Adopted by my teacher

Chapter 26 Family Night

SOPHIE

"Okay, what's on the menu tonight?" asked Casey who was at the table alongside Austin and me with James on her lap.

"Anything but pasta," said Mom as she went around the breakfast table, pouring orange juice before she took her own seat.

"Ohh! Ooh! Ice cream!" James squealed.

"Chicken pot pie!" I said at the same time.

"Hamburgers!" Austin yelled.

Casey raised an eyebrow. "Those are all wildly different suggestions. Let's at least find some common ground."

We looked at each other before coming to an agreement as we blurted out 'Pizza' to my aunt.

"All right. I fear we're all out of pepperoni and cheese—" Mom said while examining the refrigerator for the necessary items.

"I'll do it! I'll do the shopping," Austin said helpfully. "As long as you write down what we need, 'cause I literally have no idea what exactly goes into preparing a pizza."

"There's cheese," Casey said obviously.

"Tomato sauce!" I volunteered.

"We're going to need some yeast and a bottle of olive oil for the crust. If you want to just buy a premade dough—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Austin said, holding up his hands. "Everyone calm down for like two seconds! Morgan, write this down before you forget it!"

Mom sighed. "Austin, if you'd rather I just do the shopping—"

"No, no! You've got enough on your plate already. Let me do it. Just make me a list," Austin reasoned before adding, "Grocery shopping isn't hard! Besides, this is me you're talking to."

"We know..." said Casey, unamused.

"Can I go shopping with you?" I asked, instantly between Mom and Austin.

Before Austin could agree, mom answered first.

"Don't you have some schoolwork that needs to be done?"

I sighed, staring at her knowingly eyes. "I guess so."

Austin stared down at me with a smile and said, "Maybe after you have done your futile homework."

"It's not futile. It's her childhood education," Casey pointed out.

"I prefer the more hands-on learning experience," said Austin.

"Ohh, is that what we're calling it," Mom said in a mocking tone, eliciting a few giggles.

"Anyway," Austin butted in, instantly changing the subject. "What movie are we going to watch for family movie-night?"

"Whatever movie the kids want," Casey said generously. She cast a teasing eye at me. "As long as it's age appropriate, of course."

"Aunt Casey," I softly groaned before being taken into mom's arms where she placed a small kiss on my forehead.

Casey smiled and took a sip of her juice. Then glanced at her watch and almost spewed the liquid everywhere. "Whoa! We better be going. James and I have a date with Phil."

"Daddy!" James smiled, jumping up with enthusiasm.

Casey nodded encouragingly while taking a hold of his small hand.

"Yeah, I better be heading out myself. I'd stop by the supermarket later this afternoon." Austin said, leaping up from his seat.

"What time should we all meet to make pizza tonight?" Mom asked as the other members of the household all shoved their chairs back into the table.