A/N: Okay so I know I keep making excuses to why I haven't been updating. There was a death in my family so it's been a difficult time, but I'm back!
Disclaimer: I do not own Make It or Break It.
After somehow unlocking everything that happened at Great River Ice Skating, Austin thought he was either Sherlock Holmes or some sort of a genius, but he realizes that isn't the case when he can't figure out why he's sitting in the middle of two painfully quiet sisters in a car full of nothing but tension. It could have something to do with him, but Austin knows it must be bigger than that. Because not only are Payson and Becca silent on their way to their grandmother's house, Mark and Kim and barely saying a word as well. He glances at Payson and finds her propping her chin up with her arm while she stares at the window with an expression he knows very well. He then looks at Becca for a second and finds her head down, staring at her lap. Everything and everyone just made Austin feel awkward.
When they reach Mark's mothers home, Payson doesn't waste time hopping out of the car. She walks with Austin to the door. Austin uses the opportunity to ask her, "Pay, is everything okay… like with your family?"
"Everything's fine," Payson promptly answers. Even though she isn't in the best terms with her boyfriend, she also takes the time to warn him about her cousins. "Um, just so you know, you should probably watch out for my cousins."
"What are they secret serial killers or something?"
"No… they're twins but they're totally different. I mean totally different kinds of crazy. First you have Hayden, who is most likely going to want to hook up with you."
Austin chuckles, thinking that she might be joking. "What? How do you know?"
"It's her thing. She tries and sometimes succeeds to hook up with the boyfriends of family members."
"Oh. You're serious…," he realizes, "Well, she's not going to succeed with me," Austin assures.
Payson inwardly smiles even though she still wants to hate him, but somehow she can't. She can't hate him. "And then there's Nikki who well she's not a slut, but she's got a temper so please try not to piss her off."
"Got it, chief," he remarks.
When the rest of the family reaches the couple at the door, Payson rings the doorbell to her grandmother's house.
Nikki and Hayden's older sister, Zoe, answers the door. She looks happy, yet greatly fatigued most likely from the new baby Payson suspects.
"Hey, Payson!" Zoe says from the doorway. "Come in!" She greets the rest of the family before saying to Payson's boyfriend, "You must be Austin."
"How'd you know?" Austin half-jokes.
"Are you kidding? My grandmother hasn't been able to stop talking about you," she says, "And plus, I've seen you on TV and in the media quite a few times. When you've got cousins like Payson and Becca, it's kind of hard to not pay attention to the gymnastics world."
"Yeah, those were my gymnast days. I'm kind of out of the media nowadays."
"Oh no, definitely not entirely. Anyone who pays attention to gymnastics knows about the dynamic duo—Payson Keeler and Austin Tucker. You two are great coaches."
"Thank you," they say in unison.
"So, how's the husband doing?" Becca asks, trying to create some sort of conversation and not seem so disinterested in the conversation.
"He's great!"
"And how about the little ones, Naomi and Makayla?" Payson asks.
"Naomi is full of energy as usual and Makayla is tiring me out… as usual."
"I can tell you're exhausted."
"Comes with having a baby. You'll understand when you guys have your first child."
The statement itself hits a nerve in Payson's body as she remembers her talk with Austin about kids and his clear uncertainty of if he even wanted them at all.
"Well, don't you worry. I'm going to help you out as much as possible today. So, maybe you and Eli can get some sleep. Plus, I would love to spend some time with them."
"Pay, you're my lifesaver. Sleep sounds like heaven. Why don't you come say hi to everyone. We all miss you guys." As they walk into living room, Zoe comments, "Aunt Kim and Uncle Mark, are you two alright? You guys have barely said a word."
"We're just fine, honey. I guess we're a little tired too," Kim answers.
"Ugh, I know the feeling," Zoe says.
"Are your parents here, Zoe?" Mark asks.
"Yep, my mom is with Naomi in the kitchen and my dad is upstairs. Let me get him."
After Zoe is out of sight, Payson whispers to her parents. "You guys could do a little bit of a better job 'faking it.' You guys gave me the huge lecture of how we should act normal, yet I'm the only one doing it."
"She's right, Mark," Kim silently agrees, "We need to act as ourselves."
"With what has happened within the last hour, I don't think that's possible," he quickly remarks under his breath.
"Well, let's at least try," Kim suggests right as they step into the kitchen and see Mark's mother, Zoe's mother, husband, children, and two twin sisters Nikki and Hayden. "Hi everybody!" Kim almost too enthusiastically says. "Look who's with us."
When Hayden and Nikki catch sight of their cousins, they quickly run to Becca first, which doesn't surprise Payson, who's used to it by now. At the same time, Naomi runs into her Aunt Payson's arms. Payson holds her tight and gives a million kisses to her head. "I missed you, sweetie."
A little less excitedly, the twins hug Payson, who is still holding Naomi on her hip. They say things such as 'they miss her' and 'it's been too long.' Every time they meet up, they say the same things, and every time Payson is less convinced of its candor. If anyone, Nikki might be the most genuine in her feelings toward Payson. Despite Nikki's temper, Nikki and Payson don't get into fights that often. Payson is aware of Nikki's ways and has acquired over the years what words to say and when to say it. But Hayden on the other hand, knows Payson is less susceptible to her crap. Hayden being Hayden, though, Payson is never sure when she will act out. She isn't like Nikki where Payson can easily avoid getting into altercations with. A slut is a slut.
"How've you guys been?"
"Good! After having to deal with a boss who pisses you off everyday, it's pretty nice to see some family," Nikki says.
"Nik, you need to be your own boss. I cannot see you working for anybody, and I can tell you hate it."
