This is based on what happened in my Long Lost Daughter story. I would suggest getting to know the characters of my creation there. This is about 10 years after the last true chapter of Long Lost Daughter and 12 years before the epilogue. I decided I wasn't done with that version of the story.
Allison slammed her locker shut and shoved her last few things into her backpack.
"Woah Allie whats wrong," her best friend Olivia asked.
"Mom's all happy that Annie won some Catherine Fox award," Allison grumbelled, "i'll never measure up."
"Isn't Annie like 40," Olivia asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "and my niece Ellie is in 9th grade here now. Perfect Ellie skipped fourth grade."
"Ellie is weird " Olivia said, "did you see how stuck up she was at the championship last weekend. She wouldn't talk to any one."
"She thinks she can compete with the big girls because Annie was Canadian and world champion," Allison said, "she's 13. She's only just on long steps."
"You really hate your sister," Olivia said, "are you sure she's your sister."
"Her and mom say so," Allison replied, "I don't hate her Annie just gets to be a lot."
"She's how much older," Olivia asked.
"25 years," Allison said, "she's 42."
"So your mom had her in high school," Olivia said, "and you can't date."
"College," Allison corrected, "then she gave Annie up for adoption and Annie found her 20 years later."
"At least the dance team only takes juniors and seniors," Olivia said.
"But Ellie, Matt, Henry and Heather are staying this weekend so Annie and Josh can go to Boston," Allison complained.
"What's this really about," Olivia pushed, "you usually don't mind them."
"Mom was going through old photos to send to the fox foundation," Allison said, "there's all these ones of her and Annie in Europe. Just them."
"You dad," Olivia said.
"I was at their wedding," Allison said, "and mom was married before and there's pictures of her and Annie with him. It's just not fair Annie got all this time with mom and I've always had to share."
"Have you told your mom," Olivia asked.
"Mom has a whole hospital to run and Leo decided to join the fucking army," Allison said.
"Leo did what," Olivia asked.
"Enlisted," Allison snapped, "they're actually happy about it. He's still aiming for medical school but wants to be an army surgeon. How do I compete with the two suck ups?"
"It's not fair," Olivia agreed.
"Allison," Ellie called walking down the hall.
"Freshmen do not speak unless spoken to," Allison snapped.
"That's stupid," Ellie argued.
"You don't have a science fair project to work on or something," Allison taunted.
Ellie turned and ran away crying.
"Now she'll tell Annie who will bitch at me," Allison complained.
"Needs her mommy to fight for her," Olivia joined in the teasing, "baby Ellie."
"I was the perfect little one until she was born," Allison said.
"Ignore the midget," Olivia said, "is she even tall enough to be here? She's barely 5 feet."
"Doesn't help that my sister is 40, 5,2" and wears the same sized pants I do," Allison said, "she has four kids."
"That's not normal," Olivia agreed, "Allison I'd love to keep talking but my mom's waiting."
"See you tomorrow," Allison said.
"Avas at seven," Olivia agreed.
"It's on," Allison said, "we're sleeping over. Ellis got me a bottle of vodka it's on."
Allison walked out of school to Teddy's car.
"What's wrong," Teddy asked.
"Does Ellie have to go to my school," Allison asked.
"I tried to tell Annie it wasn't a great idea," Teddy said, "but they didn't want Ellie going to high school with the people she went to middle school with."
"So Annie is driving her across town or Josh," Allison said.
"They are. Sometimes she might ride home with you if we're all in surgery," Teddy said, "you get your license next week."
"Why can't she go to her school " Allison asked.
"There were some incidents last year and the year before," Teddy said, "they wanted Ellie to have a fresh start. I told Annie that it was too close for you and Ellie but it was the only out of catchment school with a space in ninth in the district."
"Can you get her to stay away from me," Allison asked.
"You don't have to be friends or hang out with her at school but you have to be polite," Teddy said, "you were okay with it at the cabin what changed?"
"Annie," Allison snapped.
"Okay," Teddy said, "you're angry at her."
"Why can't I have a normal sister," Allison asked.
"My choices," Teddy said.
"Wait you and Dan," Allison said.
"Never," Teddy said, "only your dad knows the whole story of Annie's biological father."
"Why did you travel and do all the fun things with Annie," Allison asked, "you never included me."
"It was before you were born," Teddy said, "before dad and I were together. Dad was married to Christina then."
"Dad and Dr Yang," Allison looked shocked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "it was right after we came home from Iraq. Annie wasn't even really around yet. I saw her about once a month and we texted."
"Why did you and her get to travel," Allison fixated.
