"If you need anything, you know you can call me." She spoke as we near our place whilst she pulled the car to the curb, turning the engine off after.

"Thanks ... for sucking up with me, you're the best." I utter, giving her a hug as she did one as well.

"I guess I'm stuck with you forever." She mutters jokingly while we laughed along.

Climbing out of the car, I do a quick wave of goodbye and with a grin on her face, she started to drive and took off. As she left, I walk towards home as the entryway came into view while I happen to see Matheo's car parked on the garage and luckily my parent's car was out of sight, I pushed the doors opened and a relief the house felt silent indicating they were still at the office. Hearing the approach of footsteps coming downstairs, comes Theo on my sight. He was walking casually with a stern expression on his face basically expecting it was our parents but when he saw me downstairs with goggly-eyes, admiring him from afar. His face lights up, smiling genuinely as he took the stairs in a second, an eager feeling had settled within seeing I was around and we get to spend the time together at this moment.

"I was wondering if I should pick you up, the meeting surprisingly ended up early." He spoke as he approached me, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

A gesture greeting of his that had become my favorite.

"Hmm, missing me already?" I teased, wrapping my arms around his torso while I look up at him.

"You don't even know." He smirks, a playful smile on his face as he stares into my eyes while I sigh comfortably, loving the feeling.

"Tired?" He mutters, holding me by the waist caressing me on my lower back.

"Tired, but never of you." I playfully replied and although it sounded cheesy, he was laughing from my comment.

"How about we take dinner and then get some sleep for the night." He suggested, looking at me intently.

"Yeah, sounds good. I think it's from my pregnancy, I've been a turtle for the pass few days." I utter, knowing how well I love to sleep and tiredness is a friend.

He smiles and he lowered his eyes, places a hand carefully on my belly caressing it on the process and with his gentle hands, how his eyes had the look of adoration, a soft smile plastered on his face as his features softened. My heart warmed from the sight before me, whilst I lovingly stare as he took his time feeling my belly.

"I bet our little angel is making you tired." He spoke a thought out loud, a lopsided smile on his face.

And I couldn't help but to beam at the words that came out of his mouth masking the tears that were about to come. Laughing softly while he never took his eyes off my belly, letting him be as he was admiring it with his eyes and was touching it gently.

"What do you think our little angel would be? A baby girl or a boy?" I said, curious as to what he thinks.

"Anything with the two, as long as you have a successful delivery and the baby's healthy. That's all that matters." He sternly spoke, with sincerity in his eyes as his eyes were back on me.

I flash him a smile, reaching out to caress his cheek and he leans in into my touch giving it a peck while he held my hand on his cheek. As my heart accelerated and the overflowing of emotions came in, making it a hard task for me not to cry. Knowing he was far from the idea of being a typical father who would like to already have the specific gender for the baby, he was more concerned about how my pregnancy will do.

Like I knew it coming, the tears were at bay and with the countless thoughts that I had of him, I cried right here and then but I hastily try to flutter my eyelashes, wrinkling my nose while I slightly tilt my head back trying to keep my emotions on control, actually looking like was on crack.

"Cleo, baby. Are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" He noticed surprising him, voice laced with concern and the next thing I knew his arms were engulfing me into an embrace, rubbing my back gently as I cried like a love sick puppy.

"Nothing, just tears of joy." Able to come up with a response through my relentless sob session.

This irrational fear of not being capable to handle the situation of me getting pregnant at all was the first big question that came into my mind. But Matheo, he was the strongest support system that I had and whenever I had doubts that I encounter along the way, he never failed to remind me that he was always present and to see him as invested as he is and the way his eyes would always show the depth of love that he had for me and our baby, I know he'd be a great father.

He gave me quick kisses, wrapping his arms around me tightly while he lightly rocked as back and forth easing me into comfort as my cries had slowly died down, and came hiccups and a tired inner being in need of food and some good sleep.

He chuckles knowing how well I'd been near crazy from the effects of my pregnancy. Though he lovingly smiles at me, making me giddy and I thought if I wasn't on a tired state, I would willingly choose to do a quickie. But the grumble on my stomach proves otherwise, I might have to choose the latter the next day.

"Come, I know you badly need to eat." He had an understanding smile as he leads me towards the kitchen.

