Pizza and Movies

Tears fell down Isaac's cheeks as he stares out the living room window from his laying down position on the sofa. That was the first sight that greeted the twins upon arriving home. Concerned they stand beside their friend placing a hand on each of his shoulders. Sitting up he incoherently sobs a few words pointing to something outside. Their mother's car sat out in the driveway as she assisted someone in unloading their bags from the trunk. Once the trunk slams shut she realizes the true reason behind Isaac's weeping. Dressed in a white t-shirt, faded checkered flannel, dark jeans and a beanie was a man she hadn't seen for quite some time. The minute the man's boots enter the house Skylar rushes at him wrapping the burly man in a tight hug. Boisterous laughter reaches her ears as another body collides into the man right after.

"Dad!"

"Mr. Mackenzie!"

Isaac and Skylar call out joyfully burying their faces in the man's shirt. The daughter of Apollo's damp clothes seeped into the man's own dry apparel. Setting down his suitcase he squeezes the two kids in a bear hug lifting them off the ground. They were being slightly crushed but didn't mind. Placing them back onto the floor he plops a hand atop his son's head ruffling his wavy brown locks. Dark green eyes gazed joyfully at the boy pulling him into another hug which he gladly returns. "Oh Isaac my boy it's so good to see you." Mr. Mackenzie says his voice laced with emotion. "You as well young Skylar." He nods to the girl with a smile which she gladly returns with one of her own.

"Gods dad what are you doing here? I missed you so much!" Isaac rubs his eyes looking up at his father.

"Skylar's mother was kind enough to invite me to stay for a few days. I see you've finally got a bit of meat on your bones." Mr. Mackenzie chuckles pinching Isaac's arm lightly. Naomi slips in the door behind Isaac's father leading them into the family room. Skylar excuses herself to go change while Isaac and his father catch up. Will follows after her heading to his own room. When they both emerge Will stops at the top of the stairs listening to the joyful laughter filling the first floor.

"So that's Isaac's dad? Totally not what I expected." He whispers to Skylar. In truth Mr. Mackenzie seemed the complete opposite of what Will imagined Isaac's father to look like. They'd never really talked much about him in the months Isaac stayed with the twins. The man currently sitting in the family room had the appearance of a grizzly bear. Intimidating and hairy. A soft laugh comes from his sister standing beside him at his bewildered expression.

"His personality takes a bit of getting used to but don't worry you'll love him. He knows how to make a mean cup of coffee too." She smiles tugging on his arm and leading him into the living room. Their mother brought out mugs of hot cocoa and a full plate of sugar cookies for everyone.

"Ah! This must be the famous brother young Skylar has told me about! Come sit down boy let's have a talk." Mr. Mackenzie waves Will over who sits in the chair across from him. Skylar sits on the armrest of her brother's chair grinning ear to ear. Isaac wore a similar expression beyond excited to see his father again. "I trust you two have made up?" The man questions shifting his green eyes from Will to Skylar.

"Yes sir." Skylar replies politely. Retrieving a mug of hot chocolate she sits back down beside Will.

"That's what I like to hear. Siblings have no need to be quarreling in this day and age. That sister of yours spoke very highly of you, says you're the best healer at that camp." Mr. Mackenzie addresses Will his dark green eyes examining the son of Apollo. He'd yet to form an opinion on the boy wanting to have a proper conversation with him first. Man to man.

The blond's face flushes at the praise glancing at his sister. "Did she? I'm nothing special sir. My fighting isn't exactly up to par with the rest and singing is out of the question. Healing is really the only thing I'm good at."

"Nonsense! You'd be wise to take pride in your work. Why, without you there'll surely be lives lost what with all those monsters you kids face. Isaac was just telling me about your encounter with that boy Dustin. A right shame how warped his ideals became. Told me your sister there would've died without your quick wit." Mr. Mackenzie says sipping from his mug. Isaac gives him a towel after seeing some of the chocolate beverage stuck to his mustache.

"I just did what had to be done. There's no way I could just sit around and let her die." Will leans forward resting his arms on his knees.

Skylar scoffs beside him. "If it weren't for you Nico and I'd have a one way ticket into the afterlife. Stop being so modest my dear brother." She smirks nudging him with her elbow.

