"So what's next," Megan asked as her and Teddy sat down with a cup of coffee.

"We wait for Lyss to get ready then go," Teddy smiled.

"For you and Owen," Megan asked, "more kids?"

"We wouldn't say no," Teddy replied, "but the chances of me being able to without serious intervention I'm still deciding if that's what I want."

"What do you mean," Megan asked.

"Our chances are low, almost zero," Teddy replied, "I'm almost 49 Owen is 50. We could do IVF and that's our best shot of me getting pregnant. But I don't know and I have about two weeks to decide. We're also on the list to adopt again and that seems more realistic. When we saw a fertility specialist I should never have been able to get pregnant with Allison, she's a miracle. Having our own will require a lot of serious medication and help and I don't know if I want the side effects of all of the medications to do it. We always wanted 3 or 4 kids but we left it too late. I considered it once getting a donor and doing it alone but I would always go back to how hard you said it was being a single mom and in the military. And I didn't just want a baby, I wanted my family, a partner and kids. I wanted it all. I have that now. I have three kids because I claim your oldest. I'm okay either way. If it's something Owen really wants I will do all of the injections and hormones."

"Is it what you want Teddy," Megan asked.

"I want a big family," Teddy replied, "but I don't like being pregnant. And me trying feels a bit like taking some of the joy away from Lyss. She should have all of our love and attention right now. It's her first, she's having twins."

"I think she would be okay with it," Megan replied, "what's really stopping you?"

"We haven't told anyone this not even your mom. A year ago we found out I was pregnant," Teddy replied, "we went for the 8 week appointment and there was no heartbeat we were to check again a week later in case my math was off, I was irregular after I had COVID so it was possible my math was off. I miscarried the next day. We were devastated. And I don't think I can do that again."

"Do what will make you happy," Megan replied.

"I'm happy with not going through the treatment route," Teddy admitted, "I don't like what I've read about side effects and I'm glad I did it once with Allison I don't feel like I have to again."

"I felt the same," Megan replied, "we talked but my injuries it was a bad idea. I have two beautiful kids. They both amaze me."

"We did a good job," Teddy smiled.

"We all did with the first," Megan agreed.

"And you have with Faroke," Teddy assured, "what about him and Nathan?"

"I like Owen's philosophy of not denying the kids the people that love them," Megan replied, "I won't stand in the way of that relationship."

"Megan," Teddy asked.

"No," Megan replied, "that him and I don't work doesn't mean I don't care about him and want him to be happy and it doesn't change that he loves my kids and they love him."

"If that's what you want," Teddy said.

"It's what's best for my kids," Megan replied, "I'm just starting to get Lyss to trust me and come to me. To remove someone who stuck by her when I couldn't be I won't do that to her. And Nathan is Farokes dad. He's done all those things with him. I won't take that away and legally I can't. Nathan signed the adoption papers with me."

"Mom, auntie Teddy," Alyssa asked, joining them in the living room.

"You okay," Teddy asked, "I heard you up a few times."

"I'm fine," Alyssa replied, "I wanted water and needed the washroom. Matt went with Uncle Owen, Faroke and Leo."

"They left a while ago," Megan said.

"I know," Alyssa replied, "they'll have fun, that's one of my favourite hikes."

"I know it is," Teddy smiled, "we did it a few times."

"Mom are you sure you're okay without Nathan," Alyssa asked.

"I am," Megan replied, "it wasn't an easy choice but it was mutual. We've decided to be friends. I still care about him but I was trying to grab on to a past that had moved on. It's like how I expected you to still be my little girl. I had to let that go like I had to realise that Nathan and I had grown apart. I wanted to get my life back and have it the way I imagined and I pushed that onto Nate and onto you Lyss. I wanted my little girl in her french braids and overalls back. I was so blinded by what I wanted and wanting it back how I remembered that I didn't take the time to let you grow up. I had this frozen picture of my lady bug in my head and I had to learn to let that go and see the woman you've become."

"Mom," Alyssa said.

"Lyss I'm sorry," Megan said, "I should have taken the time to see you."

"I didn't let you in," Alyssa replied, "I wasn't ready either. I needed time too. I had to take the time to feel my feelings and process. I had to learn to have a mom again. I didn't realise how much I missed you and really having you until I found out I'm pregnant. I needed to come to terms with it too. I didn't know how to have a mom as a grown up. I knew you as a little kid and I told myself I didn't need you for a long time because it was easier than admitting I missed you. It was better to pretend than to admit it because it had been so long it was weird to still be upset about it. Then I found out and I can't imagine not being with my girls everyday and I haven't even met them yet. I don't know how you did it."

