"You almost ready, babe?" Matt called out, sitting down on the bed to put his shoes on.
"Mmmhmm," Avery hummed from the bathroom, where she was finishing off her make up.
"Reservation is at 6," he reminded. "And we have to go to your parents place because they're driving."
"Relax, Crawford," she laughed, finishing her mascara off with a final swipe. "I'm done."
~*~*~*~
"Matt says they're probably about twenty minutes off," Zac said to the rest of his family. "He's told her the reservation is at 6."
Kate grinned and finished hanging the last of the streamers.
Taylor, Isaac, Nikki, Natalie, menagerie
"Great," Taylor said as he finished setting up the stereo.
Isaac looked up at Kate's handiwork.
"You know I could have done that..."
"But it wouldn't have been as neat," Nikki teased as she walked past with a plate of food.
"Would too!"
Zac, Lo, Dan & Kate
"Let her feel useful," Zac grinned, dodging the poke he figured was coming, before going to the door to greet Matt's brother and Dad, who had just rung the bell.
Lo checked her watch and grinned. "So... the never being on time thing, who did she learn that off?"
"Tay," Kate nodded.
Taylor & Nikki
"Guilty," Taylor raised his hand as he set his iPod into the stereo.
He held himself back from turning it on so early, but it was hard.
"She's not usually that bad though," Nikki reasoned, "well, she'll never be as bad as Tay."
"Is this pick-on-Taylor night?" he looked up suddenly.
"Yes. Deal with it."
Josh, Lo, Dan, Matt & Avery
"She has gotten steadily worse," Josh chuckled, sitting down next to Lo and Dan. "Remember when she used to get us to places on time?"
"Once upon a time," Dan chuckled.
As they left Matt's house, he sent Taylor a quick text to let them know they were about 5 minutes away.
"So, I'm not too dressed up?" Avery asked. "It's just a dinner..."
"It's also your birthday dinner," he pointed out. "You look perfect."
Taylor, Isaac, Nikki, Natalie
"Woah! Hey! Everyone!" Taylor put his hands up to get everyone's attention.
"T-minus five minutes."
He held his phone up.
"Everything in place?" Isaac looked around quickly.
"It's all sorted," Nikki assured, "but we'd better get the kids out here."
"On it," Natalie assured, disappearing into the house.
Kate, Shepherd, Junia & Zac
Kate let out a surprised cry as Shepherd came running, latching himself onto her legs.
Zac appeared a second later with Junia, Zoe and Mack following behind.
Taylor, Natalie
"Okay everyone," Taylor said loudly once the kids had been gathered, "now we've got to be really quiet, yeah?"
"Yes Dad," Ezra nodded.
"Great. And what do you say when Auntie Avie walks in?"
"Surprise!" a few of the kids exclaimed at once.
"Perfect!"
"Any moment now," Natalie went to stand behind Penny to stop her from running off when her Aunt arrived.
Matt & Avery
"They must be running late too," Matt commented as they arrived at the Hanson house.
"That's fine," Avery waved her hand. "We can go inside and wait."
Matt smiled a little, opening her door for her. He held his arm out for her to take and they walked up to the front door, Avery unlocking the house with her keys.
"Mom? Dad?" she called, going up the stairs to go find them.
Walker
"Hello Avery," Walker stepped out of his study and closed the door.
"Sorry we're running late, and it's entirely my fault. Something came up with the council. Could you do me a favour and go find Zoe for me? I think she's out the back. She owes me some paperwork."
Avery & Matt
"Sure," Avery said, heading for outside.
Matt grinned at Walker, following Avery out.
Walker & Natalie
Walker gave him a wink in return, before waiting a moment and then following them down.
"Incoming," Natalie said softly, sensing her sister-in-law getting closer.
Avery, Matt, Zac, Kate & chaos
Avery opened the door and almost jumped out of her skin when the collective yells of her family and friends came at her.
"SURPRISE!"
Matt put his hands on her shoulders, steadying her, and he laughed a little.
