Dom groaned, finally, after four straight hours of traffic, he finally found himself in the more than familiar street he knew better than the back of his hand.
He looked back to Joy who was still fast asleep and he smiled. Then he glanced at Natasha who was also fast asleep.
It made him happy, at least his favourite girl in the world got to get some rest and did not have to sit through hours and hours of traffic, and at least Natasha got some rest so when she woke up in the morning she would feel better.
"Finally!" Dom said to himself, he pulled into the driveway and took a moment to sigh and prepare himself for the reality.
"Oh, they are here, they are here, they are here!!" Margaret exclaimed. She had been seated in the living room looking outside the window every five minutes waiting for them to arrive and now they were finally here.
"Slow down, Margaret," Ernest Jr sighed as his wife got her slippers and rushed out the front door.
"Wait for me! Wait for me!" grandfather whined. He stopped up and rushed after her as quickly as he could.
"Not you too father," Ernest Jr sighed.
"Oh hush, my favourite granddaughter-in-law and great-granddaughter are finally here," grandfather scoffed.
"So that means you should sprain your ankle, or worse fall down and get a serious injury?" Ernest Jr scoffed.
"Just shut up junior and come alone," grandfather replied.
Dom took a moment to collect his thoughts. He looked up only to see his mother rushing out. He removed his seatbelt got out of the car and hurried to give her a hug.
"Mom," he smiled as he hugged her.
"Oh, Dominic, my boy, my sweet boy. It has been so long," Margaret said. She hugged him tightly.
"I know mom, I know, how are you? How is dad, how is grandfather, and how is Alfred?" he asked.
"We are all fine. You don't know how excited I was to have you all here, and now, you are finally here. I cannot contain my excitement!" she exclaimed and let go of him.
"I know mom, I felt the same, I could not wait to come back home," he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh, where are Natasha and Joy?" Margaret asked.
"In the car, they are both out cold. Joy fell asleep, she was so excited, but Natasha did not feel well," Dom said.
"Oh my, please tell me that she is feeling better now?".
"She is much better, mom," Dom smiled.
"Oh, what a shame that Joy won't be able to see her bedroom that I redesigned tonight, but I guess that there is always tomorrow," she sighed.
"Yes, mom, there is tomorrow, and the day after that and the entire week," he gave her another kiss and she laughed.
"Let me go see if I can carry her in," Margaret said.
"There you are, finally, you have not called me for the longest time, I can finally give you the knock on the head that you deserve," Dom saw his grandfather walk out of the house. When he got closer, he raised his walking stick and stretched it out before using it to knock his head.
"Ouch, of course, I knew you would do that as soon as I arrived," Dom frowned and rubbed his head. "Good evening to you too, grandfather," he said.
"Save your good evening for yourself, where is my favourite granddaughter-in-law," grandfather smiled.
"You don't even care about me, your own grandson," Dom frowned.
"Is that news to you?" grandfather scoffed before Dom pointed to the car and he left.
"Good evening dad," Dom smiled.
"Good evening, Dominic, how was the trip?" Ernest Jr asked.
"The traffic was killer, I am just glad that it finally let up at the last minute," he said.
"Hmm, I hope the traffic reduces, or else Lulu and the others will have to suffer through it," he replied.
"I thought Lulu would come tomorrow?" Dom frowned.
"No, she changed her mind, she's on her way with Charlie and Michael," he said.
"My dear, come over here and help me carry Joy in," Margaret called.
"Coming, dear," Ernest Jr replied.
"Don't worry, I can carry her," Dom said.
"No, no, hush, you've been driving all evening, you don't have to worry. Your dad will take her to her room and put her to bed while you and Natasha get settled in," Margaret smiled.
Ernest Jr carried his granddaughter gently. Joy was still fast asleep despite all the loud voices, and so was Natasha.
Dom smiled, "Okay then." It truly was a good idea for Joy to have worn her pajamas when they were leaving.
"I'll be back soon to help carry your stuff in," Ernest Jr said before walking inside.
"Natasha, Natasha my dear, please wake up," grandfather called through the window.
Natasha frowned and opened her eyes, she was surprised and a little bit dazed. She yawned.
"Good evening, grandfather," she said still looking very sleepy.
"Good evening my dear, my lovely most favourite granddaughter-in-law," Ernest smiled.
"I am good, grandfather, how are you?" she stretched.
"Oh my dear, I am alright, so alright, but I know that you must be tired, the trip was truly stressful, you just need to rest, you need to rest, do not worry about anything," he smiled.
"Thank you, grandfather," she said. Somehow she had woken up feeling much worse than before, apart from that, her headache seemed to have returned.
"You do not look so good my dear, are you sure that you can stand and walk inside yourself?" Ernest frowned.
"I am fine, grandfather, I can walk in myself," Natasha replied. She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.
Margaret had brought in some of the bags, she was about to go back outside when she heard her husband call her, so she went upstairs.
Dom carried out one of the suitcases from the boot.
Natasha got out of the car, she stepped her foot on the ground and attempt to stand up, but she suddenly felt lightheaded and nearly fell.
To her luck, Dom had dropped the suitcase and caught her just in time.
"Natasha, my dear, are you alright?" Ernest asked in worry.
Natasha shook her head, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She just felt so weak right now.
"Natasha, open your eyes," Dom said, he quickly picked up her water bottle and opened it. "Here, drink some water.".
She opened her eyes and took a sip of water. She could not explain how she felt right now.
"You are not alright, you should get some rest, my dear," Ernest frowned.
"I am fine, put me down, I can walk myself," she said.
"No, don't listen to her, Dominic, don't put her down, carry her and make sure she does not fall again," Ernest commanded.
"But, grandfather—" Natasha groaned.
"But nothing, Natasha, do not argue with me, Dominic, carry her inside then you can come back for the other things.".
"Yes, grandfather," Dom nodded. He did not need to be told twice. He too felt that it would be wrong for him to leave Natasha alone, he knew she did not want to admit it, but she was far from fine. From what he knew, she was on her period, maybe she was losing a lot of blood which contributed to her fatigue.
Dom carried her in his arms. She held on, not because she wanted to, but because the queasy feeling she felt was starting to return.
Dom felt her hold onto him tighter, it was worrying for him. He did not like seeing her like this, it was worrying, very worrying.
Dom hurried and entered the house, he walked into the living room and placed her down on the couch.
"Natasha, do you need anything? Some tea?" he asked.
She looked at him and groaned, she hated feeling this way, it was like the first time she had got her period, this was terrible.
"Just get me some hot tea, please," she said.
"Okay, okay, hot tea, I'll be right back," Dom rushed out.
"Aww, my dear, how do you feel?" Margaret walked into the room.
"Aunt, I feel terrible, so terrible right now. I am so sorry, I put my shoes on the couch," Natasha said.
"Oh hush, do not worry about something as trivial as that," Margaret said as she took off her shoes for her.
"Dominic told me that you are not feeling well, what is it?" she asked worried.
"I don't know, it's just my period but it's more stronger than usual," Natasha said.
"Oh my, is your bleeding more than usual as well?" she asked and Natasha nodded.
"Maybe that's why you feel so lightheaded, let me go get you a hot water back to relief the cramps," Margaret rushed off.
Natasha hated inconveniencing everyone like this. They had only just arrived and they were all scurrying to make sure she felt better.