Teddy and Owen let themselves into Annie's house.

"Grandma, Grandpa," Ellie yelled running into the entryway.

"Hi Bug how's college," Owen beamed, hugging her.

"UBC is amazing," Ellie said, "it's beautiful and I'm in the same building mom was in but a couple floors up. I can see the ocean and the mountains from my room. Next weekend I get to go skiing with some of the McKellars."

"Are you liking spending more time with them," Teddy asked.

"It's hard without grandmere and grandude but I like them," Ellie agreed, "there's 5 of us on campus and we do dinner once a week together."

"Good," Teddy smiled, "and you're making friends in your classes?"

"I am," Ellie smiled, "and I joined a couple clubs."

"What clubs," Owen asked.

"There's a highland dance one that just performs and practices but doesn't compete," Ellie replied, "and a hiking club."

"Those are good ones," Teddy said, "nice people?"

"They are," Ellie agreed.

"You haven't come home yet," Owen said, "you must be having fun."

"Mom and dad came up for Canadian thanksgiving and her birthday," Ellie replied.

"I know," Teddy said, "I get why but I don't like not spending the day with her."

"Anyone special at school Bug," Owen asked.

"Yes," Ellie giggled, "but I promised I would tell Allie and Cat together. When is Allie coming?"

"They might not," Teddy said, "she's pretty worked up. Everly isn't doing great."

"Is Everly okay," Ellie gasped.

"No one told you," Owen said.

"No," Annie said, "what happened?"

"They went to the Blouins Thursday," Teddy said, "Renee Blouin physically abused Everly. She has a concussion and bruising. Ev was in the hospital overnight."

"We weren't called," Annie said, "why didn't anyone tell us?"

"We've been so panicked," Teddy replied, "I didn't even think to call you and you've been so upset with the Steven and your other siblings thing. You've been in hiding and asked me to give you space to think."

"This over rides I need space," Annie snapped.

"I've been so focused on Allie, Ev and Asher," Teddy said, "I knew you were turtling that it would push you too far."

"No this you tell me. What's happening," Annie asked, "the poor girl ."

"I want to see her," Jenna interjected, "check the shunt. I should have been called."

"They did a head CT," Owen said, "there were no signs of anything on the CT and Allie and Asher have kept her quiet since they got home."

"They all need help," Annie declared.

"They do," Teddy agreed, "they are pressing charges against Renee."

"She's younger than me," Ellie said.

"She is but this can't be let go," Teddy replied.

"What do they need," Annie asked.

"Time," Teddy said, "you know how it is to have your sister do it to you now imagine if that had been your kids."

"I'd murder her," Annie said, "make it look like an accident."

"Asher has tried," Owen said, "he hit his dad and nearly beat the living daylights out of Mitch."

"I would," Josh said.

"So would I," Chris added.

Dan added, "Owen, you pinned Jessica to a wall when Annie finished at UBC and she was trying to attack Annie."

"I'd do it again," Owen replied, "I needed to put distance between the girls. Jessica was being violent and I took out the threat. I pinned her to let Annie get to her room with Teddy and gave you time to get to Jessica. Jessica wasn't harmed, I restrained and used a wall to help me do it. That was calculated, I knew what I was doing and was in control. Asher was blind rage."

"We all fight for our kids," Teddy replied, "I restrained Jessica a couple times. That's what Asher needs to learn. Restraining the one who is a danger to the other or removing the one who is being violent to allow the victim to get to a safe place and be cared for is one thing. Beating the crap out of your brother because he was there is another. I understand the motivation, and I don't fault him for being furious. I'm pissed, I want consequences."

"The night of the stabbing it took 5 of us to separate Annie and Jessica," Chris remembered, "I sat by the basement door, Teddy's first husband sat just inside the basement door, we talked through it all night."

"I was with Annie," Teddy said.

"Leslie was trying to deescalate Jessie in her room," Dan remembered, "then I was at the top of the stairs to the second floor."

"She got to me," Chris said, "a couple times and was only stopped by the door locking from the basement side and not having the key. Everly needs to be protected."

"She does," Owen agreed.

"We also have to love and support Allie and Asher," Annie said.

"We have to love all of them," David said, "and pray."

"I think we should defer to David," Annie said, "he's seen it more than we have. He helped dad and I reconnect after Ellie was born."

"This is different Annie," David said, "and you were an adult. Your reasons for needing to be away from the people that raised you and loved you were different. I got to observe all of you together."

"Should we call," Annie asked.

