“Ivy,” Olivia began hesitantly as they emerged into the study once more. “Do you mind if we don’t tell your dad—I mean, our dad—about our discovery just yet?”
Ivy shook her head. “No, its fine,” she replied, squeezing her sister’s hand. “I need some time to get my head around this myself.”
A few minutes later, Olivia was lying thoughtfully on the floor of the living room when Ivy let out a long, sad sigh from her place on the couch.
“What is it?” Olivia asked, staring at the light gray ceiling.
“I just remembered we’re supposed to move to Europe in, like, just over a week,” replied Ivy.
Olivia had forgotten, too, and for a moment, she felt like she’d been punched in the gut. It’s bad enough that Ivy’s leaving, she thought. But now I know I’ll be losing my biological father, too!
She took a deep breath and sat upright. “That means,” she said calmly, “we have that long to change our dad’s mind!”
Slowly, Ivy’s face hardened into a look of determination. “You’re right. We have to find a way to talk him out of it.”
Just then, Olivia heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. The sisters stood up and smiled at each other.
“Our dad’s here,” Olivia said thoughtfully. The words “our dad” still felt strange to her.
Ivy nodded, and together they headed to the front door to greet him.
[end]