Beach Day

>It was a beautiful day at the beach
>A clear sky, a light breeze, a gentle surf
>And the Winslows were making the most of it all with a pleasant family outing
>Even their Sterling brand service androids were along for the fun, donning their own Sterling-approved beachwear
>Good thing they're water proof!

>Mrs. Winslow was enjoying herself, playing with her young son, spending time in the water and sunbathing, all while wearing a new, quite flattering bathing suit
>With a goofy smile, Hector sighed in adoration of his wife while grilling some hot dogs, along with the family Botler
>"I tell you Emmet, sometimes I just don't think I deserve a woman like Jeanette. Still so beautiful after all these years, inside and out. Still cute as a button, too. Meanwhile, I'm... well..." He says, gently rubbing his slightly portly belly through his Hawaiian print shirt
>"Please Mr. Winslow, you and the Missus are a fine match for one another, and you look fine besides... Not that I couldn't recommend a few dietary changes, if you'd want to slim down a little."
>Emmet motioned to a frank Hector had just prepared. "Perhaps starting with not eating 5 to 10 hot dogs like you usually do on these trips to the beach?"
>A look of disinterest falls over Hector's face. "Sorry what was that, Emmet? Couldn't hear you over all the people here." Hector said before stubbornly biting into the freshly cooked dog
>"It was nothing sir, don't mind me." Emmet replied, shaking he head with a grin as he logged this conversation away

>The youngest child, Valen, was doing his usual young-boy things
>Running around, yelling, making sand castles, and flopping into the ocean, all between looking at sea shells and poking small crabs
>At least until the family's Nandroid, Vicky, pulls him away from them
>"Valen, please! They might pinch you!"
>"Aw, c'mon Vicky! They're not gonna hurt me!" He'd cry as Vicky dragged him away

>The oldest child, Gloria, had also made the time to join her family
>Rarely finding time away from one of her father's book stores to enjoy these kinds of days, Gloria also picked out a rather fetching bathing suit to enjoy the day in, and turned more than a few heads as she strutted onto the beach
>But she was less intent on showing off and more intent on relaxing, taking in some sorely needed sun and enjoying some time with her family
>Unfortunately Vicky also wanted to make the most of Gloria's time with the family
>Vicky had only barely gotten to know Gloria for the year she was still at home during Vicky's service, much to Vicky's dismay
>So naturally she takes every opportunity to try and reconnect with Gloria
>Usually by asking her far too many questions
>"Hi Gloria! Gosh, you look great in your bikini today! Oh, but you look a bit thin! Are you eating well? And are you making sure to dust? Your allergies always got so bad when you were still at home. Have you been making time to talk with friends, too? Oh, and I haven't seen your apartment in months, I would just LOVE to come and-
>Gloria jerks upward from sunbathing and physically cuts off Vicky, covering her mouth. "Vicky, please! I know you don't see me often, but I'm okay, I promise. Okay?"
>Vicky, eyes wide and mouth still covered, nodded
>Gloria let out a huff. "...I do appreciate it. I know you miss me, and I miss you too, okay? But just calm down a bit, alright, Vicky?"
>Vicky "smiling" with her eyes, nodded once more at Gloria's reassurance
>Once freed from Gloria's palm, Vicky eagerly sat next to Gloria as she laid back down, just to spend at least a few minutes with her before she'd have to get up and "rescue" Valen from another crab

>The whole family was having a nice time
>...Except the middle child, the teenaged Chloe, who had been out of sight for a while
>Jeanette had grown concerned, and got Vicky's attention, interrupting her walk back to Gloria's side
>"Vicky, sweetheart, could you look for Chloe for me? I haven't seen her in a good bit, I'm getting a little worried."
>Vicky saluted at attention. "Yes ma'am! I'll find her if it's the last thing I do! You can count on me!"
>And Vicky was off like a rocket, searching the beach far and wide
>Or at least, she would have searched far and wide if she hadn't discovered Chloe hiding in one of the changing houses within 30 seconds, having heard the girl muttering to herself

