The next morning Allison and Asher stood beside the hospital crib taking turns to bounce and rock their starving and cranky daughter.
"This is cruel," Allison complained.
"When did you feed her," an intern asked.
"Her usual 2am feed," Allison replied.
"How much did she have," the intern asked.
"She's breast fed," Asher said, "we don't track ounces."
"15 or 20 minutes a side and she did both sides," Allison said, "this is breakfast time for her."
"Do you need to," Asher asked.
"When she goes," Allison replied.
"Her pre op exam looks good," the intern said, "Dr Silverstone will be in soon to check in with you."
"Her vitals," Teddy prompted.
"Chief," the intern said.
"Good morning Dr Nelson," Teddy said, "my granddaughter's vitals?"
The intern recited the vitals.
"Thank you," Teddy replied.
"I need these consent forms," a nurse said, "and the credit card authorization."
"There shouldn't be a payment form," Teddy said, "that's through the foundation. Dr Avery approved it this morning before his surgery."
"What," Asher asked.
"Jackson Avery runs the Fox foundation," Owen said, "it's his family and he's our head of plastic surgery. The foundation is going to cover all of Everlys care through their children with disabilities initiative."
"What do we," Asher asked.
"Some paper work," Teddy replied, "her care now, follow ups, therapy and medical equipment, any mobility aids. The foundation has a program based here. Typically they ask that the child's progress be monitored and tracked to show the initiative is working for donors but that's it."
"No strings," Allison asked.
"You use the team here," Teddy said, "Jenna, Annie, Link, Schmidt, Hayes our physical therapists."
"We we're doing that anyway," Allison replied, "I know other hospitals are cheaper but this is the best. It's one of the top 5 in the country."
"You're better here," Owen agreed.
Asher lifted Everly from Allison's arms to give the baby a cuddle.
"Mr and Mrs Blouin," the intern said.
"Altman-Hunt," Allison corrected.
"I need to take Everly to pre op," the intern said.
"Can we walk with you," Asher asked.
"You can then sit in the waiting area," Teddy replied.
They followed their daughter to the pre op area and hugged and kissed her before she went into surgery. Owen, already in scrubs, stayed with Everly.
"Dr Hunt," the intern said.
"My daughter and her boyfriend want me to stay with my granddaughter," Owen replied before turning to Everly, "you're not alone princess. Grandpa is here. I'm here and I'll stay through the whole thing. Auntie Annie will come with us. You will never be alone I promise."
Jenna did her last check of the baby before scrubbing in.
Teddy led Alison and Asher to the waiting room.
"Baby girl what's wrong," Teddy said, "physically something is bugging you."
"I left the pump in her room," Allison whispered.
"I'll go you two wait here," Teddy said, "she's about half an hour in pre op and then an hour for surgery."
Teddy walked towards Everlys room.
Allison collapsed in the chair crying.
"They're helping her," Asher tried.
Michelle and Mark walked in.
"We couldn't let you do this alone," Michelle said.
"We'll need a few minutes," Asher said, "once Teddy comes back."
Teddy came back with the bag.
"Allie, Ash why don't you go to my office," Teddy suggested taking the keys out of her pocket.
"Thanks," Allison replied, "you'll come get me?"
"If we hear anything we will," Teddy promised.
The young couple walked away holding hands and clinging to each other.
"What's going on," Mark whispered.
"I think she needs a minute," Michelle replied.
Teddy sat with Asher's parents, "if you're here you are supporting the three of them 100%. No games, no pushing marriage. Allison and Asher are doing well and are a good couple but she won't be 19 until the end of January. They are doing really well together and learning to lean on each other. She talks to him before coming to me now. We have to let them learn together. Today they need us to be strong for them. Their brains aren't fully grown and we are asking them to make huge decisions without the maturity to fully know what they are doing."
"But they're 18 they're adults," Mark said.
"Legally," Teddy replied, "biologically the brain develops the reasoning centers until about age 25."
"You've gotten one through this phase before," Michelle said.
"Annie," Teddy replied.
"Your easy one," Michelle asked.
"None of them are easy," Teddy replied, "all are different. Annie was hard because at 20 she moved to Boston for medical school then when she was 21 I had to go back to the army and stationed in Germany."
"The army," Mark asked.
"Owen and I are veterans," Teddy replied, "that's how we met."
"Thank you for your service," Michelle said.
Teddy nodded.
"But your oldest," Mark said.
