Natasha and Dom instinctively looked at each other. They could slightly tell what had happened here. Considering Ernest's silence, he was probably not too pleased by the tea Joy had prepared for him.
Dom found it hard to hold his laugh, especially when he saw his father trying to do the same. At first Natasha frowned at him, then she found herself laughing a bit as well. Ernest's silence was not making it any better.
"Grandpappy," Joy called when his response took too long.
"Huh?" he replied snapping out of his thoughts.
Margaret shook her head and looked away. She did not want to be caught laughing.
"Grandpappy, you did not answer me. I asked if I could make you another cup of tea since you liked the first one so much?" Joy asked again with a smile.
"Ahh, well, I did not hear you well the first time, my dear girl. You know I am old, my hearing is not as good as it used to be," Ernest said.
The other four adults present in the room knew that statement was false and nothing but an excuse. Ernest White had the best hearing for his age. He never even liked to admit that he was old.
Honestly, it was hilarious for all of them seeing him try to answer honestly while still managing to spare Joy's feelings. This was a man who usually did not lack words to speak, he simply replied instantly without caring about anyone's feelings. It was either he was changing or Joy was just too cute for him to hurt.
"Okay, so can I?" Joy asked again.
"My dear, your grandpappy seems to be tired, let's give him some time to rest," Margaret spoke up.
"Grandpappy, are you tired?" Joy asked him.
"Just a bit my dear girl. You know what, you can make me another cup of tea," he replied.
"Yayyyy!!" Joy jumped up ready to rush to the kitchen.
"But not right now. I am full, I don't want any tea again. You can make it for me another day," he added. He was not going to allow himself suffer through actually drinking the tea she prepared.
"Awww, okay, grandpappy. Okay," Joy smiled.
Ernest smiled at her and stood to his feet.
"Come now, let us go and eat breakfast, I am hungry," he said taking her by the hand.
"Okay, but I thought you were full?" Joy was confused.
"Oh, I am, but full of liquid, not of actually food. Please tell me you prepared some oats, my dear Maggie?" Ernest turned to her.
"Just the way you like it, father," Margaret smiled.
"Lovely, let's go, my dear girl," Ernest said. He wished that he could pick her up and carry her. He probably could, but not without risking pulling his back or straining his muscles.
Joy did not seem to mind his slow place. If anything she walked more gently with him. It made his heart swell with... well joy. She was truly the joy of the family.
As soon as Joy and Ernest left the living room, they all burst into laughter.
"What was that all about?" Natasha asked as she laughed.
"Father did not want to break Joy's heart, so he claimed that the tea she prepared for him was good when in reality he hated it," Ernest jr shook his head.
"Why didn't he just tell the truth?" Dom laughed.
"Have you seen Joy's face? It would have crushed her if he did," Margaret replied with the shake of her head.
"I'm perfectly fine with that. What I do not like is his pretence. He made me go over to his house to remake his tea the way he likes it," Ernest Jr scoffed.
"You went over to his house to remake the tea?" Margaret and Dom asked surprised.
"Of course he did. I had to throw out the remaining tea," Ernest Jr said.
"You should have known he would do that. Grandfather is very particular about his tea," Natasha chuckled.
"Indeed, anyway, I am so hungry, so let's go and eat," Dom said.
"I agree," Ernest Jr stood to his feet and followed after Dom.
"My dear, how are you feeling this morning?" Margaret smiled.
"So much better, aunt. Thank you for asking, and thank you for everything you did to make sure that I felt better," Natasha smiled. She gave Margaret a hug.
"You do not have to thank me, that is what family is for," she replied.
"Thank you.".
"Come now, you must be hungry, let's go and eat," Margaret said.
Natasha nodded as the left together.
...
Charlie was busy snoring loudly. One of his feet was in the air, the other on Michael's pillow. His right hand was on his head and the left on his right eye. This was his new sleeping position.
He was about to change his sleeping position again when this time he fell off the bed. His fall was enough to jolt him awake.
"Ouch," Charlie cried. His eyes shot open, his mouth closed and a few tears dropped on the sides of his face.
He was confused, scared and more confused all at once. He looked at his surroundings. He had never fallen off his bed in such a long time, the last time he remembered doing so was on his childhood bed.
That was when it hit him, his eyes scanned the room and he realized that he was not in his apartment.
"Nine," he called instinctively.
He frowned and got off the floor. Of course Nine was not here.
"That's right, that traitor isn't here," he scoffed. "Michael," he called instead.
He received no response. He was sure that Michael had woken up early and left him here to sleep. As much as he appreciated that, waking up alone in a room he had not slept in in the last five years was almost a nightmare.
Charlie groaned. He got onto the bed and picked his phone up from the beside table.
He switched on his phone, as expected from Nine, there were no missed calls from him.
"Of course that man wouldn't call. He's so annoying and stubborn," Charlie said to himself.
He saw that he had two missed calls from Benjamin so he called him back. Instantly his call was picked up.
"Sorry for bothering you," Benjamin said.
"You are not bothering me," Charlie replied. "What's up Benji?" he smiled.
"Good morning, Charlie," Benjamin said. He had forgotten his manners for a second.
"Good morning, what's up? How are you doing?".
"I'm not fine, I will be honest. Have you spoken to Louise yet?" Benjamin asked.
"No, not yet. Benji, I'm so tired right now, we all were, and still are. Last night the journey here was too long and annoying. I'm so hungry, and if I try to talk to Lulu now, she's probably going to he grumpy about it and not have an open mind, so chillax Benji," Charlie yawned.
Benjamin sighed, "How long until you talk to her? I'm sorry for being so pushy but, I can't handle another moment of Louise being angry with me. Who knows what she's thinking about me right now, or how her mind is racing? I want to clear everything up and I want her to forgive me.".
"Relax, Benji. Relax. When it's the right time, I will talk to her, and once I talk to her, she'll forgive you. I'm sure of it," Charlie said proudly.
"How sure?".
"Very sure, very sure Benji. Don't you trust me? I'm Charlie, I never fail in anything I do," Charlie replied.
"I trust you," Benjamin sighed.
"Good, now. I am hungry and I can't be awesome and be Charlie on an empty stomach," Charlie got out of bed.
"Alright, I won't trouble you anymore," he said.
"Oh, don't say that nonsense Benji. You can call me any time, we're friends," Charlie smiled.
"Okay, bye, enjoy your breakfast," Benjamin replied.
"Thank you, and make sure you eat. Lulu will forgive you, don't worry," Charlie assured.
Benjamin nodded and Charlie ended the call. He placed his phone on the bed and smiled. Another day, another time to eat.
Charlie quickly brushed his teeth. He was so excited to have all his family in one place. Well at least almost all of his family.
Charlie brushed his hair, he rushed down the stairs and entered straight into the dining room.
"Gooooooooooood Morningggggggg everyone!" he announced his entrance loudly.
"How nice," Michael scoffed.
Lulu and Joy laughed while Dom, Natasha and the others shook their heads.
"Good morning Uncle Charlie!" Joy replied with the same energy. She got off the chair and rushed to hug him.
"Good morning, princess," he smiled as he carried her.
"I'm hungry, so very hungry," he said. He placed Joy in her seat and sat next to her.
"Good morning Charlie," Margaret smiled.
"Good morning aunt, uncle, grandfather," he smiled at them all.
"Natasha, Dom, Lulu," he greeted.
"Good morning, Charlie," they replied.
"And you left me!" Charlie pointed at Michael.