"Mom?" Avery called as she unlocked the front door of the Hanson house. Matt followed her in, holding both of their bags.
"Upstairs!" Diana called back.
Avery led Matt up the stairs and they stopped off in her old room to drop their bags off, then went to where she could sense the rest of her family.
"AVIE!" Zoe came barrelling at her sister.
"Hey Zo," she laughed, giving her a hug. "How are things?"
"Really good," Zoe replied, stepping back and smiling shyly at Matt. "I don't even really miss dancing anymore."
"But what about with me?" Matt joked, spinning her around. "I enjoyed our lessons."
"Well, maybe for you," Zoe told him. "Mom and Dad are in the kitchen."
"Lead the way, Zo," Avery said, taking Matt's hand as they followed her.
~*~*~*~
"Are you almost ready?" Kate laughed, watching Zac wander around the bedroom.
"I'm just gonna change my shirt," he told her. "Is Shep all good to go?"
"Yep," Kate replied, glancing down at the little boy sitting beside her on the bed.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac & Nikki
Taylor pulled the car up on the sidewalk just as he saw Isaac and Nikki getting Everett out of their own car.
"Guess almost everyone's here already," he said to Natalie.
"As if you're not used to being late," she hit him on the shoulder, undoing her seatbelt before getting out to get the kids.
By the time Taylor got to the door Ezra and Penny were out, and Natalie was just unstrapping River.
"You got him?" Taylor asked, taking Penny's hand.
"Right behind you," Natalie assured.
"Oof! Hey Ezra," Isaac turned to find the almost-five-year-old amongst his legs.
"Uncle Ike! Are you coming to my birthday?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Isaac ruffled his bright orange locks, "hey, you wanna take Everett inside for us?"
"Sure!" Ezra beamed, taking the three-year-old's hand and heading up to the front door.
Nikki offered Isaac a smile, then handed Monroe to him before getting herself out of the car.
"Hey Ike," Taylor greeted as he passed.
"Hey Tay!"
At last the menagerie of the eldest two Hansons' families entered the actual house.
Zac, Kate and Avery
"Ok," Zac said, strapping Shepherd into the car and turning to make sure Kate was all settled. He got into the drivers seat. "Just a touch late."
Kate laughed. "This is nothing unusual for the Hanson family."
"That would be Taylor, not me," he poked his tongue out as he started the car, reversing out of the driveway and starting the five minute drive back to his parents house.
~*~*~*~
"There he is," Avery grinned as Ezra appeared with Everett in tow.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac & Nikki
"Aunty Avie!" Ezra let go of Everett's hand so he could launch himself into her arms.
Everett stumbled a bit, but followed suit.
"Hey there, slow down a little," Isaac grinned as he walked up and gave Avery a kiss on the cheek, "hey you."
Natalie closed the door behind the hoard, before passing River to Taylor and telling Penny to head into the living area.
Avery, Zoe, Kate and Zac
"There's my boy!" Avery scooped Ezra up in her arms and covered his cheeks in kisses. She set him down again and then leaned in to hug Isaac.
Zoe helped Everett up into her lap and kissed the top of his head.
"Hey guys," Matt saluted, kissing Nikki on the cheek before shaking Isaac's hand.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, Zac and Kate finally pulled up at the Hanson house.
Taylor & Walker
Taylor made it in to where his parents were.
"Afternoon all," he smiled.
"Hello," Diana grinned, giving him a kiss on the cheek, "hm. You need a shave."
"So Nat keeps telling me. Hey Dad."
"Taylor," Walker nodded, "where are the little ones?"
"Nat's setting them up, I think. Where's Zac?"
"He didn't come in with you guys?" Diana asked, chopping as she spoke.
Taylor shook his head, "nope. Ike did."
Avery, Zac and Kate
Avery finally broke herself away from her niece and nephews and made her way into the kitchen with Matt to go see her parents.
"Hi Momma," she greeted, giving Diana a kiss on the cheek. "Dadda."
"Hey guys," Matt greeted, going to shake Walker's hand first, then Taylor's. "Smells great in here."
"No one does birthdays like our Mom," Avery grinned.