"Was with Dan," Teddy replied.
"Dan is her father," Mark asked.
"Yes," Teddy confirmed, "Annie was with Dan and Leslie and her other siblings. She was happy, loved and thriving."
"Is she helping them," Michelle asked.
"Annie is the head of peds cardio surgery here," Teddy replied, "she's in the OR with Everly so is Owen. Annie's husband is home with their four kids."
"Lots of grandkids," Mark commented.
"Five," Teddy answered.
"One for us," Michelle said, "but Asher is our oldest."
"Allison would like to meet his siblings," Teddy said, "it's been a year."
"We know," Mark said, "we overreacted then he hardly calls."
"You told him to get out and not to come back," Teddy said, "you were shocked and angry. We all were. But we share a beautiful granddaughter. Yes, Everly has challenges but she's going to be okay."
"She looks like both of them," Michelle said.
"She does," Teddy agreed.
"I haven't seen her eyes open yet," Mark said.
"Brilliant green," Teddy said, "like my side. The same as my mom's actually."
Allison and Asher came back.
"We used your fridge," Allison told Teddy.
"Good," Teddy smiled.
"Any news," Asher asked.
"Not yet," Teddy said, "this is good, for something like this they would only find us if something went wrong. This means it's all going according to their plan. There should be about 20 minutes left."
"Is she okay," Allison asked.
"She is," Teddy replied, "Allie dad is there with her and so is Annie she's not alone."
"This is hard," Michelle said, "we've waited for our Eden a couple times so Dr Grace can fix her heart."
"Annie," Allison clarified.
"Yes," Teddy said.
"Why is she Dr Grace," Mark asked.
"Her whole name is Dr Grace Annabeth Altman-Riggs," Teddy replied, "Dr Grace was what she chose as a resident to not be confused with me and it's more approachable for her patients."
"Who's doing today's surgery," Mark asked.
"Jenna Siverstone-McKellar," Teddy replied, "she usually just goes by Silverstone."
"Can we go to the gallery and check on Everly," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "you don't get to watch your child in the OR. You hate the gallery anyway."
"I need to see her," Allison whined, "mom I need to be with my baby."
"If you scrub and gown I can slip both of you into post op," Teddy said.
Jenna tested the shunt in to OR.
"We're good," Jenna said, "ICP?"
"Normal," Jenna's resident said reading out the numbers.
"We're ready to close," Jenna said.
"Dr Silverstone," the resident asked.
"No," Owen replied, "Jenna will do it."
Jenna closed.
"I'll go see the family you stay with Everly," Jenna told Owen.
"I wouldn't leave her," Owen said.
"I'll stay for the heart," Annie replied.
Owen followed Everly to post op and stood over the crib stroking the baby's head, "you did so good princess. You were so strong. When you wake up you're going to feel so much better."
Jenna approached Allison and Asher, "Ms Altman-Hunt, Mr Blouin."
The young couple approached the neuro surgeon.
"She's done," Jenna said, "the surgery was a success. You should be able to see her in about half an hour."
"How is she," Allison asked.
"Everything went perfectly," Jenna replied, "the shunt is functioning well. She'll be drowsy today and probably pretty clingy. Dr Hunt is with her now so she's not alone."
"Dad," Allison asked.
"Yes," Jenna confirmed, "Everly is going to be just fine. If everything is stable overnight I'm going to send you home tomorrow and follow up in a week."
"How do we care for it," Asher asked.
"The shunt itself watch for symptoms, headaches, excessive crying, poor coordination, lethargy, vomiting," Jenna said, "until the stitches dissolve please don't get her incision wet. A soft washcloth on her head and to wash her face but not the incision."
"How is she," Asher asked.
"She did really well for being so young," Jenna assured.
"Jenna, I think we should take them to their daughter," Teddy cut in.
"Yes chief," Jenna replied.
They followed Jenna to the PACU.
"Everly," Allison whispered, standing beside Owen at the crib.
"She's starting to move," Owen said, "she's waking up."
"Hi baby," Allison whispered reaching into the crib.
"Hey princess," Asher said, "Dr Silverstone said you did really well."
Everly began to thrash.
"Hey princess it's okay," Asher said, stroking her head trying to sooth her.
"You can pick her up," Owen said, "gentle around her incision."
Allison gingerly picked up her baby, "shhhh Ev it's okay. I'm here. Mommy has you. You're okay princess."
