A/N: I don't even know why this chapter feels like it ends so wonky, but I guess that's okay.
And at this big milestone I have to say thank you to everyone that reads and reviews and gets some joy out of this because feeding the obsession of a writer is a thankless and dirty job, but I'm glad there's people out there willing to do it for me.

"Where did you and mama pick, daddy?" Avery asked, hefting her suitcase into the back of the car. "I can't wait to know."

"Well you're going to have to wait, Tink. Remember, we're not telling you where we're going until we get there."

"I think that is fun daddy, but I would also like to know."

"Tough cookies."

She grinned and ran her hand over the newly washed car, before pulling on the handle and climbing inside.

"I like when we ride in your Jeep, daddy. I like to be tall an' look at them other cars on the road."

"Me too," he chuckled, making sure everything was secure in the back, but that they could get at anything they needed quickly. It wasn't going to be a very long road trip, but they had learned over the years to plan for all contingencies.

"Okay, we got the house all locked up!" Ben announced, coming down the front steps and sliding his arms into his jacket. "Me and Cole double checked all the windows. We're ready to jet outta this place!"

Happily, he hopped into the car next to Avery, helping her to buckle in before he secured his own belt.

"C'mon Cole, let's get this show on the road!"

Colton already had his nose buried in a book and absent-mindedly climbed into the car, doing his seatbelt with one hand while being mostly engrossed in the adventures of Jem and Scout Finch.

"Coley, you must join in the family!" Avery hollered. "This is a bondin' time for us all."

"I'll put it away when we start going," he assured, pulling his legs into the seat.

"Cole, you read so much I think you need glasses like me," Ben noted. "Or spectacles, like what old men call 'em."

Colton gave a half-hearted chuckle, pulling his door closed. Ben and Avery knew he would be engrossed in his book for the entire trip, no matter how much he assured them he wouldn't be. They would be responsible for their own entertainment.

"Sissy, I spy something that is blue."

"Hmm, blue. Is it mama's shirt?"

"Nope. It is smallish."

"Is it mine eyes?"

"Nope, but that would have been a good one, sissy!"

"Well, is it that thing that's hangin' on the back looker mirror?"

"Yeah, you got it! It is that air refreshener!"

"That was a good one, Ben. Now what will we play?"

"I dunno. Maybe we should just sit back and enjoy the ride. Hey-yo mama and daddy, aren't we going to get scootin'?"

"Okay, okay," Adam chuckled, opening the door for Lindsay, who gave him an amused smirk. "I just have to teach mama how to use a map."

"Hey!"

The kids laughed as their parents argued good-naturedly, so used to this kind of thing that it would have been weird without it. Ben and Avery chattered happily as Adam started the car and headed out of the city. They'd decided several weeks ago that they needed a family vacation and after spending a long time trying to find a place to go, three maps of the area had been printed, one for each child. They were each allowed to circle one place on the map at random, and Adam and Lindsay had then picked a destination out of the three suggestions. The kids really had no idea what was in any of the cities, but half the fun was exploring somewhere new.

Once they got out of the city, Colton put his book away and began to sing along to the radio with the rest of the family, much to the delight of Avery and Ben, simply because he liked to use the deepest twang he could muster.

"Hey mama, didn't you do the rodeo like in this song?" Ben asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"A little, but not exactly like this song."

"Didja get bucked off the horse?"

"A time or two."

"Wow, that's neat! Daddy, did you ever do anything dangerous?"

"I argued with mama once."

"Adam, shut up," Lindsay laughed, reaching over for his hand.

"You folks are pretty weird," Ben decided, sitting back in his seat. "How much longer until we get to the mystery place?"

"About three hours, buddy."

"Which way are we going, could you tell us that?"

"North-ish."

"Okay. Cole, you got that kid map?"

Colton produced the map from his backpack and Avery held it open so the three of them could look at it.

"I don't remember what place I picked," Avery grumped, having circled a city that started with A, because it was the letter she knew the best.

"That's okay, Aves. We're supposed to just enjoy it, not try and guess. I wonder what things we'll do there."

"Mama said most fun things, Coley! She speaked to me of museums, because all our family likes those!"

"Yeah, we do."

"Hey, turn up this jam!" Ben shouted. "I like this one."

"Boot-Scootin' Boogie?" Lindsay asked with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yep, it's great for dancin'. Even in the car."

"Well, I guess it's a good time for a break," Lindsay giggled, glancing into the backseat where Avery was sitting, holding a grocery bag up to her face, just in case she got sick again.

"Yeah, I'm going to pull over at the next town. There's going to be a full scale brothers war if we don't get out of each other's hair."

"We should all be able to play nice for four hours in the car."

"It might be too much excitement."

