Taylor looked to his side and noticed Ike walking up next to him. Taylor shivered as the thought of Ike knowing what happened crawled into his head. He glanced over again to his side and saw Ike walking very close alongside to him. Taylor almost felt like fainting when he heard Ike's voice.
"Taylor?" Ike asked almost in a whisper. Taylor still refusing to look at Ike answered, "Yeah Ike?"
'I guess everyone can make mistakes, I think I will just forgot anything happened between the two. I will try and make him feel comfortable' Ike thought to himself as he walked along Taylor.
"Um, What's up with you lately? You know you could talk to me about anything, I am your brother and I am here for you." Ike said choking out the last few words.
Taylor calmed down with relief. He had to keep himself from grinning hysterically. "Oh nothing, I guess I just feel bummed out lately, don't worry Ike, um I would tell you if there was anything bothering me, really." For the first time, Taylor looked directly at Ike. It was like all Taylor's problems had been washed away for that moment. He looked up and realized they were standing in front of Lucy's front door. Zac sneaked up behind the two boys and stared at them suspiciously while he put down Mackie. Ike rang the doorbell and the four boys waited patiently for Lucy to answer.
DING-DONG! Lucy jumped up scared half outta her wits. "What the hell!" Looking around Lucy realized someone was at the door. She ran her fingers through her raspberry colored hair and rubbed her eyes. She stood up as another annoying ding-dong ran through the house. She paused before opening the door and looked through the side windows next to the door and saw the four boys. She smiled and opened the door.
"Hey guys!" Lucy warmly greeted them. She gestured for them to come in but when Mackie saw Lucy he ran to her and wrapped his arms around her legs. "Oh hey little guy, what's up?" Mackie looked and giggled. Lucy squinted her eyes and looked around. The boys started to laugh. "What???" Lucy asked. "You're up Lucy poo." Lucy laughed. She bent down and picked up Mackie, shifting his weight on her left side as he held on to her shoulder. The boys walked into the living room and Lucy followed sitting next to Zac in the loveseat. Lucy stole a glance at Taylor and saw him smiling at her. 'He seems rather cheery today now doesn't he?' Lucy said to herself. "So what did my boys come over here for? It's what nearly nine now."
"Oh we were just bored and wanted to see if you finished packing that's all." Zac smiled as he innocently looked at Lucy. "Well if you haven't noticed my bags were in the hallway, hey I have an idea why don't you guy's spend the night here, and we can meet up with the rest of your family in the morning." Lucy asked. Lucy looked around and saw Zac smiling eagerly and Mackie bouncing up and down on her shoulder. Taylor and Ike seemed fine with it even though Ike shot her a rather peculiar look. "Yeah, yeah, Lucy, that would be a great idea," Zac said with his eyes still wide open. "Is that ok with all you guys?" All the boys nodded. "Ok well I think I still owe you guys a pizza, so why don't you call your Mom and ask her if this is all right." Taylor grinned and headed for the phone. As Ike picked up the remote they all heard in the background Taylor pleaded with Mrs. Hanson. "Aw come on Mom, we will be good. Mackie? Yeah he's here. Um all right but he won't be too happy. Thanks mom!" Taylor hung up the phone and headed back to his seat. "Mom said we could stay over, but she doesn't think Mackie should so we have to bring him home so he can sleep" Taylor saw Mackie frown and buried his face into Lucy's shoulder. Lucy frowned also when she saw the sad little boy. "Oh, Mackie, it's ok. Your mom is right, you should be in bed, now. Hey when we get to Maine I promise I will buy you an ice cream." Lucy smiled when Mackie wiggled out of her arms, and onto the floor. "Oh ok, Miss Lucy." Mackie said still frowning a little.
Lucy quickly got up and said she would run Mackie back over to their house. Even with their protests Lucy wouldn't listen to them and began walking Mackie towards the house. Lucy looked up towards the darken sky. She surprisingly shivered; it seemed to be a very chilly night for August. With the Hanson's already accustomed to Lucy's daily drop in's she just walked inside with out knocking. She let go of Mackie's hand as he ran towards the living room. Lucy smiled and heard her name from the kitchen.
