It's already past dinner hour and Steve hasn't shown up yet. I couldn't eat, and I couldn't stop looking outside.

I took off my coat, and cleaned out the umbrella before I put it down. It was my fourth time searching for him, and the rain seems to get even louder and louder, but no signs of my boy. This problem could have been easily solved if only I could reach out to him. The house of mister Schmidt has no contact to the outside world.

No phones or computers. Except for one television in the living area, and- well... I guess Steve has a flip phone, and Schmidt has a telephone in his office but it's always locked up. Plus, he only uses it for his work purposes, and if catches me, I will be in really big trouble that I will never want to know. Other than that, he's just an old fashion man.

I just wish I can have some contact with the outside world, because this is not the first time Steve has done this, and I hate it. I mean, what if he ends up dead?! It's going to be all my fault!!! I am not a maid but a part- time nanny as well. Maybe a bit more than a nanny. I see Steve and Sinthea as my own. 

---

Mama stayed in the front window, but the call of Sinthea insisted her to come to the living room, because apparently Sin wanted an audience to show some new tricks she had been taught by Mother Superior. Specifically, tricks on throwing knives. It overwhelms Mama even more but Sin insisted to sit and enjoy what she was able to do, after all she has been trained.

"Ok, but if you get one cut, the show is over." Mama says, taking a seat next to Brock. Both facing the fireplace as well. The nature's light was the only source to lit up the whole room, and where it made Sin look more devilish. At least to Mama. Sin is not a typical nine year old. She has an interest in guns and knives. Even with her love of teddy bears, it does not cover the idea that Sinthea loves brutality- thanks to her father.

Sithea was able to throw a couple of her knives on the board, with a couple of spins and flips to it. It was impressive but every time, Mama had to note Sin to be careful. And it kept on going till someone had finally arrived in the front door. "Steve is that you?!" Mama jolted and rushed to the entrance. It almost made her cry when she saw Steve all wet and even bruised up. But it didn't matter to Mama when she hugged him to dear life. She even pulls his hair aside, to see his grateful hazel- blue eyes. "Ooh my baby, you alright. I thought you were dead."

"You always say that." He says, nudging away from her grip.

"Because I never get to know where you are at, and you always come back late. You can't just do that Steven?!"

"Calm down Mama, I was taking Viper home." Steve turns away to go up the stairs, but instead he notes Sin and Brock coming in the room. "Why is he here?!"

"He is injured and it's terrible outside, haven't you notes?" Sin giggled.

"I was not talking to you, I was talking to Mama."

"Well she does have a point Steven. I know you guys are not on good terms right now, but he's still your buddy-." Mama says.

"Oh miss, you are sooo sweet." He chuckles. "But no, we broke up. Which is great, because annoying him will be so much easier, I mean look at him his face is all red." Brock chuckles.

Mama immediately kept Steve in hold before he will be any closer with Brock. It was pretty surprising Mama was even able to hold back Steve, and that's only because Steve's strengths were losing up from the breakdown he's clearly trying to hold back. Yet, tears ran exposed down his cheeks, and they kept coming back that no matter how many times Steve rubs them away.

"How embarrassing." Sin whispers in Brock's ear, then having a laugh for her brother to hear. "Tell me this, brother. Did the rest take it well after you attack one of your teammates?"

"Sinthea! Don't-" Mama says.

"It doesn't matter because I still have your precious Viper!"

"Ugh, you can have her, she's dead to me. But at least I know I have the rest of the team by my side. Now tell me, how does it feel when someone steals away your people? Hurts doesn't it?"

Steve finally had the urge to pull away from Mama. Even when she came back to pull him away- her strength was no match for her. "How many times have I told you, I didn't steal your 'daddy' away from you?!"

"Yes you did! When papa started seeing you he paid more attention to you, and you loved it. I see it on your face. He replaced me, and now I have to be with Susan! And I hate her so much!"

"And I hate father!"

Sinthea hushed. Mama took Brock away from the entrance and went to another room, for the siblings to have their privacy. And yet, when it's the two of them, Sinthea can't wrap her head around. "You do?" She asks. "Just wait till he will hear about this- why the hell are you still doing here, if you have no respect with papa?"

Steve couldn't believe he said such stupidity, yet felt light after saying it. Sin is right, he finally has a father who at least acknowledges his existence, un-like his blood father, yet he's so selfish for not being grateful for the one he has. "I didn't mean it," Steve sighed. "Father is great. But for the love of god, Sinthea, can't you see that you're the favorite one here? Father listen to you, even your lies about me! You get off easy while I get to sleep in the basement. He calls me Steven, while he calls you daughter."

