Everlasting

③⑧

Everly's POV
I was sitting in the kitchen doing my homework with Carrie. The little ones were all in their high chairs and Jake and Teagal were snuggled on the sofa.

"Why are you all in here?" Matt asked, walking in with Taylor.

"You should ask my dad." I said.

"Michael left us all in here with snacks and a movie and then went upstairs with Liz." Carrie shrugged.

"They did what?!" Matt shrieked.

"What you yelling for?" Ari asked, walking in with a coffee and her laptop.

"Have you seen Liz and Michael this morning?" Matt asked her.

"Nope. But I heard them stumbling in yesterday after Michael's award show." Ari said, setting her laptop and coffee down on the table.

"Gross." I cringed.

"Want mommy." Maisy started to cry.

"Hey, it's okay, babe. Do you want a cuddle?" Ari asked her softly and Maisy nodded.

Ari picked her up from her high chair and held her, making funny faces to make her laugh.

"This is so boring." I groaned, pushing my textbook closed.

"I just wanna work on my music project. Not this algebra equation formula shit." Carrie sighed.

"Dollar in the swear jar." Teagal said.

"Ugh, my bad." Carrie handed over a dollar from her pocket.

"I'm not sure the swear jar is still effective now that the girls make their own money." Ari laughed.

"Let's be honest, the swear jar was introduced when mom first had kids." I said and she nodded.

"It's nearly lunch time. Do you guys want food?" Matt asked.

"We're never gonna say no to that, are we?" I asked and he laughed.

"Grilled cheese?" Matt asked us and we all agreed. "Ari, where's the bread?"

"Top left cupboard. Extras are in the pantry." Ari told him, sitting on the couch with Maisy and Lottie.

"Okay, everyone. Chef Matty is in the house!" Matt announced, starting to make lunch.

"Sometimes I think Liz is a bit much. And then I remember she grew up with my dad. And Ari." Carrie rolled her eyes and I laughed.

"Can we take the dogs out?" Jake asked.

"We'll take them out for a walk later on. For now, you can let them out in the backyard." Ari said and they nodded.

"Flyer! Jade!" Teagal whistled and both dogs ran outside when he opened the glass patio doors.

"What are your plans today?" Ari asked me and Carrie.

"I just needed to do my homework and rehearse my audition song for next week." I said.

"Ooh what song?" Ari asked.

"Suddenly Seymour. Mom said she would coach me through it." I smiled.

"That's so cute!" Carrie grinned.

"Carrie, what are your plans?" Ari asked.

"I dunno. Why?" Carrie asked.

"My mom wants to visit later, so I just wanted to check she won't be interrupting anything." Ari said.

"Yay! We love Joan!" I cheered.

"I was gonna check with Liz but I'll go ahead and tell my mom it's fine." Ari said, texting on her phone. "She's bringing ice cream so we can make milkshakes."