(Thought I'd do a cute lil family insert Xandra_Dee make sure ya read the next chappie tooooo )

Valerie sat on her bed, texting Oswald to get her mind off everything that was going on downstairs.

Her stupid parents were arguing again and she couldnt stand it, she hated being at home. Oswald was the only way she could completely forget everything, she had so much fun when talking to him.

A timid knock sounded and in walked her younger sister, Esther.

"Hey, Valerie. C-Can I stay with you for the night?" She asked softly, her eyes pleading.

"Of course, come here" Val smiled, patting the bed next to her.

"Can you help me with some homework? I cant figure it out... and dad shouted at me when I asked him" she mumbled, producing her homework as her eyes were downcast.

Valerie felt rage engulf her but she was careful not to let it show, giving her sister a kind smile and nodding instead.

She knew what would happen if she tried speaking to her dad, there was no point in getting angry. She flinched at the memory of what happened last time, unconsciously rubbing the scar on her forearm.

Valerie tried her best to help her sister, teaching her little tricks she had picked up on the way. Esther absorbed everything straight away, wrapping her arms around Valerie in a tight hug to thank her.

Her younger sister was exceptionally bright and Valerie knew she would definitely make a place for herself in the world, with or without Valerie.

"Who you talking to?" Her sister asked tentatively as Valerie began texting Oswald again, a small smile on her face.

"Oswald" Valerie answered easily, she had told her sister a few months ago all about Oswald and how much of a great friend he was.

(Esther knew that Valerie had a crush on him, even if Val had never told her. She was just perceptive like that)

"Do you guys still go poetry club together?" She smiled, cuddling up next to Valerie on the bed.

"Mhmm... I never even knew I liked poetry until Oswald forced me to go" She giggled, running her hand through her sisters silky hair.

Valerie's eyes widened comically as her phone began vibrating, sitting bolt upright and seeming panicked.

"What? What is it?" Her younger sister asked, concern etched upon her face.

"Oswald is face timing me. Oh my god, I'm a mess!" She almost screeched, quickly shoving her sister off the bed to tidy it.

The phone continued to vibrate and Valerie became more frantic, tidying up her room quickly. Her sister chuckled and began helping out, causing Valerie to shoot her a grateful look.

Just as everything was done, Valerie quickly fixed her hair in the mirror, flattening out her black T shirt she had just thrown on earlier.

Esther raised an eyebrow at her, "Shut up" Valerie shot, blushing before her sister even had a chance to say anything and finally picking up the call.

Valerie almost did a double take when a huge eye appeared on screen, before a voice came.

"Oh, oh is that you? Valerie, darling? Is it you?"

"Mother, hold the phone further away from your face!" A voice called in the background, and Val instantly recognised it to be Oswald.

"Gertrud! Its so good to see you!" Valerie exclaimed, beaming as the phone zoomed out to show the kind face of Gertrud Kapelput.

"Oh- Oh Valerie, my good girl. My pretty girl. Why havent you come to see me? I missed you. I keep asking Oswald when he will bring his lovely friend around. I make your favourite food!" She gasped, looking terribly sad that Valerie hadn't visited in so long.

"Aww I'm so sorry Gertrud, I definitely will come over soon. I've just been so busy!" Valerie apologised.

Gertrud gasped suddenly, as if she came to a revelation. "Is it a boy? Do you like some boy? Is that why you dont like my handsome Oswald anymore?"

"Mother!" Oswald shouted from the background and Valerie blushed scarlet, shaking her head vigorously.

"No, No Gertrud, it's not that at all! Me and Oswald are still great friends--"

"Oh yes, my handsome boy tell me everyday how lovely you are, what a good girl you are. You take care of my boy at school, dont you? You stop the bullies" Gertrud nodded feverishly, beaming at Valerie as if she was a hero.

"Uh... Yes! Oswald and I have a great time in school" She smiled, absolutely adoring Gertrud.

