Morning broke much too early with all four kids still sick and feverish. They hadn't eaten very much so cleaning up after them wasn't as unpleasant as it had been the day before, but they were going to have to get some kind of nourishment soon. Sarah had been announcing everyone's trips to the bathroom and the most commonly heard phrase of the morning was "Averylin vomited." It wasn't that she was shocked or trying to embarrass anyone as much as she didn't want the mess to be left too long because it made her want to throw up too. Colton kept steering her away from it but she couldn't help glancing over her shoulder every time.

There had been talks of taking Avery to the doctor because she could barely keep water down, but because her fever was nearly gone, they were sure the nausea was going to end soon. She seemed to be in high spirits though so it was possible she was getting sick just for the attention.

"Sarah would you like to watch a movie with me?" Colton asked as he knelt on the floor by the TV, looking for a movie.

"Okay," she agreed from her spot on the couch. She was feeling a little sad about not being at home but Colton was doing a good job distracting her and making her feel better.

"Here, this is The Princess Bride. You ever seen this one before?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"It is the best movie when you are sick," he said, sitting down on the loveseat with her and handing her a large bowl. "How's your tummy feelin'?"

"A little rumbly. I didn't throw up my water though."

"That's good. I didn't either."

"I think your daddy is tired," she said with a little smile. "He was sleepin' with his head on the table earlier."

"Yeah. Ben waked up a lot last night."

She nodded and they watched the movie for a while until Lindsay came in to check on them.

"You guys need anything?"

"Could I please have something to eat?" Colton asked hopefully. "I haven't thrown up in an hour."

"We can try some crackers. How about you Sarah?"

"No thank you."

"Are you sure sweetie?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to call your mommy?"

"If it's not too much trouble."

"Oh sweetie of course it's not. Here, dial the number two and the star."

Sarah nodded and was soon talking to Austin happily while Colton paused the movie so she wouldn't miss anything.

"Hey mama?"

"Yeah buddy?"

"Are we ever going to get better?"

"You'll be better very soon."

"When we get better could we still keep Sarah? I like havin' her here."

"I don't know, buddy. What will we give Danny and Austin in return?"

"Aves. And some money maybe because she eats so much."

"You want to get rid of your sister?"

"No, guess not."

"I like having Sarah here too, but we can't keep her."

"Maybe someday our whole family could move into one house."

"As much as I love that idea I don't think it would work too well."

"Because we don't have enough bathrooms, huh?"

"Yes, that's exactly why."

"Okay then. Maybe we will just have to do another vacation."

"That's a good idea."

"Hey guys, I'm wearing jammies what are too small for me!" Ben announced, coming into the room in his Robin pajamas that fit him when he was two. Now the pants stopped midway down his calves and the shirt was so tight he looked like Hulk.

"Honey, where did you find those?"

"In my drawer, in the backy-back. Daddy finded them because I am out of jammies for I keep messin' them up."

"I see. Well as long as you're comfortable."

"Yeah. Daddy's just finishin' up sissy's bath. She splashed him real big and he has to change his shirt. You gonna have lotsa clothes to wash."

"Yeah, I will. Can I get anything for you?"

"I wish I could go outside," he said with a sigh, climbing onto the couch. "Could I go breathe the air?"

"Maybe in a little while. It's still chilly outside but once it warms up you can go out."

"Okay mama."

He snuggled down into the blankets and rolled over so he could go back to sleep.

"Okay, if no one else needs a bath, I am going to go change," Adam said, handing Avery to Lindsay. "Can you hold the fort down?"

"I think I'll be okay."

He nodded and leaned down to kiss her, then went back upstairs.

"Uncle Adam has very funny hair in the morning," Sarah was saying. "And Auntie kisses him anyway. Yep, she even loves him with messy hair, Is. I need to throw up in a minute. I will call you later. Bye."

She handed the phone to Lindsay then carefully got up from the couch and went into the bathroom.

"She sure is polite about it, isn't she mama?" Colton asked with a half smile. "Nothin' like the rest of the Messers."

Lindsay chuckled and shook her head.

"Nope, not quite."

At lunchtime all the kids were allowed to eat a little bit of bread and chicken soup, except for Avery who had just been able to keep water down and was more interested in throwing food than she was in eating it. Then it was upstairs for naps, which the boys protested. They were feeling much better now and wanted to go spend some time outside, but Lindsay compromised and let them sleep with their window open. They begged her to read them a chapter from their book and she finally gave in, sitting on the floor between them and letting herself get lost in the fantastical world of Mossflower and Redwall Abbey and all the creatures that inhabited the world. Soon the boys were snoring and she had to tear herself away from the book.