"Lucy? Lucy dear are you here?" Mrs. Hanson called out. "Yes, Mrs. Hanson. I just dropped Mackie off." Lucy replied ready to make her way back over to her house. "Come in here darling before you go, I have something for you and the boys." Lucy smiled and approached the kitchen. The scent of baking brownies filled the air. "Mmmmm smells delicious in here, Mrs. Hanson." Lucy smiled; Mrs. Hanson turned around and smiled. She had a plate full of small brownies piled onto a plate. "Now, Hon, How many times do I have to tell you, don't call me Mrs. Hanson. Call me Diana or Mom." Lucy chuckled. "This is for you and the boys. I know Taylor will just love these." Mrs. Hanson handed the warm plate over to Lucy. "Thanks, mom." Lucy said grinning. "Ok dear, make sure Zac is in bed by ten thirty. We have a big day a head of us. You have to be up at 8:00. We will be over around 9:00. Ok dear?" Lucy tried to remember what Mrs. Hanson had said while saying it over to herself. "Alright, be up at eight and Zac in bed by ten thirty. I will remember that." "Oh right dear, kiss the boys goodnight for me." Lucy nodded and turned around and made herself to the door. She popped her head into the living room and waved good bye to Jessica, Avery, Mackie, and Mr. Hanson before she left.
Opening the door Lucy walked face first into Zac. This caused Zac to fall to the floor and Lucy to rub her face. "Hey Zac, you always walk into people as they open the door." Lucy asked sarcastically. In the back she heard laughter coming from Ike and Taylor. Lucy managed to hold on to the plate of brownies that hadn't been acknowledged yet. "Well I have a gift from your mom!" Zac got up and the boys stopped laughing and stared at Lucy expectantly. "Ta da!" Lucy exclaimed as took the brownies from behind her back." Zac stole the plate from her and ran into the kitchen. "It's all mine, ALL MINE!" He screamed insanely. Lucy laughed and walked through the hallway and into the living room. Ike sat on the couch with Lucy and they both laughed and watched as Taylor chased Zac through the kitchen into the hallway into the living room and started all over again. Lucy heard footsteps coming down the stairs and saw Stink running after the two boys.
"Come back here Zac! They are not all yours!" Taylor yelled. Zac grinned and kept running. Zac stopped and nearly lost the plate of brownies when Stinky leapt onto his chest. Not knowing Zac had stopped Taylor came around the corner by the stairs and ran right into Zac's back. Taking advantage of Zac while he was being licked to death Taylor grabbed the plate and took off into the living room. He sat down in the recliner while Ike and Lucy were laughing their heads off. "Want some?" Taylor asked stuffing a brownie in his mouth.
"No that's ok." Lucy said looked back onto the TV. Ike got up and took one and sat back down. Zac came charging into the room with a wicked grin on his face. Stinky ran in front of him and curled by Lucy's feet. "I just LOVE your dog, Lucy." Zac grumpily mumbled. Taylor laughed and handed a brownie to Zac. He instantly forgot about the whole thing and started munching on his snack.
After about a while Lucy remembered about the pizza. "Hey guys did you order the pizza while I was gone?" Zac jumped up. "OH jeez we forgot! Come one Ike, let's go."
"Oh here," Lucy dug into her pocket and took out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to Zac. "I told you I'm paying the pizza"
"Hey that's no problem with me!" Zac smiled and dragged Ike out to his car. Lucy smiled as they left. Taylor who was still munching on another brownie watched Lucy as she sat back down on the couch.
"You know Tay, that's gonna ruin your appetite later." Lucy said raising her eyebrow.
"Your sounded like my mom." Lucy shook her head and kept her eye's on the TV. A second went by and she swore she saw Taylor looking at her. 'Should I say something? Or not. What the hell you only live once.' Before she could bring herself to speak, Taylor got up and made his way into the kitchen. "Hey Lucy? You have some plastic wrap or something I could put on this?" Lucy sighed and got up. She walked in and saw the poor guy lost in a woman's kitchen. "It's over here," Lucy opened a drawer right next to the refrigerator. She pulled a large enough piece of plastic wrap and turned around. She looked up and she was gazing into Taylor's eyes. Lucy looked away instantly not wanting to repeat a mistake earlier. She still felt Taylor eyes on her and she risked looking back at him. She stared into his deep blue eyes and almost sighed. Taylor lifted his hand and brushed in against Lucy's cheek. Lucy put her hand against his. Lucy closed her eyes, and sighed. She felt the warmness of his lips against hers. Lucy put her arm around Taylor's neck and felt his arm around her waist. Lucy opened her mouth and allowed Taylor's tongue to enter. This time it was Taylor to pull away.
"Lucy, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Taylor said as he slouched himself onto the floor. Lucy still in shock of what just happened.
"How could I let this happened again? I can't believe myself." Lucy said nearly in a whisper. Taylor stood up and looked at Lucy, "Lucy, it isn't your fault it's mine. I should know when to control myself." Lucy shrugged and opened a cabinet. "What are you doing Lucy?" Lucy didn't reply instead she took out four plates and a handful of napkins out of the cabinet. She walked into the living room and placed them on the coffee table. She sat down and acted as if nothing happened as she flicked through the channels.
Taylor couldn't figure out what Lucy was doing. 'What the hell! First we kiss, and I good kiss at that, and she acts like it never happened?' Taylor thought to himself quietly than walked back into the living room. He walked in and Lucy smiled at him. Taylor had the most confused look on his face. "Lucy, what just happened?" he asked.