Throughout the night he made it more easier and comfortable to be on my situation, always attentive and eager to help and support me. I came to notice that ever since I got pregnant, I've been a wrecking ball of emotions, up to the point that I was tiring myself out too. At first I was hot, the next thing I was cold and these emotions were out of hand playing at me. I thought I was about to go fucking crazy at this point of time but then I realized, I already was.

Touché.

"Are you sure you could eat the whole thing?" A playful smile on his face, watching me while I ate a couple of the beef stir-fry.

When I mean a couple, it was almost the entire beef that I persisted to be placed on my platter.

"Definitely." I replied shortly, caught up in savoring my dinner.

"Now, that was one good dinner." I add, after finally finishing the meal in no time, as it made me satisfied.

"I'm surprised." He spoke and he chuckles, while I also couldn't even believe for myself that I ate the whole meal, I was basically starting to eat for two.

"You'd be surprised of what my mouth can do, I mean ... when I come to eat." I innocently respond, acting oblivious when I was basically being a tease.

"I know you can, very well even. But are you suggesting Cleo?" With a sly smile, he spoke in a serious manner and he was staring at me intently, making me squirm on my seat.

"I don't know, be my guess." I briefly respond, as I stood leaving him the anticipation while I took my plate on the sink.

When I turn around, he was already in front of me and hands were around my waist in a second drawing me in. We both slowly move in our faces closer, as his lips touched mine I kissed him delicately till he was sliding his tongue into my mouth, while he was kissing me back gently. He cups my face and strokes my cheek, a smile grew on our faces and the feeling of warmth radiates from our touch.

"Cleo?"

Shit.

My mother's voice was filled with uncertainty, the fact that I was facing the other way around and she was not quiet sure if it was actually me. But when we finally pulled apart, eyes locked onto each other as he slightly nods assuring me for we were about to really do it.

This was it, this was the moment of truth. I thought.

Then I slowly turn around to face her, and when she was able to recognize me and the puzzles were solved, as she just caught her daughter was hooking up with his step brother. Her mouth dropped open as she stared in disbelief and took a sharp intake of breath.

"What is this all about? What is the meaning of this?" Her voice was shaking and it was becoming hard for her to keep her voice low as she was about panic.

"Mom, I can explain–"

"Please! Explain, cleo. Is this what I think it is?! God, don't let me be right." I can tell she was about to lose her temper but I knew mom, she avoids to act on impulse and to much of my advantage I was about eagerly explain hoping I'd convince her.

"Mom, I ... yes, you're right. Matheo and I are not just fooling around but were actually together." With a shaking voice and my heart beating loudly from the anxiety, I managed to clearly speak out the truth, straight to the point but I never mentioned the part of my pregnancy, it was not just the right time for me to. Not yet.

"Is this true? How long?" She said, but her eyes weren't fixated on me anymore as she was staring way too hard on Theo. I couldn't even believe my mother was capable of seeing such hatred, not until now that I had betrayed her.

"Yes, ever since the first week that you two moved in and up unto this present." He respond, a sincere expression on his face as he was willing to answer and explain the truth.

"God! Why?! Out of all the fucking people Cleo, you chose to be with your step brother!" She raised her voice and I can see she was on the verge of tears. She was mad, disappointed even.

"Mom, I'm sorry–"

"Your sorry will not fix anything Cleo! it's too late! you have disappointed me enough." She spat, brows furrowed while she was breathing heavily as tears streamed down on her face.

Although her words stung, I did my best to recover as I swallowed a lump down my throat, trying to keep my emotions in place, taking full responsibility of my actions and the consequences.

"It's final, you're going to live with your father, until you grow up and make some right decisions in life!" She asserted, wiping the tears away when I wished I could comfort her to calm down.

And she strode across the dining room towards us, forcefully grabbing me by my arm as she tried to drag me along with her. I resisted, putting up as much strength that I can muster.

"Mom, stop! I'm not going!" I cried out, not letting her be.

But my mother kept dragging me while I stayed put though it didn't fazed her to stop, it made her more persistent. Instantly Matheo was in my way, trying to get my mother to stop but she was nowhere near the idea of calming down.

"Please, celia. You're hurting her." He utters sincerely, without a hint of madness and I could have fainted on the floor right now of what my eyes just saw.

