"Can't really claim to know what it's like to be a mom, but pretty much a full time job, right?" He spent plenty of time around his niece and nephew, but usually only when Jules or her husband were around, or they were with Charlie or the kids' grandpa. He didn't usually watch them alone, so he appreciated the reassurance, even if Espi was still a fairly new mom. He was sure she'd done way more research than he had. "Okay, hand holding only. No letting go unless you're staying real close, little man," Jaylen said, smiling down at Colt.

She nodded her head in response to his question. "Yes, it is very much a full time job. And I only have one. I can't imagine having more than one." That might change, but right now she felt like she had her hands full enough. She watched as he set forth the expectations. "That is a great tactic. I do the same with kids I know."

It was nice when Kit messed up to do it in front of people who didn't give him shit. Plenty of women would've been pissed about their shoes getting drenched in smelly water, but not Espi. "You know, I feel like Eli was probably just as crazy as a kid as I was. Must have kept everyone in your house real busy, huh?" He listened to her words before scrunching up his nose and lowering his gaze to the ground. "I didn't have a good feelin' about it from the start," Kit finally said, "my grip felt all wrong, and I started slidin' around all over the place the second the bull came out of the gate." He finally lifted his eyes from the dirt floor beneath him to meet hers. "Most of the people I know comin' out to see me expected to see me do well. I mean, my ranch family sees me workin' every day, they know what I'm capable of. I just feel like there's plenty of people around here wonderin' why the hell I even do this rodeo thing if I'm no good at it, so I wanted to show 'em a thing or two. That make sense?"

She chuckled thinking about her brother as a little boy. "Oh he was definitely a handful at times. But he has always been a loving guy." She tilted her head as he explained what went wrong. "At least you didn't fall off the bull as soon as you came out. You gave it an honest ride." She shook her head. "Everyone is entitled to bad days. Do you love riding?" Deep down she knew riding was a labor of love. "It does make sense. Maybe you put too much pressure on yourself because it was the home field."

He rubbed her back, in complete agreement with her. "I know he did, I loved him too. You always had that big ass grin with him around." Now, it was Isaac's turn to laugh. "I know this isn't the way you're thinking of it, but it has a bit of a cult vibe." But, given his history classes and the criminal law classes from law school. "Or, summer camp."

She let out a laugh and shook her head. "I was leaning more toward summer camp or compound than a cult. I just think it would be a fun way to live together without anyone feeling like they don't have privacy."

He set the knife down and leaned over to see the kids still in their own world. He was glad Cece wasn't home. Otherwise, he'd have to deal with Laurel 2.0 inquisitive minds want to know. He sighed and put his hand on his hip as he explained the entire situation in under thirty seconds. The raw, unedited version of the bullshit that had hit their family orbit. He further explained that this was not to affect their kids or their world, but shit was turbulent at the moment. Enough to warrant the rift. Something that hadn't happened since college. He ended up shrugging and was glad the topic had been changed. "Anytime. We've got a village of babysitters waiting for their chance. Wasn't so scary now was it? Emmy was fine. Nothing happened to her. You can have a life and not just be her mom."

She listened to what her brother had to say and she could tell that he was deeply effected by it. Which made sense. It wasn't easy to have a disagreement with a spouse. "If you need anything, a shoulder, a sitter, just let me know, okay? I'm more than willing to be your ears." She nodded her head. "You know I trust you and Isa with my life, but it feels like she is all I have left. I know I have you boys, but she is my only piece of Monty. My heart was broken and caring for her is helping put it back together because Monty would want me to take care of her well. But I am trying to have more of a life than just being a mom, but that makes me feel a little guilty."

His warm smile prevailed. It was well-known that the siblings would really do anything for each other. Outrageous requests included, but the moment was heartwarming regardless. Mostly because Isa rarely said it out loud, and because he secretly loved hearing it from his siblings. "I would've ended with divorce papers a lot quicker if I ever did try that," the thought half-amusing him now. "I don't blame them, it's a tough idea to sell - want to move in with my siblings? Yeah, no surprise."

