"We should do some singin' and dancin'," Colton said, counting out the right number of forks and setting them to the side. "Can we do that?"

Lindsay blew her hair off her forehead and tried to figure out what needed to go into the oven at what time.

"Yeah, go ahead and turn something on, but not too loud."

"Okay. When is everyone comin' over?"

"Danny and Austin should be here soon and then everyone else sometime after that."

He nodded and sat down at the computer, pulling up some country music.

"Wanna sing with me? Loretta and Conway?"

"You wanna be the Mississippi Man?"

"You be my Louisiana Woman, okay?"

She chuckled as he started the old song and they sang along together, liked they'd been doing since before he could talk. He was her kid that knew every word to every song and didn't really care how he sounded when he belted them out at the top of his lungs. Ben on the other hand, just stared at them for a moment. He didn't like attention or to be in the spotlight at all, but he didn't mind watching.

"I could help ya with somethin' mama," he offered, watching as she gathered ingredients from the fridge.

"Sure. You could do me a huge favor and fold the napkins that are on the table."

He nodded and dashed away, feeling very important to have such a big task. Avery watched him go and sighed from her spot in the high chair where she was sucking on her pacifier and clutching Adam's shirt.

"Mama?"

"Are you hungry, baby? Do you need a little snack?"

Avery nodded and smiled when Lindsay gave her a handful of goldfish crackers.

"Atta, mama."

"You're welcome sweetness."

They all fell silent while the old country music played around them. Avery inspected her crackers closely and Colton triple counted the knives and spoons before stacking them up to be put on the table. There was a knock on the door and Ben rushed over to greet the Messers, all the linen napkins draped over his arm.

"Greetings," he said carefully. "We on best behavior here today."

"Binyin, why is you talking so weird?"

"Best behavior, Dunner. I say that already."

"What are you up to with those napkins bud?" Danny asked, collecting everyone's coats to stash upstairs.

"I are doin' a huge favor to my mama. I foldin' 'em."

"Oh, I gotcha."

"It's very 'portant, you know. We cannot eat if we got no napkins. Because it is best behavior day."

"Well I guess I'd better get out of here then. You know me and manners."

"You burp at the table," Ben agreed, shaking his head. "You try better, okay Uncle Dan?"

"Okay."

"Does your mama need help in the kitchen?" Austin asked, suppressing her Ben induced giggles.

"Yup. She also say she need help in her noggin when daddy forgot puttin' the turkey in the oven before he goed away."

"Uh-oh."

"She say she is gonna go nuts."

"I'd better go in there and help her."

"Come on, rest of you. I will show you where to put your coats. Make self at home."

Danny snickered at the formality but decided to play along anyway. All the kids were good for a laugh, especially Ben who seemed to always be a surprise.

"You can put those coats upstairs on the bed in sissy's room. After that, you may sit in here. Choose to watch on TV. Mama have food done soon."

"Alright. Thanks for being such a good host."

"Daddy be proud of me."

"Yes, I am pretty sure your dad would be proud of you."

Ben nodded and adjusted his glasses.

"I shall fold the napkins now. Sit tight."

Danny snickered as Ben and Junior ran off into the other room and Sarah and Isa went looking for Colton. He figured he might as well go into the kitchen and see if he could help, even though he knew Lindsay and Austin would shoo him out.

"Hey girls, you need anything?"

Before they could answer Avery hollered and kicked her legs, reaching out for him and wanting to be picked up.

"You're so demandin'," he said, taking her out of the high chair and kissing her cheek. "What's goin' on, Mini-Montana?"

She tiled her head to the side and pressed a chubby finger into her chest.

"Mimo?" she asked, trying to clarify what he'd said.

"Yeah, guess that's close enough."

She grinned and hugged his neck.

"What's this she's totin' around?" he asked, tugging on the t-shirt.

"Adam's shirt. She's having daddy withdrawals."

"Poor girl."

Lindsay nodded and smiled as Avery curled herself into Danny's chest. If she couldn't have her daddy, apparently Uncle Danny was the next best thing.

"Is she alright?" Jo whispered to Austin as they set the table, trying to figure out how to seat 17 people around it.

"Who, Linds?"

"Yeah. She seems a little off today."

"She doesn't do so good when Adam's gone. She'll be fine."

