[Old Group] get loud

[Logan Chase Renner]

Logan sat between Chad and Riley watching the game that was almost over. It was a little tense in here. The guys just wanted to see the end, and their females were scattered about, mostly waiting for the game to end. Except for Claire, she was all into it, up on Shane's lap. Blake was finishing up making something in the kitchen. Logan didn't know what it was, if it was food, or fancy drinks or what, but he wasn't allowed in there. Mackenzie was in there, but it was basically guaranteed she hadn't touched anything. "Aw come on," Logan said, as they all yelled at the TV, "I've seen Riley pitch better than that hungover, and that's shitty." He joked. Commercial. Victoria's Secret did a lot of advertising during the game, to which Madeline usually pointed herself out. Logan stood up to go get another beer, beating her to it, "Hey look there's Madeline!" Shane applauded her on screen performance, Logan giving Sam a noogie when he walked by. Logan went in the kitchen, throwing his arms up, "I come in peace, just getting another beer," he joked, walking to the fridge and nudged Mackenzie, "Look at you, drinking a margherita because you can now," Logan laughed, leaning over to kiss Blake on the cheek and stay out of her way other wise, "What are you making in here?" he asked, grabbing a beer and shut the door. Logan had been doing a lot of thinking lately, about the past and how things used to be. How lucky they all were. How lucky he was. Logan opened his beer, smiling a little at the scene in front of him, remembering t he first time he went to Blake's house for dinner. Just like this, she stood at the counter making something delicious. Logan moved over to her, listening to Mackenzie joke about the good ole days too, mentioning parties in Malibu, "You know, back when you guys liked pretending there was nothing going on even while you were canoodling in the corner. Kind of like now..." she laughed shaking her head and went back to looking at her magazine. Logan moved Blake's hair aside as he stood behind her, hands on her waist and leaned down to kiss her neck, "When are you going to be done in the kitchen..." he questioned, his arms snaking around her waist, "Can I have a bite?" he questioned toward her cooking, taking his chances, kissing right beneath her ear. Mmm guacamole. Win. Logan opened up and ate the chip with guacamole she handed him over her shoulder, kissing her cheek and grabbing his beer before heading out of the kitchen, putting his hand up to high five Mackenzie because he'd gotten a point for mooching food off Blake early. On his way out he ran into Kiersten in the doorway, both moving to the same side at the same time, awkwardly dancing around each other, "Oh my god, haha, move Logan," she laughed, squeezing past him and into the kitchen. Game was back on, Logan went and at back down, "Ryan, you'll have to tell us all secretly how this food compares to Dani's later," he teased.

[Kiersten Mollie Bannon]

