"What is wrong with me," Ava sighed, flopping on Allison's couch.
"Ava," Allison asked.
"I broke up with Luke," Ava said.
"Weeks ago and that was the right choice," Allison said, "but now I can't even get a date. I had no date for New Years. You always go to your cabin for New Years but I had no New years kiss."
"That sucks," Allison said, "I'm sorry Ava. How can I help?"
"Find me a date," Ava demanded.
"Online," Allison asked.
"No they judge based on pictures," Ava whined, "no one will swipe right on the fat girl. I'm sick of that defining me to guys. Yes I have curves but that's not all I am."
"What do you want," Allison asked.
"I want a guy who looks at me the way Asher looks at you," Ava said, "who I can be completely myself with. The slow dance in the kitchen."
"Are we talking about looks or personality here," Allison asked.
"Both," Ava said, "you get both."
"I wouldn't have chosen him. Three years ago we were friends. He was slightly annoying but to date no," Allison said, "then I had to learn to get along with him because we were having a baby. I didn't plan on falling for him. I tried not to at first. Then I thought it was hormonal so did my mom. Then Ev was here and we got closer and it's really love. Ava it's not instant."
"But you make it look easy," Ava said.
"It's not," Allison said, "it's hard work. Ava we have to work at our relationship every day. There's days we only communicate about Ev and house work and meals if we don't put in an effort. Go online and have a few dates. I want to hear all about it no matter how bad. I'm boring and basically married. Go on a date then come over and tell me everything."
"Married," Ava asked, "will you?"
"We've been talking about it," Allison smiled.
"When," Ava asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "but one day. I don't want to get married before I'm 21. I want champagne at my wedding."
"When was the last time you drank," Ava asked.
"Your birthday party senior year," Allison said, "I haven't since. It's not worth it."
"Asher does," Ava pointed out.
"Sometimes," Allison said, "one or two beers but not drunk. But I might be able to have one again soon."
"How," Ava asked.
"It's time to wean Everly," Allison replied, "she's 19 months. When she's fully stopped nursing I might have one but I don't know. I don't miss it. I like being the sober one and in control. And we're still underage."
"You turn 20 next week," Ava said, " we didn't do your 18th or 19th are we doing anything?"
"Ash and I were going for dinner just the two of us," Allison said, "I don't know if I want a big deal this year or wait till next year. Ellie turns 16 this year, Faroke and Nisha just got married last weekend, Nisha is due at the end of March. It's not my turn. We just had a baby shower for me and a first birthday for Ev and Ash and my high school graduation."
"It's still your birthday," Ava said, "what about a girls night that weekend. Liv is home, Carmen, Eden?"
"Maybe," Allison agreed.
"You do all of our birthdays and make us all cupcakes, let us do yours," Ava said.
"Maybe," Allison agreed, "but you want a date?"
"I do," Ava agreed, "how? Guys at school watch you and stare at you."
"Ava you're not going to like this but sometimes you're a bit desperate," Allison said, "you become a different person with a guy you think is cute. You weren't you with Luke."
"And you never have," Ava challenged.
"I have," Allison agreed, "I got drunk to make guys think I'm cool. I had sex, I lost my verginity to a guy I wasn't really into at the time to appear cool. Yes it's worked out so far but the chances of that were really really slim."
"How did you make him like you," Ava asked.
"I didn't make him," Allison said, "I was just totally honest with him and me. Nothing brings a couple together like vomiting for weeks, back pain, braxton hicks, doctors appointments, childbirth and a special needs child. I have had to be completely myself. I can be myself with Ash in ways I can't with any other human on this planet."
"How do you do that," Ava asked.
"I had a lot of therapy time and had to be honest with myself first," Allison said, "I'm jealous of you two."
"Me," Ava asked.
"Your biggest worry is that you're single," Allison said, "you don't wonder if your daughter will walk or when she'll need another surgery or if the valve in her heart will need to be replaced. You only worry about grades and school and getting to work on time. You get to go to parties and go out. I can't go for dinner or shopping with everyone because I have to buy diapers and medication before I can go for dinner. I've been thrift shopping for our clothes."
"You," Ava asked.
"We have to support our family," Allison said, "my parents already only charge us our share of utilities, they pay for school and my car. I can't ask my mom to buy me clothes. I did for Christmas and my birthday but Ev's needs come first."
