Michael who was already exhausted from the journey and all the driving he had to do was tired that Charlie was making him walk up and down.
Margaret's happiness on a usual day was contagious, but right now, he was cold, tired, hungry and angry all at the same time.
Margaret hummed a happy tune as they walked back to the car. She would be lying if she said she was not overjoyed by the fact that they were all here together, well at least almost all of them. She could not wait to have a full house tomorrow.
Finally she would have an excuse to cook a lot and Ernest Jr could not say anything about it.
Margaret opened the passenger's side door, she bent down and whispered Charlie's name three times softly.
"Aunt, it won't work, I already tried that," Michael frowned.
"I was just checking, what if he was already starting to wake up, it would be mean to wake him up harshly," she said.
"This guy is a log of wood, I doubt he would ever wake up if we don't make sure he does with a drastic step," Michael responded. "Aunt, I am tired, I want to go to sleep, carry in the luggage and lock my car, can we just try to wake him up, and if he doesn't we just leave him here?".
"I know you're tired. The journey was quite long, if you're hungry, there's some leftovers I can warm up for you. So, now let's wake up, Charlie," she smiled.
Finally, something she said that he agreed with. Food and waking up Charlie. Michael nodded, he was more impatient than ever as soon as he heard food being mentioned. He just wanted to go and eat, then then he would sleep.
Margaret chuckled, she raised up the spoon filled with cinnamon to Charlie's nose. Then she began to move it from side to side.
"I thought you would put it in his nose?".
"No, of course not, that would be too mean. Just wait, in 3...2...1...".
As soon as Margaret counted down to one, Charlie suddenly huffed and let out a sneeze. His eyes were red and his face itchy.
"What's it is? Why is there cinnamon around?" that was the first thing Charlie asked as soon as his eyes shot open.
"I can't believe it actually worked!" Michael said bewildered.
Margaret chuckled, "It works all the time, although, I do not know why." Considering that Charlie was not in any way allergic to cinnamon, she always wondered why it affected him so much, especially when he smelt raw cinnamon, but he could comfortably eat it in sweet treats like tarts, doughnuts and cakes.
"Why are you so mean? What did I do to you?" Charlie whined as if he was on the verge of tears.
"I am not being mean, you refused to wake up, and I tried severally to wake you up, you forced our hands," Michael frowned.
"I'm sorry Charlie, but you will not be comfortable here, it is better you come inside and rest. There are some leftovers if you are hungry," Margaret apologized.
As soon as Charlie heard the word leftovers. His frown disappeared and so did the forming tears. He unbuckled his seatbelt and smiled.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I am hungry, driving and sleeping takes a lot energy," he got out of the car and Michael and Margaret moved aside.
"I should have known, food would be his weakness," Michael shook his head.
"Leave him be, Michael. Charlie is a good boy, you know that," she smiled
"Yes, I know, but he is a very annoying boy sometimes," Michael sighed.
Margaret laughed, "Come on, let's go inside, I'll help you carry the bags in.".
"Alright, aunt.".
...
The next morning.
Joy woke up. Her eyes beamed. She took one look around and instantly knew where she was. She kicked her covers off, she ran out the room and giggled. Down the stairs and straight into the living room where Ernest Jr was doing his morning reading.
"Good morning, grandfather!" Joy jumped on him and laughed.
Ernest Jr looked at her, he smiled and closed his book, "Good morning, Joy. Did you have a good rest?".
"Yes, I did, yes, yes. I love being here, I am so happy, grandfather!" she laughed.
Her laughter was infectious, it made him want to laugh. He simply smiled and held her tight so she did not fall down.
"I am glad that you are happy," he smiled.
"Is anyone else awake yet?" she asked.
"No, not yet, your parents are still sleeping, your uncles are asleep, and your aunt is still asleep," he replied.
"And what about grandpappy?" she asked.
"He should be awake by now, but he must be getting ready, he should be here by seven o'clock," he said.
"Oooh, okay and what time is it right now, grandfather?" she smiled.
"It's six-thirty," he said. "Alright, you know what, your grandma is in the kitchen preparing breakfast, so you should go and brush your teeth and then you can go and eat while we wait for everyone else to wake up.".
"Alright, grandfather, alright," she smiled.
He let her go and she rushed into her bedroom to do as she was told.
Ernest Jr smiled. She was so sweet, he was so happy to have her here. If only she was the only one here.
Joy walked into her bedroom, she took a moment to take in all the bright patterns and colours. She was looking for her suitcase. She found it beside the drawer, she opened it and it was empty. She walked into the bathroom and found her toothbrush there.
She quickly brushed her teeth. She brushed her hair messily, but it looked fine to her. Once she was done, she ran into the kitchen. She could smell all the delicious foods her grandmother was preparing and she could not help but think of how much she was going to eat.
"Good morning grandma!" Joy giggled.
Margaret turned around and smiled, "Good morning my dear girl, how are you?".
Margaret put down the spatula in her hand and she carried Joy.
"I am good grandma, what you are cooking smells so good," she smiled.
"Why thank you, my dear. I am making quite a lot of things. I have not had time to cook like this in such a long while, I think I went a bit overboard," she laughed.
"Luckily, I am very hungry and I am going to eat as much as I can!" Joy said.
"Wow, I can't wait to see that happen," she laughed.
"Everyone else is still sleeping," she said.
"Yes, everyone is sleeping and that's because they arrived late, and they are very tired, so we should keep it down and allow them rest," Margaret put Joy down.
Joy nodded and smiled, "Can I have a taste of the waffles please?".
"Depends, have you brushed your teeth yet?".
Joy nodded happily.
"Alright then, here you go," Margaret chuckled, she cut a piece of waffle and gave it to Joy.
"Mhmm, it tastes so good!" Joy smiled.
"I am glad you think so, I hope the others like it," Margaret smiled.
"Of course they will like it, you are the second-best cook that I know!" Joy exclaimed.
"Oh really now? Who is the first?" Margaret was curious.
"My mommy is the first, and then you are the second, and then daddy is the third," Joy smiled. "I only put him third because I don't want him to hurt his feelings, because sometimes his cooking is very bad, he only makes good pancakes," Joy whispered as if afraid that someone would overhear her talking.
Margaret laughed louder than she had expected. She was not ready to hear Joy say something like that. She was really too smart for her age.
"Alright, you are right about that, Joy. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she smiled.
"Yayyyyyy, thank you grandma!" Joy smiled. "Can I go on the TV and watch some cartoons?".
"Of course you can my dear, I recorded some episodes of your favourite show for you and I have some movies in a list that I want us to watch together," she smiled.
"Okay, thank you grandma! I can't wait!" and with that she dashed out with a skip.
...
Natasha groaned, the light of the sun's rays shone on her face. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. For a moment she was dazed, this was not her bedroom, but it was familiar. As the brain-fog from just waking up faded, she suddenly remembered everything that happened last night.
The trip, the car, the drive, the traffic and how terrible she felt. She turned to her left and saw Lulu sleeping very peacefully.
She smiled, it was nice to see Lulu so calm and at rest. If she was being honest, Lulu had not been herself in such a long time.