Faroke now almost 12 years old unwrapped his Christmas present from Alyssa, "a 3D printer!"
"We'll set it up after breakfast," Alyssa promised.
"You bought him a 3D printer," Megan questioned.
"It's from Matt two," Alyssa replied, "it's a basic one but it's really cool."
"We have them at school," Faroke said, "but we can only print once a quarter."
"You can print every day now," Alyssa said, "I have more filament coming for you. It comes with a roll."
"What does he do with it," Nathan asked.
"Use tinkercad and design things," Alyssa said, "make them, create and invent. I'll get it all set up for him don't worry."
"You know how," Nathan questioned.
"I use one almost daily at work," Alyssa said, "and I have the same one at home, I love it. It's an Ender 3 it's a base model but it works great and he can do upgrades as he gets more experience. I've upgraded my nozzles and Bowden tube, the print bed. I have the better bed for Faroke it makes a huge difference. I'm going to do the heater core on mine soon, get it hotter so I can try silicone filaments. I mainly use PLA which is what it's is set up for but have been using liquid resin and silicone at work. I have an idea auntie Teddy and I have talked about that I'm doing on my own time but I want silicone to do the modeling."
"What have you made," Faroke asked.
"Lots of things," Alyssa said, "I mode a lot of surgical tools and medical devices with them first then see how they actually move and feel. At home I did mounts to attach a projector to my bed frame. Everyone's ornaments I did are 3D printed from my design then painted with acrylic paint."
"You always tinkered with and built things," Owen said.
"It's a big gift," Teddy shook her head at Alyssa.
"I learned to do Christmas from my favourite Aunt," Alyssa beamed, "can I hold Allison?"
"She's clingy today Alyssa," Teddy cautioned.
"Come here," Alyssa said, lifting Allison from Teddy's arms then joining Faroke and Leo back on the floor, all four in matching polar bear pajamas. The whole family had matching pajamas.
"I want a picture of that," Evelyn said, "Faroke grab Leo and hold him and all of you in front of the tree like that."
"Grandma I'm 25," Alyssa argued.
"Lyss," Teddy warned.
"My four grandkids," Evelyn smiled, "I wish Matt could have come."
"We had to divide and conquer he's at his grandmas in Prince George," Alyssa said.
"But you two move into your house soon," Teddy smiled.
"January 20th we get possession then need to do a lot of renovations," Alyssa said, "we're taking it down to the studs and living in the chaos."
After all the gifts were open and breakfast Alyssa and Faroke sat at the desk in the office playing with the 3D printer. Once she had it set up she showed Faroke how to load the filament and run a simple calibration cube.
"I never imagined," Megan smiled watching her kids.
"I know," Nathan agreed wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek.
"We're all here and the kids are happy and healthy," Megan said, "maybe our own next year?"
"Hopefully,' Nathan said, "we see the specialist when we get home."
"See what we can do," Megan said, "I was so sure before we came."
"I know," Nathan said, "I was disappointed too."
"But my two are happy," Megan smiled, "look at them."
"I know," Nathan agreed.
"She's so grown up," Megan said, "she bought a house herself."
"She's an engineer," Nathan said, "she's worked a few years now and saved up. Do you know how much?"
"675," Megan answered, "she's got a lot of renovations. All of the plumbing has to be changed right away and the electrical. She said the windows and doors will be done once it warms up."
"It's a lot of work," Nathan replied.
"She's excited," Megan said, "she's on her own path. I still wonder about Matt."
"So do I," Nathan said, "but we'll go up and see the house soon?"
"She's suggested March," Megan replied, "go on Faroke's spring break. She'll have gotten the plumbing and electrical done and hopefully painted."
"Plumbing, electrical, floors, paint," Owen said joining them, "she's got a plan and a vision."
"The bathrooms and kitchen," Megan asked.
"Leaving for now," Owen replied, "the bathrooms are updated and so is the kitchen. Its a good first house."
"Your first house," Nathan asked.
"This place," Owen replied, "but I was 35 and had a decent down payment. I needed a place for a kid. Alyssa's would work if they decide they want kids."
