Dinner was a noisy event as usual, and through the course of the evening, Emma became more quiet, content to sit at Zac's side and watch the Hanson family's antics. "Em? You okay, baby?" Zac leaned over and whispered softly. Emma nodded in response. "Why so quiet all of a sudden?" he asked. Emma smiled. "Who can hear themselves talk or even think in all this racket?" she asked softly. "Good point." he smiled back. "But I know that's not it. What's up?" he asked. "Nothing, Zac. I just like to watch, you are all so happy together. It never was like this when I was growing up, I was an only child, and I don't think my parents were ever as happy to be together as yours are." she said. Zac kissed the top of her head and laced his fingers through hers, keeping her close to him the rest of the night. When Zac and Emma dropped Tay and Jen off, Zac wanted to know how Tay was gonna get home. "I'll manage, Zac. Jen trusts me to drive her car. He gave Jen a sideways glance, but Jen just looked at her feet. Emma smiled to herself, knowing there was no way in hell Jen was going to let Tay go home tonight. She wondered why Jen had held out this long. Taylor really wanted to be with her and he was totally enchanted with Hannah, but she KNEW that Jen had not let it get that far, yet. "I'll call you before we leave in the morning, Jenster." Emma told her. "Since your live alarm clock is away for the weekend." "Kay. I'll probably be up anyway, though. Feels weird with no kid attached to my hip." Jen laughed. "Just be prepared to munch on some serious sand.." Emma laughed and leaned out of the car to hug her friend. "Pssht....I'll surf circles around your scrawny ass.." Jen countered. "Whatever." Emma smiled. "See you. Later, Tay." They finished their goodbyes and finalized their plans for he next day. Than Zac sped off after Emma's loaded comment about sex-waxing their boards, making both Taylor and Jen laugh as they headed up the stairs. |
Jen was so nervous, she fumbled with the keys as she tried to unlock the door to the apartment. "Damn.." she muttered, "What the hell is wrong with my fingers tonight?" Taylor chuckled and took the keys from her. "I'll do it.." he grinned, "You're just used to me doing it now 'cause you're always holding Hannah." "So..what you're REALLY trying to say is...I'm spoiled?" she laughed. "Maybe." he grinned back, "But I don't mind spoiling you." he told her as he opened the door and motioned her in ahead of him. She flipped on the light and kicked off her shoes, as he follwed her inside and locked the door behind him. "Want a beer, Tay?" she asked on her way into the kitchen. "Please." he answered and sat down on the couch. Jen returned with a beer and a glass of what looked like coke to him, until she sipped it and winced slightly. Taylor took a swallow of his beer, Jen watching him closely. Her eyes followed the muscles in his throat as he swallowed and wondered, not for the first time, what he'd taste like if she kissed him there. She took a longer drink of her own and set her glass down on the coffee table, then sat herself down on the other side of the couch. Taylor scooted closer to her and grinned. "Whatcha got in the glass, Jen?" he wiggled his eyebrows. "I don't think I've ever seen you drink more than just a beer." he told her. "Rum and coke, dork." she giggled. "What kind of mother would I be if I drank more than one beer, while I ws supposed to be taking care of her. Gotta mix mine with coke though, can't drink that firewater straight like Emma does. I still don't know how she can handle it." "Actually.." Tay began, "Zac says she hasn't had a drop since.." he let his sentence trail off, since all of them tried to avoid the subject as much as possible, mostly for Emma's sake. She still would withdraw as soon as the subject was mentioned. "Probably a good thing, Tay. I was starting to worry about her. I just need to relax..." she said and took another sip. "Relax? You seem relaxed enough to me." he said. "I'm not used to being without Hannah, Tay. It doesn't feel right, but I know I needed a break." she told him. He smiled and took her hand. "Then finish your drink and try to enjoy it." he brushed a couple of blonde wisps away from her eyes, and thought again how devestatingly pretty she was. Her beauty was just as natural as Emma's, and he wondered aloud if she'd be interested in doing modeling work, like Emma. "What the heck are you talkin' about Hanson?" Jenny asked, increduluous. "Oh. I did say that out loud?" he grinned sheepishly. "Yes." she replied indignantly. "Explain yourself, buster." "I was just thinking that there was no reason you couldn't do as well as Emma. You're absoulutely beautiful, you know." Jen smiled warmly up into his bright blue eys. "You're nuts. But thank you." she said. "Think about it, Jen. Em makes pretty good money and she only takes the smaller jobs. If you wanted to, and Jack will probably WANT you to as soon as he gets a look at you, you could do some of those bigger jobs that she's always turning down. You could put alot away for Hannah." he encouraged. "You and Emma could probably work together some, too. Maybe she'd take some of the bigger stuff if you could do it together." he added. "I KNOW why Emma won't take the bigger stuff, Tay, so you guys really shouldn't push." she took another sip. "Why won't she?" Tay asked. "She's scared. Danny still has something on her and she doesn't want to be seen by him. That's why she has the stylist straighten her hair, and why she takes background dancing roles. Can't see her face and WE don't even recognize her on a shoot." she told him, taking another sip. |