The dishes were clean and put away, the laundry had been folded and put in its designated bedrooms, the trash was taken out, and there were premade meals in the fridge, along with cooking instructions. Everything was in order for her to leave for four days, but Lindsay couldn't help but feel that Adam and the boys weren't going to be okay without her. She'd checked over things a few times and reminded herself that she'd left them before and for a lot longer and there was no reason for her to be worrying. Adam wasn't totally incapable, she probably didn't even need to prepare anything, but as a mom and wife, there was always a little guilt involved when she left, even if it was just to go to work.

"Avery, do you want to go with me to take the boys to school so mama can finish packing?"

"Yes, I go. But… mama help?"

"No honey, you can go with daddy."

"Okay!" Avery said happily, grabbing her coat off the hook while Ben and Colton tied their shoes.

"How many sleeps will you be gone?" Ben asked, standing up and brushing breakfast crumbs off his shirt.

"Four sleeps. But we'll call you every night."

"I'd sure like to have a weekend getaway with just mama," he whispered, shaking his head. Lindsay smirked and drew him into a hug.

"Not this time baby, but maybe some time."

"Okay. Hug me more a'fore we part."

"I'm going to miss you so, so much. Be good and helpful for daddy, okay?"

"I will."

"I love you."

"Love you too mama."

He stepped away and Colton took his place, hugging her for a long time before he said anything.

"Will you make sure to tell Taylor that we love her a lot and miss her?"

"I'll tell her."

"And I can't wait to go and see her in the summer. When she has the baby."

"Okay."

"I'll miss you mama. And Aves too but mostly you."

"I'll miss you too. You call me if you want to talk."

"I will."

He leaned up and kissed her cheek, then turned away to hide the tear that had sprung to his eye. He really didn't want her to leave.

"Okay boys let's go to school," Adam said, herding them all out the door and into the car.

"Daddy, what are we going to do while mama and sissy is in Montana?" Ben asked softly as they started down the road. "Are we gonna be stinky boys?"

"You mean eat stinky food?"

"Yeah that!"

"Sure, we could do that."

"I want eat stinky food!" Avery grumped.

"It's okay, I'm sure mama will give you a buffalo burger to make up for it."

"Oh. Avery love burgers."

Colton snorted a laugh and Avery shot him a look, wondering why he was laughing at her.

"What so funny?"

"Nothin' Aves."

"Cole's laughin' for it sounded like you said boogers."

"Oh yuck! Yuck! I not like that!"

She crossed her arms over her chest while the boys chuckled.

"We know you don't Aves. It was just funny. Besides, you used to."

"Nu-uh!"

"Yeah, you used to pick your nose and-"

"Colton, leave your sister alone."

"Yeah Coley. Leave alone."

He chuckled and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"I hope you have fun in Montana, Aves. It's a great place. But we'll miss you and your silliness."

"It okay, I be home. You boys don't go my room."

"Don't worry sissy. There ain't nothin' in there what we like."

Avery nodded in satisfaction and looked out the window while the boys chattered about what they were going to do during their weekend without girls. She didn't pay much attention to them, she was daydreaming about flying on an airplane and going on a big-girl trip with just her mama. It wasn't something the boys got to do, and even Isa and Sarah had never gotten to do anything like this. She was very excited to be growing up, especially if it meant she got to do special things.

"Here Aves, let me undo your buckle so you can get out of the car and hug us goodbye."

"Oh thanks Coley."

They all got out of the car and Avery held her brother's hands as they walked in the front doors of the school. She wondered briefly if she was grown up enough yet to go to school, but when she saw the size of all the other kids, she decided that she could wait a little more.

"Aves I gotta get to my classroom, but I want you to know that I love you and I'll miss you a bunch."

"Love you Coley," she replied as he knelt down to hug her. "We talk on the computer."

"Yeah we will. Be good for mama."

"I do."

He gave her one last kiss then took off down the hall towards his class.

"Well sissy I hope you have fun. An' tell me all 'bout it when you get back?"

"Oh yes Ben!"

"Gimme a tight hug, since I won't get one for a lot of days."

"Okay."

She wrapped her arms around him and held on as tight as she could, then tried to lift him off the floor.

"Daddy! Sissy's the Hulk! She lifted me!"

Adam laughed and watched as the kids continued to hug each other for a little while.

"Okay, it's time for us to go."

"Bye sissy, I love you so much."

"Love you so much Ben! See you later!"

She took Adam's hand and they went back to the car just as a light rain started to fall.

"I'm going to miss you a lot when you're gone," Adam said softly, glancing in the rearview mirror as they drove.

"I miss you daddy. Me an' mama have most fun."

"I'm sure you will. She's very excited to show you where she lived as a little girl. I think you'll like it there. Don't tell mama, but I really like Montana."

