After the party, cut slightly short by minion shenanigans, the family decided to return to the mall all together. Gru reasoned that this way, he and Lucy could get a cupcake or two from Bake My Day to make up for the floor cake they'd eaten. The family strolled around for a bit, leisurely chatting, and occasionally stopping to peek in a store window or two.

Then Gru bought the girls ice cream, even though they'd managed to salvage a little bit of cake for themselves. "Usually, I'd say no at this time of night, but hey, I guess they deserve a little treat for helping you out today. Do you want any?"

Lucy sighed, knowing what the outcome of partaking would surely be. "No, thanks."

Gru was caught off guard. Lucy wasn't one to turn down ice cream. He looked over at her and observed extra creases under her usually laughing eyes. The corners of her mouth usually turned automatically upward, but now, her mouth was set in somewhat of a…frown?

Gru blinked. "You look exhausted, Lucy. Are you sure you're not sick?"

Lucy forced herself to smile. To Gru, it looked more like a wince. "No, just a little worn out is all. Must've been all that party planning," she said weakly.

"Do you want to sit down on the fountain while the girls eat their ice cream?"

"That sounds good."

After Gru had purchased the girls' ice cream, he led his family over to the water fountain and sat down. Margo, Edith, and Agnes munched away at their ice cream contentedly as they sat beside him on one side. Lucy took the other.

She covered Gru's hand with her own. At her touch, he instantly flipped his hand and caressed her fingers with his thumb. Lucy found that her tensed shoulders instantly relaxed.

"Did you have a good Father's Day, Gru?" she asked. She chuckled a little bit. "Even though the minions destroyed your cake?"

"Oh, yes, yes. The dance floor was an especially nice touch." The corners of his mouth twitched, and Lucy knew he was thinking back to the epic dance party he and the girls had after he'd brought them home for keeps.

Gru's eyes were tranquil and joyful, like a calm sea and waves breaking all at once. Lucy's eyes reflected the sparkle in his.

"Y'know, we've made a lot of special memories in this mall."

Gru turned and looked at his wife as she began the path down memory lane.

"I was thinking about it when the girls and I picked up the cake at Bake My Day earlier. The El Macho mission." Lucy elbowed him playfully. "You know, the one where that chicken almost killed you, and you saw all of my organs."

"Yeah, that was great," Gru said dryly. "And let's not forget when I thought that a can of salsa was a deadly serum." After shaking his head at himself, Gru softened. "Ended up being one of the best things I ever agreed to do. Well, sort of agreed. Sort of coerced."

He smirked, but he placed his hand on the back of Lucy's head.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

The two leaned in to kiss. Edith, laying down on the fountain and up to her usual schemes, began to chant, "Gru and Lucy, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, THEN COMES THE BABY IN THE BABY CARRIAGE!"

During the last line, Edith threw her hands up sarcastically and brought them down with a thud, sending water splashing toward her parents. Too happy to be angry, Gru and Lucy laughed.

"I mean, I guess she's not wrong," laughed Lucy.

Gru dried his cheek with his scarf. "Except no baby in the baby carriage. Can you imagine?"

Lucy's heart skipped a beat or two. She'd been waiting for the perfect moment, and the opportunity seemed to have presented itself. Before she truly had time to think, she blurted:

"There will be."

Edith, who was listening intently while trying not to look like she was, sat up with instant recognition. She looked over at Margo, who grinned knowingly. The normally very emotionally attuned Agnes had been distracted by a fluffy dog in a stroller and continued licking her ice cream in circles.

Gru kept the same smile he'd worn all night, staring off into space at the store in front of them. Lucy studied him intently for any shift in his expression, but the only change she noticed was that his stare had become blanker. As Gru slowly processed what his wife just said, his gaze began to raise slowly. His smile faded, and his eyes widened. He whipped his head around to face Lucy, who was grinning sheepishly. Gru's jaw dropped. His eyes searched hers to confirm what he was already sure was the truth.

"Surprise," Lucy breathed, meeting her husband's dumbfounded gaze. "Happy Father's Day."

Gru fainted.