Generation 1, Chapter 15

After Brian's birthday party, Peter finally decided to have a heart to heart talk with Vallari. It started while they were playing a video game that Peter had bought for the boys to play. Peter started to tell Vallari how hurt and awful he felt to know that Vallari had researched his family. He told her it felt like she was only interested in him for the money he would possibly inherit one day. Vallari was quick to deny and expressed regret that she had not told Peter about researching his family. She said she only did it because Peter was so closed mouthed about his family, she just wanted information, it had nothing to do with money.

Vallari was very convincing, Peter continued to explain that the reason he hadn't gone into detail was that it was painful for him to talk about as he hadn't parted from his family on the best of terms. It was the closest to an honest conversation that Vallari ever had with Peter. She was sorry that Peter found out she had researched his family but she didn't really regret it

As Peter poured his heart out to her about how his parents; especially his Father, had disowned him. Vallari mentally stopped listening at the word "disowned", she asked herself if that meant he would not inherit anything! She began to regret her artfully contrived story to convince Peter she wasn't interested in his money. Now what was she going to do? She couldn't just dump him now; although she was thinking it may have been better to have let Peter dump her. Then she could have taken him for everything she could get, dump the kids and go catch someone with a bigger wallet, while she was still attractive enough to do it.

She certainly regretted inviting Peter to come with her to China. She needed to go to China to learn martial arts to advance her career. She had told Peter it would be the honeymoon they never had. She now saw it would have been a perfect opportunity to scope out a rich tourist travelling alone.

In the days leading up to their departure to China, Vallari was beginning to unravel and fray at the edges. She wished that Adam and Brian were still toddlers. That way she could stick them in the playpen and forget about them or Optimus Even would take care of them. But no, Adam would insist on reading to her while she was trying to sleep.

Or Brian would tell her stupid stories about his invisible friend, Pat. She was now thoroughly convinced that there was some kind of mental instability somewhere in Peter's family.

It was all becoming so unbearable. She finally reached her limit when Brian ate the last of the pancakes. Pancakes were her favorite and how dare Brian eat her pancakes! She followed him outside to yell at him. Poor Brian didn't know what to do. How was he supposed to know that you don't touch the pancakes because mom will go ballistic on you?

Brian discussed this with Pat. Pat had only one idea, that Vallari was off her rocker and was to be avoided at all costs. Either that or don't eat the pancakes.

Brian thought he should discuss it with Adam to see what he thought.

"Adam why is mom so mean" Brian asked.

"Born that way and getting meaner everyday" Adam replied.

"Do you think Dad knows how mean mom is?"

"Yeah, she's even meaner to him. Sometimes I wish she'd go away."

"Yeah Optimus Even is more of a mom than she is." Brian agreed.

"Wouldn't it be funny if Optimus Even had feelings and fell in love with Dad? Optimus would make a better wife than mom."

"But Gracie Loveland is prettier. Maybe if we could convince mom to leave then Dad could marry someone nicer."

"Yeah he deserves to be happy. All mom does is make him miserable." Adam agreed

The boys continued to scheme and make plans until Brian decided to go swimming with Pat.

When Peter came home from the Science lab he and Adam enjoyed some quiet time together reading books.

"Dad why did you marry Mom?" Adam asked.

"Because I loved her"

"But why, what made you love her?" Adam insisted.

"Well she made me feel like I belonged somewhere and I wasn't lonely anymore."

"Oh. Does she make you happy?"

Instead of answering Peter turned to Adam and asked "Why all the questions?"

"Just curious. Good night Dad" Adam promptly went to his room to avoid anymore questions.

Brian trusted that Adam would be able to get the information they needed from Dad as to why he married Mom. So he concentrated on his painting while Pat watched and gave him advise on how to improve. Brian loved to paint and wanted to become a famous artist. His room was filled with his artwork. He hoped that one day he would have enough paintings for his own art show. Although mom had told him he needed to become a scientist like Dad. But he told her he didn't have to because Dad said he could be anything he wanted and he wanted to be an artist!