"Well, I gotta start from somewhere, right?"
"Well, of course, but-"
Hayden quickly interrupts Payson while looking at her with those sneaky eyes that Payson loathes. "Payson, how rude of you. Aren't you going to introduce us?" She says looking back and forth at Payson and Austin.
Payson lifts an eyebrow. "… I was getting to that. I just wanted know how you guys were."
Austin has only seen Nikki and Hayden for two minutes, and can already understand why these women don't get along. "This is Austin," Payson says, "my boyfriend." Honestly, Payson is afraid to introduce Hayden to Austin. Because knowing her cousin, that's usually the first step to Hayden getting them into bed. But in the back of her head, Payson knows Austin is different, though she isn't going to take the chance.
"Nice to meet you, Austin," Hayden says charmingly.
"Nice to meet you, too, Hayden. You too, Nikki."
"So, how are you liking Minnesota so far?" Hayden asks Austin, trying her best to subtly step a little closer.
Payson and Becca can't help but express their mutual feelings toward the situation regardless of what has happened today. The two sisters roll their eyes, as they know that this is only the beginning.
…
"PayPay, I'm just so happy you finally came to visit me. I thought you forgot about me," Mark's mother says at the dinner table. Payson giggles and at the same time rolls her eyes at the dramatics of her grandmother.
"Grandma, I just saw you like 5 months ago. What are you taking about?"
"I know, but that's way too long, darling."
"Okay. I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?"
"Well, I suppose. You being here now makes up for it."
In Joan's typical blunt fashion she blurts out, "I'm sorry; I can't keep this in for any longer." From there, Payson already knows her grandma is about to say something incredibly embarrassing; she only hopes it has nothing to do with her. "Austin, when are you finally going to marry my grandbaby?"
"Grandma!" Payson shouts. "That's not something you ask, especially in front of other people."
"Well, they're not people; they're your family!" Joan yells.
Payson rolls her eyes as she argues, "I know that, grandma. I just don't think it's something to talk about at the dinner table. Besides, we've only been together for six months and I'm only twenty-five. We're not in any type of rush." But despite her views on how they should not rush it, she still wonders if it'll ever be her turn—if Austin is that kind of guy.
Austin looks at her, whispering, "So, you don't want to get married?"
"I don't know. I thought you didn't want to get married?" she whispers back, confused.
Before he could reply, Joan blurts again, "Okay, Payson, but I'm waiting for an answer from Austin."
"Mom, that's enough," Mark says.
Austin interjects, "Mr. Keeler, it's alright," he says laughing. He's really not too fazed by all of this; he has his grandmother pushing him to get married all the time, so it's nothing new. "Mrs. Keeler, I think it's something Payson and I are going to have to discuss."
"Soon! Payson should be next in line to have a baby."
Payson, Becca, Kim, and Mark have another awkward moment internally when they acknowledge the irony of the statement.
"I'm only twenty-five! Geez, what is with grandmothers and their obsession to have great-grandchildren! I mean, to be completely honest, nothing is coming out of here for a while," she says, pointing to her stomach.
Hayden says to Austin, "Payson's right, though. There's really no rush to get married and settle down. Everyone knows once you get married and start having kids your life is pretty much over. Austin you don't look like the type to end the fun in your life so quickly."
"Quickly? Austin is twenty-nine, Hayden. He's at the getting-married age," Becca says.
"Not for this hunk, I'm sure," Hayden says, as she gives Austin a pat and on the back and holds her hand there for a little too long.
Payson's blood begins to boil and she doesn't know if it's from jealousy or rage or jealousy and rage. "I'm guessing you don't really understand the concept of marriage, Hayden," Payson remarks.
"Well, from what I see, PayPay, we're on the same boat in terms of marriage," Hayden says.
Becca laughs and says under her breath, "I think Payson is a little farther en route than you are, Hay."
"Becca, honey, are you not going to touch that wine? It's been filled all throughout dinner. You know grandma doesn't like to waste good wine, and you're not under twenty-one anymore," her grandmother inquires. Becca doesn't know what to say; she thought maybe it would go unnoticed that she isn't drinking alcohol. She hesitates and stammers before her older sister saves her.
"The thing is, grandma, that Becca is driving my mom, dad, Austin, and me back home and I'm sure none of us would want her to be under the influence. I mean let's face it; Becca can't just have one glass."
"I completely understand," Joan says, laughing.
Becca smiles at Payson in gratitude for saving her and hope that maybe her sister is talking to her now. She thought she would have to tell everyone else about her pregnancy.
When dinner is over, Becca makes sure to thank Payson mostly to try and create conversation. "Hey, Payson, thanks for that over there. I couldn't think of anything to say. I went completely blank."
Payson says with little emotion, "You don't have to thank me. I wasn't ready to hear grandma go on and on about something else."
"I know right," Becca laughs, awkwardly by herself. There was a silence after this, before Payson says, "I'm going to go talk to Zoe for a little bit and see if she needs help with the baby. I'll see you later."
Becca rarely sees Payson act like this toward her, and she can't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, besides the whole bombshell that was revealed this afternoon. Though, she would think Payson would be here for her more than ever after hearing that.
…
Austin leans on the counter alone in kitchen thinking of why Payson, her sister, and parents were acting all too weird. Hayden catches sight of him and knows that it's now or never to make her move. It's now or never to further launch her plan.
Author's Note: So, we got to meet some more Keelers...things start kicking off from here a lot so watch out for the next chapters. There will also be some appearances from characters we know (from the actual show)!
By the way, Hayden is not like Amber from Another Twisted Family Reunion, per se.
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