Adam had been charged with putting the girls to sleep and as she walked into the hallway she could hear a quiet conversation between Adam and Sarah. She couldn't make out what they were saying but there were a few giggles as the rocking chair moved back and forth against the wood floor. She peeked in the door and watched them for a while, not wanting to be seen. Sarah looked very comfortable wrapped in a blanket and settled into Adam's lap while he stroked her hair back from her face and talked to her in a soft tone. Her eyelids were getting heavier and heavier and in a few minutes she was asleep and he stood up, tucking her into the bed. He stooped down to kiss her cheek, then walked away, slightly startled to see Lindsay there watching him.

"What?"

"Nothing. What would you rather do, more laundry or take a nap?"

"How 'bout we bring the laundry upstairs and fold it and then we can take a nap."

"This is what happens when I leave it to you to make decisions," she said with an amused sigh. "Okay, we'll do your idea."

"Are you going to make me feel bad about it?"

"No. Go get the laundry. I'll be waiting."

He smirked and went downstairs while she went up and made the bed so there would be somewhere to put the laundry. She needed to sweep all the floors in the house, but she never got around to it because they didn't look as messy as they would if they were carpeted. Everything needed to be dusted too, but every time she dusted Ben and Adam sneezed for days so she had to come up with another way to do that.

"I think we're running out of laundry baskets," Adam said, dropping everything onto the bed. "Geez."

Lindsay chuckled and began to sort the clothes back into baskets so they could work on one thing at a time, which seemed to make it go faster.

"Folding laundry used to take us like twenty minutes for a whole week. Then with each kid it seemed to take about an extra half hour. I thought that was bad enough. Then they got sick and you decided to wash their sheets too."

"What can I say, I like the smell of Tide."

He chuckled and threw a towel at her, which she batted away with a smile.

"So what should we do for Christmas this year?"

"You're already thinking about Christmas?"

"It's my favorite holiday. It's like being a kid again."

"Adam you're like a kid again every day."

"Yeah, but on Christmas you can't mock me for it."

"I still will. So what were you thinking of?"

He pulled in a deep breath and folded one of Colton's shirts before he spoke.

"I was thinking that the kids birthdays are all really close to Christmas and maybe we should make their birthdays a little more low-key."

"Like how?"

"That's why I'm bringing this up to you. I was thinking that we could do something special, but I don't want to just give them whatever they want or make them think that they're royalty on their birthday. I want to do something as a family that will show them the things we've been trying to teach them."

"It's a good thought."

"I figured those three things we always tell each other we want to teach the kids, we never really tell them. At least not outright. Maybe it's time to start talking about it."

"Love people, be a giver, do your best," she said softly, wondering where he was going with this.

"Why not put that into action? I was thinking that especially at Christmas time there are always food banks and soup kitchens that need help. There's toy donations and all sorts of things we can all do together to teach the kids what those three things mean. What do you think?"

"It's a good idea and we should do it."

"But?"

"No buts. I do think it would be a good idea if we did it more than just once a year."

"I agree. I'll start looking at specifics once we're all back to normal around here. And once the computer has dried out from Colton's gigantic glass of water spilling on it of course."

"Of course," she said with a little grin.

They continued to fold laundry, talking about nothing important but sharing a very significant moment all the same. Eventually everything was folded or hung up and put away and they both stretched out on the bed, letting their bodies rest for just a while.

"Do you realize we're laying on the wrong sides of the bed again?"

She turned to him with a smile, one that went all the way to her eyes.

"Not wrong, just different."

"Yeah," he agreed softly, turning on his side to hold her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

He was about to say something else when a small voice came over the baby monitor, speaking quickly and sounding much like a distress call.

"Um, excuse me but Averylin vomited," Sarah announced, sounding unsure if what she was saying would get to them. "Help!"

"I guess we'd better go down there," Adam sighed, not moving.

"Too bad it's your turn."

"Curses," he muttered, standing up and going downstairs. Avery was sitting up in the crib, blinking slowly and looking down at the mess she'd made. She was trying to cry but only managed a few sniffles as he stripped her shirt off and picked her up.

"It's okay Tink. I think we'll take you to the doctor and you'll be all better."

She glanced up at him and lifted her hand to pat his face, then seemed to wither in his arms.

"I would like to go to the doctor with you and Averylin," Sarah said hopefully. "I would like to hold her hand and say to her that it will be okay if she is scared."