"Oh grow up- they are just disciplines. I also get them by Mother Superior, and you don't hear me whine about it. Just admit it, you're the favorite one, he pays more attention to you! He even wants you to be the next director for Hydra, and you have no idea how big that means. But not if I can change his mind by making you into a miserable failure. And I'll say I think I might be good at it." She smirks and walks away, "better watch yourself. Sweet dreams, you disobedient- disappointment."

Steve sighted and started to walk upstairs, with the help of Mama who came behind him. It startled him and made Mama chuckle but him. Steve let go of Mama. He states he can help himself and heal himself, though Mama demanded him to let her do it. But even before she could help him, he shut his bedroom door in front of her. She knocked and begged but Steve told her to go away.

Mama checked her apron's pocket for the keys- which they were absent. She remembered she left them in her room, so she rushed downstairs, then deep to the hallways. However, when she came up again, she heard the sounds of water running on the other side of the door. It made Mama let Steve have his privacy but, not avoiding the fact that Steve needs to be helped. While waiting- she prepared tea for the boy. Just to insure his throat to be well from all that cold water he was exposed outside.

As the water boiled, Mama went to check on little Sin and Brock. They were wrapped around together. Brock hugging around Sin, and Sin hugging around a teddy bear. All snuggled up underneath blankets. "Take care of her." Mama whispers, while fidgeting her silver- daisy necklaces that can open up to reveal one memory- to the next one, so very slowly.

All what she could gather was, she might had a child who she gave away for adoption. After all, she cant stop seeing a sign reading, "Saint Agnes Orphanage." She also gets dreams of her being in an office, with a woman in distress- begging her not to go. But also, "to keep the girl safe." Whatever it is, Mama is happy to help out the kids, yet felt so powerless to do so, yet had the strong heart to do so.

---

Mama went up to Steve's door again, with a very nice herbal tea this time around. She knocked and asked if she could come in. She didn't hear Steve's voice, but the signal of the lock clicking- made her day. "Hey Stevie. I brought you some tea, please drink it all before you go to bed." She says, placing the mug on top of a random drawer. She waited for the boy to answer but, he was just sitting on his bed- and watching the rain transformed into a blizzard. It even made the light twitch. "Oh boy, sure looks like it's about to snow, hu?"

"Why do you care about us so much? Even me, I'm not my fathers real son. Why do you have so much care-? I don't deserve your generosity."

Mama smiles. She sighted, and took a seat on the end of Steve's bed, and even wanted to stroke his hair, but she left him alone. "I don't know. I don't even remember my family or even my name. I don't even have memories of how I became. But I do have a heart that tells me to take care of you children." She looks back at Steve, who still did not move a muscle. "Am I doing a good job? Do you mean it?" She looked back down again.

"That you care so much, and that you are generous? I guess."

"Thank you. It means so much to me." She smiles again. "I don't get compliments a lot, even from my boss- I mean your father."

"You remind me of my mom a lot. She was very insecure. To appearance, and parenting, getting approval from my dad, and a lot more. And I was like her, and I can't believe I'm still fragile like her. Only this time with a different father and less neglected."

"Oh... less? I thought you and your mother were close, you seem like it was."

"We were, like the time we stole that book together. You remember, right?" He says, finally glancing back at Mama.

"Oh yes. Your first item you stole. That Gingerbread Man- picture book?" She chuckles.

"What? I was four." Steve turns his body, as the laughs of Mama comfort him. "I just picked a random item. Plus, it was the holidays, I freaked out."

"Either way, you grew to steal more. You know greed is not good, right?"

"I'm not greedy, I do it because it's fun." He huffed.

Mama shakes her head with a smile. "Oh Steve, what do I have to do to change your mind? But anyways, tell me more about your mother."

"We were close, I called her mom and all. Did whatever moms and sons do. But when Joseph comes back from work- I was kind of left alone. Growing up I just call her by her name because it just seems like Sarah likes her boyfriend more, and I'm just a roommate." Steve says, and gets up from his bed to grab the mug to take a sip, while Mama apologies him for his pity life. "It's fine, not till Joe stole Sarah from me. I know how Sin might feel right now, but I swear that girl never understands shit. I think I'm finish helping her-"

"What? Steve no-"

"Father was right, taking pity just makes you weak- I should really stop caring. Bringing fear is the only way of survival, and don't tell me otherwise- because it definitely works. Kind people are nothing but lies. And that got me thinking, Mama-" Steve sets his tea down, and comes closer to her, with a pocket knife holding on Mama's necklace- then up to her neck. "Tell me again, why do you care so much?" He starts to chuckle. "Is your plan to lure me in and hurt me, just like everyone else Mama? Well that's not going to work on me, so drop the act and fear me."

