Emilia’s POV
I sit behind the wheel, my hands tightly gripping the steering wheel as I prepare to drive the kids to the supermarket. Alexander left for work earlier today, leaving me alone with Daisy and Daniel to babysit. But I needed some necessities so I am bringing them along for this errand. Daisy, the younger of the two, bounces in her seat with infectious excitement.
“Aunt Emilia, what’s the supermarket all about? What do we do there?” Daisy’s voice is filled with genuine curiosity and eagerness.
I can’t help but smile at Daisy’s enthusiasm, finding it endearing. “Well, Daisy, the supermarket is where we go to get all the things we need for our everyday life. We’ll be picking up groceries like fruits, vegetables, and other food items. And we’ll also grab some household essentials like cleaning supplies and toiletries.”
Daisy’s eyes widen with wonder as she processes the information. “Wow, Aunt Emilia! Can we explore the whole supermarket? Will there be a lot of people?”
I chuckle softly, fully aware of Daisy’s love for adventure. “We’ll have a chance to explore different sections of the supermarket, but remember, we need to stay close together, alright? And yes, there might be quite a few people, but as long as we stick together, we’ll be just fine.”
While Daisy continues to ask questions and express her excitement, Daniel, the older twin, remains quiet as usual. I understand his reserved nature and want to include him in our conversation.
“What do you think, Daniel? Are you looking forward to going to the supermarket?” My voice carries a warmth and genuine interest.
Daniel glances at me, his response brief but not dismissive. “Yeah, I guess. It’s okay.”
I’m glad that Daniel responds, even if his enthusiasm doesn’t match Daisy’s. I know his quieter nature and respect it.
“That’s good to hear, Daniel. We’ll have a fun time together,” I reassure him, hoping to make him feel included.
As we drive along, I seize the opportunity to inquire about their day at school. Daisy eagerly shares stories about her new friends, her voice filled with joy and excitement.
“Oh, Aunt Emilia, I made new friends today! Their names are Lily and Ethan. We played together during recess, and they’re nice!” Daisy’s voice bubbles with enthusiasm.
Daniel, on the other hand, mutters quietly, “I don’t need friends.”
Daisy, always playful, nudges her brother teasingly. “Come on, Daniel! If you keep that cold face all the time, you’ll end up with no friends. Maybe you’ll have to settle with my friends!”
Daniel rolls his eyes, finding his sister’s antics a bit childish. “I’d rather be on my own than with your friends. They’re too loud.”
I can’t help but laugh softly, appreciating the contrasting personalities of my niece and nephew. “Well, you two certainly have your unique ways, don’t you? Daniel, it’s important to be open to new people and experiences. You might find that you can warm up to people if you give it a chance. Don’t be like your dad, cold and unfeeling.”
However, our lighthearted moment is abruptly interrupted by Daniel’s cold remark, his words piercing the air.
“Maybe you should concentrate more on driving, so we don’t make more friends in the afterlife.”
I feel a blush creep up my cheeks, embarrassed by Daniel’s comment. I quickly refocus my attention on the road, my laugh tinged with nervousness.
“Oh, Daniel, always with your sense of humor. I promise I’ll concentrate on driving,” I respond, hoping to defuse the situation.
Whilst I concentrate on driving, Daisy suddenly asks, “Aunt Emilia, where did you go? You left for so long and didn’t come home.” Her voice holds a hint of concern.
I glance at Daisy through the rearview mirror, her innocent eyes searching for an explanation. “Did you miss me, Daisy?” I ask, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.
She quickly nods, her face brightening. “Yes, Aunt Emilia, I missed you a lot!”
I reach over and pat her hand gently. “I’m sorry for being away for a while, Daisy. I went on a very much-deserved break.”
Daisy’s eyes widen with curiosity. “Did you go on a vacation?” she asks, her voice filled with excitement.
I chuckle softly, nodding in response. “Yes, Daisy, I went on a vacation. Sometimes, even grown-ups need a little time off to relax and recharge.”
