“Yeah, you didn’t know? I wouldn’t have even known myself if I didn’t see that half eaten pie downstairs,” Arthur said.

“I got hungry,” the blonde said with a small smile.

“And I don’t know where she went; she was here when I got home. I thought she was going to stay but…I guess not.”

Arthur sighed.

“Oh well, hey, how about you and I do dinner and a movie tonight?” he asked excitedly.

“Definitely! Count me in. Homemade or order in?” Spencer asked.

There was a moment of silence before both of them answered collectively, “Order in!”

The plans were set just like that. Father daughter night was in progress, with Chinese and Tom Cruise movies on deck.

An hour later, the food had arrived and the two were sitting down on the couch in the living room, enjoying the sesame chicken and pork fried rice from Wong Chong’s.

“Oh my god, I love this part!” Spencer said as Tom Cruise’s character infiltrated an event & wore a mask to impersonate a villain in Mission Impossible 3.

“Me too, did you see him scale that wall? And that Lamborghini the girl drove? Love his movies!” Arthur Carlin replied excitedly as the front door opened up.

Paula Carlin walked through the door, dressed in business attire still.

“Hey guys,” she said, walked into the living room.

“Hey,” Spencer said without even looking away from the TV.

“What’s up?” Arthur said, turning to face his wife but not bothering to get up and greet her further.

“Oh nothing,” Mrs. Carlin replied. “Just getting in for the night. I see you guys already had dinner. Good thing I didn’t stop at In & Out Burger after all.”

“Yeah, dad had the awesome idea of dinner and a movie night,” Spencer said, smiling at her dad then looking over at her mother. “We haven’t done this in forever!”

“I see…” Paula said looking a little dejected. “Well don’t let me interrupt.”

“You sure? We’ve got some chow mien left if you want some,” Arthur offered.

“I’m good, ate already. I don’t wanna be the one to come between you two and your Tom Cruise movies. Besides I’ve got work to do so I’ll be upstairs,” Mrs. Carlin said then turned and left the room.

“Well what do you say we crack a bigger hole in the apple pie?” Mr. Carlin said, breaking the awkward tension between the family.

The teen smiled and then the two raced to the kitchen to get dibs on the pie like two little kids on Christmas morning.