A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and notes on the last chapter! It makes me feel a lot better that people are reading. This story has become so much more to me than a hobby and I feel sometimes like maybe, just maybe some of the things I put in it will reach somebody somewhere. There are a lot of things I have written or plan on writing that convey things that I learned later in life, but that I wish I had learned sooner. Hopefully that can help someone somewhere because that is what this really is all about.

"But mama, it's the one thing I want to do mostest in the world today!" Ben whined, jumping up and down with a movie, pushing it repeatedly into her line of sight.

"Honey, I'm so tired and I have a lot to do."

"But mama please?"

Lindsay sighed and looked down at his pleading face, finding her resolve cracking fiercely.

"Can we make a deal?"

"I love deals mama!"

"Here's the deal. I will watch this movie with you if you don't mind me using my laptop and doing a few things while we watch."

"That's a great deal! Because mostly I just want you next to me!"

"Okay. Why don't you go start it and I'll join you in just a minute."

"Whoo-hoo! Hey Cole, wanna watch a movie with me and mama?"

Colton looked up from the book he was reading and glanced at the movie in Ben's hand.

"Maybe I will do both. That was my favorite movie when I was little."

"I 'specially like Spanky, for he gots big cheeks like me. Also I like Darla for she is a pretty girl. I always thought those two should get together."

"Hey me too!"

Lindsay chuckled at their conversation and put dinner in the oven, then rolled her neck from side to side until it popped and relieved a little of the tension she had stored there. It had been a long day at work and the rain outside, while normally a great mood enhancer was this time just making her feel worse. She wanted nothing more than to spend the evening with the kids, but a lot of household things had fallen by the wayside in the last little while and she felt like checking them off her list was much more pressing than sitting on the couch and watching a movie for two hours.

"Avery wake!" came a shout from upstairs, followed by little feet pounding on the floor.

"Uh-oh, here comes Hurricane sissy," Ben chuckled as Avery ran down the stairs.

"Ah mama home! Yay!"

"Hey baby girl. Did you have a good day with uncle Freddie?"

"So most! He tickle, tickle, tickle!" she reported with a nod of her head. "What doin'?"

"We're going to watch a movie. How do you feel about that?"

"That good. I sit daddy's chair."

She toddled across the room and climbed onto the couch where Adam normally sat, then rested her hands in her lap and crossed her legs.

"Ready."

"We gotta wait for mama to get her laptop sissy. She's gonna do some work because that was our deal. Before this starts I am gonna get a snack. You want a apple too?"

"And cookie."

"I can't reach the cookies. I will bring ya a apple for now."

"Okay Ben."

Soon everyone was situated and the movie had started. Ben was on the edge of his seat, as if The Little Rascals was the most intense thing he'd ever seen.

"I wish Dunner were here watchin' this with me," he remarked partway through the movie. "I haven't seen him in days."

"Yeah, I haven't seen Isa either," Colton said a little sadly. "I sure miss her a lot."

"My Sarah," Avery added, licking the apple core. "Love in my heart."

All three of them looked at Lindsay expectantly, hoping she would suddenly say that they were going to the Messers for dinner so the kids could all be reunited once again. But she didn't say a word, didn't have the first clue as to what to tell them anyway so she kept her focus on the movie and ignored their pleading eyes as best she could.

It was tearing her apart inside not only to not be speaking to Austin but also to be keeping the kids away from each other because of it. She was still hurt by what had been said and while she knew that her reaction to it had been disproportionate to the concern, she wasn't ready to ask for forgiveness just yet. Not speaking to her best friend meant that there was a lot running through her mind and going unsaid, whether it be important or trivial, and it was full to capacity. At least this fight wasn't like the last one. At least this time they were both more rational and trusting and this time she knew everything would work out. It had been a ratty thing for her to do, to play the kid card in the middle of a fight like that and she wasn't so cocky that she couldn't admit that to herself, but saying it out loud was a little too hard at the moment.

"That Porky kid is the boy version of sissy," Ben commented. "The way he's real happy to be eatin' that pickle."

"Ben, it's Buckwheat that likes pickles."

"Now I am real upset that my comparison falled short."

"Like pickle," Avery shouted with a nod. "I got two pickle hey, hey, hey, hey!"

Colton laughed and jumped off of the loveseat, sprinting over to Avery and wrapping her in a tight hug, kissing her cheeks.

"Good gosh Aves, you're about the cutest girl in all the world. Did you know?"

"Nu-uh! More hugs!"