Natalie, Taylor, menagerie
Natalie let Penny go as the kids all ran forward to try and hug her at once.
"Happy birthday Auntie Avie!" Ezra, Penny, River, Everett and Monroe chorused, making her laugh.
"How's that for a welcome?" Taylor laughed.
Avery, Matt, Kate & Zac
Avery laughed and hugged as many of the kids as she could at one time. "Thanks guys."
Matt chuckled and went over to talk to Lo, Dan and Josh.
"Happy birthday, sis," Zac swept his sister up in a hug.
Taylor
"Even if it was like, two weeks ago," Taylor amended, walking up and planting a kiss on her cheek as Zac hugged her.
Avery, Matt & Zac
"Thanks," Avery grinned, then let out a yelp as Josh lifted her up, Dan and Lo around, laughing. "Oh my gosh, you guys!"
"We're not gonna miss you turning 21," Lo chuckled, kissing her best friend on the cheek.
"Alright, let my girl down," Matt joked, helping Avery regain her footing as Josh put her back on the ground.
Zac turned to Taylor. "Are you doing a speech?"
Taylor & Natalie
"Why do you automatically assume that I'd be the one doing a speech?" Taylor tried to look innocent.
"He can be bribed with cake," Natalie gave Zac a wink.
"That is not true. Okay, maybe it's a little true. Very true. But I saw that cake, so... Yes, fine. I'm doing a speech. Later."
Zac, Avery & Matt
"Well, you're the favourite, after all," Zac teased.
"Mom, Dad, thank you for this," Avery said, going to hug her parents.
Matt had been roped into giving Shepherd a piggy back.
Walker, Taylor, Isaac
"You're welcome honey," Diana smiled, hugging her back.
Walker waited for his turn, before leaning in to give her a kiss.
"Congratulations, you made it," he teased.
"Well duh, but since when did that come with so much responsibility?" Taylor looked incredulous.
"Always?" Isaac mused as he walked past.
He tapped Avery on the back as he came to her, then pulled her into a hug when she turned around.
Avery & Zac
Avery laughed and hugged Isaac back.
"Since always," Zac agreed with Isaac. "I mean, if you want, Ike and I could step up and be the favourites..."
Taylor, Natalie & Isaac
"Pretty sure I'm spoken for," Taylor held his hands up in surrender.
"And besides, I also have the favourite child in Penny. So there."
Natalie rolled her eyes good naturedly before making her way over to Kate and Junia with Viggo.
"Happy belated birthday," Isaac said to her softly, kissing her cheek before letting her go.
Avery, Kate & Zac
"Thanks, Ike," Avery replied, giving Isaac a kiss on the cheek back.
"Hey June-bug, it's Viggo," Kate said, holding Junia up a little. "It turned out well, didn't it?"
Zac chuckled. "Wait until Junia gets older, she'll be the new favourite."
Taylor
"Fine. I will bet you anything," Taylor held his hand out to shake Zac's, then reconsidered.
"Okay almost anything. I will bet you anything within reason that Penny remains the favourite. 'Cause she's mine."
Zac & Matt
"Alright, you're on," Zac nodded, shaking Taylor's hand. He looked up as Matt wandered over.
"Hey dude."
"Hey," Matt grinned.
"Nervous?" Zac teased.
Matt patted his pocket where the ring box was. "A little."
Taylor
"You'll be fine," Taylor pursed his lips, giving Matt a pat on the back, "if she says 'no' I will set my piano on fire. I have that much confidence."
Matt
"Ok, good," Matt managed a smile. "I feel like my heart is gonna explode in my chest."
He looked over at Avery from across the party and his eyes misted a little.
Taylor & Isaac
"Well that's your own fault for doing it in front of the family," Taylor teased.
"I had the right idea. I teleported Nat into literally the middle of nowhere."
"That could also be considered cowardly," Isaac mused as he made his way back to them.
"Or romantic," Taylor corrected, "it had a view."
