The following morning Allison and Asher slowly got up.

"I have to," Asher said, "we have time for breakfast before I go and I'll do Ev's routine."

"I guess I'll shower," Allison said, "but she needs me first."

"I'll go get her," Asher said.

Asher walked into the nursery and picked Everly up out of the crib, "Mama?"

"Let's go see her," Asher replied.

Asher carried Everly to Allison and the three of them had some time to cuddle before going through the morning routine.

Asher got Everly dressed while Allison showered.

"I'm going to miss you so much princess," Asher said, "I don't like leaving you and mommy."

"Dada," Everly smiled.

Asher blew a raspberry on her tummy making the baby giggle.

"I'm going to miss you," Asher said, "I love you so much. I will be home in a month princess I promise. Daddy always always comes home."

Allison made breakfast letting Asher savour the time with Everly.

"It's time," Asher said after breakfast.

"I know," Allison said trying to put on a brave face, "I love you."

"I love you two," Asher said pulling Allison in for a kiss, Allison had Everly on her hip and the baby was hugged by both her parents.

"We'll be okay," Allison said, "we'll miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too," Asher said.

They walked out to the truck together and Asher threw his bag and tool bin in the back seat. It looked empty with the car seat gone.

"I'll call you when I get there," Asher promised.

"Text me when you can let me know you're safe," Allison said.

"I love you," Asher said pulling Allison close and giving her a kiss.

Teddy and Owen had joined them on the driveway.

"You have enough gas," Owen asked.

"I do," Asher said.

"Gas money," Owen asked.

"Yes," Asher said.

"Drive safe Asher," Teddy said, "let us know that you're alright. Be careful."

"I will," Asher said.

Asher took Everly back from Teddy.

"I love you Princes, see you soon," Asher said.

"Lub dada," Everly said.

"Yes I love you," Asher said, "be a good girl for mommy."

'Dada," Everly said.

"Yes Princess," Asher said, "go see Grandpa so I can give mommy one more hug."

Owen took Everly and with Teddy they walked to the porch.

"I love you," Asher said taking Allison in his arms.

"I love you two," Allison said, "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'm going to miss you two," Asher said, "you'll be okay. You and Ev will be great. I love you soo much."

"I love you more," Allison said, "come home."

"I will," Asher promised before kissing Allison passionately.

Allison watched as he got into the truck and drove down the street. She walked inside and took Everly from Owen.

"You okay baby girl," Teddy asked.

"I just need time," Allison said, "and Everly needs her morning nap."

"What do you need," Owen asked.

"Time," Allison said.

"It's okay to cry," Teddy assured.

"When I get Ev down for her nap," Allison said.

"What can I do," Teddy asked.

"Can you make cookies," Allison asked.

"What type," Teddy asked.

"Oatmeal Chocolate Chip," Allison asked.

"I can," Teddy said, "I'll bring you some when they're ready."

"Thanks mom," Allison said before carrying Everly down.

"Daddy will come back," Allison whispered to her daughter.

"Dada," Everly said.

"Will be home in 28 sleeps," Allison said, "it's nap time."

"No," Everly yelled.

"It's nap time baby," Allison said.

"No," Everly yelled.

"We're going to have your milk then you're going to lay down then we can go to the before lunch," Allison said.

"Milk," Everly asked.

"Yes," Allison said, "lets snuggle for your milk. You look like you need snuggles."

"Mama milk," Everly said.

"Yes baby," Allison said.

With the first batch of cookies in the oven, Teddy sat at her laptop writing an email to Steven.

Steven,

This does feel many years overdue. My daughter turns 45 in a few weeks. You were correct that her name is Annie and we are still very close. She has asked that I not tell you much about her and I am going to respect her wishes. What I am sharing with you is only with her permission. She has also asked that she be the one to decide if and when she contacts you, she has said that she has had an amazing father in the man that adopted her and that with my husband having been in Annie's as long as I have been she doesn't want another father. She has some questions for you about medical history with your family and would like to know if she has any other siblings she hasn't met yet. Annie is 45 and is a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at the same hospital my husband and I work at. Annie has been married for about 16 years and has 4 children; her oldest is 15 and her youngest is 6. She's happy and always busy which is what she likes.

I've been married for 20 years and my younger kids are 19 and 20. I have two daughters and a son as well as 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. We're a big busy family.

I appreciate you reaching out and apologising. I forgave you a long time ago, after a lot of therapy. What you did, our relationship still has an impact on my relationships with others. I didn't date for 10 or 15 years after we broke up, I threw myself into medicine and helping others. I spent a lot of time with the military and served overseas. Our relationship and how you treated me has had lasting impacts on my life.

I forgive you,

Teddy

Late that night Asher sat on his bed texting with Allison.

"Hot chick," his roommate Derek asked.

"Girlfriend," Asher said,"you have anyone?"

"Single," Derek said, "no time. Chicks aren't worth the hassle."

"I don't like being away from Allison and Everly," Asher said.

"Two chicks how do you do that," Derek asked.

"Allison is my girlfriend and Everly is our 1 year old daughter," Asher said.

"You have a kid, your what 18," Derek said.

"19," Asher said, "we were in highschool."

"How long have you been together," Derek asked, "and is she hot?"

"2 years and Allison is gorgeous," Asher said, "redish blondish hair, green eyes, tall, thin. Ev looks more like her mom every day."

"You stuck around," Derek said, "you gave up everything for what?"

"My family," Asher said, "I don't want to be here because of them."

"Then why are you here," Derek asked.

"Same reason we all are," Asher said, "money."

"Wife doesn't work," Derek asked.

"Part time she's in school full time pre med," Asher said, "but doing this now and it being like 3 months of wages in a month. Everly needs another surgery in November so having a cushion before would be nice."

"Surgery she okay," Derek asked.

"She will be," Asher said, "minor this time. She has Cerebral Palsy."

"And you stayed with a broken kid," Derek asked.

"She's not broken," Asher said, "she's Everly."

"Beer, pot," Derek offered, "no wife or kid you can relax."

"I don't drink or smoke," Asher said.

"No fun," Derek said.

"I'm here to work," Asher said, "I'm just here to work. Get my hours in work 14-16 a day every day and go home to my family."

"No fun," Derek said, "come party."

"No," Asher said, "we don't party."

"She's not here," Derek said, "your on your own for the month."

"Not doing it," Asher said.

"Why don't you drink," Derek asked.

"We choose not to so we're there for our daughter," Asher said, "my dad is an alcoholic it's not worth it."

"So work and talk to the girlfriend," Derek said.

"Yep I already face timed with her and Ev but we're just texting," Asher said, "she's having a hard time with me being gone."

"Why I don't date," Derek said, "you could just ditch the baby mama drama."

"We're a family," Asher stated, "she's brilliant, funny, kind, she is the best mom, gorgeous."

"In bed," Derek asked.

"We live together," Asher replied.

"So she's hot," Derek pressed.

"She's Allison," Asher said, he turned back to his phone and kept texting with Allison.

Asher, "Ev go down okay?"

Allison, "she wants daddy. But extra snuggles and an extra story worked."

Asher, "what are you doing?"

Allison, "studying in bed. I know I'm really exciting. How's your roommate?"

Asher, "he wants to party and is a jerk."

Allison, "no partying we agreed."

Asher, "21st birthdays."

Allison, "that's the plan. Our bed feels empty."

Asher, "I'm in a twin bed."

Allison, "this is too big on my own. I miss you."

Asher, "hug my pillow."

Allison, "I'll try. You should sleep, don't you start at 5am?"

Asher, "6 but up at 5. I love you."

Allison, "I love you two."