Avery
Avery opened her eyes and groaned from the pain in her leg. She'd somehow managed to get a cramp in her sleep, and she wasn't enjoying this feeling.
She glanced over at the clock. 7am. Considering going to bed, she shook her head from the sleep filled thoughts and sat up, reaching for her slippers. It was Taylor's birthday today, and she was going to wake him up, much like the way she'd been woken up on her birthday. Or maybe even better, the way they'd woken up the Hanson family members the morning of her birthday.
Avery reached into her wardrobe and pulled out a tiny water pistol and padded to the bathroom, and filled her water gun up. She smiled and tip-toed to Taylor's room. Throwing the door open, she sprayed him in the face with her gun.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!" Avery grinned, waiting for Taylor's response.
"Told ya I'd get ya back."
Christian
Christian shot up wiping the water from his face, already glad it hadn't been a super soaker.
"You called a truce!" he exclaimed, "you never once said you'd get me back, girlie."
Then he reached out, grabbing her arm, throwing the bed covers up at the same time. Then he pulled her under, ducked under himself, and began to tickle her for all he was worth.
"How do you like that, huh?"
Avery
Avery squealed and somehow managed to find her way out from under the blankets. She quickly twisted them around Christian as much as she could, and then ran through the house squealing.
"It's Tay's birthday, wake up!"
Christian
Christian groaned and lay back on Taylor's bed with his hands over his eyes.
How the heck did Taylor live like this... with all these kids around?
"Oh man..." he moaned.
Avery
Avery ran back into his room. "Why are you lying down again, you lazy buggle? Up!" Avery pulled the covers off her brother, grabbed his arm and managed to drag him off the bed.
Jessica
Silently, Jess went down to the kitchen, her favorite knit shawl pulled tight around her, as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She didn't really sleep well anymore, if at all. Going to sleep was too frightening for her.
Avery
Avery ran around for a few more seconds then decided she need some juice.
"Hey, Taylor, I'll go make you some breakfast."
She left the room, her hair bouncing as she did, and went into the kitchen. Jess was there.
*Hey Jessie. Good morning. Yoou feeling better today?*
Jessica
Jess shrugged and sat down with her coffee. She didn't feel much like talking, with or without words.
Avery
Avery smiled at her sister and understood. She went about making breakfast, evil thoughts filling her head. She chuckled out loud. "Hmmm, what if I put chilli paste on his toast? Nah, better not."
Christian
"Oh God!" Christian exclaimed, his shoulderblades slamming onto the floor.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get himself together, before sitting up.
"Can't you let me sleep in? It's the big 2-0, I'm too old for this," he shook his head with a grin.
Isaac
Isaac poked his head in.
"Did I just hear you say you were too old?" he asked. "Now what does that make me, at 22?"
He rubbed his hands together and grinned at his sister.
"Want some help?"
Christian
"That makes you extremely old. You should be in a wheelchair," Christian joked, finally getting to his feet.
He looked down at his shirt and boxers.
"Better get dressed," he chuckled, and headed for the wardrobe, "I don't think I need your help with that, oldie."
Isaac
"Really?" Isaac said sweetly. "I think you do."
He telekinetically opened the wardrobe, pulled out some clothes and laid them on his bed. Isaac smiled sweetly at Christian.
"Now, do you need me to tie up your shoes?"
Christian
Christian grinned, pulling out some thongs.
"You can try if you want," he raised an eyebrow, before putting some pants on.
He suddenly realized what situation he was in. He was alone in a room with Clarke Isaac Hanson, where most others in the house were asleep or downstairs.
He had to think quickly as he got dressed. This probably wasn't the best time, unless he got both of them out the window and came back pretending not to know anything. Taylor was good at hiding that kind of stuff from an empath, he knew. He could learn.
Isaac
"Okay, well, I know that I'm your brother and all, but I don't need to watch this," Isaac said. "I'll see ya downstairs. Want anything in particular for breaky?"
Christian
'Your throat,' Christian thought, then shook the thought away.
Memories of good times Taylor had with his brother were filling his head. He hated it. He was on a mission for Christ's sake. He couldn't be merciful just because someone saw him in a different light.
"Nothing special," he waved him off, closing his eyes as he turned away.
For some reason Taylor's echo was giving him trouble. Maybe because Craig was dead, or maybe just because two minds in one don't really fit.
He squeezed his eyes shot and put a hand to his head, hoping Isaac would just go away so he could sort himself out.
Isaac and Zac
"Okay," Isaac said and departed.
"Tay! Happy Birthday!" Zac said cheerfully. "Oh you're getting dressed. Well, I'll give you your birthday present later then. Hey, Ike!"
And Zac bounded after his other brother.
Christian
"Thankyou!" Christian called, not moving.
He heard their footsteps disappear and sat on his bed, his head in his hands. Visions were flashing before his eyes. Memories he guessed... yes, memories. He saw the Hanson kids grow up, saw the kind of audiences the guys had had, Taylor getting assaulted, Taylor with Mouse... Myra?
Christian's eyes shot open with a gasp.
Zoe
Zoe found Christian sitting on his bed. "Tay-Tay! Happy birthday!"
