Page 28 of Nothing to This

“Love you,” she grumbled.

There was a scuffle on the phone and some mumbled words before her little guy’s voice reached her ear.“Mommy?”

“Are you being good to your sister?”

He took a big breath, then stated his case.“She’s whiny, Mommy.She’s moaned all night.She is being mean.She should go to bed.”

“You’re not in charge, little prince.Daddy is in charge.And your sister isn’t used to being around so many boys.”

This was an odd shift for them.Daycare consisted of a mix of genders, but most staff were women.Being used to living with her, seeing their aunt and grandmother, they lived in a female dominated world.

Having his dad around more would probably benefit Kye, but the last thing she wanted was Sky pushed out.

“Boys are best,” Kye said.

Breathing out a laugh, she pulled out the chair to seat herself at the dining table.“Oh, I love you, little guy.Put Daddy on the phone.”

Her baby boy mumbled something that she decided was his declaration of love.Though it was equally possible he was moaning at her.

Another scuffle and then another voice on the phone.“Babe?”

“Are you playing favorites?”she asked, not thinking he was.

“What?No!Sky’s—”

“She’s feeling pushed out,” she said.

“Kye and I were roughhousing and she got upset.She hasn’t been herself since.”

“She’s not used to being around boys.Is your mom still there?”

“No, she made dinner and left.”Really?That surprised her.Usually Marjorie grabbed any opportunity to be around the kids.“She’s meeting us in the morning.”

“I’m surprised.”

“I was too.She said she had to leave, something Brenna told her about your uterus.”

Despite her attempt to contain her laugh, it leaked out in a single blast.“I’m going to kill her.”

“I’m not even going to ask.”

“Don’t,” she said.“I don’t suppose I could persuade you to rethink the movie?”

“Kye gets to pick tonight.”

“Their aunt is over tomorrow night, she usually brings something ancient for them to watch,” she said.“The babies—”

“We’re going to the aquarium in the morning.”

So much for honesty in this new beginning.“The aquarium is closed for refurbishment until the end of the month.”

His snicker was smug.“I’m taking them to the aquarium.”

“How are you—”

“My daughter made a request,” he said.“If my children ask me for something, they get it.”

“Show off,” she said.“So Kye gets to pick the movie because Sky picked the activity?Remember she’s going shopping in the afternoon.”