Kate's POV:

As I sat in the car, I looked at my babies in the backseat, trying to get the full story. Their faces told different stories—Luca looked defiant, Lucian appeared proud, Lucy seemed on the verge of tears, and Lucia nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

"Lucian," I said calmly, looking at him through the rearview mirror. "Start from the beginning."

Lucian shifted uncomfortably but held his ground. "Mom, they took Lili's glasses, and they wouldn't give them back. They were laughing at her, saying stuff about her eyes, and... well, I couldn't just stand there."

Luca piped in, his little face scrunched in frustration. "Yeah, Mom! They called her names like 'bug eyes' and said she was 'too small to even matter.' So we told them to stop, but they didn't, so... we handled it."

"Handled it?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What exactly does that mean, Luca?"

He squirmed, avoiding my gaze. "Uh... we just told them to give it back... and then maybe pushed them a little."

"Luca!" I scolded, though my tone softened when I saw Lucia sniffling quietly beside him.

"They deserved it, Mom!" Lucian interjected, his voice rising defensively. "They wouldn't stop. One of them shoved her, and... well, I punched him."

My mouth fell open slightly. "You punched him?"

Lucian nodded. "And then Luca helped. He grabbed the other boy so I could get the glasses back."

My eyes darted to Luca. "Is that true, Luca?"

Luca puffed out his chest. "Yeah, Mom. I had to make sure Lili didn't get hurt."

"Boys..." I started, running my hand through my hair. "I'm proud of you for standing up for your sister, but you know fighting isn't the answer. We've talked about this."

Lucian and Luca both looked guilty, their heads hanging low.

Lucy, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly burst out, "Mommy, don't be mad at them! They were just trying to help Lili. Those boys were mean. They laughed at her and said bad things. Lucian and Luca just wanted to protect her!"

I sighed deeply, glancing back at Lucia, who was still twiddling her fingers nervously. "Lili, baby, are you okay?" I asked softly.

Lucia nodded but didn't look up. "They scared me," she admitted in a small voice. "I didn't want Lucian and Luca to fight, but... I didn't know what to do."

My heart ached as I reached back to touch her hand gently. "Oh, sweetie, it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. None of this is your fault, alright?"

She nodded again, and I could see the tears welling in her eyes.

"Listen to me, all of you," I said firmly, turning to address them all. "I love how much you look out for each other, and I'm glad you stand up for what's right. But fighting? That's not how we solve problems, okay? Next time, find a teacher or an adult. Understand?"

"Yes, Mom," they said in unison, though their tones varied—Luca and Lucian sounded reluctant, while Lucy and Lucia were more obedient.

I sighed again, my frustration ebbing away as I looked at their little faces. They were just trying to protect each other, and honestly, I couldn't be mad about that.

"Okay," I said, starting the car. "No more fights. Let's get home, and we'll talk about this more later."

As we drove, the kids started chattering among themselves, the tension lifting. I couldn't help but smile as I listened to them.

"Mama?" Lucia's small voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes, baby?"

"Do you think my glasses are okay? They didn't break, right?"

I glanced at her through the mirror, her big brown eyes filled with worry. "I'm sure they're fine, Lili. If they're not, we'll get you a new pair, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy." She smiled faintly and leaned against Lucian, who wrapped an arm around her protectively.

Lucy, always the chatterbox, broke the moment. "Mommy, can we have ice cream when we get home? You always say ice cream makes everything better!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Alright, ice cream it is. But only after dinner."

"Yay!" they all cheered, and the car filled with their laughter.

As we pulled into the driveway, I parked the car and turned to face them. "Alright, troops, let's get inside. Shoes off at the door, and no more roughhousing today. Got it?"

"Yes, Mom!" they chorused, their little faces lighting up.

I helped Lucia and Lucy out of the car, while Lucian and Luca managed on their own. Watching them walk ahead, giggling and whispering to each other, I felt a swell of pride. They might be a handful, but they were mine, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

"Be careful!!". I shouted rubbing my forehead.

