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"Rita..! Your cheek, what happened-"

"Never mind it. Take Ryan and Phoebe... I need to talk to our other son."

"...Let me at least tend to your cheek, then you can-"

Rita found herself walking to the living room, barely able to contain the sheer rage she felt. She had tried her best to be a good mother.. Raising her twin boys and her and Xochitl's daughter, Phoebe, as well. Sure, she wasn't flawless, what parent was? But.. this... this was not only painful, but also... a bitter pill to swallow. When you learned your child did something they definitely should know better about... It was a bitter disappointment in feeling you did something wrong. Where did Rita go wrong, here? Either way, she would have to find out. And fix this. She did NOT want her oldest to do this again.

"Try not to be too harsh, Rita.."

She'd have to remember her wife's words.. As yeah, usually, Bryon was better about this. But this time.. Something happened. It had changed. Lately, Bryon had been acting a bit more rebellious and becoming a bit insufferable. Almost like he was trying to be someone he truly wasn't.. But being committed to it. He had even talked back to herself and Xochitl a few times, something he never used to do. Well, time to get to the bottom of this.

She saw him sitting on the couch, no longer acting like a big, tough guy.. But a scared, cowering child who knew he was in big trouble. It did sting Rita to see her son like this.. It truly did. She almost wanted to stop this, go, hug and reassure him. But sadly.. This.. had to keep going. He needed to learn. And she needed to know what drove her son to pull such a stunt to begin with.

She soon sat down next to Bryon, who flinched a bit at realizing he wasn't alone anymore. Rita crossed her arms, looking down at her oldest child. As much as she wanted to cool her anger, she had to talk while it was still there, so Bryon would get the severity.

"Bryon Rick Harris-Ambrose."

Hearing his full name uttered, Bryon gulped and began to tremble slightly. "M-Mom, I... I'm so-"

"There are no words that can properly describe how disappointed and angry I currently feel..! I can't believe you crossed such a line!" Rita barely gave him a chance to finish, and her own words had slipped out. She hadn't meant to sound that harsh but.. her own emotions were buzzed. She was mad. Sad. Scared. Disappointed. So many things at once. And it made her feel worse, she truly didn't want to be like this.

Bryon flinched once more and a small sob even managed to escape him before he could even stop it. That just made Rita's heart ache more. But she was too far in, she couldn't stop now. "What in the WORLD drove you to do this, Bryon? Do you realize just how reckless you were?! Dragging your friends, cousins and even your own siblings into such a dangerous situation?! Were you THAT desperate to look cool and get some ego boost?!"

Bryon felt a huge amount of shame enter him, looking away from his mother and shook more. "I-I... No, its j-just-"

""Just" what? Your attitude also has been out of line, lately, too! Talking back to me and Xochitl, acting like you're some big shot.. What has been YOUR DEAL?! I know we raised you, Ryan and Phoebe a LOT better than this! I expect a very VALID reason for this!"

Bryon gulped, he really hated how mad his mother was.. But she.. she was also right.. He just... had really began to be someone he truly wasn't. And he felt horrible for it. He mumbled something, his own emotions stirring up from everything. Rita felt some irritation, despite knowing he was at his limit but.. She had to push him for some answers.

"What was that?!"

And it was just the final push Bryon needed. "I-I WAS JUST TRYING TO PROVE I'M WORTHY OF BEING YOU SON!!!" He finally screamed, tears he had been trying to hold back finally spilling.

That made a lot of Rita's anger vanish. Some lingered, but not enough to keep her angered expression, instead.. transforming into a look of bewilderment. "...What?"

"Everyone at school.. They keep saying how you're so awesome and badass..! And yet, when they l-look at me, Ryan and Phoebe... They don't see us a-as being your kids! So... I-I.." Bryon dried his eyes with his sleeve. "...I gave into this stupid peer pressure..! Trying to show we're all your kids! I d-didn't even WANT to do what I-I did..!!" He began to sob, holding his head. "I would.. I would of never forgiven myself if Ryan and Phoebe got hurt! Or our friends..! Our cousins..! I just wanted to t-to be brave, t-too! I was... j-just trying to be like you, Mom..!!"

Rita sat there, shocked. Whatever rage she felt, it vanished instantly.. Now she was the one feeling shame. And guilt. She knew her reputation was a big one for anyone else to truly try to own up to or be similar to it. For her own child to feel he had to be just like her or even attempt to suppress it... That was just another bitter pill, as a parent, to take and figure out what to do from there. She sighed, closing her eyes, took a breath, opened her eyes and looked at her weeping son with more of a look of sympathy.

