The teapot on Linnie's stove brewed loudly, emitting a long squeal in the background as Cosmo sunk in his father's velvet couch, lying on his stomach with his face down, his green hair rustled messily all over the fabric. Darren had headed home for the evening, so Linnie had poured the tea into two cups and placed them down on the coffee table gently, before sitting himself next to Cosmo and rubbing his back softly.

"Cosmo..I-I'm so sorry, but I just felt like you needed to know.", Linnie said softly, "Won't you get up for me? Please?"

Linnie heard some mumbling from Cosmo's end, but couldn't decipher what he said until he finally sat up, clear tear-stain marks on his cheeks, breaking Linnie's heart further.

"How could I have been so stupid?", Cosmo asked, not even daring to stare his father in the eye.

"Now Cosmo, you aren't stu-"

"I-I never thought she'd dare do this to me. I thought what we had was special. How could I be so stupid to fall for all of that?", Cosmo continued, before sulking back into the couch, "Who could blame her anyways. No one wants someone like me. Mama didn't even want me. I was stupid to believe people actually loved me."

"N-Now now Cosmo, there are people that love you, ok? I love you very much, and I'm sure Cassia and Poof love you too. In their own way too, I suppose Darren and Chelsea love you too, even if they don't necessarily show it.", Linnie consoled, "Cosmo, I promise there are people that love you and cherish you. It's just that sometimes, other people can't see what value you bring to them. Why, I bet Wanda's been thinking about you while she was with that other guy."

"How do you know? Can you read minds?"

"Well..I…no, I can't sweetie. But I do know that once you've met someone, it's very hard to get them off your mind.", Linnie explained, "Sometimes I still think about your mother in a way."

"Why? After all the crap she's put you through? You're not saying you MISS her treating you like that? Are you kidding me? You sure Mama is the only alcoholic in this family?", Cosmo snapped, making Linnie jump back, that last comment stinging.

"W-Well it's just…sometimes I wonder if things could have been different between her and I. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't left u all for 3,000 years, or maybe do something to keep her happy. I-I don't want to tell you how to feel however. I'm sure you're crushed. All this after 10,000 years?"

"15", Cosmo corrected, before flopping back down on the couch, "I just don't know why. Why does she hate me all of the sudden?"

"When did she say she hated you? Did you two ever get in fight recently?"

"Not really, but she's been acting different around me after I had to have that surgery at the hospital. She never wants to snuggle with me anymore, and she gives me a list of demands and chores to do while she's gone, like I'm some sort of house husband! Well, technically I am…", Cosmo droned on and on as Linnie listened patiently, "She never calls me honey or sweetie anymore like she used to. Hell, I'm lucky if she even calls me by my name. It's always, Hey you…"

"Well, that's not very polite.", Linnie frowned, but continued to listen. Cosmo sighed.

"It's not even just that. She's gotten so cold towards the kids too. Cassia came home with a C+ the other day on her history report that Wanda was helping her study, an she complained and complained about how Cassia could have done better, and wondering what areas she rushed on. She was yelling the entire time too, and I was afraid she was going to hit her, so I had to step in and get Wanda away from her."

"Oh dear me, poor Cassia. Is she alright? Why didn't you call me? Wanda didn't hit her did she? I could have helped her.", Linnie asked.

"I didn't think it was wise of me to bring you in the fight, when I needed to deal with it myself-"

"Yes, but Cassia didn't deserve that kind of treatment."

"I know. That's why I had to take her away.", Cosmo went on, "And she never wants to play with Poof anymore either. She's always brushing him off for some reason. I just don't get what we did wrong."

"Do you want me to have a talk with her?", Linnie asked, though he had a slight glare on his face that intimidated Cosmo slightly. Although his voice was soft and calm, Linnie's aura seemed to darken around him, and Cosmo could have sworn he was his pupils shrink a bit.

"Cassia?"

"No dear. Wanda."

"Oh. Uh…probably not the best time.", Cosmo said nervously, "Oh shoot…I think they're about to get the kids on the bus. I better go.."

"Wait Cosmo.", Linnie placed his hand gently on Cosmo's shoulder, sitting him back down, "Let me get them. I'd like for you all to stay with me for a little bit."

"What why?"

"Because I don't want the kids going through the same torment you and I have been through.", Linnie said, getting up, "Do you know when Wanda will be back?"

"Dad, please don't say anything to her. I don't want her to lash out again.", Cosmo pleaded, the last three words ringing into Linnie's veins, "I mean…"

"I understand. I'll be right back Cosmo."

Luckily for Linnie, he didn't meet Wanda after he had arrived back on Cosmo's front porch, awaiting the kids' arrival. But the longer he waited on them to get here, the more upset and unsettled he was by Wanda's actions.

Of course, Linnie couldn't help but feel like it was partially his fault as well. Because he was too scared to deal with things regarding the way Nora treated them, Linnie was now seeing the cycle beginning to repeat itself, represented by Wanda threatening to hit Cassia for a 'low grade'. Linnie worried that if he didn't deal with this now, that in the future, Poof or Cassia might have to deal wit the same kind of abuse with their future lovers, and the thought of that just ached Linnie's heart.

Before he could get too deep into thought, Linnie heard the sound of an engine purring as a yellow bus appeared next to the driveway, dropping Poof and Cassia off, both with somewhat shocked faces. Linnie smiled warmly at them.

"Hi there! Aww, I missed you both so much!", Linnie squeaked, kneeling down to hug both of them. Cassia laughed slightly."

"Grandpa Cosma..We saw you two weeks ago! What are you doing here?"

"Well, your daddy sent me here. He's over at my house right now, since your mother isn't home. She's gone on another one of your grandfather's business meetings. Did she tell you?"

"No. Mom doesn't really tell us these things as much anymore.", Cassia said, with a slightly solemn tone in her voice. Linnie rustled her hair gently.

"Well, why don't we all head over to my place and have dinner? I plan on making a lemon parmesan pasta with shrimp tonight, and maybe a small salad so you kids can have some vegetables.", Linnie said gently, "There's..uhm…a couple of things we need to talk about anyways."

"Like what?"

"Well..Cosmo told me what happened with the history report, and I'm just concerned. Uhm…here, why don't you two go in and grab your PJs and a change of clothes? You'll need them for tonight?"

"We're not coming back home?", Cassia asked. Linnie shook his head gently.

"Not tonight. I think right now, we need to give your mother a little space. Now come on. I think you're father is going to get worried soon.