Avery had spent the entire afternoon in preparation. She was no novice at packing bags for vacations, but this would be the first time she packed a bag for a sleepover. Spending the night with Sarah usually meant using her best friends too-big clothes and swiping her toothbrush in the morning. There was never a need to pack a bag. But this time was different. This time she wouldn't be heading over to the Messers or to Mac and Jo's. Tonight she would be going to her friend Sophie's house. She was excited of course, but there was a little thread of nervousness that ran through her at the thought.

She carefully folded her pajamas and tucked them into the bag, then tossed one of her stuffed animals in as well. She'd need a bit of home tonight, she was sure. And her own toothbrush was going to be a necessity this time. Stealing into the bathroom to grab it, she sighed and zipped up the finished bag, glancing around the room. She was glad she'd cleaned up a little earlier in the day, it gave her a blossom of confidence in her chest, one that told her she was going to have a fun-filled evening.

"Averylin, are you ready?"

"Yes mama!"

She headed down the stairs, bag clutched in her hand and her pillow under the other arm.

"Are we leaving now?"

"Yep. You'd better say goodbye to daddy and the boys."

Avery nodded and left her things near the door, heading into the backyard when the rest of the family was working at getting the garden ready for planting. Spring had swooped in quickly this year and they were all soaking up as much outdoor time as possible.

"Gentlemen, I am going to leave," she started. "Y'all wanna hug me quick?"

Ben was the first one to her, leaning down to hug her and kiss her cheek.

"Love you sissy. Have a great time."

"I will. Love you too Ben."

He moved away and Colton hugged her tightly, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

"See you in the morning Aves. Remember that you're fabulous."

She laughed and hugged him again.

"I won't forget. Thanks Coley."

She was scooped up by Adam then, and she threw her arms around his neck happily.

"Daddy? Will I ever get so old that you do not pick me up to hug me?"

"I will pick you up to hug you as long as you want."

"Forever, okay? Even when I am a pregnant lady someday, you still must pick me up to say hello and goodbye. Deal?"

"Deal, Tink."

Grinning, she raced back into the house, grabbing a light jacket before taking her bag out to the car.

"Remember where Sophie's house is?" she asked, once Lindsay had started the car.

"I remember. Are you excited?"

"Very much. It was fun when she came over to our house, so it will be even more fun to go there. It's a new adventure for me."

"What do you think you guys will do tonight?"

"The possibilities are really endless," she started with a shrug. "Possibly we will watch a movie. She told me that her mom got us some stuff to make cookies, so I bet we do that. And I don't know what else, she said it was a surprise!"

"Sounds like fun," Lindsay giggled, watching the animated face in the rearview mirror. "I have to admit, I'm kind of jealous. I would love to have a sleepover again."

"But mama, you and Austin have them all the time with us kids!"

"I know, but it's even more fun when you're a kid."

"That's good to know. I will enjoy myself a lot."

"I'm glad."

They drove on in silence and Avery watched out the window, wishing they would just get there already. She was keen on seeing Sophie; Spring Break was the longest they had gone without seeing each other so far. Talking on the phone wasn't the same, and Avery had missed her friend a lot.

"Mama?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you remember to feed Thomas?"

"Of course honey. I'll set an alarm on my phone, how's that?"

"Good. You know how she gets when she does not eat first thing in the morning."

"I know."

"What will you and daddy and the boys do tonight?"

"You mean without our entertainment?"

"Very funny, mama."

"I don't know, we'll have to see. It won't be as fun as this though."

"Good, I do not want you all to have fun without me, like you done before I was born."

Lindsay bit back a laugh at the seriousness in her voice, and nodded.

"We're here, are you ready?"

"Yep! Walk me up to the door, huh?"

Lindsay nodded and they got out of the car, heading up the walk to the small house. The door burst open and Sophie bounded out, her blonde curls bouncing with every step. The curly hair had been the first thing that had bonded the girls and they both seemed to take the frustrations of the curls a little easier now that they had a friend going through the same thing.