He hugged her again and then Ben joined them and they were soon laughing and teasing with each other, the perfect moment of sibling bliss. Lindsay's heart felt like it would burst out of her chest as she watched them together, just enjoying each other in a special way that best friends could never be a part of. Ben and Avery, while often adversaries, were, on the other side of the coin, extremely affectionate with each other. Colton never seemed to want to be included in those things, especially the sillier moments and he might watch with a smirk on his face, but he never joined into the frivolity. Today seemed to be different though, he was laughing and carrying on as if this was a normal, everyday occurrence. He looked like a little kid again, like the events from last spring were finally dissipating from his daily thoughts. She'd been praying and longing for this time for him, for a time when he could just let go and not filter every thought and action through the past.

"I really sometimes like that Waldo kid, on account of he's always wearin' his fancies like me!"

"But he's the villain, Ben."

"I know. But I like his sense of style. 'Course, he doesn't got the toe brushes on his shoes like what I got."

Lindsay chuckled as Ben climbed up onto the couch beside her, lifting her arm and snuggling into her side.

"I enjoy this mama."

"You enjoy what?"

"Just this. When daddy is home he always hogs cuddlin' with you. I enjoy bein' able to do it."

"I enjoy it too," she chuckled, closing her computer and setting it on the coffee table. "Thanks for making me join you."

"Anytime, mama."

He settled against her and she dropped a kiss to his sandy colored hair, grinning when he held her hand tightly.

"This is the most saddest part of the movie. But it is also the most true. You only get a once in a lifetime buddy once in a lifetime."

Lindsay didn't say anything but Ben looked up her curiously.

"Don't you see it mama? Don't you see? You and Austin is just like Spanky and Falafel! You're the bestest of friends and you're the only best friends what each other gots. You gotta learn to work together. Plus also too, you gotta get along so me and Dunner can see each other."

She smirked at him and he tipped his head to the side for further explanation.

"I know that sounds selfish mama, but peoples need their best buddy! Like that time that Cole had glue in his hair he coulda really used Isa's support. Or like the time when me and Dunner were at the park and he needed me to help him to the bathroom so he could throw up. Or the times that Sarah has gotten sissy unstuck from some place she shouldn't have been! See people need their buddies to have their backs and you need Austin to gots yours. I know you got daddy for that but he is your husband not your best buddy so it's different. Plus, y'all been best buddies for a thousand years. You can't just throw that out the window. That's a waste and we don't waste in this house."

"Ben, it's a lot more complicated than that."

"Why do grown ups always gotta be complicated? Why can't you just say what you think? Like me! I'm a real happy person because I say what I think."

"I know that sweetie. But part of the reason we're fighting is because we both said what we think."

"Well then you are just going to have to get over it because this is a family and it doesn't work when two people don't like each other," Colton said, keeping one arm around Avery while his other hand rested on his hip. "Isn't that what you always tell us?"

"Well yes but-"

"Don't say this is different. You're two people that love each other and are fighting. That's no different than us kids mama."

"Yes it is."

"No it is not and I bet daddy would agree!"

"Yep he would! He would say that you and Austin are just bein' silly," Ben added, crossing his arms. "He would tell you to forgive each other, okay?"

"Daddy would understand that it's complicated," Lindsay argued, wondering why she was in this battle of wills with her kids.

"There you go usin' that word again!"

"Ben I know you don't agree with my decision, but that is no reason to speak disrespectfully. Do you understand me?"

"Yes mama. It's just that… I'm very distressed about this."

"You don't need to be distressed honey. Austin and I will eventually figure it out and forgive each other."

"Eventually is always a long time," Colton whispered sadly. "I miss Isa a lot right now."

"I know you do. I'll figure something out, alright?"

"Okay mama. I'll trust you."

It was easier said than done to figure out a way to diffuse the situation. Despite racking her brain and running through possible scenarios in her head she couldn't come up with one that actually seemed like it would end well. Her feelings were still hurt but she couldn't deny the fact that Austin's probably were as well, and that made her feel even worse.

"Hey Montana?"

"What?"

"Wow, grouchy."

"Sorry. What's up?"

"I need your John Hancock on some reports that you neglected last night."

"Are you serious? I thought I got them all," she whined, securing her evidence and disposing of the latex gloves.

"Not so."

She wrinkled her nose and followed him into their office, groaning at the small stack of papers on her desk.

"I swore I did these last night," she sighed, sitting down and taking the first page off the stack. "Danny Messer, these are signed! Why would you-"

"Okay what is so urgent that you drag me away from a game of don't drop the rubber band ball with Flack, which I must say, we were about to break a world record?"

Lindsay glanced up and saw Austin coming into the office, looking disheveled and annoyed.

"Oh. Danny if you're-"

He was already out the door, closing it behind him and shooting a smirk over his shoulder as he walked down the hallway.

