They settled into their new home and worked at becoming a family. Bailey's nightmares got less frequent once Jillian moved in and the eldest child lost her fear they were going to be sent away. To commemorate their anniversary almost a year to the day they met, Pegasus was ready to begin production.


Jillian and Avery tucked their three wildcatters into their bunks for the night after two hours of trying. The excitement of taking a helicopter out to the rig and having the men take them on a tour had pumped them up more than if they had consumed four bags of candy each. Avery wanted to continue the family tradition her father had started in having all generations of Baxters at the completion of every major project.


With Possum keeping watch over the sleeping forms, Avery took Jillian back up to the empty helipad. "Happy anniversary, my love."


"You remembered our first date?"


"It's all those romance lessons Bailey's been giving me."


"Do you love me, Avery?"


"You know I do."


"Enough to give me something I really want?"


"If I can give it to you, it's yours."


"I want another little Avery Baxter of my very own." Jillian leaned back into the body behind her and wished on the falling star she was following in the sky that Avery would say yes.


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"So you see, Susan, that's how I ended up with Avery, III." Avery looked down at the baby sleeping in the carrier and smiled. She had gotten up early to check on him and decided to bring him along for the visit she felt compelled to make.


"Two years ago on this date, I thought Maria was playing the biggest April Fool's joke on me in history and, as it turns out I found that God has an enormous sense of humor. He took you and Quinton away from them, but he gave me a life I look forward to living now. Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry about what happened and I hope that wherever you are, you know that Bailey, Emmett and Kristen are loved and well taken care of. I wanted to come out today and thank you both for the precious gifts you entrusted to me. I promise to take good care of them and to tell them of the parents that loved them all."


Avery put the flowers she had brought with her in the vase between the two head stones and got to her feet. "Rest in peace and before I go I brought you a gift. It's the last one I have that Emmett hasn't gotten to, and I wanted you to have it."


She picked up her son and walked back to the car. A wooden duck stayed behind, looking over the peaceful setting just like he belonged there.

The End


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