Kiersten let herself into Logan and Blake's house a little late. She 'd gonna for a run and had wanted to go home and shower before she came over. The thought of her own self jogging for exercise was almost funny to her but the daily exercise wore her out by the time she went to bed and it helped her sleep better. Plus Kiersten had stopped and picked up more chips because Blake had apparently decided to make salsa and guacamole and though in Blake's world it would have been homemade chips all the way, they didn't want to wait around for chips all night, she already had her hands in like five different dishes. Kiersten walked into the living room, waving a hello to everyone watching the game, stopping to lean over the back of the couch and give Riley a hug. Kiersten stopped, arms around him and looked up at the TV, trying to see who was winning. It felt like they were all winning though, hanging out with no children this evening. Not that Kiersten didn't love her little nieces and nephews but they really were a bit of a fun governor. She thought it was nice that mom and dad were up to see Kennedy and spend time with Lily. Let them have a PG rated evening. Kiersten looked up and saw Lance, offering a small smile and held her finger up. She'd be back in a minute, pointing at the grocery bag. Had to make a trip to the kitchen. Chad stopped her on her way, asking about their parents, "Hey are Jonathan and Julie staying in town for a few days? I want to ask them over for dinner one night." Kiersten nodded, "Yeah, I think so," though she still thought it was so weird to hear Chad call them that. She knew it wasn't the same, he'd grown up calling other people mom and dad, but it was still weird to her. As she tried to get into the kitchen, moving past Logan and rolling her eyes with a laugh she stopped just inside, "Blake, Chips. Where do you want them?" Somewhere out of the way. Kiersten set them down where instructed and slung an arm around Mackenzie's shoulders, leaning down to sip her sisters Margarita. "Guess what else," she added, pulling an envelope out of her bag and took the papers out, spreading them on the counter in front of Mack. Kiersten was officially out of school, waiting for commencement, but her final grades had been sent in the mail. "Boo. Yah! There's TWO A minuses in there. And only one B minus." For the first time ever Kiersten was pretty excited about her report card because it was actually good. So she couldn't help but grin about it. "Aww good job!" Mackenzie said, hugging her tight, "We should put it on the fridge." "First and only." They both laughed, Kiersten looking over at what Blake was making which looked like Mexican. Kiersten sighed, "Okay I'll get out now. Had to share my good grades." Kiersten went and left her bag by the front door and walked back to the living room finding Lance. It was weird. They weren't exactly back together per say, mostly because Kiersten didn't think that was fair. She hadn't been in a very good mindset to go back to how things were. There wasn't any denying a lot had happened. and mentally she hadn't ever really dealt with... anything, ever. The past year had been really down hill. A lot of nightmares, sleepless nights, alcohol, drugs... A lot of just trying to numb herself. She was a little scared to open up the can of worms to be put simply. Scared of how it might change her if she faced all her demons. So she just shoved them all back instead. But she was trying to be better. She hated to admit it to people, or talk about it, but her parents had kind of made her start seeing a therapist. She'd gone to a few sessions. Kiersten found it strange talking to a stranger. She barely talked to her family about stuff. She didn't think it was helping her. Mackenzie told her to keep an open mind but she couldn't see herself really telling this lady anything substantial. She just didn't think she was ready to talk about things. She just wanted to make things better with Lance. He was trying. She could probably try a little harder. She felt guilty a little bit because he was trying to make things work and she was just scared of everything and she knew she was being stupid about it all. It was more her than him. She just didn't know what was wrong with her these days. Still, she sat beside him on the couch, pulling her legs up to her chest, but reached out and grabbed his hand, holding onto it. Even if she was slightly messed up, she still hoped he knew she was trying to be normal.

[Mackenzie Janelle Collins]

Giving birth to a child was a bitch, but worth it. It was worth it just watching Lily and Kennedy together everyday, because that alone was the cutest little thing in the whole world. So, so cute. Mackenzie was kind of glad her parents were up. She really did want them to be involved in the girls' lives, she wished they visited more often. Not to mention she kind of missed them sometimes. Even when they were being dysfunctional. Also she was glad to have a night out with Riley since her parents, well mostly her mom, had wanted to watch the girls. Her dad was probably watching the game and letting Lily wrap him around her little finger. He was pretty good at playing with dolls, he had some experience. Mackenzie finished off her margarita, sighing, "Remember that time we learned the entire dance to Lovestruck? How funny. I only remember half of that night." she laughed. That had been a really funny night. Blake and Logan together. Shane and Kat together... weird. She'd known Riley as Mandi's older brother and he'd never really given her two looks before that. That night had changed things. Speaking of Riley, Mackenzie finished putting together her tray or margaritas for the girls that Blake had made, "I'm sure Riley wants another beer," she said whimsically. She probably shouldn't have drank hers so fast. Or had two already. "Hey," she said, pointing at Blake, "Stay awesome." Mackenzie grabbed her tray and handed a foofy drink to all the girls, winking at Riley because she didn't know why. He needed another beer. Just as she was going back to grab him one, she noticed the game had ended, so upon going back to the kitchen, she said, "You know what? We need a round of shots for the boys. We should take care of our men." She was really glad to have seen that her sisters grades were really good this semester. "Blake you want one?" she asked as she poured shots on the tray, thinking if she said no Mackenzie would send Shane in to get her. Mackenzie carried the tray out to the coffee table and set it down, "Shots for all," and then pointed at Shane, "Go get our friend Parker from her Mexican self imprisonment." Mackenzie picked up two glasses, handing one to Riley and stood beside him, arm around his waist while Shane coaxed Blake out of the kitchen and handed her a shot. Mackenzie raised he glass and said, "A toast, to good friends, and a childless evening. And also my sister for getting really awesome grades this semester, go Kiersten." Mackenzie smiled at her sister, "Does anyone else have anything to add?" Shane said calmly, "To alcohol, and those margaritas, drink up," he said seriously, "May we be on our worst behavior." Mackenzie nodded, "Cheers," clinking glasses around the room and downing shots. Mackenzie set the glass down, leaning into Riley, her hand trailing over the back pocket of his jeans, "I was supposed to get you another beer, but I got sidetracked." She shrugged, glancing at his current beer, "Almost empty?"

