#tammie x mason 001

[rviner]

"I swear to God if he's sellin' something, Nora. I'm gonna scream, hold on. It's like every time I get five minutes..." Tammie quickly tucked her phone into her pocket, grabbing a chatter with her sister when she noticed some tall-ass long-legged sales-boy coming to her door. If Kenzie hadn't been a fairy godmother and taught all the new moms of Center Hill to keep things loud when the babies nap, she would've tore this kid's face off for disturbing Faith's sleep. She got to the door before he could knock, swinging it open. "Just give flyers." she snapped, but her head wobbled slightly at his strange statement. "I'm not, no. Last time I checked." she uttered quietly and slowed her roll on the snippy attitude, giving him a suspicious once over. Looked like Kat's kids. "You okay?" Tammie asked at first, her new found motherly instincts suddenly making it easier for her to soften and she didn't particularly like it. "Someone do something? Where they at? You new here? Lost?"

+ TAMMIE / CENTER HILL TRAILER PARK

Okay. Cool. Take two. He can do this. It won't be as bad as the first time now that he knows his dad has a brother. What were the chances? Okay. Cool. Stay calm. Just like you rehearsed. He clears his throat, knocking on the door of the address Hunter? had given him as he repeats his words from earlier, mentally cleaning them up a little. This was the real deal. His actual dad. The number Hunter gave is like a beacon in his phone but this seems like in-person news to deliver as much as he'd have preferred to just send a text. You my dad? But no. He was gonna do it right. Man up. Say the facts. That's it. My name's Mason and my mom gave me your name and said you might still be kicking around Center Hill. And I think I'm your son? Mason frowns. It doesn't sound great on second thought. He rakes a hand through his hear and nods to himself. My name's Mason and my mom's Emily Porter. She gave me your name and I think you're my dad. Or maybe, she gave me your name because I'm your son. Mason exhales, nodding to himself. That's better. Take two. Take fucking two. And he's about ready to spit it all out when the door opens and he freezes. Well...she's not his dad. "You're not a guy." Obviously. Mason shakes his head. "I mean. Hi. Hey. Hello." @blackheartatl

[rviner]

Tammie blinked right back at him, leaning against the open door as her curiousness kicked in. Equal amounts of confusion too as he mentioned Ryan. Did Ryan rob this fucking kid? Oh she was going to kick his ass. End of discussion, over. Done. Single motherhood wasn't even scary. "I...yeah, he's..." she stuttered for a moment because the young man's faltering was becoming contagious. "He's out, you got the right place." Tammie nodded softly and her head tilted to Hunter's name. The other Cross wasn't much of a prankster to her knowledge, at least not elaborate ones. "Is something wrong?" she asked more carefully, dropping the edge from her tone. "Look, if either one of them have done something you just tell me, alright?"

Mason blinks at the mention of flyers, glancing down and then back up at her, like he could've forgotten he had any to begin with. But he's got no flyers and he almost wishes he did just so he had something to do. "Sorry, I just meant –– I'm uh...I'm looking for Ryan?" He scrunches his brows, glancing up at the house to make sure he has the right number, and then back at her. "Ryan Cross? I think this is the right address?" What if not-Ryan, or Hunter, had actually been Ryan? The thought comes to him in a hurry but then he remembers Hunter saying something about a situation and a baby girl and realizes this is the situation. Or she is. She's the person in the situation. Or whatever. Jesus. Okay. "Hunter gave it to me?" Maybe that helps.

[rviner]

"It's nice to meet you too." Tammie gave a smile and nod, inviting Mason along in as Ryan did too. And she meant it, truly, but she was unsure what to think or if she had much of a right to an opinion either. In many ways, Tammie was all too aware that it didn't involve her and once again, learning that when you choose a Cross, you choose a certain kind of unpredictability to be in your life at all times. She headed to Faith's room, only emerging so she could leave for Nora's. Not wanting to interrupt or make Mason feel unwelcome, she made little Faith wave her hand. "I'll just head out for a while and then, if you're still around when I get back you can meet your sister properly?" Tammie shrugged, offering another smile because family would always be where she softened. Her smile to Ryan was quick too, scurrying off and closing the door behind her but not without a 'Nora, you still in my pocket? You're not gonna believe this.' being heard at the doorstep.

Mason blinks at...Hunter? Confusion settling on his face as he shakes his head. "I just –"You'll get it when you see him. There's a resemblance, always get confused. Well, at least now he knows what kinda of humor his uncle has. Mason lets out a scoff, "You're twins," the obvious fact hanging in the air as he stares at his...father for a long moment, surprised and then...uncertain. He'd come here for a reason right? Mason clears his throat and returns is focus to Tammie. "I...it's nice to meet you. Sorry to just." He gestures, appear. And then his gaze is drawn back to Ryan. He shakes his head. "I don't mind. Either. But if this is a bad time..." But when is it ever a good time to spring the fact that you're someone's kid on them?

[rviner]

Patience was a virtue, one that skipped Tammie entirely when personalities were being handed out and her arms slowly crossed at her middle. "Well, I'm not sure how it can get much weirder." she shrugged up her shoulders and tried with all her might to keep her tone as level as possible. The flash of Ryan walking towards them made her nod upwards in greeting but her focus traveled back to Mason, news barely registering as Ryan came to a stop at her side. Famous last words. It got weirder. "I...." Oh, shit. Well, this is what she got for never managing to get out of a relationship with a Cross. Just thanking her lucky stars that she wasn't a mother at sixteen. Falling into silent surprise, Tammie's eyes traveled between father and son, a quick snort of laughter escaping as the only response she could initially give. Just...of course. "Well, Mason...I'm Tammie." she shrugged in the same motion as she took in a deep breath, faltering for a moment as she glanced around. Her hand touched Ryan's shoulder quickly and she jutted her head to the house. "I can take Faith out, and you two can..." Offering an awkward smile to her...step-son?...she shrugged again with a clear struggle of words. "Uhh...get to know one another?"

Mason usually carries himself with more confidence than this but the whole thinking my uncle was my dad thing was kinda embarrassing. Never mind the fact he's already given his spiel once. But she's looking at him expectantly and he's the one who knocked on her door. "Oh. Right. Uh." He rakes a hand through his hair and shifts slightly, not wanting to stir anything up for Ryan but not sure how to explain his presence without just...explaining it. "Look this is kinda weird. And I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to do this..." He glances around, as though willing Ryan to magically appear before looking back at her. He exhales a puff of air before everything escapes in another rush, nerves getting the better of him once more. "Name’s Mason. My mom’s Emily Porter. She gave me Ryan's name. I think he's my dad." There. It’s not a great speech but…better out than in? Maybe. He's not sure.