Highschool Lovers

groceries

I stand in the kitchen, hands on my hips, surveying the chaos that has exploded around me. Mia is in the living room, trying to convince her stuffed animals that it's time to go shopping, while Charlie and Chandler are creating a colorful masterpiece on the floor with crayons. It looks like a scene from a cartoon.

"Adrien!" I call out, pulling my hair into a messy bun. "Could you help me with the kids?"

"Coming!" His voice is nothing short of a lifeline, and I feel a rush of relief as he jogs into the room, his usual grace somehow amped up with a hint of panic.

"What do you need?" he asks, concern flickering across his face as he notices the mess.

"Get Mia ready, please! She's trying to launch a doll expedition," I say, gesturing toward the living room. "I'll handle these two."

Adrien nods, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Alright, Mia! We've got a mission to prepare for!"

"Daddy, I need to get Mr. Ruffles dressed first!" Mia declares, brandishing her stuffed bear like a trophy.

"Absolutely! But he's going shopping in his best outfit, right?" Adrien replies, kneeling to meet her eye level.

"Right!" She giggles, dragging the bear over to a pile of clothes more suited for a fashion show than grocery shopping.

Meanwhile, I crouch down to Charlie and Chandler's level, who are now more interested in each other than their crayons. "Okay, little artists, time to clean up! We have groceries to buy."

"Shopping!" Charlie shouts excitedly, flinging a crayon across the room.

"Charlie!" I gasp, trying not to laugh. "We pick up the crayons first, then we go shopping, okay?"

Chandler holds up a crayon and yells, "No more pictures! Time to go!"

"Right!" I chuckle at their enthusiasm as I help them gather the scattered crayons. "Teamwork, remember? If we clean up quickly, I'll let you pick a snack in the store."

"Snack!" they echo, suddenly very focused.

With the crayons finally in their box and Mia now fashionably dressed Mr. Ruffles, I wipe my brow and glance at Adrien. He's coaxing Mia into her shoes, his patience a marvel. "Come on, sweet pea! We can't have Mr. Ruffles out in the cold barefoot, right?"

"Right!" Mia says, sliding into her shoes with a flair only she possesses.

"Okay, everybody! One final count before we embark on our adventure!" I rally, knowing full well that chaos still lurks.

"Ready!" Mia announces, posing dramatically with Mr. Ruffles.

"Ready!" Charlie and Chandler parrot back, echoing their sister's excitement.

"Great! Let's go!" I call, and we wade through the sea of toys towards the door.

*at the store*

As we step into the grocery store, the bright fluorescent lights overshadow the excitement still buzzing in the air.

"Look at all the colors!" Mia squeals, her eyes wide as she dashes towards the cereal aisle.

"Stay close, Mia!" I shout, trying to keep track of the other two, who are already eyeing the sparkly display of cookies.

"Y/n, I'll take care of the cart!" Adrien offers, expertly maneuvering it through the aisles as I wrangle Charlie and Chandler, who are both tugging on my sleeves.

"Cookies! Cookie!" Chandler chants, pointing enthusiastically.

"If you can be good, we might get some cookies at the end!" I negotiate, watching as a grin spreads across Charlie's face.

"Deal!" Charlie responds, his tiny fists raised in the air like a victor.

Suddenly, Mia appears at the edge of the cereal aisle, basket in hand, determined. "Mommy, can I get these?" She holds up a box featuring a cartoon character sporting a goofy grin.

I glance at Adrien, who raises his eyebrows in silent support. "What do you think, sweetheart? Does it have marshmallows?"

"Yes!" she beams. "And they're rainbow!"

"Okay, but only if you promise to share with your siblings," I reply, crouching down to meet her eye.

"Deal!" she exclaims, putting the box in the cart with a flourish.

Meanwhile, Adrien is juggling the cart while keeping an eye on the twins, who have wandered over to a display of fruit snacks. "Oh boy, Y/n, I think I might need a second cart at this rate."

"Just keep them entertained!" I laugh, watching the twins attempt to reach for the snacks they can't quite see.

"Moooommmy!" Charlie whines dramatically, flinging his arms up, "Chandler got the snack!"

"Don't worry! I'll get it!" I tell him and reach over to grab the box. "Here we go."

"Good job!" Adrien praises, grinning widely as he expertly steers the cart to a neighboring aisle.

We continue down the aisles, accumulating grocery items—milk, pasta, fruits, and all the essentials.

"Y/n! Cereal is important!" Adrien jokes, waving a box of cereal he's chosen.

"It's for the kids, right?" I shoot back playfully.

"Absolutely!" he laughs, leaning down to nudge them both as they giggle.

Finally, we round the last corner, making our way toward the checkout.

"Mommy, do we get cookies now?" Charlie asks, eyes sparkling.

I look to Adrien, who is still at the cart's helm. "Yes, my little negotiators! It's cookie time."

"We did it!" Mia jumps up and down next to the cart. "We're great shoppers!"

"Yes, we are!" I smile brightly, and as I witness my lovingly chaotic family, I realize that amidst the chaos, there's nothing I'd rather have than this—me, Adrien, and our trio of little whirlwind shoppers.