Vivian picked up a pack of frozen ham and checked the expiration date.
"This expires tomorrow." She noted about to put it back but a small hand stopped her.
"Don't. We get 40% off if it is expiring tomorrow." Nicholas said, he was now seven years old,"Didn't you read the packet casing?"
Vivian looked at the packet casing on the ham and sure enough,there was a discount stamp.
"My fault I suppose." Vivian smiled at Nicholas,"Thanks honey."
"I only did it to save us money, Vivian. And I told you to call me by my name. Honey is undignified." Nicholas turned around," I'm going to check if theres any discount bread."
Vivian gave a knowing smile as she saw the red on his ears, whilst he walked away. True, Nicholas could be blunt and a bit rough around the edges, but deep down, he was a sweet boy. Or a sweet man. He was just too mature for his age sometimes.
"Mommy!" "Mom!"
"And there goes the peace" She mumbled under her breath as she saw her six year old twins rushing over to her.
"Look Mommy! A new princess set! Can we get it? Pretty pretty princessy please?" Natasha begged with pleading eyes.
"Mom, I want this archery set. Please." Nikolai said with a grim pleading look. She knew he really wanted it, because he never said please, much her and Mariah's chagrin.
"Why do you have to get that? It's totally useless, and made of plastic. Not like the archers on TV." Natasha told Nikolai and the boy scowled.
"What is so important about your stupid doll house?" He replied.
"It's a princess house, you dummy." Natasha said angrily.
"Same thing, and did you call me a dummy?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then you're an idiot."
"Dummy!"
"Idiot!"
"Mom!" "Mommy!"
Vivian sighed, ignoring the glances from other shoppers. She opened her mouth to try and defuse the situation but before she could, she was interrupted.
"Mam-a!" A three year old boy giggled as he heard his siblings argue. The little boy had beautiful blue eyes, like crystal and brown hair. The twins stopped fighting each other and decided on a different approach.
"Nicole, it's your big sister. Come on, tell mommy which toy is the best. This princess set right?" Natasha waved the princess set infront of Nicole and the baby reached out with his little hands, smiling.
Nikolai pulled Natasha back and showed his archery set to the baby.
"Look, little bro. Isn't this more cooler than some doll house?" Nikolai smiled as Nicole clapped his little baby hands.
"You two should try something else. You know your brother gets happy seeing your faces." Vivian picked the princess and archery set and put them in the trolly, much to the twins delight.
"Yes!" Natasha beamed and Nikolai smiled.
"Vivian, I'm back. I found a discarded coupon for the deli aisle. We can get that ham for 70% off, now." Nicholas returned holding a red coupon and two fresh loaves of bread.
"Brother, that's great." Natasha said, rushing over and taking the coupon.
"Yeah, did you get the bread on discount too?" Nikolai said as he took the loaves.
Nicholas stopped and eyed them both.
"Whatever it is you took or want...forget about it." Nicholas said making the twins look down, caught already.
"It's just two toy sets." Vivian said softly," I think they deserve a treat, don't you?"
"It's not their birthday or a holiday, so I see no reason. Both of you, put them back." Nicholas folded his arms on his chest, his gaze uncompromising.
"But Mom said it's okay." Natasha mumbled under her breath." Why are you so mean?"
"Yeah." Nikolai agreed softly.
Nicholas eyes grew a bit wider and he sighed.
"Fine. Do as you wish," Nicholas reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen set and from under his shirt, he pulled out a sketch book.
"Then I guess I don't have to steal this." Nicholas said nonchalantly and Vivian couldn't believe her ears.
"You were...you were going to steal these?" She asked flabbergasted. Nicholas just gave a shrug.
"Nicholas, I always see you as mature but...right now you did something very childish." Vivian moved and gave him a hug," Thank goodness. I was getting concerned."
"About my mental health?" He asked dryly," How very touching. But it's alright. So...does this mean I can get the sketchbook and pen set?"
"Hahaha...no." Vivian's face turned into a scowl," You three are not getting anything."
"What?" The twins asked in shock." What did we do?"
"You two made a scene. Nicholas, you just tried to steal. I am very disappointed in you all." Vivian said and took out all the toy sets.
"Let's go home. Mariah must be having a hard time with Nikki." Vivian said and the three children sighed and followed her.
Nicole giggled along the way to the counter, where a tall Cuban man started checking her purchases.
"Hey mister," Natasha asked, "Does this store sell condoms?"
The man froze, along with Vivian and a few people around them. They couldn't believe their ears.
A six year old just asked such a question!?
"Where did you hear that word?" Nicholas asked her calmly, he didn't seem shocked.
"We heard it from the older kids at school." Nikolai said and scowled at the Cuban man." Are you going to answer or not? My sister asked you something."
"I...I..." The man tried to speak but he didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry. Just ignore them. Curious young minds, what can you do?" Vivian said with a tight smile.
"But you always tell us to ask questions." Natasha said sweetly" Should i ask you instead? Mommy, what's a condom?"
"Its a piece of plastic. You're answered." Vivian replied quickly.
"What's it for?" Nicholas pushed his glasses back," What is this plastic used for?"
"Why I never." An old lady behind them shook her head with a disapproving scowl.
"You never what?" Natasha asked her," You never used a condom?"
"I'm sorry. Excuse us. We'll be right back." Vivian pulled the trolly back into the aisles, her face red from embarrassment.
(10 minutes later)
Vivian was back at the paying counter.
"How much are these toy sets?" Vivian asked with a defeated look on her face," And this sketchbook?"
Next to her, the three children were silent and docile but their eyes held victory!