Hey, everyone. I'm back with another update. Luckily, this one didn't take too long to write. I've decided to add a bit of humor into this one. But don't get too comfortable, it gets darker later on.

HollyAnne1084: Thank you for your honest review. I have spotted some errors, so thank you for pointing them out. I've seen your update on Down in The Dumps. It's great. I'll keep my word when I say I'll review it when I'm ready. PS: Hope you're doing well, my friend.

CNBW: Aw thanks! And truth be told, they have done it but they never tried it if you know what I mean. The chapter will reveal a bit of it anyway.

Tripledent: At some point they will. Right now, they're still trying to figure things out… unfortunately not with each other.

Fearful Joy: Hmm… your username does ring a few bells. Are you the one who's been writing those short Starnerve stories about a year or two ago? I can't be too sure. But thanks for coming back in another account to review this. I really appreciate it!

Ponystoriesandothers: He-hey, what up? Glad to hear from you again in this archive! Yep, I figured if they can't be shipped as emotions, then might as well for humans. It's going to be a bumpy ride from here. Angus and Desiree are basically the paragon of an old couple, always fighting and disagreeing with each other, but they still love each other in the end. Will Sadie find true love, you ask? Maybe. I can't finalize it yet. I want her to be that independent character who needs no man. But given the artwork I posted, I might reconsider it, if you know what I'm talking about. *winkwonk*

Rose Enaid: Brickoli! You changed your name! It heals my soul to find you enjoying this story so far. I'll do my best to update it at my earliest convenience… I'm not an avid Tumblr user, but I only go on it to check on you. Take care!

As you're all aware, I temporarily changed my name to Empty Sadness. I don't know for how long but certainly a while. I will get better. My faith's being tested. Until now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Felix's eyes slowly fluttered open. Facing the other direction to his bed, he noticed Joy was no longer there. He moaned in confusion and sat up to check the clock. It was already eleven in the morning. He blinked in surprise and jumped out of bed to exit his room.

"Sadie! Where's Joy?" he called. Eventually, he found Sadie in the living room, playing the piano.

"The relationship is failing. She already left you," she answered solemnly while playing a gruesome tune.

"What?!"

Sadie closed her piano and shook her head. "She left four hours ago to see her parents and go to work."

"And you didn't wake me up, WHY!?"

"You already know how that goes."

Flashback

When Sadie was thirteen, she shook her brother lightly to wake him up. Startled, Felix jolted up screaming and accidentally slapped Sadie's face, causing her to wail.

When Sadie was fifteen, she went to the other side of his bed, where his back faced her, and poked him. Eventually, Felix was still caught up in a dream and swatted his hand from behind, accidentally hitting Sadie's nose and tilting her glasses. Frustrated, she yelled at him to wake up. Angry, Felix sat up and scolded her for ruining his dream about Joy.

When Sadie was twenty, she had to wake Felix up early so they could prepare for Christmas. Since she was afraid of getting hit again, she stood past arm's length and poked Felix's nose with a stick. Almost instantly, Felix opened his eyes and slapped the stick to the floor in shock. Because it was long, the stick flew out of Sadie's grasp and scratched her face as it flew upwards. Filled with guilt, Felix immediately rushed towards her to apologize. Luckily, there weren't any marks, but it was painfully visible that she displeased with him.

When Sadie was twenty-three, she noticed her brother slept in again. He had to wake up now or he was going to be late. Knowing she can no longer be bothered with him, she took an extra pillow and smashed it on his face. She blankly left the room that day before he could get off at her.

End Flashback

"Oh… that."

"Sometimes I wonder why you never wake up to your alarm," Sadie groaned.

Felix scratched his head. "I tend to forget sometimes…"

Freddie came into the room on his wheelchair. "Oh, son, you're awake! I was also asleep when Joy left. Sam's asleep now so you might want to tone down the piano sessions, Sadie."

"Good to know, dad," his son replied.

