The group of teens cleaned up their campsite after breakfast and got organized for a hike.
"Allison and Eden are staying here with the kids," Blake asked.
"No," Asher said.
"How can babies come on this hike," Blake asked.
"We have our carrier," Asher said, "Everly goes in the carrier and I carry her. Jonah whats your plan?"
"I'll take the carrier for Eden," Jonah said.
"Then she has the backpack," Asher asked.
"I was going to try both," Jonah said.
"Allie has our back pack but we might trade off," Asher said.
"Lunches," Ava asked.
"Sandwiches, little chip bags, fruit, cookies, veggies," Allison listed, "water."
"Kids," Ava asked.
"Bread, meat, cheese, veggies," Eden said, "if I take a sandwich appart he eats it."
"Bread, fruit, meat, veggies," Allison said, "I have baby yogurt for her. She doesn't like cheese."
"Treats," Eden asked.
"A couple bites of a cookie but we don't do a lot of sweets," Allison said.
"I try not to," Eden agreed, "what about the hike is she okay?"
"We'll put her in the carrier the whole time," Allison said, "she's not mobile enough."
"I'll let him walk what he can, then Jonah offered to take the carrier," Eden said.
"How can I help," Ava asked.
"Go flirt with Luke," Allison said, "then tell me everything when we get home."
"Was last night okay," Eden asked Ava seeing that the guys were out of earshot.
"It was," Ava said, "you?"
"It was okay," Eden said, "he was polite."
"Good," Allison smiled.
"Says Miss I live with my boyfriend and he stuck around for our daughter," Eden said.
"It's not easy all the time," Allison said, "we fight like cats and dogs at times. We fight. I go up and cry to my mom. Three weeks ago I slept in the guest room because I was mad at him."
"No," Ava said, "you never called."
"My mom, Annie," Allison said.
"Annie was over having wine with mom," Allison said.
"Why are your sisters kids like our age," Eden asked.
"My mom was 21 when Annie was born and 46 when she had me," Allison explained, "so Annie and I are 25 years appart. It's weird sometimes and she did all these things with mom that Leo and I will never get to do."
"Like what," Ava asked.
"Mom and Annie traveled a lot when Annie was in med school," Allison said, "mom was stationed in Germany running hospitals for the army so when Annie had breaks mom and Annie would travel Europe. They have all these pictures and stories. Mom and dad took Annie and Josh to Haiti for three weeks when I was really little to help after the earthquakes."
"Would you go," Eden asked.
"If I had the training, yes," Allison said, "but no more than a couple weeks. It wouldn't be fair to Ev or Ash. I haven't even been away from Ev overnight. My parents would work overnight or go to conferences from the time I was about one."
"Both," Eden said.
"Sometimes they had to," Allison said, "until a couple years ago I would go stay with Annie if she was off, nana Auntie Megan."
Teddy sat on her porch with Megan.
"What's going on with you and Nate," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Megan said, "we still live in the same house and he's not traveling anymore. He says he wants to stay home and fix it but Teddy."
"What do you want," Teddy asked.
"I think I can be his friend, we could be friends." Megan said.
"Did you tell him," Teddy asked.
"It's the same old game," Megan said, "I can't go back to him that way. We can be friends. But I have a date tonight."
"A date," Teddy asked, "who?"
"Hayes," Megan smiled, "just a drink."
"That's good," Teddy smiled, "he knows about your kids?"
"He's been teaching Faroke," Megan said, "he has his boys in med school and college."
"He knows Cat is in highschool," Teddy asked.
"He knows about my kids," Megan said, "we've worked together for a while now he knows."
"Have fun," Teddy smiled.
"Is it okay," Megan asked.
"Your divorce is final," Teddy said, "you can date."
"It's not final until Wednesday," Megan said.
"Then it's final," Teddy replied, "go. It's drinks."
"I don't have date clothes," Megan said, "when did I stop being fun?"
"Kids," Teddy said, "I would have to go shopping to get something really good looking for a date. Kids, Grandkids."
"I don't know how you handle being a grandma," Megan said, "if Faroke or Cat told me I was going to be one I would feel old."
