TW: Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Toxic Parents
Cosmo paused for a minute, unsure of how to process the information. He waited for a few seconds in case Chelsea had decided to call and prank him, or if she were being sarcastic and he didn't understand. In hopes that she was joking, Cosmo began to laugh until his hormones made it so he legitimately thought she was being funny.
"What's so funny?", Chelsea asked. Cosmo could barely speak between laughs.
"Ah, you..you're so funny! This…huff…is a prank, isn't it? There's no…huff..way Schnozmo would let himself get caught! Man, you had me worried there for a minute!"
"Who said I was joking?", Chelsea asked, a slightly snappy yet concerned tone in her voice. As soon as she said that however, Cosmo's laughter halted, replaced by a nervous, almost nauseating feeling in his stomach. "I'm sorry Cosmo. I'm sure you didn't want to hear this on top of your pregnancy."
"So Schnozmo really is in jail?", he whimpered, followed by a sad mhm from Chelsea. "What for?"
"Embezzlement and Fraud. I don't know all the details, but that's what he said when he called me."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Other than you, no. It would just break dad's heart if he found out the son that he helped raise ended up in prison, and there's no way Mama would help him out. When he moved out, she said something along the lines of him leaving being the best thing to happen in a long time."
"Wow. I can't believe it.", Cosmo said, "B-But why'd he call you? I figured he'd ask mom or dad for bail money before turning to you."
"Like I said, there's no way Mama would help him out. Sad thing is, I think Schnozmo's pretty much accepted his relationship with her. As far as dad's concerned, he's just as powerless as we are. He depends on Mama taking care of him financially as much as she depends on him cleaning the house and raising us. Mama's not the type of hand out favors for free, you know. If she doesn't benefit from it, she doesn't want anything to do with you. You know this, Cosmo."
"B-But that's selfish!"
"Yeah but that's just how she is. Believes everything revolves around her.", Chelsea growled, "I hadn't spoken to her in forever and frankly, I don't ever plan to."
"What about Schnozmo? He can't stay in jail! Can't we do something?"
"I've been saving up portions of my income to cover his bail, but unless you want to ask someone about money, then I don't know what to tell you, Cosmo.", Chelsea sighed, "Guess he'll see your child when they're 12 or 13."
"B-But he'll be missing out!"
"Believe me, Cosmo. I'm doing everything I can but his bail is set for $40,000 and at the rate I'm earning, Schnzomo might have grown a beard by the time I get the money.", Chelsea groaned, "Not to mention, y daily expenses that I have o pay. You know, to eat and live somewhere other than Mama's?"
"W-Well, I can try and talk to her if you want me to. She's not happy with me right now either."
"Really? I thought you were the favorite golden child!", Chelsea snarked, half jokingly, half serious.
"Hey! It's not like I asked to be!", Cosmo snapped, "She's mad at me because I got upset when I went to get lunch with her and dad. She didn't like the idea that I still love my wife."
"Hey, it's your funeral pal.", Chelsea said, "Alright, I gotta go. My next gig is starting soon and I gotta get my make up on. Let me know when the baby shower is and I'll try to be there, even I I gotta avoid Mama."
"I will. Take care.", Cosmo said, before handing up the phone and sinking down in his sink. He dug his fingers thought his hair and allowed his face to rest on his palms. Out of all the things that could happen now, why did someone have to be in jail? He wanted to cry, but could not muster up the energy at that point.
Ever since he found out about the child, Cosmo felt his life was getting more and more pitiful. He shrank in his seat, unable to keep himself from hyperventilating. It was all too much at one time. He felt sweat coming down on his back, even though the AC was running almost perfectly in the house, and the body was shaking, his head pounding as if he were getting clocked multiple times.
"Honey? Are you alright? What's wrong?", Wanda's voice rang, though Cosmo wasn't able to acknowledge it. His mind was too busy racing and thinking about both his brother and having to deal with his mother again, even going as far to ask her for some money, "Sweetheart, come on."
Cosmo felt soft, feminine hands gently guide him up and towards their room, stroking his back softly.
"Cosmo, come on. You need to breathe.", Wanda instructed, demonstrating so that he would follow. Cosmo did as he was told, though it came out as shorter, and choppier than a relaxed breath. "Don't worry about anything. Just focus on your breathing."
"W-Wanda I-"
"Breathe first. Then we'll talk."