[Blake Emma Renner]

Blake cut open the avocado’s, saving one where she cut it into slices and set it in front of Mackenzie.She hadn’t been able to drink in 9 months, and Blake remembered it well. Those first drinks hit hard. So Mack just needed to eat a little something. She smiled at her before she looked down and started to go back to making guacamole. One serving without onions for Ryan and Shane’s girlfriends. Usually the only people she took special requests from were Logan and Shane. But she figured it wasn’t worth the headache. Blake heard footsteps coming in and spun around, holding up her knife to point at them as she was about to tell them to get out of the kitchen. But she softened, seeing that it was Logan, just wanting a beer. She nodded as though giving her approval, not that it mattered, before she went back to working on the guacamole.Blake scrunched her nose, doing her best to bite back a smile as she felt Logan’s fingers pulling her hair from her neck. She wondered if he realized that he still gave her the same butterflies as he did just being the boy that sat four desks away from her in class. Heat still flushed to her cheeks every time he touched her and she tilt her head to the side, rolling her eyes as he asked for food. Of course. Blake gave a small sigh before taking one of the homemade tortilla chips she’d made earlier that morning and scooped some guacamole onto it, holding it over her shoulder for the little bird that Logan was being. She smiled again at him kissing her cheek before he walked away and shook her head at the sound of him and Mackenzie high-fiving. She could’ve told him no; but he was so cute. And being home from tour with all of their friends.. why not try to make him a little extra happy? It was hard to get everyone together, but thankfully they kept pretty aware of everyone else’s tour life when they scheduled their own so that they were able to get breaks together, like these couple of days they had now.



Blake turned away from the food preparation as Kiersten came in, talking about her grades. “ Oh my god!” Blake screamed excitedly, throwing her hands up before she wrapped them around Kiersten and hugged her. That girl and school. It had seemed like it was a neverending battle. Personally, Blake couldn’t believe how brave Kiersten was. If Blake had seen Logan shot in school, she would never be able to walk those halls again. Kiersten didn’t get enough credit for that. “ I am SO proud of you,” she said as she squeezed her small frame as tightly as she could before she let her go. Surely she’d rather see Lance than be stuck in a kitchen with Blake and Mack. But it sounded like the game was wrapping up, Mack quick to start pouring shots. No. She did not want one. On cue Shane came in, with his perfect little Shane self, causing Blake to sigh before she wrapped her arm around Shane’s and followed him into the living room before standing beside Logan and picked up a shot glass. She held onto the side of it, smiling to herself as she thought about the night she went to listen to Shane play at the bar, downing shots with Logan. She looked up at Logan, unaware of people making toasts in jest as she stood on her toes to kiss him. It really was amazing how far they’d come. If this was what the first two years were like, surely they’d end up taking over the world together. It sort of felt like they already had. What other people their age could say they had accomplished what they had? Both professionally and privately. “ Okay, the food is ready,” she said as she clapped her hands together, “ But Shane, I made you especially some churro’s. So no one touch,” she said before giving Shane a kiss on the cheek and moving her way to the living room. It was weird, not having the kids around. But Shane was there. And that was basically the same thing.



