"Happy birthday to me!" Avery sang at the top of her lungs as she rolled out of bed. "Happy party day to me! Happy party birthday!"

She ran across the hall and pushed the boys bedroom door open, squealing happily and jumping onto Colton's bed.

"Coley! Happy birthday party! I'm four!"

"Could you go and be four in your own room?"

"Nope! You an' me are birthday buddies! That's what daddy said!"

Colton grunted and rolled over, pulling the blankets over his head. Avery sighed and climbed down from his bed and went over to climb under the covers with Ben.

"Mornin' sissy! Happy birthday party day!"

"I'm four!" she repeated, holding up three fingers.

"Lemme help ya. Gotta add a finger on account of you added a age."

"Oh!" she giggled, popping another finger up. "There. I'm four."

"Are you excited about your special party today sissy?"

"Yep! So most excited Ben. Gonna play with doggies and have a tea party with mama! An' today at night we will have such a party for me, and Coley, and you!"

"And Dunner too, sissy. On account of his birthday is in this week too."

"Yes, and Dan-yo. Great time be had by all."

Ben laughed and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"I love you. I'm glad you're my sissy. I couldn't never find a better sissy, you know. Other girls is not crazy like you."

"Yep. We can go get food now? I want a tasty meal!"

"Like what?"

"I'm thinkin' of somethin' best," she started, her eyes drifting up to the ceiling dreamily. "Something most good for breakfast."

"Oh, pop-tarts! I could make that for ya, sissy! C'mon, let's go downstairs!"

They ran out of the room and were about to make their way down the stairs when they heard a throat clearing behind them.

"Freeze, anklebiters."

Spinning around, Avery burst into laughter so hard she was doubled over, holding her sides.

"Oh, ho, ho, ho!" she chortled. "Daddy's in his underpants!"

Ben began to hoot with laughter too, like neither one of them had ever seen him in his boxers. Colton wasn't amused and walked to the bedroom door, slamming it closed so he could get some more sleep.

"Kids, hush up. It's too early to be this loud. Come on, let's go make breakfast."

"Could I stir the pancakes?" Ben asked, hopping down the stairs excitedly. "And make a heart shaped one for sissy to express my love for her on her birthday?"

"Sure buddy. Averylin, you want some eggs too?"

"Oh yes daddy! I love food!"

"Just like your mama."

"Oh mama! I must get mama!"

She turned and ran back up the stairs, skidding around the corner in the hallway and huffing and puffing by the time she reached the top floor.

"Mama! Mornin' mama, it my happy birthday party day!"

She threw the bedroom door open and scrambled onto the bed, jumping up and down excitedly.

"Hey! We're gonna go see the puppies soon?"

"Not soon honey. After the boys go to school."

"Oh, alright. Hey mama, you jump on this bed with me?"

"No, my hips will break and then we can't go to see the puppies later."

Avery sighed unhappily, dropping her chin to her chest and letting a tear slide down her cheek.

"Alright, I'll jump with you."

"You do? Oh mama, I love you so most!"

They began to jump and Avery squealed with delight, losing her footing a few times and tumbling back to the mattress. She laughed heartily and stood up again, regaining her balance and straightening her messy hair before jumping up and down again.

"What's all this noise going on in here?" Colton asked, rubbing his eyes and giving them both a grin.

"We're jumpin' Coley! C'mon an' join us! For our birthday!"

"There's not room, Aves. How about you jump and I will attack your feet?"

She screamed with laughter and ran to get away, nearly falling off the bed twice before Lindsay caught her.

"Where's daddy and Ben?"

"Makin' breakfast!" Avery answered, shouting. "Makin' eggs for Avery!"

"I'll go see if they need help," Colton offered with a yawn. "Or a taste test."

"Mama, you 'member when I was borned?" Avery asked, tipping her head to the side as Colton ran out of the room.

"Yes I do. You were a big surprise because we thought we were going to have another boy. And then we got you instead."

"Oh! That's so funny! I was cute huh?"

"Yes, you were very cute."

"And chubby?"

"Pretty chubby."

"And most smart huh?"

"I thought so."

"Mama, when I have my own baby?"

"Hopefully not for a long time. You're still my baby right now. I have a lot to teach you before you can be a mama. It's going to take a lot of years."