"Okay. Mama say it beautiful! An' I ride a horse. An' she say papa go milk cows. I go too!"

"You're just like your mama honey."

"Yep! I get to see auntie Tater! Not on the 'puter. Ben say in real life!"

"I'm sure she'll be very happy to see you again. The last time we saw her you were just a little girl."

"Yeah, I big now. Hey daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"You um… you proud of me? Like Coley?"

"Of course I'm proud of you honey. You've done such a good job being a big girl and not whining and you're learning so much in pre-school too. You make me proud every day. Do you know what that means?"

"Nope but it good."

He chuckled and shook his head. This was going to be a long weekend without his girls.

"Mama, what that?"

"Those are metal detectors. We get to walk through them and they'll do an X-ray on us to see if we're taking anything on the plane that we shouldn't be."

"It hurt?"

"Nope, you just get to walk right through like a big girl."

"Oh."

"Let's take your shoes off and put them in the basket."

"It okay mama, I do."

Lindsay let her down to the floor and she took her shoes off, placing them in the plastic bin where Lindsay's were already sitting.

"Okay sweetie, it's your turn to walk through. Go ahead."

Taking a deep breath, Avery walked through the detector just as she had seen everyone else do. She closed her eyes and felt like she'd made it when there was a loud beeping.

"Oh no!" she yelled, covering her ears and crumpling to the floor.

"Mom, you want to come on through?" the guard asked, laughing a little. Lindsay did so, reaching Avery and pulling her to her feet.

"Mama that scary! You not tell me!"

"Well I didn't think you would beep honey."

"Kiddo I need to check and see why you beeped. Can I use my special wand to find out?"

Avery sniffled and looked up at the older lady, tipping her head to the side in question.

"Wand? You Hermione?"

"Well no, but that is the best thing I have ever been called. Now if this finds metal it's going to beep again, just not very loud this time. Is that okay?"

"Okay. Warnin' is good."

Lindsay suppressed a laugh as the guard ran the wand up and down until it beeped at Avery's feet.

"Are you carrying something in your socks?"

"Yep!" Avery declared, reaching down and pulling them off, letting a few dollars in change clatter to the floor. "Ben say to keep safe."

"Oh honey," Lindsay laughed, picking up the change and making sure there was none left in the sock. "Do you want me to keep it safe for you?"

"Yes mama. We go now?"

"Yeah, let's get our shoes back on."

In a few minutes they were headed to their gate, Avery skipping along happily, despite being scared out of her wits just moments ago.

"Baby, I need you to stay close to me okay?"

"Okay mama! So much to see!"

"I know. Let's find our gate and then we can have lunch."

"Oh good. I so hungry. I like cheese sandwich."

"I think we can finagle that. Actually, it looks like there's a place to eat right by our gate."

"Ooh, how nice!"

Lindsay checked the time and found they had almost an hour until boarding, and lunch would work like a charm to distract Avery for that long.

They found a table in the restaurant section of the pub and Avery looked delighted when she was given a real menu.

"Okay sweetie, you want a grilled cheese sandwich?"

"Yes mama. What you will have?"

"Oh I'm not sure."

"Daddy not here. You not gotta share."

"Oh, that's right. I should get something that he wouldn't even like."

Avery giggled and shook her head, reaching for the water glass carefully. She wrinkled her nose at the lemon in it, but put the glass in her lap and used the straw to drink almost half of the water.

"Brr, that cold."

"Yeah I bet it is when you drink so much of it."

"Mama, this 'cation be so fun! Daddy say he like Montana, but not tell you. An' the boys tell me it fun. I wanna see granna most. We ride horse today?"

"I don't think we'll get there in time to go today, but maybe tomorrow afternoon. We'll have to talk to papa and see."

"My papa your daddy?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Okay. And granna your mama."

"Yes."

"Mama, I play with your toys?"

"I don't know if granna has many of my old toys. We'll see. You and I are going to sleep in the bedroom that was mine when I was a little girl."

"We is? Oh yay! That be fun. I so happy we goin'. Just me an' mama."

"I'm happy too. I like to spend time with just my girl sometimes."

"I special," Avery confirmed with a little nod.

"Yes you are honey."

They ordered their lunches and then sat quietly for a while, watching all the people around them. Avery played with her lunch while it cooled, then dug in as if she hadn't seen food in a great while. It was getting close to her nap time but she didn't seem to need one today and Lindsay didn't want her to miss her very first ride in a plane, so she didn't mention taking a rest.

"So mama?" Avery started, once they'd finished eating and paid the bill.

"Yes Averylin?"

"When we can call the boys?"

"Later tonight. They're not home from school just yet."

"Oh. I miss 'em."

