Giggles already entered their ears before Gru and Lucy reached the bedroom door. Holding glasses of warm milk for their daughters, the couple pushed the door open to reveal the three crazy girls and an extremely fluffy goat running around with overloaded batteries.
At the sight of her parents, Agnes and Lucky - her adopted goat - leaped from her bed and presented themselves first, "Mom, Dad, guess what?!" Grins were shared within the short pause. She hid two objects behind her back, quite large enough to give away their existence, which were suddenly presented to the two adults who waited for her surprise. "Mr Graham gave me a lollipop for having the most creative invention!"
Agnes lifted her hands to reveal two objects. One dark, moody looking figure; a smiley, red-headed person with a lipstick tube in hand. Lucy chuckled, knowing her lipstick taser signified her existence. Whilst Lucky sprung on the spot, Agnes shuffled her tiny feet, "A cardboard robot couple, and I made them look exactly like you."
Gru, who had recently been licked in the face by Lucky, shuddered. Robots reminded him about his nightmares, stuck in bubblegum or embarrassing himself in a dance fight, with Balthazar Bratt. That strange sidekick who rolled around with dance music, seemingly pointless other than a stereo. Enough. Those days were defeated. He used his fingertips to hold the two objects, noticing how the details were delicately painted - all between the drawn lines. Gru offered a smile for his little girl, "Wow, honey. They're amazing!"
Cheeks blazing red, Agnes giggled from the sudden awe withdrawn from her parents. Insecurity overwhelmed her whenever she attempted to impress them. Miss Hattie, the mean orphanage lady, never appreciated her creations. Watching her scold Edith for making a mudpie traumatised her. Yet, seeing her parents admire her winning creation, caused Agnes to shove her hands in her pockets and grin, "They told me make my favourite heroes, and I chose you."
Cooing, Lucy wrapped her arms around the youngest, squeezing Agnes into her chest gently. Lucky rested at the redhead's feet, needing a rest after his whirlwind of adventures that day, including saving Agnes in a princess game. But, Lucy focused on her daughter. Just simple words her adorable girl could say, even I love you mom, could make her heart falter. Her little arms clutched her mother's shoulders, causing Lucy to chuckle. How she adored being a mom.
"So," Margo, who had recently been challenged to a pillow fight with Edith, sat beside her bed, "How was today being the greatest spies in the world?"
Settling the glasses of milk beside each bed, Gru finally wrapped his arms around Margo and Edith. He pursed his lips and nodded, "Pretty good."
Lucy added with a smirk, "That villain didn't stand a chance, he went insane when we messed up his hair."
"I thought I was fighting that fat blue lady from the mermaid film," Gru scoffed. Their girls giggled like orchestrated chimes - a sound he never grew tired of hearing.
"Actually," Lucy raised the expectant subject that nudged the couple all day. How was this rollercoaster going to end? An enjoyable ride or regrettable, there's only one way to discover which one. "We've been talking something more important than work today, and not just about my obsessions with James Bond this time."
The girls chuckled. A similar force knocked on Gru and Lucy's heart. Thinking about their daughters' reactions with bright expectations, but slight shivers due to prospects, finally arrived. "We've been thinking about you all day, and how you're all so special to us."
Besides the glass of milk, Lucy also held a tiny baby suit in her hands. She revealed the piece of clothing to the girls, after several moments of hesitation. Their eyes focused, brows furrowed, no words followed. Only ten seconds passed until Margo gasped. Her beam shone like the North Star, willing to continue her life knowing what this little suit meant.
"'I love my big sisters'?" Agnes tilted her head. Her tiny hands grasped the clothing, before measuring it against her figure. "Aww, it's too small for me."
Innocent little Agnes. "Oh, it's not for you to wear, sweetheart," Gru chuckled. Staring between his daughter and his baby's little suit, he revealed the joy kept from them for three months. "This is for the new addition to our family."
Time itself seemed to halt. Their youngest daughter's mind continued to piece the puzzle together, all the information finally connecting. After a moment thinking, causing the piercing in Gru's stomach to worsen, Agnes' eyes finally glowed, "You're having a baby?!"
Edith bounced from her seat, struggling to contain her squeal, "I can't believe it, this is the best thing ever!" She scrambled towards her bed, grasping for her ninja outfit and katana, "Finally, I can pass on my advanced ninja skills to someone else. I could have a small spy partner to fight crime with!"
Gru's eyes widened into the size of plates. With a slow movement, he pushed the sharp tip of the katana away from his nose. "Eh…maybe when they're a little older," he let out an airy laugh. Behind his emotionless smile hid fear.
Their family revolved around action and adventure. His only, not entirely, downside of their family. Danger. Villains threatening his wife, his daughters, and their new baby with danger lurking on every corner. Yet, they understood the definition of safety. A shield would surround his baby, no matter how violent he'd become with enemies. His family became his soul. Without this lifeline…he wasn't Gru.
