Around 8 that night Owen and Teddy approached Allison's hospital room. Teddy had given the young family time together, sitting in her office for a couple hours.
"Wow," Owen said standing in the door of Allison's hospital room, "she's okay?"
"Long labour and exhausted but she's healthy," Teddy said, "Everly looks good. Seven pounds ten ounces 20 inches. But the cord on her neck we don't know. Time will tell."
"Everly," Owen smiled, "I like it. Has Hayes?"
"He's examined and he thinks we're okay," Teddy said, "airway is good. She took a minute but her airway is good, I checked her heart it's good. We'll monitor but Hayes thinks we'll be okay."
"Dad," Allison yawned, "do you want to meet her?"
"Always," Owen said, "but how are you munchkin?"
"Tired," Allison admitted.
"To be expected," Teddy said.
"Who is this Allie," Owen asked, seeing her holding her baby.
"Grandpa this is Everly Alexandra Grace Blouin," Allison introduced, "Everly this is grandpa."
"May I," Owen asked.
"Please," Allison smiled.
Owen gently took the baby, "munchkin she's perfect. She's absolutely perfect."
"She is isn't she," Allison agreed.
Owen beamed at the baby in his arms. This was special, a new grandchild years sooner then he had planned but the baby was perfect.
"Did mom tell you," Allison asked.
"The cord but dr Hayes says she's okay," Owen said, "has your sister been by?"
"They took Everly to the nursery to be checked ," Allison said, "they took her from me."
"We delayed as long as we could and you got to feed her first," Teddy soothed, "now you've had a couple hours the three of you."
"Allison she's beautiful," Owen said, he had held all of his grandchildren hours old but something today fet different. This was Allison's baby. His daughters were both moms. He had five grandchildren.
"You look like you want to sleep baby girl," Teddy said sitting beside Allison.
"I want to watch Everly," Allison said.
"She's not going anywhere," Teddy said, "close your eyes. Even a half hour. Dad has Everly and she has to get to know us."
There was a knock on the door making Asher jump up.
"Mom," Asher said.
"I had to come see her," Michelle said, "Asher, Allison can I?"
"Come in," Allison yawned.
"Allie hasn't slept yet," Teddy told Michelle.
"Are you okay Allie," Michelle asked.
"Tired," Allison said, "dad can I have Everly back?"
Owen gently kissed the baby's forehead and laid her back in Allison's arms.
"Mom," Asher began, "this is Everly Alexandra Grace Blouin."
Michelle noticed how Allison's parents stayed close to the young family.
Owens' phone buzzed in his pocket.
"Incoming cardiac trauma," Owen said.
"I'm on grandma days," Teddy said.
"Grandma days Chief really," Owen teased.
"Do you want grandpa time," Teddy asked, "fifth time I've done this."
"Starting tomorrow," Owen said, "I'm going to the pit. If it's big I'm calling you."
"I didn't realize you worked together," Michelle said when Owen left the room.
"Since 2001," Teddy said, "30 years. We met just after 9/11."
"Mom what's everly doing," Allison asked.
Teddy watched the baby yawn and scrunch up her face.
"I think she's waking up a bit," Teddy said, "she's been out a couple hours. You fed her two and a half hours ago."
"Can I give her a bottle," Michelle asked.
"We're not using bottles mom," Asher said.
The baby began to cry.
"Michelle let's give them some time," Teddy said, "come have a cup of tea with me then we'll come back."
Teddy ushered the other mother out of the room.
"My first grandchild," Michelle said, "I'm a grandma."
"I know the feeling," Teddy said, "I was 50."
"40," Michelle said, "I was 22 with Asher."
"I had my first at 21," Teddy said.
"Mama is Bean up to visitors," Annie asked, joining them in the hall.
"She's just feeding Everly and you know how that is with your first," Teddy said.
"Mama," Michelle asked.
"Michelle Blouin this is my oldest dr Grace Altman," Teddy introduced, "Annie this is Asher's mom Michelle."
"We've met," Michelle said, "you've operated on Eden."
"How's Eden doing," Annie asked.
"She's good," Michelle said.
"Annie why don't I page you or have Allie text you when it's a good time. I know you want more baby cuddles but she hasn't slept yet," Teddy said.
"Everly or Allie," Annie asked.
"Allie," Teddy clarified.
"I'm on until 11 so I'll check in later," Annie agreed.
Teddy led Michelle to her office making forced small talk.
"Are they okay," Michelle asked when Teddy closed the door.
"She's exhausted," Teddy said, "nearly 24 hours start to finish."
"Long labour, they didn't try to speed it up," Michelle asked.
"They were both tolerating it," Teddy said, "she didn't tell anyone for the first 12 or 14 hours. I don't think she knew what was going on."
"The baby," Michelle asked.
"Appears healthy," Teddy replied, "our team will monitor."
"Your oldest said something," Michelle said.
"I can't discuss my daughter or granddaughters medical care with you without Allison's consent," Teddy said.
