We arrived home and the kids asking Aluminus about Zan's condition. Aluminus told them that she is okay and we started eating Dinner which is Pizza that we take out along the drive thru of a Fast Food Chain. The kids didn't talk to me because of the incident earlier and I can't blame them. But I just hope that they don't get too far for being upset at me.

After I washed the dishes and prepare myself to get into bed, I peeked through Zan's door where I saw Aluminus kissing her forehead. Seeing Aluminus how dedicated he is in taking care of these children makes my heart warm. It feels like I have never met a man like him.

When Aluminus saw me standing at the doorway, he went out and closed the door of Zan's room.

"I know you don't want to let me handle Zan anymore after what happened earlier,"I told him,"But seeing you how you handle her and the other kids by yourself, inspires me to be a better parent for her. So I think you have to give me a chance and more time to figure how I will handle her better. Because I know how loaded your work is."

Aluminus paused for a while. Maybe he is reconsidering this offer,"Why are you so eager to take care of these kids?"

I just shrugged,"I don't know. Because I'm their Mother?"

Aluminus looked at me like he find my statement surprising in which I don't know why,"Okay."

I smiled then he walked away from me to get to his room.

"And Yvonne's practice is still on? We still have to go there?"I asked.

"Yes of course,"he answered then smiled,"I'm honestly glad that you're here, helping me."

I gave him a smile,"That's why couples are supposed to do,"then I chuckled awkwardly,"Helping each other."

He nodded while having that smile on his face,"Well, have a good night sleep."

"You too,"I said then he shut the door. I just remained standing there, wondering what just happened. And I think Aluminus is starting to like me as a Mother! I just have to get his interest back so that atleast he can be a help to earn the kids' respect to me either. It's a good plan.

The next day, I prepared our breakfast along with the kids' and Aluminus' lunch packages. Then said goodbyes at them. I cleaned the house accordingly while Zan is watching her cartoons on tv. Then I feed her with Doug, bathe her and put her into sleep. While she's asleep, I finished some of the tasks that I have to do in this house. When she woke up, we went over to Yvonne's school and brought her to Vermont. Since Zan had enough sleep, she's not frustrated like yesterday and she can be easily told things of what to do and not to do. Well, I figured that she likes bread so I just gave her some so that she will follow my commands.

Days passed and I finally got used with Zan's presence. The time and tasks are all doing good accordingly. Aside from that, I even managed to have some free time so that I can spend some time with Zan and Doug by playing with them. And it's fun to atleast bond with these babies! Yvonne is getting better with her performance and her event is getting nearer as the days goes by.

Then one day, we visited Yvonne again for her practice when I saw a group of teenagers beating up some guy not that far away where me and Zan are standing. I was about to just ignore them and find a teacher that can make them stop when I got a glimpse of Cecilio's face who is the kid that is beating up with these assholes.

"Hey!"I shouted as I ran towards them. I'm now having a problem of leaving Zan behind but I saw Yvonne right away who is heading towards us then I quickly give Zan to her.

"Stay with a teacher or a guard,"I quickly instructed her then left without hearing her saying anything. When I got into the group, I pushed the teens out of the way and saw how much Cecilio was beaten up.

"Gay!"

"Faggot!"

"Loser!"

I heard these boys saying to Cecilio. Cecilio looks very swell from all the punches that he received from these boys. Seeing him like this makes me really worried that I almost cried.

"Cecilio...oh my god,"I exclaimed as I look over him. But when I was checking his swells and wounds, he resisted.

"Go away!"he said then he tried standing up but failed because of how weak he is right now. I helped him up then a few teachers came to us.

"Those kids beaten him up!"I told them as I pointed the kids running away from their crime scene.

"And you are?"the black guy with eyeglasses who appears to be a teacher.

"I'm his foster mother, Silvanna Beus,"I told him,"Cecilio just got beaten up! Can you please do something about this situation?!"

"Yes. We will Mrs. Beus. For now, we'll have to take him to a clinic to fix his wounds,"the guy said,"I'm Carl Wisowski, his adviser. You can look for me just in case."

"Okay Carl. Thank you so much,"I said then I noticed that Zan is starting to run away again. Yvonne can't hold her any longer.

"It's okay, Silvanna. I can take care of myself,"Cecilio said.

"Are you sure? Because I can call—"

"No! Don't call Aluminus. Please,"he begged,"Just...take Yvonne and Zan before something happens to them again." Then he walked out with Mr. Wisowski.

Since I don't have to time to stop him anymore, I just leave him be and went back to Yvonne and Zan. Then we went to Vermont to have Yvonne's practice. I called Aluminus while Zan is busy with props that she can play with.

"Oh god. Why does this keep happening to them?" Aluminus said with frustration.

"Are the others are getting bullied too?"I asked him.

"Yes,"Aluminus answered after sighing,"They're foster kids, Silvanna. They've been teased for being different and having different siblings and non-biological parents."

"Those kids who bullied them are assholes,"I commented.

"Yes. They are,"Aluminus said then sighed again,"I'll ask Cecilio later. You just have to look after Yvonne and Zan, okay? You don't have to handle this case anymore."

But I think I know what is going on. I heard the kids saying words that Cecilio is gay. That may be the reason why he got beaten up. But can Cecilio tell Aluminus about his sexuality? Given that Aluminus is not fond with these kind of things as per Cecilio's diary?

We went after Yvonne's practice then ate our Dinner. I didn't see Cecilio and Aluminus around so I'm guessing that they are talking in Cecilio's room about the incident earlier. I excused myself from the table and went upstairs to ask Aluminus about his talk with Cecilio.

"So, what did he say?"I asked Aluminus after he went out from Cecilio's room.

Aluminus shook his head,"He won't tell me."