"I already finished my sessions anyway," Sadie added. "Felix, I got a text from Desiree asking if we could get some ice cream with her and Angus at a local dessert parlour down the street."

"Oh yeah? Tell her we'll meet up in an hour. I still got to make brunch since dad and I woke up late." Felix took out a cutting board and an onion.

"I hope you can make a mean omelette, kiddo, because I am starving," Freddie laughed.

"I hope he can use a knife properly without dropping it," Sadie muttered.

"Uh, thank you, sis, but I'll have you know I've gotten over my fear of knives." The moment he peeled the onion, he felt tears beginning to form. "And I think I've gotten pretty good at cooking."

"You better. Otherwise Joy wouldn't want to marry a—wait are you crying?" Sadie asked.

Felix covered his eyes with his arm. "I'M NOT CRYING. YOU'RE CRYING! Who's chopping onions here?! Oh, that's right, ME!" he said before coughing out a few sobs. "Oh, Joy, why did you leave me without saying goodbye? WHY!"

Freddie snorted and leaned into Sadie's ear. "Is he… always like this?" he whispered.

Sadie kept her gaze on a sudoku puzzle she was now working on. "Nah, he gets sad-drunk when he cuts onions and always cuts himself by accident at some point."

Within seconds, they heard Felix yelp. Startled, Freddie, turned to the kitchen. Sadie placidly still had her eyes on the puzzle.

"Case in point."

Angus leaned against the glass wall of the dessert parlour, reading a magazine. His wife insisted he left first since she was still getting ready. Felix and Sadie were obviously nowhere in sight. The magazine he read was slightly outdated. In fact, it was released a couple of years ago. It was his favorite, the cover being the best. He was too focused on reading and ignored the incoming footsteps.

"Uh, hello? Earth to Angus." Desiree waved her hand between his face and the magazine he stared at. Angus yelped and immediately closed it and hid it behind his back.

"Oh, hey. That was quick," he stammered lightly.

"Duh. It's not like I'm going to a cocktail party. What'cha got behind your back?" she asked rhetorically.

"Nothi—hey, what gives!?" Before he could lie, Desiree snatched the magazine from his hands. Her heart skipped a beat at what she saw.

"Hey, this magazine contained my last photoshoot," she gasped. "I thought you didn't want me to be a model anymore."

"Well, yeah, I mean I still get sick of all the guys drooling over your body like that. Especially when I'm at work!"

"Is it weird that I find your envy attractive?"

"Is it weird that I find all of you attractive?" Angus retorted. "Obviously I still enjoy looking at your magazines. If anything, I should be the only one who gets to keep them!"

"Huh," Desiree sighed contentedly. "Man I used to look so good here."

Angus cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'used to'?"

Desiree frowned. "Listen, I—"

"Hey, Desiree; hey, Angus!" Felix greeted alongside Sadie.

"FELIX, YOU MORON, DESIREE WAS GOING TO TELL ME SOMETHING!" Angus snapped.

Felix raised his hands up. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know. Is something wrong?"

Feeling the pressure, Desiree shook her head. "Uh, nope, everything's fine! It's something I'll have to discuss with Angus alone."

Felix and Sadie looked at each other with skeptism, but let it go. "Joy couldn't come with us today. She's working," Sadie reminded.

"That's fine, we can catch up with her after. You know, I don't know where she works. Did she say which school?" Desiree asked.

The step-siblings exchanged clueless looks. "Um… no, she didn't tell us. Every time I asked, she would always say it's a secret," Felix answered.

"You could've made her admit it!" Angus said impatiently.

"Like how, genius?" Desiree retorted.

"Obviously by wo—"

"Guys!" Sadie shouted. Everyone turned to the pouting Teardrop.

"Are we having ice cream or not?"

As they were led in, Angus insisted he would pay. While Sadie ordered the vanilla flavor, Felix being the mocha flavor, Desiree simply asked for a small frappe.

"That's all?" Felix asked.

