[A few days later] [Dunphy House]
//Haley's Confession//
Haley sat curled into the living room chair, one leg tucked under her, the other bouncing lightly like she had too much energy to stay still. Her hands moved as she talked, like the words needed help getting out.
"Okay, so… this week?" she started, already smiling like she knew how insane it sounded. "This week makes zero sense."
She pointed toward the hallway like the explanation might be hiding there.
"Two days ago, I was fully prepared to beg my parents for permission to go to Miami. I had a whole speech ready. It had emotion, logic, maybe some light crying if needed. I was ready."
She nodded seriously.
"Like… Oscar-level ready."
A small pause.
"Then Jack's parents showed up."
Her eyebrows lifted.
"In person."
Another pause, letting that sink in.
"They sat down with my parents like it was some kind of business meeting, but also not really because there were snacks involved, and my dad kept trying to make jokes and even performed some of his magic tricks."
She shook her head, smiling to herself.
"And then… somehow… it turned into this whole thing where not only am I allowed to go to Miami…"
She held up a finger.
"…but my entire family is invited."
A beat.
"Like… what?"
She blinked, still not fully over it.
"Who does that? Who invites the whole family?"
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice like it was still unbelievable.
"Rich people. That's who."
A quiet laugh slipped out.
"And now we're all going. My mom is already packing bags. My dad packed six different shirts 'just in case.' Luke is excited about the hotel food. Alex is bringing books like she's going to a research retreat. I don't know what's going on in her head, but she needs to chill out sometimes or else she might end up in a single apartment with a cat in the future."
She shook her head again.
"And me?"
A softer smile formed.
"I'm going to Miami… with my boyfriend… for his birthday. It's my first time celebrating it with him. And I actually got him something… something thoughtful. Not just 'grab something last minute and hope it looks cute' thoughtful."
She looked back up.
"I hope he likes my gift."
She smiled.
"I'm really excited."
She leaned back.
"And also a little nervous," she admitted. "Because it's not just a party. It's like… a whole week together with my boyfriend's family and my family."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.
"A whole week of waking up, seeing him, hanging out, doing stuff, maybe sneaking away when our parents aren't looking…"
She stopped, then gave a quick, guilty smile.
"Not in a bad way. Just like… fun way."
She nodded once, convincing herself.
"Totally innocent."
A beat.
"…mostly."
She laughed quietly.
"But yeah. Miami. His birthday. My first time being part of something like that with him."
Her voice softened again.
"And I really don't want to mess it up."
She thought for a moment, imagining certain things she planned to do together with Jack.
"I just want it to be perfect."
A small pause.
"…or at least really, really good."
//Haley's Confession End//
...
The Dunphy house was louder than usual, and that said a lot.
Suitcases were open everywhere. The living room had turned into a packing zone, with clothes, chargers, random shoes, and things no one could justify bringing all scattered across the furniture.
Phil stood in the middle of it all, holding a pair of sunglasses and a folded shirt, looking like a man preparing for something life-changing.
"Okay, quick question," he said, looking around. "Do I go tropical fun Phil… or mysterious Miami Phil?"
Claire didn't even look up from the suitcase she was organizing. "You go basic Phil and pack normal clothes."
Phil nodded slowly like he was considering it seriously. Then he held up a bright floral shirt.
"This says confidence," he argued.
"That says midlife crisis," Claire replied instantly.
Luke, sprawled across the couch with his phone, looked up. "I vote crisis. It's more entertaining."
Phil looked betrayed. "I thought you were on my side."
"I am," Luke said. "I just want the trip to be interesting."
...
Upstairs, Haley zipped her suitcase shut and sat on it for a second to make sure it actually stayed closed.
"Okay… that's it," she said to herself. "I'm packed. I'm ready. I'm not overpacking."
She paused.
Then slowly looked at the second bag sitting next to her bed.
"…that's a backup bag," she added quickly, like someone was questioning her. "Totally reasonable."
Her phone buzzed.
She picked it up.
Jack: Driver's there in 10. Don't be late.
A smile spread across her face instantly.
Haley: Relax. I'm already ready.
She looked around her room again.