"It was her last three years of medical school. I was working for the army in Germany. Annie would fly to see me on breaks then we would go somewhere different for a couple days. I hate traveling alone so she went with me."
"Why don't we do things like that," Allison asked.
"We are in the summer," Teddy said, "you and I. I booked flights today."
"What," Allison asked.
"We weren't going to tell you for a bit," Teddy said, "you and I are going to London, Paris and Rome at the end of June for almost three weeks."
"The Louvre," Allison asked.
"Of course," Teddy smiled, "Victoria and Albert, all the big museums you have on your travel bucket list."
"Versails," Allison asked.
"Yes I've never been there," Teddy said.
"Why now," Allison asked.
"High school graduation and you'll be 18," Teddy said, "I've been waiting for you to be 18 to do this with you. This way we can have a glass of wine in Paris."
"You'll let me drink," Allison said.
"My deal with your sister was we would use the laws of wherever we were," Teddy said, "same thing with you. When you turn 19 you can drink at the fishing camp and in BC if you want."
"What about dad," Allison asked.
"He has to go teach for the army," Teddy said, "we booked it for the same weeks. And he agrees with me about drinking."
"It's not like I haven't drank before," Allison said.
"I know you were drunk two weeks ago," Teddy said, "I smelt it as soon as you got in my car. I did it, Annie did, I know dad did and Leo. I can't stop you. I'd prefer you didn't but I can't make you not."
"Why didn't you yell at me," Allison said.
"Because 7:30 with the pipe band was punishment enough," Teddy said, "and not placing. You knew you competed the next day and chose to. I could have yelled at you that night and grounded you but it wouldn't have changed it. Next time there will be consequences Allison, I catch you or dad does and you will be grounded. Nothing but school. No dance, no competitions, no ipad, no computer, no phone. Nothing. Last time the competition was enough punishment."
"I hate 13 and over," Allison said.
"With Ellie ," Teddy said, "it's such a small one that they did 12 and under 13 and over."
"I hate it," Allison said, "why did Annie have to be so young when she had Ellie?"
"She was 29," Teddy said, "sweetheart that you exist is a miracle. I was 46 when you were born. That's not supposed to be possible. Timing everything had to be prefect. You are the best surprise I've ever gotten."
"Do you love Annie more than me," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy promised as she pulled into the driveway, "your sister and I have always had a different relationship. I'm not her mom the way I'm your mom. She was about Leo's age when I met her. She was 25 before I saw her everyday."
"When I was a baby," Allison asked.
"When I was pregnant with you," Teddy said.
"Was she mad about me," Allison asked.
"Scared," Teddy said, "she had another sister Jessica. Jessica died when you were 6. There were three of them Annie, Chris and Jessica. Jessica neary killed Annie a couple times. But she always loved you. There was one day you were about six months old and in the daycare at work. I couldn't find Annie anywhere then dad told me she was with you and I found the two of you curled up in one of the rocking chairs and she was singing to you in French."
"When I was really little she would build gingerbread houses with us," Allison remembered.
"You coated her cat in icing one time," Teddy laughed, "she still does all those things for all of you."
"It's not special because Leo is gone and Faroke doesn't really come now," Allison said.
"That's a decision you make," Teddy countered, "it sounds like you want some time with me and with your sister. "
"Will she always be better than me," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy said, "this is where it's hard. 42 and 17 are vastly different."
"What was she like at my age," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Teddy said, "I only got Leslie's letters and pictures. But she was a senior and applying to college like you. Dancing a lot but she was also really sick."
"Sick," Allison asked.
"You know she has no thyroid," Teddy said, "they figured it out when she was in high school."
"Why did you have me so late," Allison asked, "did you not want kids?"
"I wanted kids," Teddy said, "I always wanted kids."
"But you gave up Annie," Allison said.
"I was 21, a first year med student and it was the only way I could get her away from her biological father," Teddy explained, "then until your dad it wasn't the right guy or the right time."
"Why," Allison said, "you were married before."
"And Henry and I wanted a baby but he died on Dr Yang's table before we could," Teddy answered.
"What about Annie's birth dad," Allison asked.
"Only your dad and sister know," Teddy said, "i wanted to wait until you were a bit older to tell you."
"Mom what happened," Allison asked.
"Steven is the reason you're not allowed to date," Teddy replied, "I was 20 and he was physical with me."
"Like boy girl stuff," Allison asked.
"Violent," Teddy answered, "I have a hard time seeing you date because you are so much like me as a teenager. A bit of a rebellious streak, brilliant, talented. Of the three of you you are most like me. Leo is most like dad and you're most like me. You remind me so much of me baby girl."
"Really," Allison asked.
"Really," Teddy said, "and my mom. She never got to know any of you. I wish she had."
