Hours passed and soon enough, the kids were coming home just in time for dinner. The first to walk through the door was surprisingly Hanami.

"Hello, Hanami. How was school?" I asked.

"It was fine." Said closing the door. She looked at me for a few seconds but quickly looked away.

"Dammit.'

"Hair looks nice." Before I could reply, she was already headed for her room.

"Ok..." I said under my breath. "She's still mad at me..."

Right after her, Shinachiku walked into the door.

"Hello, Shina-chan. Ah, how was school today?" I asked for the second time.

"It was fine. I have homework so..." He said closing the door.

"O-Oh ok go ahead but tell your sister that dinner is almost finished. We're having Yakatori, requested by your brother.

Ok, I'll tell-whoa. Y-Your hair..."

"Oh yeah. I ah decided it was time for a change hehe."

"It looks nice..."

Thanks..." That same awkward feeling from this morning settled once again in the atmosphere. I hated this feeling so much. I just wish it'd go away sooner...

"Well, I have to go do...homework. I'll see you at dinner..." He said and left.

After he was out of sight, I leaned towards the countertop and took a breath. 'At least we had a conversation...that's an improvement from this morning.'

A few minutes later, dinner was ready so I set the table up. I fixed their food in their eating places and fixed them their drinks. I decided to go to their room instead of calling out for them. As I got closer, I could hear them talking... about me? I leaned my ear against the door so I could hear better.

"I don't why she's acting so weird all of sudden. First, she was crying all the time, then she yelled at us yesterday, and now she's acting like she's sincere about it. I'm not stupid Shinachiku." I heard Hanami said.

"Hanami..." I mumbled

"How do you know that she isn't? Maybe she...maybe she realized she was wrong yesterday and is trying to better the situation...?" I heard Shinachiku say.

'Yes! that's exactly what I'm trying to to do!'

"Then how come she hasn't apologized yet? Hm?" She questioned.

"First of all, we just got to the house. Plus, I think she's giving us some space which is the right thing to do considering what you did this morning..." He said.

"...I guess. I just..." I heard her sigh. "I just hope that she realizes and apologize soon..."

"I hope so too..."

I pulled away from the door frame. I wiped the stray tears falling from my eyes and headed back towards the kitchen.

'Did this similar conversation happen in the past? Did they really wait for me to apologize?' I thought.

I grabbed a paper towel, dried my eyes, and called the kids for dinner.

"K-Kids," my voice cracked in the process. "Dinner's ready!"

All of them came out and took their seats. I helped Arashi into his little booster seat and sat down myself. There was so much tension so I decided to strike up a conversation.

"So uh I visited your aunt Ino today."

"Oh yeah?" Hanami said sounding the least interested.

"Yeah, we caught up together. It's been such a long time since we've seen each other so I just thought I'd visit her..."

"That's cool I guess..." She said.

I turned my attention to Shinachiku "So Shina-chan, what kind of homework did you have? Do you need ant help?"

"No, but I'll let you know." He said giving me a quick fake smile.

"Ah ok..."

The rest of the dinner was quiet and full of tension. Hanami was the first to finish her food and put her dishes in the sink. Obviously, from the conversation I overheard and her actions, she still needed time.

The second to finish was Arashi-chan who made his way over the playroom after finishing his portion of the meal.

All that was left at the table was Shinachiku and I. I took this opportunity to have a talk with him.

"Shina-chan, do you think we can talk?"

He looked up from eating his food and had shocked expression on his face. "Y-Yeah sure..."

A wave of relief overflowed my body. He really wants to talk.

"I don't know how to start this but...first I just wanna say that I'm so so sorry for the way I acted yesterday. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting before then. You guys didn't deserve to be yelled at, especially like that. I was knee-deep in grief and my state of mind wasn't right at all and I'm sorry you all had to witness and experience that. It was very selfish of me to say that you don't know what it's like because you do. You lost a father. Someone just as meaningful as a husband..." I said. I heard little sniffles and looked over to him, making eye contact.

"Mom..." I wiped the tears the were gently falling. "I forgive you. And I'm sorry I said those things-"

"No. Don't apologize for what you've said. I deserved that. You had every right to be upset and disappointed with me." I reassured. He nodded his head and pulled in for a hug which surprised me.

"Thank you for realizing your mistakes and apologizing." He said.

"Thank you for forgiving me," I said hugging him tighter. A minute later, we separated from each other's arms.

"So when are you going to talk to Hanami?" He asked.

"When she's ready. And by the looks of it, not right now. I don't want to make matters worse by coming in too premature." I explained

"You're going to make it worse if you wait any longer. You need to talk to her. She's the most hurt by this considering she was the closest with Dad. And your words..."

"I know. I know... I'll try to get through to her tomorrow. It's Saturday tomorrow so I'll see if I can talk to her in the morning."

"Thanks." He said getting up putting his dishes in the sink. He walked back over to me and gave me a hug. "Goodnight Mom. Love you..."

"I love you too..." I suddenly giving him a peck and the cheek and letting him go.

'That went well...'