Annie was standing between her siblings in Teddy's kitchen.
"I'm not mediating," Annie said, looking between Allison and Leo.
"Nee he's being an ass," Allison whined.
"I heard," Annie said, "but you two are going to grow up and set an example, Allie your going to be a mom in a few months. Leo your this baby's uncle in a way that you've never been to my kids. Grow up both of you."
"Annie," Leo snapped.
"Who hid that you're smoking pot from mama," Annie questioned, crossing her arms.
"I told you it's my roommate," Leo said.
"Bull shit," Annie snapped, "I've lived with another brother that experimented when we were in high school and helped him hide it. I know."
"Annie," Leo said, "I don't."
"So either you're using or you're just being a jerk," Annie said, "which is it? The entitled judgemental frat boy act isn't working neither is being the victim. I love both of you too much to let you do this. Leo Allison needs our love and support. We are siblings and we stick together."
"You abandoned another sister," Leo said.
"After she tried to murder me twice that is different," Annie said.
"Murder you," Leo asked.
"The big scars," Annie replied, "my kids don't really know about Jessica. They know I had a sister closer in age to me and Chris and that she died from cancer before Matt was born."
"We went to her funeral," Leo said.
"You did," Annie replied, "you were 6 and 7. It was 11 years ago. My worry is if you two keep going at eachother like this that you won't have each other and it sucks not to have a relationship with a sibling you know is alive. You're pushing each other away and you both have a part here. Leo you're being an ass, Allison you're giving him ammunition. It's the three of us tonight. Mama and uncle Owen are out, Asher is at work I came to have sibling time with the two of you. If your going to fight I'll go home and mediate my own kids fighting."
Both stared at her dumbfounded.
"Someone can speak," Annie said.
"It's a double standard," Leo said, "mom and dad would murder me if I got a girl pregnant."
"No," Allison said, "they'd help. They're helping me."
"Bean you okay," Annie asked, "your rubbing your stomach."
"Kicks," Allison said.
"What," Annie smiled, "when?"
"Started Wednesday," Allison said.
"And," Annie asked.
"It feels interesting. They're tickling me," Allison said.
"It feels like that at first. The summer saults are interesting," Annie said, "can I?"
"Yes," Allison smiled. Annie put her hand beside her baby sisters.
"Are you finding out," Annie asked.
"No," Allison said, "did you?"
"Always. And started using their name as soon as possible," Annie said.
"Really," Leo rolled his eyes at his sisters.
"So winter break plans Leo," Annie asked.
"Construction crew for a high school friend of dads," Leo said.
"Good," Annie smiled, "physical labor. Anything else?"
"Katherine wants to come visit," Leo said, "but."
"Bring her to meet your sisters. You said she's from
Mt Vernon it's not far," Annie smiled, "I need to meet this girl. I'm easier than mama."
"Will you ever call her mom like a normal person," Leo asked.
"No," Annie said, "I tried in med school then again after I stopped seeing my mom but she's mama and Leslie is mom. It's like your dad will always be uncle Owen. I tried to call him dad but that's Dan. You two have no idea how lucky you are to have them every day."
"But your the favorite," Leo said.
"Age my friend," Annie smiled, "I'm 43 to your 19. This summer you can have beer legally at the fish camp."
"Canada is 19," Leo asked.
"Most provinces, some are 18," Annie said.
"I have to do a country study for my online geography class," Allison said, "can you help me with Canada?"
"Two big," Annie said, "it's the second largest by land mass and the worlds longest coast line. Do BC and I can help."
"You've never seen the rest of it," Leo said.
"I've been to Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Kingston Ontario, petewawa when Chris was stationed there and I was in Boston, Edmonton," Annie said, "my grandma and grandpa took me to PEI, Nova Socita and New Brunswick one summer when I was 11."
"Have you seen all of Canada," Leo asked.
"No," Annie said," I haven't been to the territories, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and quebec. One day."
"I have to pee," Allison announced.
"Just go don't announce it," Annie said.
"It's constant," Allison complained, "I don't even get a break to sleep."
