Xander paused, his expression softening.
"I want you to stay because you choose to. Because you want a life with Leo and me."
The tears gathering in Ivy's eyes finally spilled over.
"So... you're not asking me to leave?"
Xander looked genuinely baffled.
"Leave?" he echoed. "I was trying to set you free from the contract, not from this family."
A laugh escaped Ivy through her tears.
"I thought you were breaking up with me."
The corners of Xander's lips lifted into a faint smile.
"If I ever wanted to break up with you, I wouldn't be sitting here trying to convince you to stay."
She sniffled and lightly punched his shoulder.
"You really need to explain yourself better."
"And you need to stop jumping to conclusions."
For a brief second, they simply looked at each other before Ivy threw her arms around him.
Xander wrapped her in a reassuring embrace, resting his chin on top of her head.
"Ivy," he murmured, "whether there's a contract or not, you're part of our family now."