She launched herself into his arms, knocking him over.
Christian
"Woah, steady," Christian insisted, grabbing onto Taylor's sister and sitting up again.
"And thank you, Zoe," he grined, running his fingers through her hair, "but you know, I think I'm getting too old to be jumped on like that..."
Zoe
"Tay-Tay, you're so old! I soweee. Wanna come down for breakfast? Avie's making something and maybe Ikey will make bacon!"
Zoe got off Christian's lap and stood in front of him. "I race you there!"
She sped off giggling.
Christian
Christian sighed, glancing at Flavian. The fuzzle was watching him silently, Meena sound asleep behind him.
He said 'Good morning' in fuzzle (which in itself was an interesting experience) before finally standing and following Zoe downstairs.
"Ok guys, what's for breakfast?" he grinned, coming into the kitchen.
Avery and Zoe
Avery turned to see Christian. "Hey, good morning again. Ikey might cook some bacon if we're very nice to him, and other than that, toast and eggs and such."
Zoe squealed and danced around.
"Do you want some juice Zoe, Tay?" Avery asked.
Jessica
Jessi sat at the table, sipping her coffee quietly, watching everything with simple amusement. Sometimes she wondered if anybody even noticed her anymore., Suddenly, she decided that no matter what, she would not let OWEN ruin birthday breakfasts for her. SHe was going to have bacon and eggs and french toast, and nobody was going to stop her. Silently, she got up to prepare her food for herself.
Christian
"Sure Avie," Christian grinned, leaning on the bench.
He watched the activity with amusement. Ok, at least they were entertaining.
Aver
Avery poured some juice for Christian and handed it to him. "Here ya go, big bro."
She handed some juice to Zoe as well.
"Happy birthday Tayles. How does it feel to be 20?"
Christian
"Thanks," Christian hunched over to take a sip, "and don't call me Tayles."
He had a drink and licked his lips.
"And it makes me feel old. Very very very old."
Avery
Avery rolled her eyes at her brother. "So what's the plan for today. Oh wait, hold on a second." Avery ran to her room and came back with a present for Taylor.
"Here you go. "She handed it to Christian.
Christian
Christian eyed her warily.
"Should I be scared?" he chuckled, "wow, my first present."
If only she knew he meant it literally... for his whole life. Well, after his parents left.
He pulled the wrapping apart gently and came to a box. Lifting the lid and searching through the paper, he came to a photo in a frame.
It was a photo of Taylor and Avery hugging.
He lifted it out carefully, and cocked his head looking it over.
"Well, he's a handsome young man if I do say so myself," he joked.
Avery
"Nah, the girl is pretty, the guy's just... what's that word? Ah, weird."
Avery grinned cheekily at Christian and leaned over and hugged him. "Happy birthday... again."
Christian
"And thank you... again," Christian rolled his eyes and hugged her back.
"But come on, seriously, where's the food. I don't wanna starve my first day out of adolescence."
Isaac and Zac
"Hey Zac, I think someone's getting impatient in his old age," Isaac joked.
"Yeah, hey watch out Tay. You'll be getting senile soon," Zac teased.
"Anyone up for pancakes?" Isaac asked.
Christian
"Ok, that feels better. Food. Now."
Isaac and Zac
Isaac cooked up some pancakes and soon they were all sitting around eating with much delight.
"Can someone pass me the maple syrup please?" Zac asked.
"Haven't you got enough?" Isaac asked, passing the syrup.
"No such thing."
Walker and Christian
"Nice breakfast you've got going here," came Walker's voice from the
doorway as he and Diana came into the room.
Mackenzie followed.
"Pancakes!" he exclaimed, "Ikey! Is there more? For me? Please? Happy
birthday Tay!"
"Thanks Mac," Christian grinned.
"Indeed. Twenty," Walker pulled a face, "catching up to me even."
"Not yet dad. Ike's the one you should be worried about."
"You may like to spend time with Mouse today, yes?" Diana asked as
she and Walker sat down at the table.
"Maybe," Christian shrugged, more intent on breakfast at the moment.
Isaac and Zac
"I'm young at heart," Isaac said decisively. "Yeah, Mackie, plenty of pancakes for you to have some."
"Mouse and Taylor sitting in a tree," Zac began.
Then he saw the look on Diana's face and stuffed pancake in his mouth instead.
Avery
Avery sighed loudly. "Zac, are you done with the maple syrup yet?
Don't make me come over there."
She laughed and looked at Zac expectantly.
Zac
"Hrr oo gghh," Zac replied, handing over the mayple syrup.
"Umm, Tay?" Isaac grinned. "I think we need an interpretor..."
Christian
Christian looked up at Zac for a moment, before noticing Diana's
face.
He opted to keep silent about that day... not that it would stop him.
It may have dissuaded Taylor, but not Christian.
"He said 'here you go'," Christian grinned, having quickly searched
Taylor's memory for a translation.
Luckily, it was there.
Avery
Avery grabbed the syrup. "Taa muchly, Zaccy."
She poured some over her pancakes and flipped the cap back
on. "Anyone else want it before Zac gets to it again, and we end up
with none?"