Her lips twisted into a sympathetic smile. She wished she could tear down whatever barrier kept Evan and his siblings apart, but beyond turning into an authoritative monster, she didn't think there was much she could do. With any small bit of luck, things would be better within the next few months. “No, it's usually me who's the difficult one, but I think that just makes my understanding of it that much better.”
Letting out a breath, Leah nodded and let herself believe that it would work out for the best between Marigold and Analeigh. The main difference between Evan's experience and Marigold's was the fact that Marigold had only spent one year with her mother, and in that year, she'd become spoiled from all the attention from Leah and the rest of the family.
“And even if she isn't all that excited at first, she'll have her puppy to keep her occupied.” She hoped Marigold would want to help, though. She paused thoughtfully, then smirked. “I think I remember being jealous when Kori came along. Because I already had to share my parents with a twin and an annoying little brother.”
“Which is why you're the one I'm with. You appreciate it,” she replied, forcing a smile. She didn't have the heart to admit to him that she wasn't comfortable having conversations with people anymore. It went against the deal she'd half made with him about socializing more. “I'm never silent around you, but I'd be the hot, silent type with anyone else.”
“Maybe having so many helpers will give us a break from some of the exhaustion that comes with having a new baby,” she suggested hopefully. She hung a few more decorations. “Not that I'm planning on letting them take all of those early moments away from me. I didn't get to have them with Marigold, so I'm damn sure gonna get them with Ana.”