Finding You, Part 4, Chapter 41 —
At Skye and Lorenzo's — Lorenzo came in with the children and the dog. "Now we need to come up with some chores for everyone," Lorenzo said. "I will make a chart," Lila Rae said; she loves making charts on her laptop. "Alright," Lorenzo said. "We need to pick out a name," Luis added. "We sure wait for Skylar for that," Genevieve chimed in. "Yes, all of you need to agree on a name," Lorenzo said. "Yes, Daddy," Genevieve responded. "I will go get my laptop," Lila Rae said. "I'm going to get a drink," Luis announced. "Alright, just be careful," Lorenzo replied. Genevieve was holding the dog, and he was licking her face. "You're so cute; I'm your mother," Genevieve said to the dog. "Genevieve, we need to talk about your phone," Lorenzo said. Genevieve sat beside her father. "What?" Genevieve asked. "You can have it back, but no texting at the table, family gatherings, or in class," Lorenzo explained. "I promise," Genevieve said. "Good," Lorenzo replied, handing her the phone. "If you break this rule, it's over — no more phone," Lorenzo warned. "I promise not to," Genevieve said, as Lila Rae returned with her laptop. "Genevieve, can you help me with the chart?" Lila Rae asked. "Yes," Genevieve responded. "You've been nicer since you came back from the mansion," Lila Rae observed. "Thanks, I guess," Genevieve replied as Luis entered with the maid, who was carrying a tray of drinks. "I have some lemonade for everyone," the maid said. "Thank you," Genevieve said. The maid placed the drinks on the table as Skye and Skylar entered with bags in their hands. "What's going on? Whose dog is that?" Skye asked, pointing to Genevieve, who was holding the dog. "It's our mother. Father brought him for us," Luis Jr. explained. "What?" Skye exclaimed. Genevieve approached Skye with the dog. "Mother, look how cute he is. Skylar, help us pick out a name for him," Genevieve said. "Lorenzo," Skye suggested. "The children are going to take care of him, but it's Genevieve's responsibility to make sure," Lorenzo affirmed. "Really?" Skye questioned. "Yes, Lila Rae is making a chore chart, and we're going to vote on a name," Genevieve confirmed. "Lorenzo, why didn't you wait for me?" Skye asked. "Sorry, the lady could only meet with us today at one," Lorenzo explained. "Oh, that dog better not make a mess in my house, and he's not allowed on the furniture," Skye said. "Can he sleep with me?" Genevieve asked. "No, you're too young to sleep with dogs anyway," Skye answered. "What does that mean?" Genevieve inquired. "I was being sarcastic, sorry," Skye said. "I don't get sarcasm," Genevieve admitted. "I know," Skye replied. "Let's go vote on a name," Luis suggested. "How about Charlie, after Charlie Dickinson?" Genevieve proposed. "I like it," Lila Rae agreed. "Me too," Luis said. "Same here," Skylar added. "See, all the children are getting along," Lorenzo remarked. "Oh, Lorenzo," Skye said. "It'll be good for the children," Lorenzo commented. "He just better not mess up my carpet," Skye said. "Skylar, we brought him some water and a food dish. All they had was white, so you can paint and put his name on it," Genevieve told him. "Sure," Skylar responded. "Are you okay that we went without you?" Genevieve asked. "Yes, I'm fine. I brought some cool supplies," Skylar answered. "Let's go show Charlie around the house," Luis suggested. "Sure," Genevieve said, picking up the dog. "Come to Mother," Genevieve called. "You're not his mother," Lila Rae said. "I know that," Genevieve replied, as they went upstairs. "Wow, even Genevieve shows her maternal side," Skye observed. "She's not ready for that," Lorenzo said. "I know, but it's nice to see," Skye admitted. "Yeah, I'll give her back her cellphone, but if she texts one more time at dinner, it's over," Lorenzo warned. "I agree," Skye said. Genevieve came downstairs with the dog. "Mother, Daddy, Alexander just texted me. He wants to come over and meet Charlie. Can he?" Genevieve asked. "Alright, you know the dog isn't just yours—your brother and sister's dog too," Lorenzo reminded her. "Yes, I know," Genevieve said. "Good," Lorenzo responded. "Mother, do you want to hold him?" Genevieve asked. "No, I'm good," Skye answered. "Mother, you can't be scared of a little dog. He's just a Pomeranian," Genevieve said as Luis came down. "Mother, did you know they used to be bigger?" Luis asked. "Really? Who told you that?" Skye questioned. "We just looked it up online—the Queen of England wants them to be small," Luis explained. "That's right," Genevieve confirmed. "It will take time for me to like him," Skye said. "Okay, I'll get ready for Alexander. Do we have any espresso? I sure am out of drinks," Genevieve asked. "Yes, you sure do, but I thought you didn't like espresso," Skye noted. "No, but I can drink them for Alexander," Genevieve said. Skye touched her daughter's chin. "Genevieve, don't change just to get someone to like you. I like that you stand up for what you want, even if it's tough," Skye advised. "So don't try to impress a boy by pretending to like something you don't," she added. "Your mother's right," Lorenzo agreed. "Alright, but what kind of drinks should we put out for Alexander and me?" Genevieve asked. "Let's see what we have," Skye suggested. "Can we be alone in the sunroom?" Genevieve asked. "Fine, but keep the door open," Lorenzo authorized. "Thanks," Genevieve said, heading out with Skye.