Outfit

[Lance James Renner]

Lance sat on the edge of the couch, popping his knuckles as he watched the game. He usually didn’t get this worked up about sports unless it was soccer. But it was fun to be with the guys anyways. Plus he was trying really hard to not indulge in too many beers.Which is why he had one so far. He laughed as Logan picked on Riley, looking across the room at him and shaking his head. Lance chewed on the inside of his lip as he watched the game. Actually being able to watch it. It was still strange having his sight back. He’d been so convinced he would never see again. It was something that he wouldn’t have changed the decision he had made either. Maybe the gunman wouldn’t have shot Kiersten. It wasn’t worth waiting to figure out. He knew to this day he’d still make the same choice. He absentmindedly brought his hand up to the side of his head, grazing his fingertips against the scar that was hidden beneath his hairline by now. But he also knew that Kiersten wasn’t the only one to go through hell because of this. Logan had almost lost Lance to drugs how many times. Then Logan almost lost Lance to a gunman. Then.. Lance was a twit, and put Logan through worry again as he started up his drinking and recklessness. Logan had a front row seat at Lance trying to self-destruct his life since the beginning. If he owed anyone getting his life together, above himself, it was Logan. Lance looked over his shoulder at Kiersten coming in and gave her a small nod as she indicated she was going to the kitchen real quick. He could use this as an opportunity to snatch a quick hug from Logan who was coming back in from the kitchen, which he did – gladly.



Lance stretched his arms out after hugging Logan before taking a seat and watching the game again, Kiersten not taking long to find her place beside him. “ Hey mate,” he said quietly with a wink at her, curving his fingers around hers protectively. Maybe she wasn’t at the place mentally she needed to be at yet. But they’d get there. She was still the girl he would take a bullet for, not a thing about that had changed, no matter how much time she needed. Lance laughed as Riley stood up happily that his team had won at the finish. “ Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” Lance said with a roll of his eyes. He watched quietly as Mackenzie came in saying something about shots, and carrying a tray. No hard liquor for this guy. His eyes caught Lance’s for a moment before he looked away. He took a shotglass, moreso so that it wasn’t obvious he was skipping out on it and causing people to mention it. As they all took their shots, he reached over and handed his to Ryan. For a couple of reasons. Growing up, Ryan had been like a brother to him as well. Plus, Ryan knew about dealing with drinking issues – Joel. Enough said.Lance wrapped his arm lazily over Kiersten’s shoulders, letting his hand dangle as Blake said food was ready. Of course Shane got a special treat. Lance rolled his eyes before playfully pushing Shane in the chest and making his way to the table, where he pulled a chair out for Kiersten. “ Hey guys, I just wanted to say congrats to everyone real quick that’s out on tour. And to miss Kiersten.. those grades are pretty kick ass, love,” he said with a wink before he started to make a plate. He ignored the pain on his head, which still lingered from the surgery. Every so often, the painful surges to his eyes made him want to drop to his knees. But instead he gripped tightly onto the counter with his free hand, doing his best to nonchalantly scoop some food onto his plate. He wrapped his arm back around Kiersten as he made his way to the table. She supported him more than she knew, and hopefully he was bringing some sense of normalcy to her. He sat down, taking in a deep breath before he looked up at everyone and smiled. It was good to be back around this happy energy, loud conversations and laughter. Lance brought his hand to the inside of Kiersten’s leg, squeezing her knee tightly.

[Madeline Lea O'Neil]

Madeline glared at Logan as he pointed her out before she could. But she slid into Ryan’s lap anyways, pointing herself out again just because she could. “ See” she said before bouncing her shoulders happily. She bit the edge of her lip as she watched the remainder of the commercials, scrunching her nose as the game came back on. “ I’m out,” she said, patting her hand on his knee and giving him a quick kiss before she hopped off of his lap and made her way outside to where Kat was. “ I’m not allowed in the kitchen because I have fireworks,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “ I don’t think that’s the only reason,” Madeline said, placing her hands on her hips as she looked over at her. Kat was not the type of person Madeline would’ve seen herself being friends with. But life was sort of crazy and unpredictable. Hell, it was insane that she was even wearing a wedding ring – again. But this time, she had the right guy. He’d been the right guy all along. It was one of those things she had felt all over her body when she met him. She didn’t know how he would be in her life, but she knew he needed to be. Forever. “ I think they’re having shots inside, come on,” she said with a tilt of her head before holding the door open. But just as she opened the door there was an explosion of fireworks behind her, causing Madeline to scream, curse and jump all at once as she went inside, looking at the group of people with wide eyes. “….Kat” she said. Kat and Shane’s names were often one word explanations for anything.