"Yeah, I'm… still on a strict diet."

"You're married now. And you no longer work as a model, so you can stop trying," Angus pointed out. She knew that. She found a better job as a fashionista instead.

"I know, but I like to keep in shape you know," she answered back.

"But, you have lost quite a lot of weight, these past months," Sadie observed. "If anything, I should lay off these extra pounds."

"Oh come on, Sadie, you're not that-" Desiree paused, only to notice Sadie glaring at her. She looked at Angus and Felix, who were behind her. Angus began looking elsewhere while whistling and Felix shook his head harshly. "Never mind. So, Felix, how's your dad?"

"Dad? He's fine. I managed to cook something up for him and mom without almost burning down the house."

"Does that explain the bandaged finger?" Angus pointed out.

Felix looked down on his index finger. "Hehe, yeah."

"He still went sad-drunk like he was in a soap opera when-"

"Sadie," he growled.

"He went what?" Angus asked cluelessly.

"Nothing. Oh, would you look at the time, I got to pick up Joy!"

"But, you don't even know where she works," Desiree reminded.

"She said she'll send me the address." As Felix searched his pockets, his heart nearly stopped. "Where's my phone!? Where is it?! WHERE IS IT!?"

Sadie rolled her eyes and took a familiar object out of her pocket. "In case you forgot."

Felix froze to see his phone in Sadie's hand. "Why didn't you give it to me?"

"Oh, I forgot to give it until you started talking about it. I guess neither of us wins," Sadie answered. Sighing he took the phone and unlocked it to see a message from Joy. Desiree, Angus and Sadie looked over his shoulder.

"This address… It couldn't be!" he gasped.

Neither of them brought a car. They all simply went on foot, rushing to the said address. There, they finally made it – it was where everything began, the year where it ended. A lot about it has changed, but to them, it all looked the same.

"HQ…" Angus mumbled. "I feel like a kid again."

"It looks so… different," Desiree commented.

"Joy works here…?" Sadie realized.

"Only one way to find out," Felix finished. They walked past the renovated gates and noticed the changes in the school front yard. Sadie remembered that exact spot where she met Joy… after being insulted by Desiree and her former group of 'friends'. Desiree felt the guilt in that school. After stepping a few feet in, she stopped. Sadie noticed and looked back.

"I… I don't…" she stammered. Sadie walked towards her and took her hand.

"It's okay. We're friends now," she reminded. Desiree smiled shyly and let her lead.

"Hey, I remember beating you up here! Ah, good times," Angus sighed.

"You don't seem to have any regrets about bullying me, do you?" Felix deadpanned.

"I do," he answered honestly. "I was just pointing out how much of a jerk I was."

"You're still a jerk," Felix murmured. Angus heard this and stared at him doubtfully. "I-In a good sort of way!" he chuckled in defense.

"Huh. I'll take it."

"I think we should wait for Joy out here. We wouldn't want to interrupt the classes going on in there," Desiree suggested and sat on a nearby picnic table. Sadie nodded and sat beside her.

"Pass. I want to check out the place," Angus declined.

Desiree rolled her eyes. "Right. And to think you wanted to skip school everyday when we were in high school."

"Hey, at least I had two reasons why I came." He began dragging Felix around the building to the backyard.

"Oh yeah? Name one!" Desiree shouted as their distance grew.

"My parents!" When they went out of view, Desiree's smile disappeared.

"Was there something you wanted to tell Angus earlier?" Sadie asked worriedly.

The young Greene sighed. "I'm just worried that if I'm ever going to have a child one day, I want to stay in shape. And I get the feeling that the reason he doesn't want to have a child with me is because I might gain weight."

"What?" Sadie asked incredulously.

"Hey, I know Angus. He's got eyes for the slim and sexy type. If I gain weight then he won't love me as much anymore because I won't be the same 'model' he loved to lay eyes on," Desiree explained.

Sadie looked away, trying to process the entire thing. "I don't think that sounds like Angus at all. He only loves you."

