Natasha managed to eat half of her meal. Grandfather had returned with his iron pills and forced her to take some even though she insisted that she was alright, but she knew by now not to refute him, especially when it came to something as important as health.
Natasha rested her back on the couch and closed her eyes. Somehow she felt full, but at the same time, felt much better than before. Right now, she just wanted to go to sleep.
That was when she started thinking about how the sleeping arrangements would be made. From what she knew, Lulu and the others were on their way. Joy had her permanent bedroom here, Dom had his, and there was only one spare bedroom because the other had been turned into a mini-museum or something like that.
Knowing Margaret, she might have wanted Charlie and Michael to stay in the guest bedroom, while she and Lulu shared her bedroom. She had nothing against sharing a bedroom with Lulu, but considering how Lulu was right now, she would prefer to be alone.
"My dear, how do you feel? Are you alright?" Ernest asked.
Natasha opened her eyes, she looked at him and smiled. "I am good grandfather, I feel so much better now.".
"I am happy to hear that, you had me very worried when you fell," he said.
"I know, and I am sorry for that.".
"Sorry for what? That is nonsense my child, you do not have to be sorry. I am just relieved that you feel much better," he smiled.
...
"What is the matter? Why are you eating here?" Margaret asked.
"I don't want to disturb, Natasha. It is better that I eat here so I don't inconvenience her," Dom replied.
"Oh, that is nonsense, Dominic. I don't think that if you go and eat in the living room you would be disturbing her," Margaret frowned.
"You don't know how it is with me and Natasha. She thinks I'm always fussy and I make a big deal out of everything. I know that my mere presence will stress her out, and I don't want that. I want her to be calm so she will feel better quicker," he said.
"Alright, if you say so, but I believe that Natasha is not like that. Although, you can truly be a bit annoying and fussy sometimes," she said.
Dom frowned, he could not believe that his own mother was saying that about him.
"What? I am not lying. Why are you looking at me like that? I am your mother, and I know how fussy you can be," she chuckled.
He frowned and she rubbed his head.
"I am going to see if Natasha is done," Margaret said before walking out.
...
"Natasha, are you done?" she smiled.
"Yes, aunt, I am. I was not able to finish it all, but I tried," Natasha said.
"I am glad that you tried, that is all that matters. How do you feel now, dear?" she smiled.
"I feel much better, aunt, thank you," she replied.
"I found some iron pills, she already took some of them," Ernest smiled.
"Thank you, father," Margaret smiled. "Are you ready to go to sleep now?" she turned to Natasha.
"Not yet, maybe in an hour or so, for now I just want to remain seated for s while," Natasha replied.
"Alright, this is the perfect time to tell you that you are going to sleep in Lulu's room... is that alright with you?".
"I have no problem with sleeping in Lulu's room as long as she is fine with it," she said.
"I am sure Lulu will have no problem with it. It is just for tonight though, I will find a way to sort out the sleeping arrangements tomorrow," Margaret said.
"It's no problem, aunt," Natasha smiled. "That reminds me, where is Alfred? I was expecting to see him here.".
"Well, you know how Alfred can be very stubborn. We had to force him to remember to take his medicines and it made him fall asleep, he could not wait for you to arrive, I am sure he will be here first thing in the morning," Ernest said.
Natasha laughed. It was funny to hear what had happened. She was certain that Alfred was enjoying himself being back here, surrounded by grandfather, Margaret and Ernest Jr who were always around continuously to take care of him.
"Yes, yes, he has been going up and down, up and down. Honestly, I never knew that he could be very stubborn, but he is, and he does not want to take things easy when he should," Margaret added.
"He sounds just like someone I know well," Natasha glanced at Ernest.
"Yes, yes, definitely like someone I know," Margaret followed her train of sight and the both of them began to laugh.
"What is with the two of you? I am not that stubborn. Alfred is more stubborn than me!" Ernest was quick to refute.
"No, no, you are the most stubborn one. Alfred is merely displaying what he has had to deal with over the years," Natasha said as both she and Margaret continued to laugh.
"Hey, hey, I can see that you are truly feeling much better and that is why you can laugh like that and tell lies," Ernest frowned.
"I tell no lies, grandfather, I tell no lies," Natasha laughed.
"Let me leave before I get in trouble," Margaret laughed. She picked up the tray and took her leave.
"Oh, you know that I am so happy you are here. It feels just like old times even though it's only been a few hours," Ernest smiled.
"I feel the same way, grandfather," Natasha smiled.
"I wonder where that boy is. Is he avoiding us or what? He has not come here since and I am sure he is done unpacking the luggage," Ernest frowned.
"I doubt he's avoiding us, maybe he's just helping aunt," Natasha said.
"Hmm, I do not believe that.".
...
"Dominic, please go and find your father, I do not know why he had just disappeared like some sort of man who lives alone with no family," Margaret frowned.
Dom laughed, "I think he's upset because he realized that in the morning this place is going to turn into a mad house with all of us here.".
"Yes, maybe, but he should be grateful, it will only be for a week. Which reminds me, when is Nine coming?" Margaret asked as she washed the dishes.
"Oh... he's not coming, he said that he has many important things to do.".
"Is it because of work?" Margaret asked.
"No, I doubt. I settled most of the important things at the office. If you ask me, I think that this has something to do with his personal issues.".
"What sort of personal issues? I thought he would be here. No wonder Charlie sounded so annoyed over the phone.".
"Yes, Charlie was, and still is very upset about it. He tried his best to make sure Nine changed his mind, but he would not budge," Dom sighed.
"I am worried about him, will he be okay in that apartment all alone for an entire week?".
"Why not? You know how much Nine likes silence. This would be the first time he would have some peace and quiet," Dom laughed.
"Yes, I know, but silence is different from being lonely. At least when Michael and Charlie are there, he feels less alone, even though he complains about Charlie's noise, but I am sure that if he is alone, he will be very lonely," Margaret frowned.
"You know what, I am sure that you are right," Dom said. "I never thought about it like that. I just though he would be happy, but you're right, he will be lonely.".
"You know what, maybe his loneliness will drive him to come over here and join us?" Margaret smiled.
"I doubt that, you know just how stubborn, Nine is. He would rather bury himself then admit that Charlie was right," Dom laughed.
"No, no, he might seem very arrogant, but he's not. He's actually just a big softie inside," Margaret laughed. "But don't ever tell him I said that. He would get very upset.".
"You don't have to tell me twice. I would never tell him. He would be angry at me for even saying it," Dom laughed.
"Yes, but I seriously hope he's not too lonely. I don't want him to be sad.".
She really cared about Nine very much, when he was growing up, he always needed a bit more attention and it was natural, unlike Michael and Charlie, he was angry at the world and himself. It took him a long time of self-discovery and healing for him to come to terms with his origins which in turn allowed him to accept his future.
"Yes... me neither, mom," Dom replied.
"Please be a dear and go and look for your father before he disappears for even longer," Margaret laughed.
"I'm on it!" Dom smiled.