Madeline took in a deep breath, calming herself from the explosion as she walked over to Ryan. “ I almost died,” she said with dramatization quietly , wrapping her arm around his waist. She held her shot gloss up, laughing at Shane and his seriousness. After taking the shot, Madeline took a bite of the edge of her lip. People would be taking at least fifteen minutes to all get food on their plates, drinks and sit down. That was plenty of time. “…Ryan was going to show me something real quick,” she said with a smile before she grabbed his hand , handing her empty shotglass out to Sam before she hurriedly started to pull Ryan out of the hallway. Madeline smiled as she leaned against the wall, gripping the edge of his shirt to pull him close so she could give him a kiss. Sure, Claire and Shane may have had the youthful thing despite marriage down, but if anyone assumed Madeline and Ryan had slowed their ways down just because they put a ring on it, they had another thing coming.

Outfit

[Riley Scott Collins]

Riley flipped Logan off at the baseball insult. But come on, saying Riley was bad at baseball was like saying Chad was bad at football. Get real. It was weird not having Lily in his lap, trying to put hair clips in his hair while he watched the game. And honestly, between the kids, the company, and med school.. he wasn’t sure how he wasn’t pulling his own hair out. Chad might not have his own company, but he had triplets. He should be pulling his hair out, too. “OOHHH!” Riley screamed at the tv out of excitement. But that was the end of it. His team had won, granting him a free punch to Logan’s shoulder before he threw his hands up in victory. “ Hell yes!” he said before holding his hand out to Ryan. Fucker might be one of his ‘bromances’. But he owed him twenty bucks. Pay up, stretch. Riley smiled over his shoulder as Mackenzie coming back in. But he stopped, grabbing Kiersten’s arm and pulling her back in for another hug. “ Sorry, I was focused on the game earlier,” he said, squeezing his arms around her shoulders. “ Very proud of you by the way,” he whispered to her before giving her a wink. Yeah.. so he kept tabs with the school stuff. Sure,..he even called them every now and then. Or every Friday at 2 pm. Whatever, no big deal. Riley took one of the shots from Mackenzie and nodded in agreement before looking over his shoulder. Was that fireworks? Kat came in quickly, taking her stance with the shotglasses and seemingly trying to avoid Blake. He laughed to himself before taking the shot and turning to Mackenzie as she spoke to him.



Riley smiled, wrapping his arm around her lower back as he traced his thumb against the curve of her back. “ I am getting low on beer.. but Kiersten’s here. You don’t need to do that,” he said with a wave of his free hand. “ We should get some food in you,” he said, narrowing his eyes playfully before he leaned down and planted a kiss against her forehead. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her towards the kitchen. If Kat was going to survive, she was going to have to do it without their help. Riley started making a plate of tacos for Mackenzie, figuring she would be much more interested in pouring herself another drink. Why not? When was the next time she would be able to get out and just be a kid… without their kids? She should enjoy herself, they all were. “ Here,” Riley said, setting the plate down in front of her before giving her a kiss and going to make his own plate. “ When’s the last time we all went on vacation together? That needs to be fixed.. Soon. With the kids.. I guess,” he said. “ Fuck. Last trip we went on… Vegas… none of us had kids… Bullshit,” Riley said as he sat down. Not that he would give his daughters up for anything in the world. But seriously.. how much could stuff change in such a little amount of time?