"But you know that when you get home Asher will be there," Ava said, "that when you have a bad day you go home and he's there. I've seen it when you're stressed and grumpy. He just puts his arms around you and holds you. Camping last summer the three of you were in your own little world. You had that camping bench and the two of you were cuddled with Ev in your lap."
"We are a family," Allison said, "I love my family and wouldn't trade it for anything."
"I want that," Ava said, "my own family."
"It's hard," Allison said, "Ava you don't see the day to day grind. Arguments over money and buying diapers. If we have enough money for baby tylenol for Ev. He's going to go work out of town again in February because we need the money."
"How long," Ava asked.
"A month again," Allison said, "it's almost three times his normal rate. We need it. Either he goes for a month every few months or I take fewer classes and work more. But dropping a class to work means I take longer to get my degree. The hours I would work would mean we have to pay for day care and it would cost us more then I would make."
"Day care costs more than you make in a shift," Ava asked.
"We have to pay for a whole day even if she only goes for 3 hours I have to pay for the whole 6am to 6pm day," Allison sighed, "we've got it working now. In September she starts 2 days a week in an early intervention program."
"Expensive," Ava asked.
"Free thank god," Allison said, "it's through the school district."
"What about her going to school," Ava asked.
"She starts 4 days a week when she's 3 in the early intervention program and they'll do occupational therapy and physical therapy with her there. Then preK with all the other kids at 4. She'll go to school with all the other kids. Wolf Creek like we did once she's in preK. She'll go to the same schools we did unless Ash and I move."
"Will you move," Ava asked.
"Not now, probably not until I finish school," Allison said, "I want UW for Med School but if we go out of town if I get into another school."
"You're doing it," Ava asked, "you really want to be a doctor."
"I want to help other kids like Ev," Allison said, "find a way to make it so people like me don't wonder if their baby will walk. She's 19 months and she's just standing on her own for a few seconds. I don't know if my daughter will walk. I have to learn how to help her. I have to learn how to help others like her."
"Is there another way," Ava asked.
"No," Allison said, "neuro or orthopedic surgery."
"But can you take longer less stress for you," Ava asked.
"No," Allison said, "she'll already be 8 when I finish med school. I have to do this in 4 Ava."
"Summer off," Ava asked.
"Working but no classes," Allison said, "40 hours a week this summer."
"Doing what," Ava asked, "applications are open everywhere."
"I've applied to a couple day camp type jobs but I know I can get full time at Safeway," Allison said, "it's secure, it's close they know about Ev. My boss is flexible with when I take shifts. I can work evenings all summer and do the 3-11 and close so it's less daycare even if I have to miss bedtime. What about you?"
"I've applied for some camps and a summer position at Grey Sloan," Ava said, "just peds enrichment. You should apply. It's 30 hours a week. You could still grab one or two shifts at Safeway to hold your job."
"I'll apply," Allison said, "it would be good for med school applications. I've been scrubbing in there."
"The pay is pretty good," Ava said, "more then I get at Ross."
"I'll talk to Ash and look," Allison said, "but I don't just want the 2 months little kids are out of school. I need the full 3 or 4 months full time."
"How are things with Asher," Ava said, "why do you have to talk to him about your summer job."
"Because we share money," Allison said, "we have a budget and a plan."
"You share money you don't have your own bank account,' Ava asked.
"No," Allison said, "we did it after his last trip. 90% of what we spend is family related stuff, groceries, gas, diapers."
"When do you get to potty train," Ava asked.
"When she's ready," Allison said, "it depends on her movement and her growth. She goes through more diapers then others her age, she doesn't have the same bladder and bowel control. But should we do an online dating profile for you?"
"Fat girl wants a date," Ava groaned.
"Not fat," Allison said, "Ava no more calling yourself fat! You are the only one who thinks that."
"Allison it's true," Ava said, "stop trying to say otherwise. Luke didn't like the real me."
"Luke was an ass to you and a creep," Allison said, "you can do so much better. I'm happy to help with a profile but do you have to have a boyfriend right now?"
"You do," Ava said, "you have for 2 years. Liv does."
"And what is Liv doing with her life," Allison groaned, "I hardly recognize her. Drugs, drinking?"
"I know," Ava said, "how do we fix it?"
