By the time the show reached the bonus round, the contestant stood on the brink of winning a million dollars, her nerves palpable as she prepared for her final puzzle. She spun the bonus wheel, which landed on the "G" in "Game."
Mike and Angela, completely engrossed, exchanged a glance filled with suspense, his hand still slowly stroking her belly as they watched. The letters started to appear on the board, and Angela whispered, "Come on… you're so close."
Mike grinned, tightening his arm around her just a bit. "Let's see if she can pull it off," he murmured, both of them holding their breath as the usual letters R, S, T, L, N, E were called out by Pat Sajak.
The contestant called out her letters, 3 consonants and 1 vowel, and a few more filled in on the board. She squinted at the puzzle with only 10 seconds left on the clock, and Angela leaned forward, squeezing Mike's hand as if she were the one onstage.
At the last second, the contestant shouted, "Mountain Range!"
Pat looked at her with a smirk. "Need more time?" The audience burst into cheers and applause.
Mike and Angela let out a cheer, and Pat opened the contestant's envelope. The reveal showed the grand prize—a million dollars. Angela's jaw dropped. "No way, she actually did it!"
Mike chuckled. "Now that's one unforgettable night!" he said, giving Angela a playful nudge.
As the confetti fell, Angela turned to Mike with a mischievous grin. "You think maybe we should get confetti when we party?"
Mike laughed, nodding in agreement. "Definitely! But only if it comes with a million-dollar prize," he replied, giving her a playful wink. "Imagine us celebrating like that! I'd throw confetti everywhere."
Angela giggled, leaning back against the headboard. "Alright, but you better have a vacuum ready afterward!"
"Deal," he said, pulling her close as they both continued to watch the festivities on-screen, the warmth of the moment wrapping around them like a cozy blanket.
"You know… maybe one of us should be on that show," Angela suggested, her fingers slowly rubbing Mike's chest as she looked up at him with a playful sparkle in her eyes.
"Question is... who?" Mike replied, raising an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face. "I mean, I've got the charm and good looks, but I don't know if I can spin a wheel without falling over."
Angela chuckled, playfully shoving him. "Please! You'd be too busy flirting with Pat to even remember your letters!"
"Hey, it's all part of the strategy! Get the host on your side, and the prizes will roll in," Mike said with a mock-serious expression, making them both burst into laughter again.
"Oh, those words should be on a sitcom... if we ever get one. I mean, we've been on TV before," Angela mused, her tone lightening the mood.
"Yeah, kicking Atta, her mother, and the Colony Council's asses on Springer when…" Mike's humorous personality started to fade a bit as he let out a sigh. "You know…"
"Flik, huh?" Angela finished for him, her expression softening as she reached out to squeeze his hand.
"Why do I still feel sad every time I think about him or we mention him? I mean, look how far we've come! We have a wedding coming up, we're traveling with the circus bugs…" Mike's voice trailed off, a mix of nostalgia and longing in his eyes.
Angela nodded, understanding. "It's okay to miss him, Mike. He was a part of our family. Just remember, we're carrying his spirit with us—making our own adventures." She leaned in closer, brushing her lips against his cheek. "He would be proud of you… proud of us."
"I know, I just... I know I've said this a lot, but... I just really wish he was here with us," Mike confessed, with another sigh, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his usual bravado.
Angela looked at him, her eyes reflecting empathy and warmth. "I get it. He was a great friend, and it's natural to want him to share in all these moments," she replied gently. "But we can honor him in our own way. Every laugh, every adventure, it's like he's still part of it. And you know, if he were here, he'd probably be cheering us on and cracking jokes about how we can't win a game show without him."
Mike smiled faintly at that thought, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Yeah, he'd be that annoying guy in the front row with a megaphone, making sure everyone knows how awesome we are," he added, his tone lightening just a bit. "Thanks, Ange. I needed that."
Angela smiled back, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Always here for you, Mike. And we'll make new memories, just like Flik would have wanted."
Both of them shared a peck on the lips and smiled at each other.
"Hey, let's go shower before we do anything else," Mike suggested, his playful tone returning as he stood up and extended a hand to Angela.
Angela took his hand, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You mean I can't convince you to take me to a game show stage instead like you convinced me to go on Jerry with you to kick ants' ass?" she teased, winking.
Mike laughed, pulling her closer. "Only if we get a confetti cannon. Otherwise, I'm all for a hot shower and washing off the sand."