"I appreciate that sweetheart, but we'll have to ask Lindsay what she thinks."

"Okay. I just want Averylin to feel better."

"I do too."

In the end Avery made the decision for them, crying her little heart out until Sarah was allowed to go with them to the doctor's office. Lindsay stayed home with the boys who were concerned about their little sister, but much too tired to be actively worrying about her. Lindsay let them go outside for a little while, and they walked around the backyard, gathering rocks and twigs for some game they were playing that she didn't understand. After a while she called them back in, noticing that they looked a little better than when she'd sent them out.

"You boys need another rest now?" she asked as they both headed for the couch. She was definitely going to have to clean the thing when this whole sick stint was over.

"Yeah. We decided to play cards," Colton said with a nod. "You want to play with us mama?"

"I would love to, but I've got to finish up some more laundry. Can I take a rain check?"

"Yeah, that would be fine. Right Ben?"

"Mama always cash in her rain checks," Ben agreed with a nod. "Go Fish Cole?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

Lindsay left them to their game and went into the utility room, gathering what was hopefully the last of the major laundry out of the washer and throwing it in the dryer. They'd gone through half a jug of detergent and she was sure their water bill was going to be astronomical when all the baths and toilet flushes were added in. It was bad enough to have one sick kid and no matter how agreeable they all were, having four kids throwing up at every turn was possibly more exhausting than having a newborn.

The phone was ringing when she came out of the room and even though she didn't feel she had the energy to talk to anyone, she answered it anyway.

"You've reached the Ross Hospital Recovery Ward," she greeted when she saw it was Austin calling. "Press one to hear the latest on number of puke sessions today."

"They're still all going?"

"No, the big kids are well on their way to normal. Avery on the other hand…"

"Poor baby."

"Adam took her to the doctor. Sarah went with them; the girls seem to be inseparable."

"I thought that might happen. You know Lin, if you and I ever hate each other we won't be able to be out of each other's lives."

"They say love will keep us together but I think it's going to be our demanding children."

"I agree. Do you want us to come pick Sarah up tonight?"

"No, I'd rather keep her forever."

"This house is insane when she's gone. I never realized the balance she brings to the Hurricanes Isabeth and Daniel."

"You can come get her if you want, I'm just worried she's still contagious."

"Maybe we'll wait until morning and see what she thinks. How are you and Adam doing?"

"You know how when people go through a really trying time in their lives, it brings them closer together?"

"Yeah."

"This is one of those times. Which I kind of feel weird about, seeing as how we're flirting over puke piles and dirty laundry."

"Have I told you lately how ardently I admire and love you?"

"Yes. But I never tire of hearing about your admiration."

"Well you're super mom."

"My special power must be sarcasm."

"Yes and mine is striking beauty, which renders my foes speechless, giving me ample time to disarm them."

"Austin Grace Messer if you weren't in my life I think I would go stark raving loony."

"I'm glad I'm of some use."

"Always."

Austin chuckled, knowing that the sentiments might have been veiled behind humor, but that didn't mean the power of them was lost.

"Call me back when Adam and the girls get home or I'll be worried about your little butterball all day."

"I will. Talk to you later."

There was a short pause before they hung up the phone and Lindsay sighed, surveying the mess that the living room had become.

"Are you boys feeling up to helping me clean?"

They both looked back at her with the blank expressions they'd learned from Adam and she rolled her eyes.

"Can you at least fold the blankets you're not using?"

"We were gonna use them to make a fort," Colton said, having just thought of the idea and realizing that it might get him out of folding blankets.

"That would be great if you would fold them up until you're able to make a fort, okay?"

They got off the couch and worked together to fold up the blankets, making a neat pile on the floor by the couch while Lindsay cleaned up cups and napkins and other miscellaneous things that had accumulated in the room over the last two days. Even laying on the couch for hours on end, it was amazing what a mess kids could make. After a while everything was neat and tidy and she felt like there was a light at the end of the stomach flu tunnel.

"Hey, daddy and the girls are back!" Colton announced, looking out the window. "I hope Aves is okay."

"Me too," Ben said with a nod. "I not like how sissy is so sicker than us."

"Yeah I don't either. Because she doesn't talk much so she can't tell us how she feels."

"Poor baby," Ben sighed, shaking his head as the door opened.

"Mama," Avery said, rubbing her eyes. "My mama."

"Are you feeling any better sweetie?"

"Belly."

"Your belly hurts?"

She nodded and reached for Lindsay while Sarah fidgeted anxiously, trying to get her coat off.

