Chapter 13

Joshua walked through the front door of the apartment. He had made his decision. Somehow he felt better about it because Samantha had promised to be behind him no matter what.

The two had agreed to keep their feelings a secret until she was a little older. He figured it was easier for her that he guessed what she was feeling. Samantha promised to call him later and see how things went.

"Mom, Dad, can we talk?" Joshua said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Sure son. What's up?" Sportacus asked. He had tried to talk to Joshua mentally but the boy was blocking him.

"I've thought a lot about my future and the future of this family." The fifteen year old started.

"The decision I've come to wasn't any easy one. I've seen what our family has been through and I understand what it has meant, not only to Iceland but also LazyTown. However, I don't want to live everyday afraid that my girlfriend or my wife or my kids are targets. Being a hero maybe in my blood but it is not what I want out of my life. I'm sorry if this disappoints you but its what I want." Joshua finished.

Sportacus sighed and Stephanie squeezed his hand. It wasn't the outcome the above average hero wanted but it was Joshua's life and his decision.

"Ok, if that is what you want then so be it." His father smiled.

"You're not mad?" Joshua asked.

"How could I be? Your mother and I raised a very intelligent boy to become whatever he wants. If you don't want to be a hero then I'll support whatever else you want to do." Sportacus said.

"Mom?" Joshua wondered."Joshua, I love you and your father is right. You don't want to be a hero then fine. I'm sure whatever you want to do instead you will succeed in." Stephanie smiled and gave him a hug. Whispering in his ear, she said,

"Is there something else you want to discuss?"

"Uh…" The question had surprised Joshua.

"That's all right. I'm sure Aunt Amanda can clear it up for me." She whispered again.

"Well, how about some dinner?" Sportacus asked.

"Sure. I had a meal all planned if you guys can wait half an hour." Stephanie smiled. The three helped each other make dinner in their usual way. Someone griped about having to eat something they didn't like and someone else said the rather have something else, followed by Stephanie saying they were lucky they were going to get anything to eat at all.Later, when Joshua was on the phone with Samantha, Sportacus sat down in the living room. Stephanie knew it wasn't a good sign.

"The last time you sat that still I thought you were dead." She joked. Sportacus just looked at her.

"Sorry, not much of a good joke. Come on, tell me." Stephanie said.

"I guess I had hoped that Joshua would…"

"Would become like you. I think that's every father's dream; for his son to become just like him. At first, when they're little they want to but as they become older things change." She told him.

"I suppose so but…"

"But you didn't want things to happen this way. We should have been able to explain to him without the whole school incident." Stephanie finished for him again.

"You know that's…"

"Getting really annoying. I know. I just love to bug you." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Why did I ever agree to marry you? You constantly get on my nerves and make my life so miserable?" Sportacus teased.

"Miserable? Oh so that's why…" Stephanie smirked.

"That's why what?" Sportacus asked. Stephanie motioned to his lap and mouthed the word 'defective'. The above average hero's face went red and he tried to chase her as she ran down the hall to their bedroom.

Joshua said goodbye to Samantha and promised to talk to her later. His parents had been making a racket while he was on the phone. There was a knock on the apartment door and Joshua opened it.

"Um can you guys keep it down?" The neighbor lady asked.

"Sorry Mrs. Griffin. I'll tell Mom and Dad to stop fooling around." Joshua promised. He closed the door and realized that the apartment was quiet. Carefully, he walked down the hall and knocked on his parent's door.

"Can you keep it down? Mrs. Griffin complained again." He said through the door. Stephanie opened the door wearing her husband's hat.

"How does she do that? She's as deaf as a rock." She said.

"I don't know but I'm going to bed." Joshua smiled.

"Good night honey." Stephanie smiled. She closed the door.

"We have to be more quiet. Mrs. Griffin complained again." She told her husband.

"All we were doing was playing around." He said. Stephanie nodded and started to pull his hat off her head.

"Now I believe I have to show you how functional everything is." Sportacus smiled.

"If you insist." Stephanie smiled.

The End

Well there you have it. Another chapter in the lives of the people of LazyTown. Thanks for all the reviews. I promise to have another story started soon.

18lzytwner