A/N: I haven't forgotten this story I simply cannot make myself write to save my life. I thought about doing one long wrap up chapter but wasn't ready to end it either so I don't know what's going to happen. Either way, I love this story and the weird quirks of these characters and even if I'm not writing them, I am still rumbling ideas around in my head.

"Avery brought me a list of demands," Adam started, glancing over at his wife as they walked. "It's long."

"Animal demands. That child is going to become the Crocodile Hunter if we're not careful."

"She chooses interesting animals. First on the list was a chinchilla, with the contingency that someone build her a nice looking cage, because the ones she found online don't go with the décor of her bedroom."

"I've heard those are virtually odorless, which is definitely a pro in my book."

"Next she wanted a hedgehog, but realized the initial expense is not something she could undertake on her own."

"No kidding."

"And I hate to be the bearer of bad news babe, but if we decide to let her get another pet, it's more than likely going to be a rat."

"Aw man. I hate rats."

"I know. But as pets they're not so bad. And Avery did her research. She wants a dumbo rat, and she knows where she would like to go to pick it up. She's also quite certain that a rat would be a good companion for Thomas."

"She's really put some thought into this."

"She's half you, after all."

Lindsay smiled and nodded. She was more than happy to start another pet journey with Avery, who had proved to be a proficient canine mother. She wanted to encourage her kids dreams, even if that meant bringing a despicable rat into the house.

"Okay, we'll go look but if it gives me the creeps, we'll have to rethink it."

"I think her majesty would be happy with that."

"Do you know how big of a cage it would need? Her bedroom doesn't have much space."

"We'll find out. She said she's willing to forego having a TV in her room if she can have a pet."

"Where did she get the idea that she would get a TV in her room?"

"Probably from watching too much TV."

"Vicious circle."

"Truly. Anyway, I figure we can take her tomorrow. Ben will undoubtedly want to join in the fun."

"Oh, you know it's not fun without him."

Adam laughed.

"Speaking of him, what did the doctor say?"

"Cast comes off in a week. Ben isn't too thrilled with that. He likes being a walking autograph book."

"An autograph book that's starting to smell."

"Oh I know! He must've gotten it wet. It's so bad. I don't know how Colton sleeps in the same room with him."

"We'll just tell him that he'll never catch a lady with wavy stink lines like that coming off his arm."

Lindsay snorted a laugh and slid her hand into his. She loved their evening walks; it helped to keep them on the same wavelength and it was nice to have intentional time together every day.

"And moving on to the biggest, he's chomping at the bit to take driver's ed. Has he talked to you about it yet?"

"He mentioned it. He can sign up for the class that starts in July if we want to shell out the money, or he can wait until a spot opens up at the school."

"What do you think?"

"He's going to have to decide if he wants to risk not getting a spot at school and wait until next summer, or if he wants to pay for half and do the class as soon as he hits the minimum age. And then he's going to have to decide if he's even going to be driving enough to warrant getting his license the day he turns 16 anyway."

"And he's going to get the stink face from Isa for once again being six months older."

"She'll get over it once she realizes he can drive her anywhere she wants to go."

"And he will too. That's if he somehow manages to procure a car."

"Can't wait to see him pull that one out of a hat."

"I'm sure he'll finagle it somehow. He is our most resourceful child after all."

"What have we gotten ourselves into, Adam?"

"Some kind of wild ride I suppose."

Avery turned in a slow circle, taking in the various animals in their cages. She was beside herself with joy and her hands almost shook with the possibilities.

"Oh mama," she breathed. "Look how many there are!"

"I see that, baby. But we're here for a rat, not a menagerie."

"What's a menagerie?"

"A zoo."

"Well someday I will own a menagerie, but for today I would just like my rat please."

"Okay. Just don't be disappointed if you someday don't own a menagerie."

"And don't feel too silly when I do."

Lindsay chuckled and directed her daughter over to the rats, where the rest of the family had already gathered.

"Did you decide what color you want, Aves?"

"No. I supposed that I would just see what little guy or gal I bonded with the most. What kind of rat does not freak you out, mama?"

"They all freak me out, but I'm sure I'll warm up to your special little guy."

"Or gal."

"Yes, or gal."

"Daddy, can you bring the dude over so I can choose my next soulmate please?"

Ben covered his laugh with a cough and walked over to check out the iguanas.

"Oh she is lovely!" Avery exclaimed a moment later as she cradled a gray rat in her arms.

"She must like you. She seems to trust you."

Avery nodded and looked up at the employee who was helping them.

"I love animals, sir. They can sense it."

"I'm sure they can. You're very good at handling her too."

"I really love her. Do you think she is ready to be apart from her friends?"

"Well…" he trailed off and directed the rest of his answer at Adam and Lindsay. "Rats tend to do better when they have at least one other friend with them."

"Oh daddy! That means we must get another one! I want Henry to be happy."

"Henry?"

"My rat. That is her name."

"Is it short for Henrietta?"

"No. It is just Henry. That is my naming style," she said, gently stroking the rats fur.