"We don't," Allison said, "you didn't try to fix me when I was struggling. You were just there. You celebrated with me, you pet my belly and threw a baby shower. You were there. We have to be there. Liv may leave us but we will always be here if she comes back."
"She hates us," Ava grumbelled.
"I think she's too high to care," Allison said.
"Ava," Asher greeted, coming in still in work clothes.
"Hey," Ava said, "I brought you guys snickerdodles."
"Yes," Asher cheered, he leaned over the couch to kiss Allison.
"You need a shower," Allison giggled pushing him away.
"You work outside in the rain," Asher countered.
"Go," Allison said.
Asher walked towards their bedroom to get clean clothes and Allison followed.
"Is it cool if Ava stays for dinner," Allison asked.
"We were ordering pizza," Asher said, "two?"
"Ya," Allison said, "she's really down Ash."
"She okay," Asher asked.
"Maybe," Allison said, "I'm trying to figure it out with her."
"How can I help," Asher asked.
"I don't know," Allison shrugged.
"Where's Ev," Asher asked.
"Dad borrowed her like 3 hours ago when she got up from her nap," Allison replied.
"His truck isn't here and the stroller isn't in the garage," Asher said.
"I'll text him," Allison replied, "he said he needed Ev time. And she's so happy with my dad."
Owen and Teddy were out for a walk with Everly.
"Allie's birthday in 2 weeks," Teddy said, "we need to figure out a birthday gift."
"Her phone is on it's last legs," Owen replied.
"We got that for her her sophomore or junior year I think she's had it 4 years," Teddy replied, "it might be time to replace it. She asked for clothes but we just got her a bunch of winter stuff for Christmas and it's too early for spring or summer. I'll do it in her easter basket again."
"The phone is a good one," Owen said, "she needs it."
"What are we doing for Leo's a month later then," Teddy asked.
"We bought their phones around the same time," Owen said, "new phone?"
"Sure," Teddy agreed, "it's easy. How was Ev for you today?"
"She was grouchy after her nap but some playtime in the tub fixed it," Owen replied.
"You keep stealing her," Teddy teased.
"Ava came over," Owen said, "I could tell she just needed to talk and sometimes Ev is hard for Allie's friends."
"She is," Teddy agreed, "but Ava loves her."
"Allie needs friend time," Owen said, "without having to watch Ev or worry. And my surgery last night I needed to hold our kids and grandkids today."
"What happened," Teddy asked looking away from the baby in the stroller.
"2 year old," Owen said, "mom, dad. The parents were only 21. Hit by a drunk driver and there was nothing Josh, Meg and I could do. We all tried. The baby was gone as soon as they brought him in but Josh did everything he could. I had the mom and she was gone with in 10 minutes so I tried to help Josh on the baby but."
"So you needed to see our happy healthy one," Teddy said, she ran her hand soothingly along his arm.
"She's growing fast," Owen said, "she's almost two."
"She is," Teddy agreed, "they're doing well. But he's going to work out of town on the hydro project for another month after Allie's birthday."
"Do they need to," Owen asked, "it's so hard on them."
"They do before he's in school for 8 weeks," Teddy said, "they budget and do well but when he can get 2 or 3 months wages in 3 weeks he has to go. They don't want to but they have to."
"His company can spare him," Owen asked.
"They're running the electrical, it's just shifting to a different crew," Teddy said, "so the two of us. We need to plan something fun this spring."
"You've always wanted to see Tofino in BC," Owen said.
"We could go," Teddy said, "but I'm thinking we take some of our time off and book a couple weeks in Europe."
"In the summer can all three kids go," Owen asked, "we always talked about a family trip when Allie finished high school."
"The six of us or are we talking to Annie and Josh," Teddy asked.
"Mention it to them I guess," Owen said.
"Allie and I were going to go when she graduated but," Teddy said.
"I know," Owen said, "two weeks 4 cities."
"What if we picked fewer places," Teddy asked, "found something near London I've always wanted to go back and maybe Germany?"
"Maybe show Leo and Allison where you lived," Owen suggested.
"It would be nice to go back after 20 years," Teddy said, "I was a mess when I left there. I was so scared to come tell you."
"You were going to," Owen said.
"Always," Teddy promised, "I just had only know a couple weeks. I was balancing trying to wrap my head around it, figuring out how I was going to tell you and an intern that melted down almost daily on the phone."
