"Then we should be really quiet and allow him to rest. He really does work a lot." Natasha said as Lulu nodded.
"I am just annoyed that he didn't tell us he was feeling unwell." Lulu scoffed.
"It's not his fault Lulu, stop being upset with him." Natasha said as Lulu shook her head.
"But it's really unfair, what if he just collapsed one day and we never knew what was going on?" Lulu asked.
"I do understand that you're worried about him Lulu, we all are, let's just be thankful that didn't happen, and it won't happen, so we shouldn't be upset with him, we can scold him yes, but not be upset with him." said Natasha as Lulu sighed.
"Alright, fine." she replied.
"Good, so how were you my darling?" asked Natasha as she smiled at Joy.
"I'm good mommy, I missed you, you just left without telling me, you and daddy both left." Joy said sad.
"Oh, I'm sorry darling, but I tried to wake you up to tell you, but you were still very sleepy." Natasha apologized.
"But you should have tried to wake me up harder, I was really sad." she said.
"Aww, I'm really sorry my darling, next time I will, but did you have a nice time with Alfred today?" Natasha asked smiling.
"Yes, I did mommy, everything was wonderful, we ate eggs and drank hot chocolate for breakfast, then we went outside to play with Maggie, then we watched some tv, then I started to run around and Alfred tired to catch me and that's when he hurt his back carrying me." she said as her smile reduced to a frown when she mentioned Alfred's injury.
"Oh, at least the two of you are okay my darling." said Natasha as Joy nodded.
"Please excuse me, let me go and change then we can make lunch together since Alfred's sleeping." she said as she put Joy down and they both nodded as she left.
"I have to congratulate you again oh dear niece of mine, you really were very focused." Lulu said poking Joy's cute little cheeks causing her to giggle.
"I can't wait for my ice cream." Joy replied, she was just focused on the promise of ice cream.
"Okay, okay, I know, but you have like five more hours to wait." Lulu laughed.
"Then I will wait." Joy said as she jumped up and down.
"I remember when I was your age, I used to be really energetic." said Lulu as she also jumped up and down.
"It's lovely, you're only this age once." she replied.
"I can't wait to be big like you and my daddy and my mommy aunt Lulu." said Joy.
"Why?" asked Lulu.
"So my daddy can teach me how to drive a car." Joy said as Lulu laughed.
"A car?" Natasha asked laughing as she walked into the room.
"Yes a car." Joy nodded.
"Why do you want to learn how to drive a car so quickly?" Natasha laughed.
"Because I want to drive a car." Joy replied.
"That's the only reason?" asked Lulu as Joy nodded and she and Natasha both looked at each other and laughed.
"You're so cute my darling, please never lose your cuteness." Natasha laughing picking her up.
"Hmm, okay, I'll try not to." Joy replied causing them to laugh even more.
"You know what, you're too cute, too cute, you're making my day a hundred times better." Natasha smiled.
"Same here, you really say the funniest things Joy." Lulu laughed.
"Anyway, let's go make lunch, what do you guys want for lunch?" asked Natasha.
"Hmmmm." Lulu and Joy said looking at each other.
"Fried rice!" they said at the same time surprising Natasha.
"Gosh, you two have really been spending a lot of time together." Natasha laughed.
"Yes we have, and I love it!" Lulu laughed.
"Alright you two, let's go make some fried rice." Natasha laughed as they walked to the kitchen.
...
Alfred yawned as he opened his eyes. The soft music was still playing in the background. He stretched and felt his throat dry.
"Look who's finally awake." Natasha said as she walked into the living room and Alfred turned to look at her.
"Madam, you're back. How long was I asleep?" asked Alfred as he attempted to get up but Natasha stopped him.
"Long enough, you needed this rest Alfred." Natasha said as Joy switched off the radio and Lulu walked in with a tray.
"Oh." Alfred yawned.
"How are you doing?" she asked him as she sat down beside him.
"I feel much better, but my back still aches, and so do my shoulders." Alfred replied.
"Here, let me help you." she said as she helped him lean forward and she removed the old ice pack that had melted and Joy brought her another one.
"There." she said as she helped him lean back.
"Are you hungry? I made some fried rice." Natasha said as Lulu placed the tray in front of him.
"Oh madam, I should have been the one to make lunch, not you." said Alfred.
"Oh that's nonsense Alfred, you're hurt, you do so much for us, it's our turn to take care of you, it's the least we can do." she said as he smiled.
"Thank you madam." he smiled.
"This smells delicious." he said.
"It tastes even better, Natasha just decided to remind us how good for a cook she is!" Lulu exclaimed.
"Yes, my mommy is the best cook in the whole wide world!" Joy exclaimed.
"You two are just flattering me, anyway, eat Alfred, you need to eat." she said as he smiled and nodded.
"This does taste delicious." Alfred said as Natasha smiled.
"I'm glad you think so. Anyway, why didn't you call me when you got hurt? I would have rushed over." she said.
"That's not his fault Natasha, I was the one who told him not to call you so you weren't bothered." Lulu replied.
"I understand that, but you should have called me still, just so I would know." Natasha said.
"That is true, next time, we will call you." Lulu said.
"There's not going to be a next time." Alfred said as Lulu laughed.
"You're right about that, no next time, anyway, Doctor Henry said he would be here by six when he gets off work, and I should ask you if the pain you feel is sharp or dull." she said.
"Well, it was sharp initially, but now I only feel it when I try to move too much." he replied.
"Okay, he said that if it only hurts when you try to move it's a sprain not a dislocation." she said.
"Alright." Alfred replied sounding more relieved.
"Yes, but he'll know for sure once he gets here." Lulu said as Alfred nodded.
"But for now Alfred, you have to get better, you should take a few days off." Natasha said.
"No, I can't take a few days off, most of the household workers have taken their summer leave, I can't go as well, who will take care of you?" he asked.
"We can take care of ourselves, we will be just fine without you for a few days." Natasha replied.
"Are you sure?" he asked worried. He knew that if he was to take a few days off, it would be hard for Natasha and Dom to adjust to the sudden change.
"Very sure, you don't have to worry about us Alfred, worry about yourself and take the next few days to recuperate." Natasha said.
"Yes, I agree with Natasha, you need to rest so you can recover quickly." Lulu said.
"Yes, Alfred you need to rest, I want you to get better." Joy said softly as he looked at her and smiled.
"Oh alright, I do want to get better, a few days off work will not kill me." he laughed.
"That's the spirit, so do you want to recuperate here or at grandfather's place so he can keep you company?" asked Lulu.
"At the master's house, it will do me some good to be back home." he replied. It had been a while since he had seen Ernest, and well honestly he missed him, he missed his friend, they were more like friends than servant and master.
"Consider it done, I just texted Dom, he'll take you once he gets back from work." she said as he smiled.
"Thank you all for worrying so much about me." he said.
"You don't have to thank us Alfred, you're family." Natasha replied as he smiled.
He couldn't have wished for a better family to serve. He had been with them for several years, and he loved to know that they considered him family because he considered them family as well.
Even though he didn't have his own biological children or grandchildren, he considered them all like his.
"And I'm glad to be family." he smiled.
"And we're glad to have you as family." Lulu said hugging him.