Mum knows best

AN: Warning for one homophobic slur.

'It was nice of you to offer to babysit for your friends while they're at the wedding.'

'Well, why not. After you said you were gonna visit, I thought it'd be a good chance for Mattie to meet Kolya. And then Edward asked if Vin could come over, too. We're pretty busy now...'

'Ah, I trust the kids to play nicely. I'm sure we can treat them with McDonald's or something  later.'

'I know, I'm such a responsible parent.'

'You are! So what if they have something unhealthy once in a while. It won't kill them. You've raised how many kids now? And you've got a pretty good success rate. You moulded Saik into a model citizen, after all.'

'I wouldn't go quite that far, but I see what you mean.'

'I'm looking forward to you spending more time with Stan once he's home, anyway.'

'Me too. I'll admit, he seems quite a character. And Feli speaks so highly of him! Well, much as I dislike the criminal stuff, I can't fault him as a person, and the way he is with you.'

'Aww. I mean, you dislike the criminal stuff about Roza too, but you still like her.'

'Very true.'

*knock knock*

'Oh, speak of the devil! That'll be her.'

'Hello, Nyla.'

'Hey, hon. How're you?'

'Not bad, thank you.'

'Roza!'

'Ah, Lib! It has been too long.'

'I knew I was gonna make time to see you while I was here. Just looking after the kids, for now. Parental duties calling, and all that.'

'It's fine. I don't mind coming to the mummy meeting. I'll have to get used to those kinds of things, after all. All those mother and baby clubs.'

'You don't have to. It's just nice for women who might want a little support, or to make new friends.'

'I will see. I already have friends here, after all.'

'Mmm, but the likes of Stan or Seth probably won't have much to offer in the way of motherhood.'

'True. Unless we try to hook them up with some aliens, then perhaps they might have a clue.'

'That'd be one way to do it! Though I can't say I know how anal birth compares to vaginal. You'd think it'd be worse, right? Vaginas are at least designed for that kind of thing. Still... Ellis did explain it to me once. There's something in the technology that releases some kind of pain relief... and quick-acting healing afterwards.'

'That's good. I would hate to imagine the state of your asshole afterwards, if not.'

'...Rozalina, there are kids here. Maybe now isn't the best time to discuss the effects of anal childbirth, especially if you're going to use the non-technical terms for it.'

'...This does not bode well for me as a mother.'

'Oh, it's fine. You've got time to learn yet. She's not out for another couple of months, is she?'

'Right. Hey Lib, did you know Nari was at the wedding too? He's even taken his equally-pregnant girlfriend.'

'Ah... Yeah, I heard Stanley's family were going to be there. Do you think you'll meet her, at some point?'

'I'm sure I will. I wonder if she also finds him to be an idiot.'

'I think most people who know him find him to be an idiot, Roza, especially his family. Two women pregnant at once is Tate-level stuff. Who, of course, is the reason I'm not at the wedding...'

'What a shame that meteor didn't kill him. Oh well. I hope the Gallos can give him a good scare today.'

'I hope he shits himself in front of everyone. Whoops, language again... I'm getting just as bad.'

'Let's change the subject, shall we? How are you doing in general, Roza? Coping fine?'

'Oh, I'm good. You know me. I'm tough.'

'Of course you are, but don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it, okay? You'll make a great mum, I don't doubt it, it's just single motherhood is hard. You've got me and Nyla.'

'Thanks, Liberty. I'll call on you if I need it. Until then, Nyla and I can keep corrupting the children.'

'Hey, honey. Can I have a word?'

'Sure. What's wrong?'

'Well, your brothers are a little bit concerned about you at the moment. And I'll admit, I am too. So I just want to help reassure you about a few things.'

'Oh... It's not necessary. I got a bit on my soap box and ranted a bit, that's all.'

'But still, I think it's best if we talk these feelings over, hm?'

'...Alright.'

'Look, sweetie... You were worried the reason I'm not dating men again is because of your father, right?'

'It is, isn't it? After all that, you're gonna be ultra cautious, right? And want some time to recover.'

'Yeah, the second part's true. But while I don't see myself dating men again... it's not because I think they're all dangerous. It's because they're not my only option... and I've spent a lot of my life lying to myself.'

'Carmella. I've identified as bisexual for a long time... But as you've seen with Zeus, being bi doesn't mean it's a 50-50 split between the sexes. It's also true that over time, people's preferences and desires can change. Especially if you never allowed yourself to acknowledge that part of yourself to be legitimate.'

'Oh, Mum...'

'I know I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I want you to understand how things happened. See, when I was fifteen, I was close to this girl in school. But your abuelos caught me with her, and they banned the relationship. They were relieved I wasn't a total dyke – their words, not mine – but they demanded I started being “normal”, and stick solely to men.'

'That's horrible! They really said that to you?'

'Mmm. And you know how it went after that, me marrying your dad. So what I'm trying to tell you is... I'm really gay these days. Deep down, I've always wanted to be with women. It's not like I'm repulsed by men altogether now – I just don't want it as an option now. Because I was never allowed to see lesbian relationships as a legitimate choice.'

'Ugh... They really suck. Just how much of this is their fault?'

'A lot, which brings me to my next point. The fact is, I can't lie – I have been soured on men. Mainly because of your grandfather... He's a disgusting person, to put it bluntly. He set the foundation for me to not expect any better. But he's wrong. And I was wrong to ever express anti-male sentiments in front of you. Things that were just coming from a place of anger, things I didn't mean... I underestimated how much words hurt. I never meant to make you cynical.'

'It's not your fault, Mum. I say those things because I'm angry, too. I'm angry Dad treated you that way, I'm angry Dad treated me that way, and I'm angry that people stood by and let him do it!'

'So you should be, sweetie. Damn right, I never want you to be mistreated ever again.'

'Doesn't it make sense, then, for me to not take the risk?'

'No. It makes sense for you to be wary. You shouldn't write them all off, though. Give people a chance to prove themselves to you. Men aren't the enemy. Bad men are. I've got three boys and I'm making damn sure they're going to be good ones.'

'Aw, Mum, they will. They are. I'm sure Julius will grow up to treat girls right, as well.'

'I am so proud of your brothers for the fine young men they are now. Tristan with a girlfriend, Zeus with a boyfriend. They're responsible. I think having you around helps!'

'I think it's you more than anything! But thanks. I do my best.'

'I'm sure they already offered to fight off any creeps, right?'

'Yeah. So did Jude, once.'

'Good! You can add me to that list. If I can punch your dad, I can sure punch any slimeball that tries to hurt you!'

'Oh, wow. I wouldn't mess with you... They don't know what's coming to them!'

'I just hope it won't be necessary. Please, have an open mind, though? I don't want you to regret turning someone away because you were scared. Talk about it in therapy, okay?'

'Alright, Mum. I will.'

'Good girl. You're gonna be fine. I won't allow it to be any different.'