If it wasn't for luggage, I would just book the FLL to SNA flight and get off the plane when it lands at DFW and go home.

Still, we will probably end up using miles for our flight and that will take care of it both ways.

Editing to add:

Just went to the AA website to do some checking.

No award tickets in coach on the 19th until the 5:30 flight.
One way non stop flights on AA to DFW are $454.
One way non stop flights on AA to LAX are $129.
One way one stop (in DFW) on AA to SNA are $175.

Airtran didn't have fares posted yet for November, but on October 29th (also a Monday) the one way fare is $120 for FLL-ATL-DFW.