"Okay. What will you teach me today?"

"Hmm. I'll have to think of something. Should we go check on breakfast?"

"Yes! I love food!"

"So sissy, what 'zactly are you and mama gonna do while me and Cole are at school?" Ben asked, trying to zip up her coat for her.

"Goin' to the doggie place. Takin' them toys and food to have. Cuz they don't got no family. An' that's what I want for my birthday, to take care of the puppies."

"That sounds like fun sissy. Wish I could go with y'all."

"Me too Ben! Mama can take pictures to show, okay?"

"Okay! There, I got your coat zipped all up. Cole, put her hat on her!"

Colton pulled the knitted hat onto Avery's head and she giggled, pulling it tighter until it was just how she wanted it.

"Thanks boys! I am most ready. Mama! Hurry!"

"Her and daddy is probably kissin' in the kitchen like always," Ben sighed, pulling his boots on. "I bet daddy will even pat mama's butt too. That's so weird."

"I think so too. I'll go check what they're doing. We're going to be late for school if they don't quit their kissin'."

Colton ran off into the kitchen while Ben grabbed his backpack from the hook by the back door and checked inside to make sure he had everything.

"Know what I am takin' for show and tell today?"

"What?"

"This picture! It's of Cole and me and you when you were just a little baby. See how you got this hat on? That's what's called a hospital hat. They put it on kids what have only lived at the hospital so far. See how we are holding you? It's a picture of the first day we meeted, me and you. Thought it would be a good show and tell because it's your birthday. And Cole's too!"

"Oh wow Ben. I so very little! An' lookit, you were so cute!"

"Yep, I was. Very adorable."

"My goodness you haved a giant head!"

"Well, let's not point that out, sissy."

She giggled and glanced at the picture again before he put it back in his backpack.

"Hey sissy?"

"Yes Ben?"

"I am real glad you was born. Real, real glad."

"Me too!"

"I like that you're my sissy, I wouldn't want nobody else."

"That makes me smile, Ben."

"Good. C'mon, let's see what's takin' everybody so long."

He took her hand and they went into the kitchen finding Lindsay and Adam laughing hysterically over something while Colton stood with his hands on his hips.

"I don't know what y'all are laughing about but we're going to be late for school!" he admonished, tapping his foot. "This is ridiculous."

"Well daddy said something," Lindsay started, breaking into laughter. "And then I got mad and started yelling."

"And then I tripped when I was trying to get away," Adam continued, wiping laughter tears from his eyes.

"And he almost cracked his head open!" Lindsay finished, grabbing onto the counter for support. "I guess you just had to be there."

"You guys are so weird," Colton said with a little laugh. "But seriously, we have to go."

"Alright, let me just kiss mama real quick and then we'll go."

The boys groaned and covered their eyes but Avery giggled and placed her hand over her heart wistfully.

"Daddy an' mama love each other so most," she decided with a shake of her head. "They is so lucky."

"I think so too," Adam agreed, reaching down to pick her up. "Happy birthday sweetie. I'll see you later this afternoon okay? I'll bring you cake and presents."

"Yay! Thanks daddy!"

She kissed him and wiggled down to the floor.

"Mama, I get your coat, so's we can skedaddle!"

"Okay sweetie," Lindsay laughed wondering again how Avery had almost overnight expanded her vocabulary. One day it was four word sentences and now she was speaking as if she'd been doing it for years. They were surprised at the phrases she knew and remembered and tried not to laugh at her for the way she used them, but sometimes she was so dramatic it couldn't be helped.

Soon the boys were out the door and Avery was dancing around the living room, singing a song about puppies and how most she loved them, and what it was like to be four. Lindsay put her coat on and watched with a grin, wondering how long Avery would live a life not caring what anyone else thought.

"Ready to go honey?"

"Yep! How many puppies will we see?"

"I don't know. I called them yesterday and they said that everyone who donates food and toys gets to play with the puppies or the kittens."

"Oh, kittens too? I play with all them?"

"I don't know, we'll see. We have to make a few stops before we get there though, okay?"

"Well okay. We can take daddy's little car? Not your big car?"

"Daddy took the big car because he had to take the boys to school and he needs to pick up party stuff on the way home."

