"Yeah." Isaac said laughing. "We can have more Batman battles."
"In a castle?" asked Taylor. "Since when does Gotham City have a castle?"
"Since we got one for Christmas!" Zac joked.
Ahh, yes. There's nothing like Christmas at the Hanson household. Huge plastic green tree strangely decorated and standing proudly against the wall. Nine happy (two of whom are also rather tired) people sitting around with their presents. Then you step back and see all the wrapping paper strewn all over the floor. Talk about having a huge mess to clean up!
**********
"So," Zac asked as the assembled the castle not much later that day, "What did you guys get your girlfriends for Christmas?"
"A chain." Taylor said.
"A locket." Isaac said, a sly grin appearing on his face. "Did you get your girlfriends anything Zac? Or is it too expensive for you to do that?"
"Nah." Taylor put in. "It's called bulk buying, he gets a discount."
They laughed.
"I sent them all a card, and I'm giving some of them a pendant." Zac answer seriously, after the laughed died down.
Isaac shook his head with a grin.
"How many do you have anyway?"
"Umm..."
"Ooh, he has to stop and think." Taylor chuckled. "Don't hurt yourself."
"Well... there's seven I met in Europe... 24 in North America, six of which live in Tulsa, and... eight online... so that's -"
"- 39?" Taylor gaped.
"Someones' been busy." Isaac commented. "Parents! Hide your daughters! Zac Hanson is in the building."
Zac grinned.
"So, eight online huh?" How do you know they're really girls?" Taylor asked cheekily.
A look of horror swept Zacs' face before he replied calmly:
"How do they know I'm really a guy?"
There was a moment of silence as they continued building. The castle was beginning to take shape.
"So, are you gonna make it a round 40?" Isaac finally asked.
Zac shrugged.
"Probably. There's this chick online I'd like to get with, but she turned me down 'cause I'm younger than her."
"Aww, Zac got turned down -" Isaac began teasingly.
"- you asked out an older woman?" Taylor questioned.
"Well, she's not that much older..."
"How much?"
Zac hesitated.
"Five years."
"Five years!"
"Gee Zac, she's as old as me." Isaac pointed out.
Taylor grinned.
"Hey Zac, why don't you get another SN and tell her you're 18 too?"
"Don't encourage him."
"Oh, Ike, your just mad because I'm younger than you and have more girlfriends than you ever will." Zac retorted cheekily. "Not a bad idea Tayles."
Taylor and Isaac looked at each other.
"Tackle him!" they cried.
And so the building of the castle was temporarily put on hold... for obvious reasons.