieter.
"Multiple teachers? What is your child's name?" She asked as typing sounds followed.
"Kevin Shapiro. 6th grade."
"Shapiro…I see here that he had several marks on his Classroom behavior. Is that what this is about?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Would you like conferences with all of them?"
"Yes please." I say.
"Okay…are you Robbie Shapiro? Kevin's father?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Date of birth please? To verify." She asked.
"February 20th, 1993." I say.
Two weeks after Sydney's birthday.
…
"Okay Mr. Shapiro. Will it just be you, or will his mom be coming with you?" She asked.
"Coming with me…" I say, pacing back into the kitchen.
"Okay…is tomorrow immediately after school alright?"
"Sure."
"If I can schedule two teachers at a time, would that be fine?" She asked.
"Sure." I say.
Hopefully Cat won't mind.
She's barely keeping it together after I told her what Kevin told me.
"Alright Mr. Shapiro. I've got you all scheduled. You have a nice day." She said.
"You too thanks." I say, and then hang up.
Whew.
That's done.
"I'm done." I pop into the living room.
Sydney didn't reply, but kicked the volume back onto the TV.
Once Cat gets done putting makeup on and straightening her hair, we'll be ready to go.
Today is the day we go down to the record and sign Sydney's record deal.
She's been bouncing all weekend, to the point that it annoyed Cat. But it's not a bad thing, Syd is just doing her best impression of her mom.
Remember when I said you have to really know her in order to get that out of her?
Well…we got it out of her.
Corey loved it. Kevin and Matt kind of liked it, but all 3 boys had a baseball game yesterday afternoon, so they missed her bouncing that day.
What's weird is how relaxed she looks today.
As I just said, she's watching TV silently.
I already called Hollywood Arts and said she'd be missing, and texted Sikowitz out of courtesy.
He replied by giving me a smiley face and wishing her luck.
I assume she isn't missing anything.
The boys don't know, but they have a very one track mind.
Corey did really well Sunday. 2-3 with a double and a run scored. His team lost, but most of them seemed like it was their first time playing baseball, which probably was nerves.
Makes sense.
Matt and Kevin also played. Matt did ok, 1-3 with a mistake at short.
Kevin…
2 errors, 0-4, all 4 on strikeouts.
It was bad.
He was all hyped up, and the first pitch he swung way too early, even to my untrained eye.
It kept on the rest of the day, and his stuff is still in the back of the SUV. When we got home he went to take a shower and never got it out.
He has practice tomorrow, and I'm not doing his work for him, so I guess it'll stay.
He'll get better.
I sit on the couch and check my phone.
No new messages.
Syd has been texting all morning, I assume replying to everybody wishing her luck. Plus Austin of course.
Everybody was thrilled once we told them the news. Cat sent out an email with the audition music attached, and everyone loved it.
They all commented on how good her voice is, which is great.
All the girls know their music, and to get that from all 3 means she isn't just skirting by.
"No drink?" I ask quietly.
Syd, who is looking at her phone shook her head, then rapidly typed something.
Once done, she turned back to Sunrise America, the morning show.
Cat recorded it earlier. That's her usual morning program while I drive the boys to school.
But since Syd is here—
My phone suddenly went off, and I jumped out of shock.
Syd giggled and smiled.
"Not funny…hello?" I answer the phone.
"Robbie! How's it going?"
I freeze and look at Sydney.
"Hey Danielle…how are you?"
Sydney has her mouth open, looking at me.
She called me back.
I called her 2 weeks ago, left a message that I wanted to speak to her, hoped she was well, blah blah blah.
I hate how political you have to be with someone you haven't spoken with in years.
Might as well have never met.
Jade said it best a long time ago. It's just a stranger with memories attached.
"I'm great Robbie! Just busy working and stuff. How are you?" She chimed back.
I stand up and start back towards my safe haven in the kitchen.
"I'm fine. Same here, home, busy busy." I gulp.
I didn't think she was going to respond.
"So…what is it you contacted me about? Must be important, we hadn't talked in awhile." I hear her smile thru the phone.
"Well, in my defense, I wasn't going to bug you. You're the treasury secretary for grief's sake. Congratulations by the way."
"Thanks. It's busy, but I enjoy it. Getting to serve my country… you know how that is. Now what's up?" She asked.
