Avery unlocked the front door of the Hanson house and led Matt inside. They head up to the kitchen, where she knew Diana was still preparing dinner.
"Hi Mom, happy Thanksgiving," she greeted, going over to give her mother a kiss.
Diana looked up and gave the two new arrivals a smile. She kissed her daughter back and gave Matt a quick hug. "And to you both. You didn't come with Zac and Kate?"
Matt shook his head. "It was the original plan, but there was a last minute diaper disaster."
"Sounds dire," Diana smiled. She returned her attention to the cranberry sauce.
"Can we help with anything?" Avery asked.
"If you could help Zoe finish setting the table, and Matt, if you could just check to see if Walker needs anything? Thanks hun."
~*~*~*~
Matt wandered into the den where Mack was sitting with his father, telling him about his latest exploits in New York.
"Hey guys," Matt said, coming into the room. "Happy Thanksgiving."
Walker, Isaac, Nikki, menagerie
"Happy Thanksgiving Matt," Walker nodded as Mack turned his head.
"Hey Matt," he nodded in greeting.
~*~
"Thanksgiving dinner at the Hanson house. Here we go again," Nikki grinned.
"You almost sound like it's a chore," Isaac mused as he helped Monroe out of the car.
"It's... just an experience, is all," Nikki shrugged, locking up the car as Everett ran ahead and through the front door.
"Hey Auntie Avie!" he exclaimed when he found her, blonde curls bouncing as he ran over to hug her legs and then Diana's.
Matt, Avery, Zac, Kate, Shepherd & Junia
"Walker, would I be able to have a quiet word at some point?" Matt looked a little nervous.
~*~*~*~
Avery laughed and managed a quick hug with Everett before he'd darted off again.
"Chaos," she remarked to her mother.
~*~*~*~
Zac helped Kate with Junia, while Shepherd jumped up each of the steps to the Hanson house. He grinned proudly, before Zac opened the front door, upon which, the young boy ran through the house, searching out his cousins.
"Mmm, smells good, Mama Bear," Zac said, coming into the kitchen, Kate by his side.
Nikki, Isaac, Walker, menagerie
"Doesn't it always?" Nikki pointed out as she leant over the bench.
"Hey Zac, happy Thanksgiving," Isaac went to give his brother a hug.
Monroe watched as Shepherd ran past, then took off after him.
~*~
Walker locked eyes with Mackenzie, who caught his meaning.
"I'll go help Zoe," he offered, giving Matt a pat on the back as he walked past.
Walker waited until he was gone.
"Now's fine," he smiled, taking his glasses off and putting them on the desk.
Matt, Zac & Kate
Matt scratched the back of his head, standing awkwardly for a second, before speaking.
"This uh... might seem rushed, given that Avery and I have only just gotten back together," he said, nodding. "But, well, prior to this year, we were together for a long time and I have loved her for as long as I can remember so... I was hoping I would have your blessing to uh... propose to her."
~*~*~*~
"Happy Thanksgiving," Zac grinned, patting Isaac on the back. "Nobody does Thanksgivings like our ma."
"And birthdays, and Christmas," Kate grinned.
Isaac, Nikki, Walker, menagerie
"Right on," Isaac grinned back, going to give Kate a kiss on the cheek, "happy Thanksgiving Kate."
"Want me to take the salad out?" Nikki offered to Diana, "or should we wait for Tay and Nat?"
"We could be waiting for them all night," Isaac pointed out.
~*~
Walker paused, digesting what Matt had said.
"Funny you should ask tonight..." he mused a little, indicating for Matt to take Mackie's seat.
"Di and I were just talking about you two the other day. About how you were back together."
Kate, Zac, Avery & Matt
"Happy Thanksgiving, Ike, Niks," Kate smiled, nodding at the pair. "I wonder how Nat copes with always being late now."
She let out a little laugh.
"She was always on time before she married Tay."
Zac chuckled and then swept Avery up in a hug when she walked back into the kitchen.
"Ah!" she cried in surprise.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" he nodded.
"To you too," she replied. "You're excited for turkey, aren't you?"
"Naturally."
~*~*~*~
Matt sat down in the chair recently vacated by Mackenzie and he gave a half smile.
"I think we both knew that we would always head back to each other," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was just with the distance before and how busy our lives were, and then... recent events."
Isaac, Nikki, menagerie, Walker
"I think he would drive me nuts," Nikki shook her head, slipping an arm around Isaac's waist and kissing the tip of his nose, "at least I got the responsible one."
Isaac grinned, then planted one on her lips.
~*~
"I believe we pretty much came to the same conclusion," Walker nodded.
"We both felt - and Di with the help of her empathy of course - that it was just a matter of time. You've always been a sort of safe haven for our daughter, we believe. No matter what happens to her she does always seem to turn back to you. So far, I'd like to say that hasn't been a mistake..."
Zac, Kate & Matt
"Responsible by default," Zac nodded. "As the eldest, he always had to look after us. Tay was too busy dreaming of sugar plum fairies, or whatever it is that he does, and I was too young to know better."
