July 2008
Sitting in a lawn chair as her family all assembled basically in the back yard, doing their thing Avery sighed as she looked up at the sky which wasn’t quite dark enough yet for her brothers to set off the fireworks but it was getting there even though it seemed to be taking it forever to get there.
But really everything seemed to be going closer since she had arrived back home and her mom had, had her freak out. Which was probably because since then her mom was doing everything in her power to hide away from Avery, like the very sight of her daughter hurt her.
Maybe it did though and that fact made Avery sad because how could a parent be hurt over the very sight of their child? Weren’t they supposed to love them unconditionally and all that stuff?
Something Avery felt at times her mom forgot because her love seemed to come with conditions sometimes. A do this and I’ll love you or do this and I won’t.
Coming out of her thoughts though as she saw someone sit down in the lawn chair beside her, Avery raised an eyebrow as she saw Zac there. Not surprised to find two red solo cups in his hand either.
“All that beer for you?” Avery asked with a curious smile. “Or do you plan on sharing it with your nice little sister?”
Zac gave Avery a look as he eyed her a bit, “Nice little sister?” he asked her teasingly. “I didn’t know nice sister’s made mom’s pray because they disappointed them,” he spoke with a laugh as he handed the cup to her. “Which by the way, way to go I think you’ve officially fucked up worse than I ever could.”
“Still not as bad as Taylor though,” Avery reminded him knowing she still had Taylor to pass before she reached total disappointment level. “How’d you find out though?” she questioned knowing at least this time she was positive Zoe hadn’t overheard anything to tell anyone else.
If she had Avery was sure she’d be gloating and she wasn’t. Something Avery knew because she had been particularly nicer to Zoe since making their mom upset. Deciding just to do that to keep safe in case Zoe decided to tattle on Avery for something or the other.
It was best to be nice to Zoe and keep that from happening and well maybe she had also missed her little sister while being gone. More so than she’d like to admit.
“Heard mom telling Kate all about it,” Zac revealed and the answer didn’t surprise her. “She sounded real disappointed too so I guess God hasn’t helped her yet. Will probably help her when you get that tattoo removed,” he stated as his eyes went to her wrist before he took a drink from his beer.
Avery glared at him slightly, though it was a fake one, “I’m not getting it removed,” she told him honestly as she too took a drink from the beer he had gave her. “I like it too much.”
“It’s okay,” Zac stated as if he was unsure of it. “It matches Paisley though and I think that’s kind of sweet. Friends with matching tattoos. Wondering when you’re going to get ones with Cordelia and Juniper now.”
Avery shook her head, “Paisley and I are just closer gal pals right now,” she told him knowing it probably wouldn’t make sense to him. “Doubt I’ll get matching ones with them and anyway Cordelia’s terrified of needles so she’d faint before even getting one,” she laughed knowing most times when Cordelia got blood work done she almost fainted.
“So you and Paisley were just gals being pals when you got your matching tattoo set?” Zac asked with an amused glint in his eye or maybe he was just tipsy.
Avery was sure it wouldn’t take much to get him tipsy because again it seemed he had gotten just a tad bit skinnier than the last time she saw him in person. Which shouldn’t be so surprising to Avery because he had a new baby at home and all and his sleep and eating schedule may have been a bit messed up.
“Something like that,” Avery shrugged her shoulders as she took another drink of the beer. “Which speaking of my gal pal where is she?” she asked as she looked around amongst the natural chaos that was her family.
“Last I saw her my wife had stolen her away to coo and aww over our son and then I think dad may have taken her away too,” Zac answered and the last bit made Avery raise an eyebrow. Hoping that maybe if Walker had stolen her away it meant he was giving her permission to stay the night.
Avery only smiled at that before going silent as she finished her beer, Zac not seeming to mind or if he did he didn’t say anything. Instead he went silent too as he finished his own.
Though once Avery was done with hers she stood to throw her cup away.
“You leaving me already Avie, without even telling me how your trip was? Especially seeing Paris now at an age where you’re old enough to comprehend it,” Zac spoke trying to sound sad though he failed.
Avery laughed as she leaned down to leave a peck on his forehead, “I’ll tell you about it later maybe I’ll even send you a postcard telling you all the details of everything after I leave for the second leg of my trip next week,” she teased before turning to leave.
After throwing her cup away Avery moved to the table that housed the drinks and grabbed a lemonade. The drink of choice for the younger kids. The ones who couldn’t drink alcohol just yet.
A drink Avery should have had instead of the beer that Zac had given her.
With the lemonade in hand she made her way to where Zoe was with the sparkler in her hand, “Want another lemonade Zo?” she asked with a smile as she looked down at her sister.
A girl who even at ten sometimes seemed much older than what she really was and even if at other times, like tonight with her running around with sparklers in her hand, her childhood innocence shone through.