"I'm glad you love your brothers so much," Lindsay said, swinging Avery into her arms and trying to juggle their carry-on bags while waiting in line to board the plane.

"Yes, they love me too. We is friends."

"Good."

"Oh no! Mama, I not say bye to Sarah! Oh dear, oh dear!"

"It's okay honey. I told her that we would call her tonight," Lindsay lied, hoping she wasn't going to have to deal with a meltdown all on her own in public. "She said that was okay."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure honey. We'll call her when we get to Denver, when we're waiting for our next plane. How's that?"

"That perfect mama. Sarah gonna miss me."

"I know she will. Are you ready to get on the plane?"

"Oh yes!"

"Alright. Let's give the nice man our tickets."

Avery handed the two pieces of paper over happily, then beamed when they were scanned and she got them back.

"Bye man! We go on 'cation!"

He chuckled as they started down the ramp to the plane, along with so many people, Lindsay wondered if there would be seats for everyone.

"Mama, it crowded," Avery whispered as they looked for their seat.

"I know. Almost there."

The finally found their window seat near the back of the plane and Lindsay stowed their bags in the overhead compartment before taking a seat and pulling Avery into her lap.

"Mama, Danny tell me we get snacks and drinks."

"We will. We have to wait until the airplane takes off and is in the air for a little while and then we can have something."

"Okay. I get sit on your lap?"

"Yep, you have to be a good girl and sit in my lap the whole time, okay?"

"Okay mama. I snuggle you."

"Sounds good to me. Should we get your blanket so you can be cozy?"

"No, you hug me good."

Lindsay chuckled and they got comfortable in their seats as the attendants ran through the safety rules. Avery sighed a few times, shaking her head, obviously bored. All the talk was doing for Lindsay was reminding her of the horrible dream she'd had the night before of the plane going down over an ocean somewhere, and losing Avery in the middle of the water. She hadn't slept very much after that.

"Mama, we movin'!" Avery said suddenly, looking out the window and clapping her hands. "Here we go!"

"Sweetie, please use a small voice."

"Okay mama. Look how fast the plane drivin'!"

"Yep, it's going to go a lot faster in a minute. Sit back please."

"Ben say it "taxi down the runway, pickin' up speed!""

"Get ready for liftoff!"

Avery giggled as the wheels left the ground and they rose into the sky, higher and higher.

"Mama lookit! It so little down there! Looks like toys!"

"It does. Isn't that neat?"

"Yes, so neat. Mama, this great fun."

Avery slept through most of the first flight and all of the second, waking up when they switched planes again in Boise. This flight was crowded as well, but only because it was a little puddle-jumper. Avery cried softly through the entire flight because the cabin wasn't pressurized just right and her ears were hurting because of it. Lindsay gave her some gum to try and pop her ears but nothing seemed to work so she just had to suffer for an hour.

By the time they arrived at Gallatin Field they were both cranky and tired, through no fault of anyone's and much in need of food and sleep. Avery refused to walk on her own as they made their way across the tarmac in the wind and rain, into the airport to get their luggage.

"Sweetie, I have to put you down so we can get our bags."

"No mama!"

"Avery, we agreed that on this trip you would act like a big girl and I need you to do that right now."

Avery sniffled but nodded her head and resolved herself to make good on her promise to act like a lady. She remembered the conversation well, sitting with mama and daddy and hearing about how she was such a good girl and she would need to be one on vacation too, and how she needed to think about things before she did them. She knew that mama and daddy would always love her no matter what, but that just made her want to be a good girl even more.

"Mama, I help. I carry somethin'?"

"Sure sweetie. Why don't you put your backpack on? Papa will be here soon to pick us up and then he can carry our stuff and I can carry you. Is that a deal?"

"Yes mama. I like that."

"Good. Do you see your carseat coming around?"

"Oh yes!" Avery squealed as Lindsay reached over to pull the carseat off the luggage carousel. "Oh no mama."

"What's the matter?"

"My Cheetos is gone," she explained. "They in the chair."

"You stuff Cheetos into your carseat?"

"Yes. The airplane eated them."

"Averylin, you are the funniest child I have ever met."

"Thanks mama."

"Look, there's papa. Want to go say hi?"

"No, I shy today."

Lindsay laughed as her dad walked over and wrapped her in a hug, kissing the top of her head and making her feel like she was Avery's age again.

"Hi daddy."

"Hey little girl. I've been missin' you."

"I miss you too. How you been keepin'?"

"Oh you know."

She nodded understandingly; he'd always been a man of few words.

"And how are you doin' there, Sparkles?"

Avery giggled and shook her head.

"Papa call me Sparkles. So silly huh mama?"

"Papa likes to give nicknames."

"Yep. Papa carry stuff, mama carry me?"