I think she has stuff to be doing, but is doing me a curtosy.
Better get to the point.
"Ok, well…I know you know what happened with us, Cat, Sydney, all that stuff." I begin.
"Right…"
"Yeah. So you probably know that Syd is 16 now."
I hear her sigh and let out a small laugh.
"I…guess so yeah. Wow. Hadn't put thought into it at all. 16. How's she doing by the way? I saw you and Cat got married."
"She's great. And the reason why I'm calling. You know everything that happened when she was a baby with Cameron and her mom."
"Yeah…how do I fit into this?" She asked.
"Well, a few weeks ago I told her what happened when she was a baby. All of it, for better or worse."
I hear her laugh.
"Good. That's great Robbie."
I plow forward.
"Well you're obviously a part of that. So she knows that too. Anyway, I called because she asked me to. She'd like to speak with you at some point."
I hear a gasp, then a moment of silence.
…
"Uhh…really? Sure. I mean…I'd love to speak with her. Why me? I don't get it." She asked.
"Because you were there when all that happened. I honestly don't know the full answer." I say.
Sydney suddenly yelled out "GOOD!"
"Who's that?" Danielle asked.
"That's her." I say.
"Okay…well I'm about to go into a meeting Robbie. So I can't do it now."
"That's fine. You're busy and important. I appreciate you calling me back. Thank you." I say.
"No problem Robbie…it's nice to talk to you. Now let me check my schedule…I'm coming back home in June for a metting with the governor to check whether he has his shit in order…let me check that day." She said, typing fast.
Knowing the governor, he doesn't have it together.
I voted for the other guy.
"The 4th. June 4th. Now I don't have a spare day, but do you think you could pop up to Sacramento? I'd love to see you guys in person. We can do dinner or something."
"Sure, sounds great. The 4th. Got it." I say, as Cat comes in.
She mouthed "Danielle?"
I mouth back "Sydney."
She said they talked about that part.
Not about the meeting Jordan part.
Haven't gotten to call him back.
"Ok. I gotta run Robbie. Have a nice day." She said.
"You too Danielle. Bye."
She hung up before I could.
"She called back." Cat said evenly.
"Surprise surprise. Sydney!" I call out.
She rushes into the room. "Yeah?"
"Any plans for June 4th?" I ask.
She shook her head.
"Why?" Cat asked.
"She's meeting with the governor about the budget. She can't come here, but wants to do dinner." I say.
"Great!" Sydney cheered.
Cat rolled her eyes.
"Of course she doesn't have time to come here."
"She's busy sweetheart." I say, as Cat grabbed her purse.
"I know. We're ready." Cat smiled.
"Ok." I say.
Sydney grabbed her purse off the couch, but then met us at the door.
Everyone is silent as I get onto the highway.
"What else did she say?" Cat asked quietly.
In the back, Sydney looked up from her phone.
"Nothing. She obviously was busy, but called me anyway. It was kind of her." I say.
"Really?" Sydney asked.
Cat added on by looking at me simply.
"What? She called me and asked why I called her? I explained it and found out about the 4th. Nothing else. Geez…" I say, slumping in my seat.
Traffic is ok.
Meaning a 10 minute delay going into downtown.
Figures.
"It's nice she called back." Cat said.
I have to prevent myself from biting at her. "Yeah."
"She's really the treasury secretary?" Sydney asked.
"Uh huh. You can check for yourself." I tell her.
"I already did, but I was just asking." Sydney smiled.
Then why ask?
"Are you nervous?" I ask, changing tact.
"No. Not really." She said.
"It's ok to be nervous. I was when I signed my first record deal." Cat said reassuringly.
"I'm not nervous about signing it. I'm just afraid of what people will think."
"What do you mean?' I ask.
"I…the record has a splashface account. They'll probably announce it. And then people will start saying "Oh, she got it because of her mom." And totally dismiss me."
"That's not a bad thing." Cat said.
"Huh?" Syd and I ask.
"That's traffic. People talking about you. That's what you want, good or bad. Preferably good, but look at Miley Cyrus." Cat said.
"Who's Miley Cyrus?" Sydney asked.
"Now she's Miley Mayer." I reply.
…
"I still don't know who that is." She said.
"She was a famous singer and actress in her teens, about your age. But then she went quiet for a few years, and nobody wrote about her. When she started her career back up, nobody cared. So she became a cautionary tale." Cat answered.
