"Avery?" Bill said, shaking her shoulder lightly. "We're here."
Avery's eyes were dull as she looked at him and nodded, letting him know that she had heard him. "Ok. Thanks."
He paused awkwardly, not sure whether or not he should say anything else, before deciding that he would leave it, lest he say the wrong thing. "Goodbye Avery."
"Bye."
She watched him disappear before looking back up in the direction of the front door. Her legs felt like jelly as she walked, the background noise fading into silence around her, eyes focused on the door.
She just needed to be inside. Taylor would make it ok. Taylor always made everything ok.
Hand trembling, she reached up to ring the bell.
Taylor
Taylor was reading some legal papers when he heard the door bell. He slowly took off his glasses as he stood up, and whe he made it to the end of the page he put them on the table and made his way to the door.
He looked through the viewer to see his sister, and quikly unlocked and opened the door.
"Avery?" he greeted with a smile.
Which soon faded when he saw her expression. He did a quick read over of her body language, and held his arms out for a hug.
Avery
Avery hesitated for a moment, before reluctantly hugging him back but managing to touch as little of him as possible.
"Hi Tay."
Her eyes slid up to meet his for a second, before returning to the ground.
Taylor
"Come in," Taylor said softly, letting go of her and holding the door open.
"Nat's out, she won't be home for a while yet. We have the house to ourselves."
Avery
"Oh, ok."
Avery stepped inside slowly, eyes wandering almost nervously.
Taylor
Taylor closed and locked the door, more out of habit for when Ezra was there, and led his sister to the living room.
"Want some hot cocoa or tea?" he offered, a hand on her shoulder.
Avery
Avery flinched slightly at the touch and nodded.
"Cocoa please."
Taylor
"Sure, take a seat."
Taylor went to turn the stereo off that was blasting from the next room, then headed for the kitchen to procure their beverages.
Avery
Avery sat down, staring blankly at a spot on the carpet, listening to Taylor fiddle around in the kitchen.
One hand rested on her stomach, almost out of habit.
She was still in a little bit of pain. They hadn't wanted her to leave, for fear of complications, but she couldn't stay there for another day. She just couldn't.
Taylor
Once Taylor had gotten everything together as fast as he could - thinking how useful Zac's power would have been right then - he took bot mugs back to the living room and sat down beside his sister.
He handed her the larger mug, warning her to be careful of the heat.
Avery
"Thanks."
Avery held the mug carefully, almost unaware of how hot it really was.
"So how's... everyone? Nat... Ez?"
Taylor
"They're great," Taylor nodded, putting his mug down on the coffee table and leaning back so that he could cross his legs and watch her easier.
"Everyone's doing fine. It's mostly business as usual."
Avery
Avery nodded, eyes downcast.
"Oh. That's good."
Taylor
Taylor sat in silence for a good long moment, just watching her.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" he left it open, cautiously.
Avery
Avery jumped, almost surprised that she was with Taylor. She looked up at him for a moment, then looked back at the floor.
"I was pregnant," she said softly.
Taylor
"I did see you last month," Taylor couldn't even force a smile.
"Did you... want to talk about it? Or..."
Avery
"I don't know."
Avery looked down at her lap.
"There was a living thing... yeah. I don't know."
Taylor
Taylor nodded.
"That's ok," he insisted.
"For all I care we can just sit here in silence if you prefer that. If it's too hard. I just... don't know. This is kind of a big deal, you know? And I'm at a loss..."
Avery
Avery kept her eyes focused on her lap, and she took a sip of her cocoa.
"It's just... it's just... empty."
Taylor
Taylor reached over and massaged her shoulder a little in support.
"Would Mya or Xanthe help?" he suggested, "it's been a while since you've seen them."
Avery
"Yeah."
Avery tucked her hair behind her ears.
Taylor
"Hang tight for a moment," Taylor gave her a pat and stood up.
He took another mouthful of his coffee, then made his way to his and Nat's bedroom to find the fuzzles.
"Hey guys," he greeted, leaning over them.
"Tay-Tay!"
"Avie's here, and she's a bit sad. Any chance I could get you two to help cheer her up?" Taylor pointed out Mya and Xanthe.
"Yay good cheer!" Xanthe bounced a little as Mya swayed.
"Great," Taylor grinned.
He held his hand out for the two to climb on, gave Meena and Dorian a wink, and took them back out to Avery.
"Hey they are," he said with a smile.
Xanthe jumped from Taylor's hand and landed a little too close to the mug in Avery's lap, while Mya waited to be set down on the couch beside her. Taylor waited until she'd started climbing up Avery's shirt, before sitting back down beside her.
"They missed you," he informed her.
Avery
Avery petted Mya gently, letting her finger run through the fur and she almost smiled.
"I missed them too."
Taylor
"I'm sure they're glad to know that," Taylor smiled, watching her again.
Xanthe was busy telling the cocoa mug off for being too hot, while Mya crooned as she was petted.
"Avie..." Taylor began, frowning a little as he thought of how to word his next question.
Avery
Avery barely looked up from playing with Mya.
"Yeah?"
Taylor
"Did you... um. I mean, you don't have to, you know. But if you want to stay here for a while, we do have the extra room since Ike's moved out and all..." Taylor's face flushed a little.
"I'm sure Nat won't mind."
Avery
"I... that would be nice."
Avery glanced at him.
Taylor
"Great," Taylor grinned warmly.
"And you're just in time, too. I'm cooking roast tonight."
Avery
"Sounds good."
Avery rubbed her belly.