Jo nodded and glanced into the kitchen where Mac and Sid were arguing over who should get to carve the turkey. Sid was brandishing a brand new scalpel, presumably as a joke while Mac just stood there shaking his head and Lindsay tried to ignore the whole thing.

"Is she okay otherwise?"

Austin stopped her motions, thinking quickly over the last few weeks, knowing what Jo was getting at and wondering if she'd had any indications of something awry in her best friend's mental state.

"She's kind of in that "my baby's turning one and I can't handle it" phase right now. I know it's really getting to her."

"Did they decide to be done?"

"Yeah. She knows that everything with Avery is the last time. It's been really hard on her for some reason."

"But she's okay otherwise?"

"Yeah, she's fine."

They continued to set the table in silence, until Sid stalked out of the kitchen.

"I carve things for a living!" he said, as a parting shot.

"Yeah. So take the day off," Mac retorted with a flick of his eyebrow. Jo and Austin exchanged a look as Sid stalked off, albeit good naturedly.

"Children," Lindsay muttered, shaking her head and setting a dish of cranberry sauce down on the table.

"Yeah, but we love them."

"Sort of. Speaking of children, where's my youngest one?"

"Her highness is holding court with her subjects," Austin said, pointing into the other room. Danny and Flack were both down on the floor playing with Avery who seemed to be having the time of her life. She was giggling and patting them both on the head while they made faces and talked to her in silly voices. No child had ever been quite so spoiled with attention.

"That girl."

"She learned those skills from her mama."

"Oh shut up Austin."

They both giggled and went into the kitchen to bring the rest of the food out to the table. It was going to be very crowded but that didn't really matter much to them. No one minded knocking elbows.

Once the table was perfectly set, the turkey in the middle, they called everyone in to eat. Everyone sat down together, the kids on their knees or on phone books because no one believed they should be made to eat at a smaller table today. Avery was plopped into her high chair where she immediately raised her arms, knowing that her dress would have to come off before she ate, as usual. She was a very messy eater and Lindsay didn't want her to stain her new dress anyway. The rest of the kids sat wherever they wanted and waited patiently while the closest adult made a plate for them. It took a while but soon everyone had full plates and were laughing together, almost like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Colton stood up on his chair suddenly and cleared his throat until everyone looked at him, at which time he tapped his finger against his plastic cup.

"On this Thanksgiving," he started in a serious voice. "I would like to make a toast about bein' thankful for this turkey and also for pie!"

"Hear, hear," Ben piped up, holding his sippy cup in the air.

There was a second of silence before Avery grabbed a handful of food and raised it above her head.

"Haaaaa," she growled before shoving the food into her mouth. Colton got back down and continued to eat as if nothing had happened, while Isa stood up and went through the same thing.

"On this Thanksgiving, I would like to make a toast about bein' thankful for the Yankees and AC/DC!"

"Hear, hear!" Danny agreed.

"My turn!" Ben said, standing up. "I like to make a toast for Thanksgiving for toast 'cuz it is a good breakfast. With cinnamon. Hear, hear!"

"Haaaaa!" Avery repeated, a handful of cranberry sauce in her hand.

"On this Thanksgiving," Junior said, climbing up on his own chair. "I are thankful for Christmas!"

"Hear, hear!" all the kids shouted loudly, while Avery growled once more.

"Okay, as cute as you kids are, that's enough now."

"Best behavior is not standin' on chairs," Ben concluded, looking downcast. "Sorry, mama."

"It's alright."

They all went back to the regularly scheduled dinner and it wasn't long before plates were clean and most of the dishes were empty as well. Everyone just sat for a while, talking quietly and relaxing before they had to get up and do the dishes. The kids all waited patiently before they were excused from the table, then dashed upstairs, their feet pounding on the hardwood floors. Teagan and Liam were big enough to follow the older kids around now, even if it did take them a little longer to get up the stairs.

"Mama?" Avery asked, pointing in the direction the kids had gone.

"I don't think so, Goose."

She grumped and threw her head back, getting ready to wail, but Lindsay clapped a hand over her mouth.

"No."

"Dada," Avery responded.

"Naptime."

Avery looked around the table for some sympathy, her eyes resting on Austin and Danny.

"Ahmin! Nanny!"