Zac and Kate herded Shepherd into the house and he went running up the stairs to be with his cousins.
"Well," Kate grinned. "We're loved."
"Zac and Kate are here," Avery informed everyone in the kitchen.
Isaac, Nikki, Natalie, Taylor & Walker
"You're late," Isaac teased as Zac walked in.
"He's Zac," Nikki grinned, before patting Isaac's shoulder and indicating she was following the kids.
"So how's Monroe going?" Natalie asked as Nikki appeared, "I'm sorry we can't visit so much now, what with his and Taylor's powers clashing as they do."
"He's great, as you can see," Nikki watched after him as he pulled some toys out of a box and offered them to River, "growing like a weed."
"Tell me about it," Natalie agreed.
"Matt," Walker nodded, Taylor following in kind.
"So how's New York going?" Diana asked, "have you settled into the new place yet? We got a call from Mac this morning saying he wouldn't make it."
Zac, Kate and Avery
"Kate couldn't decide what to wear," Zac nodded, keeping a straight face.
"Hey!" Kate punched Zac lightly on the arm. "You were the one changing your shirt every two minutes."
Zac chuckled as his wife disappeared to help with the kids, Shepherd holding onto the side of her dress as they walked.
"Hey babes," she greeted Nikki and Natalie as she walked in, Shepherd immediately charging for Everett.
"Yeah, it's been good," Avery leaned against Matt, and he snaked an arm around her waist. "So happy to be on break, I'll have time to paint for me, rather than for projects."
"And how's the Station?" Diana asked Matt. "Still happy up there?"
Matt nodded. "Well, I've been toying with the idea of moving downside again. Working in a hospital, maybe in New York."
Walker, Taylor, Natalie & Nikki
"A human hospital? Are you sure that's the best idea?" the council member in Walker came out abruptly.
"Don't mind him," Diana patted his chest, "I'm sure you could make it work."
"Can I help with anything?" Taylor offered, suddenly feeling awkward.
"You can start taking what's in the fridge to the table," Diana said.
Taylor nodded and obeyed.
"Hey Kate!" Natalie beamed, "welcome to the circus!"
"Careful honey," Nikki held Everett up before letting him go again, running her fingers through Monroe's hair to make a little hawk.
"And how is Shep?" Natalie asked, putting together a toy for Penny to play with.
Avery, Zac and Kate
"Well," Matt shrugged. "I did study medicine as a back up, I technically am up to an internship... the human way. So, you know, it's a plan."
Zac appeared in the kitchen. "Here he is!"
Avery snorted and gave her older brother a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday."
Kate laughed, and helped Shepherd with a toy. "He's good, he's in a great mood today, which is nice. How's everyone doing in here?"
Natalie, Nikki, Walker & Isaac
"Oh we're having fun," Natalie laughed, then lowered her voice.
"River's decided that bath time is a great time to play with his power. But on the plus side, it wears him out for bed."
"I know what you mean," Nikki agreed, "powers before bedtime. Although Everett's taken to teleporting out of bed, and into the TV room..."
"Oh fun," Natalie was sympathetic.
"That's not quite what I meant, son," Walker began.
"Hey everyone!" Isaac greeted as he walked in to the kitchen, "need any help?"
"You can help your brother set the table," Diana said straight away.
"Wonderful to see you Isaac. Haven't seen you in so long dearest son. How's the children?"
Diana patted him on the head, "you asked."
Avery, Zac and Kate
Avery snorted. "You did. The key is to just not offer. Or move to another state, so they're just excited to see you."
Diana smiled, shaking her head. "You just never ask, Miss Avery."
"I know you'll put me to work," she laughed.
"Mommy," Zac greeted, kissing Diana on the cheek. "You've outdone yourself."
"They didn't get you any presents," Avery fibbed, chuckling. "None of us did."
"At least Shep's power isn't too obvious then," Kate said, also lowering her voice. "If he's using it, we're not aware of it. I don't know if that's good or not."
Natalie, Nikki, Isaac & Taylor
"It could be something no one's ever heard of," Natalie suggested, "you'd think most of the YIRAAS baby doctors would have figured it out by now. And who knows how many different powers there actually are, really."
