"You're so silly Ethan," Joy giggled.
"I'm not silly, I am merely preparing for the future and that is one of the best things you can do," Ethan said. There was no way he would ever allow himself be subjected to sleeping on the couch.
"Don't you think it's weird that adults say that they love each other, but then they fight, they cry and they don't sleep in the same bed when they are angry," Joy said.
"I don't find it weird. Life is hard, life is unfair, sometimes you don't always get what you want and I mean, when you have a wife or a husband, you expect them to always be on your side because you believe they know you better than anyone else... but people forget that we are all still humans and we are not perfect," Ethan shrugged.
"Wow Ethan, you're so smart like always," Joy said.
"Of course I am, I started watching some telenovelas with my grandma and I am learning a lot. There is no way you are going to catch me repeating some of the silly things the characters do," Ethan said and Joy giggled.
"When I grow up, I don't think I want to get married," Joy said as she laid on her bed.
"Why not dummy?".
"Well because, my parents got married and they did not stay in love with each other. Which means it is very easy to fall out of love with someone, so I don't think I want to get married just to get hurt. Besides, none of my uncles are married and they are just fine," Joy said.
"I don't think that's why you shouldn't want to get married. I mean, sooner or later everyone needs someone, and your uncles might look happy but I am sure that they are lonely. As for me, I could never stay alone, I am definitely getting married, I don't want to live all alone in a big house with no one to have fun with," Ethan said.
"Well you can just get more pets. Animals will always love you no matter what, people... not so much, but your mommy and daddy always love you no matter what though," Joy said.
"Well, if you don't change your mind dummy, I don't blame you. I am sure you will grow up and get a bit older and understand what I'm saying. Living alone isn't nice, being alone is annoying, at least if you argue with someone, you're not alone in the argument," Ethan said.
"Mhmmm, I don't know about that Ethan. I just want my parents to get back together..." Joy said.
"Anyway... you're going to be gone for a week or something, which means I won't be able to reach you," Ethan said.
"Yes, that is true. I'm really going to miss you Ethan, more than I already do, maybe by the time I come back you will be back as well," Joy said hopefully.
"Mhmm, maybe." Ethan did not want to ruin her hope. Who knows, maybe he would be back soon. He was starting to get tired of being on vacation, after all, it was just his parents going out alone and leaving him behind. The only good thing was that at least he was left with his grandparents.
"Ethie, come down, we are going to the beach, bring Pluto along as well." Joy heard someone say in the background.
"Who is that?" Joy asked.
"It's my grandad," Ethan replied. "Coming grandad, my surfboard is in the garage," Ethan moved away from the phone and shouted.
"Your grandad calls you Ethie?" Joy stifled a laugh.
"Hey, it's a nickname, I don't expect you to have one considering your name is already so short," Ethan frowned.
"That is true, but Ethie sounds so cute, like a tiny dog's name," Joy giggled.
"Shut up dummy, it does not!" Ethan said. He did not like Joy teasing him. It was annoying and embarrassing. How he wished his grandad would not have called him that.
"It does too, it definitely does. Ethie sounds so cute, I'm going to call you Ethie from now on," Joy laughed.
"Oh no you're not, you are not calling me Ethie, stop that right now!" Ethan demanded.
"Well, now you know how I feel when you call my dummy, so we are even!" Joy replied. It did not feel so nice to be teased when you were the one being teased. She wanted Ethan to have a taste of his own medicine.
"You're so annoying, I'm not going to talk to you again. I am going to surf, see you never!" Ethan said.
"Bye Ethie," Joy laughed. Ethan scoffed and hanged up hastily.
"She is so annoying, so very annoying, right Pluto?" he turned to Pluto and she barked in a low tone.
"You disagree?" he asked and she barked higher.
"Stop being on her side, you're supposed to be on my side. Come on grandad is waiting for us," Ethan said standing up as Pluto ran before him.
Joy giggled, she was definitely going to start calling Ethan, Ethie from now on. It was such a cute little nickname.
Joy smiled to herself, she walked out of her room down the stairs and placed the landline back in the kitchen.
...
Dom hummed in his office. It was almost time to go home and he was excited. For once, it felt nice to know that there was a level of work he had to complete, not just looking at everything that needed his attention... which was a lot.
He was looking forward to a whole week of rest, relaxation and laughs. It had been a while since he went on any type of vacation and he was more than ready for this one.
"Hello, hello!" Michael knocked before entering his office.
"Hey Michael, anything you need help with?" Dom smiled as he looked up.
"Nope, not at all, you seem pretty happy today, what's the occasion?" Michael asked.
"I'm going on vacation tomorrow. I'm just finishing up the last bit of work I'm going to do. I'll probably work a half-day from home tomorrow and then after that, for an entire week, no one an disturb me," Dom announced proudly.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. If anyone needs a break, it is definitely you," Michael said.
"Thank you, I am glad I'm not the only one that thinks so.".
"Of course you're not, everyone here knows that you are definitely the one who works the hardest here. Besides, it's been a while since you've gone on vacation and it does not matter if you're only going over to aunt's for the week, it's still a break regardless," Michael said.
"I agree, and I am really looking forward to spending time with Joy and Natasha," He smiled. "The only person I am worried about is Lulu... ever since she and Benjamin had an argument, she has not been herself," He frowned.
"Yeah, I've noticed that... but I am sure she will get over it soon, she's strong and she definitely will not allow this way her down for long. She just wants to feel all the emotions before she moves on.".
"I really hope you are right about that Michael... anyway, are you guys coming?" Dom asked.
"Well, I told Charlie and of course he's on board, the only one I'm not sure about is Nine, he claims that he's busy this week and it's definitely not with office work," Michael frowned and Dom laughed.
"You know how Nine is, when he's ready to tell you what it is, he will tell you. Just leave him be for now, he likes to have his own life," Dom laughed.
"That I know and I am perfectly fine with, the one who isn't is Charlie, he's being nosy as always," Michael laughed and shook his head.
"Typical Charlie, whatever Nine is involved in, he wants to know, I don't know if it's being his brother's keeper or just being annoying.".
"It's one part the first and five parts the second," Michael said as they both laughed.
"Anyway, you want a ride home?" Dom asked as he packed up his desk and stood up. He was ready to go home.
"No, thanks, Charlie is going to drive me home, I'm just waiting for him to finish up in his office," Michael said. "Besides, he's going to pick up takeout and I want to make sure he doesn't eat from all the plates before he brings it back home.".
Dom laughed, "Is he really still doing that?".
"He really is, he just did that two days ago, I have to make sure he doesn't have any reason to lie and defend himself when he's clearly guilty," Michael scoffed. Dom laughed, Charlie would forever remain Charlie.
"Alright then, see you later," Dom gave him a pat on the back before leaving him in his office.
"See you later Dom," Michael smiled.