>Knocking, Vicky called to the girl. "Chloe? Is that you in there? Are you okay? Your family's worried about you!"
>A brief moment of silence followed a shaky voice. "I'm... F-fine. I'm fine! I just don't wanna come out right now."
>Vicky found herself unable to form a response before hearing Chloe once more. "Or... come out at all..."
>A look of determination overtook Vicky's face. "Chloe, are you dressed in there?"
>"W-what? I mean... Y-yeah I am, but I don't-"
>Vicky quickly unhooked the lock from the other side of the rickety door with her thin fingers and barged in
>"Hey HEY HEY! WHAT THE HECK, VICKY!" Chloe exclaimed as she made a futile attempt to cover herself with her hands
>Vicky was confused but still determined. "Chloe, what are you doing? What are you hiding, young lady?" She said with a suspicious, waving finger
>"Nothing! I'm not hiding anything. I'm... I'm just embarrassed, okay? I don't wanna... Go out there looking like this." Chloe lowered her hands, revealing her halter top and denim shorts
>Vicky was even more confused now. "Looking like what? A pretty teenager in a cute outfit at the beach?"
>"Yeah! A CUTE outfit! I... I dunno. I just don't feel..." Chloe paused and started rocking back and forth on the seat in the changing house
>"M-Mom's out there looking great in her fancy bathing suit, and Gloria probably ruined someone's relationship just by BEING here in her bikini. And I'm just... Cute."
>Vicky shrugged. "What's wrong with cute? I'm just cute. I think. Hope."
>Chloe groaned in exasperation. "Yeah, but you're not... Vicky you don't..." She stopped and curled up on the seat, burying her head into her arms. "Just never mind..."
>Vicky approached the huddled up girl, bending down to her level. "Come on, Chloe. You look great! Come on out, I promise no one's thinking anything rude about your cute outfit."
>"They're not thinking anything at all about me..." Chloe mumbled to herself
>Vicky stared in silent confusion. She'd almost begin to talk several times, but failing to utter a single sound before stopping and thinking for a moment each time
>Vicky was never the best at reading Chloe. Valen was always more her speed, being so innocently blunt the way kids are, but she knew someone who could probably help
>"Hold that thought" Vicky said as she rushed out the door

>Chloe looked up for just a moment, and within seconds Vicky had returned, this time shoving Emmet into the house
>"You're better at this emotional stuff, you take a crack at it!" Vicky told Emmet before slamming the door behind him
>"V-Vicky! What's going on-" Emmet briefly protested before noticing Chloe. "...Oh, hello Chloe. I was wondering where you were!"
>Chloe's eyes bulged as they nervously darted back and forth from Emmet and herself
>"Well goodness, look at you! I hadn't gotten to see your outfit yet today, but you look positively darling, Chloe!"
>Chloe angrily stood up, getting into Emmet's face. "Yeah, and that's all I am, isn't it!? 'Darling!' 'Cute!' 'Adorable!'
>"Is that a problem?" Emmet responds, leaning back and utterly confused
>"Y-yeah! It's embarrassing!" Chloe yelled into the Botler's face, breathing heavily for a moment before sitting back down, more upset than before
>Emmet clasped his hands together. "Embarrassing? How so?"
>With another groan, Chloe explained what she had already told Vicky
>Emmet gently smiled. "I think I may understand what you're feeling, Chloe." He said as he sat down next to the girl
>"Oh do you?" Chloe muttered in her still-frustrated mumbling
>Emmet was very well acquainted with Chloe's emotions, having been her trusted confidante for years now. He'd grown accustomed to this sort of encounter
>"Chloe, I know it may be a bit... as you say, embarrassing, comparing yourself to your mother or your sister. They're both very lovely ladies after all."
>Emmet placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder. "But you're a lovely young lady too, Chloe."
>Vicky grunted, pulling her shoulder from Emmet and curling up on the seat once again. "You're just saying that to make me feel better, Emmet. I'm not some dumb kid anymore."
>Emmet furrowed his brow.
>"You're right. You're NOT a dumb kid. You're a smart young woman, and I'd expect that you would know better than to put yourself down like this." He said with a slightly more gruff tone
>Emmet crossed his arms, thinking for a moment
>"But perhaps I'm just not the right one to talk to about this." He leaned over to Chloe before continuing with a devious smile. "Would you like me to ask your mother to come in here instead?"
>Chloe's head popped up from her arms in panic. "NO! God no! That'd be so- NO!"
>Rubbing her forehead in frustration, Chloe reorients herself in place again
>"It's just weird talking to a boy, or a... boy... robot, about this. I guess. I dunno."
>Emmet shrugged. "Would you rather I ask Vicky to come back?"
>"I... I don't know who I wanna talk to. This is just kinda embarrassing to talk to anyone about..."
>Chloe slumped down, and the two sat quietly for a time, until Chloe let out a long, exasperated sigh
>"...I guess, comparing myself to mom or Gloria IS kinda... stupid. I mean, I'm not UGLY. I'm just... cute."
>"Aaannnd, you're just 14 Chloe. You have years to grow still. If your mother and sister are any indications, you'll grow up to be just as stunning."
>A small smile found its way onto Chloe's face. "You really think so?"
>"I know so."
>Emmet patted Vicky's back in reassurance. "It may feel infantilizing just being seen as 'cute,' but you'll grow into your beauty, I promise. Just give it time."
>Chloe's smile widened for a second, before fading as she contemplated
>"But what if I don't? What if I'm always just... 'cute?'"
>"Then you'll always be cute, and you'll make it work." Emmet assured her. "And there's nothing wrong with a grown woman being cute. Cute can be quite attractive if you work it right. You're smart, I'm sure you'd figure that out."
>"Besides, what matters most is that YOU are comfortable with YOU. And are you?"
>Chloe leaned left and right like a metronome before answering as a smile encroached on her face once more. "...Yeah, yeah, I'm okay with me."