"Nope you don't," Annie said, "just go with it."
Allison walked away.
"Do you care if I go see some buddies," Leo asked.
"Yes," Annie replied, "I do care. I found things for my kids to do tonight to hang out with you two because you're home."
"How can you be so patient with her whining," Leo asked.
"Because I've been there 4 times," Annie said, "Leo you'll never really get it, neither will Josh or uncle Owen."
"Why," Leo asked.
"Because to really get it you have to have felt your baby move with you and their kicks and rolls," Annie said, "to count down the days until you can meet them."
"Katherine wants to spend a night somewhere," Leo blurted.
"Have you talked about it," Annie asked.
"About what," Leo asked.
"Protection. Obviously condoms," Annie said, "but you should have two forms."
"Did you always," Leo asked.
"When we started dating yes," Annie said, "once we were married no but we were 27/28 not 18/19. And that is all you get to know right now about my relationship with my husband who I have been with for 21 almost 22 years."
"You and Josh have been together longer than mom and dad." Allison asked.
"Yes," Annie said.
"Do they know," Allison asked.
"Yes," Annie said, "your dad knew or figured it out before mama."
"When did mom and dad get together," Allison asked, "they always say when she was pregnant with me."
"August I was an intern," Annie said, "I was 24 so 2014 but she was already expecting you."
"Where's your baby daddy," Leo asked.
"Her boyfriend," Annie corrected.
"Working," Allison said.
"When did dad know about you and Josh," Allison asked.
"February of 2014 I was staying at Nanas doing my sub internship at GSM. Josh and I met our first week at Harvard. He was my best friend or we told ourselves we were friends until we finished classes," Annie said.
"Mom," Allison asked.
"May of that year," Annie said.
Allison's phone went off, "it's Asher."
"Go talk to him," Annie agreed, "Leo will help me with dinner."
"Whats for dinner," Leo asked.
"Your favourite," Annie said.
"Jambalaya," Leo asked.
"Yes," Annie answered, "just because you're home."
"Annie," Leo said, "what would mom and dad do if I tried pot?"
"They'll be disappointed," Annie said. She took the ingredients for dinner out of the bags, "help me chop and we can talk."
"How disappointed," Leo asked.
"You'll get her look," Annie said, "and he'll go quiet."
"Quiet is worse then the roar," Leo said.
"It is," Annie agreed, "why are you asking?"
"I've tried it," Leo admitted.
"No judgement," Annie said, "is it a tried it a couple times or regularly?"
"A few times a week," Leo said.
"So every day," Annie said.
"A couple times," Leo said.
"Okay," Annie said, "it's legal so I can't stop you and your 18."
"You're mad," Leo said.
"Confused," Annie said, "why?"
"My roommate," Leo said.
"No," Annie said, "what's going on?"
"Your miss perfect you don't get it," Leo said, "their expectations."
"I do," Annie said, "she's mellowed."
"Mom has not mellowed," Leo said.
"You didn't see her when I was in med school," Annie said, "trust me this is mellow."
"Why aren't they mad at Allison," Leo asked, "I am."
"Are you mad or jealous," Annie asked, "she's getting attention you want."
"Both," Leo said.
"You've been excited when I've had my kids to meet your nieces and nephews," Annie said, "just show her that excitement."
"You were an adult," Leo said.
"Leo she's our sister," Annie said, "this is our niece or nephew. It was a surprise and we were all caught off guard, none more than Allison. You have no idea how much I love the two of you and I know I can be a shitty big sister at times because I get caught up in my own life and my kids. I am always here and I will always be here no judgement."
"You judge," Leo said, "you act like our mom sometimes."
"I know," Annie said, "it's hard not to. Buddy I'm closer in age to mama then to you."
"Really," Leo asked.
"She's 21 years older than me and your dad is 18 years older," Annie said, "Allie will be 18 when she has her baby. Relationships change over time. Siblings, parents, spouses. Maybe I need to let you grow up a bit. It's hard."
"How is it hard you've never lived with us," Leo said.