She let out a laugh. "For the record, Monty loved you and Eli. You know, if we had pitched getting a large piece of land and each having our own houses, but then having a space for gatherings that had a kitchen and bathroom and just a big living room, that would probably have gone over okay. Each couple just needs to have their own space." She'd still advocate for that, if she thought both of her brothers would go for it.

"Si, no. No lo se," he started as his hands chopped the carrots harder than necessary. But he couldn't lie to his siblings. Isa already knew more than half the shit happening, and Espi needed a catch-up. Eli always switched to Spanish the minute they had real talk. She had a fucking radar for it. "La verdad, ni se que decirte. Pero la dejamos asi y digo que la llevamos." One carrot flew over her hand, and he reached over to catch it. "Enough about me. How did the weekend getaway go? By the way, Ems graduated high school while you were away." Eli was always facetious when it came to teasing his older sister. He knew that would elicit a vegetable thrown at his head. "She was fine. Happy little baby. Snuggled with Tio Isa all weekend long. Lucky for you, he didn't go to work with her strapped to his chest."

She knew the second her brother switched to Spanish and started chopping harder that it was serious. She squinted her eyes at her brother. "¿Qué está sucediendo?" She was worried about him. She let out a sigh. "The weekend went well, thank you for watching her. I definitely needed the weekend. I will forever be grateful for my village. I needed every single one of you."

It was impossible for him to not feel guilty, even if she'd worn the dirtiest, nastiest pair of shoes known to man. Kit had been taught better, and he rarely lost his temper around others if he wasn't provoked. He usually reserved these fits for when he was alone, and being caught in the middle of one made him feel terrible. "I'm still sorry," he said with a half-smile before biting his lip. Kit could feel her eyes on him and he hoped she didn't look too closely, didn't see right through his attempts to pretend he was in control. Then she asked him if he was okay, and Kit knew his hopes were shot. "I just," he started, "I guess I just wasn't too proud of that ride, is all. It's one thing to make a fool of myself out on the road with a bad ride, but ridin' bad at home feels a lot more like a failure in my book."

"Ah come on Espi, you know I'd do anything for you guys." Living with his adult siblings was not really in his plans, sure, but it wasn't something he found too far-fetched. "Besides, just because it's new doesn't mean I don't want to do this." He placed one arm around her, gently pushing the stroller back and forth to soothe Emmy. "I'm really glad too. You deserve peace and quiet after everything you've been through. You're lucky I'm just one roommate, and not two." Divorce did have its perks.

"My niece is a little older. She's five, but she's with her mom right now. I offered to take one of them off her hands for a while. I don't think she trusts me with both at the same time," Jaylen joked. "Let's just hope he's out of the terrible two's today, huh little man?" Jaylen made sure to keep hold of Colton's hand tight. "Do you think I should've brought one of those little kiddie harness things, or is it considered in poor taste to have your kid on a leash?" God, Jaylen was bad at this.

She let out a soft laugh at Jaylen saying that his sister didn't trust him with both kids at the same time. She knew how hard it could be to watch two at the same time. "I'm sure she appreciates you taking him and helping her out. She shook her head. "I don't think a harness will be necessary. I always fear tripping over them, honestly. Like them getting tangled around someone not paying attention because then the little toddler would get pulled down."

"He clammed up. He got hurt, and that was it. Case closed. Seeing her again was like the burned jagged edge jabbing him on his side. I don't blame him at all. If lau and I broke up. I'd be destroyed and say fuck marriage and everything that comes with it." He hummed and thought about their rolodex of people. They all knew the same people, which kind of made it difficult. "Wait, what was that one name who lived in your building. Brunette, tall, hazel eyes? Had a nose piercing. Did you ever talk to her? He needs someone who's strong but not grumpy. A sunny personality. It balances him out. If he hears us, he is gonna hate us."

Eli saw how Luke attached himself like a koala and laughed. "All he needs is payasos to play with him, and he's golden." Noting that his siblings became big kids around them. He released a deep sigh as he chewed on his bottom lip. "I don't know. Divorcing from Valeria messed him up deeply. Letting someone else in again, hell of an uphill battle it will be. I have no doubt he will make a great dad and a great husband. He already is, but his faith in himself has been shaken to his core." As he said that, he saw their brother run around with rosebud on his shoulders and their cousins following after him. "He's got a lot of love in that heart of his, but he's a cabezon. You know how he is. Shuts down every time someone tries to push through his walls. Any advice on how we help him open up to maybe taking a chance? I know no one in town will get him to look twice. Only because they are all people he knew since childhood, so he has that aversion." Which he didn't blame him for. He was the only odd ball who fell in love with his childhood crush.

