A/N: Hum... Another chapter about daily life... I promise that next chapter will have some excitement. I just wanted to get some more insight on my characters before I did so. That's cool though, right? My first fanfic started out a little slow too. You guys like some pacing, right?

I'm glad I got some sweet reviews about my chapters. It makes me feel good to see my regulars keeping up with my work. You guys know who you are by now. You make me the happiest, just so you know. :)

So try to enjoy the bland life they have so far, because shit is going to be hitting the fan really soon.

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Alice groaned softly, tugging the covers above her head to block out the sunlight that had roused her from sleep. She had just been having a wonderful dream. She couldn't remember what it was about now, but she could still try and sleep more. She didn't want to deal with the homeschooling plan Angela and Dakota had made, or the fact that maybe her father just liked Robin more than her. He was the prodigy child after all, and she was just regular. She sighed softly because she knew better.

Vincent spoiled her more than he spoiled Robin, having kept her the most shielded from their lifestyle until just recently. She couldn't help but feel that he preferred for her to stay in the workshop and help him. Her mother couldn't anymore because of the chronic back pain she had and the carpal tunnel in both of her hands. Her mother told her that before even Robin was born, she had sustained quite a spinal injury. Both pregnancies had only agitated the pain, though she was more than happy that she had both of her children.

And it was more than fine, because it seemed like Angela was more than happy to pass the torch and stay in the kitchen cooking all day. Her mother loved cooking, and the house always smelled so good because of it. Like now, she could smell her mother making pancakes and chocolate covered bacon. How Alice loved chocolate covered bacon. And her mother made it with absolute perfection. She sighed softly again.

Rolling over and sitting up, Alice's feet found the floor. She stretched, adjusting her black tank top back into place. She stood, adjusting her blue cotton shorts. She didn't feel like getting dressed, so she just pulled on a thin green hoodie, zipping it up and walking downstairs barefoot. She smiled, walking up behind Angela in the kitchen and wrapping her arms around her. She received a pleased hum from her mother and a hair stroking.

"Is something wrong?" Angela asked, gently sweeping her daughter's hair behind her ears.

"No, I just wanted to tell you that I love you, Mommy," Alice whispered sweetly.

"Awww, I love you too, sweetheart." Angela smiled as Alice pulled away. Alice returned the smile, helping herself to a big plate of pancakes, eggs, and chocolate covered bacon. She sat down to eat hungrily. She was starting to wonder where her brother had run off too, but didn't have to for long.

"Chocolate covered bacon!" Robin shouted excitedly when he ran in the door. Vincent walked in only moments behind him. Both happily helped themselves to huge servings as well as Angela smiled happily. She received a loving kiss from her husband and a peck on the cheek from her son before she joined the table with her own plate.

Alice felt envious as she watched how her parents still looked at each other like lovesick teenagers, sharing smiles and sneaking kisses. Robin and Alice had grown up knowing, not inappropriately so, just how amorous their parents were. Alice yearned to find such a love for herself. Though her Aunt Dakota and Uncle Bo were a little less touchy-feely in front of the kids, she knew they were still madly in love with each other as well. She wanted to find someone for herself that she could find romance with no matter how much time passed.

After breakfast, Alice happily cleaned up the kitchen for her mother before sitting down in front of the old refurbished computer to do her school work. She dealt with the same stuff their parents had taught Robin and Delilah growing up, while Dakota had recently hacked into an online college for the older two.

After spending a good amount of time dedicated to the work, Alice slipped away from the computer, stretching the sitting ache out of her muscles and feeling her spine pop in a couple places. She walked outside, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun on her face. She walked across to her aunt and uncle's place, letting herself in through the door. She didn't see Robin and Delilah on the couch, which meant they must have been in town.

"Hey there, little darlin'," she heard her uncle drawl. She turned to see him sitting at the table in the kitchen with some papers in front of him.

"Hi, Uncle Bo!" she replied, sitting in the chair next to his and trying to lean over to see the papers. She squeaked softly as he wrapped his big arm around her and hugged her tight. She giggled, knowing she should keep her nose out of it. She rested against him, closing her eyes and enjoying his hug. Uncle Bo always gave the tightest hugs. Many times she had cried on his shoulder, and even if he always suggested she talk to her parents, he still listened. He was the best uncle even if he was her only uncle.

"Where did Robin and Delilah go?" Alice asked curiously, even though she was already sure.

"I sent them to pick up some tools from the hardware store," Bo said, letting her go. "Don't worry. They should be back soon." Alice smiled and got up from the table, going back outside after waving to her aunt on the way out. She stood outside, just waiting. Robin and Delilah eventually returned. Delilah carried the requested tools inside the house while Robin leaned back against the truck.

"You don't ever take me anywhere..." Alice pouted cutely.

"Fine, get in," Robin said, chuckling as he opened the passenger door of the truck. Alice's eyes brightened and she clamored into the passenger seat, letting her brother close the door for her. He got in the driver's seat and drove back to the next town over. He parked on the main street, getting out and helping Alice out before taking her hand in his and leading her up the street. She smiled, looking around her as they walked.

Robin eventually tugged her into a cute little cafe. He let her order what she wanted and even paid for it, sitting down with her at a table. It was nice that now he was trying to bond with her, after she felt left out for so long. And it was nice to be with just her brother, instead of having Delilah around too. Her cousin had an irritating way of ruining the mood for her. And it only made things worse that Robin seemed to cater to her every whim.

Alice had only ever once tried calling Robin out on his blatant spoiling over their cousin. He simply shrugged, leaving Alice with only an explanation of that's what family does. But he didn't ever treat Alice like that and she was closer to him in blood than Delilah was. She ignored her thoughts, forcing herself to enjoy her lunch as she idly chatted with her brother. Afterward, he took her over to the pet store so she could look at real animals. She loved Luke, but it was nice to see other animals too that weren't waxed or dead. Eventually, they got back in the truck to head back home.

"Look at you," Robin teased, seeing the big grin stuck to Alice's face on the ride home. "You're really simple, you know that?"

"I am not simple!" Alice defended, scoffing slightly. "I am very very complex, you just don't realize it!" She frowned as Robin laughed at her remark.

"I didn't mean it insultingly... I just meant you're really easy to please. Which is a nice quality. Hey, I'm just saying I had fun with you today is all. It's a good thing you don't make me work so hard to make you happy."

"I guess that makes me better than Delilah, then, doesn't it?"

"What is your beef with Delilah? I don't get it. She's our cousin. And at least you have another girl to relate to. I'm the only boy in our family."

"Never mind. Just forget I said anything." Alice curled up in her seat, quietly watching the scenery pass by the window. Robin shook his head, but thankfully didn't press her. When they got home, they sat down to dinner with their mother and father, then Alice went to spend the rest of the night in her room.