"My daughter will," Megan said, "look at her with Faroke and your kids."
"She's still young," Owen replied.
"I was younger," Megan answered.
"She doesn't remember the years of struggling," Owen said.
"I do," Megan replied, "when we had no money for food. You were already a resident so not living with us."
"You would eat my food or feed Alyssa my food," Owen chuckled.
"You'd never stop me," Megan pointed out, "that year though. Owen it was bad. I had no money. Was doing clinicals so couldn't work and the army stipend was just enough for rent, utilities and daycare. I was using food banks and skipping meals. At one point it got so bad I was so underweight I stopped getting my you know what. I wanted to eat but I had to feed Alyssa. It was more important that my daughter ate."
"I remember mom flying out and saying you were a walking skeleton," Owen said.
"She stocked the fridge and cupboards," Megan remembered, "and started sending me checks every couple weeks for groceries. Never huge amounts $25 or $50 but it kept us alive."
"Alyssa remembers pancake dinners," Owen said, "and living room picnics with picky plates."
"It's what I had so I made it feel like a treat," Megan replied, "I was hiding that we were flat broke. My baby did not need to know I didn't know when we would eat again or how I would make another meal. Pancake mix was cheap and lasted a long time. So was peanut butter."
"Her peanut butter on pancakes," Owen chuckled.
"Cheap carb and proteins," Megan answered.
"She's good," Nathan said, "Lyss is good."
"You and Teddy," Megan questioned, "when will you propose?"
"Soon," Owen assured.
"Waiting for your fourth kid," Megan teased.
"You finally admit Lyss is ours as well," Owen teased back, "and no. I'm waiting for snow."
"Snow,' Nathan asked.
"She loves snow," Owen replied, "I have a plan and mom's ring."
"Where are mom and Teddy," Megan asked.
"Kitchen where you should be and Lyss," Owen said, "when are you finally getting married?"
"Marathon not a sprint,' Megan replied, "we have some stuff to work out first. My kids being one of them."
"But she's 25," Owen said.
"Owen Mate," Nathan said, "we have more to work on with Alyssa than Faroke. She doesn't fully trust us."
"Never will," Owen said, "I don't know how much she fully trusts anyone."
"You and Teddy more than us," Megan replied.
"Teddy," Owen said, "she talks to Teddy more throughout the day. I didn't realise how much until Teddy and I lived in the same house. I knew Teddy always sent her a good night and checked in on how her day was but it's constant. Alyssa had no clue Teddy was in labour and was texting about something funny that had happened that day. It distracted Teddy for a bit."
"She texted Alyssa," Megan asked.
"She did," Owen said.
"Can we make something ourselves," Fraoke asked Alyssa.
"We can," Alyssa agreed, "lets set up an account for you on tinkercad."
Megan made her way back to the office, "you two I know we're having fun but Lyss grandma and Teddy want you."
"Coming," Alyssa said.
"What's wrong Lady Bug," Megan asked.
"I miss Matt," Alyssa replied.
"Sweetheart are you sure this is what you want," Megan asked.
"It is," Alyssa said, "it's my house. I followed Uncle Owen's advice and it's fully in my name at the bank. We're doing a rental agreement so his name is never on my house."
"Owen," Megan asked.
"I got burned when Christina left I had to pay her out for part of this house," Owen said, "and Teddy and I are working on our plan."
"Propose first," Alyssa suggested, "you should marry auntie Teddy."
"Alyssa," Owen chuckled.
"Marry Auntie Teddy," Alyssa said, 'she would say yes."
"You two are impossible," Owen shook his head at Alyssa and Megan.
"Just do it dumb dumb," Megan said.
"Soon Uncle Owen," Alyssa begged.
"When it's the right time," Owen said.
"When is that," Alyssa asked, "you love her. She loves you and you have your kids. You should soon."
"I will," Owen said, "I will."
"But when," Megan asked.
"I will let you know after I ask her," Owen said, "she might not say yes."
"It's Auntie Teddy she will," Alyssa assured.
"I hope so," Owen said.
"Teddy's loved you for 20 years she will," Megan assured.