Allison texted Owen to come back.
"How are you munchkin," Owen asked.
"Tired," Allison said.
"Can I or is she asleep," Owen asked.
"Go ahead," Asher said.
Owen lifted the baby and held her close, "hi miss Everly I'm your grandpa. I'm mom's dad."
Teddy had came back with Michelle. Owen gave the baby back to Asher.
"Mom what are you doing here," Asher asked.
"I wanted to meet my granddaughter," Michelle said.
Asher looked to Allison who nodded.
"Do you want to hold her," Asher offered.
"Please," Michelle agreed.
Ashe laid the baby in his mom's arms.
"Hello," Michelle whispered, "I'm grammy it's nice to meet you miss Everly."
"What about dad," Asher asked.
"He's not coming," Michelle said, "he doesn't know I'm here. He didn't want me to come but I had to meet your daughter. I had to see her."
"Mom, we're not giving into him," Asher said.
"He's set in his ways," Michelle said, "we want you to come home."
"Not unless you welcome Allie and Everly," Asher said, "I'm with them."
"Your dad," Michelle said.
"Mom," Asher said, "I want you and dad in our lives but not like this."
"Like this," Michelle asked.
"Secrets," Asher said, "no games and no secrets."
"Asher," Michelle tried.
"I'll stay with my daughter," Asher said, "we haven't slept Allison is beyond exhausted we want to get to know our daughter."
"Michelle let's give them space," Teddy suggested.
Asher took the baby back from his mom.
"Well be back tomorrow munchkin," Owen said to Allison, "call if you need us."
"I will," Allison yawned.
Teddy ushered Michelle out of the room.
"Are you okay if we go," Teddy asked.
"We are," Allison said.
"We're okay," Asher agreed.
"Call if you want us for anything," Owen said.
"We will," Asher agreed.
They said their goodbyes each holding the baby one more time before leaving.
"We're alone," Allison said.
"The three of us," Asher said.
"I'm hungry," Allison said.
"Can I go get you something from the cafeteria," Asher asked.
"Skip the dishes," Allison said, "Thai."
"We use your mom's account," Asher said.
"Us ordering dinner tonight she'll be okay," Allison said.
"Can you do it," Asher asked, "I have everly."
Allison ordered what they usually did from the Thai place making her sesame allergy clear.
Teddy and Owen got home at the same time.
"Sushi kids aren't home," Owen said.
"I'll order," Teddy said grabbing her phone, "Allie and Asher ordered Thai. I'll let it go this once."
"They should eat what they want," Owen said, "make sure she eats and sleeps."
"Owen she hardly tolerated that," Teddy said, "she should have had a csection I almost asked Carina to do it. She was not doing well."
"You didn't ask," Owen asked.
"I needed her to," Teddy said, "she didn't ask. She doesn't do pain at all."
"We know she has no pain tolerance," Owen said.
"That's her only one," Teddy said, "I'd be surprised if she does that again. That was horrible to watch Owen. I just wanted to switch places and take all the pain from her."
"She'll be okay," Owen said, "when you had Allie I had a hard time watching how much pain you were in."
"I checked in with Annie for the girls and she wasn't that bad," Teddy said.
"Annie was older and has had trauma surgeries," Owen said.
"She knew more about it," Teddy agreed.
"Where's Allison," Leo asked, coming in.
"She had the baby," Teddy said, "you have a niece."
"What's her name," Leo asked.
"Everly Alexandra Grace Blouin," Owen said, "she's gorgeous."
"Can I go see her," Leo asked.
"Not tonight they didn't even want dad and I there," Teddy said, "she's exhausted."
"We go see Annie's kids," Leo said.
"The next day," Owen said, "let your sister and her family rest."
"We're her family," Leo said.
"We are but it changes when you become a parent," Teddy said, "Everly and Asher will be her focus. We're still really important to her but her focus has changed."
"Did Annie get to see Everly," Leo asked.
"Allison wanted Annie there. It's a good thing Annie was," Teddy said.
"Is the baby okay," Leo asked.
"We think she is," Teddy said, "it took a minute for her to breathe. We hope everything is fine."
"What did you do today," Owen asked.
"Worked," Leo said.
"Leo this morning your behavior told us you were in something," Owen said, "Annie knew."
"That was the last of what I had," Leo said.
"So your done," Teddy said.
"I don't have any more," Leo said.
"Leo we talked about it the other night," Owen said.
"To stay you need to get clean," Teddy said, "we're getting a drug test tomorrow. You will go for counseling and to meetings."
"Counselling," Leo asked.
"To help you figure out what will help you stay clean," Owen said.
"Give it a chance," Teddy said, "you have two months here now to get your self on a good path then a month with the military before you go back to school. Leo use this as an opportunity. Repair your relationship with Allison, get yourself in a good place."
"Why is it up to me," Leo asked, "she's said things two."
"Last night you two yelling give her a pass on," Teddy said, "she didn't realize it yet but she was already in labour by that point."
