December 2008
Avery who had been in the living room doing crafts with all the children to keep them occupied as her mom had left to take a call from Taylor, looked up as she saw her mom come back. A somber expression on her face leaving Avery wondering just what was wrong.
A sinking feeling forming in her stomach as she watched her mom motion for her dad and Avery knew whatever was wrong couldn’t have been good. Not when her mom looked so somber and wanted her dad.
But of course she kept that thought to herself. Going back to working on the crafts with the three children. Trying not to laugh at the fact that Penny had made a woman Santa. Proudly proclaiming to Ezra after he teased her that Santa could be any gender that Santa wanted.
After all the north pole had to have been magical if it had flying and talking reindeer and elves who made toys. A fact Avery couldn’t deny but she got a kick out of all the childlike innocence. Wishing that none of the kids had to grow up one day but she knew they would.
Kids always did grow up in the end. It was the reality of life and once they grew up they’d lose the innocence they had. Lose the safety net of just being a kid.
Something Avery wished she had since her life had been like a war zone for months. Wishing she could just use the excuse that she was a child.
Coming out of her thoughts though as her mom and dad came back into the room, Avery stood from where she sat hoping the kids would be okay alone for a few seconds.
“What’s going on?” Avery asked them with a raised eyebrow once she was close enough. Keeping her voice low so none of the kids could hear her.
Walker gave a heavy sigh as he ran a hand down his face, “Natalie’s in labor,” he confirmed Avery again getting that sinking feeling. “It’s well Taylor didn’t elaborate too much but it’s not going well. We’re still taking the kids to the hospital but I think Zac and Kate are going to come for Shep later. They’re at the hospital right now with Taylor and Natalie.”
Avery took a deep breath, “And I get baby duty while you guys take the three rugrats to the hospital to see their new sibling?” she questioned not wanting to think of Natalie’s labor not going well.
The last time something hadn’t gone well pregnancy wise had been when Kate miscarried so a part of her was afraid something worse could happen this time. Apparently she wasn’t the only one though given her parents reactions.
“You get baby duty,” Diana told her though she sounded hesitant almost like she didn’t want to leave Avery fully alone with Shepherd. Which was odd as she had, had no problems in the past with leaving her caring for babies.
But then again that was before things got strained and she saw Avery as rebelling against everything. Things that were so far off from what was actually happening.
“Or I mean I can let Mac take a break from school work and watch him,” Avery retorted sarcastically. “Since you don’t want me on baby duty.”
Walker who obviously sensed the tension between Diana and Avery shook his head, “You’re fine watching the baby,” he reassured her. “Now I’m going to get the kids ready to go.”
Diana stayed silent until Walker slipped off as she looked at Avery, “I never said I didn’t want you watching the baby,” she told her, Avery wanting to argue that she didn’t have too it was all in how she spoke. “Just…he’s due a feeding soon so you’re going to have to fix the bottle out of the milk Kate left. It’s in the fridge and you need to also make sure that Zoe and Mac get their snack break in thirty minutes,” she told her.
Avery giving her mom a smile as she made a mental note of all of that stuff. A part of her now almost wishing that Jessie hadn’t had college classes at Tulsa Community College today. That she was already off for Christmas break because Avery wasn’t sure she could handle this all.
But she’d try and maybe one day it’d give her practice for that future she wanted with a wife and a kid one day.
Watching as her mom walked off to help her dad get Taylor and Natalie’s kids ready, Avery stalked off upstairs to her parents bedroom where she knew Shepherd was taking a nap. Almost hating to wake him even if he was due a feeding.
He was just adorable when sleeping though.
Avery though who had made it upstairs came to a stop outside Mac’s bedroom door which was cracked open. Listening as he and Zoe talked in hushed voices almost like they were trying to hide something.
Nothing that would surprise Avery especially since Zoe wasn’t even supposed to be in Mac’s room. She was supposed to be in her own room doing school work.
“I’m telling you Mac,” Zoe whined and Avery could almost practically see the eye roll the ten year old had down to a t. “Mom hid the present that Paisley sent Avery.”
Raising her eyebrow at that Avery leaned a bit closer to the door, trying to stay silent. Not wanting to give away her presence.
“And what mom did this in your presence sweet Zobug?” Mac asked her sounding like he didn’t believe her for once on something.
“No, I may or may not have followed her up to the bedroom like a ninja and watched as she put the present in her closet.”
Mac let out a loud breath, almost like maybe he was being convinced by his sister’s words, “Okay, so say I believe you. I still don’t get why Paisley even sent Avery a gift or why mom would hide it.”
“Paisley obviously wants to be friends with Avie again,” Zoe spoke as if that should be obvious. “Which is stupid and mom thinks so too or she wouldn’t have hid the present in her closet.”
“Nah, that’s just mom being mom,” Mac muttered Avery smiling almost gleefully at his words before shaking her head as she slowly and very silently moved away from the door.
Heading towards her parents bedroom where she found Shepherd still asleep in the playpen that had been set up beside her parents bed.
