"There was, and there still is," Courtney said as she appeared before them.
"Holy s**t!" Anna and Joey said simultaneously, stepping forward to protect Raven. Phoenix did the same, standing before River and Sage, ready to defend them if needed.
"Not sure if I agree with the holy part, but I do like to cause s**t," chuckled Courtney.
"Mom!" Sage said and pushed past Phoenix to embrace Courtney.
"Hey, kiddo, I missed you too. How about I catch up with Raven, Joey, and Anna with an edited version of our previous discussion?" Courtney said. Sage regarded her birth mother carefully and then nodded in agreement.
"Phoenix, you are as gorgeous as I imagined you'd be," Courtney spoke in a sultry voice as she blatantly checked him out.
"Um, thanks," Phoenix responded awkwardly.
"Mom!" Sa