"Deal," Angela agreed, letting him lead her toward the bathroom. As they walked, she added, "But just so you know, I might need some extra help getting clean."
Mike raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh really? I think I can manage that."
With a playful laugh, Angela opened the bathroom door, ready to turn an ordinary shower into a moment filled with laughter and love.
Meanwhile, David and Lily breathed softly as they laid next to each other, staring at the ceiling and the spinning fan, having just finished making out.
"Every single time... after the beach or pool..." Lily chuckled softly, her voice playful yet satisfied.
"Hey, my lean muscles, your... how do I put it...? Well, let's just say your alluring bikini look definitely plays a part," David replied, a grin spreading across his face as he turned to glance at her.
Lily nudged him playfully with her elbow. "Oh please, you just love using that as an excuse to get me alone."
"Guilty as charged," he said with a laugh, shifting to prop himself up on one elbow to look at her. "But can you blame me? It's hard to resist when you're rocking that crimson bikini. Or in any bikini at least"
"Flattery will get you everywhere, you know," she teased, her eyes sparkling.
"Just calling it like I see it," he replied, leaning in for a soft kiss. As they pulled away, David added, "So, what's next? More secret rendezvous in the hotel or are we ready to rejoin the others?"
Lily smiled, contemplating for a moment. "Well, we could always let them wonder what we've been up to for a bit longer…"
"Sounds like a plan," David said, leaning back against the pillow, a satisfied smile on his face as they both relaxed into the moment.
"Hey, once we've cooled off, how about we go in the bathroom and clean each other up?" Lily suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye.
David raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk creeping onto his lips. "Is that your idea of cleaning, or is there something else you have in mind?"
"Oh, come on," she laughed, nudging him again. "You know what I mean! I just thought it would be nice to wash off the beach and all the sand… together."
David chuckled, rolling onto his side to face her fully. "Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? A little teamwork never hurt anyone, right?"
"Exactly! And besides, it'll give us a chance to unwind a bit before we head back out there," Lily said, her tone light but suggestive.
"Alright, you've convinced me," he replied, leaning in closer. "Let's make it a mini spa day, just the two of us."
With a shared grin, they both swung their legs off the bed and stood up, ready to turn their playful suggestion into reality.
Later, after they finished showering and dried off, Mike was already dressed in a graphic tee and shorts, while Angela slipped into a crop tank and torn denim shorts, leaving her entire stomach bare this time instead of just a hint.
As they both finished getting ready, Angela caught Mike's appreciative glance and smirked. "What? Too much?"
Mike shook his head with a grin. "Not enough, if you ask me."
She laughed, grabbing her bag. "Alright, charmer. Ready to head out?"
"Lead the way," he replied, looping his arm around her waist as they headed to meet up with the others for the evening.
Everyone gathered at the hotel exit and made their way toward the Armada and Charger as Mike and David unlocked their cars.
"So, any ideas for after pizza?" Gypsy asked, glancing around with a smile.
Manny nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps we could catch another movie, followed by an episode of Angel?"
Lily laughed, nudging David. "Seems like we've got a bit of a routine going here."
He chuckled. "Hey, some routines are worth keeping."
With that, they piled into the cars, with Gypsy and Rosie in the Charger and the others in the Armada, ready for another night together in Chicago before the next stop on their adventure.
At Millennium Park, everyone strolled around, taking in the sights and sounds, the lights casting a vibrant glow over their surroundings.
"So where's Maltani's at?" Francis asked, looking up from his phone, trying to pinpoint their next destination.
"It's not too far from here," David replied, glancing at the map on his phone. "Just a few blocks down. We can walk there in no time."
"Perfect! I'm starving," Heimlich chimed in, rubbing his stomach dramatically. "All this walking is making me crave some of that deep-dish goodness."
Angela laughed. "You'll need to save room for dessert too. They have amazing cheesecake."
"Is that a challenge?" Mike teased, nudging his fiancée playfully. "Because I think I can take you on in a cheesecake-eating contest."
"Bring it on!" Angela shot back, a mischievous glint in her eye as they continued walking, excitement buzzing in the air.
As they approached Lou Maltani's, the warm scent of pizza drifted through the air, and everyone picked up their pace, excitement growing.
Inside, they settled into a large booth, with the humans and circus bugs mixing together at the table. Emily climbed onto David's lap, eagerly eyeing the menu.
