"What were we thinking," Teddy asked.
"You're not okay," Owen asked.
"We're bringing our 6 week old camping," she said.
"With my mom, Don and Manda," he said.
"Manda is bringing a couple cousins," Teddy replied, " Hanna and Hailey."
"They have the tent and we're in the trailer," Owen said.
"Your step dad," Teddy asked.
"The bunks at the back have a curtain to separate them," Owen said, "you've been back there with Megan and Amanda."
"We'll have to make sure it's closed," Teddy said.
"We will," he promised, "how's she doing?"
"Asleep," Teddy said, "I need a nap."
"It's a couple hours to the campsite," he said.
"She kept me up all night," she said.
"Did you get any sleep," he asked.
"Three, maybe four hours," she said, "there was a lot of feeding and snuggling."
"Is there something I can do," he asked.
"She just needs to grow," she said, "she's already growing too fast."
"Camping is okay," he asked.
"It is," she said, "I like camping and we sat the fishing trip out with our 3 week old. I know you like this time and being outside."
"You," he asked.
"We didn't do much camping but I'm excited," she said, "did we forget anything?"
"You have half her clothes and you bought more warm stuff for her," Owen said, "three boxes of diapers and wipes do we need that many?"
"Five days," she said, "I don't know. I'd rather have more."
"Did you bring bottles," he asked.
"I did and formula as back up but we haven't needed it yet," she said.
"Teens will want to play with her," he said.
"I know they will," she replied, "it's good for them. I like seeing how excited Manda gets to play with her."
"With Hanna and Hailey though," he asked.
"They're a year younger," she said.
"Not quite," he replied.
"I have fun floaties for them," Teddy said.
"What did you get," he asked.
"I have a duckie, unicorn, swan, pineapple, shark and a baby one," she said, "they were at target when I was getting diapers. I got the pump for them, you have to plug it into the truck."
"Are you going to float," he asked.
"We'll see, I brought a bathing suit, I got a one piece," she said.
"No black bikini," he asked.
"Six weeks after having a baby no," she said, "I got rid of it any way."
"One day," Owen said.
"I need to work out a lot for that," Teddy said, "I'd need to go back to army work outs."
"If you want," he said.
In the back seat Allison began to cry.
"Hungry," Teddy said, "pull over."
"There's a rest stop in two miles," Owen said.
"Fine," Teddy said crossing her arms over her chest.
"She's okay to make it two miles," Owen said, "it's two minutes she waits that long at home."
At the campsite Don parked the trailer and got it level then helped the three teens set up the tent and inflate their air mattresses.
"Dad, when did we get a tent," Amanda asked.
"It's Owens," Don said.
"We've all been in the trailer before with Owen, Nathan, Megan, Teddy and Beth," Amanda said.
"With Owen and Nathan in the tent then you on the table, Beth on the couch and Teddy and Megan on the back bunks," Evelyn reminded, "Teddy and Owen want a bit more privacy and it's too cold at night to have Allison in the tent."
"Can't they have the bunks with the curtain and put us on the couch and table," Amanda asked.
"No," Evelyn said, " we talked about this at home."
That afternoon Don, Evelyn, Allison and Teddy were sitting on the beach with Allison sleeping in her bassinet Teddy had carried down.
"Don," a woman said walking by with a pair of twins.
"Linda," Don replied, "what are you doing here?"
"Camping," Linda said, "you? How's Amanda?"
"You don't get to ask that after nearly 12 years without a call," Don said.
"Is she here," Linda asked.
"She is," Don said.
Teddy gestured for Evelyn to watch Allison and grabbed one of the floating toys in the pile. She was going to go out and tell Owen and try to keep Amanda in the water.
"I'm Evelyn Pike," Evelyn introduced herself.
"Linda Pike," Linda said.
"Amanda's birth mom," Don said.
"It's nice to put a face to the name," Evelyn said, "we haven't met yet."
In the water Teddy whispered to Owen what was happening.
"The blonde woman with you what's her name," Linda asked.
"Teddy is our daughter in law," Don said.
"She looks like the heart surgeon that I saw a few months ago," Linda said.
"Teddy is a cardiothoracic surgeon," Evelyn said.