"Okay Mom". They shouted while I heard room doors open and closed.

I walked into the living room, plopping down on the couch, and turned on the TV. The usual headlines were scrolling, and I absentmindedly flipped through the channels until a familiar name caught my attention.

"Lucio King and his fiancée are having their engagement part—"

Click. I shut off the TV mid-sentence. My heart clenched as I stared at the blank screen, gripping the remote tightly. The sight of him on television felt like a punch to the gut, and I fought back the wave of emotions threatening to surface. I turned away from the TV, trying to push the image of his face and the word "fiancée" out of my mind.

"Mom?" a small voice called, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Lucy standing in the doorway, her tiny brow furrowed as she looked at me.

"Yes, baby?" I asked, my voice soft as I tried to compose myself.

"Who's that man on the TV?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity. Her big eyes studied me closely, and I knew she wouldn't let the question go easily.

I hesitated for a moment before replying, my voice steady. "Well, baby, he's...a businessman."

She didn't seem satisfied with my answer and frowned. "Mom, is he...our dad?" Her voice dropped to a whisper as her gaze dropped to the floor. I felt my heart sink.

I let out a small sigh, remembering the time she had asked me about Lucio before. I'd been honest then, and I decided to be honest now. "Yes, Lucy, he's your dad. But remember, it's a secret, okay? We've talked about this."

She nodded solemnly, her little hands gripping the hem of her shirt. "I won't tell, Mom. I promise."

I smiled weakly, picking her up into my arms. "Come on, baby. Let's get you ready for your bath."

Just as I was heading up the stairs, a loud wail echoed through the house.

"Mo-m!" Luca came running down the hall, tears streaming down his face as he clutched his hand. His crying was so loud it startled me.

"What happened, Luca?" I asked, my voice filled with concern as I knelt down to his level.

"L-Lucia!" he hiccupped. "She has a worm!"

"A worm?" I repeated, blinking in confusion.

"She showed it to me, and it was wiggling, and I got scared!" he cried, rubbing his eyes with his uninjured hand.

"Oh, my baby." I scooped him up in my free arm, trying to comfort him as we made our way downstairs.

When we got to the living room, I saw the source of the commotion. Lucia stood proudly in the center of the room, holding up a wriggling worm as if it were a trophy. Lucian and Lucy were hiding behind the couch, peeking out with wide eyes.

"Mom, look!" Lucia exclaimed, her face lighting up as she held the worm closer to me. "Isn't it cool?"

"Yes, baby, I see it," I said gently, trying not to shudder at the sight of the squirming creature.

"I want to keep it!" she declared, her voice filled with excitement.

I placed Luca down on the couch and turned to her with a soft smile. "Honey, you can't keep it. Worms belong outside in the ground. They have a home there, and if we keep it inside, it won't be able to live."

"But why?" she asked, pouting as she looked at the worm in her hands. "I like it."

I knelt down to her level, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Because, sweetheart, worms help the earth by living in the soil. They dig little tunnels, and those tunnels help plants grow. If you keep it here, it can't do its job."

Her pout deepened as she stared at the worm. "So, it has a job?"

"Yes, baby, it has a very important job," I explained. "Just like you have a job to take care of your toys and help your siblings."

Lucia thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Mommy. I'll put it back."

"Good girl," I said, smiling. "Come on, let's take it to the backyard."

She held the worm carefully in her small hands as we made our way to the backyard. Luca stayed inside, still recovering from his scare, while Lucy and Lucian followed behind us. When we got to the garden, Lucia crouched down and gently placed the worm on the ground.

"There you go, Mr. Worm," she said, her voice soft. "Go do your job now."

I couldn't help but smile at her innocence. "Good job, baby. The worm is happy now."

As we walked back inside, Lucian tugged on my sleeve. "Mom, can we have cookies now? We were good, right?"

I chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Yes, you were good. But only one cookie each, okay?"

"Yay!" they all cheered, their excitement filling the house as I headed to the kitchen to get their reward.

