Allison was packing two bags on the kitchen table the night before Everly's surgery, she was going through the list the hospital gave her for Everly and her list for herself.

"Do we need all that," Asher asked.

"Yes," Allison snapped, "it's Everly's list from the hospital then what I need to stay with her."

"Do you have her puppy," Asher asked.

"We'll get her puppy in the morning," Allison said, "are you packed?"

"No," Asher said, "jeans, shirts, boxers, deodorant, tooth brush."

"Ash go do it," Allison yelled.

"Why it's two minutes," Asher argued.

"Don't fight me tonight," Allison said, "they are taking our daughter's hips appart tomorrow."

"I know," Asher grumbelled.

"I don't like this," Allison said.

"Neither do I," Asher agreed, "seeing her in pain."

"It hurts me Ash," Allison whined, "she hurts it hurts me, my whole body hurts."

"I know," Asher wrapped his arms around her.

"Can this be the last surgery," Allison asked.

"I hope so," Asher agreed, "I hate seeing her in pain and how stressed you get."

"She's our baby," Allison mumbled into his shoulder.

"She is," Asher said.

There was a knock on the door at the bottom of the stairs.

Asher went to open it.

"Is it an okay time," Leo asked.

"Sure," Asher said, "Allie is pretty stressed about tomorrow."

"We brought you a survival kit," Charlotte said.

"You did what," Asher asked.

"We made a survival kit for the three of you," Leo said.

"Things that have helped my mom and brother when he's had surgery," Charlotte said.

"Here," Leo thrust the bag at Allison.

"Thanks," Allison said, "can we look?"

"Yes," Leo said.

Allison set the bag on the table and began taking things out of it finding new water bottles for the three of them, fuzzy socks for Allison and Everly, colouring books and crayons, snacks and drink mixes, a couple little games and a tiny hospital gown for Everly's favourite doll."

"Will she take her doll," Charlotte asked.

"We'll take puppy and Kiki," Allison said, "we have casts for Kiki as well, the hospital gown is perfect. Why don't you guys bring it to her when you come see her."

"I thought she would want it on her doll when she comes out of surgery," Charlotte said.

"Do you want us to come after tomorrow or wait until Thursday," Leo asked.

"Check with us," Asher said, "text and see how she's doing and we'll let you know. She loves you."

"Are you okay," Charlotte asked.

"Trying to be," Allison admitted, "it's a lot."

"What can we do Allie," Leo asked.

"I don't know yet," Allison admitted.

"Are mom and dad going," Leo asked.

"They are," Asher replied.

"Mom is sitting with us and dad is scrubbing in," Allison said.

"Can I ask to scrub in," Leo asked, "do you think Everly would like having both dad and I?"

"Maybe leave it this time," Asher said, "if you two want to come wait with us you can but we know you both work."

"Why don't we come tomorrow after work," Leo said.

"Can you check with us first," Allison asked.

"After her shunt she was pretty out of it and fussy," Asher said.

"How old was she," Charlotte asked.

"Five months," Allison answered, "Leo was hardly talking to me."

"Can we forget my ass hat phase," Leo said, "I apologised, I'm here."

"But I needed you and you weren't here," Allison said, "I needed my brother and you wouldn't have anything to do with me."

"Why don't you two talk about that another time," Asher said, wanting to save Leo in front of his girlfriend even though he knew Allison needed to talk it through with him.

"Tomorrow can I help with anything," Leo asked.

"If you want to bring us food or coffee we always appreciate it," Asher said, "but we're good."

"We'll probably just use mom's skip the dishes while Ev's in the hospital," Allison added, "she told me to."

"We'll give you some space," Charlotte said seeing Allison might be too stressed for their company.

"Thanks," Allison whispered.

Charlotte hugged her, "she'll be okay. I asked Duncan and he said Dr Lincon is the best, he refers to him. She has you guys, your parents, your sisters family and Leo and I. Everly will be okay."

"I hope so," Allison said, "physically she'll be okay but her shunt she was so little and so scared. I don't want to traumatise her.

"She's smart," Charlotte said, "and you won't leave her. She'll always have people who love her and my family is sending love and prayers. She'll be so loved and cared for it won't traumatise her."

"Thank you," Allison said.

"I love her," Charlotte said, "I'll come see her Thursday or Friday if it's okay with you."

"That would be good," Allison agreed.

"I'll come tomorrow," Leo said, "check in with you two and bring her a popsicle."

"She'll like that," Asher agreed.

"She's the popsicle princess," Leo laughed.

"She is," Allison forced a smiled.

"We should finish getting packed," Asher said, "thank you so much for bringing all of that."

"Anything to help a little," Charlotte said.

"It'll be okay," Leo said hugging Allison, "she's tough like her mom. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Allison gulped.

Leo and Charlotte went back upstairs.

"They okay," Teddy asked.

"They look pretty stressed," Charlotte answered bluntly, "I think Allison is about to cry."

"Should I go down," Teddy asked.

"I would," Leo agreed, "she doesn't do hurt."

"She doesn't do Everly or Asher not doing well," Teddy agreed, "Leo there's brownies and cookies on the counter you guys can help yourselves."

Teddy walked down the stairs and wrapped her arms around Allison.

Asher saw that Allison might need her mom, "I'm going to go get gas in your car Allie."

Allison nodded.

"Mom I can't," Allison sobbed.

"We have to," Teddy said, "tomorrow will be the worst of it. I'll be there and dad. Asher will be with you."

"But," Allison cried.

"We'll all be there with you," Teddy assured.

"She's going to be in pain," Allison whined.

