Chapter Text
Emily's POV
Sitting on the couch with Maya by my side and silently giggling was a good way to end the week. I sat on the comfy cushions, a blanket draped over mine and Maya's legs watching as Dani danced around to Shrek 2.
"She's such a dork." Maya giggled out grinning over at Dani.
I sighed out and grinned at how she reminded me so much of her father. "Yeah, but she's my little dork." I said back. Once Fiona and Shrek popped up on the screen Dani plopped down on the ground hugging Dylly to her chest. It was our usual movie night on Saturdays. Dani, Maya, and I always chose a kid appropriate movie and watched it together until we eventually passed out in the living room. Dani usually being the first one to go out like a light.
My eyes made their way to the screen and watched in the comfortable silence before Dani's whining interrupted it. "Mommy can I have popcorn?" her curls slid over her shoulder as she looked back at me. I nodded at her and threw the blanket off my legs before getting up. Making my way into the kitchen I checked the cupboards and drawers, but found no popcorn.
"Maya did you pop the last bag?" I called out into the living room. Hearing a hum as a reply made me huff in defeat. "Dani we don't have any popcorn left." walking out of the kitchen and looking at my distracted kid.
She turned to me and pouted huffing angrily. "But, I wanted some." she whined crossing her arms.
"Me too." Maya chimed in popping a kernel into her mouth.
I glared at her and sighed. "I'll run out and get some. Just, don't die." I turned and headed toward the door grabbing my keys and my wallet. I swept a loose piece of brown hair to the side and made my way out to my car.
Hopping inside, quickly I drove to the nearest grocery store. The cold night air nipped at my arms causing me to hug my arms in attempt to warm them up. Jogging inside the sudden heat of the store made goosebumps run up my arms. I looked around the store before making my way to the popcorn. My eyes swept the boxes and boxes of different brands before I picked the right one. Craving some ice cream I made my way to the freezer. A few people roamed the store not really paying attention to me as they grabbed their necessities. A giant freezer full of ice cream made my stomach rumble slightly. I grabbed a big tub of ice cream with my sleeve and made sure not to hug it so close.
The cold air froze my nostrils and made me scrunch up my nose. "To the checkout." whispering to myself as I carried the groceries to the checkout counter.
An old woman stood at the counter passing her stuff slowly at the register. My eyes scanned the goodies on display.
I was about to reach for a pack of gum before a voice stopped me. "Hey Emily." my eyes snapped to the person and saw Ashton standing there in sweats and a hoodie.
"Hey?" it came out more as a question than a reply.
He chuckled and grinned at me. "Don't sound so scared I'm not stalking you." he said placing a carton of milk and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on the carousel thing. I widened my eyes and shook my head at him. "I'm not." he raised his arms up in surrender and chuckled.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him. His eyes looked at the items he placed down and I bit my lip saying a little 'Oh' before awkwardly turning back to face the old lady. She was only halfway done with her stuff.
"Why are you in your pajamas exactly?" Ashton asked me.
I looked down at my joggers and slippers and blushed. No one has made me blush since before Dylan died. "Jammie cult sacrifice." I replied back as if I was serious.
He nodded his head and made a small face. "Seems legit." he whispered chuckling at the end.
"Whatever Aussie." I said rolling my eyes with a small grin on my face. Ashton laughed and fixed his hoodie. "I actually came from a sleepover, just ran out of popcorn." I informed him. Ashton smiled and looked down at his feet before looking back up.
"Me too. Just craving mac and cheese." his dimples deepened as his smile widened.
I shook my head and playfully rolled my eyes. "Next." the sweet looking checkout lady said. I stepped up and placed my stuff down. She quickly scanned the items as I pulled out my wallet. I passed her the money and gave her a smile.
I waited for my change before grabbing my bags and making my way to the door. The doors slid open and the cold air hit me once again. I shivered and speed walked to my car. "Emily wait!" Ashton's voice rang through my ears and I turned to look at him. Opening the car door I quickly placed the stuff inside. Ashton caught up to me and smiled. "Here." he said passing me the pack of gum I was going to grab before we began talking.
I looked at it before back up at him. A small smile spread across my face as I took the pack. "Thanks." I said stuffing it in my pocket.
"No problem." he said excitedly. We stood there for a moment before I made my way to my car.
"Bye Ashton." I said with a wave. I heard a quiet bye from him before shutting the door. He waved at me as I pulled out of the parking spot and drove away. Once I parked in my driveway I grabbed the stuff and rushed inside.
Maya sat there yelling at the TV while Dani giggled. I locked the door and rustled the bag making both of them look back at me then to the bags.
"Popcorn?" Dani asked me with her big eyes. I nodded making her squeal in excitement and run to me. "Ice cream?" Maya asked. I nodded at her as well. She stumbled up tripping over the blanket before successfully reaching me. They both dug into the bag and ran into the kitchen. The sound of the microwave and the rustle of spoons made me sigh. After a minute or two they came out with a big bowl of popcorn and spoons stabbed inside the bucket. Dani happily jumped up on the couch holding the bowl between her legs. Maya came over picking up the blanket and sitting on the other side of Dani. The sound of crunching popcorn and the spoon clanking against plastic made me roll my eyes at the two. They seemed really into the movie, especially Maya.
"Sometime it feels like I have two kids whenever you're around." I stated to Maya. Both shushed me making me glare slightly at them before digging my hand in the big bowl of buttery popcorn.