On her way to bed, Elizabeth peeked in Brady's room because he had his light on.

She walked over and noticed he had fallen asleep reading. She put his bookmark in the well worn copy of A Wrinkle in Time and turned off the light.

She knew exactly what to do with their Saturday now.

The next morning, she got up early and started to make omelets. She heard footsteps and assumed they were Jack but when she turned she saw Brady.

"Good morning. You hungry?"

"I guess so."

"You like omelets?"

"Yeah."

"Wanna help me make them?"

"Don't know how."

"Well, wash your hands and I'll teach you."

He paused a moment and then stepped over to the sink to wash up.

"Alright, so I like to put milk with my eggs. It makes them fluffy. So, if you want to, measure a quarter cup of milk in this measuring cup to start."

He very carefully measured the milk. "Now what?"

"Pour it in this bowl here with the eggs and then stir them with the fork." She watched him and smiled. "Good job. Do you like bacon or sausage with your eggs?"

"Both?" he asked, an almost smile on his lips.

"Alright. This is a special weekend so you can have both."

She grabbed both meats from the refrigerator and placed another pan on the stove.

"Why is it a special weekend?"

"Because you're here."

"I'm not special."

She put her arm around his shoulders. "I think you are. Who else understands the love of a book like A Wrinkle in Time?"

"How did you….?"

"I saw it last night when I turned off your light."

"Sorry."

"About what?"

"I know bedtime was 9:30 but I couldn't sleep. Reading helps me sleep. Are there gonna be consequences now?"

"Consequences?"

"Jack said if I don't listen or don't give you respect, there would be consequences."

"I see. Well, the way I see it, Brady, you went to bed. You listened to us so no consequences."

"Okay. I'll do better." He looked so relieved it concerned her.

"Did you have consequences when you lived in other foster homes?"

"Sometimes. Mostly when I still lived with my dad. He used his belt."

"Oh my…Brady, I'm so sorry that happened to you. We will never ever hit you for any reason. This is a safe place for you."

"That's what Jack said."

"Good."

"So you're not mad?"

"Of course not. In fact, I was thinking after breakfast, we could go to The Nook."

"What's that?"

"A book store. I love reading and so does Autumn and my guess is so do you…So I thought I would get you the next couple books in that series."

"But I'm leaving tomorrow."

"That means I can't buy you a gift?"

"Why are you being so nice?"

"Brady, I need you to know something. You deserve to be treated well. You deserve to be cared for."

Jack clumped down the stairs with Autumn on his shoulders. "Morning. Anyone seen Autumn? I think I lost her."

Brady looked up as Autumn giggled. "Daddy! I up here!"

"Where? I don't see you."

Autumn touched his cheeks and bent down over his eyes. "I here!"

"There you are, pumpkin! I was so worried!"

Autumn giggled again and squealed as he picked her up off his shoulders and pretended to drop her, catching her at the last second.

Elizabeth caught a smile on Brady's lips as he watched Jack play with Autumn. That was a good thing to see.

Autumn ran up to Brady and looked at him, a grin on her face. "Hi."

"Hi," he responded.

Then, without any warning, she flung her little chubby arms around his waist and hugged him.

He didn't know what to do so he just stood there. Jack stole a kiss from Elizabeth and gave her a hug.

"You guys sure hug a lot around here," he said once Autumn released him.

"True," Jack said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "So what are we doing today?"

"I'm taking Autumn and Brady to The Nook," Elizabeth told him. "Do you have to work or do you want to come too?"

"I need to head to the site for a few hours. Maybe I can meet you all for lunch at Vera's. Around one?"

"Sounds great."

"Autumn, don't forget to let Annie out. She's getting antsy," Elizabeth told her.

Autumn ran over and unlocked Annie's cage and then opened the door to the deck. "Potty, Annie!"

"Thank you, pumpkin," Jack said as he set the table. "Brady, can you grab forks for all of us, please? They are in the drawer by the dishwasher."

"But I don't live here. Why do I have to do chores?"

"You live here today and tomorrow," Jack said. "So I think it's only fair that you do a few things around here." Jack could see the split second of rebelliousness on his face before he walked over to the drawer and pulled out four forks and put them next to the plates. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he mumbled.

Brady watched everyone as they ate breakfast, that he had actually helped cook. They were talking, happy, not yelling at each other. Jack said a prayer and held Autumn's hand and Elizabeth's and then gave them each a smile. He could tell Elizabeth really loved both of them and the feeling was mutual. Brady had been lucky enough to have nice people in each foster home but no one was quite as nice as the Thornton's. He wouldn't complain if they were his family someday.

"Brady?"

He looked up at Jack. "Yeah?"

"I asked what grade you are in at school."

"Sorry, fourth."

"Do you like your teacher?"

"I guess."

"I love….school!" Autumn announced.

"Sierra…my friend."

"That's good," he told her.

"What…your friend name?" she wondered.