"So you say."
"Go ahead and ask her!"
Zac & Matt
"She's not pregnant, is she?" Zac raised an eyebrow.
Matt laughed, and then realised that Zac wasn't kidding. "Um, no. Not as far as I know, anyway."
"Just checkin'. I mean, if she was, kudos to you for manning up."
Taylor & Isaac
"Was that a dig?" Taylor's eyes narrowed.
"Tay? Go home, you're drunk," Isaac grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him away.
"I am not!"
Isaac rolled his eyes at his brother not getting the joke, before catching Monroe as he ran past.
"Hey where do you think you're going?"
"In?" Monroe looked confused.
"Everyone's staying outside tonight, buddy. You only go in if you're helping out."
Taylor waved him off before heading over to Avery again.
"So. Surprised?" he asked, grabbing a handful of... something, and putting it in his mouth.
Avery, Zac & Matt
"Sure was," Avery nodded, taking a sip of her drink.
"Oh, I should get my present organised," Matt said, darting off.
"We had to get presents?" Zac joked.
Taylor
"Pretty sure our presence is the best present she could ever want," Taylor assured, a hand on Zac's shoulder.
Avery
"False," Avery shook her head. "Actual presents."
Diana, meanwhile, was announcing the arrival of present time.
Taylor, Natalie, Nikki
"Fine," Taylor sighed with a roll of his eyes.
"I know when I'm not appreciated."
He left them to it and went over to where River was running circles with Monroe, picked him up and spun him around, set him down again and laughed as he went on as if nothing had happened.
Natalie giggled when she saw what had happened.
"Looks like we're in for an interesting night," Nikki mused, sipping her glass of champagne.
"Could be," Natalie agreed.
Avery, Lo, Zac & Kate
Avery went and perched herself on Lo's lap, taking the blonde's drink from her and taking a sip.
"Birthday bully," Lo joked.
"That's me," she grinned.
"GUYS SHHH!" Zac cupped his hands around his mouth to make his voice louder, to help his mother out.
Kate giggled and rested her head on Natalie's shoulder.
Natalie, Isaac, Nikki
Nat stroked her friend's hair, before letting her hand fall to take Viggo's.
"That time of the night, huh?" Isaac looked around, "alrighty then!"
He stepped over to Nikki and took an envelope from her, then walked over to where Avery was on Lo's lap.
"Happy birthday from the Ike Tribe," he grinned, handing it to her.
Avery, Zac & Kate
"Oooh, presents," Avery grinned, opening the envelope and letting out an unintelligible squeal.
She jumped up and hugged Isaac and then ran over to Nikki to hug her too.
"This is awesome, thank you so much!"
"And from Team Zac and Kate," Zac chuckled, once she had settled down a little. He handed her a little wrapped present.
She peeled the paper back and smiled broadly, seeing the familiar aqua coloured box. She took the lid off the box and found a Tiffany's key necklace.
"Awww, guys! I love it!" she kissed Zac's cheek and then gave Kate a hug.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac, Walker
Taylor looked to Natalie, who just gave him a knowing smile.
"Pressure's on, Tay," Isaac teased, taking a seat beside Nikki.
Taylor poked his tongue out as he waited for Mackenzie and Jessica's contributions.
Jess, Mackenzie & Avery
Jessica and Joe gave Avery their present, which was more jewellery from Tiffany's that earned a few more squeals.
Mackenzie chuckled and handed his present to her, a leather bound art sketchbook.
"Mackie," Avery was already getting teary. "Thanks bro."
"Well, a peace offering as well," he joked. "From our time living together."
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac, Nikki, Walker
Taylor watched worriedly when he saw Mackie's gift, then breathed easier when they knew what it was.
"Don't worry, she'll love it," Nat reassured, rubbing his arm.
"Now I'm intrigued," Isaac turned slightly in his seat, "you're worried about her reaction?"
"No," Taylor scorned, "I was just worried someone had beaten me to the punch. But I organised it with Dad first, so... speak of the devil."
