A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews! They're very much appreciated!

Disclaimer: Everything is pretty much mine but anything that's not belongs to whoever created it :)

Summary: What happens after "the argument."

***As Always please R/R ***

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Once I was in the house, I drew in a deep breath, calming my nerves. What had I just done? I had been rash... something I was all too good at. I quickly began walking up the stairs to my room, reflecting upon--

"Maria," a soft voice said from above.

I looked up quickly. Seven pairs of eyes were staring back at me. My heart suddenly broke. I knew for the first time I had made a mistake.

"Has father fried you?" It was Luke's turn to talk.

Now on their level, I looked at them all. They were such good children, and yet they were unfortunate in many ways. I began to feel horrible. Was their father going to punish them for going along with me? Also, how was I to respond to Luke's question?

"Well," I began, "In a way I suppose he has. You see children, you're always supposed to listen to your boss... I didn't do that. I broke the rules."

"But Maria," Audrey spoke, "I d-don't want you to leave!"

She was crying now, and the other children looked close to it too.

"There, there sweetie, don't worry!" I said with a fake smile, feeling tears begin to burn the backs of my own eyes. I reminded myself, for the sake of the children, that I mustn't cry.

Kneeling on the ground, I extended my arms for the little girl. Instead, I got a large group hug.

The children dashed towards me, and every last one began to cry.

"M-Maria! I will miss you if you g-go!" Whimpered Mimi.

"Oh, I know darling... I'll miss you too. I'll miss all of you very, very much!" I began to break down to. It was terribly hard not to. Seven children, all hugging you at once, loving you so much!

We were all so wrapped up in each other, in our tears, that we didn't see the Senator come back inside. We didn't even see he come up the stairs. I never discovered how long he stood watching us, but his presence was discovered by Audrey.

"Father! H-How c-could you fire our Maria?" she asked in tears.

I turned sharply to face the Senator. Our eyes came in contact. He looked at me, and I looked at him. For a brief moment, I could only see him, his eyes searching mine. I felt as if he were reading my every thought... though I could not prevent it. As hard as I tried, I couldn't pull away.

Suddenly Julie spoke.

"Father, why are you--"

"That's enough wining," The Senator said calmly, turning to face his children.

I took that as my cue, and arose form the floor quickly. Straightening my clothes, I turned and headed for my room, not able to look at the children or the Senator. No one spoke as I walked away, but I could feel their eyes burning into the back of my head. In fact, it was almost a relief to reach the isolation of my room.

I immediately fell onto my bed, letting my tears flow freely. How could I have messed up so much?

I believe that after a while, I cried myself to sleep, for when I opened my eyes next, the outside sky was dark.

It took me a moment to remember the occurrences of the day, but when I finally did I had to shudder. I began to pack, knowing that the Senator had expected me to leave hours ago.

Just as I was stuffing the last of my sweaters into my already full bag, I heard a knock upon the door.

"Come in," I said staring at the door with curiosity, wondering who it could be.

The door slowly swayed open, and to my most utter surprise, there stood the Senator.

I must have looked shocked, for he gave me a small smile before closing the door behind him.

"Hello," He began.

"Sir," I said quietly staring at the floor, then I looked back up to speak again, this time more frantic, "I'm awfully sorry I haven't left yet. You see, I fell--"

"You fell asleep. Yes, I know," he cut in.

"Err... how, might I ask?" I said, looking puzzled.

"Ah, well, you see... I actually came to talk to you earlier," He said, throwing in a small smile.

"Oh?" I responded, "May I ask... w-why?"

"Yes, I figured you might," He responded, looking downward and scratching the back of his neck in a I'm procrastinating sort-of way.

There was a moment of silence. Both of us felt uncomfortable, as we glanced around the room, trying to avoid the others eyes. It was him who spoke first.

"Look, I have to talk to you about today--"

"Oh, Sir," I said, cutting him off, "About today... I am so terribly sorry! I was way out of line... I just--"

"Miss. Maria," he said, cutting in, "Please stop this jabbering... I did not come here to ask for an apology. In fact, I came for the exact opposite reason. I've come to give an apology."

I could feel my lower lip drop, yet I had no control over it. Nor did I have control of the way I just stood there, staring. Did he just say what I though he said? Was the Senator of California apologizing to me? I think I looked rather strange, as the Senator soon began to laugh, causing the tension that had built up in the room to ease, an ease I was rather grateful for.

I gave a small smile and spoke.

"And, what is this apology for?"

"For being a jerk," He responded. I raised my eyebrows, but he continued to talk, "It's not easy for me to give apologies, but when one is due I'll give it. You see, I had a little talk with my children... a longer talk then I've had with them in years. We talked about lots of things... it was almost a getting to know you time," he paused, looking rather sad, "Yet, every topic seemed to find it's way back to you. So in the end we talked about you."

He started to pace the room, looking around at the walls. I could tell he felt very uncomfortable, so I gave him his space. About a minute later, he began talking once more.

"So," he said, clapping his hands together, and looking at me once more, "The children told me, and I happen to agree on this one, that it would be unforgivable of me to fire you."

Again, I was in shock. I looked at him uneasily

"So... erm... does that mean I can stay?"

"Absolutely," there was a pause, "In fact, we would be honored if you would stay," He said smiling, a smile which he kept fixed upon me.

My heart skipped a few beats. I felt as if a giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was staying! I didn't have to leave! I could still see the children... and spend my days with them--

"Oh, Sir! Thank you SO much," I said. I wanted to run to his side and fling my arms around him! For the first time since I got here, I didn't hate him!

"Yes, hem, well," was all he could manage to say. He began to open the door, preparing to leave, "Oh Miss. Maria, I almost forgot... tomorrow, as an apology present, I'm taking everyone on a field trip. And... it's not to the back yard," he gave a quick wink, and quickly stepped out.

I stood still for a few moments; the largest smile upon my face... yet still I questioned, what had just happened? It honestly made no sense to me. Why had he apologized? What had caused the mood change? And WHAT in the world had caused him to say we were going on a "field trip" tomorrow? Hadn't he just finished yelling at me for taking his children out? Someone should really tell this man to practice what he preaches! (Not that I'm complaining though!)