Sydney POV
"Can you please get out some more seasoning?" Mom asked me.
"Sure." I smile, then walk into the pantry and grab the lemon seasoning.
The soft rings of Olivia's toy in the living room reaches us as I hand the bottle to my mom, who has the lemon juice out.
"Thank you." She said, then immediately grabbed a chicken breast and started applying it.
Behind us, outside on the patio Dad and Andre are messing with the smoked sausage since they'll have to let it cook continuously for a whole hour after they close down the lid.
My brothers and Matt are upstairs after being in the pool from 2-4.
Beck is applying lotion to Matt and Corey's faces.
Aunt Jade and Aunt Tori are helping mom.
And I'm here.
"Question." I say.
"What's up?" Aunt Jade asked, as Tori looked up.
Mom kept her gaze on the chicken like I hadn't said anything.
"This needs to sit in the lemon juice for a bit right?
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Mom monotoned, working the chicken.
Aunt Tori quietly laughed.
"What's that called?"
"A marinade. We're marinating this chicken." Aunt Jade said.
"Your father sometimes does that with brisket or ribs if he has time or the energy." Mom said in the same flat tone.
"He did this time I'm pretty sure. Didn't he?" Aunt Tori asked Mom.
"I don't know. Honey?"
I look to the door, where Andre is holding it for my dad, who is holding his barbecue pan he loves.
Corey got it for him for father's day a few years ago.
Mom picked it out, since he was like 3. But it was still his gift.
"Yeah?" He replied, as he closes the door with his foot.
"Did you marinate the ribs this time?"
"I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to use the garden hose on my pan."
"ROBBIE!" Mom yelped, then glaring at him.
Dad laughed, and Uncle Andre grinned.
"I didn't use the garden hose on my pan…"
"It was kind of hard to clean though." Uncle Andre admitted.
"Tell that to the brush." Dad said.
"What?" Mom yelped.
"The outside brush's handle snapped off."
"Again?" Aunt Jade said, surprised.
Mom hung her head.
"Robbieeeee…"
"I know, I know." Dad said.
"That's the 5th one this month!" She chastised him.
"What'd he do this time?" Uncle beck walked back downstairs, sounding expectant.
I hear Olivia giggle when Corey appeared.
"He broke another brush handle off." Jade told Uncle Beck.
"Another? It's got to be the company."
"Exactly. We should change, to prove I'm not that hard on the brushes." Dad said.
"You are being too rough on the brushes!" Mom frowned at him.
"I have to disagree Cat. He was just scrubbing, trying to clear everything off, and snap." Uncle Andre said.
"Humph." Mom said.
"I win." Dad smiled.
"Shut up." Mom retorted, still covering the chicken.
"No can do. Can I get you anything?" Dad asked.
"A drink would be nice." She said, in the same flat tone.
"On it." Dad passed behind mom, then kissed her hair.
"I'm gross." Mom said.
"I don't care!" Dad replied.
I try to hold in my shudder.
Awkward.
"Hey." Ellie popped into the room.
I turn around, see her, then see that Corey is watching Olivia crawl around.
"Where's Olivia?" Jade asked.
"Corey's got her. She's being goofy."
Aunt Tori smiled, and then looked over to her daughter.
"Hey, did we ever get any more news about that Ashton girl?" Ellie asked me.
"Yeah. I checked splashface. She is the girl that we saw at the restaurant and froyo place." I say.
"The one he ran into your room about?" Aunt Tori looked to Mom.
"Think so. He's only done it once. But he changed her name. Said her name was Brooke." Mom replied."
"Guess that guy went out of the picture." Dad said.
"Or she came to apologize." Aunt Jade said.
"Yeah, like girls that age do that…" Beck rolled his eyes, as dad poured mom a glass of red wine.
"They do…I apologized to you about maiming your dad with a dog."
"What?" Ellie yelped.
Uncle Beck smiled. "Yeah. We were 14 then babe."
"What did you do to grandpa?" Ellie demanded of her mom.
"We had a fight, and your dad had mentioned he wanted a dog. So I got a dog."
"And it attacked him."
"In their house?" Ellie yelped. Why not run away? "Lock it in a room if it was that bad?"
"Oh. I was living in an RV at the time." Her dad said.
Ellie just looked dumbfounded.
"An RV?" I ask.
"WHY?" Ellie yelped.
"Don't worry about it. We'll talk about that later." Her dad said.
Ellie turned to me and raised her arms in complete confusion.
Aunt Jade reached out and touched her arm while softly smiling.
"Robbie. I meant a drink. Not a drink!" Mom said, causing me to turn.