"You lived with me for a couple months during the worst of COVID," Annie said, "that was fun, 5 kids."
"Mom and dad weren't around," Leo said.
"That virus was so new we didn't know what precautions to take," Annie said, "I was on maternity leave so I looked after all of you."
"Then when we went home mom got sick," Leo said.
"She had a tough couple months," Annie said, "the pressure of keeping the hospital together and then she got COIVD. It was mild and she was okay."
"I can't tell her whats going on," Leo said.
"You can," Annie said, "mama doesn't break. Or you can tell me. I won't break."
"I've been getting high a lot," Leo said.
"Why," Annie asked not looking up from what she was doing.
"The first couple times to look cool," Leo said, "then it turns my mind off."
"What are you trying to turn off," Annie questioned.
"I can't let mom and dad down," Leo said, "they adopted me, they chose me and I can't mess up. You're really theirs so is Allison. I have to prove I belong."
Annie set her knife down and hugged her brother, "I know. I understand. I used to say the same thing about Dan and Leslie. I thought that if I was perfect I might belong. But thats not what Dan wanted. Dan wanted me to be me and to be happy. He just wanted me to be happy."
"Mom and dad," Leo asked.
"Want you to be you and be happy," Annie said, "Leo it took me 35 years to learn that Dan didn't want me to do anything special. You just have to be you. The moment we met you you were part of our family. I remember meeting you for the first time."
"I was your patient," Leo said.
"You were," Annie smiled, "my second year of residency. Josh and I had just gotten engaged. You taught and Allison are what made me want my own kids. You two taught me how much I could love someone and if I did that meeting you imagine what Mama and Uncle Owen thought."
"How do you know," Leo asked.
"Because I had to learn the hard way," Annie said, "I had to take a leap of faith. Leo trust us. I know it can be hard and scary. I will always be here, Mama and Uncle Owen, Josh we are always here."
"How do I tell them," Leo asked.
"The truth like you told me," Annie said, "just tell them the truth. Do you want to stop? Do you want help?"
"I think if I'm here for Christmas and I don't have it around I'll be okay," Leo said.
"Okay," Annie said, '"if you need help I'm here."
"Thanks Ann," Leo said.
"Whoa whoa whoa," Annie said, "that's Chris's nickname for me. You two can have Nee."
"How are you so much more chill with him," Leo asked.
"C and I are 11 months apart the same gap as you and Allie," Annie said, "it's a different dynamic. We grew up almost as twins. We started high school together, graduated. We weren't separated for more than a few days until he enlisted. Which by the way why did you?"
"Impress mom and dad," Leo admitted.
"I get that," Annie said, "we all knew that. But do you want it?"
"Annie I want to be a trauma surgeon and help like they did," Leo said.
"For you," Annie asked.
"For me," Leo agreed.
"I'm not looking forward to another brother deploying and wondering if you're okay but thats for me to deal with. I will deal with that," Annie said, "if it's what you want I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," Leo said.
"What's for dinner," Allison asked rejoining them.
"Jambalaya," Annie said, "Leo's home."
"Or you love it and your kids hate it," Allison said.
"That two," Annie agreed.
"They have it in the dining hall at school but it's not Annies," Leo said.
"This time," Allison said.
"I'm been making you things you're craving," Annie said.
"Toritere," Allison asked.
"Four days," Annie said, "Christmas eve. Other cravings?"
"Pineapple and cherries," Allison said.
"You two take my van go get your pineapple," Annie said.
"We have some," Allison said, "I texted mom about 10 times today and she found frozen cherries."
"Allison," Leo said, "sorry I was an ass."
"Will you stop," Allison asked.
"I'm upset," Leo said, "why?"
"Because I was drunk and I made a dumb decision we didn't use protection," Allison said, "Leo can you stop punishing me? Your the only one who is."
"What about the baby," Leo asked.
"We're keeping it," Allison said, "we will raise them. Asher and I are dating. We will figure it out."
"I don't like him," Leo said.
"Do you know him," Annie asked.
"No," Leo said.