Matheo wasn't impulsive as I thought, even in the brink of a huge melt down in the family he still had the patience and the eagerness to act appropriately and by not getting all, caveman on my mother. While he puts a hand on my arm, breaking us apart to which he successfully did without hurting any of us in the process, he stands in front of me blocking me from my mother.

"We can explain, just please hear us out." He said then he looks back at me, placing his hands on my arms as his eyes studied me intently.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concerned and like he was ready to take me outside, far away from the reality.

I was about to reply, when my mom barged into us taking me by surprise as she held me by my arm and pulls me towards her again. Keeping her silence, but the anger in her eyes did tell a lot for me think of.

"Mom! I'm not going anywhere!" I snapped and I broke free as I tried to give an impatient wriggle.

She seemed to stop, an unreadable expression on her face. "What did you just say?" She asked, sternly.

"I'm not going mom, I'm staying." My voice was low but I had to get it out, explain my thought out loud as much as I can.

"How dare you defy me? Your own mother?!" She yelled, her nostrils flared.

"Mom, please." I trailed off and I didn't even know what to do but I kept on thinking as I was back in his arms and I this is where I definitely wanted to be.

In the middle of the argument, Chris came just in time and a look of confusion and questions have surrounded his features.

"Celia, what's happening?" He spoke in a low voice like he was trying to figure out the situation.

"You ask your son." She spat, a feeling of distaste was evident.

"Cleo and I are in a relationship." He said right away, facing both of our parents on a serious manner.

"Did I just heard that right? Huh?!" He exclaimed in disappointment. Great, as expected Chris was furious as well.

"Yes, I have my feelings for her." My breath hitched from the feeling that came rushing down on my body whilst they were startled, taken aback of the statement.

Before I knew it, his father's fist had strike him on his jaw causing him to stumble and with a loud groan from the impact.

"Theo!" I shrieked and went to his side as soon as I can, he managed to stay upright leaning on the table for support. While he had a hand on his jaw, a pained expression on his face. I knew that there was too much force inserted on that punch.

"Stop it! You're fucking hurting him!" I yelled boldly and he should be fucking glad that his son was still alive, it could have been fatal.

Overwhelmed by the situation that I haven't noticed that I was already crying. A slap to the face was the response that I hadn't seen it coming.

"You show us some respect! and I will not let you have your way on this!" She belted, as I just became the top disappointment of my mother for the year, though her whole life would do.

"And I will not let you hurt her, she might be your daughter but it doesn't give you the right to do what you want." He responds in a sudden, his stern expression had taken over his features putting an arm around me for protection and I was not to deny that the slap fucking burned, I was already having a stinging sensation.

I see his father was quick to react but my mother cuts him off to it. "You have disrespected me ever since you laid your hands on her!"

My world came to a stop when I felt nauseous so I ran for the hills and started to vomit on the sink just right on time. I was puking out all the food that I had taken in a while ago, hopefully my frustrations will do too. As the argument was about to level up and shit was about to hit the fan from another revelation. Matheo was on my side, caressing my back as I finished trying to empty my stomach.

"And don't fucking tell me." My mother's voice was came slow and meek, afraid as it dawned her.

"She's pregnant." Matheo interjected, then I saw the astound look on their faces.

"Oh my God! Chris!" She cried out and was about to drop on her knees but Chris already her by the waist, holding her as she weeped. Speechless as well to even form a word or let alone react.

While I couldn't help but to just cry for my mother, helpless knowing I'd cause her so much pain rather than relief and happiness. But I was nowhere turning back time, I love being with Theo and with this unborn baby that we get to call ours, there was no turning back.

"Have you absolutely lost your mind?!" She shouted, beyond furious.

"I love your daughter, Celia. And I take full responsibility of the baby, I take full responsibility of Cleo." He spoke with such sincerity, that our sobs were the only evident in which it seemed mom had listened for a while to what he was to say, that he professed his love for me and with a small smile on his lips at the end, I knew it was a breathe of relief for him to finally get through it.

"I had enough of this!" The words that mom only came up with, doubt had clouded her thoughts and she never looked at me the same.

"Your right mom, it's enough." I spoke keeping the tears to myself smiling sadly as it felt like the last goodbye, the realization I might not be able to see her and be with after this whole thing.

"Come." Theo softly spoke, reaching out out a hand to me and I willingly respond taking his hand and we walked away, leaving home with a heavy heart but a sense of relief that the situation was over.