"Do you have it?" Walker asked him as he stepped over.
"You're going to make me go first, aren't you?" Taylor realised.
"That's the idea."
"Come on Tay, man up!" Nikki teased, "we've all had our turns now."
"Zoe hasn't."
Natalie took the moment to lean over and pull their bag closer to their chairs, before pulling the gift bag into her lap and holding it out to Taylor.
"Go on. It's time."
Taylor eyed where the present-giving crowd was diminishing, then took the bag. He checked over the contents before standing up and walking over.
"I couldn't see," Isaac shook his head as Nikki asked.
Taylor glanced over his shoulder to make sure Walker was behind him.
Avery
Avery bit her lip a little, seeing Taylor and Walker approach her at the same time.
"Uh-oh," she joked.
Taylor & Walker
"Worried yet?" Taylor grinned, before holding the bag out.
He looked down at the edge of the large scrapbook inside it, visually making sure nothing was out of place.
"Mom and Dad's present comes after," Taylor explained, indicating a nearby table for her to open the book on.
Avery
Avery pulled the book out of the bag and placed it on the table. She ran her fingers across the front and smiled a little, then opened it, flipping through the pages, tears springing to her eyes.
"Oh my gosh... this is amazing! Thanks guys!"
Taylor, Natalie & Walker
"Glad you like it," Natalie grinned, coming up on the other side of her and giving her a kiss on the cheek, "happy birthday."
"Nat did a lot of the work," Taylor gave credit where due, "choosing photos and keepsakes. And certain pages... you can probably tell the kids had a lot of input. But I did all the writing and some of the drawing..."
Walker cleared his throat and Taylor stepped back a little.
"Plus there's a heap of empty pages at the back, where it's closer to 'now'," he added.
"To go with this," Walker set a tote on the table, a vintage camera clearly visible from the top of it, "this is from Mom and me."
Avery & Matt
Avery's hand flew to her mouth as she peered into the bag, and she carefully took the camera out and admired it.
"Oh my..."
She set it down gently and gave her father a hug, before giving her mother one.
"This is awesome, I'm so excited to start using it." She grinned a little. "Twenty-one is looking up."
"I hope so," Matt chuckled, having come out of the house with a large box with a bow tied around it. The box had air holes in it. He set it down on the ground.
"Happy birthday, Flava-Flav."
Avery bent down and took the lid off the box and gasped in delight as she saw the animal. Mostly white, with patches of ginger and brown, a tiny pink nose with a black dot on the side. She pulled the calico kitten out of the box and it immediately climbed up and sat on her shoulder, nuzzling her face as it purred.
"She can live at my place," Matt winked.
"Oh, I love her," Avery cooed, turning her head to the side to kiss the kitten's nose.
Nikki, Isaac, Taylor, Natalie & Walker
"So Tay and Matt seem to be a tie for awesome presents so far..." Nikki considered.
"I think Matt's about to win out," Isaac gave her a wink.
She frowned, oblivious.
Taylor was holding Nat's hand as he made his way back to them, silently licking his finger and making a stroke in the air.
"Reap it Tay, it's not gonna last," Isaac chuckled as they sat down.
"Oh I am. And I know," he sat down, turning to watch the show.
Natalie stroked her fingers through Viggo's mop of hair before pulling Penny onto her lap. Walker had made his way back to Diana's side, keeping his eye on Avery and Matt.
"Is that a ka'millen?" Penny asked, watching the kitten.
"I don't know... Tay?" Nat looked across at him.
Taylor shook his head.
"Nope, it's a real kitten."
"Mommy, can we get a ka'millen?"
Natalie gave Taylor a stern look, who just looked innocent in return.
Avery & Matt
Avery came over to the rest of them so that Taylor could ask her kitten if she liked the name she was going to give her.
"Tay, I want to name her Pammy. Does she like that?" she grinned, scratching the kitten gently under the chin.
