Sunday afternoon Teddy paced the kitchen.
"Calm down Teds," Owen said, wrapping his arms around her.
"She's so anxious," Teddy said.
"So are you," Owen said, "you're not the cool collected one you want us all to believe."
"Not when it comes to the kids," Teddy said.
"Never have been," Owen said, "it doesn't matter which kid you're not calm when something is going on with them. We have an hour."
"Lasagne is in the oven, garlic bread, salad," Teddy said, "pie."
"You've got it all," Owen said.
"Dad, Mom, can we talk," Leo asked, coming into the kitchen.
"Sure Buddy what's up," Owen asked.
"I;m going with the fact that you haven't killed Allie yet to hope you don't kill me," Leo said.
"What is it," Teddy asked.
"I messed up," Leo said.
"How," Teddy asked.
"I need help," Leo said.
"We need to know what the problem is to be able to help," Owen said.
"My friends at school are all smoking pot," Leo admitted.
"Are you," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Leo said, "I don't want to but school is so stressful."
"Do you want to stop," Teddy asked.
"I think so," Leo said.
"When was the last time you used," Owen asked.
"Thursday night," Leo admitted.
"Who knows," Teddy asked.
"The girls," Leo said, "I asked them not to tell."
"I think Annie's known for a while," Teddy said.
"She guessed but it was my roommate smoking right before she came to get me," Leo said.
"Your sister does keep your secrets," Owen said.
"She said I had to tell you," Leo said.
"Leo you are 18," Teddy said, "it's legal as much as I hate it and I am going to show you all the damage it can do to your lungs because I think you need to know what it's doing to your body."
"We would prefer you didn't use it," Owen said, "and you can not use it in this house or in the yard, you do not ever come into this house high."
"Do you want to stop," Teddy asked.
"Maybe," Leo said.
"Can you function with out it," Teddy asked, "go to class, do your home work, see your friends?"
"I can but I haven't been," Leo said.
"We can get you help if you want it," Owen said.
"I'm fine now because theres no stress," Leo said.
"Okay," Teddy said, "you've fought with anxiety before and were medicated when you were younger. Do you want to do that?"
"No," Leo said, "it's weak."
"It's not," Teddy said, "I've had medication when I've needed it to get things under control so has dad."
"Who lives on it always," Leo said.
"Annie," Teddy replied, "she's on something for her anxiety and probably always will be."
"She also doesn't eat," Leo said.
"She does," Teddy said, "trust me your sisters are both healthy."
"Leo," Owen said, "thanks for telling us. If you want our help we're here."
"We're always here," Teddy said.
The doorbell rang.
Allison walked down the stairs.
"Mom," Allison whispered.
"Your good dad and I support you," Teddy assured, "we won't let them bully you two."
Asher opened the door, "mom, dad come in."
"Mark, Michelle come have a seat," Owen offered, "lunch is almost ready."
"Where's Allison," Michelle asked.
"Washroom," Asher replied.
"She okay," Michelle asked.
"Yes," Asher said.
"Let's have lunch then we can talk," Teddy said, "we all need to catch up."
Allison came down.
"Allie can you help me move everything to the table," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said.
"Teddy I can help," Asher said.
"You wash up and show your parents where to go," TEddy directed.
"Whats for lunch," Mark asked.
"Home made lasagne," Asher said, "one of Allie's favourites."
"Is she Allison or Allie," Michelle asked.
"Both," Asher replied, "I use Allie more."
"Allison is more my parents and big sister," Allison said, "I prefer Allie."
"Are you close to your sister," Mark asked.
"I am," Allison said, "we babysat her kids last night."
"How old," Mark asked.
"13, 9,8 and 4," Allison said, "Ellie the oldest is a horrible babysitter for her siblings."
"Getting some practice," Michelle asked.
"Allie has been babysitting them since Heather was one," Teddy replied.
"3 years," Allison replied.
"Plans for the spring," Mark asked.
"My apprenticeship," Asher said.
"I'm finishing senior year online," Allison replied, "and working as much as I can."
"After highschool," Michelle asked, "early childhood educator? Office admin work? Lab technician?"
"I've applied to local colleges," Allison said, "I'm thinking of majoring in french. I want to teach."
"How will you do college and have a baby," Michelle asked, "the cost."
"We've saved since she was in infant for her to go to school," Owen said, "we're paying for school like we've always said we would."
"A child needs their mother around," Michelle said.