Steve tightened the knife on Mama's neck, revealing a slight mark. It should hurt, though Mama couldn't feel the pain but felt trapped like she always does. She shrinks down like her lungs. She couldn't breath, but could hear her heart screaming to let go tears. "Steve, please put the knife down, you are scaring me."

"Perfect.'' Steve smirks, and pulls away with the knife ranking out Mama's necklaces. It broke her with a loud weep, and all what Steve could do was watch her cry as she kept hold of her necklaces tight to her chest.

"Why!" Mama cries. "This is very unlike you, Steven!"

"Sorry Mama, but I just had to get rid of you. I can't have people like you anymore. I need people who are willing to listen to my every command."

"You- you are s- starting to sounding like your father-" 

"So?! I rather have what Johann has." Steve laughs hysterically. that his eyes started to water, and his chest started to tighten up. "He pushed humanity behind and he embraces it. If he can do it, why can't I do it again?! Can't you see Mama?! The power he has, had led him to build up a huge empire to the point of SHIELD being scared of him! And I'm going to be next."

Mama choked. The name of SHIELD sounded familiar. She never exactly knew what Mr. Schmidt does as a living, but she always knew it was not something well-being, and that name just made it even more concerning. Mama looked up to Steve who gave the same- smirk look, whenever Schmidt pushed her. And for once, she stood up for herself. "Really? You rather live like him? It won't get you anywhere, you will still have traitors. Why do you think he keeps leaving the house?"

"Talk back again, and I will." Steve pointes the knife at her again, for her to move out the away. "You're lucky father is not here to see this, or he will burn the hell out of you. Double lucky that he never believes what I say. Now get out of my room, and stop being so nice. I'm done being your fulfilment to make you feel like a good person." 

Steve shut the door in front of her, but Mama did not want to go just yet. She whipped her tears away and started to speak- in hopes he will listen. "Oh Steven, you have been through so much for such a young age, yet still have a lot to learn. Your heart is lost, my baby boy. And it's my fault for not being stronger than your father to see that. You are always in pain because you care- you deny it- but you do care so much and that's ok. I am still here for you, no matter what because I truly love you, Steven." Mama sobs as she leans against the door, and looks at her locket with a small photo of a baby girl. A baby girl who's name finally sparked on her mind, Daisy. And it was so obvious, since the locket was in the shape of the flower. "I must admit- I've done regretful things but I promise myself not to do it again. People change... and I know one day someone else will change your mind before it's too late. I can see it's not going to be me, and I'm sorry. But I'm telling you this to remember, it's ok to care for people. Once you show kindness Steven, it builds true connections. Don't be like your father. I know it's hard when you- we- are stuck with him, but if you take my words, you will feel... free."

She waited. Not expecting to hear Steve leaning against the door. "Hey Mama."

"Yes, Steven?"

"Stop apologizing"

She chuckles. "Why?"

"I just don't like it. It's such a pity when people apologize. Especially you, if you ever want to be tougher than Johann, you have to stop doubting yourself."

"Well alright, I'll try."

"Mama."

"Yes?"

"Are you not going to fix me?"

"Hitting you will nerve fix you Steven."

"I have to be punished at least from breaking your necklaces Mama."

"It's alright Steven. I'll get it fixed. But I do want something else from you."

"That is?"

"Apologize, like you mean it." There was a long pause between the two. It broke Mama's heart a bit, knowing that Steve might have a hard time to realize he's done wrong. "Just apologies, Steven."

"I don't do that!"

"You do it with your father."

"That's different!" He shouted a bit louder, and heard a bumping sound. As in- Steve has hit the floor. "Ow!"

"Steve you alright?" She asks, trying to turn the knob, just to realize it was locked.

"Yes. I'm just having another headache. It feels like I'm being stabbed on the side."

"I should really get you checked on that. You've been getting them a lot lately, hu?"

"I'm sorry." He cried.

Mama pulls her ear away from the wooden door. "What was that?"

"I'm sorry I broke your necklaces, and... I'm- I'm sorry I made you scared. I just cant trust you Mama. You're too nice, I- I don't deserve you!"

"But you are to me, even Sin... you guys are my blessing."

"The hell I'm not! I'm- I'm not good at being a brother, or- or a student, a son. "

"Oh Steven, but you are."

"Not in Johann's eye's!"

"But to my eye's, you are." Mama waited for Steve to let her in. Though she knew it would be too much when Steve ended their conversation with a good night. She said it back with a densely tone, and all she could do now was to leave and turn off all the lights of the house, before she would have another night being waisted without any rest. Thoughts just seemed to be more louder than the blizzard.