"For a few days," Teddy agreed, "but they'll fix how her legs are sitting in her hips and releasing some of her tighter muscles. It will make her feel better and so much more mobile. It's necessary."

"I know it is," Allison cried, "but I don't like her hurting."

"I don't either and I don't like how much it hurts you," Teddy said.

"I have to learn to do this on my own," Allison cried.

"Why," Teddy asked, "I'm here. You never have to do this alone."

"But you and dad are getting old," Allison whined.

"Dad and I are in our 60s," Teddy agreed, "but we're not old yet."

"But your not doing big surgeries anymore," Allison said, "you said yourself your slowing down."

"Because I chose to," Teddy said, "it's I don't want to not I can't. Baby girl I've done it for 43 years. I don't want to do the big flashy things anymore. I don't need to do it to prove myself."

"But when Dr Webber slowed down and retired he died a couple years later," Allison said.

"No," Teddy said, "I went for a full work up last week just an annual requirement for me to keep working physical and cognitive tests. Everything came back like I was still in my 50s. I'm healthy, I'm still fully able to operate. I'm slowing down because I want to spend time with your family and Annies and Leo. I want more time with my family. I want to be here with you more. I want to be more hands on with Ev as grandma then I have been with Annie's kids. Allie I don't love operating the way I did. After so many years it's losing it's excitement."

"You're okay," Allison asked.

"I'm great," Teddy said.

"But your mom and dad Annie was little," Allison said.

"My dad had cancer but he also smoked," Teddy said, "then my mom was a fluke accident with a drunk driver."

"But," Allison said.

"It's unfortunate," Teddy said, "and I have wished for years that they got to know you."

"Did they know Annie," Allison asked.

"My mom was with me and supported me when she was born," Teddy said, "it was my mom that took her from the doctor and put her in my arms but that was it."

"But you retiring that scares me," Allison said, "Dr Webber."

"He had pancreatic cancer like my dad," Teddy said, "I had a full work up last week. Everything looks great. I still run 6 days a week because I like to."

"But," Allison said.

"I'm stepping back for me," TEddy said, "I want to enjoy retirement and my family. I don't want to be like Dr Webber. Richard was a great surgeon and teacher but he didn't live outside the hospital. I lived that way until I had you. But I want more time with my family and to enjoy it. You, dad, your siblings, that is what is most important to me and I want to enjoy it."

"Mom," Allison asked.

"Baby girl when I have ever lied to you," Teddy asked, "I've kept surprises from you but dad and I are always honest."

"Everly," Allison asked.

"We told you then we were surprised. It was way younger than we thought but that never changes how much we love and support you," Teddy said, "we are proud of you. You've done so much and so well."

"I'm scared," Allison whispered, "people don't wake up after surgery."

"But we have the best with her," Teddy said, "she is a healthy girl."

"Her heart," Allison said, "the valve."

"McKidd checked and Annie double checked," Teddy said.

"I don't want to lose her," Allison said, "mom it would kill me."

"You won't have to go there," Teddy assured.

"But nana is dying, you're getting older, Everly needs surgery," Allison said.

"Nana is old," Teddy said, "but she's not on death's door. I am in my mid 60s but I am strong and active and healthy. Tomorrow is scary and we will be with you the whole time. You will not do this alone. You have Asher and me and Dad, Annie took the day to be where you need her."

"Asher's family," Allison asked.

"Are worried," Asher said joining them, "they want to be there and see her after. I don't know if I want them sitting there all day and told them to come once she was out of surgery, that I would call."

"All of them or your parents," Allison asked.

"They all want to come," Asher said.

"Too many people," Teddy replied, "tomorrow we keep it calm and quiet. No more than 2 or 3 visitors at once. Lots of mom and dad cuddles."

"Her last surgery," Allison said.

"Was traumatic for both of you," Teddy said, "you know what to expect. Everly can communicate really well now."

"When your child's first words include ouchy," Allison snapped.

"Allie I know you are beyond stressed right now," Teddy said, "it's almost 10 you have to be up at 4. What will help you so you can at least lay down?"

"I won't sleep," Allison said.

"I want you to try," Teddy said, "I know it's hard."

"I can't," Allison whined.

"What can I do now," Teddy asked.

"Can I have a hug," Allison whispered.

"Always," Teddy said.

Teddy wrapped her arms around Allison, "it's okay, I'm here. I'm right here baby girl and I'm not going anywhere. Deep breath and match my breathing. That's it. Match my breathing, good girl. See your breathing is starting to match mine and your heart will slow to match mine. Let your body relax, I have you."

When Allison was relaxed Teddy said, "go shower and to bed. Tomorrow will go well."

Allison walked into the bathroom and closed the door, her clean PJs were already in there.

"How do you do that," Asher asked.

"It's deep pressure," Teddy said, "I've always used it with my girls when they're having a hard time like that. Allie does it with Ev. you have your own ways to calm her down and comfort her. Are you okay?"

"Worried," Asher admitted.

"What can I do," Teddy asked.

"Run interference with my family," Asher said, "they will try to push in and control."

"I can do that," Teddy said, "let Annie and I take that on for you. Asher Allie is not okay."

"I know," Asher said, "she never is when Ev gets sick or hurt."

"Or you," Teddy said, "you and Allie have done so much together. Your first years out of highschool are formative years. These are the years that really decide who you're going to be and how you'll live. You've done it together. You depend on each other. Keep taking care of eachother."

"We will," Asher said, "thank you Teddy."

"Any time," Teddy said, "I'm going to get a couple hours sleep. I'll see you all in the morning."

"See you in the morning," Asher replied.

Teddy gave him a quick hug then walked up the stairs.