"What do you mean? Nothing happened." Lucy looked at him like he was nuts.
"No, no! We just kissed and you have feelings for me and WE need to talk about it." Taylor protested. Lucy looked at him and shook her head.
"Taylor, it was a mistake. I didn't mean it, and I would be very happy if you would say it was a mistake and nothing more." Lucy refused to make eye contact with him.
Taylor stared at his shoes, not knowing what to say.
"I, um, I dunno. I don't feel it was a mistake. If that's the way you feel fine." Taylor snapped. Taylor heard a car pull up and got up to open the front door. Out there he saw Ike getting out of the car carrying a large bottle of Pepsi and Zac carrying the pizza. Taylor walked over to Zac and took the pizza from him.
"I'll get that Zac, go inside." Taylor smiled.
"Sure, if that's what you want." Zac grinned and disappeared into the house.
Ike walked along with Taylor into the kitchen carrying the soda. He saw Lucy looking very pale. Ike felt a lump building in his throat. 'Nothing happened, Ike, you're over reacting!' Ike scolded himself for even considering Lucy would fool around with Taylor again. Ike grabbed some plastic cups from the cabinet and sat next to Lucy on the couch. Lucy gave a meager hello and a small smile. Ike did not like what he saw.
"Hey Lucy, you feeling ok?" He asked. Lucy smiled.
"Of course babe, I'm just sleepy."
Ike calmed down very relieved now. He passed pizza slices to everyone and they munched on them while watching ER.
"I can't believe I can eat while watching this show!" Lucy said as she made a sickening face.
"It's not that bad, it's just hospital stuff." Said Taylor.
"Sure, then why do I think I'm gonna barf."
"Hey quit with the barf talk, I'm trying to eat." Zac said sticking his tongue out towards Lucy.
Lucy laughed and picked up the nearby pillow and aimed for Zac's head. Perfect hit. Zac was in shock, mainly because the pizza on his plat landed right on his nice white shirt.
"Oops." Lucy said innocently. Taylor and Ike were laughing hysterically. Zac took the pillow and starting hitting Lucy with it. This caused a major pillow fight. Ike wrapped his arms around Lucy's waist making her the perfect target. Zac and Taylor took advantage of this and starting hitting uncontrollably with the light pillows.
"Ahhh! Help! STINKY! Get ZAC!" Lucy managed to choke out. Stinky came running and jumped on Zac.
"NO! Get off me! No, no!" Zac screamed and he ran up the stairs. Lucy pinched Ike's arm causing him to let go. Taylor didn't see this and aimed for Lucy. She duck out of the way and Taylor's blow hit Ike instead. Ike was in shock and the two began hitting each other with the pillows. About 5 minutes later Lucy had enough she was tired.
"Hey! I'm going to bed, come on guys let's get beds ready for you." Lucy said. The boys' faces were flushed and they nodded. They followed Lucy upstairs to see Zac rolling on the floor with Stinky. Lucy laughed and opened her closet to get out three sleeping bags. And tossed some bed pillows out. The boys straighten out the sleeping bags as Lucy changed in the bathroom. The boys just wore their boxers for PJs. Lucy put on her baby blue pajama shorts and a little white tang top. She stepped out and dove into her bed.
"Well Zac, I guess I didn't have to tell you to be in bed by ten thirty." Zac laughed and jumped onto Lucy's bed. Lucy smiled and gave him a hug. "Good night Zakky Poo." Zac gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Lucy smiled and Zac blushed. "Oh you, go to bed already." Taylor had already made himself comfortable in his sleeping bag which made Lucy happy. She knelt down on the floor near Ike and gave him a soft but quick kiss on the lips. When she pulled away Ike smiled and gave her a hug. Taylor has sat up so Lucy gave him a quick hug and jumped into her bed. She quickly dozed off.
The group all woke up around eight and got dressed quickly and had some breakfast. Ike and Lucy brought Stinky to Mrs. Hanson's friend whom would watch Stinky while they were gone. Zac and Taylor carried Lucy's suitcases to one of the Rental Vans that came from the airport. Soon Lucy and Ike came back and they all crammed into the both Vans and headed to Tulsa International Airport. The ride was quick and Lucy slept close to Ike resting her head on his shoulder. Zac was incredbily hyper and happy and wouldn't quick bouncing up and down. When they got there the ran to their gate and boarded the plane. The Hansons' body guard Jason had come along also. Him, Taylor, Ike, Lucy, and Zac had first class seats while Mr. And Mrs. Hanson stayed in second class with the younger kids. Lucy sat next to Ike and was incredibly tired. She fall asleep to make the next 3 hours fly by quickly.