"So, princess, are you ready for our mini-vacation?" Dom asked.
Joy nodded excitedly. She was more than ready, she was more than prepared. In fact, if she had her way, they would be at her grandpappy's house by now.
"So, have you packed your bags yet?" he asked and she shook her head.
"No, not yet daddy, mommy said that I should wait till tomorrow to pack so that way I don't mix up some of my things," Joy said.
"That is true, well, I am almost ready as well. I just need to settle a few more things at the office and we'll be ready to go," Dom said.
"Yayyyyyyyyy!" Joy giggled.
"Mommy, I'm done with my dinner, can I please go and watch tv?" Joy asked.
"Alright my darling, you can go," Natasha said.
Joy giggled happily and rushed out of the dining room. A few moments Natasha and Dom heard the sound of the tv blasting before it reduced.
"I like seeing her so excited, it makes me happy," Dom smiled.
"I know... it makes me happy too," Natasha replied. Who would not like to see their child all happy and excited?
As a parent, there was nothing more fulfilling than seeing your child happy with what you have provided them with. There was just a sense of accomplishment and joy that could not be replaced by anything else.
"I actually can't wait to go over there. I called my mom and I told her that we are coming over and she's ecstatic," Dom said.
"I can just imagine how excited she is," Natasha chuckled. She knew that Margaret would be the most happy about their mini-vacation. Well considering grandfather, she would be the second most happy person.
"You should have heard her voice. She already started cleaning the spare room for you and well, she said she newly decorated Joy's room, so she can't wait for her to see it," Dom chuckled.
"I'm sure Joy can't wait to see it as well.".
"Well, dinner was delicious as always," Dom stood to his feet and Natasha scoffed.
"Mhmm, of course it was.".
Dom could not tell if she was being sarcastic or just being Natasha, either way. He meant what he said.
Dom proceeded to pick up his dishes and Joy's and he walked to the kitchen. Natasha picked up her own dishes and walked into the kitchen as well.
"What are you doing?" she asked when she saw Dom roll up his sleeves.
"What do you mean what am I doing?" Dom asked confused.
"I mean what are you doing?" she asked again.
"I'm about to wash the dishes," Dom replied. He looked more surprised that Natasha looked surprised.
"Why?".
"Why else would I want to wash the dishes? They are dirty," He replied.
"I know that, but it's not your turn to wash them, it's mine," She said.
"I know, I just want to help out," He replied.
"Why?" Natasha narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well because, it's the nice thing to do. Besides, you've been at home all day, working as well, almost every evening you do the dishes, I just want to offer you some help, there's nothing attached to this gesture of mine," Dom said. He knew exactly what Natasha was thinking.
She was always suspicious of everything, especially of whatever her did in regards to her. He did not blame her for that. It was only natural to feel like that. He just wanted to do something nice for her. In the past, they used to do nice things for each other.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked.
"I'm very sure Natasha, I just want to help, you can go sit down, relax, watch tv with Joy or do whatever you want. I will do the dishes and even clean the kitchen, you don't have to worry," He said.
Natasha did not know why, but Dom acting so nice and caring... she did not like it. It reminded her of when they used to be friends. Well their relationship had moved and changed over the years and right now, she could not help but be suspicious when he suddenly wished to help her out.
"I thought you said you were tired from work?" she asked.
Dom sighed and laughed. He did not know why Natasha continued to push against his kind gesture. After all, he knew how much she hated cleaning up in the kitchen. So he was sure she actually would appreciate him helping her in here.
"I am, but not too tired to help, besides, washing dishes can be calming and therapeutic.".
Natasha nearly rolled her eyes at his statement. "Since when?" she asked.
"I don't know, but I am sure I heard it somewhere," Dom replied and Natasha laughed.
"Natasha, just go and take a break, I'm not going to beg you to help you, if you really don't want me to help, I can leave right now," He said.
Natasha paused, she actually seemed to be giving his statement some thought. Dom was about to give up and walk away when he heard Natasha say:
"Alright, fine, just let it be made clear that you can't ask me to help you with one of your chores in exchange for this time," She said.
Dom almost felt like giving her a light flick in the forehead. He had literally made that in the beginning and she was repeating something he had already said.
"I am very sure that was the first thing I said. This is just a nice deed, no strings attached, sheesh, you are making it very strenuous to help you," He sighed.
Natasha scoffed. "Well, I did not beg you to help me in the first place.".
Natasha thought that her words would make him turn and leave, instead he walked to the sink and began to rinse the dishes before picking up the sponge.
"You know, sometimes Natasha, you can be very annoying, and you call me the annoying one," He said.
"Well, when you are forced to spend an extreme amount of time with someone, you start to exhibit some of their traits," She replied.
Dom turned his head and looked unimpressed. "How nice Natasha, how nice, well, maybe one of these days my niceness will rub off on you as well," He responded.
Natasha gasped, her mouth opened wide, she could not believe he had just said that to her.
Dom smiled to himself, he knew that he had gave her a good response.
Natasha picked up the almost empty glass of water and poured the remaining on Dom.
Dom gasped, he turned to her and frowned. "Did you just pour water on me?".
"No, I did not pour water on you, there was barely any water in there," She said proudly.
"Oh, don't forget this glass, and make sure you get the stains, you have a tendency to overlook some stains on the dishes," She said placing it into the second sink.
Dom looked at her incredulously. He was annoyed, before he knew it, he he had grabbed a handful of foam and blew it on Natasha's hair.
Natasha gasped, she could not believe that he had just done that to her, neither could he.
Dom laughed, he did not know what came over him. He just picked up a handful of foam and blew it on her.
Natasha was unsure why, but hearing him laugh made her laugh as well. Before she knew it they were both laughing.
"You're so childish," She scoffed.
"So are you, you started it," He replied.
"Just wash the dishes good Samaritan," She said wiping off the foam in her hair with a cloth. Luckily it was only a little bit of foam.
"Wow, I have a new nickname, I think I kind of like it, I am a good Samaritan after all," Dom smiled proudly.
"Oh please," Natasha rolled her eyes. She walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.
She sat down beside Joy. She did not notice when she started to smile, but she was.
"Mommy, where's daddy?" She heard Joy ask.
"He's in the kitchen washing the dishes, he said he wanted to do a nice thing and help me," She said.
"Ooooh, my daddy is so sweet and nice," Joy said.
Natasha chuckled. Joy always defended Dom, always, it was cute every time she did it.
"Mommy, why are you smiling so much? Did something good happen?" Joy asked.
"No, your daddy is just very annoying my darling," Natasha chuckled.
"Yes, but he's also very sweet and nice and helpful and he always buys me whatever I want," Joy said.
"Oh, so that's why you love him darling? Because he always buys you everything you want?" Natasha laughed.
"No, I love him becasue he's my daddy and I love you because you're my mommy," Joy said.
"Aww, that's so sweet my darling, I love you," Natasha hugged Joy. Being a mother was something she would never regret.