Though before going to get him up, Avery walked to the closet which she opened. Just wanting to see out of idle curiosity if Zoe had been telling the truth. If their mom had somehow hidden a package for her in the closet.
But even if she had it had been a few days ago more than likely and she could have gotten rid of it by now. Had tons of time to do that.
Biting her lip after the door to the closet was open Avery looked around not spotting anything at first. Not until she had been about to shut the door and something on a top shelf caught her eyes. Avery having to stand on her tip toes to pull it down.
The minute she did though and she had it in her hands. Her eyes widened as she was faced with something that was addressed to her from Paisley.
Using Paisley’s New York address which Avery hadn’t even known until today.
Shaking her head Avery opened the package, pulling out whatever was inside. Seeing that it was wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. Knowing that whatever it was, Paisley had intended for her to get it on Christmas. Though if it had been up to her mom she wouldn’t have gotten it all.
Feeling a bit angry, Avery shut the closet door as she held the present. Leaving her parents room in a huff as she headed to her own room to put the present away.
More than likely hiding it in her closet until she found time to open it by herself on Christmas.
After she had put the gift away in her room Avery headed back to her parents room where she finally got Shepherd up. Making a face when he woke up, scowling at her.
“I know buddy,” Avery whispered to him as she kissed his forehead. “I hated having to wake you up as well but it’s time for a feeding,” she muttered out as she left the room with Shepherd held firmly on her hip.
Scowl still ever present on his face and on the way down to the kitchen she also went back to Mac’s room. This time opening the door, not surprised to find Zoe still in there but at least it saved her a trip to Zoe’s room. Letting them both know it was snack time.
“Why isn’t mom or dad telling us?” Mac mused as he stood from where he had been seated.
“They had to take Natalie and Taylor’s kids to the hospital,” Avery answered as she left his room. Both her younger siblings following behind. “Natalie’s in labor so they’re getting a new baby sibling tonight,” she spoke not telling either of them that there was issues as well.
Knowing they were too young to have to worry over something like that.
Later that night after Zac and Kate had came to get Shepherd and her parents had returned home. Avery sat in her room on her laptop. Uploading a few pictures that she had pestered Zac to take when he came by. Having snuck upstairs to get the camera while Zoe chatted with Kate.
The pictures most being of her and Shepherd. Though a few included Zac but only because she was feeling particularly nice to Zac today. That and maybe Shepherd had gotten cranky halfway through the photo shoot of them and would only calm when Zac took him.
The picture taking duty then having fallen towards Mac.
Once the pictures had all been uploaded Avery soon signed onto her Facebook account. An account she had made just last month and one she used way more than her MySpace these days.
After being signed on she made a folder for the pictures, adding the pictures to the folder. Most of them without captions except for the one where Zac was mocking Shepherd’s crying face. That one Avery had just simply captioned silly boys.
Smiling once all the pictures had been added to her Facebook. Avery went to go to Cordelia’s just to check and see if her girlfriend had been on today. See how her day was because they hadn’t gotten to talk. Cordelia being swamped with exams as her Christmas break loomed.
But before she could get easily immersed in Cordelia’s Facebook feed, her phone which wasn’t far away from her on the bed vibrated. Bringing her out of her thoughts as she reached for it.
Pausing when she saw the text message was from Paisley. Almost surprised because they hadn’t talked since her birthday.
Taking a deep breath Avery clicked on the message anyway.
Nice flannel shirt you’re wearing over your All You Need Is Love t-shirt in those pictures of you and you’re cute as fuck nephew. Shirt thief.
Blushing Avery looked down at the flannel shirt she was wearing over her t-shirt. Only then realizing that it was the same one she had worn the morning after the Fourth of July. A shirt she had never gotten a chance to return to Paisley.
Not a thief. But you cheated and I never got a chance to give it back.
After sending that she paused before sending another text back almost immediately.
I also know you’re going to claim you didn’t cheat but why should I believe you? I have no reason too. You admitted to it.
I did admit to it but it was best okay. I needed you to break up with me…just ask your god damn mom.
My mom isn’t that bad Pai. So just whatevs. You say you didn’t cheat and I don’t believe it. It is what it. I’ll return the shirt though if you want it back.
No you can keep it. Seeing you wearing it while holding a baby…I finally get it now Hanson. I get why you imagined us having a family some day and how those images could come so easily.
Avery bit her lip as she read the last text message. Knowing she shouldn’t respond back, should just leave the conversation at that. But when had she ever done what she knew was right?
You imagined me holding our baby?
I imagined everything. Being able to marry you, you being pregnant with our baby(pregnant sex would be amazing). You holding our baby…..just us being a family one day. I imagined it all baby.
Frowning at that message Avery heaved a tiny sigh as she turned her phone off. Not sure what she could say to that other than admitting that she could imagine it all too still so perfectly.
Avery knowing she shouldn’t admit that while dating Cordelia. For once deciding to do the thing she should do and just keep something to herself.
Because she still owed it to Cordelia to try. Also was still leery on Paisley being honest or not with her claims of not cheating.