Instant family

Chapter 6: Family matters

Breakfast the next morning was hectic as always. Can someone pass the hash browns? Sara asked while feeding baby Jenna her baby food. Hey, guys, give me that cereal. Tommy took the box of Lucky Charms from the twins. Laurel, can you please give me a pancake? Alex asked. I don't want any. Zoe resbonded to a question that Iris asked. Bacon, please. Thank you. JJ said after Diggle handed him a piece of bacon. Wait, i want that. Kara took a waffle from a plate that was being passed around. Come on. Give me the syrup, please. Tommy reached for it accross the table. Does somebody want to eat my oatmeal? JJ asked. Barry, could you pass me the milk? Oliver asked.

Listen up! Before you go to school, there's one thing we need to do. Henry said. What is it?Tommy asked. We need to update our answering machine, he replied. Everybody ready? Henry said as everyone was standing around the answering machine. Yeah. The kids replied. Hi, you've reached Henry. Nora. Tommy. Sara. Alex. Barry. Iris. Laurel. Oliver. Kara. Diggle. JJ. Zoe. Jenna.-leave your messaage at the beep. They all said as Nora added the last bit just before the beep went off.

After the kids were dropped off at school, the twins were getting a drink of water from the fountain when they were approached by 3 bullies. Hey, are you the freaks? I heard you have, like, 25 brothers and sisters. One girl said. No, we just have 10. JJ replied. Nasty. A boy replied. Dude, i hear they all sleep in drawers! And they're so poor, they all have to share one pair of underpants! Another boy said as they laughed. JJ and Zoe looked at each other before walking away from them.

Sara and Iris were hanging out with a group of Cheerleaders when Oliver and Tommy walked up to them. Hey guys, you coming to our game next Friday? Tommy asked. You mean the Friday after Zoe's soccer game?Duh, of course we are. Iris responded. Why would'nt we? Sara asked. Maybe because you guys don't like sports. Oliver said. Who said we don't like sports? Sara asked. Oliver, Tommy, of course we're going to be there. You're our brothers, and we're going to support you guys. Iris said. Yeah, and besides, we're cheering there anyways. Sara added.

That night, Henry and Nora had walked past the room Iris and Sara shared, and had heard voices coming from the other side. They opened the door, and to their surprise, all the kids were sitting together engaging in conversation. Barry sat on the floor with Zoe on his lap, Alex sat with JJ and Snowbell on one of the beds, Laurel was petting Chester the cat, Kara sat with Jenna, while the others layed on the beds with the dogs.

Hey, whats going on in here? Henry asked as they walked into the room. uh, we're just talking. Sara replied. Well its nice to see all of you bonding. Nora smiled. Hey kiddo, excited for your game tomorrow? Henry looked over at Zoe who was still sitting on Barry's lap. Thats right, Zoe has her first soccer game tomorrow. Nora smiled. I guess. Zoe shrugged. She's just nervous. Barry said. Honey, its ok to be nervous. We know you'll do your best. Nora reassured her.

Thats what we were telling her. Alex said. Oliver and I have a game next Friday, and I'm nervous too. Tommy said. You are? Zoe turned to him. Yeah, of course. But I'm just gonna be calm and focus. And just do my best. He advised. Not only do we have 1 game to attend, but 2. I'm looking forward to both games, and I know that the 3 of you will do well. Henry looked at Zoe, Tommy and Oliver.

Well we're going to leave you guys. Let me just put Jenna to bed. Nora walked over to Kara. Awe mom, can't she stay a little longer? Kara asked. Please.... The kids begged. Okay. But will you guys put her to bed when you're done? Nora asked. Don't worry, we will. Kara replied. After their parents left, they continued talking.