"Numb," Ivy said, and then sputtered a little indignantly. "So are my lips! Gross." But it was better than hurting, she had to admit.

"Anyway, no. Mom is Aaron's stepmom, but she's my mom and nobody else's. It doesn't count as sharing. I hope your husband can adopt your kids soon. It sucks not having a real dad. Even if you have to share him when you get him."