"I think he's been conspiring with the kids."

Austin didn't say anything for a moment, just sat down in Danny's chair and shuffled the papers on his desk while Lindsay tried to think of what to say.

"Lin, what happened?"

"I'm sorry. I was so overwhelmed with everything and I just… blew up. It wasn't your fault."

"Are you sure that's all it was?"

"Yes. No. I don't know right now."

"Thanks for the clarification."

"Austin I really am sorry. I can't make excuses because I shouldn't have said what I said, period. You're right about everything you said about Avery and I'm glad you said it because now I know it's not just me."

"Linds, let's not worry about that for right now. You need to talk to me about what's going on with you."

"It's nothing more than I just said. I'll be fine once Adam comes home."

"I need to know if you would ever keep the kids from me. For real."

"Never. But I felt like that's what you wanted."

"Lin, why would I ever want that? In a million years why would I ever want that?"

"I don't know."

Austin gave a wry chuckle then sat up, leaning across the desks a little, her eyes wide as she spoke.

"Lin, I love you with all my heart but you are insane."

"I try not to be," Lindsay chuckled. "I'm just overwhelmed and tired and overly-sensitive and… well I'm sure you haven't forgotten your first-hand experience with all my current afflictions."

"Not yet, but what do you say we forget the whole thing and have a family dinner tonight and make Danny do the dishes and you and I can start the conversation over again?"

"Okay."

"I love you even when you're a lunatic."

"Thanks for putting up with me."

"You put up with a lot more than I do."

"That would make me a saint and that's not possible because I look terrible in a halo."

Austin snorted and flicked a wadded up straw wrapper across the desk at Lindsay.

"Come over at six. I'll order something so I don't accidentally kill y'all."

"Thanks Aust."

"Dunner!"

"Binyin!"

"Our plan worked Dunner! The rascals and their advice saved us!"

The boys ran into each other's arms, whooping and hollering excitedly, then dancing around in a circle together.

"I telled my mama that her and your ma were like Spanky and Falafel!"

"I told my ma that too! And she said to me "Daniel it's more complicated than that." And then I looked at her face and said to her that the word complicated is a cop-out. Then she told me to go to my room."

"Wow. The things we do to get these crazy womens back to bein' best friends. I think we deserve to play something real good before dinner."

"Yeah! Come with me, I got something awesome that my daddy got for me at the store! My ma said it was junk."

"What mama's say is junk is the best toys ever!"

They took off into Junior's room with the older kids trailing after them and Avery running along, screaming in excitement with both arms raised over her head.

"Oh my word," Austin started, watching Avery thump out of the room. "That child is so chunky."

"I know. She's the shortest and fattest kid in her tumbling class and also the only one that's about to burst out of her leotard."

"What does Ben call it again?" Danny asked with a chuckle.

"Her Leonardo. He got upset the other day because he didn't have a special Leonardo suit to wear."

"Where was he plannin' on wearing it to?"

"He said a place where he needed to look "special sportin'."

"How did you not laugh?"

"I didn't say I didn't laugh. But then he took the leotard and tried to put it on while Colton laughed himself into a gagging fit and Avery cried her eyes out and Adam was watching the whole thing on Skype and I couldn't tell if he was amused or horrified."

"I'm horrified just hearin' about it," Danny laughed. "Maybe Ben will grow up to be in the Ice-Capades."

"Oh no, don't say that! I don't want to have to keep making up Scott Hamilton jokes."

"Linds, you're the only person in the world that can come up with the name of a male figure skater at the drop of a hat."

"The 1984 Olympics were the highlight of my preschool days."

"And you wonder how your kids ended up so weird."

"Nah, I don't wonder anymore."

"Alright why don't you two ladies take a load off while I go make dinner?"

"Make dinner?" Austin asked, raising both eyebrows and tossing a worn couch pillow at him. "Unless your name is head chef at Wah Hings, you didn't make dinner."

"Fine, I'll heat up dinner."

He disappeared into the kitchen and the girls dropped onto the couch.

"It's weird without Elvis here," Lindsay said after a moment, missing the old greyhound curling up at her feet.

"Yeah. I miss him."

"Have you thought about getting another dog?"

"I thought about it. I don't know. He was my first baby. It just seems wrong to get another dog."

"I haven't seen you look this sad in a long time."

"I haven't been this sad in a long time."

"That dog grew up with you. He was the first thing that was all yours and he never left you."

"You're going to make me miss him more."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Moving on. You gonna survive the next week?"

"Yeah. Three down one to go. Doesn't seem as bleak as it did a while ago."

"You're doing a good job."

Lindsay gave a snort and shook her head.

