I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Store Run

When the six of them arrived at the store, Paul got out to find a basket. The three older girls loved the ones with bench seats so Paul brought that one first. He strapped Hannah in on the left hand side and Taylor on the right. Aurora was placed in the middle while Tommy put Mady in the front seat of a separate basket.

When everyone was ready, Tommy signed to Mady asking her what she would like to snack on. Her answer was apples, bananas, and carrots along with peanut butter and crackers. She didn't want candy or chips. Paul already had celery and cucumbers for Aurora, Taylor was holding her oranges and Hannah had a huge jar of pickles in the basket. Of course Paul was now at the meat section selecting steaks, pork chops and hamburger meat for everyone but himself. Tommy added salads and other fruits and vegetables.

It took them at least two hours to fill both baskets. After getting the girls a snack, they headed to the toy section. Mady was now curled up in the basket asleep on Tommy's jacket. Her hand held onto her favorite stuffed teddy bear. He covered her with a blanket and went to find the other four.

"Four jars of olives? Three jars of pickles?" laughed Tommy. "If I didn't know any better, I'd ask if you were expecting."

Paul added a large jar of diced pimentos and informed Tommy he was making relish.

"Yuck." mumbled Tommy walking to the junk food aisle. He put chips, candy and cookies into his basket. Paul found him and asked if he was ready. "I have wine already."

They headed to the self checkout since it was easier. The girls "helped" by handing up the small things. Tommy had placed Mady into her sisters laps while he loaded the baskets. Aurora held onto her fiercely.

Finally the last item was rung up and bagged. Tommy used his card first and paid half the total. Paul finished up. It took ten minutes to load all the groceries and kids.

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