[Katy Alexis Sutton]

Kat frowned as Blake pointed her arm straight out, pointing for her to get out of the kitchen. “Is this because I’m from Chicago?” she asked, adjusting the fireworks against her body. “ OUT!” Blake had yelled. That was about ten minutes ago. So fine. Kat had found a way to distract herself. She kneeled down outside, arranging all of the fireworks before she looked over her shoulder at Madeline coming out. Which gave Kat the opportunity to explain to yet someone else that Blake was being mean. Once Madeline turned around to go back inside, Kat looked up at Matt expectantly, holding her hand out for the lighter. Things should get interesting. She lit the end of one before backing away quickly, turning her head away at the noise as it shot into the sky. “ I didn’t know they were that big!” she yelled out at Matt before she threw the lighter back at him. It was his ass if Blake found out. No evidence connecting her to it. Kat ran inside, moving around Madeline as the firework continued to go off outside. “ Matt did it!” she yelled out, trying to maneuver her body through the bulkier ones like Chad and Logan before she settled on trying to hide from Blake in a slightly leaned down stance with one hand on her knee and the other holding a shot glass.



Kat rolled her eyes with a smile as Madeline pulled Ryan away but gave a small sigh. Matt was leaving soon, too. She reached down, gently wrapping her fingers around his as she rest her cheek against his shoulder. He’d always been a part of her ; just as much as her own hand or arm. Now that she knew how much he meant, it half terrified her and half thrilled her. What if he chose to walk out? She’d never been so scared in her life before that someone would decide they didn’t want her. Kat followed him into the kitchen,looking over at Riley as he spoke. “ Matt and I are going to Disney world with Mason and Keira once All Time Low is done with tour. Parents are waiting just for him,” she said as she leaned over and kissed the side of his jaw. “I’ll make you a plate,” she said, giving him a small smile as she went to get food ready. Her plate consisted of chips and dips, anything that would be quick incase her and Shane decided to go play. But she figured Matt might want more adult food. She selected out a few enchiladas, tamales, a soft taco and a burrito with some sort of sauce on top of it on his plate before piling on the rice, chips, salsa. She even tore off half of one of Shane’s churro’s and hid it on the plate before setting it down. “ I love you,” she whispered to him before taking her own seat, though her body was turned towards his. She wasn’t all out on him like Claire was on Shane, but she did like to be near him.

Outfit

[Claire Jayne Madden]

Claire kept her eyebrows narrowed as she watched the screen. “ Oh come on,” she muttered under her breath quietly as the short stop failed to get the ball back to the pitcher in time. She rolled her eyes, resting against Shane’s chest as it went to commercial. She propped her foot up, looking at her shoes. “ Being on tour with Dani made me slightly Mexican,” she said flatly before tilting her head to look up at him. Such a handsome husband he was. She smiled as she did her best to sit up and give him a kiss without moving. She was too comfy. Claire turned her head to the side, resting against his chest with her eyes closed as the rest of the commercials continued. The boys with their banter. She could hear Mackenzie from the kitchen. Ultimately she opened her eyes, hearing the game was back on and smiled as her team turned things around and came out the victors. Claire bounced her shoulders up and down excitedly as she reluctantly got up from his lap, hearing Mackenzie say something about shots. Just like that there was an explosion outside. Fireworks. Claire scrunched her nose as she reached down and grabbed Shane’s hand. Stay inside. Be a good boy. Wait until after dinner, Blake might kill you. She tried to hide a smile as she took her shot, handing the glass over to the tray again before she heard Blake mention that the food was ready. Giving Shane a pointed look, see.. she was right. “ Give me a ride,” she said,moving to stand behind Shane and jumped onto his shoulders. “ No one looks!” she screamed, covering her hand over her butt just incase her skirt came up.



Once they were in living room, Claire mozied into the kitchen to make Shane and herself a plate, figuring they would just eat off the same one. Considering she planned on sitting in his lap. One half of the plate looked completely greasy and unhealthy. The other side was Claire’s. Claire picked up a margarita, figuring Shane had gotten his own drink before she came and sat down. Blake had strict PDA rules at the dinner table; but Claire lucked out in falling in love with Shane. He could get away with almost anything in Blake’s eyes. “ DISNEY WORLD!” Claire said excitedly as she sat up straight as a board in Shane’s lap with her legs crossed. “ Shane!!” she said before turning to look at him with a pitiful look. “ Oh yeah the kids…” she said, slightly deflated. Brayden would love it… at the right age. But she wanted to go with Shane, too. “ … People came home from successful tours, too, jackass” Claire said sarcastically while trying to feign an annoyed expression at Lance. “ Such a prim and proper ballerina you’ve landed yourself,mate” Lance directed towards Shane.