She tilted her head and let out a sigh. "Yeah, our big brother is going to take some time to get back to his old self. He used to be so confident. And I guess he still is, just not in all of the ways he used to be." She would forever hate Valeria for hurting her brother and breaking his heart. He didn't deserve to be treated like that and it would forever bother her. She thought about her brother's question. "I don't really know for sure. I wish I knew someone from where I lived before who I could set up a meet cute with but I just can't think of anyone. He needs someone with patience and a kind heart. I'm afraid anyone I can think of would be too lovey too quickly." She shrugged. "I mean, there's not a single guy from our childhood that I'd want to date." She had someone in mind but she wasn't sure she was ready to cross that bridge just yet.

Max was internally grateful the entire Deveaux crew had learned to sign to accommodate his needs. He never felt like he was trying to fit into the mold. The mold just bent to fit him.

I may not have her on me but I can see her. She was glad her brother didn't insist on taking the baby too far away. She was still getting used to not being with her 24/7. These are for harvest. I think they are going to be so cute. What's your favorite craft to do?

He withheld his laugh, shaking his head. "And, I'm the other adult, right?" Partly asking because he would definitely be quoting his sister next time his brother joked that he was not an adult. "Hey," he nudged her slightly as they walked along the sidewalk. "You don't need to explain more. You want me there, I'm there." That's always been his mantra with family. "Besides, I wouldn't feel great about living you alone either."

"I appreciate you being so willing to move in and help me out. It's a scary world out there for a single mom. Especially one who has been through the trauma I have. I'm glad I don't feel like I have post partum depression though. I'm feeling really good so far." She was shocked that she was able to say that. She was just preparing for the sadness to come crashing down at any moment.

"Yay! I love that everyone plays with me." Luke stated happily as he remembered both uncles playing with him and now his two aunts. "Friday night tio Isa jumped on the bouncy house with me!" Eli gestured. This was why he called Isa his fifth kid. "You should have seen him brincando like a maniac. But true. Not a single hair harmed on any of them. This is where his protective brother comes in. Now, he gets to be a protective uncle." The secret sugar spice had him turn to look at her. "I hadn't even thought of that. Do you think we're ready to let that out of the recipe book?" Hearing his sister shoot off the missing items, he merely chuckled. "That was missing. To be honest, I didn't touch pumpkin or apple dumplings because you weren't here. We usually bake those for our holiday festivities. But, now that you're here. I'd be game for letting those recipes get out. You'd be taking them on like the exec you are." He nudged her and smirked. She had taken her rightful place once again. As nana had wished it. Two siblings taking over her own legacy. "I'm just glad I won't be the sole bearer of responsibility anymore." He didnt want any of it. "Nonsense. Espi, come on. You were still a deep part of our lives. Nothing happened without you knowing about it. Miles apart changed nothing." Luke gripped her shirt and nuzzled her chest. "That's what you say but I don't see it," he teased as he knew the boys came out an exact replica of him. Cece was a replica of Laurel and jury was still out on Rosebud.

"You're so easy to play with kiddo. You make it so much fun." She couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her face hearing about how their brother was bouncing in the bounce house. "He would make an amazing dad, if he chose that path." She shrugged. "I think, because it's a competition, you might as well try it. You can't know if it's ready until it's off the page. It's like a spell." She nodded her head. "Now here's the trick, do we do apple for September and then pumpkin for October and then come up with something else for November. I really believe in the art of having a special for a few weeks and then getting rid of it. Keeps people coming back for new things." She wrapped her arm around him. "I'm only taking that on because I've got the best right hand man around." She nodded. "I know I was always in the loop and I know how quickly you and Isa came to my side. I do appreciate that. Both of you." She caressed the little boy's head and rolled her eyes at her brother. "Sure you don't see you. You and your wife divided your kids down the middle."