"I am a great actress. I'm really barely holding it together."

"How come?"

"I don't know. I think because the kids miss him so much and ask for him every day. It's hard to see them upset."

"Why didn't you tell me you weren't doing so good?"

"Because."

"Well that's a good reason."

"I'm sorry. I just don't like being needy all the time."

"You're not needy, Lindsay."

"Well I don't like feeling like I am even if I'm not."

"I can't wait until Adam gets back and you return to normal."

"I signed Avery up for a full year of gymnastics," Lindsay said, changing the subject. "She wants to go every day and she's finally figured out how to do a somersault so she's really excited about that."

"She's going to love it. Maybe it will help her shed a few of those pesky holiday pounds."

Lindsay chuckled and pulled her feet up onto the couch.

"Apparently I was built like a tank when I was little too so I'm not worried about her. She does pat her stomach and call herself chunky all the time, but I think she just likes to watch it jiggle."

"She is so odd."

"And bratty."

"I never said that."

"I know. I said it. I've been noticing it a lot. And she's been getting a lot of time outs, but she's different than the boys were and it is so much easier to give in to her. I might tell her that she can't have whatever it is she's raging about, but instead of punishing her for throwing a fit I pick her up and hold her and make her think it's okay. And I have got to figure out how to stop doing that."

"You're such a softy."

"I know. I try really hard. Plus she's going back and forth on potty training and I don't know if she's ready yet."

"You want to know my honest opinion that doesn't change my view of you at all?"

"What?"

"I think she might be ready but you're not because she's your last baby and you want to savor it while you can, even if it means dirty diapers and a screaming kid, you want to baby her as much as you can."

"You're right."

"There's no harm in wanting her to stay little but you can't avoid encouraging her to grow up."

Before Lindsay could answer Avery ran into the room and hopped onto the couch between them, out of breath.

"Mama."

"Avery."

"I sing daddy."

"You want to sing to daddy?"

"Yes. Please?"

"How about after dinner?"

"No mama. I sing daddy now."

"Daddy's still working. So you can sing to him after dinner or you can sing to him right before bed. Those are your choices."

"After dinner," she sighed, dropping her shoulders. "Avery Grace make song."

"You made up a song to sing to your daddy?" Austin asked with a giggle.

"Yes! It pretty. Daddy love it."

"I'm sure he will."

Avery nodded proudly and sighed a little, lost in a thought.

"Mama?"

"Yes dear?"

"Me Avery Grace. But… Isa Grace?"

"Yes, you have the same middle name."

"Sarah Claire?"

"She has a different middle name."

She sucked in her bottom lip and knitted her eyebrows together in confusion.

"Isa Grace, Avery Grace."

"Don't forget Austin Grace," Lindsay reminded, tucking Avery's hair behind her ear.

"Au'tin Grace too? Oh my."

Austin laughed and pulled Avery into her arms, kissing her cheeks and pulling gently on her curls.

"Do you know why your mama and daddy gave you the same middle name as me?"

"Uh, nope!"

"Because they knew you were going to be as crazy as I am."

"That's not the reason," Lindsay chuckled. "Although, a very valid point."

"Averylin don't you want to play?" Sarah asked, pirouetting into the room. "I was going to teach you to point your toes and no sickled feet."

"Sarah, I cuddle now."

"Oh. Okay. Well then I will join you. Auntie I would like to sit in your lap if that's okay."

"Sure that's okay. Come here and tell me about ballet class."

"Oh it is so much fun! I can't wait until I get older when I can do pointe. And sometime I will make up a dance all by myself. It's called… um… choreography!"

"I bet you would be good at that. Now when do we get to watch you dance?"

"Well… you see here's the thing Auntie. I really do love to dance. But you see… I don't want anyone to watch me."

"How come?"

"Well my teacher explained it really good. She said that when I dance it's like writing in a diary. Because that's how I learn um… my emotions. And you wouldn't want people to read your diary would you?"

"No, I guess I wouldn't. That's okay sweetie. It's good for you to have a special thing that's just your own."

"So you don't want to see me dance?"

"Oh, I would love to see you dance sweetie, but only if that was okay with you."

"Maybe someday."

"Okay."

"Now, I would like to say that I am proud of you two ladies for becoming friends again."

"We weren't ever not friends, Sarah Claire," Austin explained. "Sometimes you just need a break from each other."

"Then I am glad the break is over. Now I just wish for Uncle Adam to come back so life will be normal again."

"Adam my daddy!" Avery said, perking up. "He fly on plane!"

"You're right, he's coming home in one week."

"Daddy be home. All be well."

"That's right Averylin. When we are all together, those are the happiest days of my life."