"Why didn't she," Allison asked.
"She had a stroke in 2001," Teddy said, "she was home alone and no one knew so she didn't get to a hospital in time to save her."
"Mom I'm sorry," Allison said, hugging Teddy.
"It's a long time ago, baby girl," Teddy said.
"Why do you always call me that," Allison asked.
"It's what my mom called me," Teddy smiled, "I've called you that from the day you were born."
"Your dad," Allison asked.
"Cancer 11 months before my mom," Teddy said.
"Like Nana," Allison asked.
"He was a lot younger," Teddy said, "but yes like nana."
"Will she get better," Allison asked, suddenly looking 7 instead of 17.
"I hope so," Teddy said, "she's fighting hard and David is with her every step of the way. Nana is 87. Sometimes when people are that old the doctors don't have as many options as if they were younger."
"Dad and auntie Megan," Allison asked.
"Are worried," Teddy said, "but Leukemia is very treatable. Nana is very sick and she is older. She loves when you call and go visit. It makes her whole day when you call."
"She said she doesn't want all the treatments," Allison said.
"It's her choice," Teddy said, "she's a smart woman. Allison, Nana was also diagnosed with parkinsons that will take her movement. She wants to feel as good as she can as long as she can and be with all of us."
"Our trip," Allison said.
"We'll go," Teddy said.
"If nana is sick," Allison asked.
"We make plans and we wait and see," Teddy said, "but now we pray."
"That's it," Allison asked.
"See nana," Teddy said, "call her. Just love her."
"That's not enough," Allison said.
"It's all anyone can do," Teddy said, "it's all nana wants."
"Who is Leslie," Allison asked.
"Dans ex wife," Teddy said, "she adopted Annie with Dan why?"
"Ellie said something about Leslie showing up last week," Allison said.
"I didn't know she had their address," Teddy said.
"Why don't we know her," Allison asked.
"Because Annie and Chris chose not to have her in their lives," Teddy said.
"At the competition," Allison said.
"I didn't notice," Teddy said.
"You were scoring side stage," Allison said.
"I know I was," Teddy said.
"Should she not have been there," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy said, "I'm always with Annie or Josh is. Josh was working for that one."
"Annie was doing line up," Allison said.
"I know she likes doing line up," Teddy said.
"Why do they like having you, Annie or Auntie Megan side stage," Allison asked.
"They like knowing they have a doctor side stage," Teddy replied.
"What if I don't go to med school," Allison asked.
"Then you find something you love to do," Teddy said, "dad and I don't expect you to be a doctor. We expect you to learn to do something that you can support your self with."
"If I wanted to teach dance and judge like Kira," Allison asked.
"I think it would be a great way to support yourself through college and have some spending money," Teddy said.
"I want to be a teacher," Allison said, "I like helping with the primary classes and teaching privates."
"They let's look at schools with good education programs," Teddy said, "Faroke studied geography and chemistry."
"And he's a doctor," Allison said, "why did he get to move into the cottage?"
"Annie and Josh chose to rent it to him," Teddy said, "if you wanted to live there with a roommate in college you could or after. I was surprised when they moved out."
"Heather and Allison didn't want to share a room anymore," Allison said.
"I know," Teddy said, "I thought they might add on Annie is so attached to that house and they've done so much work on it."
"Wasn't that your house," Allison asked.
"Yes I bought it almost 25 years ago," Teddy said, "then I sold it to Annie and Josh 13 years ago but they had lived there for 5 years before that."
"It was always Nee's house," Allison said.
"You loved Nee," Teddy said, "you said that before you said mama."
"I never called you mama," Allison said.
"Until you were in first grade you did," Teddy said, "then you heard all your friends using mom and changed it."
"Why doesn't she spend time with just me any more. She did before Heather was born," Allison said.
"Four kids is a lot," Teddy said, "you need to tell her you want to hang out. She won't push you. Text her."
"Thats it," Allison said.
"That's it," Teddy said, "why were you in a mood when I picked you up?"
Allison looked at the veggies she was helping Teddy chop for dinner, "you were talking about the award and looking at all the old pictures and I felt like I wouldn't be good enough."
Teddy put her knife down and wrapped her arms around Allison, "you are amazing baby girl. Allison you are going to do amazing things. You are you. I don't expect you to be the same as your siblings and neither does dad. I want you to be you and to be happy.i love you so much Allison."
"The same as the others," Allison asked.
"I love you all the same amount," Teddy assured, "but each of you it looks different because your not the same. Your the only one."
"You got to snuggle and feed as a baby," Allison finished.
"I love you Allison," Teddy said.
"I love you two mom," Allison replied.