"Then get to know him before you decide," Annie said.
"What do you think," Leo asked.
"I like him," Annie said, "he's ambitious, respectful, clearly in love with Allie, he's good with my kids. He likes sports. He's manned up. He's here. I've seen how he treats Allie, how he treats the rest of the family. Even if I didn't he makes Allie happy."
"Stop being yoda and all zen," Leo said.
"Just old," Annie said, "C was engaged before him and Jenna were together, her name was Becky and I hated her. But I had to hide it because he loved her. So I put on my fake smile and pretended it was okay because he was happy."
"Asher," Allison asked.
"I genuinely like him bean," Annie promised, "as long as he's making you happy and taking care of you I'm good."
"Yoda," Allison said.
"Old age," Annie laughed, "the jambalaya needs to simmer. So Leo you need to entertain your borning sisters with college stories."
Leo filled his sisters in on the excitement of college and college parties, the friends he was making and the classes he was looking forward to the next term.
Finishing his stories Leo noticed Allison rubbing her stomach, "you okay?"
"It tickles," Allison giggled.
"Kicks," Annie smiled, "enjoy bean."
"Leo do you want to feel," Allison offered.
"I'll wait to meet them in person," Leo said.
"May," Allison smiled.
"We will be so excited to hold them," Annie said, "Leo I have competition now. You know auntie Annie has tons of practice."
"I'm younger and cooler," Leo said.
"Maybe," Annie said, "I'm fun remember all the fun you had with me when you were little."
"Do you still do backyard outs," Allison asked.
"We do," Annie said, "maybe next summer when your little one is one you can join us. This summer they'll be too new."
"Maybe we'll crash it anyway," Allison said.
"We'll all go camping in Oregon like we always do," Annie said, "but you can decide closer two. Talk it though with Asher, see how you and the baby are doing."
"That's always a good weekend," Leo said, "you and Josh taking all of us."
"The military reunion weekend," Annie said, "the two of us 6 now 8 kids, 3 tents."
"8 kids," Allison asked.
"Asher and your baby," Annie said, "you will need your own tent. Leo with my boys, the girls with Josh and I."
"Baby," Allison said.
"Asher will hopefully be there, Josh and I will help," Annie promised.
"I guess," Allison said.
"We'll decide what happens closer to," Annie said, "your choice."
"I need a hug," Allison said.
"Come here bean," Annie said holding her arms out.
Allison hugged her big sister.
"Your not Asher," Allison said.
"I know," Annie said, "when is he home?"
"He's off work at 9," Allison said.
"Then get your hug in 2.5 hours," Annie said, "you can wait."
"Maybe," Allison said.
"He's working you have to," Annie answered.
"I know," Allison said.
"Really you want him to touch you," Leo said.
"A hug, cuddling it's healthy," Annie said, "just use your voice."
"I am," Allison said.
"I don't want to know," Leo said.
"I'm drawing this boundary right now," Annie said, "physical relationships do not need to be discussed. We can assume things happen."
"That works," Allison agreed, "Leo?"
"Yes," Leo agreed, "do you have names yet Allison? Annie always tells us names."
"I'm not finding out and we're not sharing our name ideas," Allison said, 'his last name triple hyphenating would be insane."
"It would," Annie agreed, "so baby Blouin."
"Yes," Allison answered.
"Okay gives me one thing to work with," Annie smiled, "Dan wants to know what your favourite wood is."
"Why does Dan want to know that," Allison asked.
"Rocking chair," Annie said, "new baby in the family. Wood?"
"I like the one you have in your house," Allison said, "your cupboards and floors."
"Cherry," Annie said, "my favourite."
"Its warm," Allison said.
"It is," Annie said, "should I tell Dan that?"
"Tell him to surprise me," Allison said, "that he would even think to make me one."
"You're family," Annie said, "we're unconventional but he wants to make one for you."
"Surprise me," Allison said, "or you pick."
"I'll tell him to use his judgement," Annie said, "we all love you. Both of you."
"We know," Allison said.
"We do," Leo agreed.