"I did with Allison but somehow Annie while it was sooner than I thought she was almost 29, she was married," Teddy said, "5th year of residency wasn't the best timing but it was so much better than senior year of highschool. Annie had Josh, she came to me when she needed a mom or she called Marie but Allison still needs me for everything."
"How are they doing," Megan asked, "did they go out?"
"They're camping with some friends," Teddy said, "they need to go and still be 19."
"Everly," Megan asked.
"Is with them," Teddy said, "she's crawling now."
"And walking," Megan asked.
"It's promising," Teddy smiled, "but what are you going to wear?"
"It's a drink," Megan said, "I don't know if it's a dress thing. Pants and a good top?"
"Heels," Teddy said.
"Yes," Megan said, "I have black ones I just bought and new jeans that fit perfectly."
"It's a drink," Teddy said, "jeans, heels and a good top."
"Come shopping with me," Megan asked.
"Megan," Teddy laughed, "you're how old? You can pick a top."
"I haven't done that since college," Megan said, "Teddy I haven't bought date clothes since I was in college."
"It's not your scrubs or work clothes," Teddy said.
"Just come with me," Megan begged, "I don't know what I'm doing or what I should look for. I'm too old to try to look hot or sexy."
"No," Teddy said, "find something you feel good in. I do for date nights."
"You still do that," Megan asked.
"We do he makes a point of it," Teddy said, "nothing big but we go for dinners or do thing. We played mini golf yesterday."
"How do you keep that alive after so many years," Megan asked.
"He's my best friend first," Teddy admitted, "and things go in phases. We do really well for a while then we have times where we have to work at it. The last year we've been so stressed we had to work on relying on each other. I have bad habits. I don't talk to him, I obsess. I spend way too much time with the kids or grandkids."
"Everly," Megan said.
"And Ellie is worrying me," Teddy said, "some things she's said and Annie's said."
"Annie said Ellie was going camping with a friend's family this weekend," Megan said.
"She is," Teddy said, "I see Ellie going down the path Allie did."
"Partying," Megan asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "I'm sure she was hung over last Sunday. She said she was at a sleep over."
"And you want to stop it before," Megan said.
"I can try," Teddy said, "but Annie used to get over tired and I would think she was hung over but she hadn't drank anything. When she was jetlagged I would wonder but she said she didn't drink."
"Annie hardly drinks," Megan said, "we still out drink her."
"She can't," Teddy said, "one or two but with her thyroid and anxiety. Her medication she has to limit."
"Allison and Asher," Megan asked.
"She can't on her medication," Teddy said, "he has had a couple she's mentioned to me but I don't think they ever will the same way they did."
At the campsite Allison sat with her friends on the beach watching the guys throw a football.
"Allie I can hold Ev if you want me to hold her," Ava offered.
"I need to take her back to the tent and put her down for her nap," Allison said, "Eden already went back."
"Why are you going back," Ava asked, "Asher could take his turn. He hasn't but her to bed yet this trip."
"She needs milk and not from a sippy cup," Allison said, "Asher can't. She was with him all morning on the hike and he's done most of the diapers."
"When does that stop," Ava asked.
"Two and a half or three," Allison said, "when she's ready. I'm going to walk back then read for a bit you coming?"
"I guess," Ava said.
The two girls walked back and found Eden sitting alone at the table.
"Joshua is asleep," Allison asked.
"He is," Eden said, "I'm just going to draw for a bit."
"I'm going to get her down then read," Allison agreed.
"I have a book," Ava said.
Ava got her book and sat at the table with Eden.
"I know this isn't how you pictured friend camping," Eden forced a smile.
"Everything always revolves around Everly," Ava agreed.
"It's amazing you've stayed with Allison," Eden said, "my friends all disappeared. The moment I was showing they were gone."
"It's been hard but it's been Allie and I since elementary school," Ava said, "she's my only true friend. Allie was my friend when no one else was."
"She's lucky to have you," Eden said, "I know you want to party and drink. Some times I want to but I can't. You have a choice. You and Luke could go party and drink and have fun."
"This is fun," Ava said, "I understand why you and Allie don't drink. I never really liked parties. I went because you have to. I like what we do. Less talk of diapers and nap schedules would be nice but thats okay."
"When you have kids you'll be the expert and we'll be there to help," Eden smiled.
