Chapter Text
“I don’t know where you are, but it’s, like, the fourth time I’m calling, so pick up the phone.” Nathan said, leaving a message for Connor. It had been a week since the whole court thing. Nathan felt better, but there was still a lot of healing left. He was trying to get a hold of Connor to tell him about what happened in that place, when he was kidnapped, but Connor wasn’t picking up his phone. Things had been nice, weirdly. Nathan was getting along with everyone in the family, but something felt undone. Everyone had been worrying about Nathan, so all of the plans his brothers had made, came to a halt.
Nathan was in his dorm room, looking up at the ceiling. He had homework, but didn’t want to do it before speaking to Connor. Suddenly, Nathan’s phone rang. It was Andrew. Nathan scoffed disappointedly.
“Yeah?” Nathan asked.
“Hey, Nate.” Andrew said.
“Hey, what?”
“Wanna try being polite, for once?” Andrew asked Nathan.
“I’m trying my best!” Nathan said tensely.
“Jeez…” Andrew scoffed. “I was just calling to tell you that Mikey wants us to come over to dad’s, all of us.”
“That’s suspicious.” Nathan said.
“I know, I don’t like it one bit.” Andrew muttered.
“The only reason why you don’t like it is because you’re not the one orchestrating the whole thing.” Nathan said and chuckled.
“So not true.” Andrew replied.
“Whatever you say.”
“So I’ll see you in fifteen?” Andrew asked.
“I can’t.” Nathan admitted. He had to talk to Connor.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m preoccupied.”
“Procrastinating does not mean preoccupied.”
“I’m not!” Nathan responded.
“Fine, just cancel whatever you’re doing. This has to be something big. When does Mikey ever ask us to come over?” Andrew said. It was true.
“Alright!” Nathan said and hung up. Connor would have to wait.
Nathan drove quickly to his dad’s place. Nathan and his dad had been getting along better everyday. It was scary how alike they were. When Nathan arrived, he saw at least six cars around the house. What type of family gathering was this? Nathan jogged up the steps and opened the door. Andrew, Jess, Aaron, Hannah, Brad, Mikey, Karen, Katie, Rodney, Ally, Mark, uncle Peter, Nathan’s mom, Jared, Thomas and Nathan’s dad were there.
“What…?” Nathan muttered and took his jacket off. Michael emerged from the kitchen.
“Hey, thanks for being on time.” Michael said sarcastically.
“Sorry, I didn’t know about this until, like, half an hour ago.”
“It’s fine.” Michael said and ushered Nathan into the living room. Everyone was there.
“Hey…” Nathan said awkwardly. “What is this?” He asked Michael.
“You’ll see.” Michael said and ushered Nathan to sit down. Nathan sat down next to Hannah, who was on her phone.
“No, cause, I didn’t wanna be rude, or anything, but I was not about to let her talk to me like that.” Hannah said, hushed, into her phone.
“Wait, who?” Nathan whispered to her. One thing about Nathan, he loved drama.
“Shh!” Hannah exclaimed. “She was also, lowkey, shit-talking Jack.” She added. Jack was Hannah’s boyfriend.
“I haven’t seen him in a while. How is he?” Nathan asked again. He was trying to make Hannah frustrated.
“Uncle Nate, shut up!” Hannah said firmly. Nathan chuckled. Michael was standing next to Karen. They were waiting for Hannah to finish so they could start talking. Hannah was oblivious.
“Right! You don’t just talk to people like that!” She continued on.
“Hannah.” Andrew said firmly. Hannah looked up awkwardly.
“I gotta go, bye.” She said quickly and turned her phone off. “Floor’s yours.” She added, and Michael laughed.
“Thank you!” He said firmly. Karen took over.
“And thank you, all of you, for coming.” She said. Andrew was spiraling, he didn’t know a thing. Rodney raised his hand.
“Yep?” Michael asked.
“What is this in reference to?” Rodney asked.
“Great question.” Michael said.
“Is Mikey pregnant?” Jared asked Karen. She laughed.
“No, he’s just fat.” She replied.
“Hey!” Michael exclaimed and nudged her with his elbow. “No, in all seriousness, we have some news.” The room went silent. Nobody knew what to think.
“We’re moving.” Karen blurted out. Silence. Dead silence.
“Wh- What…?” Andrew asked.
“Yeah, uh-” Michael said, but was cut off.