Outfit

[Samantha Jade Masters]

Sam was looking down at her phone, trying to read through e-mails as fast as she could. It had meant a lot that Logan had invested in a dance school for her, and she wanted to make sure that she did everything she could to make him know it was worth it. She did a lot of work with Claire; but owning a dance /ballet company was a lot different than running a ballet school. Claire had a little bit more freedom. But Sam liked structure, it showed in her dancing. She cringedwhen Logan came and rubbed his hand against her head. “Baby, go beat him up,”she said lethargically as she reached up and took her hair out of the ballerina bun it was placed in,shaking the ends of her hair out. “ Shots!” she said excitedly once the game was over. Sam slipped back into her heels before standing up and joining the little circle. Sam took in a deep breath, holding it as she heard the fireworks, the expression on Claire’s face trying to contain Shane, and just as quickly everyone was taking shots. She finished her, coughing slightly. She wasn’t as experienced at this as the rest of them. “ Oh,” she said, taking the shot glass from Madeline who just as quickly snagged Ryan and pulled him away. “ OOOOhhh” she said, looking at Chad. “ We used to be wild and crazy. For like.. three months.” she said with a slight laugh before she went into the kitchen.



Sam instinctively pulled down three plates, starting to place food on all of them before she realized that all of the food she’d selected had been finger foods. And for her children. “ Ah shit,” she said,looking over her shoulder to see if anyone was looking. Sam whistled quietly to herself, pouring all of the plates contents onto one and holding it up to Chad. “ Don’t say I never spoil you” she said with a wiggle of her eyebrows before starting to make her own plate. “ Hey not all ballerinas have to be prim and proper, twit,” she said to Lance with a lift of her eyebrow and a smile before sitting down. “ Chad and I were thinking about taking the kids to Disney World when they’re older someday, too. Maybe Lily and Kennedy would want their cousins to come along,” she said as she settled into her seat. Where were Madeline and Ryan anyways? Sam pulled her long hair over one shoulder before she leaned over to pick up a couple of chips from Chad’s plate. She looked up and around the room. She wondered sometimes if it was weird for Blake and Chad to be related now. She knew when they were younger that they cared about each other a lot. And surely if someone had told them that they would be at the same family reunions, it wouldn’t have been like this. Plus Blake was sort of related to Riley too.. Riley was married to Mack. Mack was Chad’s sister. She was married to Chad… she was Logan’s cousin. “ Blake have you ever hooked up with a dude you’re not technically related to now?” she asked in curiosity before the awkward silence fell over the table. “ Oh god,” she said, realizing she had blurted it out, before looking at Shane. “ Save me,…say something,” she said, sinking into Chad’s side.

Outfit

[Ryan James O'Neil]

Ryan took his shot, setting his glass down and ran a hand over his hair. People were ready for food. He knew everyone was expecting a verdict on the Mexican meal, but Ryan knew better than to stir the pot. This was Parker’s house, her kitchen, her food was the best in the land. Or so it went something like that. Apparently, to Ryan’s surprise, he was meaning to show Madeline something, and when she pulled him away from the eyes and ears of the group, Ryan figured no one really thought he was showing her anything. Unless it was under his clothes. And so then they were on the right track. Ryan smiled when she pulled him closer, “Hey…” and leaned down to kiss her, one hand on the wall and the other on her waist. Ryan didn’t think being married was much different than before. Mostly because before, they had acted married. Ryan pulled away from her, sighing. This was slightly more enticing than food, shocking as that was. But he was hungry. “Hey so, I was thinking, depending on how things go tonight, because I really don’t know what road we’re on right now… as Shane would say, we’re currently staring down the barrel of a loaded night. But. Later, if you’re up for it we could do some rooftop sitting.”