"What do you like to do for fun," Ava asked.
"I love art," Eden smiled, "water colour painting, drawing, I play guitar and piano. I have my guitar but no one wants me to play."
"Why not," Ava said, "I love music. Bring it out tonight and play. Music at a campfire yes please."
"Really," Eden asked.
"Really," Ava assured.
"What about you," Eden asked, "what do you like to do?"
"I'm a bit of a granny," Ava said, "I knit and crochet, sew, I love to bake, read, draw a bit. I'm no where near as good as you."
"I liked art at school," Eden said, "that and I played volleyball and field hockey."
"I never liked sports," Ava said.
"Dance," Eden asked, "I know Allie dances."
"I did some highland and tap," Ava said, "but not like Allie danced. She went to nationals a few times and was hoping to go to worlds the summer after senior year."
"Was she that good," Eden asked, "she's talked about competing a lot."
"She was," Ava said, "she was winning championships her sister has a couple world and Canadian titles."
"Canadian," Eden asked.
"Annie confuses me," Ava said, "but Annie's dad from what I understand is Canadian and because Teddy was in the army Annie grew up with her dad in BC."
"The first time I saw Annie I thought it was Allie's aunt," Eden said.
"Ya then try having Ellie at your school," Ava said.
"That would be different," Eden said, "Ellie is different."
"She's a bit of a perfectionist and she should be going to 10th but is in 11th, she skipped a grade," Ava said, "your siblings?"
"Are pretty good most of the time," Eden said, "they don't love helping me out with Joshua. 5 minutes to let me shower or an hour to let me study but as soon as he needs a new diaper or is hungry they give up. My parents are helpful."
"I like to babysit and feed kids and change diapers," Ava said, "I've watched Everly a few times to let Allie and Asher have time the two of them. "
"I don't like asking," Eden said, "he's my son. I chose to keep him."
"His dad," Ava asked.
"Didn't want to keep him, gave me a couple hundred bucks to take care of it," Eden shrugged, "but I couldn't consider it."
"I know Allie didn't," Ava said.
"You and Luke," Eden changed the topic.
"It's been good we met at school," Ava said, "how did you meet Jonah?"
"Allie and I were hanging out with the kids at her place and Jonah came by to see Asher," Eden said, "we talked all afternoon then they invited both of us to hang out again and he asked for my number so we texted for a bit then we went for coffee. He accepts Joshua and is so good with him but I try not to push it."
"The tent," Ava asked.
"We have Joshua in a playpen but we got to cuddle and it was good," Eden smiled, "you and Luke?"
"Cuddles, some kissing," Ava whispered.
"Ava," Allison said joining them, "what?"
"We made out," Ava whispered.
"Just made out," Eden asked.
"Hands," Ava said.
"And," Allison asked.
"You didn't say it felt like that," Ava said.
"You're okay," Allison asked.
"You get to do that every night," Ava asked.
"Not every night," Allison said, "but fairly often."
"You and Asher," Eden said, "when?"
"Well Ev is 14 months," Allison said, "so 2 years ago. You and Jonah?"
"Cuddles, some kissing," Eden smiled, "we've only spent the night together here. But I felt safe. I fell asleep in his arms and he just held me."
"It's nice," Ava agreed.
"You felt safe," Allison asked.
"Loved," Eden smiled.
"Good," Allison replied with a smile.
"You took awhile to get Everly down for her nap," Eden observed.
"She needs milk and a cuddle to fall asleep," Allison said, "I know she's old enough and she will have normal milk in a sippy cup but with all her other delays."
"Joshua still is and he's 17 months," Eden said, "but your good?"
"I'm good," Allison said, "slepping most nights now."
"Most," Ava said.
"If Ev is in pain or uncomfortable she wakes up" Allison said, "she did last night."
"We didn't hear her," Eden said.
"Your tent is far enough away," Allison said, "and I heard her and brought her into bed with us."
"Do you do that often," Eden asked.
"Only when she's having a rough night she's never really been in our bed," Allison said, "it's not safe. We snuggle but she sleeps in her bed."
That night Allison walked down to the washroom building with Asher.
"Allie," Ellie called.
"Ellie," Allison jumped back.
"What are you doing," Ellie asked.