An innocence that Avery sometimes wished Zoe would cling too for a bit longer before she realized just how messed up everything was.
“Sure,” Zoe answered with a shrug of her shoulders as she turned to get another sparkler, hers having burnt out already. Though before she had turned all the way Avery watched as Zoe paused, her eyes zeroing in on her wrist and Avery blushed some as Zoe reached out for her free hand, pulling it a bit closer.
Acting like she was trying to inspect it and maybe she was. Isn’t that what sleuths did?
“What is this?” Zoe finally asked and Avery knew her curiosity was piqued. If only for a bit.
“Just a little tattoo,” Avery answered doing her best to sound casual because it was much more than that to her.
It would never be just a little tattoo.
“When did you get it?” Zoe asked and Avery wasn’t shocked when her sister had asked another question. It was just so like Zoe.
Always being the sleuth and trying to figure out everyone’s hidden secrets and agendas. Avery forever hoping that for now some of her secrets stayed secrets.
“When I was in California,” Avery told her watching as Zoe narrowed her gaze at her.
Seeming like she was trying to fit puzzle pieces together and it was always times like that Avery wished she could be in her younger sister’s head. Just to see how close she was to figuring out Avery’s puzzle.
“Cool,” Zoe spoke still sounding off and like she was still trying to piece stuff together.
Something that unnerved Avery and reminded her why she had came over. To give Zoe another lemonade. “Thanks,” Avery spoke before handing her sister the lemonade, “Here,” she told her watching as her sister took the drink from her.
Feeling a bit of relief that right after that her brothers announced that it was time to start the fireworks and also that Ezra had chosen then to come to Zoe because he needed another sparkler.
It gave Avery enough time to slip away and avoid anymore questions from her sister as well as to find Paisley again amongst the chaos. A tiny smile appearing on her lips when she did finally spot Paisley sitting in a lawn chair holding a sleeping baby in her arms.
“You stole a baby,” Avery spoke as she reached Paisley, bending down to smile at her as well as Shepherd who seemed to be sleeping soundly in her arms.
Paisley made a face at that as she shook her head, “I didn’t steal a baby,” she defended with a bit of a smile. “I had just came back from putting my bags in your room because your dad said I could spend the night and as soon as I sat down in the chair to watch the fireworks the baby’s mom just put the baby in my arms. Saying it was best he stayed a bit farther away from the fireworks since he was sleeping and she didn’t want to wake him.”
“Uh huh,” Avery muttered acting like she didn’t believe a word that Paisley had said. “You look cute with a kid though by the way,” she whispered with what had to have been a lovestruck smile on her face.
Knowing when she had first saw Paisley in the chair holding the baby it felt like the future had flashed right in front of her eyes. Imagining Paisley holding their baby one day because even with being a lesbian Avery still wanted a family.
A family she could imagine so well with Paisley. Maybe one or two babies either adopted or via artificial insemination because Avery had always wanted to carry at least one child and yeah just seeing Paisley with Shepherd was enough to make Avery imagine what it would be like if Paisley held their own babies.
But again Avery wasn’t naive, knew deep down they may never truly make it. They were still both so young. Avery still seventeen and Paisley twenty-one as of today.
“You’re imagining our future again aren’t you?” Paisley questioned which made Avery blush almost wishing she hadn’t confessed that after a drunken night of love making in Paris. “Imagining me holding our future hypothetical kid.”
“Maybe,” Avery told her as her blush grew. “Is that a bad thing?” she asked as she moved to stand up and sit down in the empty lawn chair beside Paisley so she’d have a better view of the fireworks.
Fireworks that luckily hadn’t woken Shepherd up just yet.
Paisley made a face as if she was thinking over that question, “Nah, I guess it isn’t,” she smiled sounding honest in her words.
A silence passing between them after that as they watched the fireworks as well as just letting the chaos take place around them.
Kids running about and getting sleepy as it got later. Kate soon coming to collect her son, muttering something about taking him to the pool house to sleep as well as maybe laying down herself until Zac decided to leave.
Jessica soon slipping inside tiredly though Avery suspected she’d probably call Joe who had went away on a family trip for the holidays.
Which it wasn’t long after Jessica stalked off that Avery turned to Paisley, “Wanna head inside?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “I’m kind of tired and I just wanna get in bed and cuddle with you,” she muttered almost whispering the last bit.
Paisley gave her a tiny smile as she nodded her head in agreement and after that Avery stood from her chair, going inside with Paisley at her hip almost. Though Avery didn’t dare reach for her hand just yet. Waiting only until they were away from prying eyes hopefully until she took her hand, walking upstairs the rest of the way to her room holding Paisley’s hand.
