"Hey, you're home," Libby heard as she entered the door. She just got home. She saw her mom walking towards her. "How's your day?"her mom Melinda asked her while hugging her. Melinda runs her own online company. She mostly works at home but goes out from time to time to meet with clients and purchase orders.
"So-so," they continued to chat as they walked towards their dining area, where the rest of the family is already seated waiting for food. "So busy, so tiring Mom." She sat in her seat and faced a little girl. "Hi Joana, did you miss me?"
The girl raised her eyebrows and look at their mother. "Mom, you didn't tell us we have a guest?"
Everybody started laughing.
"Oh Joana, don't be so dramatic," Libby said giggling. "I'm sorry I left earlier than usual this morning and wasn't able to bid you goodbye."
"Hmmph," said the girl. "It's not just today. When you're home, you're always in your room, studying, or planning an event or on your laptop researching."
Joana is Libby's younger sister. She's 9 years old and attending fourth grade at St Paula's Academy. They are super close though they have a huge gap of seven years. Joana always sleep over in Libby's room. They bond thru watching their fave movies like Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, Die Hard, National Treasure, Adam Sandler movies. They also watch and rewatch every episode of Bones, Castle, CSI, 911, and Criminal Minds. Both girls love to solve mysteries.
Their dad watched on smiling. Jerry Morales. He's a licensed veterinarian with his own clinic. Their vet clinic slash pet shop is the biggest in the city. Aside from Jerry, there's three more veterinarian who holds their practice there, and four nurses, six staff and four student workers.
"I'm jealous," he said pouting. Then he folds his arms while acting hurt.
The girls laughed, stood up and hugged their dad.
"And now, I'm the jealous one," said Melinda as she walked from the kitchen holding plates of food.
This time, their dad stood up, got the plates from their mom, then kisses her.
"Eeeewww!," screamed the girls.
They all laughed. Their mom proceeded to the kitchen and finished serving food.
"Okay, dinner is served. Let's eat," she said smiling widely as she scanned their table. She cooked roast chicken, mashed potato, buttered corn, and baked mini muffins.
"Oh, doll, everything looks delicious," Jerry said. He fondly calls Melinda - doll.
"Yes, mom," Libby said. "As much as I want to start my diet, I can't, because of these yummy foods."
"Why diet Libby?" Melinda asked. "Your weight looks fine to me."
"Prom, Mom. Prom." she said seriously.
"Can I attend your Prom, Libby?" Joana turned to her.
"Hmmm, let's see." Libby started playfully. "How old are you again?"
"I'm almost ten," Joana answered.
"Then, my little sister, no, you can't attend," Libby teased Joana.
"Dad, Mom, Libby's teasing me again," Joana turned to her dad who's enjoying watching them.
"But, baby, it's true," Jerry said to her softly. "You can't attend Prom yet. You should be at least 15 years old and currently on 9th or 10th grade."
"Yeah, sweetheart," their mom chides in. "You still have six more years to enjoy being a carefree and playful girl."
"I wish I'm fifteen years old already," Joana said grumpily.
"But baby, why do you want to go to Prom so badly?" Jerry asked her.
"Uhm, so I could wear fancy gowns and be beautiful," she answered.
Jerry, Melinda and Libby laughed.
"Oh, my little sister, is that all?" Libby asked.
"Yes, of course," Joana said. "I saw you last year. You are sooo beautiful. And your gown, wow!"
"Hmmm.. if that's what you want, we can buy you a beautiful dress also and come your sister's Prom night, you can dressed up as well. You, me and dad will go to a nice hotel then, so we can party ourselves."said Melinda.
"And I'll be yours and mom's escort for that night." Jerry said. "I'll book a limo for us three to pick us up here and bring us to the hotel."
"Now, I'm jealous," Libby said.
"So, what do you say sweetheart?" Melinda turned to Joana.
"It's a date then," Joana answered happily. She then turned to Libby and stuck out her tongue. "Bleh! I have a date with mom and dad!"
"Dad! Joana's teasing me!"
Jerry and Melinda laughed. They looked at each other. They know and feel to be lucky with their two girls. They are both lovable, kind, giving, smart, pretty.
"Stop now, you two." Melinda said. "Let's finish our meal first. How about we play Monopoly after?"
"Yey!" screamed Libby and Joana. They both love family night. No matter how busy they all are, they always spend at least an hour a night with each other. And it made them closer as a family.
"The last one on the table will wash the dishes," Melinda said. And all of them chomped their food hurriedly.