"Daughter in law," Linda said, "I told her about Amanda months ago I showed her pictures."
"Confidentiality she can't say anything at home," Evelyn said, "she never said anything to us or Manda. With the laws governing privacy she can't say she saw you."
"So she's married to your son then," Linda asked.
"Owen," Evelyn said, "then Allison is their daughter. She's 6 weeks. Owen was swimming with the girls."
"Girls," Linda asked.
"Amanda, hailey and Hanna," Don answered, "Bob and Mark's daughters."
"Amanda, how is she," Linda asked.
"She's good. Almost 16, smart, hard working, she wants to be a surgeon," Don said.
"Surgeon," Linda asked, "like Teddy."
"Like her older siblings," Evelyn said, "Owen is a trauma surgeon and my daughter was one as well. Amanda is close to Owen. It's an odd pairing, the army trauma surgeon and his teenage step sister but they have fun."
"So my surgeon is his wife," Linda said.
"Fiancé," Don said, "Linda once Amanda sees you she's going to want to talk to you. You can't hide from her. She'll forgive you, she just wants to know you."
"Don it's too late," Linda said.
"It's not," Evelyn said, "she talks all the time about seeing you again and prays for it. Just acknowledge her."
"Owen, that looks like my mom talking to dad," Amanda said softly.
"I don't know kiddo you were four," Owen replied.
"It looks like her facebook and dads been emailing her for awhile," Amanda argued.
"What do you want to do," Owen asked.
"I want to see her but I'm nervous," Amanda said.
"What if we come with you," Owen offered.
"Can you," Amanda asked.
"We can," Teddy said, "but let's wait for your dad to wave us over. It looks like they are having a bit of a debate."
Amanda chose not to wait and swam towards the shore.
"Mom," Amanda called while running across the beach.
Evelyn snatched a towel from the pile and wrapped it around the teen.
"Manda, go back with Owen and Teddy," Don commanded.
"Dad moms here," Amanda said, "mom!"
"Go back," Don hissed.
"This way sweetheart," Evelyn said, guiding the teen. She had heard Linda say she wanted nothing to do with Amanda. Don had asked Linda to give up her rights to the girl.
"Mom please," Amanda tried.
"Go," Linda said, "I can't do this. Stop trying to email or message me on Facebook. Amanda it was just you and your dad you don't need me. Go with your dad and your mom. I gave birth to you but I'm not your mom. She's your mom."
"Mom please," Amanda begged.
"No," Linda said, "it's too late. We're done here. Don I'll get those papers to you. "
Linda walked away and Amanda ran after her.
"Amanda, go back," Linda said, "I'm not your mom. I gave you up for a reason. I'm not your mom."
"Please mommy," Amanda begged, "you promised you would come back."
"I can't," Linda said, "goodbye. Go back with your dad."
"No," Amanda sobbed.
"Go," Linda said, "I don't care where you go as long as it's nowhere near me. I don't want you around. Amanda I can't. I'm sorry. I can't. Go to your dad and your mom. She raised you, she's your mom."
Amanda took off up the nearest trail running in her bare feet, barely noticing the sting of rocks and sticks. She ran until it felt like her lungs would burst. She didn't notice her brother running after her. Owen had swam to shore and put his shoes on his wet feet when he saw Amanda approach her birth mother. Owen had seen Amanda flee and take off running when she was angry or anxious before. Amanda ran as hard as she could through the trails not seeing where she was going. She didn't hear the footsteps behind her. He wasn't going to stop her until she ran herself out but he was going to be right there to protect her. Owen knew that stopping her interrupting her would only make her panic and fight him. Owen knew Don was behind them. Don was running and following them so was Evelyn but Owen was faster, he was younger and in better shape to try to catch Amanda.
"Okay kiddo are you ready to stop," Owen asked when Amanda slowed down.
"She doesn't want me," Amanda sobbed, "she doesn't want me."
Owen hugged her and guided her onto a nearby log.
"I heard," Owen said, "but I do want you. Mom wants you, Don, Teddy, Hanna, Hailey, Allison. We all want you."
"She doesn't want me," Amanda sobbed.
"I want you," Owen said, "I know Teddy does and Allison loves you. Your dad, mom."