Everybody except Ellie laughed, as Dad looked totally confused and said "You said "Honey, get me a drink." And since its past 5, I thought you meant wine."
"No, I meant like water or juice or something."
"Well fine then. I'll have it." He said, taking the glass and sipping it.
Then he started getting Mom some water.
"Your loss Cat." Aunt Jade said.
"You want some Jade?"
"Yes please Robbie. That'd be nice."
Mom opened the last package of chicken with her hands and started applying the seasoning, while Aunt Tori took the liberty of adding more lemon juice to the pan.
"Thanks." Mom said.
…
"Nice and quiet. Weird." Aunt Tori said.
"I wonder if Olivia fell asleep." Ellie said, while watching mom work.
"Maybe."
"Hey, when is your boy getting back? It's weird not having him here for so long." Uncle Beck asked.
"Uhm, I'm not sure. His flight gets in tonight at 8:30." I frown.
"At least he's almost here." Aunt Tori said.
"Does he have a phone now?" Mom asked.
"Not that I know of. He called from his uncle's phone again last night as he was packing." I frown.
"Is he coming tomorrow morning you think?" Dad asked.
"I think."
"Well you thought wrong." A voice from behind me said.
I jump out of my skin, and turn to see—
"AHHH!" I scream, then run and tackle him into a huge hug.
I hear him laugh and hug me back.
"Good to see you too." Austin joked. "Thanks for dodging your flowers."
I smile and squeeze him harder.
My boy.
Back where he belongs.
"She literally just said that you were getting in at 8:30." I hear Beck say.
"I know, I heard it too. But thankfully she fell for my little piece of misinformation."
"So when did you really get in?" Dad asked.
"2:30. I would have been here sooner, but Sam said I didn't look good enough to come over here."
Mom, Jade and Tori all laugh.
"So that's why you spiked your hair?" Ellie asked, reaching up and messing with it.
"It's not spiked. Just fluffed. Just like I do it for school really." He said.
"Well it's good seeing you." Mom smiled.
"Thanks. It's good being here." He smiled back.
"Can I talk now?" Corey poked his head around the corner and looked to Austin.
"Yeah. Thanks for being quiet man." He smiled.
Corey smiled and came to hug him.
"I don't understand." Aunt Tori said.
"Well, I was inside for a while. I was afraid you guys heard me. Corey saw me, and I motioned for him to keep quiet while I put everybody's presents down and waited for the right moment. And he was. So thank you Corey." Austin said, as Corey beamed.
"I'm surprised Olivia didn't like squeal or something. She's asked for her Aga multiple times over the last few days." Andre said, as everybody laughed.
"I turned her around so she wouldn't see him." Corey said.
"You're a genius." Mom immediately commented.
"Did I hear you say you bought presents?" Ellie asked.
"Ellie!" Her mom said, frowning.
Austin smiled. "Yeah, I did. Hold on."
I let go of his hand and watch as he walks away from the kitchen and looked up to the balcony.
Then stuck 2 fingers in his mouth and whistled.
Like he does when there are 2 outs in an inning.
I hear "AHH!" from Matt and Kevin, then footsteps.
"Hey! You're home!" Kevin said.
"Yup. Get down here. I have presents."
The sound of fast footsteps is followed by Dad and Uncle Beck yelling "NO RUNNING!"
The footsteps immediately slowed, and Uncle Beck rolled his eyes.
Both guys appeared then hugged Austin.
"I was wondering when you'd show again." Matt joked.
Austin laughed and said "Great. Glad I was missed."
"And Olivia is in her own little world over there." Her mom said, causing us all to turn and see the adorable sight of Olivia messing with one of her toys, clearly concentrating and not noticing all of us looking.
Aunt Jade gets a picture and smiled.
"So, presents?" Mom asked, as she went over and dad pulled the knob for the faucet so she could wash her hands.
"By the stairs. You'll know them when you see them."
Poof. All the boys are gone.
"You didn't have to get anything Austin." Dad said.
"I know, but I wanted to. Especially after everyone thought I might be dead for 30 minutes or so. Just wanted to return the favor." He said.
I smile and hug him softly.
Once I let go, he laces our hands together again.
Right on time, Matt and Kevin both came with a small box, and Corey with a small box and a bigger box.
"This one is for you Ellie." Corey said.
I give her a weird look, as Austin ran his thumb on top of my hand.
Telling me it's ok.
"Really? Ok. Thanks." She said, and then started ripping it open.
"You guys' stuff is still in the mail. It got ordered last night." Austin looked to everyone else.
"Austin." My dad said, just before Mom hugged him.