Looking at them, I realized how much they meant to me. They were my world, my reason for moving forward. Even on days when the past tried to creep in, they reminded me of the beauty in the present.

"Now, who's going first?" I asked, pointing at each of them with mock seriousness.

"Me!" they all shouted in unison, their little hands shooting up. They looked at one another, frowning, before Lucy crossed her arms.

"You said it too slow!" she declared, glaring at Luca.

"No, you said it slow!" Luca shot back, standing on the couch to make himself look taller.

"Guys, no fighting!" I said firmly, giving them my best mom look.

Lucian, who had been silent, raised his hand calmly. "Mom, I think I should go first because I'm the oldest."

"Oh, so now you're the boss, huh?" Lucia chimed in, squinting at him.

"No," Lucian replied with a slight smirk, "but I should go first because I'm the responsible one."

"Mom, make him stop!" Lucia whined, looking at me with her big mismatched eyes.

"Enough," I said, holding up my hands to stop the brewing argument. "I'll decide. Lucian, since you're so responsible, you can go last."

Lucia burst into giggles while Lucian frowned. "That's not fair," he muttered.

"Fair or not, that's my decision," I said, ruffling his hair. "Luca, you're up first."

"Yes!" Luca jumped off the couch, pumping his fist in the air.

As I bathed each child, their personalities shone through. Luca kept trying to make bubbles as big as his head, giggling uncontrollably when they popped. "Mom, look! It's like a superhero mask!" he exclaimed, putting a large bubble over his face.

"Luca, stop before you get soap in your eyes," I said, laughing despite myself.

Next was Lucy, who made sure to tell me all about her day at school. "Mommy, did you know worms have five hearts?" she said, her big eyes wide with excitement.

"I did know that, actually," I replied, smiling at her enthusiasm.

She pouted. "But how come you know everything, Mom?"

"It's my job," I said, gently washing her hair. "One day, you'll know everything too."

Lucia came next, carrying her toy microphone into the bathroom. "Can I sing while I bathe, Mom?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Of course, baby," I said, amused.

She belted out her favorite Dora song at the top of her lungs, splashing the water as if she were on a stage. By the time she was done, the bathroom was soaked.

Finally, Lucian came in, looking very serious as always. "Mom, you don't have to scrub so hard," he said, wincing as I washed his hair.

"You have to be clean, Lucian," I said, grinning. "Or do you want to smell like a stinky boy?"

He frowned at me. "I'm not stinky. And I don't smell bad."

"Not after this bath, you won't," I teased, and he rolled his eyes, a trait he definitely got from his father.

Once all four of them were bathed and ready, I gathered them at the dining table for lunch. I made their favorite—mac and cheese with little veggie sticks on the side. Watching them eat, I couldn't help but smile at how different they all were.

"Mum, can we have extra cheese next time?" Luca asked, his mouth full of food.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Luca," Lucian scolded, sounding like a miniature adult.

"Lucian, stop bossing everyone around," I said gently. "Let him enjoy his food."

"I'm just helping," Lucian replied, looking a little hurt.

"And I appreciate that," I said, ruffling his hair. "But sometimes it's okay to let people make little mistakes."

Lucian thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Mom."

After lunch, I sent them off for their nap, knowing they'd need the energy for tomorrow. The triplets' birthday was coming up, and I'd spent weeks planning a small celebration for them. Despite my efforts, they didn't seem too interested in a party, which was a little disheartening. Even Lucian didn't want to celebrate his upcoming birthday. He'd always been a serious child, much like his father.

Once they were asleep, I walked through the quiet house, tidying up their toys and clothes. As I worked, I couldn't help but think about how much they'd grown. Lucian was almost six, and the triplets were turning five. Time had flown by, and every day they reminded me more of Lucio. Lucian, in particular, looked so much like him that it often took my breath away.

Luca was my little troublemaker, always getting into mischief but with a heart of gold. Lucia, my tiny explorer, was endlessly curious about the world around her. And Lucy, my little detective, could figure out just about anything with her sharp mind and sweet talk.

