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Ivy Stewart
"I'm literally getting out of the car, Ma," she laughed. "You know I can see you in the kitchen window?" Ivy rolled her eyes at her mother's ridiculous behavior and hung up.
She had promised her parents that she would visit them so they could spend some time together and celebrate her birthday. She was visiting them at her childhood home located just outside Cambridge.
"Come here, my baby," the older woman said, hugging her daughter tight. "I missed you so much, darling."
"You saw me like two weeks ago, Mama," Ivy laughed. Her mother's embrace was so warm and familiar that Ivy couldn't help but relax into it, despite her playful protest.
"Two weeks is far too long," her mother replied, her voice filled with affection. "You know how much I hate being apart from you."
Just as Ivy was about to pull away, her father appeared in the doorway, a grin spreading across his face. "Hey now," he teased, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "I'd like a hug too, you know."
Ivy's mother chuckled, loosening her embrace, her fingers now stroking her daughter's back. The young brunette turned to her father, her smile widening. "You two are impossible," she giggled.
Oliver pushed himself off the doorframe and walked over, opening his arms wide. "Come here, my girl," he said, his voice softening. "Happy birthday, Vee," her father whispered, kissing her forehead and hugging her close.
Ivy felt a lump rise in her throat. She hadn't realized just how much she missed this—being there surrounded by her parents, in the house she grew up in, a place where she felt safe.
Her father leaned over and kissed her mom on the cheek. The woman smiled, looking from her husband to her daughter.
"We've got a whole day planned for you," Bella said, her excitement bubbling over. She then grabbed Ivy's hand and led her towards the house. "Come on, breakfast is gonna get cold."
Ivy followed her mother into the kitchen, where the warm, comforting smell of pancakes filled the air. The table was already set, with a vase of fresh flowers and plates piled high with her favorite breakfast food.
"Sit down, you gotta tell me all about the party!" her mother beamed, setting a steaming cup of tea in front of her. "I saw the pictures on your Instagram. You looked gorgeous in that dress, darling."
"Thank you, Mama," Ivy blushed, sipping her tea. "It was fun. I mean, it was good to finally catch up with everyone and spend some time together."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, sweetheart." Her mother smiled. "You've been working nonstop; you need to go out and relax more."
"I'm a big girl, don't worry about me," Ivy laughed. "I'm enjoying some free time before I have to fly back to the US for filming."
"You act like you don't know your mother, Vee," Oliver teased, taking his wife's hand in his. "She's always worried about you."