"...What... what you did.. Was neither brave or right.. it was beyond reckless, foolish and downright dangerous. But..." She looked at the floor. "...That doesn't excuse what you did. The fact you gave in at all... All you did was give into those words. You're better than that, Bryon, I know you are. You don't need to rush off into danger to prove yourself. That was just foolish."

"I-I know, Mom.." Bryon finally looked up at his mother, tears streaking his face. "But.. I've... n-never seen you scared. Not o-once... I thought.. I could be the same.." But he had been wrong. That whole time, he had frozen in place, like a deer in front of headlights. Had Rita not rushed in when she did, the situation would of been much more dire... And likely, resulted in the kids getting hurt, instead of Rita obtaining cuts to her cheek...

"...I'm only brave, when I need to be." Rita said that a bit softly. "Son... being brave, doesn't mean you go looking for trouble. And... How do you think I felt when I was informed of what you were doing? I was downright terrified..! Believing I was going to lose you, Ryan and Phoebe if I had been a few seconds too later. How would I of been able to face your Mama, if I hadn't rushed in on time? She'd be devastated. As would I..." Rita began to caress Bryon's cheeks with her hands, cleaning his face of his tears. "Being scared IS part of being brave... It means, no matter how scared you feel... You'll still face whatever dangers come. Rather it be aimed at yourself, or those you care about. Being brave means.. You'll STILL push forward and face those fears. Not let them control you. Just because.. I don't display my fears... Doesn't mean I don't get scared... I do, like anyone else.. I just know how to hide it.."

Bryon looked at Rita, surprised. She... she got scared?! For real..? She had always never shown fear, so it was.. easy to assume Rita was truly fearless. But no.. She too got scared.. And it was part of being brave? Handling your fears and still going along with protecting those around you..? He closed his eyes when he felt his mother's touch to his cheeks. "I... I think, I get it... Its.. like how me and Ryan protect Phoebe, right..?"

"Exactly. Similar to that." Rita was glad to see her son figuring it out. "Had it been something bigger, more threatening... Would you still protect her?"

"I-... Yeah! I would..!" Bryon nodded. "I... I get it now..." He sighed, resting his head against one of Rita's hands as the reality came in. "I'm sorry, Mom.. I swear.. I... I won't ever do this again. Not.. not if it endangers everyone."

"Good... And don't listen to those other kids, okay? And no matter what.. you and your siblings.. You all will ALWAYS be me and Xochitl's children. Nothing will never change that. "Worthiness" shouldn't even be considered. You three are our world.. And that's how it always will be. So... No more recklessness, okay?"

"O... Okay, Mom. I'm sorry, again.. I'll only do what I have to.. when trouble comes to us!" Bryon grinned a bit, his tears thankfully stopping.

"Heh, good... That's how it goes. Don't go seeking trouble... but be READY when it comes to you." Rita nodded, looking at Bryon, with no more signs of rage, but of being proud. "I'm glad you finally told me... next time, don't.. don't hesitate, okay? Tell me or your Mama... Don't let the other kids wrap you into someone you're not."

"I will.. And I won't ler that happen again.. Thanks, Mom.." Bryon hugged Rita, closing his eyes. Rita embraced her son too, feeling relieved. She had truly felt horrible for making him so upset... Parenting wasn't easy.. But it taught her a lot... Parenting was not for everyone. Her... biological mother was living proof of that.

"Now we got this resolved... How about we go ask Xochitl to prepare some legit tacos, huh? I know you adore her cooking~"

Bryon's eyes lit up. "Really? ..Do you think she would make them, despite... what I did?"

"Hey.. You've learned your lesson. ...But that's not going to save ya from punishment. You'll be grounded for a week and will do some extra chores around the house."

Bryon looked sheepish and chuckled a bit. "O-Okay, Mom.. that's fair.." He knew he couldn't avoid being punished.. But he'll take it, it was better than having his mother being so mad and disappointed. "...So, can we ask Mama about those tacos..?"

Rita chuckled a little, picking Bryon up and stood. "I'll see what I can do convince her, yeah? Let's go.."

Whew, been wanting to show off a bit of Rita as both an adult and a mother. She can.. have moments of still being blunt and such, but she still would love her children, regardless. Like any parent, she would no doubt make a lot of mistakes but she would still prove she's just wanting her kids to be safe and happy, not making decisions that can lead to awful consequences. She can't always prevent that... But she can still try to ensure it can be prevented from happening again. TWT

Hope you guys enjoy~

Rita, Bryon and Ryan (Mentioned) are mine~

Xochitl and Phoebe (Mentioned) belong to

Description
"Rita..! Your cheek, what happened-"

"Never mind it. Take Ryan and Phoebe... I need to talk to our other son."