[Matthew Tyler Flyzik]

Matt stood outside and supervised while Katy messed with those fireworks, because really, this was looking to be disastrous. And Blake would probably throw a fit. Matt handed her the lighter, crossing his arms and looked back into the house where Madeline had disappeared to and then jumped at the loud noise, “Jesus fucking Christ,” he said, covering his ears too late, “Those were big,” he yelled, catching the lighter by reflex and then tossing it over the fence into the next yard. Like hell he was getting caught with a lighter after that display. Matt followed her inside quickly, throwing his hands up, “I don’t even have a lighter on me, you can check, that was not my fault…” he said laughing slightly. Matt found a place beside Katy and took a shot, and nodded as they went to the kitchen, smiling, “Yeah, I’m pretty excited for Disney. They just keep adding new stuff.” Matt went and got a seat at the table with one for Katy next to him. It was funny how anti relationship she had been, but never with him. She’d never been anti anything with him, not in her whole life. And here she was making him a plate. Matt leaned over and kissed her, finding the hidden half a churro, laughing and re-hid it, “Love you too.”

[Shane Alexander Madden]

Shane stood up from the couch, letting Claire hop on his back and went to the kitchen, listening to the talk about Disney World while Claire made a plate and Shane sat down. He had special churros because he was a special guy. Shane grinned at Claire, “Hey my parents can watch the kid, and we can go to Disney. And Universal Studios. So we can, you know, go to Hogwarts,” he said, like obviously Hogwarts was the shit. “Our last show is in Orlando, at Universal studios I think actually. So that works out perfect, you can come down and meet us,” he suggested, kissing her cheek. Shane picked up something greasy and delicious and took a bite, “So, anyways. Do you think you’re parents are gonna be visiting this summer?” he asked, picking a churro and took a bite of that too. “Oh speaking of your people, remind me later, I have to call Ethan, we’re supposed to be getting lunch tomorrow. But I might be dead by then. I should warn him.” Shane looked up when someone mentioned ballerina’s, grinning widely, “Oh yeah,” he said, giving her a squeeze, “She’s a gem, this one.” Though he really did mean it. Because she was awesome.

[Chad Anthony Masters]

Chad laughed when Sam mentioned being wild and crazy after Madeline and Ryan left the room suspiciously, “Hey, we’re kid free tonight, we have some wild and crazy left. You can be crazy with me later if you want…” he joked, but really wasn’t joking all that much.. Chad watched Sam pile numerous plates of food onto one, smiling slightly at the habit to have to make three plates. Chad sat down, nodding, “Yeah, if we can wrangle all our kids up. The lot of them,” he laughed. Chad drank a sip of his beer, nearly spitting it out when Sam mentioned Blake ever not hooking up with anyone she was now related to. Chad had to stifle his laugh, staring down at his plate because of the awkward silence that came over the room for a moment. Sam had looked at Shane to save her but Shane had only finally burst out laughing and was now holding onto Claire so she didn’t fall out of his shaking lap. Either way, Chad reached over placing his hand on Sam’s thigh and leaned over, rubbing her leg, and said quietly, “That’s okay it was a valid question,” and he grinned, shrugging.

[Madeline Lea O'Neil]

Madeline smiled to herself as she kept her arms wrapped tightly around Ryan’s waist. “ We can do some rooftop sitting,” she said, accepting his whole ‘ hey I like you but I would really rather eat right now” thing he had going on. She stood up on her toes, giving him another quick kiss before she moved her arms away from him. “ Alright, let’s go eat then,” she said, giving a dramatic disappointed sigh. Shane got his own churro, and she couldn’t have hers. Madeline slapped him on the butt lightly before making her way back toward the kitchen. But it seemed like they were walking back in on an uncomfortable silence, which Chad was trying to break by saying it was a valid question. “ Oh, is this about Blake hooking up with her relatives?” she questioned, making a slight face, “ How has this not been an E segment yet on tv?” she said, giving Blake a slight wink before she took the open seat next to Shane. At least if she was sitting by Shane, she was sort of clear of any anger that might be directed toward that comment.