>After a moment of silence, Chloe laughed a little before gently leaning against her Botler. "Thanks Emmet."
>"You're welcome, Chloe."
>Outside, Vicky had kept her "ear" to the changing house, listening in
>She especially paid attention to the bit about cute being attractive. How would Emmet know that? Has he thought about that? CAN he think about that? Can Vicky HERSELF think about that, even?
>Every time looks came up, they simply told each other they look nice, or lovely , or handsome
>But Vicky had rarely stopped to consider if that even meant anything to them, being androids
>Vicky's thoughts were interrupted as Emmet and Chloe came out of the changing house, prompting her to quickly pull away and act natural.
>"Heeeyyy, everything okay? Are you alright, Chloe?"
>"Yeah, I'm okay, Vicky. Sorry for... acting up earlier." Chloe said with a smile.
>"Chloe!" Mrs. Winslow's voice echoed from afar.
>Chloe's mother rushed over and held her daughter tight. "Oh me, oh my, I was so worried honey! Were you really just hiding in there all this time??"
>The girl stammered. "Uh, y-yeah, I just um, I just wasn't-"
>Vicky butted in. "She was just feeling a little overwhelmed by everyone on the beach, and needed some time alone, right Chloe?" She said, smiling at Chloe
>Chloe smiled big. "Right, yeah, I just needed a little time to on my own. I'm okay now, mom, don't worry."
>Pulling away from her mother, Chloe started running toward the water. "Now come on! I wanna get in some beach ball time!"
>Jeanette giggled as she ran after Chloe, and Valen soon joined in the chase

>Eventually all the Winslows found themselves out in the water together
>Valen was riding Gloria's shoulders, letting him more properly bounce their beach ball around with the rest of the family
>Jeanette fell into Hector's arms as she tripped in a failed attempt to rush for the ball
>"Hey, come here often?" Hector said with a suave smile on his face as he held his wife
>The two hugged, giggled and nuzzled like lovebirds as their children continued playing

>Vicky and Emmet observed from dry land, watching the family have a good time
>"...Hey Emmet."
>"Yes Vicky?"
>"Do you... think I'm cute?"
>Emmet's head bobbed in surprised. "Of course I do. You're precious, Vicky."
>Vicky seemed unfazed by the answer, and began to ask, "Do you think I'm also..."
>Silence overtook her
>"...Also what? ...Vicky?"
>"Um..." Vicky couldn't bring herself to ask Emmet something so awkward so candidly
>The awkward silence was broken by Chloe calling. "Emmet! Hey, come join us!"
>"Oh! Keep your question in mind, Vicky. Duty calls!" Emmet said as he began on his way toward the Winslows.
>"Wait I- Uuughh." Vicky lost Emmet's attention, slumping in frustration
>"Hey, you too, Vicky!" Vicky heard Gloria yell. "Come on out, the water's fine!"
>And in an instant, Vicky perked up and dropped the train of thought entirely, and quickly joined everyone

>The whole family was having a nice time
>Except Valen, who eventually got to poke a crab out of Vicky's sight, and was indeed pinched
>"I TOLD you, Valen!"