"Hey lady bug," Don said sitting on a log near them.
"Daddy she doesn't want me," Amanda sobbed.
"I know ladybug," Don said, "I've battled for years for her to see you. I'm sorry."
"Why doesn't she want me," Amanda asked.
"When you were a baby and really little Linda drank a lot of alcohol and used drugs," Don said, "When you were born she was not in a good place. You were with me most from the time you were a baby. I even took parental leave to be home for your first six months. I was the first dad in the school district to do it. Amanda I have wanted and loved you from the moment I knew you existed. Linda was an addict and an alcoholic she was sick."
"Why doesn't she want me now? What did I do wrong," Amanda asked.
"Nothing," Don said, "Amanda you did nothing wrong."
Evelyn found them having left Teddy at the beach with the other two girls and Allison.
"Owen go help Teddy," Evelyn commanded.
"We'll set up in the trailer to debride and suture those cuts," Owen said, "it's not urgent but within 90 minutes we should be working on it."
Evelyn nodded and sat down with Amanda and don.
"Okay sweetheart," Evelyn said, "that hurt didn't it?"
Amanda nodded, "why can't you be my mom?"
"I want to be," Evelyn said, "come here Manda. You need a good hug then we have to get you back so Owen and Teddy can clean up all those cuts."
Amanda collapsed sobbing on the log and her two parents just held her.
"Okay I'm going to carry you back," Don said as the sobs slowed down. He scooped the teenager off the log and slowly, gently as if she were new born Allison carried her back to the trailer.
"Hanna, Hailey your babysitting," Teddy commanded, "take Allison into the tent. One of you needs to bring me Manda's pillow and her stuffed dog. Teddy grabbed Owens truck keys from the shelf above their bed and opened the back door of the truck. She flipped the back seat down where she knew he kept a medical kit. She grabbed it and jogged back to the trailer. Inside she laid the contents out on the table and put the disposable table cloth down on the couch that she had already laid flat.
Teddy knew seeing Amanda run and her first stumble they would have a lot of cuts to clean and possibly some stitches.
Owen joined Teddy with Amanda's pillow and stuffed dog, "the other girls have Allison. Teddy, we're looking at a good hour here."
"We have pain meds, antibiotics, suture materials," Teddy said, "you have a full medic kit in there."
"I do," Owen said, "it's debriding and sewing. She's going to hurt once the adrenaline wears off."
"We have nothing for anxiety and I don't want to give her more than Advil she's so young and Linda's history," Teddy said, "I treated Linda six months ago at mercy west right after you came home but HIPPA."
Don carried a sobbing Amanda into the trailer.
"It's okay Manda," Evelyn soothed, "we're here. Your dad is going to put you down on the couch then Owen and Teddy are going to deal with all those cuts."
"No," Amanda sobbed.
"We need to before they get infected and make you sick," Owen tried.
"It's going to hurt," Amanda sobbed.
"It might," Teddy said, "we have some medicine here we're going to inject around the worst cuts that will stop it from hurting."
"She never wanted me," Amanda sobbed, "I never had a mom. She never wanted to be my mom. No one wants me."
"I do," Evelyn said, "I want you. You are my daughter."
"No," Amanda said.
"You are mine because I love you," Evelyn said, "I have three kids. You, Megan and Owen. You are mine because I chose you."
"How can you want me when she doesn't," Amanda asked.
"Because I know you," Evelyn said, "I know how wonderful you are. She is the one missing out."
"What if you were my mom," Amanda asked.
"Nothing would make me happier," Evelyn said, "let your brother and Teddy fix up those cuts."
"Mom, we need you to assist," Owen said, "Don you have a hard job. You need to hold Amanda and help her stay still."
They all followed Owen's directions so that they could clean up Amanda's cuts. Owen gently stitched the largest cut on Amanda's shin.
Finished Teddy went out to get Allison and sat in the tent to feed her.
Teddy came back in with Allison.
"Manda, can you watch Allison nap for a bit," Teddy asked.
"Just watch her sleep," Amanda asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "take your pillow, I have your book, lay on our bed and watch Allison."
Amanda nodded and followed Teddy's directions.
Outside Evelyn sent the other two girls to fill the water container.