“Why?” Katie asked. She felt betrayed. Moving was never on anyone’s agenda. They grew up in Phoenix and weren’t planning on leaving, ever.
“I’m opening up a second shop! We’re expanding.” Michael answered earnestly.
“Where?” Bill asked.
“Idaho!” Karen said excitedly. The family groaned.
“Bad idea.” Jared said. “Rural dirt patch.”
“Alright…” Michael groaned.
“It’s an open carry state. You’re gonna get shot!” Alice, their mom, exclaimed.
“Exaggerating…” Michael mumbled. The family sat in silence for a moment.
“Come on!” Karen moaned. “Can’t you be happy for us? This is huge!”
“It just doesn’t make sense.” Ally said.
“How’re you gonna live without the dangerously high UV index?” Thomas asked. Michael scoffed.
“Your reaction is wildly disappointing.” Michael said and shook his head. Karen looked down at her feet. Nathan felt bad. They were so excited to share the news.
“Congratulations. Sounds fun!” Nathan said, and everyone stared at him.
“Now we’re talking!” Michael exclaimed. “Thanks, Nate.”
“Of course.” Jared said and rolled his eyes. “You always have to be different, don’t you?” He added. Nathan scoffed.
“Excuse you, Debby downer, I’m not the one completely shutting Mike and Karen down.” Nathan replied.
“That’s enough!” Michael said. “The fact is, we don’t care how you feel. We’re moving and that’s final.” He added disappointedly.
“We really didn’t want it to end like this.” Karen said and looked around at the family’s disappointed faces. There was a short silence.
“They’re right.” Bill moaned from the couch. “I mean, what are we children?” He added.
“Yeah…” Hannah said softly. “To me, this just sounds like a great opportunity. Change is good.” She added. Michael smiled. They were changing their minds, one by one.
“You’re such a grandma.” Brad whispered to Hannah.
“Screw you.” She said and rolled her eyes.
“We’re just gonna miss you.” Rodney said frankly.
“We know.” Karen said softly. “But it’s not like we’re dead.” She added.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have protested like that.” Katie said regrettably.
“Me too.” Ally said.
“It’s fine! We get it, it’s not easy to come to terms with.” Michael said. “We’re sad about leaving too. I mean, it’s Phoenix. Hard to beat.”
Thomas nodded.
“Good for you, Mikey.” Andrew said and smiled. The tension was immediately lifted, except for one member of the family. Michael and Karen were hugging the others while Jared remained seated on the couch, arms crossed.
“Jared…?” Michael asked wearily.
“Hmm?” Jared asked.
“What’s the problem?” Michael asked again.
“What’s the problem?” Jared said viciously. “Seriously?” He added and stood up. Jared stormed out of the living room and walked upstairs. Michael sighed.
“He’ll be alright.” Andrew said. Some of the family had gone into the dining room, only a couple of them had witnessed Jared storming out.
“I can go talk to him.” Rodney offered. Michael began to protest, but Nathan took over.
“No.” Nathan said confidently. “We’ll all go.” He added.
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea, Nate.” Andrew said wearily.
“You four used to bug me all the time when we were growing up. He shouldn’t get treated any differently.” Nathan said and started walking up the stairs. “Let’s go!” He added and ushered his brothers, and Thomas, to follow him.
Jared was in his and Rodney’s room. He wanted to be happy for Michael, but he just couldn’t. Everything was changing, everyone was leaving. He felt abandoned, alone. He had always felt like that, even before the war. What was he doing? Putting a damper on everyone’s mood, like always. Jared didn’t like the person he was becoming. He didn’t see a way out of this mess. Jared sat on his bed and shook his head. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“Don’t know why I’m knocking, we’re coming in anyway.” Nathan said firmly from behind the door.
“Don’t.” Jared responded. Nathan opened the door and grinned.
“Hey!” He said and sat down on Rodney’s bed, facing Jared.
“This isn’t a joke, Nathan.” Jared said. He was getting pissed off. Mostly because he was getting a taste of his own medicine.
“No one said it was.” Nathan replied. Andrew, Michael, Rodney and Thomas came in after Nathan.
“Come on…” Jared mumbled under his breath.
“What’s the matter?” Michael asked empathetically.
“I’m sorry, Mikey, I really am.” Jared said quickly.