"I will be," Allison said, "my mom runs the whole hospital she's the chief of surgery. She's done it with me and Leo at home. She was in the army while Annie was in highschool and med school. My sister has 4 kids, runs the biggest childrens heart surgery center on the west coast and is a hands on mother. Auntie Megan is the deputy chief of surgery and has two kids, one she adopted while being held hostage in Iraq for 10 years. Dr Grey is a widow with three kids and runs the general surgery department and does some of the most ground breaking surgical research on the planet. If they can do that, I can have my baby and go to college."
"I don't think you understand how hard it will be," Michelle said, "when they're clinging to you and just want mom and you have to go."
"Six months ago I would have said I was going to get my french degree and go into translating for the UN," Allison said, "my dreams and goals are changing. But not going to college, not getting my education. You can't ask me to do that. I know it will be hard and I'm prepared to work hard. I'll go to school part time and if it takes me 6 years to do my degree it takes six years. I can be more than just a mother."
"But can you be a good one working and going to school," Michelle asked.
"You don't need an education to be a wife," Mark added.
"Stop," Owen growled, "we have raised our children to stand on their own two feet. To pursue their dreams and education. Allison can still pursue her dreams and we will support her in doing so."
"A good mother doesn't mean you are with them 24/7," Teddy said, "it means you are there to support and to guide. To make them as independent as possible."
"Maybe if you had been around more the kids wouldn't be in this situation," Michelle suggested.
"Your son," Owen said.
"Boys will be boys," Mark said, "he was having fun. Your daughter should have had the common decency to say no."
"Stop," Teddy yelled, "they both made the choice that night. They are both responsible for the outcome and have both stepped up with surprising maturity to handle it."
"I hate when you talk about me like I'm not here," Allison roared.
"Allison," Mark scolded, "children are to be seen and not heart."
"No," Allison said, "it's my life, my future I decide."
"Let the adults work this out," Mark warned.
"Or what," Allison challenged.
"If I had it my way you two would have been married by now," Mark yelled.
"I am not getting married now," Allison said, "I don't know if I want to get married ever. I love Asher and I love our baby but marriage no I don't need that."
"Allison," Mark said, "do you have any idea how this affects my son, my family?"
"Dad," Asher said, "we know. This is our life."
"Then do the right thing," Mark roared.
"No," Asher said, "Allie and I have decided what we want to do. We will do what is right for our baby. We are doing what is best for our child."
"You are our child, we are doing what is best for you," Mark said.
"I am doing what is best for my child," Asher argued, "we need to both be here with them."
"You need to do the right thing," Mark said.
"Dad I am," Asher screamed, "I am here. I am with Allie everyday. I will spend everyday with my child. I will be there for them no matter what happens with Allie and I. I am being the man you taught me to be. I am standing by my family."
"You're 17," Michelle said.
"18 in April," Asher said.
"What about you," Mark rounded on Allison.
"I'm 18 at the end of January," Allison said.
"Your both children," Mark yelled.
"I haven't been a child since I got the positive test," Allison said, "since I sat in my sister's office and told her what I thought and had her run a blood test. Since my sister told me my HCG was elevated and I'm pregnant."
"Enough," Mark said.
"No," Owen snapped, "enough from you. Where have you been since September? When have you been here? What have you done to help them figure this out?"
"They're not doing the right thing," Mark said.
"The right thing is different for each couple," Teddy tried, "we will not sit by and listen to you verbally abuse our daughter and your son. You say you're loving parents but this is not loving parents. Yes we all have our concerns and questions. But you have been completely absent. I was the scared girl, not sure what to do, unsure if she could be a mother and I chose a much easier way out but one that caused me immense pain for years and 43 years of regret not having my oldest around everyday, missing her first steps, first words, dance recitals, doing homework together. Allie and Asher are making a choice that reflects their strength and the strength of their character. I spent 10 years in the military as an officer, the strength of their character and their determination to put their child first is admirable, it is a rare quality I haven't seen in many people. You are refusing to listen to the son you claim to love. That's not love."
"It's a sin," Mark said.
"That's crap," Owen yelled.
"How would you know," Mark asked.
"I was raised in the church, I've read my bible, my children have been raised in the church," Owen said, "my stepfather is a pastor and I have learned a lot from David. It is about love and forgiveness. Where have you been for weeks to support your son?"
"Why you think you know best," Mark said.
"We have tried to get you here to meet with us," Teddy said, "to sit down the six of us. Where have you been to help them figure out their plan?"
"Waiting for them to do the right thing," Mark said.
"I'm not doing this," Allison yelled before running to the stairs.
Asher dashed after her, he knew he wasn't supposed to be upstairs but she needed him.
"I've never been in here," Asher said joining Allison in her room.
"This is my room," Allison said.
"Are you okay," Asher asked.
"No," Allison cried.