"Avery! I'm so glad you're here! My mom came up with a really, really great and fun thing for us to do!"

"Sweet! I'm so excited! Mama, are you gonna leave yet?"

Lindsay laughed and crouched down to kiss her daughter, realizing that she didn't have to stoop as low as she once had.

"Sophie's mom will bring you home after breakfast, okay?"

"I know. Don't miss me too much huh?"

"I'll do my best, but I don't know if I can't make it without your morning snuggles."

"I will give you extras the next day, how's that?"

"Lookin' forward to it. Have fun and sleep good."

"I will mama. Thanks for bringing me."

They shared one more hug before Avery took Sophie's hand and bounded into the house.

"You look awesome, Aunt Hannah!" Ben assured. "I'm sure this dude is going to be knocked on his butt."

"Thanks Ben," Hannah laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "What are you guys up to tonight?"

"Guy stuff," Colton answered. "Got a pizza coming, and there's video games obviously. We are dad's sons after all."

"Okay, well if you need anything, give me a call."

"Do you want us to call you in an hour with an excuse in case you need to get out of the date?"

"No, of course not!"

They both gave her looks and she nodded.

"Yes, but on the off chance I ever bring this guy home for dinner, you don't dare tell him that I had an escape plan."

"Got it."

She bid them goodbye and was out the door, leaving them alone, since Adam and Lindsay had also headed out for a date night.

"Thanks for ditching your homework to hang out with me tonight," Ben started, setting up the video game that was first in the stack. "It's fun to just do guy stuff sometimes."

"It is. You know, I only have four years before I go to college, so I want to hang out with you and Aves a lot. You're my best friend you know."

"I am?"

"Yeah. I mean, Isa is too, but we aren't as close as we used to be. You and I still are. You're the one I tell stuff to. So you're my best friend."

"I never knew that," Ben said, glancing at his brother with a new-found love. "I always thought we did stuff together because we're brothers and we have to."

"Nah," Colton answered with a shrug. "Even if we weren't brothers, I'd still love you, man."

Ben smiled and nodded, settling back against the couch with a controller in his hand.

"So what do you think college will be like?"

"I don't know yet. It'll be weird to live somewhere else."

"Do you think you'll go very far away? I mean, could I come and visit you?"

"Sure. But I don't think I'll go that far away. Mama wouldn't have it."

Ben laughed.

"Yeah, she'd put her foot down and cry all over you."

"Exactly. Most of the places I've found so far are a few hours away. So that's not too bad. But they cost a ton of money. I don't know how I'll pay for it."

"You don't have to worry about that yet right? Besides, how much could they cost? You'll get a job in high school right?"

"Yeah, but that's not nearly enough to pay for school. I guess I could get some scholarships. I don't know, maybe I'm thinking about this too early."

"You like to plan ahead," Ben confirmed as the game started up. "I have no clue what I want to do when I grow up. I'm too busy making right now matter."

"Yeah. There's nothing I can do about this now anyway. I shouldn't worry. I'll become a doctor one way or another."

"I know you will."

"It's just that some of the places I want to try and go to, they have really low acceptance rates. They let in less than ten percent of people who apply."

"I don't really know what that means, but those aren't good odds."

"It stresses me out."

"Aw, don't stress out, Cole. That's what daddy did, remember?"

"Yeah. I should relax. Okay, let's play until the pizza gets here."

"Sweet. I haven't played this one in a long time."

"Me neither. Since the time mama whooped both of us, right?"

"Yeah. She's a sore winner too, remember the dance she did?"

Colton laughed and nodded.

"She's crazy."

They settled down with the game and soon their teasing insults were flying. It was a normal part of gaming in their house, the only type of trash talk that was ever allowed, always with a hint of laughter underneath.

"Pizza's here," Ben announced after a while, pausing the game and heading for the door, swiping the cash off the coffee table on his way. He returned a few moments later, giant grin on his face before he put the pizza and breadsticks on the table.