"Oh. Well lets go! Come on mama! Here take my hand. I will pull you."

"Avery you're so weird."

"I know! Let's go!"

"Do you want to stop for hot chocolate?"

"Alright!"

"And what would you like for lunch?"

"Hmm, a Happy Meal. To make me happy!"

"Will it make you talk a little quieter too?"

"Naw."

Lindsay sighed and figured getting Avery to speak at an appropriate volume was a lost cause. She was constantly shouting instead of just talking and a hearing test had revealed her hearing was normal. She'd explained "No one listens to Avery Grace. Gotta yell," when they'd asked her about it, and nothing seemed to change her mind now. Hopefully she would grow out of it, but they were learning to embrace it as a weird facet of their daughter rather then get upset that she wasn't subscribing to the preapproved method for childhood.

"Hey mama?"

"Hey Avery?"

Avery burst into laughter, and clapped her hands.

"Hey Jude!"

"Way, way too much time with Austin."

"Austin plays music like you don't play! She play Beatles an' AC/DC an' um… Jovi!"

"Bon Jovi?"

"Yep. Old stuff, she says. And we listen lots and lots of Elvis The King!"

"That sounds like fun."

"Don't worry mama. Like country the best!"

"That's my girl."

"We could listen to somethin'?"

"What do you want to listen to?"

"Hmm. Oh I know! The song 'bout the doggie in the window!"

"Oh boy. Averylin Grace."

"I'm fabulous."

"Hey all you puppies!" Avery greeted when the door to the puppy room was opened for her. "I'm here to play with y'all!"

She dropped down to the floor and several small dogs trounced over, jumping on her and licking her face.

"Mama, lookit all of them! They be so happy we brung toys an' food. Hear that puppies? Me and mama brunged toys and food for you!"

Lindsay chuckled and crouched down, moving Avery's hair back from her face.

"Your lap is just full of puppies isn't it?"

"My cup runneth over mama! An' lookit this little fella! Hey buddy! What happened to your other eye?"

"We think it was lost in a fight."

Avery looked up at the volunteer caretaker, shaking her head.

"But him so sweet! He wouldn't fight, would you pal? What kind of dog is you? I like your fluffy tail!"

"That's a Lhasa apso. Part something else too but we haven't figured out what yet."

Avery lifted the dog into her lap, holding it in a tight hug.

"I like you, dog. Mama, I like this dog. I want him. I would call his name Thomas."

"We're not getting a dog today sweetie."

"I know that. I just sayin'."

"Okay."

Avery went back to playing with the puppies, crawling around the linoleum floor on her hands and knees while they ran next to her happily. It seemed that no matter how well cared for these abandoned animals were, there was never enough attention to go around. Lindsay started to wonder if volunteering their time once a week was something she and Avery could do together. She couldn't imagine Avery not wanting to do it, and they usually had at least one morning a week that they could fill with something worthwhile.

"Mama, I really like this guy," Avery reminded her. "Not wanna leave him here."

"I know sweetie."

"Jus' remindin' ya," Avery whispered. "Hey ma'am, can we get out some of them toys I brung? So the puppies can have 'em?"

"Sure kiddo."

Avery was delighted to open the bag of toys and drop them on the floor, laughing as the dogs explored them all. Her favorite dog seemed content to stick by her side and she kept shooting Lindsay looks and pointing, making it very clear she was ready to take this dog home. Lindsay wasn't so sure yet. This was supposed to be a covert operation to see how Avery interacted with the dogs and if she was ready to take care of one, but she hadn't banked on finding a dog today. Instead of worrying about it, she talked to the caretaker about volunteering, and what kinds of things they would be able to help with. It seemed that there was an endless list of needs at the shelter, from coming to play with the animals, to foster care when the shelter became too crowded, to donating supplies. There was even a need for occasional maintenance and one Saturday a month volunteers would gather to take care of the building itself. Avery would probably be overjoyed with all of that, but as they hit the half hour mark of her playing with the dogs, it seemed that she'd found out exactly what she wanted.

"Mama lookit how he loves me! He could come home with us!"

"Honey, were not getting a puppy today."

"Tomorrow?"

"We have to talk to daddy before we make a decision."

"But mama!"

"Averylin," Lindsay started, crouching down to look at her. "I don't want you to throw a fit today."