A gentle nudge from his wife shoved him back into reality. Calm down. The couple knew about Edith's deep desire to become a secret agent, like them. A little grin, always eager to hear a special spy story from her parents every night, impatiently waited for that day to arrive. Now she could train a little sidekick. Awesome!
Margo, similarly, mirrored her younger sister's reaction. After tapping her rapid fingers on the phone, messaging her best friend the joyful news, she grabbed her mother's hand with a tight squeeze. "Avery's just had a little baby sister, we could make them become best friends like us!"
The cloud covering his optimism cleared; Gru's spirits lifted once he understood his daughters' joy over another sibling. Maybe because they were all knitted together already. Another sibling could've snapped their unique relationship, nevertheless Margo and Edith accepted another best friend.
Something seemed missing, however.
"Agnes?" Lucy peered at her youngest, the one who hadn't made a peep. "Honey, are you not happy?"
Avoiding eye contact, Agnes twiddled her tiny fingers together. The awkwardness sprung between her fingertips. Silence. Leaning into her Mom, eyes glued to her adorable goat whose head tilted, she mumbled, "I-I'm scared that you'll forget me."
"Wait, what?!"
Gru shivered. Lucy froze. Their worst nightmare emerged. No, they wouldn't forget their daughters. Ever! Neither of them attempted to reply; judging by their pale faces.
Awkward silence forced Agnes to continue, "I've always been the youngest. Does this mean I'm not going to be as important to you anymore?"
Oh…
A ball lodged inside Lucy's throat. Margo and Edith also restrained their excitement. Agnes' whole life presented her with sunshine, just by connecting herself with a loving family. Yet, expecting the arrival of another sibling, seemed like rain beginning to pour on the compassion received by her parents. Soon, their love would decrease. Dissolve. Until that love filtered another child, whilst Agnes sat without a warm heart.
That sudden thought gripped Gru by the throat, throwing him towards his daughter. Her shimmering, brown eyes dependant on her father. "Sweetheart, you're still our baby girl. Don't ever think we would forget you. Ever."
Her lip stopped trembling. She knew her Mom and Dad wouldn't lie. Holding her tiniest finger out, Agnes beamed, "Pinky promise?"
Gru nodded, whispering, "Of course," Before kissing her forehead and melting into their group hug. He couldn't ask for a more beautiful family - his girls exceeded exactly what he wished for.
Gru turned the metallic dial to the shower, lukewarm drops collapsing onto both their bodies. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Lucy's. Their favourite hobby besides missions - having a shower together. A secluded place of intimacy; the key place where Lucy conceived. No distractions, so the couple could remember their blissful lives together. This time with their beautiful unborn baby. Without wasting another second, his hands shielded her belly; caressing the surface like handling a delicate butterfly. The bump slowly began to expand, showing evidence of another sign of life.
Lucy's arms snaked around his soft neck, pulling themselves together. They were inseparable - neither could survive without each other's warmth. She broke the calming silence, "So, are you still overwhelmed with everything?"
Gru shrugged, "I guess I should admit something," he caressed the soft skin where their baby lay. "When we got married, I had thoughts about us having our own…"
Ever since the day when Lucy confessed being two weeks pregnant already, Gru became a completely different person. Not in a negative way. His stern face, held every irritating aspect, took a break. Each morning welcomed a beautiful smile on his face, even when stormy days decided to visit. During their few missions, Gru always took the chance to ask if his wife was handling the situation carefully. He held concerns about her fighting, seeing that Lucy always became overwhelmed towards combat, suggesting maybe she took herself down an easy path.
She couldn't recognise herself without martial arts everyday, yet his reassurance made her feel secure. "Well, I guess fate loves throwing us together, right?"
Her grin became contagious, yet he cocked his. brow. "Lucy…we're married."
Giggling, Lucy rolled her eyes and replied, "I know that, silly!" Before she blanketed his hands with her own. Those gentle strokes across her belly, along with millions of water drops sprinkling down her back, Lucy finally closed her eyes and consumed the relaxing moment. "Sometimes I can hardly believe that-"
"Honey, did…did you feel that?!" Gru gasped, shifting his palm across her belly.
Yes, she did! Between the words in her sentence, their baby surprised them with a joyful kick. Their eyes stared expectantly. After exchanging grins and giggles, their baby kicked twice this time, causing the couple to squeal in unison.
"Hello, sweetheart," Gru knelt down, becoming face to face with his wife's belly. The bump had swollen a little, enough excuse for him to plant a loving kiss there. "I can't wait to see you…"
"I think they'll love martial arts, right?" Lucy winked, only to receive a joyful scoff in return. Her husband might've been weary about risking their baby's life, but he understood their path would be clear from all signs of danger. They would do anything to protect each other. Their daughters. Now, their baby.