"I'm here with Courtney's family but something doesn't feel right," Ellie said.
"What's wrong," Allison asked.
"Everyone is drunk," Ellie said, "I'm scared even the juice tastes funny."
"What sort of funny," Allison asked.
"Sour," Ellie said, "and my head feels fuzzy."
"Is it alcohol," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Ellie said, "Allie I'm scared."
Allison hugged Ellie and smelt alcohol.
"You smell like vodka," Allison said, "what do you want to do?"
"I'm scared I want my mom," Ellie said.
"Okay we can call Annie," Allison said.
"Will mom be mad," Ellie panicked.
"I don't think so," Allison said.
"My phone is at the camp site," Ellie said.
"Come back with us to ours," Allison said, "we're just hanging out. Eden has her guitar. Everly would love some cuddles from her favourite cousin."
"Everly is here," Ellie asked.
"Asher and I are so," Allison smiled.
"Can you," Ellie started.
"Ellie what's going on," Asher asked.
"My friends parents are drunk, Courtney is drunk and I think I am," Ellie admitted.
"Come with us," Asher said.
"But," Ellie said.
"Your with your aunt and uncle," Asher said, "we're going home tomorrow."
"Can I stay with you," Ellie asked, "I'm scared."
"Ya," Allison said, "lets get your stuff."
"Should we call my mom," Ellie asked.
"We'll call together," Allison agreed, taking her phone out of her pocket.
"Allison I thought you were camping, mama said," Annie answered.
"We are," Allison said, "we ran into Ellie and Nee there's a problem."
"What's the problem," Annie asked.
"Her friend's family is drinking. She's had some and she's scared," Allison said.
"Your 4 hours away," Annie said, "it would be midnight before Josh or I got there."
"Okay," Allison said, "what if she stayed with us and our friends. We're all sober. We have your big tent."
"We'll come in the morning," Annie said, "Allie, can you take care of her?"
"We're coming home tomorrow," Allison said, "Annie we can bring her home."
"Can I talk to Ellie," Annie asked.
Allison passed Ellie the phone.
"Mommy," Ellie said.
"You're okay," Annie replied, "you're with Allie and Asher. Trust them."
"Mom I had alcohol I know I'm not supposed to and I didn't mean to and I'm scared," Ellie sobbed, "everyone was drinking and Courtney wouldn't leave it alone. I didn't know how to say no. I tried but they didn't listen."
"Okay right now go with Allison," Annie replied, "trust your aunt."
"I should have said no," Ellie sobbed, "I wanted to be cool. Courtney and Sarah and Bella are drinking and they made fun of me so I had some. I just want to be cool but I'm scared."
"Okay you can go back and not drink anymore or you can go with Allie and her friends," Annie said, "what do you want to do?"
"What should I do," Ellie asked.
"I would prefer you went with Allie," Annie said, "but it's your choice bug. You're ready to choose. What is best for you?"
"My stuff," Ellie said.
"It's stuff it can be replaced," Annie said, "or we can help you with that."
"Ellie I'll take Tyson and Jonah and we can help you get it," Asher offered.
Ellie nodded.
"What did Asher say," Annie asked.
"He said he would go with me to get my stuff," Ellie said.
"Do that," Annie said.
"You're not mad," Ellie asked.
"What would you have done if you hadn't seen Allison," Annie asked.
"I don't know," Ellie replied.
"What do you want to do," Annie asked.
"Go with Allie," Ellie said, "I was going down to the bathroom to think and call you then I left my phone in the tent."
"Okay," Annie said, "right now what are you choosing?"
"Allie," Ellie said.
"Go get your stuff then text me or call me Ellie bug," Annie replied.
Allison lead the way back to the camp site and found a sobbing Everly.
"She won't stop," Ava said, "Eden and I both tried."
Allison took her daughter and felt her braces.
"She's being pinched by the joint here," Allison said, "it happens. I'm just going to take them off now."
"Is she okay," Eden asked, "I didn't even think."
"It happens and that's her pain cry," Allison said, "let's go take your braces off princess, that will feel better."
Allison took Everly into the tent and took off the braces before changing her into pajamas.
"Ellie where did you come from," Ava asked.
"Her trip with her friend's family isn't going well," Asher said, "Jonah, Tyson can you come with us to get her stuff."
