Allison and Asher both took the Friday afternoon before Christmas break off. It was Everlys school Christmas concert at her school the grade one students not only sang but had speaking parts and Ev was one of the talking snow angels. They followed the line of other parents into the gym and found seats. They were going to the second performance while Owen and Teddy had gone to the morning show. Alison and Asher saved two seats beside them for Annie and Josh, it was Heather's last school concert for the little girl now in 5th grade.
As they were waiting Asher nudged Allison and pointed, his parents were sitting further down the row. They hadn't invited them. Then they saw Eden Blouin sitting in the front row of the middle school band that was playing the music for the concert.
Annie and Josh slipped into the seats that had been saved for them.
"After the show can we go to Evs class first," Allison asked.
"You get Ev and we'll get Heather," Annie answered.
"Ash's parents are here we don't want them near Ev," Allison replied.
"We'll help," Josh assured.
"Last one of these for you two," Allison said.
"Yea," Annie said, "but it's sad at the same time. After this year I don't have elementary school kids."
"I've loved that Heather has been here with Ev," Allison smiled, "it's been good for them."
"It is," Annie agreed.
"And Khitam is coming here next year," Allison said.
"That will be good," Annie smiled, "Ellie had you and Leo, none of them start alone."
"We stick together," Allison smiled, "Heather is narrating?"
"She is the narrator and dancing," Annie replied, "and Ev has a poem?"
"She does get to recite a snowflake poem," Allison replied.
The lights in the school gym turned off and some of the fifth grade students began the show. Heather spoke confidently narrating the story. Allison and Annie both wiped tears from their eyes when Heather helped Everly up the steps and into the spotlight. Heather couched to hold the microphone for Everly. Everlys tescher wiped her yes she knew the girls were cousins and had taught all of Annie's kids.
"I am a snowflake, I am a snowflake in the air," Everly recited with a smile, "in the air, whirling twirling snowflake, whirling twirling snowflake, floating floating falling, floating, floating falling, here and there, everywhere."
Allison beamed hearing Everly recite her poem.
When she finished they clapped loudly for Everly and watched as Heather helped her down the stage steps to the risers with her class. Joining the rest of the first grade students, dressed in white with snowflake headbands and tinsel sashes. Everly's teacher had even wrapped her crutches with tinsel. The first graders loudly sang Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells and Silent Night.
As the show continued Heather narrated and led the show before the fifth graders gathered to sing Angels We Have Heard on High, Deck The Halls and White Christmas.
"We'll never do this again," Annie sighed as they left the gym.
"You can always come see Ev," Allison replied.
"We might," Annie agreed.
Asher had rushed to Everly's classroom and was met by Mark.
"Dad you need to go," Asher said.
"Pardon," Mark asked.
"The letter from our lawyer was clear you have no access to Everly under any circumstances," Asher replied, "dad you need to leave or I will call the police."
"Can't we just say hello," Mark asked.
"No," Allison replied, "it's on her file that you are to have no access. We've told the school you can not be anywhere near her."
"Why," Mark asked, "Michelle and I did nothing."
"You allow it to continue that makes you part of the problem," Allison replied, "leave now or we will call the police and I think we all want to avoid that scene."
Allion took her phone from her pocket and unlocked it with her fingerprint, preferring to use fingerprint over face recognition. She began to dial 911.
"We'll go," Mark snapped, "but this isn't over. We will go after you for grandparent's rights."
"We're not doing this here," Allison said, "if you need to communicate with us please do so through our lawyer."
The principal had been notified of the confusion and joined them.
"Ms Whitman," Allison greeted.
"What seems to be the problem," Beth asked.
"My in-laws as we discussed have no access to Everly and are trying to see her here at school," Allison replied.
"She is our granddaughter," Mark argued.
"Her parents have the final say," Beth replied, "you need to leave."
"You can't make us," Mark argued.
"As the principal I can," Beth replied, "don't spoil the day for Everly. Go before you create a bigger scene. Mr Blouin I know all about your church and how it is perceived in this community. I suggest you leave now. I will call the police if needed and will follow the school district policy to have you banned from all school district sites."
Mark and Michelle finally listened to the principal and left.
Allison and Asher joined the other parents by Everly's classroom door.
"You were incredible," Allison smiled when Everly came out with her backpack on.
"Mommy," Everly smiled as Allison hugged her.
"Dad wants to get your school walker from the classroom and your bike so we can make sure they're in good shape over the break," Allison said.
Asher slipped into the classroom to grab Everly's adaptive bike and walker, she had grown recently and he wanted to adjust both for her to be more comfortable. She used her school bike more than her home one, riding the running club track three days a week while her classmates walked and ran, this year her teacher had put a bell on the handlebars for her which Everly loved.
Annie, Josh and Heather joined them, "We're going to Mirabels for cocoa and cookies do you guys want to come," Annie asked.
"Please," Everly asked.
"I think we can," Allison smiled, "Ash?"
"Yes," Asher agreed coming out of the classroom with the walker and bike.