"Okay."

"Her majesty has spoken," Dale laughed, picking up their suitcase and the carseat. "Your mom has dinner on the table if you two are hungry."

"I'm starving but Avery's been snacking in between cat naps so she might not want anything."

"Mama, I hungry! I want a slice o'Rays!"

Lindsay laughed.

"Did Danny teach you to say that?"

"Yes he do. He say "Mimo, this 'portant. Always want Rays." Mama, what is Rays?"

"It's the pizza Austin and Danny always get."

"Oh yes, I want Rays."

"You've been growing that kid in the city too long."

"I know, and now it's permanent and we can't fix it."

"That's okay, I've got a long weekend to change her."

They made their way out to the parking lot and put everything in the bed of the truck except for Avery's carseat which was the source of a bit of swearing as they tried to secure it in the cab.

"Mama, those words is bad."

"I know baby, I'm sorry."

"We not say hell."

"I know."

"Or damn. 'Cept Au'tin say it."

"Yeah well I shouldn't have said it. At least not in front of you."

"Okay mama. We go now an' see my granna?"

"Yes, we're going now."

"Oh, I call daddy? Phone please."

Lindsay dialed the number and surrendered the phone, then kicked her feet up on the dashboard and watched the small town roll by the window.

"So how are you doin' honey? Haven't seen you in three years."

"We've talked almost every day… or at least every week."

"Life gets busy."

"Yes it does."

"Are you happy?"

"Of course I am," she answered, wondering where this line of questioning was going.

"Are you as happy as Adam promised me he would make you?"

"Yes I am. Even more. Why?"

He was quiet for a little while, turning onto the backroads and clicking his highbeams on.

"I was just wondering if coming home for a few days was really just to see Taylor or if there was something at home you needed to take a breather from."

"No, not at all. We're really happy, daddy. I promise. Don't you see this sparkle in my eye?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Are you asking because I'm the same age mom was when…"

"Maybe."

"Daddy, that won't happen to me. It's totally different circumstances and… it just won't happen, okay? I have no desire to be anywhere but with Adam and the kids."

"If you ever needed to come home though…"

"I know."

He smiled and reached over to pat her knee, then cleared his throat as if to dismiss the conversation.

"An' daddy, me an' mama haved peanuts an' juice! I say the boys not have a delicious snack… yep, I win… oh yes daddy, I love you so, so most! I see you in couple days… bye daddy!"

She clicked the phone off and handed it back to Lindsay with a smile.

"Daddy love me an' miss me. I a special girl."

"Yes you are."

"We there yet papa?"

"Almost. Are you ready to see where your mama grew up?"

"Oh yes! I been wishin'. Au'tin say she come with mama when I in mama's belly."

"That's right. I think that's the last time your mama was here."

"That so many ago. Mama, we come to Montana more."

"We'll have to see. We never go to Arizona anymore either."

"It hot there. Daddy say borin' too."

"Maybe a little."

"Oh! Look at the big house! This your home papa?"

"Yes it is."

"That a barn! There's aminals in there?"

"Yep. We'll go visit them in the morning."

"What's that there? Mama, in the tree?"

"That's a tire swing. I'll take you on it later."

"Oh goodness. A tractor!"

She clapped her hands excitedly as if she'd been taken to Disneyland.

"Oh mama, this 'cation most great!"

"I think so too," Lindsay laughed as her dad stopped the truck in front of the house. There was something about planting her feet on the dirt driveway that made her want to peel her shoes off and go running but Avery was squirming and fussing to be let out of her seat, so for the time being, she was going to have to put that to the side.

"It smell beau'ful here!" Avery exclaimed, taking a deep breath. "What's that?"

"That's a mountain honey."

"Oh goodness! So big! What's that?"

"That's a field."

"I wanna play in it!"

"Tomorrow. Let's go inside and get something to eat and see granna okay?"

"Okay but what is this?"

"That's a water pump for the sprinklers."

"So much new things!"

"C'mon inside, let's go see granna."

Avery skipped up the porch steps and they went into the house together, smelling that dinner was most certainly ready and there was fresh bread to go with it.

"Mom?"

Oh honey, I didn't hear you guys pull up," Anne said, coming out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. "I thought you'd still be a little while."

"Yeah, well you know how daddy drives."

"Granna, I Avery! Hug me too!"

"Oh child, do you know who you remind me of?" Anne asked leaning down to pick her up.

"Yes. My mama. All people say."

"Well you should be proud of that."

"Yep, I is. Um, we have food? I so hungry."

"Sure sweetheart. Do you like pot roast?"

"Um, I dunno. Mama, I like pot roast?"

"Of course you do. You like everything."

"Oh! Yes granna, I like it. I so happy we here."