Matt chuckled.
Taylor, Natalie, menagerie
Taylor grinned himself, then relayed the question in the cat's tongue.
He waited a moment for the responding mew, then nodded.
"Pammy is fine with it," he said.
"Pammy sounds like Penny! Can I hold her?" Penny asked, reaching her hand out.
"She's gorgeous," Natalie smiled.
Avery, Matt, Zac & Kate
"That's why I named her that," Avery winked at Penny. She carefully handed the kitten to her niece. "Of course you can. You’re going to be her doctor, after all."
"So, twenty-one is much better than twenty, right?" Zac grinned, coming over with Kate.
"Twenty-three was pretty good for me," Kate mused. "We got married when I was that age."
"Awww."
Natalie, Taylor, Penny
"So mushy," Natalie teased her friend as Taylor looked to Zac and indicated Penny with the kitten, pointedly.
"She's cute," Penny announced, "but her head hurts. I fixed it."
She stroked Pammy behind the ears as the kitten settled on her lap.
"It might be the loud music giving her a headache," Natalie suggested.
"I fixed it," Penny repeated.
Kate, Zac, Avery & Matt
"Oh shush," Kate grinned, putting an arm around Natalie's shoulders.
Zac looked at Taylor with his eyebrows raised.
"We can put her inside," Avery said. "But if Penny's fixed her, then I can't see why she can't play with her for a bit longer."
Meanwhile, Diana had tapped a spoon against her glass as the music was turned down a little.
Matt almost gulped.
Taylor, Natalie, Walker, menagerie
"Take care of Pammy during the speeches, okay?" Taylor said to Penny softly.
"I will Dad."
"And listen," Natalie added, brushing some hair from her daughter's face.
"If I could have everyone's attention..." Walker began, taking centre stage on the flooring they hadn't moved since Jess's wedding.
"We all know why we're here. Our daughter, Avery, reaching the prime of her life," he offered her a smile before addressing the crowd again.
"It seems like just yesterday when our second daughter was still running around in diapers, getting up to mischief, convincing people with a little telepathic help that she could do whatever she wanted."
Avery, Matt & Zac
"It almost worked too!" Avery called out, laughing.
Matt put his arms around her waist, standing behind her. He rested his head on her shoulder.
"She's still doing that!" Zac added.
Isaac, Taylor & Walker
"And really, who would know?" Isaac pointed out.
Walker cleared his throat.
"However, beyond all that - and yes we do still love in spite of her telepathic pranks-"
Taylor smirked.
"I think we would all agree that she has grown into a fine young woman. Well travelled, extremely talented in her own right, not to mention the highest achiever across the YIRAAS ability board. And on top of all that, we are each very proud of the caring and thoughtful young lady that stands before us now. Avery..."
He lifted his glass.
"May your future hold your dreams of now, and we wish you all the best. We love you."
Taylor and Isaac quickly reached behind them for glasses to toast with.
Avery, Matt, Zac & Kate
Avery clinked her glass against Matt's and smiled at her parents.
"I love you guys," she mouthed to them.
"Tay's up, I think," Zac said, glancing at his brother.
Kate took a sip of her drink.
Taylor, Walker, Isaac
"That I am," Taylor stood up, before refreshing his glass and making his way over to where his Dad stood.
Walker gave him a pat on the shoulder before stepping aside.
"So everyone knows me as the favourite brother," Taylor began good naturedly.
"Boo!" Isaac cupped his hand over his mouth, then giggled as Nikki hit him.
"And I probably know Avery better than anyone else here. Heck, I even changed a few of her nappies in my time. By the way if anyone wants to see some incriminating baby photos there's a few in the scrapbook I gave her-"
Avery, Matt & Zac
"Hey hey! Keep in mind I could make Ike my favourite brother at any time!" Avery called out. "And telepath. I can make you think you're a three year old girl!"
Matt chuckled and Zac cheered.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac
"Okay everyone, forget the baby pictures," Taylor insisted as he looked around, most people laughing.