They drove to the small coffee shop that had become a family favourite over the years.
They were surprised when Ellie joined them.
"How was it," Ellie asked when she had her latte and cookie.
"Great," Allison smiled, "home for Christmas El?"
"Yes," Ellie replied, "and Catrina gets home tonight."
"And Leo comes home tomorrow," Allison replied.
"Girls night tonight," Ellie proposed.
"Go," Asher assured.
"I guess our house," Annie replied, "all the girls we'll order sushi."
"Ash," Allison confirmed.
"Go," Asher assured.
They finished their cocoa and drove home, Allison and Everly changed into pyjamas before going to girls night. They always did family girls night in PJs.
"This is a surprise," Megan smiled as her and Catrina walked into Annie's house.
"We're all home for Christmas now and haven't had girls night in months," Annie replied.
"I've missed this," Catrina said.
"Cat how's school and being on the other side of the country," Ellie asked.
"Amazing," Catrina anaswered
"Have you picked a major," Allison asked.
"Pre-med," Catrina replied, "did we even have a choice?"
"I did," Allison said, "I started doing general studies then focused later. But you mentioned a new boyfriend, Cat."
"We broke up," Catrina replied, "he wanted friends with benefits and I don't want that."
"Good idea," Allison agreed.
"You can't talk," Catrina laughed, " you married your first boyfriend!"
"So," Allison asked.
"Allie, that's not normal," Catrina replied.
"It works for me," Allison replied, "and it's not always easy. You heard what happened on my rural rotation."
"Mom told me," Catrina replied, "is Ev okay?"
"She's fine now," Allison replied, "and she rocked the christmas concert today."
"I saw the video," Ellie said, "she was cute."
"I was so proud of her," Allison smiled, "but you two boys I live vicariously through you two come on."
"Do you ever regret it," Catrina asked.
"No," Allison said, "I never will. Ya I've wondered but I love my family and I couldn't do it without them."
"Sam is coming down between Christmas and going to the cabin," Ellie said, "mom said he has to sleep in the basement."
"Why," Allison asked.
"Because of my siblings," Ellie replied.
"So stay downstairs with him," Allison suggested.
"Allie," Catrina gasped.
"We know why she wants to," Allison laughed, "but I want to meet Sam. He sounds nice when you've talked to him."
"How are things with Asher's family," Catrina asked, "you said something was going on."
"Renee called CPS on us," Allison replied, "made up a bunch of shit like we were abusing Everly that's all been cleared. We've been cleared but it's a nightmare. Now we have to go to court at least twice."
"For what," Ellie asked.
"We're charging Renee with defamation of character and slander," Allison said, "and Ash's parents are taking us to court for visitation. Something about grandparents rights."
"Is that even a thing," Catrina asked.
"It apparently is but we can fight it," Allison said, "I talked to our lawyer."
"Lawyer," Ellie asked.
"It's hell," Allison said, "and Ev is oblivious. She thought the lady from social services was another doctor or medical professional. But they had to look at her entire medical history, thats a lot of documentation, every doctor , OT, PT. They talked to her school and wanted all her school files, they looked at our bank account and searched our house, interviewed all three of us separately, my parents, Annie and Josh, Ava, Faroke and Nisha, Auntie Meg."
"Wow," Ellie gasped, "what were you accused of?"
"Neglect, physical and mental abuse," Allison said, "they reported us for immoral behaviour because Ev know's the correct name of male and female genitals."
"We've all always known them," Catrina said.
"She has to," Allison replied, "we've been cleared but it's so hard on us and on Ash. it's hard on our relationship."
"What can we do," Ellie asked.
"I don't know," Allison replied, "he's been so stressed."
"You," Catrina asked.
"It's hard," Allison admitted, "but Ash is closing off and he does this when things are hard with his family. Then he obsesses and we fight about stupid things."
"You okay," Ellie asked.
"I am," Allison said, "glad I have two weeks off before my next rotation."
"What do you have," Catrina asked.
"OB at county," Allison replied, "it'll be okay. MCAT soon Ellie?"
"Next year I only took 4 classes the last couple terms," Ellie said, "I hate 5 and 6 class semesters. I do better with 4s."
"So we can go together," Catrina asked.
"Same year," Ellie smiled.
"Together," Catrina said, "we'll go to the same school."
"East coast," Ellie asked, "I want to go away for med school. UBC isn't far enough from home."
"I haven't left," Allison said, "UW is a good school and living at home is cheaper."
"I can't actually live with my parents again," Ellie said, "I don't know how you do it."
"We have our space and we've become more separate as time goes on," Allison said, "we still do Wednesday dinner most weeks with my parents and mom cooks but there's days that I don't see or talk to them. Ev goes up every day but I don't now. I used to spend more time with them but I grew up."
"Exactly," Ellie said, "I've grown up."