Mr. Mackenzie perks up at the mention of Nico. Folding his hands on his lap he leans closer. "Isn't that the boy you were searching all over for? Is he here now? I'd like to have a word." The way his eyes hardened didn't go unnoticed by Skylar. It would be more like scolding if he and Nico spoke right now.

Shifting uneasily Skylar sips quietly at her hot chocolate. "About that...h-he's sort of um...not here?"

Isaac assists in answering coming to the blonde girl's aid. "He kind of moves to the beat of his own drum. One minute he's here and the next he could be somewhere in California. Skylar invited him for Christmas though so you might be able to meet him. Nico's a bit hard to interpret but he's not a bad guy. Just has a lot on his plate." Mr. Mackenzie nods in understanding. She thanks the son of Aphrodite with a slight nod of her head.

"It would be nice to have a full house this year. Normally it's just the twins and I so this year is a nice change." Naomi says having returned from the kitchen. She left earlier to order pizza for everyone courtesy of Mr. Mackenzie's generous wallet. Nodding to her mother Skylar glances down to the floor as something claws at her pant leg. Reaper sat beside her sock clad feet a roll of parchment between in skeletal jaw. Leaning down she lifts the cat onto her lap completely disregarding the fact that Mr. Mackenzie has never seen said creature before.

"Bloody buggering hell!" Hunter green eyes widen in astonishment as he takes a drink from his mug. A loud snort is heard from the burly man causing Isaac to jump in surprise. Dribbles of chocolate fell from his beard as some of the liquid splashed back in his face. Coughing, Mr. Mackenzie set his mug down gesturing wildly at the feline. "W-what is that infernal beast?!"

Reaper hisses at the insult. His bones rattling together to make some form of growling noise. Removing the scroll from his grasp Skylar lightly strokes his head watching as he curls up contently. "Mr. Mackenzie I assure you Reaper is harmless. Please refrain from insulting him though as he is a part of this family." She pauses staring down at the resting cat. "He's how Nico and I communicate over long distances."

Wiping his face with a towel offered by Naomi, Mr. Mackenzie lets out a sigh. "Forgive me. I'm yet to be fully used to your world having been neglecting it for so long." Green eyes gaze down at the curled up creature on Skylar's lap. "That friend of yours sure is something. Resurrecting the dead and what not. Risky business he's meddling in, can't imagine that god of the Underworld will be too pleased."

"Being the son of Hades himself sort of gives him a free pass on occasion." Isaac shrugs nonchalantly having gotten accustomed to Nico's parentage. "Just as long as he doesn't go overboard anyway."

Skylar nods in agreement unrolling the letter and scanning the words scrawled onto the parchment. Will tries to peek over her shoulder earning a slap from his twin. "Excuse you, last time I checked your name wasn't Skylar." She teases sticking her tongue out at him and returning to reading.

In the meantime Isaac and his father get into a heated discussion about which of their favorite video game characters were better. I take it back, they're birds of a feather. Will internally chuckles watching the father and son duo have an animated conversation. More specifically watching a certain son of Aphrodite. The way his wavy brown hair just barely falls into his shimmering green eyes. How his nose and cheeks were lightly dusted in freckles from spending time in the sun. Especially the way Isaac talked with his hands when the subject was something he was passionate about. At first glance you never could guess he and Mr. Mackenzie were related except for a few small features. However looking at them now the son of Apollo knew for certain they were indeed family. The thought brought a content smile to his face and before he realizes it he's been staring at Isaac for a couple of minutes analyzing his appearance.

Will registers Skylar leaving his side snapping him from his intense staring. Blushing faintly he hides his face partially in his mug. As much as he wanted to deny it, he had a small crush on the son of Aphrodite. That being said he wouldn't act on it now. No, he'd keep it to himself as to not ruin the blossoming friendship he and Isaac shared. Said boy flashes Will a dazzling smile that he returns. He takes it back, make that a major crush.

Sitting atop the kitchen counter Skylar hummed to herself. Letting out a dejected sigh she folds up the parchment placing it in the pocket of her pajama pants. Ocean blue eyes gaze outside the lightly frosted window. Gentle snowflakes fell from the sky blanketing the ground in the white substance. From the other room she hears the ring of a doorbell and the heavy thumping of Mr.Mackenzie's feet as he answers the door. His gruff voice announces loudly that the pizza has arrived.