"So…she became a nobody because she went dark and didn't make anything?"
"And nobody talked about her." I added on.
"You always want people talking about you. Just try to keep it positive." Cat said.
"Do people talk about you mom?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah. All the time. Because of my place in the industry, but you, Kevin, and Corey. People want to know about that stuff. I'm going to get a big bump today too." Cat said.
"Why?"
"You're my daughter. And you're getting signed to a recording deal." Cat said, as I pulled into the parking garage. "People are going to go crazy."
"I guarantee somebody's going to make a countdown clock." I say.
"Of what?" Syd asked.
"Until you release something. They'll be supportive, but impatient." Cat said.
I pull into the spot marked "Reserved for Cat Valentine." And stop.
"Why impatient? That's bad." Sydney asked.
"They just want something to listen to. It's a good thing."
"Doesn't sound like it." She said.
I bite my lip. "Syd, it's fine. Don't worry. As your mom has always said publicly when asked. Music is the drug of choice for a lot of people. They just want more of it from you. I know that sounds bad too, but it is what it is."
We all start walking to the sliding door to the lobby.
Cat hugged her and smiled. "You'll be fine. Just relax. They'll love you."
Sydney bit her lip but nodded.
I pressed the button for the office and also the 'close door' button.
Sydney quickly typed out another message.
"Austin?" Cat assumed.
"He's in class."
"Doesn't mean he won't text me back."
I smile to myself, and Cat said "True. I say hi."
"Can't do that. I'm still trying to get him to loosen up with you guys."
"Really?' I turn to look at Sydney.
She nodded. "He's idolized all of you guys. And now that he's meeting everyone, it's just weird for him."
"He'll get used to it." Cat smiled.
The door opened, and Cat and I lead the way to the desk.
"Hi Kimberly. We have a meeting for 2?" Cat smiled at the receptionist.
Usually she walks right in. I usually do too, I have security clearance.
I guess since that it's Sydney's day, we're doing things by the book.
"Sure Mrs. Valentine…why are you here?"
"My daughter has a meeting." Cat smiled.
The lady popped up, saw her then pressed the button to open the door.
"Okay. Have a good day." She smiled.
Sydney looked bewildered but followed dutifully.
I hang back, and she approached me.
"This is weird."
"Just…play it cool. You got this. Just smile." I say, then dash back to Cat.
Who is suddenly smiling from ear to ear.
We walk all the way down the hall, then enter the main boardroom.
Whoa.
They brought the big guns.
"Ahh. Mrs. Valentine. Welcome." Justin said, smiling.
Cat and I both turn to Syd, who smiled back. "Hi Thank you."
"And Cat, welcome back." He jokingly smiled.
Cat was here last week recording for an EP.
She giggled and smiled.
"And the man who started all this. How are you Robbie?" He reached out to shake my hand.
They have a lot of people.
Cat's main producer, the CEO, the social media director, the public relations guy…
Lot of powerful people.
"Okay, you can sit, grab a drink, this won't take long." Justin smiled.
Cat and I sit, but Syd went over and grabbed a bottle of water, then sat next to her mom.
Everyone filed around the rest of the table.
"Ok…so we all know why we're here. After submitting a spectacular audition tape, we're signing Sydney here to a recording deal." He smiled.
Everyone clapped, including Cat and I.
Sydney blushed slightly.
"One quick thing, before we begin…" Cat's producer jumped in.
The room looked to him.
"Sydney, I'm Jones. I usually am your mom's producer. But I listened to your audition, and I have to say it's the best I've ever seen. Better than your mom's which used to be tops."
Cat laughed slightly, then the room went quiet again.
"Thank you." Sydney smiled.
"If you don't mind, I'd love to help you out with mixing, recording, everything you need to get on your way. I know my job sounds boring, and it can be—"
Everyone laughed.
He's the best. That's why he's with Cat.
Was from day one apparently.
"—but it's worth it. I think you have the talent to be our next big star."
Sydney's eyes widened.
Cat smiled, and Jones sat back.
"We all pretty much agree. Including your parents, but they're kind of biased." Someone else said, and everyone laughed again.
"Now we've already talked with your agent Cat, and we drafted this. It's a very rough draft. Not many specifics, just basically an agreement to record music and release it under the Republic label, using our tools and promotional wing." The financial guy said.
