Lucy giggles as she spies the dark haired toddler watching them from through the bars on the stairs.
This was the third time since arriving at the Hernandez-Hansen household that Lauren had been caught watching Camila and Lucy play but the small girl was yet to approach the two, feeling much more comfortable watching from a distance.
Hearing her friend laugh, Camila turns to see what had caught Lucy's attention, smiling when she notices her little sister sitting on the stairs.
"Wait here." She instructs, pushing herself up and heading over to the stairs.
"Lolo, you wanna come play?" Lauren bites her lip, looking between her sister and the girl watching them from the living room.
"Lucy's really nice, promise." The toddler nods slowly, standing up from her place on the stairs. "C'mon Lolo, you can sit next to me."
"Hi Lauren!" Lucy grins excitedly, patting the space beside her.
"Hi 'ucy." The youngest of the three smiles shyly at the other girl, sitting down between her and her sister.
"You wanna play dollies with us?"
"P'ease." Lauren nods, accepting a doll from Lucy and starting to play quietly with the other two.
————
"Hi Mommy." Lauren hums, climbing onto the bed with a pout.
"Hey cub, you doing okay?"
"Mhm." The toddler nods, tapping her fingers against her leg.
"You sure?"
"Camz sayed go 'way."
"She did? Why?" Dinah frowns, completely confused as to why her middle child would ever tell Lauren to go away.
"P'ayin' dollies. No talk 'nuff."
"She told you to go away because you don't talk enough?"
"Mhm."
"I'll talk to her, okay? There's nothing wrong with how much you speak, baby. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. You'll talk more when you're ready, sweetheart. Alright?"
"'Kay."
"C'mere, babe." She smiles, opening her arms to her daughter and holding her close once she has crawled into her lap. "I love you, y'know?"
"'ove Mommy too." Lauren nods, cuddling closer to her mother and pressing a kiss underneath her chin since it's the only place she can reach.
"Let's get you changed, we don't want you to get a rash, do we?" Dinah coos, tickling the toddler's sides and smiling at the sweet little giggles pouring out of her mouth.
"Come on, silly girl." She smiles, stopping her tickle attack and standing up with Lauren in her arms.
"Mommy, Mama?"
"Mama's gone to pick Normani up from Becky's."
"Back soon?"
"Yeah, babe. Stay still for me." Laying the toddler down on the changing table, Dinah makes sure she's settled before moving around to get the things she needs.
After wiping the girl down, she grabs another diaper and slides it underneath her.
"Tummy?" Lauren asks hopefully, stopping her mother from taping up the new diaper.
"What, cub?"
"Tummy." She pouts, grabbing Dinah's hand and putting it on her stomach.
"You want me to rub your tummy? Is that it, baby?"