"You heard your mama," Austin said, shaking her head. "Sorry Avery girl."

She made her eyes as big as they would get and turned them on Danny who held his hands up in surrender.

"Don't gimme that look, kid. I can't take it."

She reached for him and whined, cranking up the begging as high as she could make it go. The kicker came when she tilted her head to the side and took a deep breath before letting her bottom lip creep out.

"Nanny," she repeated softly, blinking twice.

"Aw come on, can't she stay up a little longer?"

Lindsay laughed and shook her head in amusement.

"Oh fine, but if she starts whining she's going to bed."

"Deal. C'mon Mimo, let's get outta here before your mama makes me wash dishes."

He took Avery out of the high chair and she grinned, clapping her hands.

"She's got you completely wrapped around her fat finger," Lindsay noted.

"How could she not? Look at this face!" Danny responded, squishing Avery's cheeks.

Lindsay grinned while Danny took Avery into the other room.

"He's a goner."

"Oh yeah."

"It's daddy, it's daddy! Mama, daddy's on the phone!"

"I know. Why don't you talk to him instead of just standin' there shoutin'?" Lindsay teased. Colton nodded and took the phone into the laundry room, Ben following close behind. Lindsay sat down on the couch next to Austin, pulling her legs underneath her and resting her head on her friend's shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Hug please."

Austin chuckled and obliged.

"You really miss him, huh?"

"Yeah. I think with everyone here I realize that he's not."

"I know. Are you going to turn on Christmas music tonight?"

"I thought about it. I just don't want to start any of the Christmas stuff without him."

"I get that."

"Do you think it's pathetic that I miss him this much? It's only been twelve hours."

"No. I think I would miss Danny that much too. You just show it more."

"I guess."

"Want to go shopping tomorrow?"

"Maybe."

"You're blue."

"I'm sorry."

"I must cheer you up."

"How are you gonna do that?"

"Pick a fight with Flack."

"That does usually amuse me."

Austin grinned and was about to start something when the kids came back into the room.

"Is there any food left?" Isa asked curiously.

"Not much. We just finished eating an hour ago, are you already hungry again?"

"Yeah. We played it all off and now we need more fuel."

"And energy," Sarah added with a nod.

"Wait dudes, maybe we need music!" Colton decided, running over to the computer. "The pirate song!"

"If I have to hear "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" one more time…"

"No, not that pirate song, mama!"

"How many pirate songs could there be?" Austin chuckled.

"Sail away where no ball and chain can keep us from the roarin' waves!" Colton and Ben belted out as the rest of the kids danced around. "Together undivided but forever will be free! Sail away upon our rig the moon is full and so are we, seven drunken pirates we're the seven deadly sins!"

"Should they really know the words to this song?" Mac asked with a chuckle. Lindsay just shrugged and giggled as the kids continued to dance spastically around the room. Sarah was the only one that had rhythm, the rest of them just kind of jumped and swaggered around.

"C'mon, let's show these kids how we used to dance back in the day," Austin suggested, jumping up from the couch.

"Aust, I don't think I want to relive the Macarena, thank you very much."

"Every party needs a pooper. And I know you can do electric slide. Jess, help me convince her."

"Are you serious?"

Flack hopped up from the couch and joined the kids, having been rid of any form of shame years before. It wasn't long before they'd opened up a playlist of 80's and 90's dance music and were all dancing around the living room, while Mac, Jo, and Sid just stared at them. This was definitely not the music or dancing they were used to, but it was entertaining to watch anyway.

"Haddaway!" they all shouted together before breaking out into a round of "What is Love."

"I'm too old for this," Sid announced with a shake of his head. "You two want pie? I'm getting pie."

"Pie would be good."

Pretty soon, the impromptu dance party was over in favor of dessert, all of the kids begging Sid to give them the biggest piece or to give them extra whipped cream. He held his own pretty well, managing to get them all a little of what they wanted but not so much that they would regret it later.

"You still awake?"

"Colton, why are you up?"

"I's jus' comin' up here. Checkin' on you."

"Sweetie, go back to bed."

"You are okay, mama?"

"I'm fine. Are you okay?"

He nodded and climbed up onto the bed, rubbing his eyes.

"I was just awake, worryin' 'bout the kids."

"What?"