"If he does love me then why doesn't he want to have children with me?"

"I don't know, maybe he's not ready-"

"I've waited two years, Sadie!" Desiree snapped.

"But you do… that, right?" Sadie asked invasively. "You can't have a kid unless… you know what I mean."

Desiree blushed. "Well, duh, we do. But, we never tried for a baby before. That's different."

Sadie blushed at how awkward this conversation was getting. "I'll pretend I never asked… Anyway, whatever it is, I'm sure your weight has nothing to do with it."

"If it's not that then I don't know what else is…" Desiree sighed in defeat. All Sadie could do was stare hopelessly, but deep down she had one hypothesis. Meanwhile, Angus and Felix stood in front of the new soccer field.

"Ah, smell that fresh morning dew," Angus breathed.

"I remember when I used to watch the clouds out here. The tree I loved sitting next to is gone," Felix said sadly.

"Oh—wait, seriously?" Angus recalled exactly where that same tree was. The dirt it once sat on was now replaced with concrete. His heart sank. Felix began to worry.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. That tree was where Des and I carved our initials when we started dating back when we were freshmen," Angus answered.

"Oh… That explains what got me thinking when I first saw it," Felix realized. "Still, it can't just be nothing. That tree symbolized your relationship!"

"Some things are worth letting go, I guess," Angus mumbled.

"A thousand pardons for being intrusive, but your relationship with Desiree isn't too conflicted, is it?" Felix asked nervously.

"We have our ups and downs," he answered, albeit not looking at the Nerveling. "You need to expect that when you marry Joy one day."

Felix sighed. "Duly noted."

"Alright, enough bellyaching. Let's check out the hallway! I hope Principal Raine isn't still ruling the school," Angus exclaimed.

"Oh, I remember her," Felix chuckled as they entered the building. "We should probably tell the girls to meet us inside now."

"Yeah, that would be a good i-"

"Hey look, it's a hairy midget!" called a voice from behind on what may be a student.

Felix's mouth went agape in horror, and Angus turned around with a whole new aura. "Who said that…?"

"Uh oh, I think you triggered him," laughed another student.

"Uh, I think it's best to ignore them, Angus. How about we play good cop, bad cop with the gi—"

"Oh, there's no good cop. There is only," Angus cracked his knuckles and neck. "Bad cop."

From outside, Sadie and Desiree heard the dismissal bell. And within seconds, dozens of students left the building. Desiree smirked. "Oh, look, there's our cue."

"Where are those dweebs?" she added, referring to the boys.

"Ten bucks say Angus is chasing some random students down the hallway," Sadie mumbled.

The moment they opened the door, they suddenly backed away as a a couple of boys ran out screaming, with Angus chasing behind. "YOU ANNOYING PUNKS, YOU'RE ALL UNDER ARREST FOR INSULTING A POLICE OFFICER!" he roared.

"Huh, go figure. Maybe that's why he doesn't want kids.," Sadie deadpanned. Desiree groaned and palmed her face before walking to her husband. Sadie watched her fetch him and looked back inside. "Where's Felix?"

Said Nerveling tried chasing Angus down, but didn't want to run on the empty hallway. Eventually he was caught in a student traffic. He felt so much taller than most of the students, he lost Angus in the crowd. He gently pushed his way past the other students as they cleared the hall, until he bumped into the teacher he was looking for. He made a step back to prevent himself from falling back as she stumbled against him.

"Joy! Hey," he greeted with surprise.

"Oh, hi, honey! You're early." Joy greeted back sweetly.

"S-sorry, I just need to catch Angus before he gets those kids and makes it look like an accident," Felix muttered frantically.

"Wait, what?!"

"Apparently someone called him a midget and he saw red," he explained sheepishly.

"Oh dear…" Joy followed her boyfriend outside and found Sadie waiting for them.

"Hi, Joy," she greeted casually."

"Hey. Where's Angus?"