"Alright, what's everyone in the mood for?" Lily asked, flipping through the options.
"Definitely something cheesy," Heimlich said, practically drooling. "Maybe the five-cheese blend?"
"Add some pepperoni and I'm in," Francis nodded with a grin.
Manny looked over at Gypsy. "How about we go for the veggie one?"
"Sounds perfect," Gypsy agreed, glancing around the table. "And who's ready to split that famous dessert with me?"
With the orders placed, everyone settled into lively conversation, swapping stories about the day's beach adventures, and talking about their plans for tomorrow.
"Say, what other kind of shaped pizzas are there besides deep-dish and the old circle?" Rosie asked the humans, her curious tone cutting through the table chatter.
"Well, there's square pizzas," Mike replied, resting his arm on the back of the booth. "Think Detroit-style, with crispy edges."
Angela nodded. "And there's rectangle pizzas too, like Sicilian. It's thicker, almost like focaccia with sauce and cheese on top."
David chimed in. "Let's not forget heart-shaped pizzas. Big hit on Valentine's Day."
Lily smirked. "And I've seen ones shaped like stars or even footballs during the Super Bowl."
After Lily's line, Heimlich tilted his head curiously. "What is this football? And this… Super Bowl? Is it a giant bowl of food?"
The group burst out laughing, and David shook his head, amused. "No, Heimlich, it's not a bowl of food. It's a sport. Football's a big game where humans throw an oval-shaped ball and try to score points."
"And the Super Bowl is the championship game," Angela added. "It's like the biggest event in sports here in the U.S. Everyone watches it—huge parties, commercials, and yeah, sometimes football-shaped pizzas."
The "butterfly's" eyes lit up. "Ah, I see! A party with lots of food and entertainment! That does sound super!"
"It's not always about food, my boy," Manny teased, patting his back. "But I guess that's what sticks with you, huh?"
"Of course!" Heimlich said, grinning. "Why else would it be called super?"
The group laughed again just as the server arrived with their pizzas, ready to dig into their own kind of celebration for the evening.
"So, what other TV shows are there that you guys like specifically?" Gypsy asked as she munched on her slice, the cheese stretching slightly before she managed to bite it off.
"Well, besides the daytime drama talk shows you guys know we like," Mike began, wiping his fingers with a napkin, "when it comes to reality, there's Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy."
"You mentioned Wheel of Fortune before, but never really explained it. And I've never heard of either one," Slim chimed in as he grabbed another slice.
Mike chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Okay, so Wheel of Fortune is this game where contestants spin a giant wheel for money and prizes while trying to solve word puzzles. It's kinda like a big word-guessing game, like Hangman but with way more at stake."
"Oh, and there's this host, Pat Sajak, who keeps it all running with his jokes, and Vanna White's there to reveal the letters on the puzzle board when they're guessed right," Angela added with a grin.
Slim perked up. "Wait, so she just lights up the letters? That sounds… fancy."
"Yup, she used to turn them, but now it's all touch-screen magic. She just taps them and boom, they light up," Lily explained with a laugh.
"What about Jeopardy?" Dim asked, fascinated.
"Oh, that one's a brainy one," David replied, pointing a slice at Slim. "They give you the answer, and you have to respond with the question. It's fast and way harder than it sounds."
"So they give you the answers, and you gotta figure out the questions?" Francis asked, squinting. "Seems like they're makin' it harder on purpose."
"Pretty much!" Mike chuckled. "It's a tough one, but people love it. They cover all sorts of topics, and it's kind of exciting when you're yelling answers at the screen."
"Humans really get into some clever things," Manny mused. "Maybe we should have a game night and watch it together sometime?"
"I'm down for that!" Rosie said, lifting his drink. "Might even learn something new."
The group laughed in agreement, the idea of a game show night adding a new spin to their evenings as they continued with their dinner, happily swapping stories and plans.
"Anyway," Lily began, "when it comes to sitcoms—situational comedies—we're big fans of The Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons." She nodded toward Gypsy and Manny. "You guys already know about The Simpsons, especially after going on that donut ride with Mike and sis at Universal Orlando."
Gypsy smiled at the memory as Lily continued, "Then there's Friends, Roseanne, Family Guy, American Dad, and Two and a Half Men. All classics in their own way."