"But for real. I wanted to get up here and talk about how much Avery has grown, how she's become this amazingly strong woman out of being a bratty little kid, and say how much we all love her and all that and Dad totally stole my thunder. However, I would like to say that from my perspective, and I know I speak for Ike, Zac, Jess, all of us, when I say that we grew up with a pretty awesome sister who means the absolute world to us, and we could not imagine living life without her in it."
He turned to Avery and held up his glass.
"Avery Hanson, you really are an amazing and beautiful person. We don't reiterate it nearly enough. I could not and will not imagine life without you in it, and I love you with all my heart."
Natalie rolled her eyes as she felt them welling up, starting to bounce Penny a little on her knee.
"Agreed," Isaac raised his own glass.
Avery, Matt, Zac & Kate
Avery fanned her eyes, wiping away the tears that were threatening to escape. "I love you too."
Matt kissed her cheek and then went up to where the speeches had been given from.
"Oh yeah, here we go," Zac murmured to Isaac.
Kate looked at him quizzically.
"If you embarrass me too much, Matthew," Avery laughed.
"I would never!" Matt grinned.
Taylor & Walker
"Ike wouldn't let him," Taylor assured her, putting his hands on Matt's shoulders as a silent assurance.
"Breathe," he whispered in his ear, before giving him a reassuring smile as he went back to where his brothers sat.
Walker slipped his arm around Di's shoulders and squeezed a little.
Matt, Avery, Lo, Josh, Dan, Kate & Zac
Matt took a deep breath and looked over at Avery. "I still remember the day that I met you. We were fourteen, you had moved to the Station a few days earlier and met Josh and Millsy in one of your classes."
Avery smiled, and rested her head against Lo's, who had come up to stand beside her best friend, Josh on her other side, Dan next to Lo.
"I remember seeing you, all blonde hair, those expressive brown eyes and the cheekiest smile I had ever seen, and do you remember the first thing that I said to you?" Matt asked, grinning at her.
Avery nodded, giggling.
He continued on. "You gave me the rest of your chips and I asked you to marry me." He paused. "I didn't know it at the time, but I think I fell in love with you that day."
Avery reached up to wipe a tear away.
"Fast forward to your rebellious fifteenth year. The nose ring, the purple hair, the ripped jeans. I called you 'Purple' because it annoyed you, and back then annoying you was my favourite past time. I guess you'd argue that it's still my favourite thing to do," Matt let out a laugh as Avery called out a 'yes!' and there was a scattering of laughs in the crowd.
"Avie, I know I tell you this all the time, but puberty was very good to you," he winked. "While you have always seen a tall, lanky, awkward girl, the rest of us could only sit back and hold onto our hearts as you grew into the gorgeous woman you are today."
Kate reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes, and Zac kissed her on the cheek.
"Your eighteenth year is my personal favourite year, because it's the year that I somehow managed to trick you into thinking I was worthy of your heart," Matt smiled, tears shining in his eyes, and he gestured for her to come up and join him.
Avery let go of Lo's hand and made her way over, wiping her eyes delicately. Matt leaned over and kissed her cheek as she stood beside him and he continued on.
"I said before that I fell in love with you the day I met you, but you have continued to make me fall more and more in love with you every single day since then. And now, in your twenty-first year, I'd like to ask the same question, for real now, that I asked you at fourteen." Here, he bent down on one knee and she gasped as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and presented it to her. "Avery Laurel Hanson, will you marry me?"
Avery's hand flew to her mouth as she started crying and nodding, Matt also letting a few tears go as he slid the ring onto her finger.
Kate turned to Zac. "You knew, didn't you?"
Zac reached up and wiped her tears away, before having to wipe his own. "Only the three of us, Mom and Dad did."
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac, Nikki, Walker, menagerie
Taylor ducked a little as Natalie hit him when the applause rang out.
"What?!"
"You didn't tell us!" she laughed through her tears.