"I need my mom though," Allison replied, "I don't have tons of friends my mom friends other than Eden don't get why I'm in med school or my goals and my school friends don't get having kids or a family. I honestly have Eden and Ava right now. Olivia only wants parenting help. I'm lonely, sometimes my parents are the only adults I talk to other than Ash at home. I chose a lonely life. I wouldn't give up my daughter or my husband but I get lonely."
"Allie," Ellie said, "how can we help?"
"Come home more and call me more," Allison said, "I hate being alone and because school is so expensive and I'm not working Ash is working as much over time as he can get. He's trying to be the forman soon."
"Why," Catrina asked.
"He'd run the site and it's another raise," Allison replied, "I still won't make a ton as a resident so if he can make more it's good for our family. We want to move out when I graduate. If I match outside of Seattle we have to."
"Rent a place," Catrina said.
"We want to buy," Allison said.
"But," Ellie said, "that's expensive."
"I have my money from Nana," Allison replied, "Ash and I decided to put it away for a house or for Ev to go to school one day."
"I want to go away," Ellie said, " I want to travel and see life away from the west coast and the little bubble we live in here."
"Then go," Allison said, "I wanted to, I would still like to but it's best for Ev and Ash to stay here. We will go for a residency opportunity but that's it."
"Then apply out of town," Catrina said.
"I'm applying for surgical residencies," Allison replied, "I go where we're told and hopefully it's good for Ev and Ash but if it isn't then we come back and I find something else."
"You've given up alot," Catrina replied.
"I chose my family," Allison said, "I can't let myself think like that. The one thing I think I've really missed is going away but I hated being away from them on my rural rotation. I felt like I left my heart here in Seattle, then when I thought they were gone I couldn't take it."
"Mommy," Everly rushed into the room looking unsteady.
'Wow," Catrina gasped, "Ev where are your crutches."
"I don't want them," Everly said.
"Ev," Allison asked.
"Please," Everly tried, "pretty pretty please mom."
"If you're careful," Allison said, "watch where you're walking."
"Mommy," Everly pouted.
"Just watch your step," Allison said, "that's all I'm asking. What did you want to tell me?"
"Khitam pulled all the tinsel off my crutches," Everly pouted, "they were all pretty."
"Lets see if we can fix it," Allison replied standing up from where she had been curled up on the couch with the other girls.
Nisha came in with the crutches and the tinsel torn off, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into Khitam today."
"I'm sure we can fix it," Allison replied, "they're kids. Khitam is 4 she's still learning about Ev's crutches and that it's part of her body so we have to ask before we touch them."
"I don't know if you can fix it some of the tinsel was ruined and the silver pulled out," Nisha said.
Allison looked at the tinsel in Nisha's hands and shook her head.
"Ev I have more at home I can't fix it until then," Allison said.
Everly began to cry, she had loved the silver sparkly tinsel on her crutches and them feeling special for once.
"I have some," Annie offered after hearing the commotion.
"I want my tinsel," Everly sobbed.
Allison held her daughter, "I'm sorry princess. I know you're really upset and you liked having your crutches decorated. It was really fun to do today with Ms Dewitt."
"And Ms Whitman helped," Everly said, "she put it on."
"We have two choices if you want more tinsel on your crutches," Allison offered, "we can use what Auntie Annie has or wait until we go home."
Ellie had an idea, " Ev what if we made them look like candy canes. I have red and white ribbons we can wrap them with."
"I want my tinsel Ms Dewitt found," Everly pouted.
"I'm sorry Kitham destroyed it," Nisha apologised, " she's going to find a way to make it right, Everly."
"We understand," Allison offered, "Ev you have three choices or we can leave it."
"Leave it," Everly pouted.
"Do you want to sit with me for a bit," Allison asked.
"Ya," Everly pouted.
Allison sat on the couch with Everly crying in her lap. She knew this was kid stuff and Khitam hadn't meant to be malicious, it was a naughty four year old thing to do, Khitam didn't understand yet how personal Everly's crutches were.
Ellie and Catrina grabbed the crutches from where Nisha had placed them by the couch and ran to the dining room.
"What's going on," Annie asked.
"We're redecorating," Ellie said, "mom can we have the silver and red tinsel?"
"You can," Annie replied.
Ellie went to the craft closet and got it and the tape. When they were finished Ellie and Catrina set the redecorated crutches beside Allison and Everly.
"Ev look," Allison whispered.
"My tinsel," Everly said, "it's fixed."
"It is," Teddy said, " Auntie Ellie and Auntie Catrina fixed it for you."
"What do you say Ev," Allison prompted.
"Thank you," Everly said smiling at the redecorated crutches with a tear stained face.
Nisha led a reluctant Khitam over.
"Khitam," Nisha prompted.
"I'm sorry I touched your crutches," Khitam said, 'I won't do it again."
"Apology accepted," Everly replied.
"Food's here," Annie called.
"We need a second start without us," Allison replied, she knew Everly still needed a few minutes of snuggles to self regulate and be able to join the group. Everly was still learning to self regulate and to calm herself down after not getting her way or a disagreement with another child.