Only letting her hand go once they had made it to her room and shut the door. Both of them going to Paisley’s bag because maybe they had both put things in her bags when packing to leave Paris.
Making it to the bag first Avery unzipped it, pulling out her pajamas and watching as Paisley did the same.
“I’m not even sure why we’re putting these on,” Avery stated as she undressed out of the clothes she had on. Putting on the old tank top she slept in during the summer. “They’ll just be taken off soon enough anyway,” she said sounding sure of her words after stepping into the plaid pair of sleep shorts she had.
Mainly because summer’s in Tulsa especially at night could get hot in this house. Even with an air conditioner keeping the house cool.
Paisley laughed softly at that as she eyed Avery after she had changed into her own pajamas. Just a t-shirt with a pair of panties underneath. “You sound so sure you’re getting sex tonight there Hanson,” she spoke sounding all coy as she slipped into Avery’s bed like it was nothing.
Like she had laid there before when she hadn’t.
“What makes you so sure we’ll be having sex tonight? I mean we are at your parents house and what if they heard god forbid?”
Avery rolled her eyes as she slipped into bed beside Paisley, her arm going around Paisley’s waist as she pulled her closer. “My parents are outside as is the rest of the family minus Jessie,” she reminded her knowing the others would probably stay by the fire for awhile.
They usually always did every year.
“No one’s going to hear us,” Avery reassured her as she leaned in to leave a light kiss on Paisley’s neck. “Plus I miss you. We haven’t had sex in days thanks to mother nature paying us both a visit the last week we spent in Paris and now that it’s over I really want you babe. I need you.”
Paisley let out a tiny moan after the light kiss, her body moving just a tad bit closer to Avery’s. Closing what little space they had between them. “You need me huh?” she questioned softly.
“I do,” Avery spoke as she slowly moved to straddle Paisley, locking eyes as she looked down at her. “I need you so bad,” she whispered before leaning down to kiss her on the lips. “Do you need me too?” she asked in between tiny kisses.
Her hand sliding up and under the shirt Paisley had on, almost thankful that Paisley had less clothing to take off than Avery did in this moment.
“You know I do,” Paisley told her, her words coming out through a moan as Avery’s hand continued going up Paisley’s shirt. Lifting it up as she did so.
Pulling away once it was far enough up and sliding the shirt off of Paisley with Paisley’s help. Soon leaning down to kiss her again and this time as they kissed both of their hands explored the other’s body as more clothing came off most of it from Avery.
Until they were both just in their panties which at that, Avery kissed Paisley a bit harder, letting her hand slip inside Paisley’s panties. Loving how wet her girlfriend already was and that it was all because of her.
“I love you,” Avery muttered out as she rubbed Paisley softly earning herself another moan from Paisley.
“Love you too,” Paisley spoke and after her words Avery rubbed her a bit more before sliding her hand out of Paisley’s panties.
Knowing she didn’t want to get her off with her hand. No she wanted skin on skin contact with the girl she loved. Wanted to feel close to her. Closer than she ever felt with anyone else.
A smirk playing on Avery’s lips when Paisley whined at the loss of contact. “Don’t whine,” Avery muttered as she slipped Paisley’s panties off before removing her own. “Want to get you off in another way,” she told her before positioning herself just right.
Feeling Paisley rest her hands on Avery’s hip right before Avery began to move against her. Leaning down to kiss her as she let herself get lost to the sensations when Paisley began to move with her.
The only sounds in Avery’s room being their moans and heavy breathing from time to time. Neither of them really talking though sometimes Paisley would occasionally let out a giggle as Avery let her hand slowly slid down her rib cage.
Something she did because she knew Paisley was ticklish there and she liked hearing her laugh occasionally during sex. A fact she had figured out during their time away from Tulsa.
“Fuck Paisley,” Avery whispered out as her orgasm hit and she slowed her movements slightly as her eyes fell shut.
Tiny explosions taking place underneath her eyelids and beneath her she could feel Paisley slow as well, her fingernails digging into Avery’s skin and Avery knew she too must have reached her end.
Avery slowly letting her lips move from Paisley’s as she buried her head into the other girl’s neck. Her eyes opening briefly though they felt heavy and she knew she’d have to give in to the need to sleep soon.
“I love you,” Paisley spoke through a few heavy breaths as her fingernails finally detached from Avery’s skin and her fingers began to trace patterns on Avery’s skin. Avery shivering at the contact. “Love you so god damned much.”
“Love you too Pai,” Avery smiled as she kissed Paisley’s neck. Her eyes falling shut again this time her body finally drifting off, Avery not even caring that she was naked and still tangled into Paisley’s own body. Paisley was her home and she always slept better when she was with her.
Never feeling once like she was alone or even that she had anything to be afraid of. Even if Avery did have lots to be afraid of.