Fighting For Family

SIX

BELLA

After school I had work. I love where I work because my boss is nice and everything but I just hate going there. Me and kat work at the same diner called  'pops'. We just work on different days.

"Bye Jake. See you later." I waved bye to him and got in the passenger seat of the truck. Bray got in a couple minutes later and started driving.

"So what time will you pick me up?" I asked. "I get off at 6. So I should be there by 6:15." He said. "Ok."

He dropped me off. As soon as I got there I put on my apron and got my notepad and pen. Today I dressed more casual. Still wore makeup but my hair was curled and in a ponytail and I was wearing bluejeans and a blue t-shirt that said pop's.

When I dress nice on days I work, I being extra clothes. Kat does the same thing. I then started waiting tables.

After about 3 long hours Brayden finally got there to pick me up. I put my apron and pen and notebook away and went to the truck. "Hey cuz how was work?" I asked. "Tiring. My shoulders hurt." I feel really bad for him. He works his butt off 5 days a week and it hurts him. "I'll run your shoulders after dinner. But we need to shower first because you stink." I laughed.

"Ok. Thanks cuz." He said.

The rest of the way home we sat in a comfortable silence. Well more like a tired silence. "Bray you go inside and eat and shower. I will check the mail really quick." I said.

I got to the mailbox and got the mail. I will look at it after dinner. When I went inside I put the mail on top of the fridge. "Bell. Dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes. Take a shower real quick." Kat suggested. "Ok mom." I giggled and she threw a spoon at me.

I got in my bathroom and took a shower. I then put my hair in a bun and put on my white Nike shorts and one of brays black hoodies.

I made my way to the kitchen to see that Kat is still not done. "Kat I'll finish. You go shower. We have to let it cool off anyways." "Ok. Dont burn the lasagna." She giggled.

Dang I swear kat is the best cook ever. I can kind of cook. But I do most of the cleaning. When I cook I just throw something in the oven.

Tonight she made lasagna and garlic bread. And for dessert, cookies. The timer beeped so I got the lasagna out. The bread was already done and so was the cookies.

I went ahead and started making plates. When I got all the plates made I put them on the table. I then started making drinks. Which was pretty easy. Everybody in our house lives sweet tea since it is the best drink ever.

I then waited for Kat to come down. Once she got down we screamed "DINNER." Everybody ran down and sat down. So at our table we only have enough to fit 8 people. We have one chair at the head and one chair at the other end. Then on each side there is a bench that holds three people. So Bailey and Aiden has to sit in somebody's lap.

We are thinking about getting a new table but we just don't have the money for it. "Ok. Eli say grace." Brayden ordered. "Ok." We all bowed our heads. "Dear God thank you for eachother and all of our blessings. Please bless this food. Amen." We all began eating.

Dinner was nice. It's our time to put all the hectic stuff behind and just focus on being together. Andy and Eli did the dishes since they know how much we do. I'm glad that they are at the age where they are more mature and they help out more without being told.

"Bray sit on the couch I'll rub your shoulders." "Ok. Thanks Bell." He sat on the couch and I stood behind the couch rubbing his shoulders. Bailey came in and eventually laid her head on his lap. Aiden did the same thing.

Andy and Eli finished and sat on the love seat. Kat was on the couch to the right of Aiden and Brayden. Ryan was in her lap asleep. Landon was to the left of Brayden. Eden was in in Elijah's lap about to fall asleep.

About 10 minutes later the movie that was playing went off. "Bray. Kat. Let's ake the kids to bed." I said. "Ok." They both said.

"I've got Bay." Bray said as he picked her up carefully not to wake her. "I guess I've got Ryan." Kat stood up and picked him up. "Gosh he is getting heavy." I giggled quietly. "I'll get Lan. Andy you get Aid and Eli you get Ed." I said as I picked up the boy that was half my size. Good thing the rooms are on the same floor as the livingroom and kitchen. I would not be able to take him up the stairs.

I carried him to his room and laid him under his blanket. I kissed his forehead and walked back down the stairs. By the time I got down there it was just Kat and Bray down there.

"Did Andy and Eli go to bed?" I asked. "Yeah. We told them to since they looked tired." Kat said. "Yeah. They've been helping out more. Which I'm glad because it helps us majorly but I also want them to just be kids." Bray stated. "Yeah." I said asi aalked to the fridge.

I stood up on my toes and reached for the mail. Once I got everything I went back to the livingroom and sat in between kat and bray.

I laid the mail on the coffee table. "Time to ruin our nights." I said. "Oh great." Kat rolled her eyes. I seperated the mail. "So we have three bills. Two coupon thingies, and a letter from social services. " I said.

"Let's save social services for last since that is probably the worst one." Bray picked it up and put it aside.

"Ok. Lets start with the coupon thingies, cause if there is one thing nonah thought us it was how to save money." Kat laughed. "Yeah. She would wash red solo cups every time there was a big get together and she would re use them the next time." We all three laughed at what I said.

So from that we got 2 detergent coupons, 1 for poptarts, 3 for cereal, and 1 for toothpaste. I'd say it was good. "Now bills." One of them was for phones, one was for electricity, and one for water. We dont get the other bills like for cable until later.

"Ok. Now the one that we have been dreading." Bray's voice cracked a bit from the anxiety.

Kat opened the letter and her eyes went wide. "What is it Kat?" I asked nervously. Whatever it was it didn't look too good by her facial expression.