"So now you don't like surprises?"
Isaac had taken Nikki's hand and jumped up to go and congratulate the couple, forming a line behind Walker and Diana.
"Does this mean I get to be flower girl again?" Penny asked Natalie.
"We'll see, Penn. We'll see."
Taylor got up to restart the music.
"Congratulations honey," Walker smiled, leaning forward to give her a kiss before shaking Matt's hand.
Avery, Matt, Zac & Kate
"Thanks, Dad," Avery smiled, giving her father a kiss back and then hugging her mother.
Matt shook Walker's hand, eyes shining from happy tears. "Phew, well, glad that's all over."
"Congrats kids," Zac chuckled, sidling up to give his sister a hug. He thumped Matt on the back.
"So exciting!" Kate agreed.
Isaac & Nikki
"Hey man, nice job!" Isaac gave Matt a high five, "is it too early to say 'welcome to the family'?"
"Probably a little bit, yeah," Nikki nodded, before sneaking in on Zac and Avery's hug.
Matt, Avery & Zac
"Well, I don't know, she could still come to her senses and run off," Matt joked.
"Not with this ring," Avery teased. She turned and hugged Nikki and then Kate, who had been waiting.
"Guess you'd better start budgeting now, Dad," Zac chuckled. "Avery's wedding is going to be so much more over the top than Jessie's was."
Walker & Nikki
"We have a little something squirrelled away for all the girls, don't you worry Zac," Walker insisted, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Ooh, can I see it?" Nikki took Avery's hand, "wow. That's... definitely something. Go Matt!"
Matt, Avery & Lo
Matt laughed and winked. "Family heirloom."
Avery turned a little and kissed Matt on the cheek, smiling happily, before disentangling herself from the crowd, where she was pounced on by her friends.
"He's so sly!" Lo giggled. "We had no idea!"
Taylor, Natalie
"Do you ever wish you'd had that?" Taylor asked, sitting down beside Natalie again once the music was going.
"Had what?" Nat looked confused.
"You know, telling everyone at once. We didn't really get to celebrate in a huge way."
Nat looked across at him and smiled.
"We hardly could have at the time," she pointed out, "but no, I regret nothing. We had all we needed. And besides, we got to stretch it out. We just celebrated longer with fewer people."
Taylor considered it, then nodded.
"I guess so. Still feel kinda bad about it though."
"Well don't."
"Hey Mom! Is Auntie Avie getting married?" Ezra suddenly appeared beside her.
Taylor groaned a little when he realised he must have had Everett's power.
"She is," Natalie replied, "Matt's going to be your new Uncle."
"Awesome!" and he was gone.
"Must be going to tell the rest of them," Natalie mused.
Avery, Matt & Jess
Avery managed to duck a few more hugs and she made her way to the back of the garden, where the old treehouse still sat - though it had seen better days. Hanging from a lower branch was the swing that Walker had rigged up for them as kids and she sat down on it, swinging gently, getting a breather for a second. She extended her arm and looked at the ring, smiling as it glinted in the lights.
She took another deep breath. Just enjoying the moment of silence.
Matt watched her retreat and smiled to himself, distracting the larger crowd so that she could have her moment alone.
"So, another brother," Jess grinned, sidling up to Matt. "You think you can handle the craziness of the Hanson family?"
"I'm up for the challenge," he chuckled.
Isaac, Nikki, Natalie, Taylor, Penny
"Too bad if ya ain't!" Isaac grinned.
"So you're a Dath, right?" Nikki asked, "what's your power? If you don't mind. I feel like I'm asking people what their sign is when I say that."
Taylor looked across at Natalie.
"Cover for me?"
"Sure," she winked, before Taylor carefully snuck out after Avery.
"I think that Pammy wants sleep now," Penny suddenly announced.
"Would you like to take her inside where it's quieter?" Natalie suggested.
Penny nodded, so Nat let her slide from her lap before she took her daughter over to fetch the kitten's box and head inside with it.