"Daddy says that at night he thinks about me and Ben and the baby Aves and he worries about us. And I am the man of the house right now so I have to worry about that."

"Well what kinds of things are you thinkin' about?" she asked, completely intrigued about how his mind was working and what kinds of things were important to him.

"I was thinkin' about when Ben goes to school. And I was thinkin' that he is so quiet around other kids. And I was thinkin' he might not make friends. And I will have to help him make friends because I am a good big brother you know. But I can't be in his class and we won't have the same recess, so I don't know how to help him with that part."

"Yeah."

"And I was thinkin' 'bout the baby Aves and how she doesn't walk yet. And you know that she is getting bigger and she should walk soon. But then I thinked that if she was walking, she would make way, way more messes and disasters than she already makes. And I worry about her fallin' down the stairs too. So I am the man of the house and I need to come up with a solution for this business."

She hid her laugh and reached over to move his hair away from his face.

"Colton, you don't have to worry about those things. Daddy and I will do it."

"But daddy's not here."

"I know he's not here, but that doesn't mean he's not your daddy anymore."

"You think daddy thinks 'bout that stuff when he is gone?"

"Yeah, I know he does. He thinks about you kids all the time. He's always trying to figure out how to make your lives better and how to keep us all safe and happy and healthy."

"And that's a daddy's job?"

"Yeah. It's a mama's job too."

"Maybe I am not ready for all that. I need to be bigger and smarter first."

"Good. I don't want you growing up too fast."

"I feel better. I will go back to bed now, and when he gets home I think I will tell daddy thank you for doin' all his hard thinkin' and worryin'."

"He would like to hear that a lot, Colton."

"I'll tell him. For right now I will just go back to bed."

"Okay sweetheart."

He sat up and kissed her cheek before scampering out of the room and back down to bed. She was certain that no other father in the world could have instilled such wisdom and gratitude into such a young child, and she was glad to call them both hers.

It was late Sunday night when Adam finally arrived home. Lindsay let the kids stay up to see him and they were in various states of cranky when the front door opened. The boys ran to him, squealing and hooting with glee, grabbing onto him before he could even crouch down to pick them up. Avery wiggled off the couch and crawled over to them, shouting his name the whole way with a huge smile on her face. He scooped her up too and she wrapped her arms around his neck as hard as she could. Adam laughed and managed to get his arms around all three kids, picking them up and taking them all over to the couch where he sat down next to Lindsay and leaned over to kiss her.

"Daddy you missed so much stuff! Sid teached us The Robot! He said we gots to pretend we gots hinges on all our bones inside! And then mama put the wishbone in the oven and when it was all dry the next day, me and Ben got to pull it and make a wish! And Ben's wish is gonna come true!"

"What did you wish for, buddy?"

"I wish for daddy come home," Ben said seriously, nodding. "Comed true for I didn't tell it."

"What else happened while I was gone?"

"Sissy potty in the tub."

"She did?"

"Yup. Gross."

"Were you two stuck in there with her?"

"No, she was takin' her own bath," Colton said. "Mama drained out all the water and bubbles and then she said it was nasty."

"Well it was!" Lindsay defended with a grin. "I wasn't prepared for it."

"What did you do in Arizona, daddy?"

"Just lots of grown up responsibility stuff. I wished I was here instead."

"That proves it, daddy. You can't leave us ever again."

"Well I don't want to. I must say though, that it is way, way past all your bedtimes."

"Mama said we could wait up for you, but not much longer because I have to get up for school in the mornin'."

"Guess I'd better tuck you in."

"Okay. C'mon Ben, I will race you!"

They clambered up the stairs and Adam took Lindsay's hand, pulling her up from the couch.

"You want to take the girl and I'll deal with the boys?"

"Yes please. And hurry, okay?"

"Yeah?"

"Well duh. I missed you too. Didn't you miss me?"

"Babe, you have no idea."

She grinned and leaned up to kiss him, spending an extra moment just because they both felt like it had been so long.

"I'll meet you up there in ten minutes."

"That'll give me time to change."

"You mean into something? I thought…"

"Adam, believe me. You want me to change into something."

"I… uh… I'll be there in five minutes."

She gave him a short nod and sashayed up the stairs, leaving him speechless and firmly convicted that he never wanted to leave home again.