"So, how do you feel?" Natasha asked. She knew that this was not the time to address the way Lulu had been behaving lately; however, she just wanted to check on her friend and make sure that she was alright.
"I feel wonderfully being back home, and I can't wait to relax and take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the city and work, and just forget all the problems that plague us," Lulu laughed.
"Yes, that is true," Natasha smiled. Although Lulu's answer was vague and not what she wished to hear, she was happy that Lulu had something she was looking forward to.
"And what about you? I am sure you are excited about just unplugging everything and relaxing, right?" Lulu smiled.
"You are right about that. I am trusting that everything will run smoothly at the farm and at the store. If anything goes wrong though, they have to call me right away," Natasha said.
"I doubt anything would go wrong. You should just switch off all your warning sensors and just focus on enjoying this one chance mini-vacation," Lulu said.
"You are right about, Lulu. I will do that," Natasha replied.
"Good, no work, no calls, just enjoying this time with family," Lulu said as her stomach rumbled.
"Oh my goodness, why do you have to embarrass me like that?" she laughed.
"It's not embarrassing, Lulu. I am also very hungry," Natasha laughed.
"Well, we are in luck. Knowing my mom, she probably cooked up a feast, and it's going to be so good tasting some home cooked meals prepared by her again," Lulu got out of bed.
"I agree, it's going to be nice eating something someone else prepared for once. I am sick of your brother's pancakes," Natasha laughed.
"You and me both, Natasha. You and my both," Lulu chuckled. "Come on, let's go. I am starving.".
"Aren't you going to brush your teeth first?".
"Oh yes, I have to do that first. I almost forgot. Thanks, Natasha," Lulu laughed as she rushed into the bathroom.
Natasha laughed and shook her head. So far, this mini-vacation was off to a good start despite the heavy traffic and terrible cramps she had experienced the night before.
...
Nine sighed. There he was seated at the kitchen counter eating his bowl of cereal alone. Today he had woken up without the sound of loud music blasting in the kitchen. Without the smell of Michael's ghastly smelly socks in his laundry basket, and most important without any noise at all.
The apartment was so quiet. Almost like a ghost town. Nine liked the silence, usually, he did. However, he was unsure why it bothered him so much now. He hated hearing himself think. He was sure it was because he was so used to noise that not having any was unsettling his brain.
Nine could not remember the last time he had been alone. Almost all his life, he had been surrounded by Michael, Charlie, Dom and the others. It was almost felt like there was something wrong with him.
Nine played with the bowl of cereal in front of him. It was his favourite, bran flakes. Yet, he could not enjoy it. He was almost struggling to finish it. He could imagine Charlie standing on the opposite side of the counter and chugging orange juice like a barbarian while Michael nearly vomited from the sight.
Nine sighed. He felt like calling them, but he knew that Charlie would be so angry with him. He had begged him to come with them and he refused. Staying the entire night alone and now waking up to an empty apartment felt like an alternate reality.
Ever since they were adopted, the three of them lived in the same space all throughout their childhood, high school, college till now. So being alone now felt extremely weird.
Nine was certain Charlie would not answer his calls. He did not want to bother Dom or Natasha or Lulu. The only other person he could think of calling without having to be worried was angry with him would be Michael.
Nine did not even know when he did, but he picked up his phone and dialed Michael's number. He hoped he would pick up.
Michael groaned when he heard his phone ringing. It woke him up. Somehow, Charlie's foot was on his chest and his right arm was on his shoulder while Charlie was turned the other way.
Michael groaned again, this was why he hated sharing a bed with Charlie. Charlie was a restless sleeper. If it was possible he might even end up in China with the way he tossed around in bed.
Michael threw Charlie's foot off him and his hand. Yet, Charlie did not wake up. He was a very heavy sleeper.
Michael's phone continued to ring. He reached out for it and answered the call seeing it was Nine.
"What's up?" he answered.
"Good morning," Nine said. He cleared his throat, he did not want to seem too excited to have his call answered.
"Hmm, morning, Nine. What's up?" Michael yawned.
"Nothing, I only wanted to check on you. How was your trip down there?".
"It was fine. Although it was so stressful. The traffic was terrible, it was as if everyone had the same idea to go out of the city yesterday," Michael said.
"I can imagine, and I guess Charlie was a bad driver," Nine said.
"I could not sleep knowing he was the one driving, before we crash and I wake up in heaven," Michael.
Nine nearly laughed out loud, "I agree.".
"I wish you came with us. If you were driving, I would be able to rest and sleep. I was so tired, you just woke me up," Michael said.
"I can imagine.".
"Mhmm, so, how was your first night alone?" Michael laughed.
"It was fine. It is nice to have tsome quiet for once," Nine replied.
"Mhmm, why do I have a feeling that you are lying to me?" Michael laughed.
Nine avoided the question, "Let me guess, Charlie is still sleeping and you found him invading your personal space?".
"Tell me about it. That guy needs help. It was more than invading my personal space, it almost feels like he is deliberately trying to enter into my body," Michael said.
Nine let out a small chuckle. That sounded like Charlie alright. To think that he had never changed after all these years. He remained the same, always constant. He never felt the need to hide his true self, especially not around the people he loved.
"He's still very upset with me, isn't he?" Nine asked.
"You know you shouldn't ask that. If he was awake right now and heard that I was talking to you, he would probably throw my phone away," Michael chuckled.
Nine did not find that funny at all. Now that he considered it, having Charlie extremely upset with him was the last thing he wanted.
"Why didn't you just go with us? I didn't insist then because I know that forcing you would not be the best thing to do. I bet you are lonely being there alone, why didn't you just come with us?" Michael asked.
"You don't understand.".
"Then make me understand. What could be more important than spending time with your family?" Michael asked.
Nine did not respond.
"It's alright if you do not want to tell me. The last thing I want is to fight with you. Anyway, what are you eating?".
"Cereal.".
"Your favourite bran flakes?" Michael laughed.
"What do you think?".
"Well enjoy that. I am looking forward to Aunt Maggie's breakfast. I can already smell it from here," Michael laughed.
"You enjoy that then," Nine replied.
"Oh, I definitely will. I am sure Charlie will wake up as soon as he gets a whiff of that delicious breakfast," Michael continued.
"Mhmm.".
"So, how long do you think this your fight with Charlie is going to last for?" he asked.
"As long as Charlie is prepared to be angry," Nine replied.
"Do not say that, put more effort. Instead of calling me, call him and apologize," Michael said.
"Aplogize for what exactly?" Nine asked.
"For being mean and deciding not to go with us even though you wanted to," Michael frowned.
"I doubt that would solve anything. Charlie's mostly angry because this is the first time I did not allow him drag me into doing anything he wants," Nine replied.
"The two of you are so full of pride. You should both suck it up and apologize. If you really think that's the reason, then you don't really know Charlie. He just wanted us all to be here. It feels kind of empty, the day hasn't started yet, and it already feels like we are incomplete and that's because you are not here.".
Nine went completely silent. Michael hoped that his words were sinking in, because both Charlie and Nine could be very stubborn when the situation came to that.