Asher stood next to them one hand around Allison's waist and the other stroking Everly's cheek, "it's okay princess. We're here. Daddy and mommy are here. We're going to stay with you."
Everly started to cry.
"I think she's hungry," Allison said, "can we?"
"Lets give her a bottle," Jenna suggested.
"Can I just breast feed her," Allison asked.
"We need a bottle now so we know how much she takes," Jenna said, "this feeding. Make sure she's eating so we know how much and if it stays down."
"No," Allison argued, "let me do it."
"We'll weigh her before and after," Owen suggested.
Owen quickly took the baby from Allison and weighted her calling the number to a nurse.
"Sit," Teddy said finding a chair for Allison.
That night Allison sat slumped in the chair in the hospital room.
"So far so good," Allison whispered.
"She's eating, we've had a dirty diaper and a couple wet ones," Asher said.
"She's not interacting yet," Allison said.
"Give her time she's still probably in pain," Asher replied.
"She's fussing constantly," Allison said.
"Do you want to shower," Asher asked, "I'll sit with her. You haven't showered yet."
"Are you saying I stink," Allison asked.
"No," Asher said, "I've just learned that you're calmer when you've showered."
"Is she okay," Allison asked.
"She is," Asher assured.
"Dad's working. I'll text him for the code to the attendings locker room," Allison said.
"Your mom let me use one near where she got us coffee," Asher said.
"The attendings locker room," Allison replied.
"It's not home but it's clean," Asher said.
"We'll be home tomorrow," Allison said, "maybe she'll settle."
"I'm her crib," Asher tried.
"No," Allison declared.
"Allie why not," Asher asked.
"She's just had surgery. Until we know she's fine and her shunt is working I want her right there," Allison replied.
"By thanksgiving we're moving her," Asher said, "she needs to be in her crib before she's rolling and sitting up."
"She's not there yet," Allison said.
"She will be soon," Asher said.
"I know she's so close," Allison said, "but her movement is delayed."
"Soon Allie," Asher said, "but go shower you'll feel better."
"I'm ordering skip," Allison said.
"Shower first," Asher said, "what do you want?"
"Food;" Allison said, "decide for me."
Allison grabbed her bag and texted Owen and Teddy for the code. She knew where she was going; she just needed the code to the door lock.
"Bean," Annie said when Allison let herself in.
"Ev is asleep and I need a shower," Allison said, "Annie I slept in the chair last night and my back really hurts do you have Advil?"
"I do," Annie said, "I'll put it in your bag. Go shower. Only take one."
"I will," Allison replied.
"How are you holding up," Annie asked.
"Barley," Allison admitted she could be totally honest with her big sister.
"This is hard," Annie agreed, "I'd find this hard."
"I'm missing my classes this week I emailed my professors," Allison said.
"Any response," Annie asked.
"I can write my math mid term in two weeks and my papers in my other classes are now due in two weeks," Allison said, "I have people getting me notes from lectures."
"Good," Annie said, "she'll come to me next Friday?"
"Her shunt," Allison said.
"10 days post op," Annie said, "she'll be good. She'll have a auntie day."
"When she's doing better I want to go on a real date with Asher," Allison said.
"We'll babysit," Annie promised, "bean you are still 18. You still need time with your boyfriend."
"You," Allison asked.
"Mama and Uncle Owen baby sit or my dad so Josh and I can have time," Annie said, "you and Asher need to be a strong couple and connected. Not just because of Everly. You need to take time to connect and have fun together."
"We play games nights I'm home and go for walks and ice cream," Allison said.
"Go on a date date," Annie said, "do your hair and makeup and go."
"How we have a special needs daughter," Allison said. It was the first time Allison had said the words special needs out loud.
"You have a family that loves the three of you and wants to help however you need us," Annie promised, "mama and uncle Owen show love through the practical things like getting you into the foundation's CP program. Which I think you should accept. I will always babysit. Everly might tag along with us for things and if she's up to it she should come to the pumpkin patch in a couple weeks. Her first Halloween."
"I need a costume," Allison said.
"I have a baby sized piglet that Ellie and Heather wore, a pumpkin that was Henry's and Matt's puppy," Annie offered.
"The puppy if it fits her," Allison smiled.
"I'll get it out," Annie said.
"She'll be a cute puppy," Allison smiled.
"You physically," Annie asked.
"I'm supposed to get blood work tomorrow and then see Dr Williams Friday about my thyroid and iron," Allison said.