When I finally climbed the stairs to my bedroom, I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. I opened the door and flopped onto the bed without even bothering to lock it. Sleep claimed me quickly.

I stood there, my arms crossed, staring at Michen as the silence stretched. My heart was racing, and I didn't know whether I wanted to scream or break down. Lucy tugged at my shirt, her tiny voice pulling me back to the moment.

"Mummy, are you mad at Uncle Michen?" she asked, her innocent eyes wide and curious.

I knelt down, brushing her soft curls out of her face. "No, baby, I'm not mad. Just...a little upset."

"Is he in time-out?" Luca chimed in, peeking from behind Lucy. "Because you're looking at him like he's in trouble."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "No one's in time-out, Luca."

Michen took a step forward, his hands raised as if surrendering. "Kate, can we talk? Please."

Before I could answer, Lucian appeared, his arms crossed in a miniature version of my own stance. "Why are you making Mum cry? You're a bad man."

My heart sank at his words, but before I could intervene, Michen knelt down to Lucian's level. "Hey, buddy," he said softly, "I'm not trying to make your mum cry. I promise."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Then why is she crying?"

I stepped between them, pulling Lucian close. "It's okay, Lucian. Go play with your brother and sisters. I'll be right here."

He looked at me, his small brows furrowed in concern, but he nodded and ran off to join the others.

Michen's gaze followed him before he turned back to me, his face filled with guilt. "They're his, aren't they?" he asked again, his voice quieter this time.

I crossed my arms tighter, feeling my anger bubble up again. "What difference does it make, Michen? Where were you when I needed someone to lean on? When I was raising these kids on my own?"

He flinched at my words, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Kate, I didn't know... I mean, I should've been there. I should've reached out."

I laughed bitterly. "You think? Lucio's so-called family just abandoned me, Michen. You all left me to fend for myself when I was pregnant with triplets and a toddler to care for. Do you have any idea how hard that was?"

His shoulders sagged as he sighed. "I'm sorry, Kate. I don't have an excuse. We should've done better."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "You all believed him, didn't you? When he thought I cheated? You believed that too?"

Michen looked up, his eyes filled with regret. "At first, I didn't know what to think. Lucio was...broken, Kate. He wasn't thinking straight, and none of us handled it right. But I swear, if I could go back, I'd—"

"Enough," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "You can't go back. None of us can. But these kids are my everything now, and I won't let anyone hurt them."

"I would never hurt them," he said, his voice firm. "Or you."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "It's too late for promises, Michen. Just...leave it."

"Mummy," Lucia's soft voice called from the doorway, breaking the tension. She held a stuffed bear in her hands, her glasses slightly crooked. "Are you okay?"

I wiped the tears from my face and forced a smile. "Yes, baby. I'm okay. What's up?"

"Can Uncle Michen stay for lunch?" she asked, tilting her head.

Before I could answer, Lucy and Luca appeared behind her, both nodding vigorously. "Yeah, Mum! He can play hide-and-seek with us!" Luca said, already bouncing on his feet.

I sighed, glancing at Michen. "Fine," I muttered, earning cheers from the kids.

As they ran off to the kitchen, Michen looked at me with a small smile. "Thank you."

I shook my head, walking past him. "Don't thank me yet."

Lunch was a lively affair. The kids chattered nonstop, filling the table with their laughter and stories about school. Michen fit in seamlessly, listening to their tales and even cracking a few jokes that had them in stitches.

"Uncle Michen, do you know how to make pancakes?" Lucy asked, her face lighting up.

"I do," he said, grinning. "But I bet your mum's are better."

"Way better!" Luca chimed in, earning a laugh from everyone.

Even I found myself smiling, despite my lingering frustration. The sight of my kids happy and carefree made it hard to stay mad.

After lunch, the kids dragged Michen outside to play, and I found myself watching them from the kitchen window. For the first time in years, I felt a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could start to heal.

But as I watched them, I couldn't help but wonder: Would Lucio ever meet his children? Would he ever understand what he missed? And most importantly, could I ever forgive him?