Oswald's mother was the most lovely person and although she sometimes seemed as though she was mentally unstable, Valerie knew better than that. She knew Gertrud was much smarter than she let on and how much she cared for her son.

In fact, Valerie still remembered the first time they had met and when she realised just how much Gertrud truly cared for her son.

*Flashback*

"Mother! I'm home" Oswald called, knocking on the door loudly.

"Oswald! My darling!" Valerie heard a cry of delight from behind the door, quickly putting a smile on her face.

Oswald shuffled nervously, this was the first time he would introduce his mother to a friend. A female one, no less. He hoped to God that his mother would take it well, as she seemed to get easily defensive in the past whenever she thought there was a female in his life.

The door swung open to reveal a beaming Gertrud, before she noticed Valerie and she flinched slightly, backing away.

"Mother I've brought someone for you to meet. This is Valerie, shes my friend" he smiled.

"Hello, Mrs Kapelput" Valerie smiled widely, holding a hand out.

Gertrud looked at her hand for a few seconds, her lip quivering. "Oswald, dont you love your mother anymore? I thought you loved me. You- You want to replace me!"

"No, no mother! It's not like that. You're still my favourite, and you are so special to me" He reassured her, stepping in and hugging her tightly.

Valerie felt guilty for this intrusion and quickly dropped her hand, wondering if she should just go.

"Now c'mon mother. Let's show Valerie our wonderful house. My mother did all the decorations, you know" He beamed, his arm still around his mother as he ushered Valerie inside.

Gertrud stayed beside Oswald, almost clinging to him and sniffed as Valerie came in, seeming sort of consoled.

"Wow, what a wonderful house? I really like the colour scheme" Valerie grinned, looking around.

"See, mother? Look how lovely Valerie is, she loves the house" Oswald said tentatively. "Now why don't I go and make some tea? And I'll give her some of your famous fruitcake"

Gertrud seemed unwilling to let him go, finally letting go when she began to walk to the kitchen.

"So, how are you, Ms Kapelput?" Valerie tried to make conversation to put her at ease.

"Are you one of those- those horrible bullies? My son is very special. I know, you're all spiteful and envious. You all bully my darling son because he is so clever, yes, my Oswald" she trembled, clearly disturbed.

"No, no! I'm not a bully, Ms Kapelput. I'm his friend. I like Oswald" Valerie tried, nodding her head.

Gertrud gasped, holding her chest. "You want to take him away! You want to take my son from me! You can never, he is my dear little boy. You can't"

"Mrs Kapelput, I promise I wont take your son away. I'm only his friend. I know how much he loves you" She tried again.

"Yes, yes. He loves me. He loves his mother. Such a sweet little boy, always such a good boy" Gertrud nodded, grabbing a nearby picture and hugging it tightly.

She showed the picture she was holding to Valerie and Valerie smiled widely at the handsome picture of Oswald, telling Gertrud how much she liked it.

"He is, very nice. He always talks about how much he loves you, and how wonderful you are. I've heard you make wonderful goulash" Valerie beamed at her.

"Yes! Goulash, my Oswald loves. He loves it a lot. I make all the time for my sweet boy" Gertrud smiled, starting to relax.

"Yes, I'd love to try it, too! He makes it sound so good" Valerie nodded, holding her breath.

"You want my goulash?" She went silent for a few moments before grinning. "Yes! I give you my goulash. I make for you, wait here" She smiled widely, quickly walking off.

Just then Oswald walked out of the kitchen with tea and fruitcake, watching his mother run towards him.

"What's wrong mother? Are you okay?" He asked with concern, setting down the tray.

"I make goulash for your lovely friend!" She said, beaming as she ran into the kitchen.

Oswald grinned at Valerie, knowing she had won his mother over.

*flashback over*

"Oh yes, you only like my boy dont you? He is so special, such a good boy" Gerturd smiled warmly.

"He is" Valerie smiled, and they carried on talking until midnight.