VIANA

I stood in front of them with both of my hands on each side of my hip, staring intently at their pouting faces while they sat on the couch. Their eyes watched the box of cupcakes being taken away by Xavon who is now opening the fridge to keep it there for the meantime.

"So? Anyone who wants to speak first?" I took their attention using my firm voice and now they started to nudge each other but none of the two looked at me, probably scared to see my disappointed expression.

I just got home from the dinner with Josie. I tiredly said in my mind.

"Dria," I sighed, "What really happened? Why do you not like Suzie?" She looked at me with wide eyes then huffed.

"Because she pushed me, and she took Mavy's apple! She's a baddie, Mommy!" she gritted her teeth, "And then that bratty told Matteo that I'm a bad girl, but I'm not! She is a liar! She told me that she will take away my friends tomorrow!"

My heart broke when I saw the panic in her eyes and I immediately softened at what she said. I must confirm this to her teacher and settle this again, I'm sure there are witnesses.

Xavon sat beside her and hugged her sideways to comfort his sister. My heart calmed down at the sight, Sanvi held her hands, patting it gently with concern and frowning face. I must hold myself back from hugging my kid, I still need to know Sanvi's side. I only got to hear Suzie's family's side earlier and now I need my kids' point of view to know what to do.

"How about you, Sanvi? Why did you kiss her?" I shifted my eyes to Sanvi who is now shushing his sister.

"I don't know her but my baby sister said she's a meanie and my friends told me that Suzie doesn't like kisses, so I kissed her." he pouted, "I gave her three kisses; her cheek, her shoulder and beside her lips!" he blinked, too focused while counting his fingers to three.

I didn't know what to say next and just stared at him, dumbfoundedly. I mean, yes, I told them that kisses are fine and sweet but not like this!

Must've run in the blood, I know a certain someone who is worst. I groaned in my head. I heaved a deep sigh, massaging my temple. I really miss my bed, for real.

I looked at my children; one was stroking his sister's hair while shaking his head tiredly, the other one already stopped fuming but is rubbing her eyes adorably and one is staring at the fridge.

Sanvi and his loves for sweets, I sighed again.

I kneeled in front of them, grabbed their hands and kissed each one of them. They smiled a bit at that affectionate action, they know I've calmed down and is now understanding them.

"I know that she did bad things and it made you upset but what you did is also bad." I started, smiling softly. "Sanvi, you can't kiss a girl because she doesn't like it, you can kiss a girl because you like her and if she likes you too." I turned to him, squeezing his hand a bit as he nodded his head, pouting, "And you also don't tell your brother to make someone cry because they did something bad to you. Tell a teacher and let the teacher do something about it, okay? Or tell them that you have a scary Mommy who will eat their cookies and candies!" I caressed Dria's red cheek and booped her red nose.

They giggled at my joke because I used a funny voice that they liked whenever I'm being funny and playful.

"Everything is not all about taking revenge, kittens. All you can do is ignore them. They just wanted your attention and they also wanted to make you look like a baddie, but just don't give them that, okay? Don't give them attention, unless they have good intentions. Bad people will never win over good people. Do you understand me?" They nodded and Dria sniffed cutely.

"I'm sorry, Mommy. I won't make her cry again. I will make a sorry card for her too." Dria pouted and hugged me, her face buried on my chest.

"I'm sorry too, Mommy. I promise I won't kiss a girl I don't like. I'll help Dria make the sorry card." Sanvi joined in with his own pout, similarly to his sister and is behind me, his small arms wrapped around my neck.

What am I going to do with this cuteness? Well... that's it, then. I'm glad I raised them properly. I internally patted my own shoulder.

My babies really have grown into a beautiful and handsome sweet cheeks in the age of 8, well 9 this coming August. All the sufferings, sacrifices and the tears are literally worth it. They're smart, kind, lovable, and down to earth children. Just playful and troublesome. Most of the time.

But even so, I'm still proud!

We pulled away from the hug and smiled at each other, giving their cheeks a light pinch which I earned couple of giggles.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, Dria." Xavon looked at his sister sadly while sitting beside her, his eyes glistened with guilt. He's still the sweetest and very quick to feel guilty even though he seemed, somewhat, distant among them.

"It's okay, Xavi. You didn't know." Dria shook her head and smiled at him, showing her white pearls.

"Me too, Dria." Sanvi pouted more, grabbing Dria's hands and shook them. "I'm sorry!"

"Silly brothers" Dria just giggled again and hugged her siblings.

I chuckled at the cuteness in front of me. Now, I really don't want them to grow up anymore and be just the babies as they are.