“Don’t apologize, I don’t care. Just tell me what’s going on.” Michael said and sat down next to Jared.
“It’s nothing.” Jared said quietly.
“Jared.” Andrew said firmly.
“Quit it, Andrew. This is so typical of you, sticking your nose in everyone’s business.” Jared exclaimed.
“He’s not the one asking.” Michael said and snapped Jared back. Jared stared at Michael.
“I want you to be happy.” Jared said to Michael.
“I know you do. You’re still not answering my question.” Michael said. Jared looked around the room. His brothers, and Thomas, were waiting patiently for an explanation.
“It’s nothing.” Jared said to Michael.
“Not quite. Try again.” Michael responded.
“Stop.” Jared said and looked away, out the window.
“Jared.” Michael asked again. Jared completely lost it and stood up.
“Fucking quit it!” He yelled. “I’m not saying a goddamn thing, cause, who the hell cares anyway?”
“What are you talking about?” Rodney asked confusedly from beside Nathan. “We care.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Jared muttered quietly and combed through his hair.
“Is this about the war?” Thomas asked Jared, and he completely halted.
“Watch it, Tommy.” Jared said.
“They split us up when we were out there, remember?” Thomas said firmly. “You never told me what happened while we were in different divisions.” Jared immediately looked away.
“You think I’m just gonna blurt it out?” Jared said and chuckled. Thomas shook his head.
“I did.”
“I know you did.” Jared replied. “You think this is connected to Mikey moving away somehow?” He added.
“I do, yeah.” Thomas said firmly. “You’re so afraid of change because you’re stuck in the past, dwelling over something that you haven’t faced yet.”
“Thanks, Plato.” Jared said.
“I’m serious.”
“Well, so am I.” Jared said.
“You’ve been like this for years, Jared.” Andrew said. “Bottling things up, drinking, getting angry.”
“Whatever.” Jared said.
“I talked to some of the guys yesterday.” Thomas said.
“Who?” Jared asked, becoming increasingly more weary of Thomas’ motive.
“Lance, Clancy, Benning, Patton, Knox.” Thomas said. Jared and Thomas’ friends from boot camp.
“And?” Jared asked.
“We just talked. About everything that happened, to us and others.” Thomas said firmly.
“Wow, manly.” Jared said arrogantly.
“It was.” Thomas said angrily. He was pissed at Jared for not wanting to handle this correctly. “There is nothing wrong with talking about it. Nothing.” He added.
“Good to know.” Jared said and rolled his eyes.
“There is nothing wrong with it.” Thomas said more firmly.
“You said that already!” Jared yelled. Thomas stared at him.
“I’m calling the guys. We’re meeting tomorrow.” Thomas said.
“Hell no.” Jared replied.
“Yes.” Thomas said firmly. “We’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
“Oh, great. Conspiring behind my back.” Jared yelled. Thomas shook his head.
“Come on.” Andrew said softly.
“Shut up.” Jared replied. Thomas got ready to walk out.
“Where are you going?” Jared asked him.
“I’m gonna make a call.” Thomas said.
“No, you’re not!” Jared yelled and got ready to stop Thomas, but Nathan stopped him.
“Don’t. You can’t push this away forever. Take it from me.” He said firmly.
Jared thought about it.
“Remember how I was when you found me with Tristan, and everything? It was awful, and I felt awful. I don’t want that for you, but it seems like you’re already going down that road.” Nathan said and firmly gripped Jared’s shoulder.
“Just meet with those guys, your friends. What’s the worst that could happen?” He added. Jared was looking down. “Okay?” Nathan added.
“Yeah, alright, bud.” Jared said and patted the side of Nathan’s head. Jared sighed and walked out of the room. He wasn’t going to take this lying down. He was going to be as stubborn as all hell.
The brothers, and Thomas, walked downstairs and Rodney immediately looked for Ally, he had something he wanted to say now that everyone was. When he found her, he pulled her to the side.
“Hey, what’s up?” Ally asked.
“You know I don’t like stealing people’s thunder, but I thought it would be good t-” Rodney said, but Ally knew what he was referencing.
“To tell them I’m pregnant?” Ally asked. Rodney nodded. They had told Ally’s family last week, so it felt weird having to keep it a secret around Rodney’s family.
“What do you think? It’s long overdue.” Rodney said to Ally. Ally thought about it.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Ally said. Rodney was hesitant.