"Possibly. Avery, you okay honey?"

"Yes I am alright but could you please call Austin and check on Thomas?" Avery replied into the bag. "I need to make sure that my baby don't miss me too much."

"We can call when we get there."

"Mama, I please would like to call now. It would help my tummy."

"Oh alright."

She found her phone in the cup holder and called Austin while Ben and Colton bickered in the back seat over whose turn it was to hold the map.

"Hey Lin, how's the trip?"

"Here, you can listen."

She turned a little and held the phone up so it would catch what the kids were saying.

"Cole, it's my turn for the map!"

"You always mess it up Ben! You keep missing the road signs!"

"You don't even know what way we're going!"

"Boys please love each other again! Your fightin' makes my tummy hurt!"

"How do you think the trip is?" Lindsay asked, returning to the conversation. Austin laughed.

"Typical with three kids in the car."

"Avery got carsick so we had to pull over."

"Let me guess, Ben was watching her throw up in disgusted fascination while Colton buried his nose in a book and Adam grossed out but held her hair."

"Got it in one."

"Norman Rockwell."

"Anyway, her majesty would like to know how her furry court jester is doing."

"Thomas is fine. She's taken up residence in Daniel's room."

"Well that is home to the most interesting smells."

"You can tell Aves that her baby is just fine."

"I will. I need to whack my hand around in the back seat and see if I can break up the boys fight."

"Alright, be safe."

They hung up and Lindsay tipped her seat back a little so she could take the map from the boys who would have been coming to blows if they were able to maneuver around Avery without hitting her too.

"Hey mama you ripped the map!"

"I really don't care, Benjamin."

"But we're supposed to be having a good time!"

"Do you think that listening to you boys fighting is a good time for the rest of us?"

Ben fell silent, crossing his arms and shooting Colton a glare.

"I will answer that one, mama," Avery offered. "It is not fun for the rest of us."

"Exactly."

"Why did we even come on this trip if we're just going to fight?" Colton sighed, feeling guilty for arguing with his brother.

"What do you guys think about ice-cream and a little family meeting?" Adam asked, taking an exit off of the freeway. "I think we need to regroup."

"I think that sounds good," Lindsay agreed, glancing at the boys. Ben had his head down and was rubbing his eyes while Colton looked out the window quietly, both sure signs that they were already regretting their previous actions.

"I do not want ice-cream," Avery said, finally lifting her head out of the bag. "But I would like some water an' something gentle to eat."

"We'll find you something, Tink."

Avery nodded and leaned back in her seat, reaching one hand over to each of her brothers.

"Boys, please smile again. I do not like when you are sad. Because I love you so very most."

"We love you too, Aves," Colton assured, taking her hand. "And I'm sorry that we can't work together, Ben."

"Me too Cole. I just really wanted to be the first to discover where we're going. And you do too so we should have just used both our smarts to do it."

"I guess we learn from our mistakes, huh?"

"Hopefully we remember it!"

"I will help you to remember. When you boys are fighting I will tell you to stop an' hug each other okay?"

"Thanks, Aves."

They arrived at a Dairy Queen just off the freeway and Colton helped Avery out of the car, slinging his arm around her shoulders as they went inside.

"I think I'll get a Dilly bar," Ben decided. "Are you sure you just want water sissy?"

"For now Ben, yes that is good. But maybe some fries."

Soon they all had their snacks and were sitting around one of the semi-sticky tables in the back of the restaurant.

"Alright offspring, I think it's time we have a talk about this vacation."

"What about it, daddy?" Avery asked, dipping a French fry into her pop.

"Mama and I thought it would be a good idea for the family, just the five of us, to get out of town and have some time together."

"But why?"

"Because our family is really going to change when Rebecca comes," Lindsay explained, reaching over to wipe Ben's face. "Our vacations are going to have to be different."

"Like not a lot of vacations, right? Because she needs to be home and get comfortable with us."

"Yes. A lot of other things are going to change too though. Life is going to get hard and there are going to be a lot of sad things, even when Rebecca finally comes home. She's going to have a lot of doctors appointments and therapy and that's going to take a lot of time."

"Us kids already talked about that," Colton said with a shrug. "We decided that all of us have everything we want and need and we always have and once Rebecca comes home, then it's her turn for that. And we're taking chores too."

"It will be my job to help feed her," Ben started. "And sissy will pick her clothes. Cole will be the one to carry her places when she needs to, before she can walk. And all of us have to teach her how to be in a family. Think that's a good plan?"

"You kids really talked about that?"

"We talk 'bout Becca lots," Avery said with a shrug. "For she is becoming our sister."

"Yes, that's right."

"How much longer will it be? Most days?"