"Why is it so rough?' Cat asked.
"Because we figured you'd want to look at it yourself, plus hire an agent for her…so we played it safe."
"What about finances? Her cut?"
"Not included at this time. We figured we'd hash it out."
"What did you have in mind. I know you have a number." Cat said.
"We were thinking the baseline of 35% net profits." He replied.
Cat bit her lip.
"We'll have to discuss that."
She gets 55%, but then again she's…
Well she's Cat Valentine.
"Ok. But for now, here's what we have. We can always do negotiations later. Now is just putting pen to paper." Justin said.
"Now by law, Sydney has to sign first, then you may."
"Ok." Cat said, as I nodded.
Makes sense. Her contract.
Justin placed a nice pen on the stack of paper, then spun it and pushed it to Sydney.
"We marked where you need to sign with a X."
"Can…I get a copy right?" She asked.
Nice.
"Right here." Justin said, pulling another copy out of his briefcase.
Cat motioned to take it, and Justin handed it to her.
The rest of the room is smiling, with the exception of someone taking pictures in the back.
"Do you guys mind if I'm the first to post about this news?" Cat asked, after spotting the photographer.
"No, not at all." Someone said.
"Sounds fine to me. We were going to post something, since this is a big day." Justin said.
"I know it's important because I'm joining you guys, but is that the only reason why it's important?" Sydney asked, still signing.
"No, you're a tremendous talent, not to mention you are Cat's daughter. Your bloodline is…what?" He asked, as Cat and I tried stopping him.
"Don't mention me." Cat said.
"She hates that." I say.
"Why" Someone asked.
"I'm not her." Sydney said. "I'm just Sydney. Just because I'm her daughter shouldn't make me special."
"Ok. But you still have a tremendous voice." Someone said, as people looked to each other.
Yeah…
Syd isn't the stereotypical child celebrity.
She wants to earn it.
I like it.
"Thanks." Sydney smiled, then pushed to paper to Cat and handed her the pen.
I got looks from multiple people as Cat signed.
Not bad looks, just "WHOA! What have we stumbled into?" looks.
You have no idea.
I'm sure they're worried about her work ethic. But that's certainly not a problem.
Cat then gave me the pen.
"One thing…" Cat began, as I started signing. "Is it fine if she waits until after the school year ends to start recording?"
"Mom…" Sydney said softly.
"What? I want you to focus on school too."
"But you recorded when you were at Hollywood Arts. I should be able to also."
I glance up and see Justin looking nervous.
"There's no rush, but whenever she wants to come in, that'll be great. We're just happy to have signed her."
I fold the paper and hand it to Justin just as Jones gives Sydney his card.
"Alright…" He smiled.
"That was easier than I thought." Sydney said, as we all stood.
Everyone laughed.
Jones looked to Cat.
"Thursday for lunch?"
Cat nodded. "Thursday for lunch."
"What's that mean?" Sydney asked.
"We're meeting for lunch to discuss ideas, then recording until 5." He answered as I shook Justin's hand.
"Oh."
The girls all walked out as I held the door.
"Thanks Robbie."
I nod and smile. "Bye."
We get to the elevator and go down in silence.
Sydney is still furiously texting.
"Congratulations." I hug her shoulder.
"Thanks Daddy."
"What'd you mean when you said that was easier than you thought?" Cat asked.
"I thought there was going to be negotiating, yelling, then money being waved and stuff. Exciting you know?"
Cat laughed and I shook my head.
"Sorry to disappoint you Syddo."
"So what now?' Syd asked.
"Uhm, well we're having everyone over for dinner. Andre and Tori are picking up your brothers, and we're going home." Cat smiled.
Sydney tried to hide her look of disappointment.
"What?" I asked.
"Austin…wanted to take me for ice cream to celebrate." She said quietly, typing on her phone and not looking at us.
"He can join us." Cat said.
I glance at her as I hop into the car.
"He can?" Sydney asked, sounding ecstatic.
"Yeah, sure." Cat smiled.
Ok.
Fine by me.
"YAY!" Sydney cheered, then went back to typing.
I laugh, and Cat smiled.
We quickly got back on the road. Thankfully the traffic isn't as bad this way.
"Sydney?" Cat asked.