"Not my call. I know. But my uncle wanted to say thank you for everything you all have done for me, letting me stay and stuff. It's all coming here, so…yeah."
Aunt Jade came over and hugged him, then whispered something in his ear that made him smile.
"Whoa! How'd you do this?" Matt asked, as he and Kevin are looking at baseballs in plastic cases.
"What are they?" Uncle Beck asked.
"His uncle signed these baseballs for us!" Kevin said.
"With our names too!" Corey cheered.
"Once I explained who everyone was and everything, he handed me those and said to give them to you guys. And now I did." He said sheepishly.
"You're a good soldier." I say, as Aunt Tori put the flowers in a vase Mom just filled.
Austin smiled at the sight.
"This is cool. And totally crazy." Ellie said, causing me to turn and see that she has a program.
"Huh?" Uncle Andre said.
"I didn't know what to get you honestly. So on one of my free days, I meandered to New York City, went down to Broadway and bought that where they apparently sell old programs that were performed there. I'll get you something later."
"No no no…is this original?" Aunt Jade asked, as Uncle Beck came to look.
"I think so. I haven't checked or anything."
"I think this is original." Ellie said.
Uncle Beck looked up and said "When we saw her show, the bag we had that we kept our copies of all the programs got lost and never was found. The only copy we have is what Ellie had in her bag, which was only one."
Austin suddenly looked relieved and smiled.
"Thanks Austin." Ellie smiled, then hugged him.
"Glad to help. I'll get you something else in a day or two."
"You don't have to."
Austin immediately shot her a surprised look.
"I'll ask again in a few days." He said.
Then everyone was quiet for a moment as Mom opened a drawer.
"Fafa!"
I whip around, and see that Olivia is sitting behind Austin's feet and reaching up.
I don't think she knows it's him.
I think she just wants attention.
"Can I grab her?" Austin asked.
"Sure. Go right on ahead." Tori said.
"Hey! Did ya miss me?" Austin said, bending down and picking Olivia right up.
"AGAAAAAA!" She squealed, and then plopped onto his face as he was picking her up.
Austin laughed along with everyone else. Then said "No no, don't mess with my scrapes please."
"Huh?" I say.
Austin turned, and I finally notice his injuries.
He's got a lot of scrapes on his forehead.
I hear somebody say "Whoa." as I look for more.
He has his left thumb wrapped, a large bandage on his right arm and something blue on his leg.
"You didn't say you were that hurt." I hear Dad say.
"I'm not. Scrapes." He pointed to his head.
"Cuts." He gestured to his arms.
"Burn." He pointed at the leg thing.
"What is that?" Aunt Jade asked, pointing to his leg.
"And your thumb." Mom added, sounding concerned.
"Oh. Sprained thumb. No big deal. And it's a cold wrap. Keeps it cold for 4-6 hours. I have another one in there by where the presents were."
"I'll get it." Corey offered.
"No, it's ok." Austin said. "I have to get your sister's present."
"Well finally. I was starting to worry." I say.
He smirked at me.
"Don't. You know better. Hold on."
"Grab the fridge door honey." I hear Mom say.
I turn and see her place the pan with the marinating chicken inside the fridge.
"I'll set the timer for 30 minutes." Aunt Jade said, just as the front door closed.
Aunt Tori quickly looked confused, as Corey came by with the wrap anyway and stuck it in the freezer.
Then Austin cracked the door and called out "Cover her eyes please!"
Ellie clapped them over my eyes.
"OW! That hurt!" I say, then slap in her direction.
"Got her!" Ellie ignored me.
"Thank you!"
…
…
"Okay. You can let her see." Austin called out.
…
I don't see him.
I look to her in confusion.
Then when I turn back, I see Austin walking toward me with a HUGE trophy.
"Whoa." I hear Uncle Andre say, as Uncle Beck let out a shocked laugh.
"That's huge!" Kevin yelped.
"What is it?" Ellie asked.
Austin made his way over to me and set it at my feet, where it rose up to right before my boobs.
I lift it up and read the plaque at the bottom.
…
No way.
"What does it say?"
"It looks like he won the tournament." Dad said.
"It said, 2027 Best of America Under 16 Tournament MVP Austin Harper." I say quietly, then look to him.
He smiled happily.
Then got hug attacked by my brothers and Ellie.
"Good job!" Corey said.
"I think he did win." Aunt Tori said.
"I did." Austin said simply.
How did you do in order to get this?" Matt asked, as Corey gazed at the trophy.
"It's taller than I am!" He piped up.
Everyone laughed, and Olivia giggled.
"17-21. 11 homers, 2 triples, 3 doubles and no walks." He said proudly.