“Let me just ask Mike.” Rodney said.
“What? Ask him what?” Ally asked.
“If we can announce this today.” Rodney replied.
“Honey, this isn’t preschool. He won’t mind, trust me.” Ally said.
“I’m still gonna ask!” Rodney exclaimed and kissed Ally’s cheek.
“I know you are.” Ally muttered as Rodney went to look for Michael. Rodney walked through the house frantically. Andrew stopped him before he passed through the living room.
“What are you doing?” Andrew asked.
“Nothing.” Rodney replied.
“Don’t lie.” Andrew said firmly.
“Just give me a second. Where’s Mike?” Rodney asked.
“Kitchen.” Andrew responded as he watched Rodney enter the kitchen.
“Hey, Mike, c’mere.” Rodney whispered as he pulled Michael to the side.
“What’s the matter? You’re, like, frantic.” Michael said to Rodney.
“No, it’s fine. I was just wondering…” Rodney continued.
“What?” Michael asked.
“Ally and I, just, have a little announcement, but I wasn’t sure when we could announce it since you just-” Rodney said, but Michael stopped him.
“Dude, go for it.” Michael said and Rodney smiled.
“Alright, great.” Rodney said and ran into the living room. Ally stood beside him.
“What are you doing?” Aaron asked as he turned the TV off. Michael had gathered everyone from the kitchen, so now everyone was in the living room.
“I’m getting deja vu.” Bill groaned from the couch.
“Are you moving too?” Mark asked Rodney.
“No way.” Jared said, staring at Rodney.
“No, we aren’t.” Rodney said, calming everyone down. Rodney skimmed around the room and noticed that Nathan was asleep.
“Thomas, can you…?” Rodney said to Thomas, who was sitting next to Nathan. Thomas shook Nathan lightly, and he woke up. Nathan looked around confusedly.
“What?” Nathan asked.
“Rodney and Ally have an announcement to make.” Thomas whispered.
“Are you moving?” Nathan asked.
“We aren’t moving!” Ally said firmly. Rodney took a deep breath and everyone leaned in closer.
“Uh, Ally’s pregnant.” He said hesitantly. He didn’t know how they were going to react. There was silence.
“Uh, we have proo-” Ally continued, but Karen suddenly leapt over and hugged her. Everyone broke out in cheer. Andrew immediately went over and hugged Rodney.
“You’re gonna do so well.” Andrew whispered to Rodney. Rodney patted Andrew’s back. Michael approached Rodney next.
“This is a way better reaction than we got.” Michael said jokingly.
“I’m really sor-” Rodney continued, but Michael hugged him before he could finish.
“Do not finish that sentence.” Michael said and Rodney laughed. Jared was ecstatic, he hugged both Rodney and Ally at the same time.
“How far along are you?” Rodney’s mom asked.
“Eleven and a half weeks.” Ally said and smiled. She hugged her.
“I’m gonna be an uncle.” Jared said and smiled.
“You are an uncle.” Andrew corrected him and pointed to his kids. “You’re Brad’s godfather, idiot.” He added. Jared clutched his forehead.
“You’re right.” Jared said and patted Brad’s shoulder. Brad laughed. Nathan scurried past his brothers and gave Rodney a hug.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better for the job, man, congrats.” Nathan said to Rodney. When Rodney finished hugging the rest of the family, his brothers immediately pulled him to the side.
“So?” Michael asked him.
“So, what?” Rodney asked.
“Who’s the godfather, dude?” Jared asked. “And don’t say Andrew.” He added.
“Hey!” Andrew said and punched Jared lightly in the shoulder.
“No, I, uh, I’m looking right at him.” Rodney said, while staring at Nathan. Nathan cluelessly looked behind him.
“Where?” Nathan said, skimming the area behind him. Nathan turned back around and his brothers were looking at him.
“What?” Nathan asked confusedly.
“Nate.” Rodney said firmly. Suddenly, Nathan realized.
“If this is a joke, it’s so not funny.” Nathan said to Rodney.
“A joke, seriously?” Rodney said.
“Holy shit.” Nathan said and immediately hugged Rodney. Nathan didn’t know what to think, he was just happy.
“Are you sure?” Nathan asked as he broke off the hug.
“Never been more sure of anything in my life.” Rodney said firmly. Nathan was shocked. He couldn’t wait to meet this kid.