"…mostly ready," she corrected under her breath as she grabbed her second bag.
…
In the hallway, Alex walked out of her room carrying a neatly packed suitcase and a tote bag filled with books.
Haley stopped mid-step.
"…are you moving there?" she asked, staring at the stack.
Alex didn't even blink. "I don't know how productive downtime will be, so I prepared for multiple scenarios."
"You're going to Miami," Haley said. "Not a study abroad program."
Alex adjusted the strap on her shoulder. "Sunlight improves cognitive function. I plan to optimize."
Luke walked past them, glanced at Alex's bag, and shook his head. "She's going to come back with a degree."
"I already have goals," Alex replied calmly.
Haley groaned. "Your goal should be relaxing for once in your life."
Alex gave her a look. "Your goal should be not losing your passport."
Haley froze.
"…I have my passport," she said quickly.
A beat.
"…I think."
She immediately dropped her bags and ran back into her room.
Luke leaned against the wall, smirking. "Five bucks says she panics for at least three minutes."
"Make it ten," Alex replied.
…
Phil stood near the front door holding a printed checklist that was already wrinkled from being folded and unfolded too many times.
"Alright, family," he announced, clapping once like he was about to lead a team-building exercise. "Final check before we leave for the airport. Passports, chargers, clothes, snacks, emergency snacks, backup emergency snacks…"
Claire walked past him with a suitcase in one hand and a tote bag in the other. "Phil, we're going to Miami, not crossing the Sahara."
Phil looked at her like she had just said something irresponsible. "People get hungry on planes, Claire. Even private ones. And what if something goes wrong and we end up stranded on a deserted island?"
Luke, who was lying upside down on the couch with his head hanging off the edge, raised a hand. "Do private jets have like… unlimited snacks? And if we get stranded on a deserted island, can we hunt and eat a bear?"
Phil turned immediately. "That is exactly the kind of question I like to hear." He pointed a finger at him. "Yes and yes. With careful strategy and traps, we can hunt and eat a bear or a whale. It all depends on the season and atmosphere."
Claire sighed, already regretting this.
Haley came running down the stairs a second later, holding her passport in the air.
"I HAVE IT."
Luke checked his phone. "Two minutes and forty seconds."
Alex nodded. "Within predicted range."
Haley glared at both of them. "You're both the worst."
...
A car horn sounded outside.
Phil's entire face lit up instantly.
"That's us," he said, grabbing his suitcase like he had been waiting his whole life for this moment. "Private jet, baby."
Claire pointed at him. "Don't say that loudly outside."
Phil lowered his voice dramatically. "Private jet, baby," he whispered.
Luke grabbed his bag. "If this thing has a mini fridge, I'm never flying commercial again."
Alex adjusted her bag. "Statistically, you probably will because we can't afford to buy a private jet and maintain it, and roughly speaking, this trip alone costs approximately $14,000."
Everyone looked stunned after hearing the cost of a 5-6 hour flight in a private jet, except for Haley. She was busy with her phone and barely heard anything.
Haley's phone buzzed again.
Jack: I'm already at the airport. Hurry up.
Her smile softened instantly.
"Okay," she said, more to herself than anyone else. She turned back and noticed her parents' stunned expression. "What happened? Let's go. We're getting late."
They quickly recovered and decided to push the amount out of their head for the moment and enjoy.
Phil swung the front door open with too much enthusiasm.
"Miami, here we come!"
Luke ran past him first. "I call window seat!"
Alex followed, still reading as she walked. "We're not at the airport yet."
Claire shook her head, grabbing the last bag. "This is going to be a long week."
Haley followed behind her and Phil locked the door and followed them to the car.
And just like that, their family trip began...
--[Next vol will start with 2 years time skip. Time to make them adults.]--[RANT for those who are saying carrying passport doesn't make any sense. Click to read][1]
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[1] [Yeah, yeah, I know the passport part. You can never be too careful. Carrying it is highly recommended as a backup. If your flight experiences a severe mechanical issue or medical emergency while flying over the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the airplane may be forced to divert and land in a foreign country like the Bahamas, Cuba, or Mexico. Having a passport ensures you can legally enter that country or easily board a flight back to the United States.]