Bewitching the Beast

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Ainsley

After our very physical shower, I get dress and walk downstairs as the doorbell rings. Opening the door, Asher and Ashton rush past me and I laugh when Emma, Payton, and Alexander hug me at the same time.

“Well come on in.” I greet everyone as Donnie and Jonah who is holding Sophie walk up the stairs to the porch.

Jonah hands me a happy Sophie and says, “We all missed you Ainsley and please never leave us again or we will all die.”

“It wasn’t that bad.” Alexander says and Donnie cringes.

Looking at Jonah puzzled, he answers, “Asher was trying to make biscuits and gravy like you and almost burned the kitchen down.”

“I did not! It just got a little smoky that’s all.” Asher pops his head around the corner that leads to the kitchen.

“Don’t touch anything in the kitchen.” I yell as his head disappears.

Nathan walks down the stairs and smiles when he sees that his family is here. He gives Sophie a peck on the cheek before kissing my forehead.

“So when are we going to get food?” Asher walks back out of the kitchen with a mouth full of something.

Nathan looks at him sideways before asking, “Do you ever stop eating?”

“Sadly he doesn’t or he wouldn’t almost burn down the kitchen every time he tries cooking.” Donnie answers.

Asher gasps loudly and says, “It just gets smoky!”

“Anyway, what about we go down and get the local seafood I keep on hearing about. What’s the best around here?” Nathan answers and I smile.

“I know just the place and it’s on the water.” I reply and all the kids scream out in joy.

Smiling at me as he throws me the keys that I easily catch, Nathan says, “Then you can drive honey.”

After an hour we are settled at our table at the Original Oyster House that overlooks Mobile Bay on the causeway. We were lucky to be sited before the church crowd got here and our table has the prefect view of the water.

“Can we go to the battleship when we’re done?” Alexander asks Nathan while we wait for our drinks and appetizers.

“Sure buddy; have you ever been there Ainsley?” He asks me with a smile.

Smiling, I answer, “When I was little on a school trip. Hope y’all are wearing good shoes; a lot of walking.”

“We are in warm weather and I am enjoying the fact I can wear flip flops.” Asher says while holding up his foot to reveal his white foot in bright red flip flops.

Shaking my head as our waitress delivers our drinks, fired pickles, fried green tomatoes, and alligator bits. After we place our order we talk about the things around Mobile and plan out the whole week. Tomorrow while Nathan and I are at the court hearing, Jonah and Donnie are taking everyone to the Exploreum Science Center. We both decided not to tell exactly where we are going since the younger kids don’t know what happen to me. All they know its business and we are leaving it at that. After the hearing we are meeting for lunch and exploring the sites in downtown Mobile.

“Whoever thought to fry pickles and serve ranch with them are a genius.” Jonah says while dipping the last fried pickle into the ranch.

Sipping my sweet tea, I hear Donnie say, “At first I thought eating alligators was barbaric, but damn they are really good.”