"Could I cry?"

"Are you needing to go home?"

"No! I want to stay here! With Thomas!"

"Honey, I'm very sorry that we can't-"

"No one will love him like me!"

"I think you're overwhelmed and it's time to go home."

"No!" Avery wept, even as she was scooped up off the floor. "I love Thomas, I want him so most! Thomas! Thomas, I'll come back for you!"

"I'm sorry baby."

"He only gots one eye!" she wailed as they left the shelter and went to the car. "An' it was fixed on me!"

Lindsay would have laughed if her daughter wasn't so distraught over the whole matter. She felt awful about taking her there and making her walk out empty handed, even though that had been understood from the beginning.

"Mama, I want Thomas! He gots no home!"

"I know baby. I'm very sorry that we can't take him home today. We need to talk to daddy okay?"

"Call him now! Tell him I falled in love so fast!"

"He's in court today Avery. I'll tell him as soon as he gets home."

Avery continued to sob, her cries escalating as they left the parking lot and headed down the road.

"Honey, take a deep breath please."

"I'm not havin' a fit," she hiccupped. "I am so sad for Thomas! He gots to be all alone! With just one eye!"

"I know sweetie. I feel bad for him too."

"I wanna protect him! Give him love. Like… like how Ben an' Coley do for me!"

"Maybe we can do that sweetie, but I need to talk to daddy first."

Avery sniffled and wiped at her eyes as they pulled into the drive-thru. She stared out the window, wishing they could turn the car around and go back to rescue her Thomas. She wanted him to live at their house and sleep in her room and play with her all the time. She wanted to take him for walks to the park and watch movies with him and have a best friend right in her own house. She wanted to give that puppy all the best toys and clothes and everything a dog could ever want. It broke her little heart to think of him back in that room, sitting at the door watching her as she was carried away.

"Here's a Happy Meal sweetie. Will that cheer you up?"

Avery nodded and opened the bag, pulling out the toy and bursting into fresh tears.

"This is the wrong Thomas!" she wailed, holding up the plastic train toy. "It's all wrong!"

"Oh Avery," Lindsay sighed, pulling the car into the parking lot instead of heading back out on the road. "I will talk to daddy tonight, okay?"

"But I am so sad."

"I know you are. That's okay sweetie. But you need to take a deep breath and calm down a little."

"Okay."

"Remember it's your birthday and we're having a big party tonight with cake and ice-cream and all our friends and family there. I promise you I will talk to daddy today alright?"

"Okay mama."

"Eat your lunch and we'll have a nice nap when we get home and then a piano lesson, okay?"

"Teach me to play a song?"

"I will try."

"I will be happy, mama. I will do best."

"That's my girl."

"Ooh, chicken nuggets!"

"The story of the one-eyed puppy really touches my heart, Averylin," Sarah sighed. "I wish you could bring that dog home too. But when your mama talks to your daddy, maybe that's what they will decide."

"I am so sad, Sarah."

"I know. That's because you have a lot of love to give. I like that about you."

"Thanks Sarah."

"Hey sissy Aves!" Junior shouted, running across the room to hug her. "Happy birthday kiddo!"

She laughed and he mushed his lips into her chubby cheek while she turned a bright shade of red.

"Thanks Dan-yo," she said shyly, wiping at her cheek. "That was wet."

"Sorry!"

He laughed and took off across the room to join Ben and Colton who were taking some new toys out of their packages while Isa shook her head and told them they were doing it wrong.

"Averylin, want to play with your new toys? Like this dollhouse?"

"Okay. Maybe we go upstairs an' get my Barbies?"

"Sure."

They started to head upstairs but were stopped by Lindsay who directed them back to the couch, saying there was just one more present for Avery. Colton and Ben were both antsy with excitement, for they'd been let in on the secret earlier and couldn't wait to see Avery's reaction to the surprise.

"What is it, mama?" Avery asked, hopping up from the couch, then sitting down again.

"Daddy's getting it."

"This is so 'citing!" she exclaimed. "Sarah what you think it is?"

"I don't know, Averylin! I can't wait to find out."

"Are you ready, Tink?" Adam asked, coming downstairs with a large box.

"So most daddy! I wanna see!"

He set the box down in front of her and she ripped the lid off, squealing in delight and surprise.