Should I tell him instead? But I can't. That will just make Cecilio angry at me.

"But the teacher called me and told me to drop by at school to settle things with the guidance counselor and the kids who beat him. Then I'll have my answer,"he said then walked out. Should I just tell him or atleast give him some advice? But what advice would that be? That will just sabotage everything. I'll just see how this goes.

But I have to talk to Cecilio. Maybe he is going through something that he needs someone to talk to.

I knocked on the door quietly but I didn't heard an answer from him. I still opened the door which it's surprisingly unlocked. Then I found Cecilio writing on his notebook. When he saw me, he just rolled his eyes and closed his notebook.

"What do you want?"he coldly said. I closed the door quietly.

"I think you should tell your Father about your secrets and your problems in school,"I advised him.

He scoffed,"And what? Punish me? Telling me things that I shouldn't hear? Aluminus is anti-gay. And he'll kill me if he finds out tomorrow!"

"But I don't think he'll hate you after finding out the truth,"I said.

"Why? Did you have sex with him or already knew him that much? Congratulations!"he sarcastically said then went back to his notebook. I know he's just upset so no need for me to get mad at him right now.

"When I told him about the incident today, he sounded so worried,"I said,"Aluminus loves you all so much. That even if there's a lot of you and a bit difficult to handle...especially Zan,"I added as I remember how difficult Zan is,"He remained strong and determined. And he's the reason why I keep getting up on my feet. Because I see him that he can do it so that's why I think that I can too."

"But that has nothing to do with my sexuality. I once asked him bluntly if one of my siblings is gay and he said that he'll never forgive him until his last breath."

I suddenly have a thought of what kind of person Aluminus really is,"Really? He said that? He doesn't looked like a person who is against diversity. I mean, Zan is different."

"But Zan's case is about her development. Mine is sexuality and that's something that Aluminus hates so much."

"Maybe at first he'll react harshly about the truth. But I know that he'll accept you someday,"I said positively.

"Whatever. I'm dead tomorrow anyway,"he said hopelessly as he went back to his notebook again. I noticed that his wounds, swells and scratches are still not taken care off. So I took off and returned to his room with a med kit. He gave me a questioning look but I just sit on his bed while taking out some bandage and medicine for his wounds.

"You don't have to do this, Silvanna. You don't owe us anything,"he said.

I just shrugged then I went closer to him,"Your wounds will get infected if not treated well. Stay still." Then I gently put on the medicine on his wounds that made him twitch a little. I put on the bandages when it's done.

"There,"I said as I look at his beautiful and young face,"We're not going to let that beautiful face get ruined, aren't we?"

Then he smiled shyly. I stood up with my med kit and went to the door.

"Thanks,"he said.

I turned and gave him a small smile,"Next time those kids beat you, we'll teach them a lesson."

Cecilio chuckled then I closed the door. It feels so good to finally have these kind of moments with these kids. I just have to initiate and offer them some help so that they can finally see me as their mother.

The next day, it's the same old routine with the house, Doug, Zan and Yvonne. But I'm starting to worry about Aluminus' reaction with Cecilio's revelation. I even felt bad for not telling Aluminus about Cecilio's secret. But I think that'll just make things worse with Cecilio.

"Mama!"Zan said to me. I think she knew that I am nervous since I've been walking back and forth lately.

"Yes. Mommy is nervous, honey,"I told her then I sighed,"What if Aluminus freaks out? Or tells Cecilio to get out of this house because he's gay?" I said as Zan plays on her toys while Doug is sitting there, listening to me.

"I mean, Aluminus doesn't look like a guy who hates different people, right?" I said as I glanced to a dog and to a non-verbal 3 year old. Both of them just stared at me like they can understand me.

"Oh god. I'm talking to a dog and a non-verbal toddler,"I mumbled then I get to my phone and wondering if I should call Aluminus or Cecilio. Or I can just go there an hour early of Yvonne's meet up so that I can atleast visit to Cecilio?

So yes. I just decided to go to the school early. I brought Zan with me of course and packed some bread just in case she gets a tantrum later. When we arrived, I peeked through Cecilio's classroom who is still having a class. When he saw me, he looked shocked then excused himself from his teacher.

"What are you doing here?"he said. He noticed that Zan is eating bread at the corner.

"Is the meeting with the principal done?"I asked worriedly.

Cecilio sighed,"Not yet. That'll be after this class. You got here faster than Aluminus."

"Yeah,"I said as I chuckled,"I wonder if he can get here since he still has work."

Aluminus shrugged,"If he's not, will you be my representative?"

My eyes widened with excitement,"Of course! I'd love to!" And then I remembered Yvonne,"What about Yvonne?"

Cecilio's smile disappeared,"Nevermind. You can't miss Yvonne's practice anyway. Plus, Alu promised me that he'll be here for me."

"Are you going to tell him the truth?"I asked him.

He sighed,"I have no choice. He'll find it later anyway."

I nodded as I understand him. Then we said goodbyes to each other and he went back to his class. While me and Zan just stayed at the playground where Yvonne usually waits for us.

After Yvonne's practice, we went home and I was expecting for Cecilio to be absent at the dinner table but I guess he's not. When I got the chance, I called him and we hid in the kitchen where no one can see and hear us.

"So, did you tell him?"I asked.

He looked a little upset,"Yeah. He just knew earlier."

"Then? What did he say?"

"He's not talking to me. But atleast he didn't kill me. Or make me leave this house,"he said then we chuckled.

"Told you. He loves you,"I told him then he smiled. Then Natalia opened the door.

"There you are. Do we have a dessert? I'm craving for some ice cream,"she said, still having that bratty tone.

"Yes your majesty. I'll get the ice cream,"I said then we get out of the kitchen.