Her question made him think. He didn't have any friends. He really didn't see a point when he moved around so much that he was always the new kid. So he made one up to answer her question. "Max."

"Max….nice?"

"I guess."

"Sierra nice."

"Hey, pumpkin, your eggs are gonna get cold. Why don't you eat now and let Brady eat too?"

"Okay, Daddy."

After breakfast, Jack headed to work leaving Elizabeth and the kids. Brady helped clean up the breakfast dishes and then went to change clothes. However when he came back downstairs, he was wearing the same shirt and pants from the day before.

"Brady, if you want, you can throw those clothes in the washer when we get home and I can wash them for you."

"Its fine," he shrugged.

"Alright. If you change your mind, let me know. Autumn, can you please put Annie in her cage so we can go?"

Ten minutes later, they were in Elizabeth's little Volvo, headed to downtown Riverton. Elizabeth loved it. It was quaint and lovely, no matter the season. The people were kind and it felt like home.

As they walked in the door of The Nook, Elizabeth took a deep breath. Coffee and books. Two of her favorite smells. They felt comforting. Safe. She wondered if that was why Brady liked to read.

"Hello, Beth. Good to see you."

"You too, Savannah." Savannah came out from behind the counter and smiled at Brady.

"Who do you have with you today?"

"This is our friend Brady and you already know Autumn."

"Nice to meet you, Brady."

"You too," he mumbled.

"Hi, Miss…Vanna!" Autumn said, her grin as big as ever.

"Hi, sweet pea. I have a brand new princess book for you. Wanna see?" Savannah held out her hand and Autumn looked up at Elizabeth.

"Go ahead, sweetie. I'm going to go over here with Brady."

Elizabeth smiled as Autumn skipped off happily with Miss Vanna. "Alright, Brady. Let's find the sci-fi section."

They located the section and Brady chose book two in the Wrinkle in Time series. Then he took a seat in a nearby chair and opened it to read.

Elizabeth picked up the third, fourth, and fifth in the series and then wandered over a few aisles to check out her favorite Christian Fiction section.

Every few minutes, she peeked around and made sure Brady was still in the same place and then did the same with Autumn.

"Mommy! Look!" Autumn held up a really sparkly pink and purple book. "Princess Sally!"

"Wow! Is that the book you want?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright. Let's go find Brady." They found him right where she had left him. He was fully engrossed in the book in his hands. Autumn pulled a chair out and sat down at the child sized table and looked through her book.

"Autumn, I'm going to go get a coffee. I need you to stay right here. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Brady?" He raised his head and looked at her. "I am going to get a coffee. I'll be right back. Got it?"

"Yeah."

When Elizabeth came back with her coffee, Autumn's chair was empty. Panic set in. How far could she have gone? "Brady?"

"Yeah?"

"Where's Autumn?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't see her walk off?"

"No. I was reading."

"Stay here. Don't get out of your chair, you hear me?"

"Yes," he nodded.

Elizabeth hurried from row to row of bookshelves, looking in every corner. Gone. How was she gone? Elizabeth's nose started to burn as she refused to allow her emotions to take over. Other than the panicking part.

"Autumn? Where are you, sweetie?" So much for no tears. They were falling now. Elizabeth heard the toilet flush.

"I here, Mommy!"

Elizabeth smiled and rushed into the bathroom. "I thought I lost you, Autumn! I was so scared." She scooped her up and held her, tears of relief flowing now.

"Sorry, Mommy….had to potty."

"Baby, why didn't you tell me? Remember I asked you to stay in your seat?"

"But….I had to go."

Elizabeth sighed. "Alright but next time, please come get me. Okay?"

"Okay."

Autumn laid her head on Elizabeth's shoulder and held on. She felt bad she had caused her Mommy's tears.

"Sorry….Mommy."

She walked back over and sat at the table, Autumn still clinging to her. "I love you so much. I was just scared."

"Love you too."

They met Jack later at Vera's for lunch. Autumn was back to her bubbly, happy self and Brady was quiet as usual.

Elizabeth leaned her head against Jack's shoulder, her hand on her tummy. "What's wrong, honey?" he whispered.

"I have cramps," she whispered back. That meant no baby yet. It had only been a month of them trying, so she knew it had been a long shot. It still bummed her out.

"We will just keep trying," he told her, kissing her forehead.

"I know. I'm okay. Just a little sad."

As they ate their lunch, Autumn talked excitedly about her new princess book and how they would be flying in an airplane to go see Princess Belle very soon.

Brady listened and found himself a bit jealous of Autumn. He had never gone to Disney. Never gone anywhere really.

Another thing that stuck with him when he left the Thornton's house for his new foster home was that he didn't know the kind of love that Autumn knew. His own mom had died when he was a toddler, his dad drank and hit him and then ended up in jail, and he had never connected with any other family.

Until now. They were what he wanted. He just didn't know how to get it.