"Daily," Owen said, "I was aware of one melt down after her first Appy."
"Grey hates me, Pierce is mean, I think Kareve is out to get me, Shepard doesn't like me," Teddy replied, "only Uncle Owen and Nathan Riggs like me."
"She was pushed hard because she was your kid at that point," Owen admitted, "I told a few to stop and that she would do better with a gentler hand but they didn't see it the same way. Bailey was just Bailey and Webber heard me."
"Webber was the most incredible teacher," Teddy said, "he was a good doctor but his true gift was teaching. He saw those kids and what they needed."
"But Europe," Owen said, "we have three birthdays a 21 and 2 20ths. If we go late April or early May when they all finish school Ev still qualifies as a lap child and we can play pass the baby."
"Ma," Everly yelled from the stroller.
"Are we ignoring you," Teddy asked, "do you want up?"
"Up," Everly echoed.
Teddy picked the child up out of the stroller and decided to carry her for a while.
"Trade you," Owen offered.
"No way," Teddy laughed, "you had her before I got home. It's my turn for Ev. I love that we see her every day. Would having her in highschool have been our plan for Allison no but I think our family was meant to have Ev. She's teaching us all a lot."
"Let's do Europe this summer," Owen said, "the trick will be convincing Allie and Asher to let us help."
"I know," Teddy sighed, "they want to be so independent. This was something we were always going to do for her."
"Lets look at it big picture between all three kids," Owen said.
"I used to fly Annie from Boston to Landshtul 2 or 3 times a year. Always at Christmas and her 2 week summer break. I was there three years," Teddy said.
"So that's 6 to 8 times," Owen asked.
"About," Teddy replied, "then she stayed with me."
"Would it be safe to say you paid for the trips," Owen asked.
"Ya," Teddy said, "I didn't think anything of it then or making things fair. It was Annie and I. It was the one way she's ever let me spoil her. My deal with her when she went to Landshtul was that I would do flights or transportation, accommodation, some special activities and food when we were together. If she went to explore by herself or I was at work she was on her own for food. I would do one big special activity per trip, except in London we did some big things because they were bucket list items for both of us."
"So if we pay transportation and accommodation for Everly and Asher it would balance sort of," Owen asked.
"It would," Teddy agreed, "I'm good to give them the same deal I had 20 years ago with Annie."
"If we frame it that way she'll be on board," Owen said.
"Asher," Teddy said, "I think we get Ev a seat with Allison on flights, with her braces and such she'll be happier."
"I think we talk to the kids," Owen said.
"We have the money," Teddy asked.
"Teddy we have more than we can spend in this lifetime," Owen said, "we've always been careful and haven't spent much. Ya we have newer cars but the house is paid off."
"We're paying for two in college," Teddy said.
"And less for Allison than Leo," Owen said, "her tuition is lower being in state. She's in our house and we're not feeding her most days."
"I thought we would be supporting the three of them a lot more than we do," Teddy said, "I really thought she would ask us for more. She's trying. I know she goes without and so does Asher but Everly never does. They make big sacrifices. She's talked to Annie a bit about it."
"Annie did both pretty independently," Owen said.
"I know med school better," Teddy answered, "she had the scholarship from the hospital that covered some tuition. She always tutored and worked a few hours a week. She had student loans. And I know she made sacrifices. How many times did we go see her and she had no food?"
"More than we should have," Owen said, "did she have help?"
"I offered and she had a credit card linked to mine for emergencies," Teddy answered, "she used it like Allison is using ours. Annie would always call and tell me first. It would be the end of a semester or when she was waiting for her loan or a paycheck. Our girls are so much more responsible with it, it was only ever food."
"I remember showing up at the same time as her room mate's parents one time," Owen said, "the Texan family. The mother was all upset that they had rice, frozen veggies and cans of beans. They were living off them for a couple weeks."
"What did you do," Teddy asked, "Stephanie's mom was something else the few times I met her. Total overbearing mom who would cook and clean for those two."
"She sent the dad and I to the nearest grocery store with a massive list," Owen chuckled, "and when we got back she had scrubbed that whole kitchen and was scolding Annie and Stephanie for not eating well. I just went shopping and split it with the dad."
"She was okay with that," Teddy asked, "she was always so embarrassed to tell me she hadn't budgeted and needed food. I would just tell her to go buy what she wanted."
