"Oh, she's goddess sent." Dahlia sighed, the saying one of their mother's. Truly she wouldn't know which way was up and down if not for their housekeeper - well and Mama who frequently visited and bossed around everyone from Quin to the staff.

While Dahlia knew her older sisters all looked beautiful after having children she did not think it applied to herself. Her hair was slipping from her simple bun in a haze of crazy wisps, she had circles under her eyes, and she was absolutely convinced she looked haggard. "Oh, hush. I do not." She waved away the compliment.

Daff, however, knew better than to accept platitudes and Dahlia sighed. "Truthfully? I'm exhausted. I hurt. My breasts hurt. Mar cries so much. And I have no idea what I'd do without Mama or our staff." Dahlia listed off, her voice tearful. "And I just want to cuddle my husband without hurting.... or without him thinking I've turned into a cow." A desperate laugh escaped on this last word. And like that all the facades Dahlia had put in place tumbled out. Of course she hadn't meant to say any of that because she didn't want Daff worried about what her own future held when the baby got here, but there it was now - all of Dahlia's worries laid bare to her sister.