A/N: What better way to mark my triumphant return to writing fanfic than by starting a story I've been talking about with select people for the last couple of weeks? Not too sure what we're looking at length-wise here, but this chapter is just a short introduction...there will be many more chapters to come.

I had said I was going to start this to break in my new laptop (which hasn't arrived yet), but decided to do it now. BECAUSE I CAN.

Fic is in the Averyverse...in case that wasn't obvious.

To new readers...recommended (although not required) reading in this 'verse includes my stories:

-I'm in Your Brains, the Expanded Edition

-Unicorns and Glitter

-First Day of School

-First Word

-Five is Old Enough

Also, not to worry (just in case anyone did...)...everything that has been on hiatus will be back over the next couple of weeks or so. I'M BACK, YO!

...I know. Longest A/N EVER. But...triumphant return! So much to say! :)

"She asked me again today," Quinn said, settling herself down in their bed. "That's three times in the last week."

Artie nodded, turning to her. "I know, she's asked me a few times too. I don't know what to tell her."

Leaning closer, Quinn laid her head on his shoulder. "Well, maybe if we keep trying..." she trailed off.

He shook his head. "We've been trying for over a year, and it's obviously not working. Everyone was so surprised the first time...I didn't think it could happen again. I mean...I hoped it could, but I'm also realistic. I'm just happy that it happened once."

"But maybe if we just keep trying," she said again. "I mean...it happened once, it could happen again, right?"

Artie shrugged. "I don't know. I talked about it with Dr. Scott last time I was there, and he said that the chances of us being able to have another baby with me as the father without some kind of medical...intervention, are low. And I don't want to put you through that...what if it doesn't work? Or what if something goes wrong?"

"You're not going to be 'putting me through' anything. We're going to do it together," she said, running her hand through his hair. "And it's not like we didn't know that we'd probably have to get some help if we want to have more kids. Which we've both always known that we do...right? I mean, if I hadn't gotten pregnant like that, don't you think we would have tried this sooner?"

He grinned. "Of course we do, and you're right...we probably would have. Besides...if Avery doesn't get a little brother or sister soon, she's going to go on a rampage. So really, this could be seen as a peacekeeping mission..."

Quinn giggled. "Speaking of Avery, you'd better keep the comment I KNOW you're about to make about 'sending in the troops' to yourself, because I think she's out of bed."

Artie gasped. "What? Hold up, woman. I was NOT about to make a troops comment. What do you think I am?"

She giggled again. "I don't THINK anything...I KNOW what you are."

He was about to respond, when Avery poked her head into their doorway. "Daddy, Bailey came to wake me up because he's hungry. Can I give him some food?"

Artie grinned. "He came to wake you up? Then why can I hear him snoring? Is he in your bed again?"

The little girl shook her head. "No! He came into my room to wake me up because he's hungry. Can you come help me?"

"And he's not in your bed?" Quinn asked, sitting up. "Are you sure?"

Avery bit her lip and looked away. Recognizing the facial expression that both her husband and her daughter got when they weren't being quite truthful, Quinn threw back the covers.

"I want Daddy to come," Avery said, quickly. "I want him to tuck me in after we feed Bailey. And Bailey isn't in my bed."

Quinn and Artie exchanged glances, before Artie grinned and threw back the covers on his side of the bed, and prepared to transfer to his chair.

After he was settled, Avery climbed up into his lap, and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you, Daddy," she said, turning. "And Mommy, I love you too! And I love Bailey!"

Quinn grinned, watching two of the most important people in her life make their way out the bedroom door and down the hall. She thought about following them quietly, but decided against it. She would use the few moments of alone time she'd have before Artie was back to think about what they had discussed. She knew that Artie had concerns about them seeking medical intervention to conceive another child, and, while she wasn't without concerns herself, she felt that it was something they needed to do. She hoped that she could bring him around to realize that it would be ok, and that she could convince him to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss their options.

As Artie rolled through Avery's bedroom door, he was greeted by a pair of soulful brown eyes peeking out from under her pink comforter. He was about to say something, when Avery leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"Daddy, please don't get mad. I know Bailey shouldn't be in my bed, but he looked sad, and I just wanted to cuddle him. Can I get a bigger bed so he can sleep with me all the time? We could keep my little bed for when we get a new baby."

Artie's expression softened. "I think maybe we could get you a bigger bed," he said. "I know it's getting a little tight in there for both of you."

"And can we keep my little bed for when we get a new baby?" she asked, looking up at him. "I really want a little brother or sister, Daddy," she added. "I want to be a big sister."

He smiled softly. "I know you do, princess. I can't make any promises, but it is something that Mommy and I have been talking about."

She grinned. "And Daddy...I have a secret. Bailey isn't really hungry. I just wanted you to come tuck me in and maybe read me a story. Do you think we could do that?"

"I think we could arrange that," he said, grinning back at her. "Why don't you get in there with Bailey, and I'll grab a book?"

"Ok," she said, climbing down off his lap and padding over to her bed. "Bailey," she whispered, "Can you please move so I can come under the covers with you?"

Artie sat back, watching them. When Bailey shifted his eyes from Avery's blue ones to Artie's even bluer ones, he made a small gesture with his head, and the dog scooted himself over so the little girl could lie down beside him.

Artie plucked a book from the neatly organized shelf, and wheeled over to the bed. "How about this one?" he asked, setting the brake on his chair.

The little girl nodded sleepily. "I like that one," she said.

As Artie began to read, Avery closed her eyes and eventually drifted off to sleep. Satisfied that she was sleeping, he put the book down, pulled the comforter up, tucking it around her small body, and leaned forward to kiss her goodnight.

Quinn stood in the hallway, watching as Artie tucked Avery in. She smiled softly. Artie was such an amazing father...somehow she would find a way to convince him that getting some help to try and have another child was the right thing for them to do.