"Scary thought," Nikki paused.
"Maybe I'll just go on tour and stay on tour," Isaac poked his tongue out at Avery.
"Then they'll miss me and Zac too much," Taylor cut in on his third trip to the fridge, "Hey Zac, happy birthday."
Isaac rolled his eyes before going to help.
Kate, Avery and Zac
"True," Kate replied, looking over at her son. "I mean, he seems to be coping with whatever it is, even if he gets a bit fussy at times."
Avery grinned at Isaac, then decided to help. Matt was alongside her as they gathered the drinks out of the fridge to take to the other room.
"Thanks dude," Zac said, as Taylor left the room again. "Feels a bit weird without Mac here, but it's nice that we're basically all together again. Hey mom, what's going on with Zoe's dancing?"
Nikki & Walker
"I'm afraid it seems to be on the backburner," Diana lowered her voice, "she was told not to put too much pressure on it, and well, ballet being what it is..."
Isaac returned for another load and Walker handed him a fresh platter instead.
"Alternatively," Nikki suggested thoughtfully, "it could be something that will only show up at puberty. You know like us humans don't know everything about our bodies until then."
"I'm not sure I've heard of anything that does that," Natalie pondered.
Zac and Kate
"Is she coping alright?" Zac asked, watching as his mother finished up with what she was preparing.
"She seems to be," Diana nodded. "She was understandably upset at first, but I think she's slowly getting over it."
"Unless it's something really obvious," Kate shrugged. "It's definitely not telepathy, because Avery's already tried communicating with him and she says the way he responds is the way we respond."
Taylor, Natalie & Nikki
"It's a shame," Taylor said, catching the end of the conversation as Walker loaded him up again, "for her to have it taken away like that. But hey, you never know what might come of it."
"That's one of the first things we usually get Avery to do too," Natalie chuckled, "just to make sure they aren't telepathic. Or anything using a form of telepathy. I'm still getting used to Taylor using it, even though it's been years now."
"I don't think I'll ever really be used to it," Nikki shook her head, "or you know, powers in general."
Natalie gave her a sympathetic look.
Zac, Avery and Kate
"She was amazing too," Zac said, shaking his head. "But, like Tay says, maybe something even better will come of it. Us Hansons are a talented bunch."
"Good genes," Avery grinned, patting Walker's arm as she went past with her last load for the dining room.
"It can be crazy," Kate said to Nikki. "Even I get weirded out by some of the powers sometimes, depending on what they are."
Walker, Taylor, Isaac, Natalie & Nikki
"That's it," Walker told Taylor and Isaac and they both reappeared.
"Woohoo!" Isaac pumped his fist in the air as Taylor gave him a weird look.
"Dinner's up!" Taylor called, "including the kiddie table!"
"That's our cue," Natalie sighed, standing up and going to retrieve River from the toy box.
Nikki helped her, then took Monroe's hand and indicated for Everett to lead them into the dining room.
Zac, Kate, Zoe and Avery
"Food food food," Zac grinned, heading to the dining room. He helped Kate into her seat before getting Shepherd sorted at the kids table.
"Thanks babe," Kate replied.
Zoe came in from the living room with Jess, chatting animatedly about swimming.
"This looks great guys," Avery said to her parents.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac, Walker & Nikki
"It looks amazing," Taylor reiterated.
"Cake!" Ezra announced suddenly, Natalie quickly hushing him as she got the kids sorted.
Once they had their food she headed back to sit between Taylor and Kate.
"Everett, leave your brother's food alone," Isaac was in the right position to be able to turn around and reach the kids' table, but was choosing to telekinetically sort them out instead.
"No!" came Monroe's voice.
"While it's great to actually see you all here, we are here for a reason," Walker began, still standing at the head of the table, "one of you isn't getting any younger, and today proves it. So if you'll join me in a toast..."
Nikki readied a glass for Isaac while he sorted the kids.
"Happy birthday Zac," Walker smiled.
Zac, Kate and Avery
Zac chuckled. "Thanks all."
He rubbed the back of Kate's neck soothingly.
"With the exception of Mac not being able to make it home, this is exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday, so thanks everyone."