"I'm glad we got everything on this," he noted, lifting the lid and taking a slice. "And that mama isn't here to see us eat without plates and napkins."

"It's guy night, I don't think she'd care too much. Did we really get anchovies on this?"

"You told me to go big."

"Alrighty then. Does it taste good?"

"Yep!"

Colton took Ben's word for it and downed an entire slice in three large bites, then burped loudly.

"Guess you liked it."

"Guess I did."

The phone rang and Colton went for it, wondering if Hannah's date was already awful.

"Hello?"

"Coley? It is Avery."

"Hey Aves. How's your sleepover?"

She burst into tears on the other end of the line and he held the phone away from his ear for a moment until she settled down.

"I am homesick!" she sniffled finally. "I cannot sleep without my Thomas breathing her nasty breath on me. And they do not have a grandpa clock here that I can hear as I fall asleep."

"A grandfather clock?"

"Yes that. And Coley, we had a lot of fun, but you know what? Sophie has no brothers, no sisters, no pets AND no daddy! It is just her and her mom. And it makes me sad because it does not feel like a whole home."

"Aw Aves, you know that homes come in all shapes and sizes."

"I do. But it is so quiet here. That's why I snuck the phone and am hiding in the bathroom. I want to come home. Can't I talk to mama or daddy please?"

"They went out on a date."

"What? They done did all their dating already, that's why they had to get married!" she whined. "Don't they know I need them?"

"Aves, you can't come home! You'll miss the sleepover part of the sleepover."

"Can't you come get me Coley? You're practically an adult."

He laughed and turned on the speaker so Ben could join the conversation.

"I can't get you Aves and even if I could I wouldn't because you need to do this. You'll be fine in the morning I promise. Right Ben?"

"Yeah sissy, don't worry about it. I know it feels weird right now because it's different, but once in your life cheese was new and different and look at how much you love it now."

"It is true, I once possibly was unsure of cheese."

"So you just have to stick with it," Colton encouraged. "You had fun up until it was time for bed right?"

"Yes. Sophie's mom taught us how to make pillows. Mine has horses on it. And we made cookies too, and played some stuff."

"Well what if you came home now and you missed out on the fun morning stuff?"

"I would feel sad."

"See, you can't come home just yet. Besides sissy, me and Cole are having a guy night and you certainly don't want to experience the smells we're making, you know?"

"Oh gross. No I do not want to smell that. Is Thomas okay without me?"

"Yep she's fine. She's laying on the couch right here with us."

"Could she sleep with one of you tonight? She will miss me."

"Sure sissy, she can sleep in my bed. And you'll see her in the morning anyway."

"I know."

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes, but also I want some cheese since you mentioned it."

"Your one true love."

The three of them giggled together and Avery sighed, most of her homesickness gone.

"Okay boys I am going to try and go to sleep. I will see you soon. And do not stay up too late."

"We won't. Have a good sleep Aves."

They said goodnight and hung up the phone, both boys chuckling at the antics of their baby sister.

"Someday maybe she'll be okay to be without us for a little while," Ben noted, reaching for another piece of pizza.

"Yeah. But while she's not, I say we let her need us. It's kind of nice that we can make her feel better, you know?"

"Yep. It kind of feels like the way daddy says he likes taking care of our family. We're real men."

"Avery! Wake up! My mom made us pancakes!"

Avery yawned and rolled over, rubbing at her eyes while Sophie jumped on the bed excitedly.

"I love pancakes," Avery started, once she'd reoriented herself to the world. "Does your mom make good ones?"

"Yep! And she said we could have sausages too!"

"Yes!" Avery shouted, rolling off the bed. "That's great! I'm so hungry."

"Good," Sophie nodded sliding an arm around her shoulders. "I'm glad you're here. I never have this much fun in the morning."

"Why not?"

"Because I always wake up before mom. Today she got up early. Because I have soccer later and we have to take you home first."

