A Mother and Father's Love

Willow, Charlee, Fiona, and Desiree said nothing as they arrived back at the brothers’ home. With a blank expression, Fiona looked at them.

"We can leave if you want.”

Fabian unable to look in his favorite pair of eyes, so void of emotion and brightness, said nothing but shook his head no. Her eyes saddened at his inability to meet her eyes, and she turned and walked towards his room. The other three followed, each not saying anything to one another. As they watched their *wives* disappear upstairs, Callum called his parents, who sat and listened intensely to each of them tell of the events of the night. After, Eva rose and went upstairs to find all of them, one by one.

Walking into Waylon’s room, Eva waited patiently for Willow to exit the bathroom. And upon seeing Eva, Willow's eyes glassed over. Eva stood and extended her arms, and Willow hesitantly walked into them breaking down with each step she took, as she thought about her parents who were no longer with her.

"I’m so sorry…” Willow repeated over and over as she cried into Eva’s arms and Eva knew the sorry wasn’t to her, but to her mom and dad.

"They know and I know they are proud of you, I’m proud of you.” She whispered, and Willow began to cry again because all they did was love her, even continuing knowing it would lead to their death. And hearing Eva say the words of her father, without her reading the note, gave Willow a small sense of hope that perhaps the words were really true. Willow felt a slow warmth spread through her from Eva's magic. Eva escorted her to the bed and tucked her in.

"Get some rest.” She smiled at her and Willow soon heard the door close. And before she knew it, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Finding Charlee, Eva went into the room and laid on the bed beside her. Pulling Charlee in her arms, Eva kissed the top of her head. And because it was the first form of motherly affection she’d ever had, Charlee sobbed silently, hugging Eva as tightly as she could. Because as much as she wanted to hate her mother, she’d longed for her love, so much so she’d convinced herself that allowing her abuse, was the only way to get it. She’d never known what a hug from a mother felt like, and as she held onto Eva, she found herself wishing more than anything she’d been blessed with a mom like her. As if she could hear her thoughts, Eva spoke to Charlee.

"You know, I was never given a daughter, but if I had been, I would have been so honored to have one like you.” Charlee inhaled sharply, as she felt the warmth from Eva's magic."“Rest,” she heard her whisper, and she clung onto her as they both began to count.

"30…29…28…” Charlee was asleep before they got to one.

Fiona sat on the floor of Fabian's room. She looked up to the ceiling completely in a daze. As she felt Eva place her head on her shoulder, her breath caught in her throat.

“He told you?” Fiona asked quietly and Eva nodded. Fiona couldn’t look at her. Eva felt Fiona's tears fall onto her. "My dad was never around. It was always me and my mom and she died before she could find me…and I’m kinda happy she did, because if she hadn’t she would have to see how disgus-” Fiona covered her mouth and closed her eyes.

"He was disgusting, not you. You are strong, brave and so kindhearted. I know she thought you were amazing then and would have loved to see how you’ve become even more amazing now.” Eva's words permeated her soul.

She’d worked through her own therapy, helped so many others, but the haunting thought of how disappointed her mom would have been in her, kept her stuck in her recovery. And even though Eva wasn’t her mother, just hearing that made her feel a sense of healing. Because her mother had always called her amazing when she was younger, and Eva- a mother and woman she admired, thought she was amazing too.

"I’m going to stay down here for a while.” Fiona sad finally.

Nodding Eva hugged her and used her magic to make her fall asleep. Placing a blanket over her, she saw a bit of peace on Fiona’s face.

Eva held her chest and prepared to talk to Desiree. She entered and saw Desiree's legs to her chest rocking back and forth. At the sight of Eva, she quickly wiped her eyes.

"Sorry, you had to see me look like such a mess. Give me a minute, I’ll be right back.”

Eva grabbed her before she could make it to the bathroom and turned her to face her. Saying nothing, she waved her hand and produced a makeup wipe. She wiped the streaked makeup from Desiree’s face and smiled when it was all gone.

"With or without it, you look wonderful.” She pointed to her chest, "But your big heart and what’s inside of you is what I adore the most.”

Desiree grabbed onto Eva, the words making her cry. Because Eva, who hardly knew her, saw the one thing she longed for others to see. Not her perfect teeth, her flawless skin, and makeup. Not the way she strategically picked out everything she wore. Not the fact that she kept every strand of her hair in place at all times, but because she had a good heart, even after it stopped beating. And now she had five people who knew that, and it meant more to her than the thousands of comments about how perfect she was.

"Your body needs rest.”

Desiree nodded and returned to the bed. And as she drifted off to bed, she murmured to Eva, "Thank you for seeing me.”

Eva smiled, "Thank you for allowing me to.”

Making her way down the steps, Eva saw her husband's back tensed. Placing her arm on his shoulder, he didn’t flinch as his red eyes bore into his sons, who avoided his gaze. "You four are the most fucking selfish-”

"What’s going on?”

He pointed, "Tell your mother.”

Callum as always was the first to speak, "W-we don’t want to go upstairs.”

Eva cut her eyes. "Why?”

"Because tonight they were insane! And we don’t know what to say to them, finding out all of that was too much.”

Alaric saw his wife's eyes redden, "You deal with this because if I do, I’m going to kill them.” Saying nothing else, Eva left her sons with their father.

He stared at them hard, “Was it too much when you showed them the extent of your powers and they asked to see your true form and loved you for it? WAS IT TOO MUCH when they had to hear about your second test, knowing there was a chance you wouldn’t have chosen them? To learn that you’re not only supernatural but who your family is. TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE THE FOUR FUCKING HORSEMEN and that you can destroy everything they’ve ever known.”

Declan closed his eyes and shook his head, "No…”

Alaric scoffed, "Because the responsibility of acceptance, wasn’t yours to bear. Your scars became their scars, and yet you dare to tell me, you can’t do the same for them.” He gave them a look of pure disgust. "Fix it and fix it now. Because if I ever hear you say something so callous and disgusting again, I’m going to personally destroy these unions.”

Fabian's eyes widened, "What?”

"You heard me. You four don’t deserve them if you can’t give them the same that they’ve given to you. And they don’t deserve to have to hide their scars, because you think they are *too much*”

Replaying their words in their minds, the brothers realized how disgusting they truly were. Because they’d been privy to hidden pain that no one else knew. And when theirs were bared, they had been accepted, and now they saw their *wives* it was their turn to do the same.

Alaric huffed loudly, "You’ve been so focused on you; you’ve missed what was right in front of your damn face. They LITERALLY told you their secrets and pain, you just were too wrapped in yours to pay attention.”

He stepped in and poked Waylon in the chest, "GET UP THEM DAMN STEPS AND PAY. ATTENTION. I never agree with my father, but this time he was right for what he did tonight. WHAT'S TOO MUCH is the true ugly that was shown tonight and it's not coming from upstairs. It’s from my four sons that have completely disappointed me and their mother.”

Eva rejoined them, and glared hard at her sons, remaining silent before the two vanished. They looked to one another, shame boring into their hearts. One by one, they exited the living room, and made their way to the wings. To fix what they’d almost broken and learn what it means to love others outside of family, unconditionally.