"Get it done first thing before they discharge Everly," Annie said, "or go tonight while she sleeps."
"I'll do it before we leave," Allison said.
"I still don't look like me," Allison said.
"This is you," Annie said, "your body changed. It's always hard."
"I don't look like my friends," Allison said.
"Which friends," Annie asked.
"Liv and Ava," Allison said.
"Do they know about today," Annie asked.
"Ava has checked in Liv is being weird," Allison said,
"Carmen has texted a few times so has Eden from family studies."
"Good keep talking to them," Annie said, "you need other moms. Talk to your family studies classmates. You need moms. Talk to me, mama, Meg. We're all here."
"I need my baby to be healthy," Allison mumbled.
"She will be," Annie assured.
"But," Allison started.
"She will have lots to work on and overcome but that doesn't mean she won't be healthy and have a very full, happy life," Annie promised, "shower. You'll feel better. Do you have shampoo and stuff?"
"Mom packed it for me," Allison said.
"I'll give you my locker combo if you need anything," Annie said, "I have everything you need."
"I'm okay," Allison said, "thanks Annie."
"If I go home are you and Asher okay," Annie asked.
"We are," Allison said.
"Call if you need me," Annie said.
"I will," Allison said.
"I love you bean," Annie said hugging her sister.
"I love you too," Allison replied.
Allison had her shower then went back to Everlys room.
"How's she doing," Allison asked Asher.
"Dozing again," Asher replied.
"Did she wake up," Allison asked.
"For a minute," Asher replied, "I repositioned her and she went back to sleep. She still has her pacifier."
"Do you need a break," Allison asked.
"I need the bathroom," Asher replied.
"Go," Allison replied.
Asher walked to the bathroom and on his way back his phone rang.
"Hey Stewart," Asher answered.
"Asher how's your daughter," Stewart asked.
"Her surgery went well," Asher replied, "hopefully we can go home tomorrow."
"We can give you until next Wednesday off if you need it," Stewart offered.
"I'll need and might need more time," Asher said, "everly was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. "
"What can we do," Stewart asked.
"Right now time with my daughter and my girlfriend," Asher said, "Ev and Allie need me. I can't let Allie do this alone. I will be back to work next week when we know Ev is doing better."
"Can I tell the guys," Stewart asked.
"Yes," Asher said, "let them know but don't make a big deal. You've all done too much to help us already."
Asher was thinking of his first day back after everly was born when the guys had filled the box of his truck with cases of diapers and wipes. The guys on the crew were mainly in their mid 30s. Stewart, his forman, was in his 30s and had been mentoring Asher for months.
"Whatever you need we can help," Stewart offered.
"Thank you," Asher replied, "I just really need to be with them."
"I know," Stewart said, "I spoke to the hire ups and we can pay you for the time. Just your regular rate for an 8 hour day."
"Thank you," Asher replied.
Asher was relieved they could pay him for more time off. He knew they didn't have to pay him but they needed it. Asher knew Allison had run through her savings weeks before and that Teddy and Owen had been giving Allison money since she was only working one shift a week. She was supposed to pick up another shift starting next week but now he didn't know if she could. Asher felt like he had to support Everly and Allie.
Asher walked back into the room and found Allison holding Everly close whispering to the baby.
"You're doing so good baby girl," Allison whispered, "that was a hard day, tomorrow will be better. We can go home tomorrow. I know your head hurts, baby. I see you wiggling your feet. Can you move your legs princess?"
"How is she," Asher asked, leaning over the back of Allison's chair.
"Look at her legs," Allison smiled.
"They're moving together," Asher gasped.
"The smoothest she ever has," Allison said, "and she's really alert."
"Her eating," Asher asked.
"She feels stronger," Allison said, "I don't know though maybe I'm just looking for it. She needs a feed soon."
"Both," Asher said.
"It's 6:45, it's bath time," Allison said.
"We can't get her head wet," Asher said.
"But she feels better with a bath," Allison said, "a bath, lotion, jammies, feed, book and a cuddle."
"How do we," Asher asked.
"Ask a nurse for the baby bath," Allison guessed, "mom brought her bath stuff."
Asher stepped into the hall and asked a nurse for the bath.
A nurse came in to bathe Everly.
"We just needed the bathtub," Allison said, "we'll wash her."
"With her surgery today I have to do it," the nurse said.
"Can she have her own soap and lotion," Allison asked.
"Yes," the nurse agreed, "it's better for her. At least I think so."