"...Let me at least tend to your cheek, then you can-"

Rita found herself walking to the living room, barely able to contain the sheer rage she felt. She had tried her best to be a good mother.. Raising her twin boys and her and Xochitl's daughter, Phoebe, as well. Sure, she wasn't flawless, what parent was? But.. this... this was not only painful, but also... a bitter pill to swallow. When you learned your child did something they definitely should know better about... It was a bitter disappointment in feeling you did something wrong. Where did Rita go wrong, here? Either way, she would have to find out. And fix this. She did NOT want her oldest to do this again.

"Try not to be too harsh, Rita.."

She'd have to remember her wife's words.. As yeah, usually, Bryon was better about this. But this time.. Something happened. It had changed. Lately, Bryon had been acting a bit more rebellious and becoming a bit insufferable. Almost like he was trying to be someone he truly wasn't.. But being committed to it. He had even talked back to herself and Xochitl a few times, something he never used to do. Well, time to get to the bottom of this.

She saw him sitting on the couch, no longer acting like a big, tough guy.. But a scared, cowering child who knew he was in big trouble. It did sting Rita to see her son like this.. It truly did. She almost wanted to stop this, go, hug and reassure him. But sadly.. This.. had to keep going. He needed to learn. And she needed to know what drove her son to pull such a stunt to begin with.

She soon sat down next to Bryon, who flinched a bit at realizing he wasn't alone anymore. Rita crossed her arms, looking down at her oldest child. As much as she wanted to cool her anger, she had to talk while it was still there, so Bryon would get the severity.

"Bryon Rick Harris-Ambrose."

Hearing his full name uttered, Bryon gulped and began to tremble slightly. "M-Mom, I... I'm so-"

"There are no words that can properly describe how disappointed and angry I currently feel..! I can't believe you crossed such a line!" Rita barely gave him a chance to finish, and her own words had slipped out. She hadn't meant to sound that harsh but.. her own emotions were buzzed. She was mad. Sad. Scared. Disappointed. So many things at once. And it made her feel worse, she truly didn't want to be like this.

Bryon flinched once more and a small sob even managed to escape him before he could even stop it. That just made Rita's heart ache more. But she was too far in, she couldn't stop now. "What in the WORLD drove you to do this, Bryon? Do you realize just how reckless you were?! Dragging your friends, cousins and even your own siblings into such a dangerous situation?! Were you THAT desperate to look cool and get some ego boost?!"

Bryon felt a huge amount of shame enter him, looking away from his mother and shook more. "I-I... No, its j-just-"

""Just" what? Your attitude also has been out of line, lately, too! Talking back to me and Xochitl, acting like you're some big shot.. What has been YOUR DEAL?! I know we raised you, Ryan and Phoebe a LOT better than this! I expect a very VALID reason for this!"

Bryon gulped, he really hated how mad his mother was.. But she.. she was also right.. He just... had really began to be someone he truly wasn't. And he felt horrible for it. He mumbled something, his own emotions stirring up from everything. Rita felt some irritation, despite knowing he was at his limit but.. She had to push him for some answers.

"What was that?!"

And it was just the final push Bryon needed. "I-I WAS JUST TRYING TO PROVE I'M WORTHY OF BEING YOU SON!!!" He finally screamed, tears he had been trying to hold back finally spilling.

That made a lot of Rita's anger vanish. Some lingered, but not enough to keep her angered expression, instead.. transforming into a look of bewilderment. "...What?"

"Everyone at school.. They keep saying how you're so awesome and badass..! And yet, when they l-look at me, Ryan and Phoebe... They don't see us a-as being your kids! So... I-I.." Bryon dried his eyes with his sleeve. "...I gave into this stupid peer pressure..! Trying to show we're all your kids! I d-didn't even WANT to do what I-I did..!!" He began to sob, holding his head. "I would.. I would of never forgiven myself if Ryan and Phoebe got hurt! Or our friends..! Our cousins..! I just wanted to t-to be brave, t-too! I was... j-just trying to be like you, Mom..!!"

Rita sat there, shocked. Whatever rage she felt, it vanished instantly.. Now she was the one feeling shame. And guilt. She knew her reputation was a big one for anyone else to truly try to own up to or be similar to it. For her own child to feel he had to be just like her or even attempt to suppress it... That was just another bitter pill, as a parent, to take and figure out what to do from there. She sighed, closing her eyes, took a breath, opened her eyes and looked at her weeping son with more of a look of sympathy.

