Orlando, Florida, a few days later

Elizabeth laughed as Autumn poured shovels full of sand on top of Jack's chest. "Daddy is sandcastle!"

Their first day of vacation was perfect. They went to the Magic Kingdom and met every princess they could find. Today, they were going to spend time at the beach, where they were now. Then they were going to meet the grandparents for lunch at Epcot and take advantage of some of the fun kid things to do.

Elizabeth stood and smiled down at them. "I'm going to get us something to drink and a snack."

"Okay, Mommy."

Jack watched his gorgeous wife walk away in her black bikini. "Good heavens," he muttered.

"What, Daddy?"

"Nothing, pumpkin."

"Daddy? Brady…come live with us?" she asked as she piled more sand on him, covering his legs now.

"He is with another family now but he might come visit sometimes."

"He need us…Daddy."

"Yes he does."

Jack thought it was amazing that his six year old daughter thought about things like that. She recognized what people needed and wanted to make sure they got it. Even if it wasn't possible, she wanted everyone to be happy like she was.

Elizabeth returned a few moments later and set the fruit and veggies and the drinks down. "Snack time." Autumn put one more pile of sand on Jack and came over to her. "Jack, are you hungry or thirsty?"

"Yep, but I'm kind of stuck, babe."

"It's just sand. I'm pretty sure you can get up."

"I could but I don't want to ruin all of pumpkin's hard work. You could feed me."

She put a strawberry up to his lips and let him take a bite. "Good?"

"Yeah. Really fresh. Now can I have a kiss?"

She leaned over and gave him one. "Jack, you need more sunscreen on your face." She grabbed the lotion and started rubbing it on. Then she told Autumn to stand in front of her as she could put more on her. Finally she tackled her own skin and joined Autumn in her snack time.

Later after wading in the water together, the little family made their way to their rental car. They drove to the resort near the Magic Kingdom where the whole family shared a large suite.

After changing clothes, they laid down for a short nap so they would be ready to go to Epcot and have more fun.

Autumn slept in the single bed as Elizabeth joined Jack in the queen. "You sure looked sexy in that bikini, Elizabeth."

She giggled and shushed him. "Autumn's asleep."

"Good. That means we can…" he started reaching for her.

"Oh no. No baby making this trip."

"None? Are you serious?"

"Yes. She is right there and could wake up at any time. We will only be gone a few days, babe. I think you'll survive."

"That's doubtful."

"Just think. After we get back, we get to have our date night."

"True."

"Now, we have about an hour before we need to catch the bus to Epcot. Let's rest a bit."

"Yes, dear."

She gave him a kiss and turned over, wrapping his arm around her slim waist.

"Goodnight."

….

Epcot was wonderful. Autumn had a blast with all her grandparents, giving Elizabeth and Jack time to spend alone.

They took a dark, snuggle-filled ride on Spaceship Earth and then headed to the aquarium and wandered hand in hand marveling at the beauty there. Finally they headed to dinner at World Showcase and opted to dine in Italy.

It was perfect and they enjoyed themselves immensely.

When they returned back to the suite, all was quiet. Autumn was laying in her bed with Nana Grace who was reading her a story and Tom and Charlotte were sitting at the table drinking tea and talking quietly.

"Hi there," Elizabeth whispered, not wanting to disturb the quiet.

"Hi, Mommy."

She kissed Autumn's forehead. "I love you, baby. Sleep well, alright? Tomorrow is your birthday and we have some big things planned."

She nodded and closed her eyes as Elizabeth took off her pink glasses and set them on the table.

Grace kissed her too and stood up. "Did you enjoy your time?"

"Yeah, it was perfect."

"Good. I'll see you in the morning."

….

In the morning, Tom and Charlotte ordered a big breakfast including a stack of blueberry pancakes with six birthday candles, fruit, bacon, and sausage.

Elizabeth woke first and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. When she came out, Jack did the same, and then Autumn woke up. "Mommy, oww."

"Oh no. Autumn, what hurts?"

"Ears, Mommy." As soon as that was out, she promptly threw up all over herself and her bed.

Elizabeth picked Autumn up and took her into the bathroom. "Jack? Autumn has another ear infection."

"Oh no." He grabbed a towel and tied it around his waist and stepped out of the shower.

"I throwed up, Daddy."

"I'm so sorry, honey."

Elizabeth ran a bubble bath for her and Jack took his clothes and dressed in the closet. Then he removed the sheets from her bed and called downstairs for housekeeping.

"Hello, sir. How can I help you?" the pleasant voice said on the other end.

"Hi. My daughter is sick and she unfortunately vomited all over her sheets. I was wondering if you could possibly send housekeeping up to take the sheets and give her new ones."

"Of course, sir. Right away."

"And also, it is her birthday and she was supposed to have an in-room birthday celebration but we won't be going anywhere so we might need to cancel."

"Actually, sir. I think I may have an idea for that."

