Zac
Diana trotted downstairs to the basement. Zac was busy painting the walls. His plan was to get the walls painted before they left for toronto, that way the paint would be able to dry while they were away. He had managed to clear away most of the junk, but there was still a smaller of collection of it. Zac simply left this in the middle of the room - he would figure out what to do with it all upon their return.
"Hi Zac," Diana said.
"Hey Mom."
"Would you like a hand?"
"Sure."
Diana picked up one of the rollers and dipped it in the paint.
"We... things have been a little rocky between us this year."
"Yeah," Zac replied. "You can say that again."
"It's just that..." Diana sighed. "I thought that... It turned out that you were having sex with humans."
Zac groaned.
"Mom, please, I don't want -"
"Zac, let me finish, okay? Julie got pregnant and then the next thing I know you and Faith are screaming of sexual attraction towards each other. You must have been, because despite having verizik, I can feel it when someone is feeling something very strongly, even if it seems only mild. Zac... I... if it hadn't been for Julie I wouldn't have been concerned, because teenage boys are prone to reeking of sexual attraction. I have never been anything but concerned for your well being, and yet you -"
"Keep sleeping around? If it's any consolation I don't sleep with people who don't know I'm an alien any more."
"Zac, you shouldn't -"
"I don't need -"
"You're seventeen! You're too young to have three children to raise, and two more to come!"
Zac was silent.
"Honey... I... you should be enjoying life, now, while you're young. Instead you're having to be a father before your time."
"How do you know what my time is?"
Diana sighed.
"I'm eighteen in a couple of weeks, y'know."
"And that's supposed to change things? Seventeen, eighteen, you're still a teen."
"Mom, my life has never been normal. Gee, I've been in a band since I was six! I have a successful career, Mom. Is there anything wrong with me wanting a relationship as well?"
"Zac I..." Diana closed her eyes for a moment, stopped painting and looked at him. "I didn't come down here to argue with you. I came down here to tell you I'm proud of you."
Zac stared.
"You... you are?" he asked in surprise, nearly dropping his roller in shock.
"We both know I don't much approve of the... of some of the things you do, but that comes with being a parent. I do, however, approve of your willingness to take responsibilty. I'm... I'm very proud of you, Zac. You've barely complained about having children and you've gone and made the best of it, and looked for ways to provide the best for your kids. You're really wonderful with Saku."
"I... I... thank you..." Zac stammered. "I'm doing my best."
"And that's all a parent can do."