"Okay. Well this gal here is Henry's sister. What do you think about her?"

"She's so precious. Mama, would this be possible? Can I get two? For the sake of Henry?"

"Oh sweetie, I don't know."

"But it is best for her. And mama… she is mine! I cannot leave her."

"I know sweetie."

"Do you and daddy need to talk about it? Daddy please convince her!"

"Avery-"

"You would not leave one of us kids behind, would you?"

"No sweetie. Let us talk okay?"

Avery was worried about the fate of her dear Henry, but turned her back to her parents so they could discuss. She was certain that they would say yes. It wasn't the big of an undertaking to have two instead of one, and really, they wouldn't have to do much in the way of care anyway. It would be silly of them to say no.

"I think we're in the clear, Henry. I think mama and daddy will let George come with us as well. Cross your fingers or whatever it is rats do for luck!"

She closed her eyes and held her breath until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Alright Avery, we decided that the best thing would be to get both rats."

"Oh yay! This is the most best day ever, daddy! Thank you!"

"Now listen. You're going to have to be very good about taking care of them. It's not an easy job, no matter how much you love them."

"I know this daddy and I am ready. I was ready for Thomas when I was merely four years old. That is practically a baby you know."

"I know," Adam chuckled as he reached over to tuck her hair behind her ear. "And you're not a baby anymore are you?"

"Well I am kind of. The baby of the family. But I am quite grown up for my age."

"Yes you are. Are you ready to become a rat mama?"

Avery's face split into the biggest grin he had ever seen.

"Oh daddy. So very ready!"

"Are you getting two rats sissy?"

"Yes I am!"

"That is so cool! Will you teach me how to hold them?"

"Sure! When we get home you can help me make them comfortable in their new home. Tell them some jokes and get them loosened up."

Ben laughed.

"Sounds great, sissy. Hey Cole, wanna come over here and pet this rat?"

Colton shook his head and glanced over at Lindsay. He wasn't really a fan of rodents either, and though he wouldn't make a fuss, he didn't plan on having anything to do with the smallest members of the family.

"No, that's okay."

"I can't wait to show my new babies to Sarah. She will love them! Can we go home now?"

"There's a lot to do before that sweetie," Adam reminded. "We need a few more supplies before we can go home."

"I suppose I do have one thing I really need. I need mama to hold Henry and George. She needs to love them as I do."

"Avery, do you think you can give mama a little time to warm up?"

"It's okay," Lindsay interrupted. "George looks pretty nice. Will you show me how to hold her?"

Avery beamed.

"Of course, mama. Now first, do not be afraid. If you are calm, she will be too. Much like a newborn baby."

Lindsay chuckled and gently took the rat. It sent a shiver down her spine, but one look into her little girls hopefully eyes made her shake the feeling away.

"Well mama? Do you love her like your grandbaby?"

"She's pretty sweet. Do you think she likes me?"

"Of course! What is not to like about you mama? I think George loves you and Henry will very soon too."

"Good. They'll be a part of our family for a long time."

Avery's eyes filled with happy tears and she nodded. This was one of the best days of her life.

"Can I hold her, Aves?" Daniel asked excitedly, peering down at the rat in her arms.

"Well Daniel, I do trust you. But Henry and George need to feel safe with me first before they are handled too much by others. So maybe at the next family dinner you may hold them but tonight I think it would be best for you to just pet them gently."

Daniel exchanged glances with Ben.

"Okay Aves. Have you introduced them to Thomas yet?"

"Yes. She just sniffed at them and then went to sleep. She is such a good big sister."

Sarah, who was sitting on the bed with Thomas, closed her eyes and pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. She loved Avery and her deep passions for her pets but sometimes it was so over the top that she had to take a moment to laugh.

"What about Floppers?"

"That cat cares for nothing but sleeping under Ben's bed," Avery sighed. "We could have a circus in the hallway and she would not give a rip. She is like a Isa-cat."

"Hey!" Isa laughed from where she sat at the desk.

"What? You enjoy sleeping a whole lot!"

"She even sleeps in class sometimes."

"Colt, I do not! I just look and sound like I'm sleeping."

"Right, the drool is just for effect?"

She leaned over and punched his shoulder.

"Shut up."

"Stop flirting," Sarah muttered, throwing them an annoyed look.

"Ew, gross!"

"Coley and Isa cannot flirt!" Avery decided. "That is much too grody."

"Yeah, way too grody," Colton agreed.

"Okay I agree, but you don't have to look that grossed out, Colt. You have kissed me, you know."

"I cannot deal with this conversation," Daniel sighed. "Come get me when it's over."

He and Ben left the room and Avery sighed, depositing Henry back into the cage, then picking up George. She nuzzled her nose against the top of the rodent's head and smiled softly. It felt right, having animals to take care of. Earlier in the day when she'd learned the word 'menagerie' she hadn't thought very much of it. But now that the rats were settled in her room and they had been welcomed to the family, Avery was seeing how much joy the pets brought not just to her but to everyone. A menagerie wasn't a ridiculous idea by any means, and when she had one, they would all be eternally grateful.