"Or at least that's your excuse and you're sticking to it," Kate teased.
~*~*~*~
"I hope it won't ever be a mistake," Matt replied honestly. "I will always do everything in my power to keep Avery safe and happy."
Isaac, Nikki, menagerie, Walker
"At least he's not denying it," Isaac pointed out.
"Mom!" came Everett's voice from behind Nikki.
She jumped.
"Yes Ev'?"
"Where's River?"
"They're not here yet, hon'."
Everett pulled a face, then disappeared.
"I will never be used to that," Nikki rubbed her face.
"Sure you will," Isaac mused, "hopefully by the time he's a teenager at least."
~*~
"I'm pleased to say that we believe you," Walker nodded.
He stood and slowly walked around the table, unable to help himself from milking such an intimidating moment. He paused in front of Matt's chair, then held out his hand.
"Good luck, son. I hope she says 'yes'."
Kate, Zac & Matt
Kate chuckled and gave Nikki a side hug. "It could always be worse."
Zac grinned. "Is that meant to reassure her?"
~*~*~*~
Matt stood and shook Walker's hand, grinning a little.
"Thanks, I hope so too."
Isaac, Nikki, menagerie, Walker
"Yeah, he could have Ezra's power," Isaac mused, "not knowing what he's got at any given time, now that would test you."
"I'm still getting used to aliens, so sue me," Nikki scorned, but with a playful glint in her eye.
"Thanks Kate."
~*~
Walker suddenly gripped his hand a little firmer.
"You're aware of my standing on the council, correct?"
Zoe, Zac & Matt
Zoe took that moment to astral project, her astral self appearing in the kitchen. "Mom? I set both tables, should we start taking the food in?"
"The cold stuff can go," Diana smiled, and Zoe disappeared, only to reappear later, physically, this time.
"And we thought Ike's telekinesis made him lazy," Zac chuckled.
"Avie uses her telepathy instead of coming to find people," Zoe retorted, but she was laughing. "So... maybe the three of us are lazy."
~*~*~*~
Matt almost gulped, but didn't, instead squaring his shoulders and looking Walker in the eye calmly.
"I am, sir."
Nikki, Isaac, menagerie, Walker
"Ah ha!" Nikki put her hand up, "I have no excuse like that! No powers, not lazy."
"I can carry everything if you guys want?" Isaac offered.
Nikki just rolled her eyes at him.
~*~
Walker looked him in the eye, and smiled.
"Good," he said simply.
"Now I believe dinner's almost ready."
He let go of the kid's hand and indicated for him to lead the way out.
Zac & Matt
"It does have its perks," Zac grinned.
"Man, Tay and Nat are really late tonight."
~*~*~*~
Matt nodded and left the room, heading up for the kitchen where a majority of the Hanson family were.
Isaac, Nikki, menagerie, Walker
"Yeah, usually I'd get a text from Nat by now complaining about Tay's driving," Nikki mused, pulling out dishes and holding them up in the air for Isaac to grab.
"And you say you're not used to 'the alien thing'," he smirked.
She poked her tongue out at him.
"Mommy!"
Nikki dropped a (plastic) bowl to the floor.
"Everett, what did we say about sneaking up on your mother like that?" Isaac said pointedly to his son.
"But Dad, can I 'port to Uncle Tay's house and see Ezra?"
"No, they should be here soon. Maybe when you get older we can send you on recon, but not yet."
"What's 'recon'?"
"You'll find out when you're older. Want to take one of these to the table?" Isaac floated one of the plates down to him.
"Okay!"
As soon as it touched Everett's hands, he teleported it away.
"Anyone would think they don't get to use their powers at home," Isaac shook his head with a smile.
"It's probably one of the more public places they can. By public I mean amount of people present," Walker mused as he followed Matt in.
Zac & Matt
"Well, if you need to take the turkey out, Mama, I can keep it warm," Zac winked. "Your portable oven and cooling system is available."
Diana chuckled.
"My brother was the same, when we were growing up," Matt offered. "He was always teleporting all over the house."
Isaac, Nikki, Taylor, Natalie, menagerie
"He knows he's not allowed to do it anywhere but here, our place and the station, and considering how often we go to the station, which is practically never these days... he's taking advantage," Isaac explained.
"Uncle Ike! Uncle Za- Hello everyone!" Ezra's voice came suddenly as he ran into the kitchen.
He paused, not knowing who to hug.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" he announced, before taking off out the back.
River ran past following him, his hair soaking wet.
"This should be good," Nikki giggled to herself as Isaac started moving all the plates through to the dining room, above child-head-height.
"Hey guys, sorry we're late," Natalie walked in holding Penny's hand, "minor dramas, nothing to worry about."
Penny looked around at everyone excitedly, then fell quiet when she spotted Matt.
"Hey everyone, happy Thanksgiving!" Taylor announced as he walked in with Viggo on his hip.
Avery & Matt
Avery came walking into the kitchen and her eyes immediately fell onto Penny.
"You know, I've been looking for my favourite niece, and I can't seem to find her, can anyone help me out?"
She bent down and looked in one of the cupboards under the sink.