"Over there, having a slapfest," she answered metaphorically. They looked ahead and saw Desiree walking towards him with a disappointed Angus.

"He's lucky his mother is a lawyer," Angus grumbled.

"Did you have to swear at him?" Desiree retorted then glanced at the Starlight. "Hey, Joy."

"He started it!" he spat defensively and glanced at Joy. "Hey, how are you doing?"

"Angus, I know you're a cop but that doesn't mean you have the right to get back at every kid in school," Joy taught.

"Don't remind me," Angus groaned.

"I'm going to fetch my things. Come with! My colleagues want to meet you." Joy offered.

Sadie shrugged. "I guess."

"Why not," Desiree approved and followed in with Angus.

At the teacher's lounge, Joy came in with her friends to be introduced. Some of the teachers had already dismissed themselves. "Hey, guys! I want you to meet my friends."

"Whoa, I never thought I'd step in here," Angus mumbled.

"I wonder if Mr. Fritz and Ms. Paula still work here," Sadie whispered back.

"Oh, that's quite an interesting bunch you made there," commented one of the teachers.

"Why does the red-haired guy look so short?" murmured another teacher.

"You'd better watch your tongue," Angus grumbled incoherently.

"Hey, is that Desiree Greene from the model magazines?" gasped a young teacher, who nudged at his co-worker. "She looks even hotter in person!"

"Yep! Everyone, this is Desiree," Joy introduced.

"Who is MINE!" Angus interjected angrily. Felix and Sadie looked at each other while trying to stifle their laughter.

"And… this is Angus! He's a sergeant."

"A pleasure to meet you, Angus. My cousin, Jake, is also an officer like you," said one of the male teachers.

"Oh, that guy. Yeah, we were sometimes partnered on weeknight patrols," Angus chuckled.

"And this is Sadie. She's adorable, I love her!" Joy squealed as she leaned down to hug her friend. Some of the teachers were left in awe. Then she went to Felix and hugged his arm.

"And this is my boyfriend, Felix," she finished with a smile. He smiled and waved sheepishly.

"Quite a handsome fellow you are. Your Joy is a hoot! The kids love her," chuckled an elderly teacher. Some of the female teachers even squirmed slightly at the sight.

"Heh, thank you," he muttered shyly.

The rest of the day went on with meeting new faces. Joy introduced her co-workers to her friends, and got along with them well. Eventually, everyone had to leave at some point. Since no one brought their car, Joy happily walked home with the entire group.

"I'm so happy you all came! I thought only Felix was going to pick me up," Joy sighed with delight.

"You kidding? We were all dying to know where you worked. No way are you letting us miss out," Desiree huffed.

"Yeah, the teachers aren't so bad. I'm just glad we never got to see that wench again. What was her name? Hannah," Angus spoke. Everyone groaned with disgust and displeasure.

"Ugh, don't even go there," Desiree gagged. She loathed Hannah after what happened that day, for majority of her high school life.

"She's evil!" Sadie whined. She recalled the day where her brother almost died, which she wasn't able to recover from until his wake.

"I wonder if she got out of juvie," Felix pondered fearfully. He shuddered at that day where he thought he lost Joy.

"If she did then I hope she changed for the better," Joy huffed, not being able to forget the day she thought she lost Felix. Sadie and Angus shook their heads in doubt. Desiree looked away ignorantly. And Felix just looked to the ground in fear.

"We can forget about her. So, what's for dinner, everyone?" Joy asked with returning excitement. Everyone exchanged mixed expressions of confusion, content, and a hint of boredom.

"Well…"

This is all I'm going to share for today. I'm not going to be posting an update for a while, but I will reply to messages when given the chance. Consider it a mini-hiatus. A lot's been going on and I need to redeem myself. Until then, stay tuned for another update.

By the way, I used a Fairly Oddparents reference. Did someone find it? If you did, then have a cookie!

Ah, who am I kidding? Everyone gets a cookie!

Stay safe everyone.