"Thomas! Oh Thomas!"

She reached down into the box and took the dog out, cradling it against her chest and weeping as if a prodigal son had returned home.

"Oh Thomas I knowed I'd not leave ya for long!" she cried, near hysterics. "I love you so, so most!"

"Sissy, me and daddy an' Cole went to pick up your doggie after school! And the lady there, she said this is a girl dog!"

"A girl dog?"

"Yep! So you gotta think of another name 'sides Thomas."

"No way! I called her Thomas, and she is Thomas."

"Aves, that's a boy name. Don't you think-"

"Her name is Thomas!" Avery shouted, her eyes spitting fire at both the boys. "An' don't you forget!"

"Okay Aves, geez."

"Her's the most beautiful, most wonderful, most lovely bitch in the world."

"Averylin!"

"What?"

"We don't say that word."

"Was on Animal Planet!" Avery defended, patting Thomas' head. "It's true!"

"Alright, but we still don't use that word."

"Okay. C'mon Thomas, I give you the tour. Can you go on stairs?"

The dog followed along behind her as she headed upstairs, wiping her tears of joy out of her eyes. She was so happy that she'd had a small accident in her princess underwear, but she wasn't going to tell anyone, not even Sarah.

"Thomas, this is my room! Look, you can sleep in my bed!"

Thomas looked up at her and wagged her tail and Avery sunk to the floor, taking the dog in a hug.

"I'm so happy Thomas! I love you!"

"Hey sissy, we'd like to play with Thomas too!" Ben said, as the rest of the kids filed into the room. "Could we?"

"Thomas is mine!" she shouted. "Hers my soulmate!"

Ben burst into laughter and Avery growled at him, turning her body so she was between him and the dog.

"Averylin can I meet Thomas?" Sarah asked warily.

"'Course! I know you love her, Sarah! Thomas, this my human best friend Sarah Claire Messer! Sarah, this is Thomas… Thomas… I not know a next name!"

"Just think of a name you love," Isa suggested, shrugging and reaching down to pet Thomas gently.

"Thomas Cheeto Ross!"

"Cheeto?" Junior asked, wrinkling his whole face.

"Yes. I love Cheetos."

"What about something more like a name what Thomas could be proud of," Ben suggested. "Like Thomas Mighty Warrior Ross."

"Hers not a mighty warrior Ben! Hers a lady! Hey, that's it! Thomas Lady Ross!"

Nodding her head with the decision, Avery kissed the end of Thomas' nose.

"I love you so most Thomas! Let's play!"

She picked up a stuffed animal and tossed it across the room, intending that Thomas would retrieve it for her. The dog just sat there smiling up at her happily.

"Thomas, you gotta fetch, girl! Go get the toy!"

Thomas lay down and dropped her chin to her paws, glancing about the room as if waiting for something to happen.

"Oh dear. Thomas I will show ya," Avery sighed, getting on all fours and heading across the room. She barked and wagged her "tail" as she went, earning great laughter from the rest of the kids who were delighted to see how all this was going to play out.

"An' you pick it up like this!" she directed, taking the toy into her mouth.

"And then what Aves?"

Her answer came in the form of gibberish as she trotted back to Thomas, dropping the toy next to her.

"See? Easy!"

"You didn't stop and pee on anything on the way!" Junior laughed. She glared up at him but otherwise ignored his teasing.

"Now Thomas, it's your turn. Ready? Get on your feet!"

Thomas sat up and her tail swished against the floor happily.

"On all four of them, Thomas! Say "okay mama," because I am your mama now you know."

Ben choked back a laugh and Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, in defense of her best friend rather in support of what Avery was saying, for she thought it was silly too.

"This is hard work," Avery sighed, lifting Thomas onto her feet. "Now hop to."

She tossed the toy again and Thomas trotted over, sniffing at it, turning it over with her paw, then glancing back at Avery.

"Bring it here Thomas! That's my girl!"

Thomas ran back with the toy in her mouth and Avery nearly burst into tears of joy.

"Oh Thomas, you make me proud!" she laughed, patting the dog affectionately. "I love you so most! You're my best!"

"Welcome to the family, Thomas," Colton chuckled. "I'm sure you'll get used to Aves being crazy in no time."