Sage was still in shock.

She was holding her bawling almost-four-year-old. The sweet little face she thought she would never see again. The sweet little face she could see both herself and Locke in so clearly. Maggie had just been dropped off by a very sorrowful nanny trying to explain what was going on before she left for her new post.

It was impossible to comprehend. Of all the choices Maggie’s, Magnolia’s, adoptive parents could have made in this impossible scenario, why on Earth had they chosen this? Tragically killed in some sort of accident, a carriage crash; they had entrusted Maggie back to Sage in lieu of any of their relatives— who apparently did not want, or could not support a child. How could they possibly think this was the best place for her? Sage had though she had already found that and it wasn't here.

Subconsciously, Sage was running a hand up and down her daughter’s back, making shushing noises and trying her best to soothe the upset. It was breaking her heart and it took all of her own willpower not to tear up and say, It’s okay little one, Mommy’s here. To Maggie, to this wee blonde with chubby cheeks and Locke’s bright blue eyes, her mummy was dead and she had just been sent to live with “family” that she had never met before with nothing but a little suitcase of clothes, a blankie and a stuffed bear. Oh and two letters. One Sage had written before sending Maggie away and the other from her adoptive parents trying to rationalize their decision.

”It’s okay, Love,” Sage managed, a little choked up despite her best efforts. ”We’re going to take good care of you, I promise.” There was no response, just a tighter hold on her neck. At least the little lamb wasn’t trying to run away.

Upon entering the print shop, hoping to find Tess, Sage blinked back the tears, finding Declan instead. ”I—” could explain? Had a good story about the crying child in her arms? How did she explain this to the one person who she had hid this from and probably shouldn’t have?