"She'll nap," Teddy said, joining the others outside and holding up the baby monitor.
"Babysitting clever," Owen said, "she'll need to nap. The adrenaline of that."
"So we'll get the paperwork moving," Evelyn said, "you got Linda's address. Get Linda's parental rights taken for good. Then I can adopt Manda."
"Would Amanda be open to it," Owen asked.
"I think so," Don said, "your mom and I have talked about it for awhile. Owen what do you think?"
"You should," Owen replied, "if Manda wants it. It doesn't change that she's my baby sister. I will be there no matter what. She's family."
"I love her," Teddy said, "we're here however you need us."
"She likes and trusts you two," Evelyn said.
"Megan would have agreed to it," Owen said.
"Manda's always been closer to you," Don said.
"We've talked about it," Teddy said, "she didn't like Megan's teasing as much. And Owen would plan adventures when she was younger."
"We've only had one since I got back," Owen said, "I used to every time I was home. We should before she goes back to school."
"Take the kayaks," Don suggested, "tomorrow morning do a sunrise paddle with her."
"Will Manda be okay,'' Hailey asked.
"She will," Teddy said, "that was horrible today."
"She'll need a lot of love and kindness," Evelyn said.
"Auntie Evelyn, how can I help," Hanna asked.
"Listen to her," Evelyn said.
"Just let Amanda feel however she wants to," Don said.
Sobs came out of the baby monitor.
"That's not Allison," Owen said.
"I'll go in," Evelyn said.
Evelyn laid down on the bed beside Amanda smoothing the girl's hair back.
"Can you be my mom," Amanda whimpered.
"Always," Evelyn promised. Evelyn had been raising the girl since Amanda was 9 and had loved her before that. Amanda was her child as much as Owen and Megan were her children.
"She was never coming back for me," Amanda sobbed.
"No she wasn't," Evelyn said.
"Will you leave me," Amanda asked.
"Never," Evelyn promised, "I will never leave you. Your dad and I have been working on a plan for me to adopt you for a while. So I would be your mom in every sense of the word."
"What do I have to do," Amanda asked.
"Be you," Evelyn smiled, "be the wonderful daughter I know and love. The young woman I know you're going to be. You are my daughter. We've done all those special things together since you were 8. Let me really be your mom."
"But you're not my mom like Teddy is Allison's. How can you do that," Amanda asked.
"Because you might not have grown in my belly but you have grown in my heart. That is the important part. You've grown in my heart," Evelyn smiled, "you, Owen, Megan you all grew in my heart for years. Watching you grow and learn, being part of your life. I love you Amanda."
"I love you two," Amanda said.
"What do you need," Evelyn asked.
Amanda realized that Evelyn had been her mom for years but blind loyalty hadn't let her accept it fully.
"Can you hug me," Amanda asked.
"Always," Evelyn agreed, she took Amanda into her arms and stroked her hair again. This time for the first time ever Evelyn kissed the top of the girls head. To Evelyn it felt like the first time she was truly holding her baby. Before today she had always been mindful of the boundary Amanda had set but it seemed like Amanda was ready to break the final boundary she had asked Evelyn to be her mom.
After dinner Owen and Teddy decided to put Allison in the baby carrier and go for a walk.
"So you have a new sister," Teddy teased.
"She finally accepts me as her brother," Owen said, "will she be okay Teddy?"
"She'll need help," Teddy replied, "but she has your mom and Don and us."
"Can you be a big sister for her," Owen asked.
"I have been since I came home," Teddy replied, "but I can play big sister to another one of your sisters."
"Thank you," Owen said, "for taking care of my family."
"Our family," Teddy corrected, "they're our family. She was having so much fun before we saw Linda two."
"We can bring it back," Owen said, "are you okay if I take her for a paddle in the morning."
"I'm going to try to get her to walk with me in the afternoon," Teddy said, "and she should swim and play with her cousins."
"Kids need cousins," Owen said.
"Allison has Cienna," Teddy said, "I know you and Carly don't see eye to eye but they're family."
"They are," Owen agreed.
"We should head back and try to put this one in her bed," Teddy said, kissing the top of Allison's head, "plus she needs to be fed soon."
"Let's head back," Owen agreed.