"It was tortue," Megan said, "the worst thing of everything I went through there was being kept from you."

"I'm sorry I kept you away," Alyssa said, "can you forgive me?"

"Always," Megan assured, "I love you. Alyssa there is nothing to forgive. We were both working through our stuff. I will always forgive you and always love you."

"I love you too," Alyssa said, "that's never been the question. Mom I was scared, I was a coward."

"It's okay," Megan assured, "you did it when you were ready. I had to let go of my ideals too. Can you forgive me?"

Alyssa nodded, "can I have a hug?"

"Always," Megan replied, hugging her daughter.

"So girls day," Teddy replied, "keeping it easy on you Lyss. Fun but physically easy."

"Okay," Alyssa asked, "what's the plan."

"Pedicures and lunch for sure," Teddy replied, "then maybe Pike Place and the waterfront?"

"Sure," Alyssa agreed, "breakfast first?"

"Hungry," Teddy questioned.

"Yes," Alyssa blushed, "I went from feeling sick 24/7 to being starving."

"How hungry," Megan asked.

"Hungry," Alyssa said, "wiggly little humans want food."

"Ideas," Teddy asked.

"French toast," Alyssa said.

"Allison would agree with you," Teddy smiled.

"Where is she," Alyssa asked.

"Grandma picked her up," Teddy replied, "your mom and I thought the three of us needed time together. We haven't gotten to celebrate you and your big news yet together."

"It's all good," Alyssa said.

"So breakfast, pedicures, shopping and lunch," Megan said, "you up to walking around a bit. You've been sore and tired."

"I'm good," Alyssa said, "mom I sometimes just need to complain because I can't talk to Matt about it, he doesn't get it."

"Is he supporting you," Teddy asked.

"He is," Alyssa said, 'I just need my moms."

"I know," Megan smiled.

"What hurts," Teddy asked.

"Back and hips," Alyssa replied, "but I'll be okay. I know this isn't supposed to be comfortable."

"If you're having a lot of pain you need to tell your midwife or doctor," Teddy replied.

"I have," Alyssa said.

"Keep moving,' Megan replied, "did you sleep okay?"

"I guess," Alyssa said, "you've been married 3 days are you sure you and Uncle Owen didn't want a honey moon."

"We're going to go for a few nights next month," Teddy replied, "just us down to San Diego."

"Leo and Allison," Alyssa asked.

"Grandma," Teddy replied.

"But you will," Alyssa said, "you should."

"We are," Teddy replied.

"Did you two have a good couple nights," Megan asked.

"It was good to just be us," Teddy agreed, "even if we didn't leave town."

"Good," Alyssa smiled.

"Teddy," Megan asked.

"Not with Lyss," Teddy laughed.

"Fine," Megan rolled her eyes.

"Mom would you date again," Alyssa asked.

"Maybe if I met the right person," Megan replied, "I'm not in a rush."

"Married," Alyssa asked.

"Long way off," Megan replied, "I don't think that's my path sweetheart. Would you?"

"If Matt asked," Alyssa replied, "we were talking then I'm pregnant so we're putting that on hold. We'll do it in our time."

"We had Allison and Leo first," Teddy replied, "don't rush. He'll ask when the time is right."

"I want him to," Alyssa said, "we're a family either way."

"You are," Megan agreed.

"Don't rush it," Teddy said, "it was worth the wait. Then a long engagement was worth it."

"Thank you for waiting for me," Alyssa said.

"We wouldn't dream of getting married without you," Teddy assured, "we couldn't do it without you Lyss."

"Thank you for waiting for me," Alyssa repeated.

"Lyss," Megan asked.

"What," Alyssa asked.

"Can I say good morning to my granddaughters," Megan asked.

"Yes," Alyssa agreed, "thank you for asking."

"I'm learning," Megan replied, "you like to be asked first. You don't usually say no, you just like to be asked."

"Yes," Alyssa said, "ask or let me initiate."

"I will," Megan agreed.

"Auntie Teddy is it okay that my kids are only 3 or 4 years younger than my cousins," Alyssa asked.

"It is because you're so much older," Teddy replied.

"I need to bond with my brother," Alyssa said.

"Come visit more," Megan said.

"I'll wait until the spring and bring the girls," Alyssa said, "it's too far to drive now and I shouldn't fly."

"You shouldn't," Megan agreed, "but we'll come up lots."

"I want you to," Alyssa smiled, "we both have lots of time off saved."

"You'll need it," Megan replied.

"I have my year off," Alyssa said, "but yes I'm going to use it before my due date."

"Good," Teddy replied, "take your time off and enjoy."

"I will," Alyssa agreed.

They ate breakfast together and headed out for their pedicures.