"Yeah mom?"
"When we get home, do you mind taking a picture for me?"
"Of what?"
"Of you holding your contract and smiling. I was going to put it online." Cat smiled.
I smile and glance in the mirror to see Sydney smiling too.
"Okay. Thanks mom."
"No problem. I'm so proud of you."
Sydney smiled.
"Uhm…I have a…I don't know how to say it." Sydney said simply.
I love her honesty.
It's funny.
"Ok. Just say it." I shrug.
"Can you come and record with me mom?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Cat screamed.
I jumped, and the car wiggled.
"CAT!" I say, ears ringing.
"Yes! Thank you thank you thank you!" Cat beamed.
"Thanks mom. You can help me with stuff right?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah, of course. I'd love to. What kind of song do you want to do?"
"I…I don't know."
"First thought. What immediately flew into your head when your mom asked?" I ask Sydney.
"Dealing with other people's expectations of me because of my last name. As always." She joked.
I laugh and Cat smiled.
"Robbie's right. We can write about that. Every song needs to have an emotional connection. That's how people connect to it." Cat said.
"Sounds like a good one to me." I say.
"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.
"It's obviously important to you to get out from under our shadows, and since it has that importance, it's going to turn out great."
"How do you know?" Syd asked.
"He's right. Just trust him. He knows what I mean. If you mean what you sing, and it's well written musically and vocally, it'll be a hit." Cat smiled.
I smile to myself and signal off the highway.
The next minute or two is silent, as the XX chromosomes are texting.
"Did you tell Austin?" Cat asked, as I'm at the light to turn into the neighborhood.
"Yeah. He's coming straight from school. He says Sikowitz is in a great mood, which is weird."
"I wonder why?" I jokingly say, getting Cat to laugh.
Sydney shrugged. "No idea. He's usually calm."
"It's you Syddo. We told him why you missed school today. That's why he's so happy." Cat said.
"But…I don't know him."
"You're his student. He wants you to succeed. And this is a success." I smile.
"Is Ellie there too?" Cat asked.
"Yeah. She's riding with Austin over here. Aunt Jade is busy apparently."
"At home." Cat and I joke, pulling into the driveway.
Sydney looked up and saw Jade's SUV next to us immediately.
"Hey!" Cat and I laugh as I kill the ignition.
I hop out, and the front door ripped open to the sight of the boys running out.
Why are they screaming?
Sydney stepped out, looking confused and got gang tackled.
"Congratulations!" Matt beamed.
Kevin quickly let go.
"Go sissy go!" Corey smiled.
"You heard?" Sydney said sadly.
I look to the doorway and see Tori, Andre, Beck and Jade all standing there.
"Yeah. They told us." Kevin said, pointing to the door.
Sydney immediately lit up and jogged over.
"Is she here?" She immediately asked Tori.
"Yep!" Tori smiled.
"Gaga!" Olivia said.
"She's talking!" Cat said, now at my side.
"Aww…" Jade gushed as Olivia fought to get to Sydney.
Sydney took her and smiled "Hi!"
Olivia happily grabbed on and smiled. "Gaga!"
We all laugh and start back inside.
"Congrats Sydney." Jade hugged her, and Beck smiled.
"Thanks…" Sydney smiled, not looking up from Olivia.
"Set her down on the rug here. She has another surprise." Andre smiled.
We all walked to the couch, and Tori and Andre sat down.
Sydney sat her on her diaper, but didn't let—
"Ow!"
Olivia giggled.
She whacked away Sydney's hand.
She looked up to Tori.
"She hit me!"
"Look."
Before our eyes, Olivia tipped over onto her hands and feet, and then crawled to her toys.
Cat let out a thrilled noise, and Sydney clapped her hands over her mouth.
"She's crawling?" I ask.
Andre happily nodded. "Has been for about a week."
"We saw her two weeks ago, makes sense." Cat said.
"Hi!" Sydney beamed at Olivia.
Olivia made more nonsense noise and laughed. Beck and Andre laughed too.
"I'll get drinks." I smile at Cat.
"Lemonade please." She smiled at me.
"Dad? Can we hit in the backyard?" Kevin asked, Matt behind him.
"Sure. Have you asked Corey?"
"Yeah. He wants to be with Olivia right now. He said he'd come out later." Matt said.