Avery grinned at Zac. "Twenty-five, hey?"
Isaac, Natalie, Walker & Taylor
"Quarter of a century," Isaac tsked, "no turning back now."
"Oh there was before?" Natalie mused as Walker took his seat.
"You never know," Taylor grinned, having a drink before grabbing some food.
Zac and Avery
"Well, maybe there's a power that reverses age," Zac mused. "Or I guess if you could go back in time... or manipulate time. Ike, you're our resident power guru..."
"I'm just gonna throw this out there," Avery grinned. "I would not want to go back to being an awkward teenager. Puberty didn't suit me."
Matt chuckled and Avery hit him in the arm.
Isaac & Taylor
"Unfortunately immortality is limited by the owner, and the only one we know of is the Elder," Isaac pointed out, "time travel on the other hand."
"Just as well, can you imagine Zac being immortal? His children would need to collonise Mars themselves," Taylor smirked.
Zac, Avery and Kate
Zac stuck his tongue out at his brothers. "The world would be so lucky to have me forever."
"No one who's been in the bathroom after you feels that way," Avery grinned.
"I hear ya!" Kate said, laughing.
"Here we go, my sister and my wife ganging up on me," he pouted.
Taylor, Walker & Isaac
"Just them?" Taylor smirked, "could you imagine Zac as the next Elder? 'Go forth and procreate! Take over the world!"
"And make everyone buy a Hanson record," Isaac added.
"Now now boys. It is his birthday," Walker reminded.
"Your point?" Isaac asked innocently.
Zac, Kate and Avery
"You should pick on me tomorrow. No wait, you shouldn't pick on me at all!" Zac was too late, Avery and Kate were already laughing.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kate winked.
"I'll stay in your mind all day tomorrow then," Avery nodded.
Isaac & Taylor
"Really, Avie? Think about what you just said," Isaac insisted.
Taylor leant over to move River's plate before it could fall off the kiddie table.
Avery, Zac and Kate
"You're right, I take it back!" Avery laughed, shaking her head.
"I'm married to him and even I don't want to be in there!" Kate grinned.
"So picked on," Zac pouted again.
Taylor & Natalie
"Ezra, could you keep an eye on that?" Taylor asked, his son nodding as he watched his brother's plate again making its way to the edge of the table.
"I don't blame you," Natalie said to Kate as she wiped her mouth, then jumped a little as the baby kicked.
Kate and Avery
"Oh, the little one?" Kate said, looking over at Natalie. "When they kick, they don't feel that little, do they?"
"So cheeky," Avery grinned.
Natalie, Taylor, Nikki & Isaac
"No they do not," Natalie agreed, "he's definitely bigger than River was though."
River looked up as his name was mentioned.
"Are you ok?" Taylor squeezed her shoulder.
"Fine," she smiled, "only two months to go."
"For both of you, right?" Nikki asked, "remember when we had Monroe, River and Shepherd all so close? Wow. I'm glad I'm not with you guys this time."
"Really?" Isaac looked a little dejected.
"You know what I mean," she tapped him on the nose.
Zac and Kate
Zac opened his mouth to say something when a whimper came from Shepherd.
"I've got it," Kate said, pushing her chair back slowly. She waddled over to the kids table and bent down so she was eye level with her son.
"Mama," Shepherd said, frowning.
"He just gets in these fussy moods," Zac shrugged.
Natalie
"Maybe I could help," Natalie offered.
"Or me?" Diana suggested, accidentally making Natalie feel awkward as the reigning empath of the family.
Kate
At the awkward tension between Natalie and Diana, Shepherd began to wail a bit more.
"Mamaaaaa!" he sniffled.
"Aww, baby," Kate said, lifting Shepherd up on her hip. "It's ok, little bub."
Natalie & Taylor
Diana stood from her spot next to Walker and made her way over to Kate.
"May I?" she offered her arms to take him.
Natalie watched on, a little curious, as Taylor gave her a reassuring half hug.
Kate and Zac
"Sure," Kate said, kissing Shepherd on the side of the head before handing him to Diana.
"Mama," Shepherd hiccupped, reaching his hands out for Kate.