It didn't take Taylor long to spot his sister and he made his way over.
"So, big night huh?" he smiled, leaning a hand against the tree.
Matt & Avery
Matt chuckled. "Yep, I'm a Dath. I'm a healer. And I'm a Cancer, if that helps at all."
Avery looked up as Taylor approached and she nodded.
"Huge night."
Nikki, Isaac & Taylor
Nikki poked her tongue out at him.
"Healer? Cool. Glad to know we've got one on team Hanson now! Well, almost."
"Forgive my wife, not only is she human but she married a power nerd," Isaac chuckled.
"You say I'm human like it's a bad thing. Though I have to admit, if I could choose a power... healing would be right up there," Nikki said thoughtfully.
"You being human is by no means a bad thing," Isaac kissed her cheek.
"So how do you feel?" Taylor asked, opting to lean against the tree and fold his arms instead, "Matt was freaking out something terrible beforehand, FYI."
Matt & Avery
Matt laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's pretty good, as far as powers go. Useful too, so yes, you have a full time healer around now."
"I feel good," Avery smiled, continuing to push herself on the swing. "For the first time in a long while, I feel happy. Complete."
She tilted her head back a little to look at the sky.
"I thought something was up, he was thinking strange things, probably to throw me off."
Nikki, Isaac, Taylor
"Score!" Nikki giggled.
"And knowing us Hansons, you'll probably get a lot of use out of it too," Isaac couldn't help himself.
"Probably good timing too," Taylor mused, "trying to put you off. Being your birthday and all, you'd think he was just hiding his present. How did the rest of us do?"
Matt & Avery
Matt nodded. "Yeah, I'm getting that."
"Not too bad," Avery smiled. "I usually don't snoop anyway. So as long as you don't think anything too loudly, I won't catch it."
Taylor
Taylor paused, and just stared at her for a long time. A grin slowly broadened across his face.
"Avery's getting maaaaa-rried," he chuckled.
Avery
"That she is," Avery said, nodding.
"It's nice to have something to look forward to, for once."
Taylor
"Yeah, I get that," Taylor agreed.
"So I guess this means things are looking up, huh?"
Avery
"Short of another telepathic disaster, where Christian of all people ends up saving me, then yeah, things are definitely on the up."
Avery nodded.
Taylor
"Yeah, still not really getting that whole... thing. But at the same time it's not really any of my business, so..." Taylor shrugged, picking at his nails.
"But you know. Telepathic disasters aside, considering I don't think you'll ever be entirely free of those... it's kind've like Matt will never be free of people who are hurt, and Jess will never be free of people having nightmares."
He shook his hair out of his eyes.
"How does that saying go? Something about making yourself irreplaceable so you can never move up in the world? I don't know. Don't mind me, I'm talking crap."
Avery
"Nothing serious please," Avery smiled a little.
"It's my birthday. I just want to not think."
Taylor
"Oh is that something new for you?" Taylor pretended to be surprised as he looked up.
Avery
"Jordan Taylor," Avery warned.
"You wanna think you're a girl for the rest of the night?"
Taylor
"Ooh I got first-named," Taylor's eyes widened.
"Okay I'll behave. Maybe. Are you coming back to the party, or should I leave you alone for a bit?" he offered.
Avery
"No, I'll come back."
Avery hopped off the swing and fixed her dress.
Taylor
"Cool," Taylor grinned, slipping an arm around her shoulders for a sideways hug.
"And also, Pammy is always welcome at our house. I was actually contemplating getting some more fuzzles, but I figured I'd wait until Viggo gets a bit older first. It's strange being in a house with no domesticated animals. For me, anyway. And Penny does seem to have taken a shine to her already..."
Avery
"Thanks," Avery said, "I'll keep that in mind if Matt and I go on holidays or anything."
She smiled a little.
Taylor
"Or whenever you come to visit," Taylor added, returning the smile.
They headed back into the party area, and continued celebrating Avery's coming of age with their excited friends and family.