Daniel snorts from the backseat, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “It’s not a break when you never work anyway,” he remarks, his voice tinged with bitterness.
I’m taken aback by his blunt honesty, but I can’t help but find it amusing. I laugh and reach a hand out to ruffle his hair gently. “Oh, Daniel, you’re just like a carbon copy of your dad. Brutally annoying, but also adorable.”
Daniel frowns at the close contact and blushes, his reserved nature momentarily revealed. But I know deep down that he appreciates the affection, even if he pretends otherwise. He’s just as lovable as his sister and secretly enjoys physical gestures.
As our conversation continues, the supermarket comes into view. I navigate the car into a parking spot and turn to face Daisy and Daniel. “Alright, we’ve arrived. Let’s have a great time exploring the supermarket together, shall we?”
Daisy’s eyes sparkle with anticipation, and she eagerly unbuckles her seatbelt. She quickly steps out of the car, nearly falling due to her quick motion but I quickly reach out to grab her.
“Slow down, princess,” I warn her as she steps on the floor with stability.
“The supermarket is not going to run away,” Daniel comments and she turns to him, sticking her tongue at him in response. Then, she huffs and walks forward, her little head bobbing comically. Daniel follows suit, his reserved expression softening into a small smile and I could tell he thought her antics were funny.
“Hold up, kids,” I quickly call out and chase after them, grabbing them each by their hands. Of course, not without Daniel showing resistance as he obviously believes he is old enough to walk on his own. But this supermarket is in a busy part of the town with a lot of customers and I am not about to risk losing any of them in the crowd.
“We’ll be going to the beverages aisle first,” I tell them as we make our way there.
As we walk through the supermarket, I make sure to involve Daisy and Daniel in the decision-making process. I ask them which fruits they would like to have and let them choose their favorites. Daisy eagerly points at a basket of strawberries, exclaiming, “These look so delicious, Aunt Emilia! Can we get them?”
“Of course, Daisy. Strawberries it is!” I reply with a smile, placing the basket in our cart.
Daniel, who seems more engaged now, chimes in, “I want to try some blueberries too. They’re good for you, right?”
I nod approvingly. “Yes, they’re packed with antioxidants and are a great addition to our diet. Let’s grab some blueberries as well.”
Daisy’s eyes light up as she spots a section with colorful cereal boxes. “Aunt Emilia, can we get this cereal? It looks so fun!”
I glance at the box she’s pointing at, which features a cartoon character. “Sure, Daisy, we can try it. But remember, it’s important to have a balanced breakfast with whole grains and nutrients. So we’ll get this cereal, but we’ll also choose a healthier option.”
Daisy nods enthusiastically, understanding the importance of a balanced diet. “I want to pick the healthier one, Aunt Emilia!”
I guide Daisy to the aisle with healthier cereal options, and she carefully selects a box that contains whole grains and less sugar. Daniel follows suit, choosing a different variety that appeals to him.
As we move through the supermarket, Daisy’s excitement doesn’t wane. She marvels at the different fruits and vegetables, and asks questions about unfamiliar produce. Daniel, though quieter, shows genuine interest in the process and offers his opinions on various items.
At one point, Daisy exclaims, “Aunt Emilia, this is so much fun! Why doesn’t Daddy bring us to shop like this?”
I pause for a moment, considering how to respond. I know the dynamics of the pack and how the alpha’s responsibilities often keep him occupied. “Well, Daisy, Daddy is very busy with important pack matters. He has a lot of responsibilities, and sometimes he doesn’t have the time to do everyday things like shopping. Besides, the aunties in the pack take care of preparing everything we need.”
I make sure to add, “But you know what, Daisy? Doing things by yourself and learning to be independent is a valuable skill. It can be more interesting too. And that’s why I’m here with you today, to show you how exciting and fun it can be.”
Daisy nods in agreement, her eyes shining with understanding. “You’re right, Aunt Emilia. It is more fun to do things ourselves. I would love to come with you again!”
I smile warmly at her, grateful that she appreciates the experience. “I’m glad to hear that, Daisy. We’ll make it a special outing every once in a while.”