Second Coming of Camelot

Part IX: Same Difference

The plane touched down in Edinburgh, Scotland at exactly 4:30 am. After the usual chaos in baggage claim and all other things one must do when one gets off a plane, the Hanson family sat down to wait for the arrival of their ride. By 5:30 am, most of the people had cleared from the airport. Isaac was nearly fuming. Taylor had all but begged him to come and now he didn't even show to pick them up? His tired family stood behind him as he surveyed the rows of empty chairs in the terminal lobby. His eyes caught on one occupied chair. The fluorescent lights reflected brightly across the person trimmed blonde hair and gave a peaceful look to the young face. It was clearly an older version of Taylor. Isaac sucked in his breath sharply. The site of his little brother after all this time was nearly more than he could bear. He looked so peaceful, so innocent sleeping there in the airport chair. It was almost enough to make Isaac forget any separation had occurred at all. Zac noticed his brother's change in breathing and looked to where his gaze led. He too, was blown away. He had expected to feel angry, to feel all his feeling of betrayal. But instead he felt relieved to see that his brother was not sick or dead or hurt, and he felt sad too. "Are you… Are you going to wake him up?" He said to Isaac, breaking the spell they were both under. Isaac nodded and looked around him. Zac was looking ready to faint and was clinging tightly to Stacy's hand. Abigail was holding the sleeping Zoë and looking at him encouragingly. Avery stood beside her, obviously trying to be brave. Mackenzie and Jessica were next to him, the latter holding Christian. He took a deep breath and led them into the past.

When Taylor opened his eyes, he half expected to be at home in bed with Orianna beside him. Instead he got a lot of stares from his family members. He scrambled to his feet, unsure exactly what he should do or say now that he had them here. He was saved from the awkward moment, however, by an unlikely source. Zac stepped forward and pulled his brother into a tight hug. Taylor was surprised to find that Zac had managed to grow 2 inches on him. When they finally stepped back and released each other, Taylor turned to Isaac. "Thanks for coming." Isaac didn't bother to say anything back, like Zac he stepped forward and hugged Taylor to him. They held on for a minute, being rafts for one another in this sea of overwhelming emotion. They stepped back when Taylor noticed Abigail uncomfortably shifting under the dead weight of Zoë. "Oh! The car is in the lot; I brought the van. Let's hope we all fit." The group started meandering toward the lot slowly. Taylor hesitated a moment and then walked beside Abby. She looked at him curiously. "Would it be alright if I carried her?" He asked slowly, as if afraid she would say no.
"Oh! Yeah, sure." Abby exclaimed, blushing terribly and feeling out of place. She handed the kid over.

When Taylor arrived in the kitchen the next morning they were all sitting around quietly. He gave a little wave. "I'm sorry I took so long. Ori is… She's not having a good day." He paused. "Did you guys eat?" They shook their heads. "Are you hungry?" There came enthusiastic replies and so he swung the huge refrigerator door open. In fact, everything was huge in the house, if one could call it a house. It was more like a mansion. 'Blithe Manor' Taylor had called it. He was preparing to make scrambled eggs. Avery jumped to her feet.
"Here, let me help you!"
He smiled at her as she came over. "Last time I saw you, you weren't much for cooking."
She grinned. "Well, I didn't have to be, remember those big breakfasts Mommy and Daddy used to cook all the time?"
Taylor's smile wilted. "Yeah." Avery could speak of her parents without feeling bad, but Taylor's grief was still new. "So, how've you been?" He asked, trying to change the subject.
"Good. I've been good, Tay. You?" The conversation was strange.
"Me, I've been good." He didn't want to tell her about the problems with Orianna's health right now. "You've gotten so big, Avie. You're all grown up."
She blushed at the compliment. "Thanks. You look a lot different too."
"Yeah, well, I'm getting old."
She giggled. "Oh yeah, you're over the hill at twenty one."
"And… Wa-la! Breakfast a la Avie and Taylor is served." He said with a smile and started to dish out food.

"I still can't believe I've got a nephew." Taylor said for the second time since he had been handed Christian. "And a sister-in-law." He added as an afterthought. Isaac was flushed with pride, holding Abby around the shoulders. Taylor smiled devilishly and looked at Zac and Stacy. "Soon to be another one?" The two of them looked away, embarrassed.
"Uhh…" Zac managed to spit out and looked at Stacy. She looked down and twisted her hands in her lap.
"No? Ah, well." Said Taylor with a dismissive shrug. He looked at Avery and Jessica who were sitting on the floor a few feet away. "How about you?"
"Am I married?" Jessica smirked. "No."
"Smart ass." He laughed. "You know what I meant."
"I don't have a boyfriend. Single as single can be."
Taylor looked at the younger girl. "How about you?"
Isaac interrupted. "She's a little young, don't you think?"
His little brother gave him a skeptical look. "You were dating at her age, Ike."
Isaac opened his mouth but Avery raised her voice to answer. "No boyfriend." She said, putting slight emphasis on the word 'boy'. Abby caught her eye and arched her brow. Avery just blushed and then they both smiled. The exchange didn't go unnoticed by Taylor but he wisely kept his mouth shut.
"Is Orianna going to come down?" Zac asked Taylor.
The hands playing with Christian stilled for a moment. "I don't know. Probably not. She's getting worse and worse lately." He paused, as if questioning his brother's motives for asking. Then, "I suppose I could take you to her. If you really want to see her."
It was quite obvious to Zac that Taylor was suspicious of his reasons. "Okay. Unless you think it would be a bad idea. Or she's too sick."
"Of course she's too sick." Taylor said tightly. "She's probably going to die."
It was quiet for a long moment. "I'm sorry-"
"No," Said Taylor. "I am."
Zoë and Mackie had been quietly playing on the floor all this time but now the little girl looked up. "Who's that?"
"Who's who?" Asked Isaac.
"Who they're talking about."
"Orianna, you mean? She's my wife. Do you remember her?" Taylor turned to face his little sister.
Mackie said quietly, "She doesn't even remember you."
Taylor's face fell. "Oh."
"Hey," Jessie said, trying to lighten the mood. "That's all over now. Zoë will get to know you again. And we'll introduce her to Orianna."
Taylor's smile appeared again. "Yeah,"
"I didn't know you guys got married. Why didn't you tell me?" Isaac said, mildly disturbed.
Taylor shrugged. "I didn't think of it."
"When did you guys get married?" Stacy asked, wanting to be part of the conversation.
He turned to her. "About six months ago, right when she started getting sick. I guess I wanted to show her how much I love her in case… If she…" He let his voice trail off and then he handed the baby to Abigail. "I have to go to the store. I had forgotten how much you guys eat like me." He smiled. "Are you coming?" There were murmurs and everyone began to stand up.
"Is it cool if we stay here?" Zac asked.
Taylor nodded. "Sure," And he went to retrieve the car keys.

"So… That's your brother." Said Stacy as she settled close to her boyfriend on the couch. He smiled. "You okay?" She asked, concerned.
His face was rather dreamy. "I can't believe I just sat here and talked to him." His face suddenly got apologetic. "I'm sorry if what he said about us embarrassed you."
She shrugged. "It's not like I haven't thought about it."
He brightened up. "You've thought about us getting married?"
She smiled coyly and gave a noncommittal yes.
He bit his lip to hide his enthusiastic grin and put a warm arm around her. "You going soft on me, Stace?"
She snuggled back against his chest. "Never."
He laughed.

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