"Most months. We'll keep you kids up to speed though."

"Okay. Mama, could I finish your ice-cream?"

"Sure baby."

Avery wiggled her eyebrows and reached for the dish, making happy noises while she ate.

"Do you guys have any questions about anything?"

"Not right now," Colton answered for all of them.

"You know you can come to us with questions or if you don't feel good about things."

"We know that. And we promise to get along better on this trip, right Ben?"

"Right, Cole."

They shook on it and went back to their desserts, as if everything was normal, uneventful, and on a steady course.

"I think it's hilarious that this state is called Rhode Island," Ben chuckled. "Because it is not a road and far as I know, it ain't a island neither. Don't y'all think that's funny?"

"Ben, I have to be honest. It wasn't funny the first time you said it and it isn't funny now either."

"I will still have my own private chuckle 'bout it," Ben shrugged as Adam checked them in to their hotel. "Sissy, are you almost done with your nap?"

Avery whined and buried her face in Lindsay's shoulder, tired from the trip and needing a real bed to sleep in. She wasn't normally one for naps but the car made her tired and sleeping had been a defense against the boys telling terrible jokes for the last hour.

"Well I guess you will just have to be a snoozer while me and Cole check out the goodness of the jumping on the beds. Also the cable channels."

"Excuse me, I am snuggling with mama," she returned, popping her head up to glare at him. "Pardon me now Ben. I am busy."

He giggled but wandered away, peeking over the front counter at the girl who was working there, frustratedly trying to get them checked into their room.

"Looks like you're having problems with your computer," he said, rocking back on his feet. "I'd help you if I could. But see, it's a good thing that our family is patient huh?"

"Yeah, it's a good thing," she chuckled.

"So I just hope that you are having a good day. I will leave you to it now."

He wandered off again, looking out the window, excited about all the new things they would be able to try out on this trip. He was looking forward to the museums and other things that were planned, but mostly, he was looking forward to just spending time with his family. They were his favorite people in the world and he was glad he'd been born to this family.

Grinning, he joined them as they headed back out to the car so they could drive across the parking lot to their assigned space. The boys were happy to sit without seatbelts for the short trip, and Avery enjoyed being allowed to steer with minimal help. Soon they were packing everything inside and claiming beds, Ben and Colton jumping as high as they could while Avery snuggled onto the couch.

"I think we could do with a little downtime before we go to dinner," Adam suggested, stacking the suitcases neatly in the corner.

"Let's check out those cable channels!" Ben suggested, taking the remote off of the side table. "Oh geez, there's a million of 'em!"

While the boys negotiated on what to watch and Avery hollered at them when they settled on something she didn't like, Adam and Lindsay stretched out on their bed, sighing and groaning as old muscles were relieved of sitting in the car for hours.

"I never remember the preparation for vacation until we're already knee deep in it," Adam sighed. "I'm exhausted."

"I bet we can get the kids to sleep fairly early. If not, the beauty of this place is turning on a movie and going to sleep, let them stay up and watch."

"I forgot about that particular perk."

"Perfect."

He smiled and brushed her hair back from her face.

"Thanks for being my copilot today."

"Always will be."

"Hey mama an' daddy, we kids is all rested now! Time for the next 'venture!" Avery hollered, jumping onto the bed with them.

"Okay."

"We want to go explore the deck. Can we daddy?"

Adam nodded and took the kids out onto the deck while Lindsay stayed inside and got ready for dinner.

"Daddy, please tell me the name of this town again."

"Newport."

"Newport," Avery repeated. "Rhode Island. In the United States of 'Merica."

"That's right."

"Yeah sissy. In North America. On planet earth. In the solar system we call home."

Avery nodded seriously and shaded her eyes from the sun.

"I am enjoying this vacation so most. I cannot wait to see what's next."

"You kids are going to love it."

"I bet we will. You an' mama pick the most best things."

Adam chuckled and picked her up so she could look out over the city with the rest of them.

"Hey Adam?" Lindsay asked warily, poking her head out the door. "Can I talk to you?"

"What's wrong?"

"Um, Shelly called."

"Was there a problem with the paperwork?" he asked, concerned and letting Avery slide back down to the deck.

"No. Um… she just heard back from the social worker over there."

"What happened?"

"They approved us."

"They did?"

She nodded gently, still in shock that the process had finally reached the next step.

"So what happens next?"

"She said there's another wave of paperwork we have to submit and then we wait for travel dates."

"That soon?"

"It's still going to be on the timeline that we thought but... that was the biggest…"

She stood there at a loss for words while he smiled, knowing that the approval had been the biggest and most expensive obstacle and now that this was cleared, it seemed like the path to bring Rebecca home had just gotten a little easier.