The half-dreaded half greatly anticipated day had come. Jeff's 18th birthday. He had officially aged out of Scouts. On the other hand, a party was held in his honor. And yet still, on the other other hand, it was Heather's last day with them.

The party, as always, was held at the ranch. Everyone was there. At some point after cake, Lily called Andrew.

"Andrew!" He turned around to see Lily approaching him, "you are wanted."

Andrew left the rest of the party goers behind and slipped out the door. He found Heather sitting on the white fence they had all sat on so many weeks ago.

"Hey," he said as he climbed up beside her.

"Hi," she replied quietly, studying her hands.

"What'dya need me for?"

"I know you're angry," she said, still looking at her hands, "but please, try not to be."

"I'm not angry."

Heather didn't look up.

"I'm not angry," his voice was growing a little frustrated, "Hey, look at me, I'm talking to you!

She looked him in the eye, and he realized why she had been looking down. Tears were swimming in her eyes.

"Just please, don't hate me."

And then Andrew got real quiet. He stared ahead for about five minutes, while Heather continued to examine her hands.

"I don't hate you," He eventually answered, looking over, "I care about you too much to hate you for going to be with your family."

"Well, you obviously aren't happy with my decision."

"Of course I'm not, Heather. Because we need you here!"

Heather's head snapped up and she looked intently into his face.

"We started this set-up thinking you needed us, but Heather, it was us who needed you."

"What do you mean, I needed you guys way more than you needed me."

"Okay, so maybe that's true, but that doesn't change the fact that helping you is what brought us together. My family and I have been in some...bad spots recently. You helped. We had a common interest. A reason to spend time together. It was because of you that I've learned how important it is to be a brother. I haven't been half the brother Lily deserves. Yes, you are annoying, yes you get on my nerves and yes I wanted nothing to do with you at first but you are family. Siblings fight. Siblings 'hate' each other. Siblings couldn't live without one another. Don't you see? Craig, Jeff and I--we need you. Without you, there's no Marshall brothers. There's just a Craig, a Jeff (who'll be moving out soon I suppose) and an Andrew. You, Squirt, are the glue."

Heather didn't respond for a moment.

"I don't know what to say. I can't just stay here when I have a chance at being with my family."

"I know," he said, "I'm not asking you to stay...or I don't know, maybe I am. But that's not the point. I'm just telling you how much you are needed."

"Andrew, I promise if you try, you guys will get along just fine without me. It's not rocket science. I have to go."

"I know, Squirt, I know." He put his arm around her, "lets go inside."

~~~
By the end of the night, the Marshall boys and Heather had made their way around the whole ranch, not missing any chance to reminisce over their summer. They found a dilapidated cowboy hat in the pond, which caused a chorus of bittersweet laughter. By the time the sun was setting, Heather knew it was time for goodbyes. 

She threw her arms around Miss Dorothy and Farmer Lance. A sweet hug ensued, finished by a whisper from Heather.

"I love you," her voice tripped over the words.

The old couple did not respond, but the smiles that were on their faces said it all: It was mutual, except they loved her more.

After giving Lily and Mrs. Marshall a hug she came to the boys.

"Well, this is it." She said.

They nodded.

The four stood in a still silence, staring at there feet and kicking pebbles.

Jeff broke the silence, "It's been fun," he extended his hand. Heather looked at it and promptly ignored it, as she threw her arms around his neck, causing him to lift her up a bit. She buried her face in his shoulder.

"You are the best brother I have ever had," she choked, "Well, that is the best blonde 18-year-old brother whose name starts with a J I've ever had."

"Oh, gee, I'm flattered." He smirked.

She came next to Craig.

"You know I'm bad with words," he said.

"That's okay, I'll hug you anyway." She wrapped her arms around him and a smile the size of Texas spread across his face.

Lastly, she approached Andrew.

"Goodbye," she said.

"Goodbye." He replied. The two looked at each other awkwardly for a second. "Squirt." He smirked and ruffled her hair.

And then he hugged her.

"Thanks," she looked at Andrew but then let her gaze drift to the other two, "thanks all of you. You changed my life. I love you."

Craig grabbed both of her hands in his, "No, thank you."

Author's Note: I haven't looked at this story in a very, very long time. But I left it with only two parts unpublished. I don't even know if this is a good story, as it's been quite a while. But I figured I should give you all the last two parts. I hope you have enjoyed and thank you for reading along. God Bless!