Alison smiled over at him gratefully before she dialed the number. After a few rings from the phone, and some lip-chewing from Alison, someone finally picked up.
"Hello, Tourns' residence. This is Daniel speaking," her father answered, always the professional.
"Dad, hi. It's Alison," she said, a small smile flitting to her lips at the sound of her father's voice.
M gently sipped at the water, set it down and yawned softly. Now it was time for him to wait. He sincerely hoped her parents wouldnβt be able to make it. He justβ¦ disliked them for no absolutely, positively reason.
"Alison! It's wonderful to hear from you again. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Daniel Tourns asked, sounding happy to hear from his only child.
Alison took a deep breath before answering. "Well, M and I were talking the other day, and we realized that it had been awhile since we'd you and Mom. So we talked about it, and we would like to know if you could join us for dinner next Saturday?"
M tapped his fingernails gently on the glassy, cold surface of the cup, humming softly and hitting his feet on the ground. He looked at Alison again, trying to focus again.
Daniel hummed, falling silent for a moment. Alison assumed he was checking his schedule since he had stopped talking.
"We could be there around six. Would that be okay?" he asked finally.
"Let me check with M," Alison said before glancing at her husband. "Is six all right?"
βSix?β M repeated softly. βLike, today?β He looked around the room, as if expecting to see someone listening in through their windows.
βI thought we agreed on Saturday!β
"That's what I meant. Six o'clock on Saturday," Alison corrected herself. "Sorry, love."
M let out a breath of relief. βGood. Yeah, that sounds okay.β He smiled.
Alison gave him a quick smile before she went back to talking to her father. "That works for us as well. So we'll see you then?"
"Sounds like a plan. Bye, Alison. Love you," he said.
"Bye, dad. Love you, too," she said before hanging up. With a sigh, she set the phone back on the table. "So that's finally doneβ¦"
M patted her hand gently, smiling. βThere you are. Great job.β
Alison smiled at him again. "Thank you for staying with me as I did that⦠Do you have to go back to work today?"
((Yeah, sure))
Juliet set the plate of food on a tray along with a cup of orange juice. Picking up the tray, she carried it to Zack, a smile on her lips. Pecking his cheek, she cooed. "Zackary, baby, wake upβ¦"
M grinned a little and nodded. βYouβre welome, dear. No, Iβm not gonna go in today.β
Zackary stirred fretfully under her, his brow furrowing. He was having the nicest dream, then her cold finger had to come along. He opened an eye, huffing child-like.
Alison's smile widened a bit. "So I get to spend the whole day with you again?"
βI wouldnβt say get to but yes, Iβll be here all day again.β He smiled a bit more in return.
Juliet raised at brow at him. "So you don't want breakfast?" she deadpanned with a smile that said if he didn't eat it, she would.
"Pfft. It's always get to when I'm with you. I don't think there's ever a time that I don't want to spend with you," Alison declared with a grin.
Zackary whined loudly at her, shutting his eyes grumpily again. βI wan breakfast.β
M laughed softly, sipping delicately at his water again. βI feel like that will change soon.β
Alison rolled her eyes. "Never. What should we do today?"
"Then sit up and eat, babe." She sat on the edge of the bed. "I made you lots of hamβ¦"
M shrugged and looked around again. βDunno. What did you want to do?β
Zackary whined loudly again but sat up against the bedboard. Ham sounded nice, but sleep did too.
"Well, I was planning on doing laundry today. You could help if you'd like," Alison suggested. "Or you can try to fix the bathroom sink. It's been leaking lately."
βHoney, I remember when the kitchen sink was invented. What makes you think Iβll be able to fix it?β He asked with a slight laugh in his voice.
Alison smiled and chucked a bit as she shrugged. "I don't know, love. I guess you could call a plumber, then."
M nodded. βI can call a plumber to come in before your parents do. Then I can help with the laundry.β