"...What... what you did.. Was neither brave or right.. it was beyond reckless, foolish and downright dangerous. But..." She looked at the floor. "...That doesn't excuse what you did. The fact you gave in at all... All you did was give into those words. You're better than that, Bryon, I know you are. You don't need to rush off into danger to prove yourself. That was just foolish."

"I-I know, Mom.." Bryon finally looked up at his mother, tears streaking his face. "But.. I've... n-never seen you scared. Not o-once... I thought.. I could be the same.." But he had been wrong. That whole time, he had frozen in place, like a deer in front of headlights. Had Rita not rushed in when she did, the situation would of been much more dire... And likely, resulted in the kids getting hurt, instead of Rita obtaining cuts to her cheek...

"...I'm only brave, when I need to be." Rita said that a bit softly. "Son... being brave, doesn't mean you go looking for trouble. And... How do you think I felt when I was informed of what you were doing? I was downright terrified..! Believing I was going to lose you, Ryan and Phoebe if I had been a few seconds too later. How would I of been able to face your Mama, if I hadn't rushed in on time? She'd be devastated. As would I..." Rita began to caress Bryon's cheeks with her hands, cleaning his face of his tears. "Being scared IS part of being brave... It means, no matter how scared you feel... You'll still face whatever dangers come. Rather it be aimed at yourself, or those you care about. Being brave means.. You'll STILL push forward and face those fears. Not let them control you. Just because.. I don't display my fears... Doesn't mean I don't get scared... I do, like anyone else.. I just know how to hide it.."

Bryon looked at Rita, surprised. She... she got scared?! For real..? She had always never shown fear, so it was.. easy to assume Rita was truly fearless. But no.. She too got scared.. And it was part of being brave? Handling your fears and still going along with protecting those around you..? He closed his eyes when he felt his mother's touch to his cheeks. "I... I think, I get it... Its.. like how me and Ryan protect Phoebe, right..?"

"Exactly. Similar to that." Rita was glad to see her son figuring it out. "Had it been something bigger, more threatening... Would you still protect her?"

"I-... Yeah! I would..!" Bryon nodded. "I... I get it now..." He sighed, resting his head against one of Rita's hands as the reality came in. "I'm sorry, Mom.. I swear.. I... I won't ever do this again. Not.. not if it endangers everyone."

"Good... And don't listen to those other kids, okay? And no matter what.. you and your siblings.. You all will ALWAYS be me and Xochitl's children. Nothing will never change that. "Worthiness" shouldn't even be considered. You three are our world.. And that's how it always will be. So... No more recklessness, okay?"

"O... Okay, Mom. I'm sorry, again.. I'll only do what I have to.. when trouble comes to us!" Bryon grinned a bit, his tears thankfully stopping.

"Heh, good... That's how it goes. Don't go seeking trouble... but be READY when it comes to you." Rita nodded, looking at Bryon, with no more signs of rage, but of being proud. "I'm glad you finally told me... next time, don't.. don't hesitate, okay? Tell me or your Mama... Don't let the other kids wrap you into someone you're not."

"I will.. And I won't ler that happen again.. Thanks, Mom.." Bryon hugged Rita, closing his eyes. Rita embraced her son too, feeling relieved. She had truly felt horrible for making him so upset... Parenting wasn't easy.. But it taught her a lot... Parenting was not for everyone. Her... biological mother was living proof of that.

"Now we got this resolved... How about we go ask Xochitl to prepare some legit tacos, huh? I know you adore her cooking~"

Bryon's eyes lit up. "Really? ..Do you think she would make them, despite... what I did?"

"Hey.. You've learned your lesson. ...But that's not going to save ya from punishment. You'll be grounded for a week and will do some extra chores around the house."

Bryon looked sheepish and chuckled a bit. "O-Okay, Mom.. that's fair.." He knew he couldn't avoid being punished.. But he'll take it, it was better than having his mother being so mad and disappointed. "...So, can we ask Mama about those tacos..?"

Rita chuckled a little, picking Bryon up and stood. "I'll see what I can do convince her, yeah? Let's go.."

Whew, been wanting to show off a bit of Rita as both an adult and a mother. She can.. have moments of still being blunt and such, but she still would love her children, regardless. Like any parent, she would no doubt make a lot of mistakes but she would still prove she's just wanting her kids to be safe and happy, not making decisions that can lead to awful consequences. She can't always prevent that... But she can still try to ensure it can be prevented from happening again. TWT

Hope you guys enjoy~

Rita, Bryon and Ryan (Mentioned) are mine~

Xochitl and Phoebe (Mentioned) belong to