"Do you happen to know of a doctor around? She is going to need antibiotics soon."

"There is a clinic that opens at nine o'clock just outside the park. I will look up the address for you."

"Alright, thank you."

As soon as it turned nine, Jack called and got her an appointment for ten. Everyone except for Autumn ate breakfast. She just laid in bed, her eyes closed with a warm compress on her ear.

"I can't believe the poor thing is getting sick on her birthday," Charlotte said quietly.

"Unfortunately, germs don't honor birthdays," Tom joked.

"Yes, dear. Very funny."

As the time passed, Elizabeth helped Autumn get dressed and brush her teeth and then Jack took her to the doctor.

While they were gone, they heard a knock on the door. Elizabeth smiled when she opened it. "Hello!"

"Hi. We heard that a little girl named Autumn has a birthday today."

"Yes, she does. She's at the doctor right now."

"I'm sorry to hear she is sick but maybe if we set up her party, it will help make her feel better."

"It's worth a try."

Elizabeth watched as five people filed into the room and set up the pinkest, most sparkly princess birthday party Elizabeth had ever seen. Just as they were leaving, there was another knock on the door.

….

Jack and Autumn drove to the pharmacy nearby the resort and picked up her antibiotics and then headed back to the room. Autumn was lethargic and quiet and Jack hated seeing her sick.

"Daddy?" she whimpered.

"Yeah, baby?"

"Owie."

"I know. We just need to get your medicine in you and then you will start feeling better."

"I want see...Belle."

"I know, honey, but we are going to have to wait until tomorrow." Autumn started crying big tears as they drove back to the resort. "I'm sorry, pumpkin."

Once they made it to the room, Jack noticed something different about their door. "Pumpkin, look. Look at our door!"

She lifted her head off his shoulder. "My name?"

"Yes! It says Happy Birthday, Autumn."

She smiled and put her head down. "Pink."

When they walked in, everyone inside cried, "Happy Birthday, Autumn!"

Grandpa Tom walked up and put his hand on her back. "Sweetie, can I hold you?"

She reached for him and held on. "Love you, Grandpa."

"Love you too, sweet girl. Guess what? You have a very special visitor."

He turned her so she could see and then put her down. "Belle!" She ran over and hugged her favorite princess hard around her waist. Belle hugged her back and then sat on the bed.

"Hi, sweetie. I heard you're sick."

"Yeah," she told her, holding her ears. Autumn climbed up and sat next to her.

"But I also heard it's your sixth birthday and that you are a very good girl."

"I good," she confirmed.

"Well, in that case, how would you like to be a princess too?"

"Yeah. I be princess," she nodded.

Belle took a small silver tiara from a box next to her and placed it on Autumn's head. "There you are. Princess Autumn."

She grinned and leaned into Belle's shoulder. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now I think it's time for you to rest."

"You stay?"

"Pumpkin, Belle needs to go see other little girls too."

"Okay." She got up on her knees and hugged Belle tight around her neck. "I miss Belle."

"I'll miss you too. Will you come back and see me again, Autumn?"

"Yeah. I come."

After a few pictures, Belle sang "happy birthday" and then left, leaving behind a very happy birthday girl.

….

Jack and Elizabeth chatted that night about Autumn. "The doc here agrees with the doc back home. He thinks that ear tubes might help Autumn a lot," he told her.

"What are the risks?"

"I don't know. We can do some research and talk to Doc Shepherd. I just think if it will help her not get as many ear infections, it will be worth it."

"Yeah." Elizabeth looked over at her. Such a small girl in a big bed. "She was so happy that Belle was here. I'm sure she will remember that for a very long time."

"No doubt."

"And I think we should definitely have Brady back a couple times a month," she mentioned. "I feel like I have a connection with him."

"I'm good with it. You should let Abigail know."

"I will."

"Mommy?" Autumn said from right next to their bed.

"Yes, honey?"

"I sleep….with you, please?"

Elizabeth looked at Jack who just shrugged. "Sure, sweetie." Autumn climbed up and snuggled between them.

"Night, pumpkin."

"Night, Daddy."

As everyone else slept, Jack imagined their life even just one year in the future. He pictured a little baby, a boy, nestled in Elizabeth's arms, nursing as she rocked him by the window. Then he pictured Autumn so excited to have a baby they would keep forever. Next he saw Brady, not just a weekend visitor but a permanent fixture in their home.

Everyone belonged. Everyone was happy and safe and everyone was a Thornton. What could be better than that? He couldn't think of anything.

…

The next day, Autumn was feeling a little better but not one hundred percent.

Elizabeth thought they should stay in but Jack convinced her to take her out by suggesting renting a stroller so she could rest while they were out and about.

"What do you want to do, pumpkin? You get to choose."

"Beach."

"Alright. Beach it is."

So the whole group spent their last day in Florida at the beach, resting, but enjoying themselves. At the end of the day, they had dinner at the airport and the flew back to Maine.