Matt chuckled.
"Penny?" she called. "I wonder where she could be."
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie & menagerie
Penny grinned to herself, but pushed into Natalie's leg harder.
"Oh don't you pretend to be shy," Natalie scolded her lightly, tapping her on the head.
"Auntie Avie!" she said finally, "here I am! You're silly!"
Taylor grinned, before heading over to Walker and Diana and giving them a hug and kiss before taking Viggo out the back with the rest of the kids.
"So dare we ask about River?" Nikki gave Natalie a knowing look as she started plucking plates from the air and setting them on the table.
Natalie rolled her eyes, but laughed.
Avery, Zac, Kate & Matt
Avery straightened up and mimed wiping her eyes. "There you are!"
She swept Penny up in a hug, twirling her around.
"Favouritism," Zac joked to Matt.
Kate chuckled and went to help Nikki and Natalie with the table.
"Hey Nat," she greeted, kissing her best friend on the cheek.
Walker, Isaac, Taylor, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie
"Hey you!" Natalie pulled her in for a hug instead, "happy Thanksgiving! Gosh I haven't seen you in like, a week. It feels like forever."
Penny giggled as Avery grabbed her, before breaking out into laughter when she was spun around.
Kate, Avery & Zac
Kate laughed and hugged Natalie back. "Happy Thanksgiving! I know, it's a travesty."
She looked up and winked at Nikki.
"Hey girlfraaaan," she chuckled. "I haven't seen you since... yesterday?"
Avery kissed the top of Penny's head and kept her arms around the small girl as she stood in the kitchen, waiting to see if anything else needed to be taken to the dining room.
"Turkey turkey turkey!" Zac chanted.
Nikki, Isaac, Natalie
"I know, it's like forever right?" Nikki mused, watching as Isaac lowered the last few plates into place.
"Hey hey! Slow down!" Natalie called out as River and Everett went running past, heading for the hallway.
"Where are they going?" Nikki looked suspicious.
"I'll go see," Isaac sighed, following his son and nephew.
"Ike, can you grab a towel for River?"
"Sure Nat."
Kate, Zoe, Mackenzie, Jessica & Joe
"I should rustle up Junia and Shep," Kate said absently, before heading off to do just that.
Zoe appeared a second later, with Mackenzie, talking animatedly about the latest play Mack had tried out for.
"Hi guys," Jess greeted, Joe behind her, both of them coming from the direction of the rec room, where they had been watching the parade.
Natalie, Nikki
"Hey other Hansons!" Nat laughed, "well, technically in Jessi's case..."
Nikki smirked.
"Food's almost ready, just waiting on Zac and his magic turkey skills," she said.
"I should probably help Kate with the herd," Nat's eyebrows rose, before following her friend out.
Jess, Zac, Avery & Matt
Jess laughed. "Other Hansons slash Wrights?"
"Turkey skills are a-go!" Zac nodded, working his power on the food.
"Alright, let's go dibs a good seat," Avery said, reaching for Matt with her free hand.
"Pen, let's get you a seat and I'll sit closest to you, ok?"
Natalie, Nikki, Taylor, Isaac, menagerie
"Okay!" Penny agreed, latching onto her Aunt's hip.
There was soon a stampede of Hanson children filing through the house as Natalie made a reappearance, Taylor right behind her.
"Alright, turkey time!"
"Pretty sure Zac's covered that," Nikki said to him.
"So? He's not the only one who gets turkey time. It's turkey day."
Isaac soon reappeared, walking awkwardly with River between his legs, drying the boy's hair. Everett had appeared on the other side of the dining room.
Kate, Junia, Shepherd, Avery, Zac & Matt
Kate appeared behind Taylor and Natalie, Junia resting on her hip, and Shepherd holding her free hand. He ran to Avery's other side.
"Auntie Avie, can I sit near you?" he asked, bouncing a little.
"Sure," Avery smiled, and Matt chuckled softly.
"Favourite Auntie," he nodded.
"Naturally," she replied. She led Penny and Shepherd over to the table.
Walker, Taylor, Isaac, Natalie, menagerie
"Everyone take a seat," Walker said authoritatively, taking his place at the head of the table after holding the chair out for Diana.
"The king has spoken," Taylor whispered to Natalie, who giggled.
"Hey guys, seats! Take 'em!" he turned to the kids.
Isaac let River go, and he ran to sit next to Everett. Natalie finished getting Viggo sorted before taking her own seat.
Zac, Kate, Zoe, Mackenzie, Jess, Joe, Avery & Matt
Zac and Kate got their kids sorted, then took their seats, followed by Zoe, Mackenzie, Jess and Joe on the other side of the table.
Avery took the seat closest to Penny and Matt slipped in beside her.
Walker, Isaac, Nikki, Taylor, Natalie, menagerie
Once everyone had settled down, Walker cleared his throat.
"Once again we're happy that everyone's here. Every day is a blessing to be able to experience life with this amazing family," he began, having everyone's attention bar Viggo's.
"Hear hear!" Taylor lifted his glass.
They died down as Diana said grace, then all dug in.