"Ok. Have fun." I say.
I hear Jade and Cat talking in the background, narrated by Olivia giggling and Sydney laughing.
I come back with glasses for Cat and I.
"Where's Cat?' I ask.
"In here!" Cat called out.
"She's getting the contract." Jade told me.
"Ahh." I say.
"How'd it go?" Beck asked Sydney.
"Boring really. Not like it is on TV." She shrugged.
Jade laughed, and Andre smiled.
"Should have known." Beck smiled.
Cat came back in, holding the contract.
Sydney immediately popped up and took it.
"By the staircase?" Cat asked.
Sydney nodded, while Corey took Olivia's attention.
"Hey Olivia, you want your bear? Bear?" he said.
I kept my gaze on Sydney, holding her contract and smiling.
"1...2…smile!"
Flash.
"Great! I'll post it." Cat smiled.
"Can I put it in my—" Sydney began.
But she got cut off by the door flying open and Ellie sprinting inside.
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!"
She tackled Sydney into a hug.
"Whoa!" Jade said, as Tori, Beck and Andre all look surprised.
"No running." I joke, getting everyone to laugh.
Cat peeked to the door and said "Hi Austin."
The whole room swiveled back to the door, where he was quietly shutting it.
"Oh. Hi." He smiled back. "You're all together again. You're not going to yell at me are you?"
Everyone laughed, and Ellie climbed off Sydney.
"No. Hi Austin." Tori smiled.
Sydney smiled shyly, and Ellie spotted Olivia.
"Olivia! You're here too!"
She immediately sat down next to Corey and smiled.
"Gaa!"
Jade and Andre waved to Austin, who nervously waved back.
"Do you want something to drink?" Cat asked him.
"Uhm…I got it." He replied.
"No, I can get it. What do you want?" Cat smiled.
"Uhh…lemonade please."
Cat immediately disappeared.
He nervously laughed.
"How was school?" Jade asked.
"Who cares! It's over!" Ellie smiled at Olivia.
Olivia giggled.
Austin, Tori and I all laughed.
By the time I turn back to Sydney, Austin is already hugging her from the side and whispering something into her ear.
I quietly look back to Ellie and Olivia.
"Hey Corey." Austin smiled at him as Cat walked back in with the drink.
"Hi Austin." Corey smiled back.
"You guys have met before?" Tori asked.
"He's came for dinner before. Plus we tend to bump into him after practice." I joke.
"Yeah…where are the other two? I still can't remember their names." He said.
"Kevin and Matt. Outside hitting." Cat said, handing him his drink.
"Oh. Thanks."
Cat hugged his side. "Glad you're here."
Austin went red, and tentatively half hugged her back.
Then Olivia spoke up. "Baa!"
I look to her.
She's looking at Austin.
"Hi!" He happily smiled back.
"Baa." Olivia said again.
"I don't know what you mean. Or who's baby you are." He joked, getting most of us to laugh.
"She's ours." Tori smiled.
"BAA!" Olivia yelled.
"Shh…" Andre said quietly.
Olivia pointed to Austin. "Baa!"
"I…ok." He said simply, and then sat down next to her.
Olivia immediate lit up and smiled.
"Baa!"
"No. He's mine Olivia." Sydney joked.
His time everyone laughed.
Olivia simply turned around, then crawled to be in front of Austin.
"You might have a fight on your hands Sydney." Jade joked, as Olivia plopped her bear into his lap.
Ellie laughed, but immediately got silenced by Sydney's look.
"We can share maybe." Austin smiled, as Olivia kept piling on toys.
I look to Cat, who is barely keeping her laugher in while holding her phone.
"I don't like your odds Syddo. I gotta say. Sorry." I joke.
"Dad!"
"Gaa!" Olivia said, causing everyone to laugh.
"I don't think I'm her favorite anymore." Corey smiled.
"Oh she still loves you too Corey." Jade said.
"I know. I was joking." He said.
But then Olivia crawled over, yanked the last toy Austin didn't have out of Corey's lap and dragged it to him.
"You might be right though." Andre joked, getting more laughs.
"Aww man." Corey said.
(A/N: It's finals time! I'm going to update as much as I can, but no promises. Gotta get those grades up lol. Sorry about last week. Car crashes, tests and drama oh my! Enough about me. Thanks for reading and reviewing.)