"Whats going on," Jonah asked suddenly concerned.
"Everyone is drunk," Ellie said.
"We'll go get your stuff," Asher said.
Asher and the other boys walked with Ellie to get her stuff.
"You can't go," Courtney said.
"There's a family emergency," Asher lied, "we're going to leave early and take Ellie back."
"Who are you," the dad asked.
"Her uncle," Asher said.
"My aunt is at their campsite with their daughter," Ellie said.
"Stay here," Courtney said.
"My mom said I have to go with Allison and Asher," Ellie said, "my mom won't let me stay. I have to get my stuff."
Bella followed Ellie to the tent, "can I come with you?"
"I'll tell Asher," Ellie said.
The two girls gathered their stuff.
"Do we have cars to get both home," Jonah whispered to Tyson.
"Jonah, can Ellie go back with you and we'll take Bella," Asher suggested.
"We have enough seats," Tyson said.
"We have three in my back seat now," Asher said, "Ava and Luke have her car."
"We'll figure it out tomorrow," Jonah said, "but we have another seat as well if one will sit in the back of my car with Joshua."
At Allison's campsite Bella ran to Ava.
"Bella," Ava asked, "what's wrong?"
"You know each other," Luke asked.
"She's my neighbour," Ava said, "Bella, why are you here?"
Bella told Ava what had been going on as Ellie crawled into the tent with Allison.
"Allie," Ellie whispered.
"You okay," Allison asked.
"Can I call my mom," Ellie whispered.
"Do you need my phone," Allison asked.
Ellie nodded, "why are you in here."
"I was just putting Ev to bed," Allison said, "your going to put your air mattress between me and Ev is that okay?"
"Does she still get up at night," Ellie asked.
"Not usually," Allison said, "maybe once a week."
"You two take forever to get up in the morning," Ellie said.
"Cuddle, milk, diaper, physio, get dressed," Allison recited.
"Can I do her bottle or sippy cup tomorrow," Ellie asked.
"No," Allison said, "we didn't bring bottles, it's easier for me to do it camping. I'm going to go see Ash. Can you call your mom?"
"Can you stay," Ellie asked.
"I will," Allison agreed.
Allison sat in the dark tent and listened as Ellie told Annie how wild things were at the other campsite. That the parents were drunk and the older kids had pot. When Ellie began to cry Allison wrapped her arms around her.
"I've got you," Allison whispered, "I have you Ellie. I'm not going anywhere until your ready."
Annie smiled hearing Allison repeating Teddy's words on the other end of the phone.
"Bug you're with Allie she has you," Annie said, "I'm not mad. Dad won't be mad."
"Does dad know," Ellie asked.
"Not yet," Annie said, "I left him a message, he's in the OR. We will meet you at grandmas in the morning."
"Promise," Ellie asked.
"I promise Ellie bug," Annie assured, "dad and I will be there."
Ellie finished her call with Annie and sat on the air mattress sobbing.
Allison hugged her as tight as possible, "okay Ellie let's try this. Match my breathing. Slow deep breaths in and out. Thats it match my breathing. In and out nice and slow. That;s it. Your breathing is going to slow down and your heart rate will match mine. You're safe. Ellie, you are safe. I'm here. I won't leave."
A few minutes later a much calmer Ellie asked, "did you just grandma me?"
"Grandma you," Allison asked, "what does my mom do?"
"She hugs people like that and squeezes them and says the same thing," Ellie said.
"It's what she always does when I get upset it's all I know how to do," Allison said.
"It works," Ellie said.
"Do you want to come out we can have some smores and hang out," Allison offered.
"You want Everly to sleep," Ellie observed.
"Yes and she's not sound asleep yet," Allison said.
They left the tent and Asher shoved Ellie's bedding and air mattress in to the tent in the open spot.
"She's okay," Asher asked.
"No," Allison said, "she needs Nee or mom."
"We'll head home right away," Asher said, "Ava knows Bella."
Ava joined them, "does your sister know?"
"Ellie called her," Allison said, "we get them home tomorrow."
"The site was bad," Asher said, "Allie that wasn't safe."
"She's here and we'll keep her safe," Allison said.
"We will," Asher said.