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Sage let Elara call to Liz when the wolf started to get annoyed, nodding along with her comment. "He might not always want to do what you want," he added gently. She'd have to learn that eventually....and he'd rather it be sooner instead of later.
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Liz nodded, stepping away as the wolf circled, flopping down on his back, Liz giggling as she scratched his stomach. Elara nodded at Sage's comment, having slipped her hand into his without noticing. "I agree,"
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Sage felt a smile form on his face when she reached for his hand, closing his fingers around hers and squeezing it gently. "She's great though," he mused softly as he watched his daughter, letting out a soft breath. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing ok," he added
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Elara nodded at his words in silent agreement, smiling a bit more when he squeezed her hand. Though when he said he wondered if he was doing okay, she looked over, a sympathetic look on her face. "Sage, you're the best dad you could be for her, I promise you that. You're doing more than ok, a lot more than ok, and that's the truth."
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Sage glanced over at elara, brows pinching slightly as she spoke. "Yeah but....she deserves more than what I've been able to give her," he noted softly. "I mean...I know nothing about kids. What to do," he noted.
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"Listen, you're trying your hardest, that's what matters. Besides, i'm sure she'd pick this lifestyle over any others. Here she's free to do as she pleases, not many expectations, can come and get taught to read and write whenever she wants, doesn't have to be at school all day.." She trailed off, glancing back over at the girl.
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Sage hummed softly in thought, nodding along slowly as Elara spoke. "I hope you're right," he murmured. "And I hope she was too little to remember what it was like before this," he added after a moment or so. She was so happy....so full of life. He wanted to keep her that way.
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Elara simply nodded, unsure what it was like before the two had gotten out of....whatever it was. Though she did figure it was bad, considering the only past experience she'd had with his ex was busting him out of her house after she kidnapped him.
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Sage was silent for a few more moment, lost in his own thoughts, before he shook his head. "It doesn't matter now I suppose," he noted. "I'm just bringing you down now," he added with a sort of grumble. Then he offered her a small smile. "I'm just glad this is working out," he added.
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She squeezed his hand, cupping his face with her other hand and making him look at her. "Sage, you're the best thing to happen in my life. All those nights I laid awake wishing to runaway with someone---and you finally made that happen. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here, so out of all things you're doing," Elara paused, tone softening. "You are absolutely not bringing me down, or Liz, or anybody and anything...okay?" Edited at January 3, 2026 09:50 PM by RFS Thoroughbreds
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