Karl was the first one to the door, his husband's not far behind. He stared at the person standing before him, her hair was a mess and her makeup was smudged. She looked drunk. "...Zoe" Nick breathed coldly. He stared at the woman as she slowly nodded to them "um...I need...help" Zoe coughed. Karl, being the kind of man he was, eagerly helped her inside. He gave her a blanket and sat her on the couch, and his husbands didn't argue. They knew better. "um...well I uh..I'm an addict actually..." Zoe said her frail body shaking wildly as she gripped the blanket around her shoulders. "...oh" Nick said shifting so he was closer to Alex. "Um...I just..I wanted to tell you I..I'm getting help" Zoe said "A-and when I get out..I wanna be a part of the babies lives" Alex yanked away from Nick "No! No way in hell! You don't even know their names!" He shouted. Suddenly, Little Mateo was bounding down the stairs and Alexis was wheeling down. "Daddy? papa? Papí?" They chorused. Alex glared at Zoe before turning to the kids "Hey..why don't you go play?" He hummed.
"Is that...them?" Zoe asked, causing the twins to glance at her. "Who's that?" Asked Alexis, naturally curious. "Um...Nobody-" Alex started but Zoe was already up and walking over to kneel in front of them. "Hi...what's your names?" She asked kindly with a small smile "...Our papí told us not to speak to strangers" Mateo said, standing in front of Alexis a bit. Alex felt pride well through him as he nodded to his adopted son. "Well...I'm not a stranger buddy" Zoe said "I'm your mama-" Karl stepped in front of her and picked Alexis up. "They need a bath-" he tried to say, but Alexis struggled. "No...No bath!" She whined causing Karl to nearly drop her. He sat her back in the chair and frowned. "...So what's your name?" Asked Zoe again. "...Your not our mommy" Alexis said, her little face screwed up in confusion "I am honey...I am your mama" Zoe said "..No we don't have a mama" Mateo said as he grabbed hold of Karl's hand. Zoe frowned before she understood, these kids had been raised with Three dads who each played a different role in the family. Karl must be the mom of the family, it was in the way Mateo held his hand tight like a scared child would cling to their mother. Nick was obviously the dad, it was in the way he stood, arms crossed while he held a protective gaze on his children. Alex must have been something in between, both mom, and dad. "Yes...your right honey I was wrong to..just say that I-" Alex cut her off, he knelt beside Alexis's wheelchair. "No conjita's....You do have a mama" He said softly. His children stared at him confused. "You have one mama and three papa's" Alex explained "Your mama is Miss Zoe here" Mateo blinked back and forth between Zoe and Alex before nodding "Okay..." Zoe stared amazed as Mateo hugged her "Hello mama!" He said, She looked at Alex, tears in her eyes as she hugged Mateo tight.
Once it came time for Zoe to leave for rehab, she turned to Alex and Karl. "I am..so so sorry" She said "Thank you...Alex. For doing that" Alex shifted "I married an alcoholic....And he wrote me a letter before we got married. I read it...a week ago Zoe. He has a son, and an ex wife" Zoe looked confused, why would Alex be telling her this? "I thought he hated me...I thought he was horrible...I still kind of do. Yet, in that letter he told me he loved me. He knew what was going to happen while he drank...but he loved me too much to let me go" Alex grabbed Zoe's hand and she started to cry. "I know now...that he loved his son so much he left him. So he wouldn't hurt him....that's why I did this" Karl and Nick put their hands supportively on Alex's shoulder's. "because I know you love them...I know you'll love them when you come back. I can't...deny them the chance to be with their mother." Zoe wobbled and hugged Alex who gently pulled back "But...You will never have full custody of these kids. I raised them...for six years. I am their father, blood related or not, and they are my babies. I will not let you hurt them...That is your only warning" he said gently. Zoe nodded eagerly while Karl led her out the door. "I'll be home soon" He said, leaning down to kiss Alex and then Nick. They left the house in silence before little Alexis spoke up "I still love you papí...you know that right?" Alex smiled as he and Nick approached the twins and showered them in hugs and kisses. "I know mi amor...Papí knows"