"They shouldn't be attacking you," Asher said, "they don't know you."
Allison began to sob, Asher held her close and rubbed her back.
"Asher, Allison," Mark bellowed, "you need to get back down here now."
"I'll go," Asher said, "you stay here."
"No," Allison said, "stay with me. Stay with us."
"I'll be right back," Asher said.
Asher came down the stairs.
"Dad you can not keep yelling at Allison," Asher said, "she's sobbing."
"I'll go check on her," Teddy said, "she'll need her mom."
"Dad you need to leave," Asher said.
"No," Mark yelled, "you don't get to speak to me like that."
"Get out of my house," Owen yelled, "you have upset my daughter, insulted my wife and abused your son. I will not stand by while you treat people like that in my house. Get out."
Upstairs Teddy found Allison nearly hyperventilating.
"Okay baby girl," Teddy said, "you're really upset."
"I can't breathe," Allison sobbed.
"Stand up," Teddy said, "Allison I need you to stand up."
"No," Allison sobbed.
"Allie stand up baby girl," Teddy said, "I'm going to help you calm down but I can't until you stand up."
Allison reluctantly stood up.
"Okay," Teddy said, "I'm going to hug you as tight as I can and I'm not going to let you go."
Allison nodded.
Teddy held her daughter close, "match my breathing Allie. Thats it nice and slow in and out. Match my breathing. Slow and steady. You're body is starting to relax. That's it. Steady breaths. Your heart rate will slow to match mine."
Teddy felt Allison's head fall against her shoulder and tears soaking her shirt.
"I know baby girl," Teddy whispered, "I know that was hard. You we're so strong. You stood up for your self. I'm here. Dad is going to get them to leave. Let's have a seat now."
Allison let Teddy guide her to sit on the bed.
"Ash," Allison cried.
"He's angry two," Teddy said.
"I need Ash," Allison sobbed.
"I know Allie," Teddy said, "you two are really strong together, you've been so mature through all of this."
"Mama I'm scared," Allison sobbed.
"It's okay to be scared," Teddy assured, "you're going to be a great mom. Don't let Michelle tell you otherwise. You are smart, compassionate and the strongest of all my children."
"What if," Allison asked.
"We will help you," Teddy said, "you are always going to be my baby girl no matter what. Allison I am here."
"Allie," Asher said rejoining them.
"Slow," Teddy said, "Asher she's really upset."
"I know," Asher said, "this has happened at school when kids are teasing."
"Ash," Allison said reaching to him.
"I'm here," Asher said. He sat on her bed beside her and took her in his arms. Teddy left the room allowing the young couple to hold and comfort each other.
"Get out of my house," Teddy yelled reaching the bottom step.
"They were just leaving," Owen said.
"If you kick us out he's on his own," Mark said.
"He's been on his own for months," Owen said, "this is not being a father. You stand by your child. You stand by your grandchild. Now get out of my house before I call the police on you."
"Mark," Michelle said, "leave it today. You were angry when we got here. Lets just go."
"If Asher needs medical care before he turns 18 do we have your permission to make the decisions," Teddy asked.
"Have you been already," Michelle asked.
"They both got strep throat and yes I gave him antibiotics," Owen said, "and when some how half the football team got pink eye I prescribed the drops to clean it up."
"They have a baby on the way," Teddy said, "we need Asher's medical records and his vaccination records."
"Our kids aren't," Michelle said.
"We will be encouraging it to protect the baby," Teddy said, "everyone in our house is fully vaccinated."
"We don't want our son to be," Michelle said.
"He's a capable minor," Owen said, "he can give medical consent for himself. We will give him all the info and let him decide. Now you need to leave. My wife, daughter and son in law are upset. Get out of my house."
Owen glared at them while Asher's parents put their shoes and coats on.
The door closed and locked Teddy collapsed in Owen's arms.
"Hey, hey," Owen whispered into her hair, "I'm here. The kids are all upstairs. We're doing the right thing."
"I'm tired," Teddy said, "I'm tired of fighting and being strong for everyone."
"You and me," Owen said, "let's take a couple days we're off for 3 weeks, Christmas is still 5 days away. Let's go, I'll find a hotel you and I, a couple hours away, take some time to decompress."
"Allie and Asher," Teddy asked.
"Leo is here," Owen said, "I think he's clean."
"I want to believe him," Teddy saidm "I don't want to leave Allie."
"A night," Owen said, "leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"Can we ask Meg or Annie if Allie can stay with them," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Owen said, "you go check in and I'll find something for a night. You need to step away."
Teddy nodded into his chest.
"I love you," Owen whispered.
"I love you two," Teddy replied.