A/n: Okay I know I said I wouldn't write anything this week but it's the Fourth of July, well technically the fifth, but walking on the beach late last night, I had to.

This was originally supposed to be a oneshot but turned out to be a multichapter fic.

Friends and Fireworks

"Okay, I just got done talking to Joan, she said it's fine. I already turned in my form, which by the way you need to do," Annie said as soon as she entered the tech booth.

"Annie what are you going on about?" Auggie asked his best friend.

"You promised you would come along with me on Dani and Michael's Fourth of July vacation. No backing out now."

"I was drunk wasn't I? Because I don't ever remember promising to spend the Fourth of July with you."

"You weren't drunk, you weren't even drinking. You were standing next to my desk when I asked you," Annie told him.

"I was under the impression that was a hypothetical situation."

"Yeah, well it was no longer hypothetical when you agreed."

Auggie rolled his eyes, "I've been suckered in to this haven't I?"

"Yes, oh yes. You have three minutes to turn your vacation request in or I'll do it for you. And remember it's for all week," Annie smiled evilly.

"You know I can actually picture you with horns and a forked tail," Auggie replied.

"It's funny, Joan said the same thing," Annie said thoughtfully.

"You're evil."

"I know."

Annie, of course, won. And her, Auggie, Dani, Michael, and the girls, all made their way down to Myrtle Beach the next day. The car ride was long and not the way anyone really wanted to spend most of their Saturday, but was worth it as the Brooks' all jumped in the pool as soon as they were checked in and unpacked.

Auggie was another story.

"Annie, tell me again the point of bringing a blind guy to the beach."

"Look, you don't have to do anything but sit in the sand and make sand castles. I won't force you to go swimming but I will say it's late and not that many people are in the ocean. Most of them are at the pool party," Annie explained as she lathered herself in sun screen.

"Annie, when I-"

"Oh don't start. You're coming down whether you like it or not. I will not have you stay up here all by yourself all week."

"I'll be fine. Let me get used to the layout today, I promise you I'll go down to the beach with you tomorrow."

Annie sighed. "Fine. I'll let you stay today, only because it's a new-" She was cut off by a knock at the door.

She laughed. "Dani, did you forget get your room key yet again?" she asked as she opened the door.

"Oops. I'm guess, Dani didn't tell you we've been brought along?" a very recognizable voice replied.

A small brunette woman stood in the doorway with a taller, younger brunette that could easily pass as her daughter.

"Jenny! Bella! I had no idea you were coming this year. Is Chris with you?" Annie blubbered as she took up both girls into hugs.

"Hey Annie! I'm back here," a male voice called from where the elevators were.

Annie tried not to laugh but the move was typical Jenny; leaving the men to do the work. "Oh Chris! Here let me help."

"No no, I've got it, just hold the door open," he replied.

"So I'm guessing you're the reason we don't get the guest room?" Annie wondered. "Not that I'm complaining, we get the lockout, but I wasn't expecting it."

"Mmhm. I'm surprised Dani didn't tell you," Jenny stated as she and Bella walked in.

"Yeah, well that's Dani for ya. I kind of brought company, I'm pretty sure he's still sitting on the couch refusing to come down with me," Annie said.

"I love how you talk about me like I'm a dog," Auggie replied teasingly.

"You're like a St. Bernard; loyal, charming- didn't we go over this when I went to Zurich?" she asked as she helped Chris pull the luggage cart into the condo.

"You forgot cute and dependable," he laughed.

Annie rolled her eyes. "Alright, you three are in the guest room in that condo." She pointed to the hallway that connected the two condos as she walked back to the living room. "You know, I'll agree with dependable, but cute I don't know."

"You've got to be kidding me, Rootie. Where did you find him?" Jenny asked.

"Watch it sister, you're married," Annie called.

"If only, if only," she called back in a sing-song voice.

"You better not let Dad hear you say that," Bella called.

Annie laughed as the two girls made their way to their room.

"So, Annie they would be?" Auggie asked.

"Jenifer and Christopher Abbey and their daughter Isabel. Jenny was Dani's mentor of sorts in high school and they've kept in touch ever since."

"Oh, gotcha."

"Hey Rootie, so who is this? And where can I get one?" Bella asked.

Auggie laughed. "I'm Auggie."

"Nice to meet you, Auggie. So Rootie, are you gonna come down to the beach with us?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, hold on let me get my beach bag and we can go," Annie said.

"Okay, I have to ask, what is with the nickname?" Auggie asked.

Annie laughed, "Jenny gave it to me forever ago. You'd have to ask her about it."

"Oh, um in high school, us three girls, meaning Dani, Annie, and I," Jenny explained as she walked back into Annie and Auggie's condo, "were sitting around the community pool drinking soda and talking. Rootie over here grabbed the last A&W Root Beer and had to make sure no one stole it, so she went in search for a Sharpie. Dani made a point to say that she didn't need to write her name on the bottle, that her initials were already on there. One way or another I ended up calling her Rootie and it stuck."

"So, Rootie huh? How did I not find out about this until now? I thought we were friends," Auggie said.

"Oh hells no. Come on girls lets go," Annie said.

"Oh Rootie, always embarrassed," Jenny said.

"I'm not embarrassed!" Annie wined.

"Are too," Auggie joined in.

"How would you know?" Annie wondered.

"Oh harsh! Your voice, by the way, gives you away, hon," he said.

"Whatever. I'm so not embarrassed. You just get yourself acquainted with the condos," Annie said as she practically pushed the two girls out the door.

A/n: Okay so it officially 11:45 pm on July 7, I'm late on the whole Fourth of July thing but I will get this done by the end of July.

Don't expect any more updates, the only reason you get this is because I had a stomach ache and didn't feel well enough to go to the ocean. So please enjoy. Updates as soon as my vacay is over!