"The doctor said she's not dehydrated yet and we should give her some of that electrolyte stuff instead of water," Adam reported, rubbing his daughters back.

"Okay. I think I have some of the popsicle ones. You want a popsicle baby?"

"Yes," Avery said with a nod.

"Auntie, Averylin did not like the doctor but she was very brave. I held her hand while he took her temperature. She did not like to have her shirt off in front of a stranger."

"That's funny 'cuz she sure does like to take her clothes off all other times," Colton said with a little laugh.

"Thanks for coming with us, Sarah. I think Avery really appreciated it," Adam said, crouching down to hug her.

"I was glad to help," she confirmed while he took her jacket off of her. "Averylin do you want to come and sit with me?"

"No Sayuh. My mama."

"Okay. I will sit here by the boys."

"Alright Avery let's go get you a popsicle and see how that goes," Lindsay suggested, walking her into the kitchen. "Do you want to try a strawberry one?"

"Uh-huh," Avery said with a nod, perking up at the idea of a treat. "Mama have?"

"No, I'm not going to have one," Lindsay answered, pulling the popsicles out of the freezer and tearing the top off. Avery licked at it hesitantly for a moment before deciding that it was good to eat and giving an approving nod. They went back out to the other room where the kids were nestled into the couch together watching Dennis the Menace and commenting on how they liked to spend their summer vacation. Lindsay and Avery settled down next to Adam on the other couch and Avery offered him her popsicle too.

"No thanks Tink. That's just for you."

"Docta?" she asked, raising one eyebrow.

"If you get better we won't have to go back to the doctor, okay?"

"Okay daddy."

She settled herself in between them while Adam glanced over at Lindsay and gave her a little smile.

"What?"

"I don't know how you manage to look this beautiful when you're sleep deprived."

"Because I don't."

"Yes you do," he argued, reaching over to brush her wavy, air-dried hair back from her face. "You are beautiful and you are also not allowed to rebut me."

"Well alright then."

He smiled and pulled her a little closer, dropping a kiss to her forehead.

"Thanks for bein' my wife babe."

"Thanks for puttin' up with me."

"No problem."

"Well Sarah, I am glad you are well," Colton said as he zipped Sarah's backpack up and handed it to her. "But I am kind of sad you're not going to stay with us anymore."

"I will miss being roommates with Averylin. She does not sleep loud like Isa does."

"Yeah. It will be good for life to get back to normal around these parts you know."

"Yeah. I will see you soon at school."

"Okay Sarah. Have a good sleep tonight. I love you for all the days."

They hugged each other tightly, cementing their new-found friendship before Sarah went to say goodbye to Ben and Avery.

"Hey bud can I ask you a question?" Austin asked, ruffling his hair.

"Sure. What's up?"

"How come you say all the days instead of forever?"

"Because daddy says that's what forever is. All the days before and all the days after. Every single day. And I figure that there are always days, even when you fight with someone or stop bein' friends for a while. All the days means that I love someone all the time no matter what."

"Well then Colton, I love you for all the days."

He grinned as she hugged him tightly, then locked her pinkie with his.

"Thanks for being so nice to Sarah these last few days."

"It was my pleasure. I think she will be happy to sleep in her own bed."

"I think so. Come on Sarah Claire, time to go home."

Sarah skipped over and with one more goodbye, they were out the door.

"Alright Ross clones, time for bed."

"But mama-"

"No buts. March."

With no more arguing all three kids went upstairs where Adam already had their pajamas laid out. Lindsay dressed Avery and rocked with her for a while before tucking her into bed and joining the boys, listening as Adam finished up another chapter in their book. The kids were tired and barely able to keep their eyes open and it wasn't long before they were both in a deep sleep.

"I think I am going to take their cues and head to bed myself," Adam said, standing up from the floor and rubbing his eyes.

"Me too. I feel like sleeping for about three days."

He held his hand out for her and they made their way upstairs, changing their clothes and climbing into bed quietly.

"Okay so hopefully that won't happen again."

"I'd rather have them all sick at once than have it spread out over the course of a few weeks."

"I gotta hand it to you, babe. You didn't gag once cleaning up all that puke."

"You didn't either, Adam."

"But you cleaned up a lot more than I did so your chances were higher."

"Oh I see. I'm pretty proud of us for not arguing that entire time."

"We're pretty awesome," he agreed, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

"Hey honey?" she asked after a moment of silence. "I have some bad news."

"What's that?"

"I am pretty sure I am going to need to throw up soon."

He sighed, wanting to laugh.

"Well babe, I guess it is only common courtesy for me to just get in line behind you."