Zac stood and moved to Kate, putting his arms around her waist.
Taylor & Isaac
"There, there," Diana cooed, shifting him on her hip before putting her other palm on his forehead.
"Well that's interesting."
"What is?" Taylor asked, attention peaked.
"He's fighting me off," Diana mused.
"What do you mean, fighting?" Isaac looked confused, "he just wants Kate."
"That's not what I meant," Diana gave him a pointed look, "Zac? Exactly how long have you been wondering what this boy's power is?"
Zac, Avery and Kate
"Umm," Zac looked at Kate. "For a year or so, when he started to get really fussy."
Avery let out a laugh. "Ohhhh!"
"What?" Zac asked, looking puzzled.
"He's an empath, you idiot," she grinned.
"I was going to phrase it a little differently," Diana said, but she was smiling. "But yes."
"No you weren't," Avery teased. "I heard that thought."
Shepherd was still reaching out for Kate.
Natalie, Taylor & Walker
"Oh," Natalie was a little taken aback.
She looked at Taylor, "I should have been able to pick up on that, right?"
"We have three and a half kids of our own, let's not worry about Zac's," Taylor pointed out.
"Another empath in the family," Walker beamed.
Avery, Kate and Zac
"Actually," Avery said glancing at Isaac. "We talked about this when you interviewed me for my powers, how you weren't sure if there was a link between empathy based powers being passed on from parents to children?"
"But that would mean one of you guys would have an empathy based power," Kate mused. "Unless it skipped a generation and it helped that my power is empathy based. It's interesting food for thought, I guess."
"Is it usual for him to be so..." Zac paused for a moment, trying to find a right way to phrase it. "Sensitive at a young age? I mean, the obvious emotions aside, but he's been fussy when Kate hasn't even been around but she's been stressed."
"It's the Hanson gene, right, Daddio?" Avery beamed at Walker. "We're all pretty talented with our own powers."
Walker, Isaac, Taylor & Natalie
"It's true," Walker shrugged, "you and Isaac are prime examples of the capability of our genes."
"I have to admit, I haven't found a viable link through genetics to certain power bases to be... 100% confirmed, but it's a running theory," Isaac shrugged, "for example, Nat and Penny. Penny isn't empathic based, but she does have the healing aspect of Nat's power."
"But then you have Ezra who seems to be a one-off," Natalie pointed out.
"Not necessarily," Isaac was getting into it, "because for as basic as Taylor's power seems, it does incorporate a lot of other powers into it."
"Only mildly," Taylor considered.
"But therein lies the black and white proof," Isaac said.
Natalie looked at Taylor.
Avery, Kate and Zac
"And if you take into account the rarity of both of your powers," Avery pointed out. "And scaling back from that as well, the level of rarity Isaac and I walked into when we became aware of the full capabilities of ours."
"You going to join Ike on his research, Avie?" Zac teased.
"It is an interesting thought," Kate put in, settling Shepherd back down at the table, where he brightened once he was sat beside Penny again.
Isaac, Walker, Taylor, Natalie & Nikki
"Right," Isaac agreed, "the big question then, at least in the genetic scheme on things, is how the genes landed with us. I mean no offence, Mom and Dad - but they are pretty generic powers."
"So perhaps you should look more into your heritage," Walker suggested, "I had an Uncle that had an Ultra Rare power."
"Really?" Diana looked surprised as she settled next to him again, "we had a few rares, which I suppose looking back was odd..."
"And it begins!" Taylor threw his hands up.
"This isn't going to end is it?" Natalie said to him softly.
"Nope," Taylor shook his head.
"Why was I never told this?!" Isaac asked incredulously as Nikki hid her face.
"When did you ask?" Walker shrugged.
Zac, Avery and Kate
"Happy birthday Zac!" Zac laughed, sitting back down in his seat. "Let's sit around and share our favourite Zac stories!"
"My personal favourite," Avery grinned, turning to her brother. "Was the blue food colouring on the carpet incident."
"I haven't heard this one!" Kate said, taking her place next to Zac.
"Oh, it's a good one," Jess assured her. "Zac reckons his left buttcheek hasn't been the same since."