"I just wouldn't tell her what I spent," Owen said, "I would bring things when I saw her. She was better about me saying I'm taking her for dinner."
"She would be," Teddy said, "how did you explain who you were to Stephanie's parents?"
"Annie's uncle," Owen replied, "they assumed I was actually related. I never explained that I was her uncle by choice and your best friend. I think they assumed I was your brother."
At the hospital Annie sat in a department heads meeting.
"We have the new skills lab and training centre being built," Megan said, "we need to name it."
Annie stood up, "if I may Megan I have a suggestion."
"Go for it," Megan said.
"We should name it "the Richard Webber Memorial Surgical Training Center' at Grey Sloan Memorial," Annie said, "he trained 75% of the surgeons in this hospital. He trained, taught and mentored brilliant surgeons around the country and across the world. People who have gone out and made a real difference to the world. Dr Webber was the best teacher I've had in my entire life and he didn't stop teaching and mentoring when you were no longer a resident. He truly cared. He cared so deeply about each of us, he believed in every one who came through this hospital. He demanded the very best from each of us and taught us to expect it from ourselves, he taught us to fight not for our egos but for our patients and that no time spent fighting for a patient was ever wasted. Dr Webber was the first to celebrate our success and always there to be a shoulder to cry on when we made a mistake or stumbelled. He was more than a teacher or a mentor. He was the hospital dad. We can all remember the first time we worked with him, and learned from him. Richard was a true gentleman and teacher. The first time I got to work with him I was 19, it was my first visit down to scrub in and we were filiting salmon. I deboned my fish pretty quickly."
Around the room a few who had seen it chuckled.
"And he came over with that Dr Webber smile and told me I did good work and would make a Hell Of A Suregon one day," Annie smiled, "I can only hope I've lived up to his words of encouragement. Dr Webber saw something in each of us, he saw us for who we were. Our surgical family is his legacy."
"You don't need to convince us," Bailey shouted.
"Dr Avery," Annie asked looking to Jackson, "he was your step father."
"I agree," Jackson said.
"So that's a proposal and two seconds," Megan said, "should we put it to a vote here and then bring it to the board?"
"Yes," Meredith shouted, "anyone who knows this hospital will agree."
"All in favour," Megan asked.
Around the room hands shot up.
"We're unanimous," Megan smiled, "he was an incredible man and teacher. He never failed to find an opportunity to learn and to teach. He was the hospital dad as Grace put it. The Richard Webber Memorial Surgical Training Center."
Meredith held up her coffee cup, "to Richard."
"To Richard," the rest of the room toasted.
Walking out of the meeting Meredith grabbed Annie, "mini Altman."
"Really," Annie laughed.
"I wanted to say thank you for saying what we were all thinking," Meredith said.
"He deserves it," Annie said.
"He does," Meredith said, "you gave me an idea. When it opens we should all do a video for it and talk about him."
"Will you approach Dr Fox," Annie asked.
"I'll tell my mom," Jackson joined them, "but you didn't propose something after Hunt or Altman."
"Dr Webber was all of our teacher," Annie said, "and he's gone. Fox is all over this hospital, Grey, Sloan all people I got to know and learn from. We still have Dr. Fox but the others are gone. Dr Webber built this place."
"He was more my dad than anyone," Meredith said.
"Me two," Jackson said.
"I like it," Meredith said, "he would be happy. He gave this place his whole life."
"I was going to suggest it in a board meeting," Jackson smiled, "I remember that time you came in."
"Dr Karev and Meredith freaked out," Annie said, "since when has Altman had a kid."
"We were just getting to know her," Jackson said.
"I'm glad she brought me in then," Annie smiled, "I learned what was possible from all of you. Going with the residents with you, it let me see what could be."
"We got to go see our moms operate as kids like you do for yours," Meredith said.
"I think only Ellie might be interested," Annie said, "they'll find their own path."
"Harriett," Jackson smiled, "she's pre med."
"Zola is a resident at Hopkins," Meredith smiled.
"I have to go there in 2 weeks for a conference I'll take her for dinner," Annie said, "catch up with Zola. I remember when you adopted her. Playing with her in the backyard at the cottage."
"You loved baby Zola," Meredith smiled.
"She was fun," Annie remembered, "I remember Richard will all of our kids."
"He loved them," Jackson said.
"He did," Meredith agreed.