"I'm strong like Mommy!" she turned around then smiled at me, "I want to be like Mommy. She's very pretty and smart and brave, she has lots of money and awesome friends!"

I laughed when she mentioned the money as I caressed her curly blond locks, she's not wrong though. But my friends are not that awesome.

"Oh really?" I smiled, amusedly. Her eyes sparkling while nodding her head.

"Me too! And you're so pretty, Mommy." Sanvi grinned, hugging her sister as he gave me a cute smile.

"It's true, Mom. You're beautiful." Xavon played along. It suddenly made me raise a brow.

Confused, I turned to him. He's rarely this showy when his siblings start to vocalize their affections towards me. That is unless...

Of course. Now I know what they're doing. THE CUPCAKES!

I sighed, playfully rolling my eyes, "Alright, alright. I'll take the cupcakes out of the fridge, you naughty little dinos. Now, go and wash your hands clean."

That cheered them up more, my eldest started to dance with his sister. The two then shouted excited and raced to the kitchen, Xavon followed jogging. I smiled widely and chuckled as I stood up but I raised my brow when Xavon halted to look over his shoulder.

"We're not lying, Mom. You're beautiful. Inside and out." He then joined his siblings after making my heart melt.

I could hear my heartbeat loudly banging on my ribcage and the blush warming up my cheeks. My babies are going to be the death of me. My heart is swelling in joy, I couldn't even feel tiredness anymore. Xavon is going to be the reason of ladies crying for him to marry them. My gut just tells me. Don't even get me started with Sanvi who is a little flirt! My princess better not get a boyfriend yet.

"Don't fight over the faucet, dummies!" I heard Xavon scolding them. I chuckled at his cute bossy voice, but I didn't like how he called his siblings. I just heard the two snickering in response.

I started putting each plate with two cupcakes and two cookies then placed the glasses of chocolate drink that they loved. This is not really an evening thing, I'm just doing this whenever they do well in academics, when they're very sad, and when they craved for it.

Good thing it's not every day, I don't want them having diabetes soon.

They know that too many sweets are bad for their health and they're fine with it. Another thing that I loved about them is that they are not demanding kids, when it comes to their favourites things, foods and whatever that they want.

They came back panting and giggling from too much excitement and sat on their respective chairs. I smiled as I watched them eating, not really in silence though, and started talking, telling me about what happened at before and after dinner at the Pots' residence.

The Pots are one of our closest neighbours and are a very good friend of ours. They asked me if we would like to join them for dinner but, unfortunately, I'm working late so I just gave them the permission to take the triplets and have them to join the Pots for the said dinner. I knew how much the Pots adored my kids for which they are also friends with the Pots' kids, and they loved my kids' company. I'm happy that they've enjoyed the dinner, well based on their stories now.

My smile widens as I wiped Sanvi's messy lips.

"About Mrs. Perry's flowers, Mrs. Linda's gnomes and Mr. Jacobs' ball," I cleared my throat making them blink their cute eyes at me, "You must apologize to them, got it?"

This happened the other day when they played balls with their friends. The two nodded their heads, pouting, while Xavon chuckled as he munched their cookies. I stared at him; he must've thought that he doesn't get himself into trouble just by reading books.

"And you, young man. I loved that you're passionate about your reading but would you please," I sighed, "Arrange your room's bookshelf and return the school library's books? The Librarian has given me 9 notices for the unreturned books this month" I sternly told him, squinting my eyes.

His eyes went wide and then pouted. It's now his siblings' turn to snicker at him. "But I haven't finished reading those!" he argued.

"Bec-"

"Because you take another after another of it, Xavi!" Sanvi suddenly spoke before I could say a word.

"We don't steal books, Xavi." Dria patted his head teasingly. He glared at the, knowing very well that they also got a point. Sanvi high-fived Dria and they both giggled at Xavon. I looked at the two, amusedly.

"See? Even your sister and brother know that, Xavon" I sighed, shaking my head as I pushed his plate closer to him.

He blushed and mumbled about them being trapped again in an abandoned place. His siblings giggled, hearing him as they ate.

"It's called a Library, honey, not an abandoned place. Return them tomorrow, finished and not. That's final." I ended the argument then crossed my arms, raising a brow.

"Okay, Mom." he nodded as he scratched the back of his head, still pouting.

"Good." I softened and pinched his cheek gently.

He literally has his own mini library inside his room! All kinds of books. Mine, academics, novels, comics, and poems. I even gave him some of the books I got from the jobs I had.

Speaking of job, I have a report to send later after I tucked the children off to sleep.