"Oh. Well I am glad it is fun."

"Is everything okay? I heard you crying in the bathroom last night."

"Oh that," Avery chuckled, waving her hand as they started into the kitchen. "I was just a wee little tiny bit homesick. For my Thomas mostly. She and I have no been very much apart you know."

"Yeah, that would be hard. But you'll see her in a little while. By the way, how come you have a girl dog and she's named Thomas?"

"Well, I was small when I got her, and I didn't know she was a girl. I thought all cats were girls and dogs were boys. So I called her Thomas. And when I found out she was a girl… well, she was already Thomas in my heart so I kept it."

"I like that story," Sophie's mom said with a grin. "You know, I was going to name this one right here Josie, but when I saw her, I knew her name had to be Sophie."

"My mama and daddy thought I was going to be a boy," Avery giggled. "And they were going to name me Aiken. So when I was born a lady, they were very frantic about finding the perfect name for their girl. So I am named after my mama and after my Austin. And I like that a lot."

"That's nice to be named after someone."

"It is. I like that I got bits of them in me. For I got my daddy's eyes, so it is only fair that I got something from my mama too. Oh wow, those are some mighty big strawberries!"

They sat down at the table to eat and Sophie regaled them with stories of her soccer team while Avery shared a little about her gymnastics class.

"Avery, how come you don't play soccer?"

"Well Sophie, could you imagine me running and kicking a ball at the same time? It would be a disaster waiting to happen. I'm sure I'd go head over teakettle!"

"It's not that hard. You could do it."

"Maybe. I am not very sporty. Mostly I like playing the piano, doing my gymnastics, and playing with my brothers. We do not play sports because we are bad at them."

"What do you play?"

"Coley makes scavenger hunts for me and Ben. Sometimes we play stuffed animal fights. They're a lot of fun. Next time you come over, we will ask them to play with us. I bet they will. They're very nice boys."

"I would love to have brothers," Sophie said wistfully. "Maybe someday I will find out that I have a twin brother out there somewhere, and they will make a movie about it."

"That would be so cool!" Avery laughed, taking her breakfast plate into the kitchen.

"I think about it a lot. Mom, do we have to take Avery home now?"

"We do, but I'm sure we can have another sleepover soon. Would you like that Avery?"

"Oh yes, very most!"

The girls dashed upstairs to change their clothes and gather Avery's things, then headed outside to the car.

"I had a lot of fun, Sophie," Avery said as they buckled themselves into their seats. "I can't wait to have another sleepover."

"Me too. Are you happy to go home though?"

"Yeah. I missed my brothers and my Thomas. And kinda mama and daddy, though I hear they went on a date with each other so I don't think they missed me none."

Soon they had arrived home and Avery thanked both Sophie and her mother profusely before tumbling out of the car and dragging her bag up the steps.

"Aves!"

"Coley! Help me with my bag of junk and then I will hug you real big!"

He laughed and picked up her bag, tossing his arm around her shoulders as they made their way inside.

"Sissy, you made it home! I missed you, and boy, I don't know how you sleep with Thomas, that dog is a bed hog like you would not believe!"

"She is just a cuddler, Ben. You gotta squish her real hard."

"And her breath is… whoa. That smell should not come from a girl."

"I will be sure to mention it to her."

"Did you have fun Aves?"

"Yeah, after I got over my home-illness. Are mama and daddy home from their date?"

"Oh yeah, they're home alright," Colton sighed, giving Ben a meaningful look.

"What?"

"When they got home they thought we would already be in bed. And so they were kissing like crazy when they came through the door. They could barely walk because they were so attached to each other. It was gross. Me and Cole made throwing up sounds."

"I like when they kiss," Avery shrugged. "It means they're in love and that is beautiful."

"They can be in love and hold hands," Ben countered. "I don't wanna see none of that stuff. And I'm a romantic at heart!"

Avery shook her head and reached out to pat Ben's cheek. There was no place like home.