"We'll do the lotion and put her jammies on," Asher said.
"Her bedtime routine," the nurse asked.
"Bath, lotion, jammies, feed, book, song and snuggle," Asher recited.
The nurse looked at the couple and could tell they were about the same age as her own kids, barely out of high school.
"You have a good routine for her," the nurse commented.
"My mom and sister helped us figure it out," Allison admitted.
"Are your families supportive," the nurse asked.
"Allison's," Asher said, "mine are in and out."
"Are you on your own," the nurse asked.
"We live with Teddy and Owen," Asher said.
"Teddy that's not a common name," the nurse said.
"It's not," Allison agreed.
"What do your parents do," the nurse asked.
"I'm Allison Altman-Hunt," Allison said, "my mom is chief of surgery and my dad is head of trauma."
"So your mom and sister," the nurse said, "your sister is Mary Poppins."
"Yes," Allison said, "mom and Annie have been amazing."
"How is Everly doing," Asher asked.
"Her incision site looks good to me but you have to ask your neurosurgeon," the nurse said, instantly more cautious then she would have been before knowing who the young woman was. She had heard rumors that the chief's youngest had gotten pregnant in highschool and here was the girl in the hospital with her baby.
"She seems more alert when she's awake," Asher said.
"Which neurosurgeon," the nurse asked.
"Jenna Silverstone," Allison replied.
"We can call her if you have questions," the nurse said.
"She's home with her kids," Allison replied, "I saw Chris he's working tonight so Jenna is home."
"Chris," the nurse asked.
"Chris McKellar," Allison said, "the trauma nurse that flys with the medivac helicopter. Canadian airforce trained medivac pilot."
"How do you know him," the nurse asked.
"He's Grace's half brother on her dad's side," Allison said, "Chris came by to see us a while ago."
The nurse finished the bath and ducked out. Allison and Asher finished getting Everly ready for bed and laid her in her crib. They turned down the lights and sat on the parent cot in the corner.
"Usually we hang out in our room or the living room," Asher said.
"I want to lay down," Allison admitted.
"Tired," Asher asked.
"I didn't sleep at all last night," Allison said, "I don't think I will tonight but."
"I didn't sleep either," Asher said, "she's more settled tonight."
"She is," Allison said.
The next morning Jenna came in and did her exam.
"I'm discharging you," Jenna said, "everything is looking good. Her ICP is normal now, her reflexes are good, she looks very alert. How's she eating?"
"Good," Allison said, "her feeds were short yesterday but this morning's was quite long."
"Typical with the medications yesterday," Jenna said, "diapers?"
"Following her normal pattern," Asher replied, "more wet than dirty but we've had 3 dirty ones since the surgery."
"Full feeds," Jenna asked.
"Yes," Allison replied.
"Okay then I can send you home," Jenna smiled, "I'll see you tuesday for a check up."
"Thank you," Allison smiled.
"Thank you so much Dr. Silverstone," Asher said.
"I'll see you in a week," Jenna said walking out of the room.
Discharge papers in hand they headed home. Asher pulled into the driveway and Allison grabbed the carseat while he grabbed their bags. With both Teddy and Owen at work they went straight upstairs, putting Everly down for a nap at her usual time and both showering.
"Cerebral Palsy and hydrocephalus," Asher said.
"She's special needs," Allison said.
"She is," Asher replied, "we can do this. Allie she's our daughter."
"We have to," Allison said, "this isn't what we pictured for her."
"It's not," Asher agreed.
"Can we have one day where we don't try to find the positives," Allison asked, "I can't do that today."
"I can't either," Asher agreed.
"I want to sit on our bed and cry," Allison admitted.
"I'll sit with you," Asher agreed.
"Ash, can I have an hour just to be on my own with my thoughts," Allison asked, "I need 1 hour to do this alone."
"I'll be downstairs," Asher agreed. He wanted to be with her but in the last year had learned when she said she wanted to be alone she needed that space.
With her boyfriend out of the room Allison flopped on the bed hugging her pillow and sobbed. Body shaking gulping sobs. This was not where she saw her life going. She still had dreams of a career and being something. She didn't want to be home with her daughter all day for the rest of her life. Everly had to get some independence one day. Allison had to figure out how to help her. She knew she couldn't do it alone and she needed more information.
Downstairs Asher called his dad at his office and told him more about what was going on and how helpless he felt. For the first time his dad listened, letting Asher talk and say what was on his mind.