"Quite a range," Manny said with a chuckle. "From nerd humor to dysfunctional families, you humans really know how to find comedy everywhere."
"That's the point," Lily replied with a grin. "Something for every kind of humor."
"Now, let's break each show down into full detail," David chimed in, clearly excited to talk about their favorite shows.
"Alright, The Big Bang Theory," Mike started. "It's about a group of friends—nerdy scientists who are socially awkward, but then they start to open up thanks to their interactions with people like Penny, who's this attractive waitress from the building next door. It's got science humor, geek culture, and some really funny moments about how the guys try to navigate relationships and life."
"Right," David added, "And The Simpsons—you know, the animated family sitcom. It follows Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson, all of whom get into all sorts of wild adventures. It's the longest-running American TV show. It's both hilarious and satirical, poking fun at American culture, politics, and everything in between."
"Then we got Friends," Mike continued, "It's about six friends—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—living in New York City. It's all about their relationships, careers, and the ups and downs of being in your 20s and 30s. It's classic for a reason. The laughs are endless."
"Roseanne," David interjected, "Was one of the first shows to really dig into working-class family life. It follows Roseanne, her husband Dan, and their three kids, Darlene, Becky, and DJ. It's a mix of humor and real-life struggles, and it was pretty groundbreaking for its time."
"Then, there's Family Guy and American Dad," Mike said with a grin. "They're both from Seth MacFarlane. Family Guy is all about the Griffins—Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, and their talking dog, Brian. The humor's outrageous, and it's got a ton of pop culture references. American Dad, though, is about Stan, an over-the-top CIA agent, his family, and his alien roommate, Roger. It's got more political humor, but still ridiculous in its own way."
"And don't forget Two and a Half Men," David said. "That one's about Charlie, a wealthy bachelor who ends up living with his brother Alan and his nephew Jake, which is Alan's son. It's full of awkward family moments, and of course, Charlie's love life is… a mess. A fun mess, though."
"That's the breakdown," Mike finished. "Each show's got its own flavor, but they all deliver laughs in their own way."
Gypsy and Manny exchanged looks, clearly intrigued. "Seems like there's a lot of layers to these shows," the moth said, impressed.
David nodded, smiling. "You guys have a lot to look forward to."
"But if you wanna know our least favorite one, it has to be Seinfeld," Angela continued with a shrug. "Honestly, we just don't find it that funny."
"How so?" Heimlich asked curiously.
"Well, let me give you an example of Seinfeld's stand-up," Mike said, clearing his throat and trying his best to mimic Jerry Seinfeld's voice. "'What's the deal with homework? You're not workin' on your home!'"
Francis blinked, looking confused. "Uhhh… what the heck was that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "That's the kind of humor you get. Some people love it, but for us, it just doesn't land."
"Yeah, it's supposed to be observational comedy," David added, "but it feels more like… random rambling."
"Guess that means we'll probably never watch that show," Manny remarked, shaking his head with a small chuckle.
"Trust me, you're not missing much," Angela replied, smirking.
Gypsy tilted her head thoughtfully. "Is all stand-up comedy like that, or is it just his style?"
"Nah, not all of it," Mike said. "Some comedians nail it. Like, if you want good stand-up, you go with George Carlin or Robin Williams. Those guys are legends."
"Or even Kevin Hart," David added. "He's hilarious, and his timing is spot on."
"Okay, maybe we'll give those guys a try," Gypsy said with a nod. "But definitely skipping Seinfeld."
After everyone eventually finished their pizza, the bill was settled, and the group strolled out of the restaurant into the evening air.
"Alright," Mike said with a satisfied sigh. "Movie time!"
"Yay!" Emily cheered, bouncing with excitement.
Lily and David exchanged a warm glance, chuckling at their daughter's enthusiasm.
"She's definitely your girl," David teased, nudging his girlfriend gently.
"And proud of it," Lily replied with a grin, ruffling Emily's hair.
"What theater should we go to this time?" Slim asked.
"Well, besides AMC, there's the Regal and that smaller independent one nearby," Mike replied thoughtfully.
"Oh! Let's go to the smaller one," Angela chimed in. "They sometimes play older movies, and it's got that cozy feel."
"Works for me," David said, shrugging. "And hey, maybe it'll be quieter if we're taking over half the theater ourselves."
The group chuckled as they headed for the Charger and Armada, eager for the next part of the evening.