After a few more minutes, Cosmo's breathing finally started to slow down, and his body stopped shaking, though he would occasionally still twitch. After he stopped shaking, Wanda guided Cosmo to sit on their bed, worried that he would pass out at any minute.
"What's happened? Was that your mother on the phone?"
"No. It was my sister. Apparently, my brother is in jail and she's trying to bail him out."
"What? W-What's he in prison for?"
"Fraud and something else. Don't remember but it's really bad! She said she's been doing all she can to get him out, but his bond's too high.", Cosmo sighed, his shoulders tensing up again, "I said that I would try to talk to Mama about it, since she's the only person I know that can afford that much."
"I-I don't know if that's a good idea, Cosmo."
"I know but I don't know what to do anymore. I want him to be there for our baby, or at least meet him or her. I know I'm being selfish but it just seems like hardly anyone cares or loves the baby."
"I care and you care, don't you Cosmo?"
"Of course but I just don't think that's enough.", Cosmo cried, tears falling from his face once again, "I-I just want…I…want my family to love me."
"Aw honey I'm sorry.", Wanda sighed, hugging him, "Come on, let it out."
After she had said that, Cosmo essentially exploded in tears. His body was too small to keep holding in his emotions, so he lost control and just cried and cried. A little while later, his father knocked on the door and asked if they were alright before Wanda told him yes and to just head home, and after everyone else had went home, Cosmo finally stopped crying.
"Sweetheart, if you want, I'll try to talk to her.", Wanda offered, "But all this stressing out you've been doing isn't good for the baby. If you're not careful, you'll hurt them."
"I know, but I need to talk to her. I'm the only one she'll at least listen to.", he sighed, lying down at the head of the bed, "But would you come with me? Please?"
"If that will get you to relax."
Once everyone went home, Cosmo and Wanda decided to turn in early for the evening. Since it was only 7:30, Cosmo had opted to pay for a Supreme Pizza while Wanda popped on a Romance film for the two of them to watch. Occasionally, Wanda would ask Cosmo how he was doing and while the shaking and crying had stopped, Cosmo still squirmed slightly in the bed and whined softly. Wanda groaned when the movie finished and she shut off the light, barely getting any sleep herself that night.
The next morning, Cosmo found himself barely able to eat much more than bland toast and oatmeal for breakfast. Wanda tried to offer some comfort words but found herself feeling just as antsy as Cosmo was. Not much she could say would help Cosmo relax in the slightest. They would just have to go over there and get it over with.
After they had attempted to eat, they both got in the shower and tried to make themselves look somewhat presentable, wearing their usual clothing. Cosmo didn't even bother trying to cover up his bump, considering there wasn't much that would. When they got dressed, Wanda held on to Cosmo as he poofed them in front of her house and knocked on the door, praying that she was in a somewhat decent move.
"What..Who's there? What do you want?", Mama Cosma's voice groaned, making Cosmo's body tense up again. He was so stressed out that he almost forgotten that she had been drinking, "Cosmo?"
"Hi Mama."
"Oh. So I guess you're finally ready to apologize to me, huh? After what you said at lunch?', she sneered before noticing Wanda, "Oh? Are you hear to back him up as well?"
"Mama look," Cosmo sighed, "I'm sorry for what I said at lunch, ok? Can we just drop it?"
"I don't know. You didn't seem sincere in THAT apology, mister."
"Look, we really need to talk to you about something else. Can we just come in?", Wanda asked impatiently. Mama Cosma sneered at Wanda before shielding her eyes and rubbing her head.
"I suppose so but only because the sun is giving me a damn headache.", she moaned, bringing the pair inside the living room, "Linnie, get me my aspirin and make it snappy. I'm going to the store soon and I don't want the light to hurt my head even more."
Cosmo heard his father squeak in submission before watching him scurry to their medicine cabinet.
"So what do you want, Cosmo, since you're not hear to apologize?", Mama Cosma asked, tapping her foot.
"Have you heard from Schnozmo and Chelsea at all?"
"Not since they moved out.", she groaned before her glare deepened, "Why?"
"W-well uh...Chelsea called me yesterday while we were getting the baby's room set up and I found out..", Cosmo took a deep breathe, "Schnozmo's in jail."
"Heh..can't say I'm surprised."
"Wait what?"
"It was only a matter of time, if I'm being completely honest with you Cosmo.", Mama Cosma said, though her haughty look did not fade away, "What for? Did Chelsea mention anything?"