"Wow. You earned that then." Aunt Jade said.
"Nice work." Uncle Beck clapped him on the shoulder, and he smiled.
"No walks?" I ask.
"Yeah…they really didn't know how to handle me. I was somehow an unknown to them. I don't know how, but they started off pitching to me inside."
"Oh lord. Bad idea." Ellie said immediately, getting some laughs.
"Then they tried going away from me. Which ended in the extra base hits."
"Of course." Mom said.
"Then they tried beating me up high. Which was nice, because usually I never get a chance to tomahawk one. They kind of stopped after the 4th straight home run."
Dad let out a low whistle.
"And in the last game, the pitcher ignored all the evidence he had and just pitched to me."
Everybody literally laughed.
Austin laughed too, and then said "Then proceeded to give me a 5-5 day for the title. Went 6-0."
"Congratulations." Corey piped up.
"Thanks."
"How's your sister?" Mom asked, causing all attention to go back to Austin.
"Sister?" Kevin asked, as Corey and Matt seemed surprised.
"Yeah, I have a sister. She's been with my uncle for a while." He explained, and then looked to the adults.
"She's home. Being bossy. As I said, she made me put on a nicer shirt before coming."
"How old is she?" Matt asked.
"6."
Then Aunt Jade piped up "So when are you bringing her over?"
"Well, I'm spending the day with her tomorrow, and my meetings start up again the next day. So I don't know." He answered, as the bottom fell out of my stomach.
Already?
We have to go back to all that mess?
"Oh. Well we'll work something out." Mom said.
"Yeah. Let us know when they come over." Jade looked to my dad, who nodded.
…
"So, what was going on while I was gone? Anything exciting."
"Nope. Sissy worked on her music and Kevin and I went to see our Grandma." Corey said simply.
"Yep. And on that note, we're going to go play NextBox."
All three guys raced upstairs, leaving the adults to fall into somber looks.
"Does your sister really have to be put thru this trial crap?" Aunt Tori asked, looking appalled.
"Yeah. They want to know what she thinks of Mom and Dad. Of course, she's just gonna say they're nice and love her. Nothing productive. Hopefully she doesn't remember any of it." Austin said, suddenly sounding much older than he actually is.
Olivia made a nonsense noise and Austin unconsciously hugged her tightly.
"You ok? You sounded exhausted right then." Aunt Jade said, as dad started digging around in the fridge.
"Yeah. I just want this to be over. I'm tired of dressing up and hearing my problems throwing money they don't have at personal problems they can't fix." He said wearily.
Dad then handed us each a lemonade, catching Olivia's attention, who grabbed for it.
"Oh. You're probably hungry. I'll hand you off so you can have your bottle."
But the moment Austin started handing her off, she wailed "AGA!"
Everybody except Ellie and I laughed.
"I don't think she wants to go." Mom astutely pointed out.
Uncle Andre just handed him a bottle, and Olivia quickly took it from him by force.
Austin smiled and shook his head.
"So, I couldn't help but notice that you were making something. What was it?" Austin asked.
"Lemon chicken. We're grilling it, along with ribs and sides and stuff." Mom said.
"Cool. Mind if I join?" he asked nicely.
"You are." Dad and I both said simultaneously.
I laughed, and Austin smiled, causing Olivia to look up at him.
"I'll tell my grandma." Austin smoothly pulled his phone out of h—
"Wait, I thought you didn't have a phone." I blurt out.
Austin stopped texting and gave me a funny look.
"I called you last night from it."
"No you didn't. The caller ID came up as Austin—…"
Ellie laughed out loud, then Tori and Beck did too, with Austin giving me a weird look.
"Are you sure you weren't in the accident with me? Because you totally spaced out right then." He smiled.
"I'm fine."
He rolled his eyes, then turned to my mom and Aunt Jade.
"How'd her music go? Get anything productive done?"
"Uhm, yeah! We got about a third of it done, and gave Syd some more ideas." Aunt Jade said, as Mom smiled.
"Awesome." Austin smiled. "Any ideas of note?"
"I'm covering "Baby I" soon. Hopefully in the next week. If everything works out and I don't get swamped." I smile.
"Oh. That's a classic." Austin immediately replied.
"Yup." I say.
Suddenly Jade's phone goes off and the kitchen gets very crowded very quickly.
Austin, Olivia and I end up shuffling out of there, and Ellie quickly came to join us, but only after grabbing Olivia's toys.
"Let's go play in Sydney's room Olivia. C'mon let's go." Ellie said happily, then started up the stairs.
I look to Austin, who smiled and shrugged, then followed.