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"Daddy!" Tiffany cried as she ran into his arms. "You're home! What did you bring me this time?"

Herman laughed as he embraced his daughter. "It's good to see you too, dear. I'm sorry, but I was too busy to do much shopping this time. I hope this will be to your liking." He pulled a small box out of his pocket and handed it to Tiffany.

The disappointment was apparent on her face for a second as she opened the box, but she managed to hide it as she removed the necklace from the box. "Of course it is Daddy. You can never disappoint me, you know that." She quickly put on the gold-and-emerald pendant to show her approval.

"I got one for you as well, Ella." Herman handed her an identical box containing an identical necklace, this one with a sapphire instead of an emerald.

"I love it, Father," Ella said honestly as she hugged him before putting her own present around her neck. The pendant was rather simple, merely a stone held by gold filigree, but it was very much to her liking. "How was your trip?"

Herman signed then took each of the girls under one arm. "Maybe later girls. Father is tired right now from all his traveling."

Tiffany gave Ella a strange look. "Of course you are, Daddy. We should let you rest, not have you bore yourself with stories of negotiations and politics." She took Herman's hand to lead him to the sitting room. "Come, I learned a new song on the piano I want you to hear. Aren't you coming, Ella?"

Ella suppressed a sigh. "Of course I am." She hastened after them so Tiffany could serenade them with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.