"Fraud was one of them."
"Figures.", Mama Cosma snorted, "Given your brother's history, it was only a matter of time before the law came up. I still remember the night I found out he snuck to a casino with her friends after prom."
"Yeah. You screamed and cursed him out for all he was worth. That was why he left home."
"I had enough of it, alright? If you recall, that definitely wasn't the first time he ever stole or lie to me either.", Mama Cosma said before arching an eyebrow, "Why are you even bringing this up?"
"I was wondering…", Cosmo hesitate for a second, before he felt Wanda squeeze his shoulder, despite Mama Cosma's icy glare, "If you could help pay his bail."
"Oh, you want me to waste my money on someone that's just going to keep lying and stealing from me? Why should I help him?"
"He's your son! A-And I want him to be there w-w-when the baby's born.", Cosmo stuttered, his voice getting higher pitched as he spoke, "He deserves to meet the baby."
"I don't give a damn! He stopped being my son the instant he left this house!", Mama Cosma snarled before turning towards the hall, "What's taking so long with that pill? Do you want me to have a stroke, Linnie?"
Cosmo felt himself getting more and more nervous as they sat on the couch, tears threatening to spill once more. But he kicked himself slightly, trying to keep himself from crying once more. He wouldn't get anywhere if he decided to break down and bawl once more. As the 3 sat in silence a few more minutes, Papa Cosmo had finally managed to make his way over with his wife's pills and a bottle of water.
"H-Here you are, dear. I'm sorry for taking so long.", he whimpered, taking a seat next to her.
"About time. My head is getting worse!", she complained, snatching the medicine and the water, taking 2 pills before slamming them on the oak coffee table, "Cosmo, why don't you tell your father what your brother had been up to."
"I..uh..", Cosmo stammered.
"Hang on! This is supposed to be a private conversation! Mr. Cosma, would you excuse us for a while?", Wanda asked, receiving a nod from Papa Cosmo. But as soon as he sat down, Wanda saw Mama Cosma yank down his sweater, forcing him to sit back down.
"No, I really do think you need to hear this, Linnie. Go on, Cosmo."
"Dad..uh.."
"Spit it out, Cosmo!"
"He's in jail dad. I'm sorry.", Cosmo whimpered, trying to avoid his father's eyes as much as he could. Wanda glared at Mama Cosma while stoking her husband's back, also avoiding his father's look.
"I told you. I. Told. You. He would make nothing of himself one of these days.", Mama Cosma started, "All the times you would get upset when I spanked his little butt and trying to reason with him after he snuck out. That's what got him where he is. Are you proud?"
"Mama stop it! It's not his fault!", Cosmo cried, before meeting his father's ghost white face.
"See, that's what happens when you're too soft on children. They believe they are entitled to the world and end up walking all over you like you're a welcome mat.", Mama Cosma ranted before turning on Cosmo, "Much like our youngest here, as well. Asking for bail money..pfft…"
"You know what, Nora? All you had to say was no.", Wanda snapped, "You don't have to yell and you don't have to make your husband and son feel like shit! If you don't want to help, then all you need to say is no! Nothing else!"
"Fine! No I'm not paying for my ungrateful son's bail money! He's just going to steal from me again anyways!"
"Fine then! Cosmo, let's get out of here.", Wanda snarled, making her way towards the door. As she reached for the knob however, she didn't feel his presence right next to her like she normally did, "Cosmo?"
Cosmo was frozen on his spot, a massive stream of tears coming from his eyes as he stared at his mother and father. He stared at his father's helpless and tear-stained face before swapping to his mother's angered look, almost like when they had their lunch. He hugged his knees and tried to breathe, though he barely had any control over it.
"Well? You got something else to say to me, Cosmo? Or did you just come here to waste my time and money?", she snapped, though received no answer. Cosmo clutched his chest and stomach as he felt another pounding feeling, and his abdomen started cramping a lot more that normal.
"C-Cosmo? Are you alright?", Papa Cosmo sniffed, as Wanda made her way back. Once again, no response. Instead his body kept shaking, and Cosmo's attention was focused on the floor, clutching his head and hyperventilating, really really hard.
"Cosmo? Come on, remember your breathing from last night.", Wanda whispered, though also not getting a response. He kept trying to plug out the people around him, before eventually, he found himself feeling weaker and more lightheaded. The last thing he heard before fainting was his father and wife screaming his way, pleading for him to stay awake for them.
