"I am so glad that he did daddy, because I cannot imagine being angry at anyone for a long time... it is very draining because you have to remember why you are angry at that person," Joy said.
Dom laughed and nodded. He loved the way she reasoned, it was true, when you decided to remain angry at someone, oftentimes you had to continuously remember why you were angry at that person in the first place.
"So, daddy, how was it like being raised with my uncles? Since you were not from the same mother or father, or grandmother or grandfather.".
"Well it was fun, always so fun. It gave me the opportunity to live with brothers, with four amazing brothers," he chuckled.
"That sounds really nice daddy," Joy smiled.
"It was and it still is. We are all so inseparable. They know me better than anyone and I know them better than anyone as well." Dom placed the clothes he folded into the suitcase.
"We grew up together, went to the same schools together, graduated together, worked together... basically since we were eight years old, we were always together, always. I can't imagine my life without them.".
"I can't imagine my life without them too daddy, I love them all so much. Uncle Charlie is always fun, Uncle Michael gives the best hugs and Uncle Nine is always so sweet," Joy giggled.
"I know my princess, I know. I am always so grateful to have them in my life.".
"So, daddy, do you want to have a boy?" Joy asked.
Dom nearly choked on his saliva, he had not expected such a question from her. He began to cough.
"Daddy, are you alright?" Joy asked worried.
"I am fine princess, I am alright," he said coughing. "Just give me a moment." he cleared his throat.
"Why would you ask that princess?" he was worried and at the same time curious as to what was going on in that little head of hers.
"Well, I want to know if you would like a son to play with and teach boys things, like how mommy teaches me girl things," Joy said.
"That's really sweet my princess, would I like a son? Yes, but do I need one? No," Dom was quick to reply.
He wanted to answer this question for her as soon as possible before she repeated it to Natasha. He knew that Natasha would be shocked and upset and somehow, she would end up taking it on him saying that he expressed such a desire to Joy.
"Are you sure daddy? Wouldn't it be nice to play soccer with a boy, and teach him how to wash his hair or brush his teeth?" Joy asked again.
"I am sure my princess. I play with you all the time. It makes no difference if you are a boy or a girl. I love washing your hair, if you want me to, I can teach you how to play soccer, it's not a big deal," Dom smiled.
"Okay daddy..." Joy smiled.
"What makes you think that way my princess?" he asked.
"Well, I would like to have a little brother or sister to play with. It would be nice, so I don't have to be alone all the time. Ethan and I were talking about siblings... and daddy, if you and mommy had a new baby, would it take away all your love?".
Dom almost laughed out loud, but he knew it would be insensitive to. There was no way on earth he and Natasha would have another baby, it was impossible, he knew it, she knew it, they all knew it. Certainly the only person that did not know what Joy.
"My princess, if your mommy and I were to have another baby, it definitely would not take away all our love. We would love both you and the baby equally, but of course we would spend more time with the baby because babies need a lot of attention. They need to be fed, bathed and taken care of since they can't do it themselves," Dom smiled.
"So if we had another baby, we would not stop loving you, we would love you both equally, but we would spend more time with the baby, but you shouldn't worry because we will always make out time for you, my lovely princess," Dom smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Phew, I thought that what Ethan said was true," Joy giggled.
"It's not true at all.".
"So, Ethan doesn't really know everything. I'm not going to add more candies," Joy said.
"What?".
"It's nothing important daddy," Joy smiled. "So, when are you and mommy going to have another baby?".
"Oh, look at that princess, we are done packing all your mommy's clothes, what do you think we should do now?" Dom was swift to change the subject. He zipped up Natasha's suitcase and placed it on the ground.
"Hmm, what about watch tv?".
"We can't watch tv, your mommy is napping in the living room," Dom reminded.
"Okay, then can we go outside to the garden and play with Maggie for a while? We are going to leave her behind and I don't want her to miss me too much.".
"That's a great idea my princess, let's go and play with Maggie. Go put on your shoes," Dom said.
Joy nodded and rushed out of the room. Dom got off Natasha's bed and sighed. He had dodged a bullet there. He did not wish to answer her question, neither did he wish to disappoint her and make her sad.
He knew this day would come... Joy would wish to have a sibling. It was only natural, he would need to find some time to discuss this with Natasha. They needed to address this matter softly.
...
Michael got out of his car and walked past the backyard into the apartment he, Charlie and Nine shared together.
"I'm homeeee," he announced. He could already hear the sound of arguing, and by arguing he meant Charlie whining and Nine remaining silent.
"Nine please, come on. I've been begging you for minutes now. Why won't you budge?".
"Because I have my own life and things to do. I am not doing anything wrong," Nine shrugged.
"What's the matter with you two?" Michael walked into Nine's bedroom.
"Charlie is being annoying as usual and refuses to let me work.".
"Well I would stop being annoying and let you work if you came home with us the same way all your family is," Charlie whined.
"Charlie, leave Nine, it's not by force for him to go along with us," Michael said.
"Thank you," Nine said.
"But you too Nine, why don't you want to go?".
"I already told you two that I have important things to do. Being out of the city will not favour what I need to do," Nine sighed. He felt like a broken record having to explain his reasons over and over again.
"And what exactly is that important thing?".
"It is none of your business," he replied.
"You see, if it was as truly important as he claimed it was, he would not have any problem with telling us what exactly it is!" Charlie jumped.
"I am sure he just wants to get away from us and he is hiding behind having something important to do!" he added.
"Well, you are an adult, we can't force you to come along with us.".
Nine remained silent.
"I just hope that whatever you have to do is truly important... because I don't remember the last time our family were all together at home... just like the old days. I am really looking forward to it," Michael smiled.
"But good luck on whatever it is you need to do brother. Just know that we are all going to miss you," Michael smiled before pulling Charlie out with him.
Nine paused and looked outside the bedroom window.
"Stop making him feel big! He's not, he has to come with us whether he likes it or not!" Charlie argued as Michael closed the door behind them.
"No he doesn't. Give him some space, you know he hates it when you are clingy. Just leave him be," Michael replied. "Anyway, I'm back, so lets go pack and get going. I want to arrive before Natasha and Dom do, so we know where we are going to stay.".
"I already know where I am going to stay and it's definitely not with grandfather, I don't need his constant nagging behind me every second or every day," Charlie frowned.
Michael chuckled, "Maybe he wouldn't nag so much if you did as he asked.".
"Oh please, if we did everything grandfather asked, we wouldn't be as happy as we are right now," Charlie scoffed before walking to his own bedroom.
"Make sure you pack enough underwear, I am not going to lend you any of mine," Michael shouted.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't need your grandpa briefs anyway," Charlie shouted back and Michael found himself laughing.