"She was going to his room," Leo said.
"That's going to change," Teddy replied, "he's going to stay upstairs with her and Everly at least until Everly sleeps longer at once."
"Wait babies don't sleep at night," Leo said.
"No," Owen replied, "she'll be up every 3 or so hours around the clock to be fed. She'll slowly stretch it out."
"So Everly will cry all night," Leo asked.
"Some times," Teddy agreed.
"Then why didn't you move her and Allison downstairs," Leo asked.
"We gave her that option and she doesn't want it," Teddy said, "Leo just be patient and know Allie and Asher are doing their very best. Everly is learning how to live and be a human and they're learning how to parent."
"She doesn't know what she's doing," Leo asked.
"Neither did we when we brought Allison home or you," Owen said, "they'll learn as they go."
"How did you forgive her but not me," Leo asked.
"Leo you've both made mistakes," Teddy said, "both made decisions dad and I don't agree with in the last year. It hasn't been an easy year on any of us. We made a choice when both of you were little that we would always support you. I may not agree with you but I am always on your side."
"Mom," Leo groaned.
"You both have things going on that you need dad and my support," Teddy said, "you can support each other two. Spend time with her, talk to Allison, she's a great listener."
"Leo we are always on your side and we will always support you," Owen said, "you are our son. I'm really worried because your birth mother overdosed, there may be a genetic link to addictions, I want to make sure that doesn't happen to you. Leo if we lost you I don't think I would survive."
"Did you plan to take Annie back," Leo asked.
"No," Teddy said, "I knew the day she was born that it was very very likely I would never see her in person. When she emailed me the day she turned 19 I was in shock."
"She called me crying," Owen said.
"We emailed for weeks, then I went to a conference at UBC where she was premed and when I told her I was going to be at UBC she asked to meet me," Teddy explained, "we met in the library and I had told myself I would just meet her and see her smile, see her face. Then over that school year we got to know her. She called me when she was nearly beaten to death, well she had the hospital call me. I went. She started talking to me more than Leslie but it was gradual. I was happy to have a relationship with her in any way she wanted it. It was her choice, I never pushed her to see me or to want a relationship with me. She came to me when she was ready and how she wanted to."
"It was her choice," Leo asked.
"It was," Teddy said, "dad and I didn't force it with her."
"Why did you give her up," Leo asked, "why wouldn't my birth mom want me?"
"I did what I did because I loved her so much," Teddy said, "I made my choice out of love for your older sister. I wasn't much older than Allison and I was way less brave then your sister."
"She is brave," Owen said, "Leo we don't know your birth mom. We do know she was ill and needed help. She came to the hospital for help but she was too late getting to us. But she came in to get help and she brought you with her. We were able to help you."
"Annie found me," Leo said.
"She did," Owen said, "her and Josh had just gotten engaged. They were 26 and 27. Your sister called mom to help her with you and then that night her and I sat with you. The more time we all spent with you the more time you felt like ours and part of our family. You were our missing piece."
"Leo we will not let you go," Teddy said, "we are going to walk through this with you. It won't always be easy but we will be here. You can count on dad and I to be here through all of this."
Leo having enough of the discussion asked, "do you have pictures of the baby?"
"Didn't Allie send you one," Teddy asked.
"She did," Leo said, "but do you have more?"
"A couple," Teddy said showing Leo the photos on her phone.
Late that night Annie let herself into her house, she tiptoed into each of her kids rooms tucking them in a bit tighter and kissing their foreheads.
"Hey," Josh said hearing her tip toe into their bedroom.
"We have a niece," Annie whispered, "Everly Alexandra Grace Blouin."
"How are they," josh asked, "I saw the pictures Asher sent."
"She's exhausted that was a rough labour," Annie said before telling Josh about it.
"The cord," josh asked.
"I'd get Jenna to do a neuro exam," Annie said, "but I think everly is okay. How did you watch me go through that?"
"It was hard," josh said, "Ellie and Henry were the worst. Heather was the easiest you were so calm with her."
"Child number four we knew what we were doing," Annie said, "how did that not hurt you? It was taking everything I had not to cry with her."
"I wanted to," josh said, "I'm sure I remember more of all four labours than you do. But I had to fake it for you. If I was able to be calm you stayed calm. Ellie when you were on your knees with your arms around my neck after pushing for hours that was hell babe."
"You stayed," Annie said, "you were there."
"Always," Josh said.
"I held her," Annie smiled, "she's as perfect as our babies were. Our first niece."
"We'll go tomorrow," Josh asked.
"You and I," Annie agreed, "leave the kids with Ellie for an hour she's ready. I was so overwhelmed when mama and uncle Owen brought Allie and Leo to meet Ellie. Our kids are too much tomorrow, let them get home and settle a tiny bit."
"Okay," Josh agreed.
"I'm showering then coming to bed," Annie said, "you go back to sleep. "
"I'll wait for you," Josh said.