Footsteps approached the kitchen pushing open the swinging Oak door. "Honey? Dinner is here." Naomi calls to her daughter while holding two plates each with two slices of pizza on them. The blonde gives her mother a muttered reply of acknowledgement continuing to gaze out the window. "Is everything alright dear?" She questions setting the plates down beside Skylar.

"Mhmm, just needed a break is all." The golden-haired girl tells her mother taking a bit out of her bacon and pepperoni pizza slice. "By the way, Nico sends his regards. Something came up with his dad so he might not be here for Christmas."

Naomi hums softly leaning against the counter beside her daughter and eating her own food. "I see, so that's what has you down. Well sitting by yourself and moping about it isn't going to solve anything."

"I'm not moping." Skylar huffs glancing over at Naomi. "Can't a girl have some alone time around here?"

"From what I understand you've had nothing but alone time these past few weeks." Her mother's hand ruffles her hair gently. "Come join us if you feel like it." With that Naomi leaves the blonde alone. Finishing off her pizza she places the dish in the sink and heads toward the stairs. Reaper follows behind his little feet making tapping noises on the wooden flooring. Halfway up the staircase she halts. Skylar's thoughts were at war with one another.

She would love to go back into the family room and catch Mr. Mackenzie up on most things. On the other hand her fluffy bed was calling her to just turn in for the night. "What do you think Reaper? Wanna spook Mr. Mackenzie some more or go to bed?" The skeletal feline tilts its head at her sliding past her legs to once again head downstairs. "Alright then."

Isaac perks up when Naomi returns but his mood deflates when discovering she's alone. She gives the boy an apologetic smile taking a seat in one of the recliners. He hoped Ms. Solace would return with her daughter not wanting Skylar to be alone. Despite being in a discussion with his father earlier he noticed how the daughter of Apollo just up and left. Will, who changed seats to sit beside Isaac, slings his arm across his shoulders. Green eyes shift to look at the blond.

"Keep scrunching your face up like that and it'll get stuck that way." Will smirks.

Isaac rolls his eyes sinking deeper into the couch cushions. "Ha ha very funny." Resting his head on the arm of the sofa he places his feet in Will's lap. His reindeer sock clad feet wiggle slightly. "Sky should be here with us watching cheesy Holiday films and gorging on greasy pizza."

Raising a questioning brow at Isaac's sock choice he gives a simple response. "Just give it a few minutes." Choosing not to question it the brunet turns back to the tv where the two adults were engrossed in the film playing. His father now held a mug of spiked eggnog in his hand courtesy of Ms. Solace. That might not end well. He internally chuckles.

As if on cue about five minutes pass before Skylar sneaks into the room taking up a spot on the floor beside the couch. At first no one notices all secretly rooting for their choice man of who should end up with the lead woman role. From what she gathered one of the men was secretly a prince and also the woman's fiance. The other her childhood best friend.

"Obviously she's gonna pick the best friend. I mean her fiance doesn't even acknowledge how important family traditions are." Skylar whispers wrapping a blanket around her body. Apparently she commented loud enough to earn a response.

"I know right? Prince or not the guy obviously lacks in the fiance department. " Isaac whispers back before freezing. Slowly he turns to his left and almost falls off the couch at the sight of Skylar right beside him. "Sky?!" Will instantly shushes the brunet not even remotely surprised his sister appeared out of the blue.

"Hi." The golden-haired girl smiles leaning her head beside his so they could converse without disturbing the others.

"I didn't think you'd come back. Seemed like Nico's note really bummed you out." Isaac murmurs turning on his side to face her. "He's not coming is he?"

"Originally I was going to just go to bed but Reaper wanted to cause a bit more mischief. Most likely not, said something about helping his dad." Skylar replies quietly her ocean eyes focusing on the cream blanket covering her body.

"Well look on the bright side." Isaac snickers slightly at his accidental pun. "You have me, Will, your mom and my dad so you won't be alone."

"Who are you and what have you done with my friend? You're too sappy to be him." She giggles.

"Well excuuuuse me." He pouts.

"Thanks bud, I appreciate your concern."Skylar lifts her hand to brush the hair from his eyes.

"No problemo, what are friends for?" Isaac says with a soft smile.

Leaning closer she asks the question weighing on her mind. "Mind if I ask you about something?" Her blue eyes flicker to her brother who absentmindedly started to play with the fabric of Isaac's socks. The brunet nods urging her to continue.

"How do you view my brother?"