"No," Teddy said, "don't push her today. They'll come if and when they feel safe to do so. Reach out to your sister and check in but don't drag her here. Just tell her you love them."

Allison tried to coax Everly to get ready for dinner at Annie's.

"Let's go to Annie's," Allison tried, "you love Auntie Nee."

"No," Everly said, "scary."

"Mommy and I will be right with you," Asher promised.

"Grandma," Everly asked.

"Grandma and grandpa will be there," Allison promised, "auntie Annie, Uncle Josh, Uncle Chris and Auntie Jenna, Uncle Leo, Charlotte, Ellie, Matt, Heather, Henry, Tyler, Dillon, Nisha, Faroke, Kitam, Auntie Megan, Cat, Uncle Dan, Nana and Opa."

Everly shook her head, "no."

"Let's go say hi and if it's scary when we get there we can leave," Allison promised, "you can stay right with me and daddy all night. We won't leave you."

"No," Everly whined, shaking her head.

"We promise no one there will hurt you," Asher said, "you can stay right with me the whole time. Mommy and I will be right with you."

"Auntie Renee," Everly asked.

"You never ever have to see her again," Allison promised, "you will not see Renee again ever."

"Promise," Everly asked.

"We promise," Allison said.

"We will never see her again," Asher assured, "you will never be alone with any of them again. Can you get your coat so we can go see grandma and grandpa?"

Everly shook her head.

"We're going," Allison said, "you can stay right with me. I will not let you go."

"No mommy," Everly whined.

"You'll be okay," Allison assured, "I'll be right there. I will not leave you."

Allison gently helped Everly with her coat and carried her to the car.

Everly began to cry sitting in her car seat.

"I'll sit with her," Allison told Asher, "you drive."

Asher drove to Annie's while Allison sat in the backseat with Everly holding her hand and soothing her. When they got to Annie's Everly clung to Allison as they walked into the house.

"Hi Ev," Annie smiled trying to get Everly's attention.

"Mommy," Everly whined.

"It's okay princess I'm here," Allison whispered, rubbing Everly's back as she hid her face in her mom's neck.

Teddy approached them slowly, "hi princess. Are you okay today?"

Allison shrugged.

"Can I give you a hug so mommy can get her coat off," Teddy asked Everly.

Everly looked at Teddy and nodded.

"Okay," Teddy whispered, "come here. Let's take your coat off."

Teddy lifted Everly out of Allison's arms and helped her take her coat off. As soon as Everly's coat was off she reached for Asher.

"Do you want your daddy," Teddy asked.

"Are you ready to go down," Asher asked as he took Everly from Teddy.

Everly nodded.

Asher set Everly on the floor and she clung to his leg.

"Do you want your crutches or your walker," Allison asked, they knew they had to give Everly choices and encourage her to decide which mobility aid she wanted as much as possible. They were working on giving her choice in familiar places, home, school, Annie's house, Megan's, Ava's. They had also started giving Everly choice when they were in places that were generally safer with open flat level surfaces.

"Daddy," Everly replied.

Annie knelt beside her niece, "do you want to come play with Khitam? I brought a tea set into the family room for you."

Everly looked intrigued then looked up at Asher.

"Let's go," Asher agreed, "walker or crutches?"

"Walker," Everly said.

Owen grabbed the walker from where it was sitting beside the door and passed it to them. Everly grabbed it and cautiously followed Annie. Asher stayed right beside her.

"How are you doing," Teddy asked Allison.

"She cried most of the way here," Allison said, "she's scared."

"But she went with Asher and Annie," Teddy said.

"I think once she saw everyone who she knows really well she's okay," Allison said, "she kept saying scary when we went to leave but I should get Kiki out of the bag for her to have a tea party."

"You brought her doll," Teddy asked.

"And her bunny," Allison replied, "I'm going to take them to her."

Nisha sat in the family room watching the two little girls play, when Everly tried to take a few steps without her walker or crutches she slipped on a doll dress on the floor. Nisha put her arm out to steady Everly causing her to scream.

Asher scooped Everly up and held her tight, "shh princess, shhh you're okay. Nisha wasn't going to hurt you. You're okay. I have you, daddy has you."

As soon as she knew her dad was there Everly's screams stopped.

"What did I do," Nisha asked over the little girl's screams. Everly had never responded to her like that before, usually when Nisha tried to steady her Everly smiled and sometimes giggled.

Owen explained, "Asher's sister hit and abused Ev on Thursday. She's traumatised and panicked. I know you were just trying to steady her but she's scared."

"Poor baby," Nisha sighed, "is she okay?"

"Physically she will be," Owen said, "mentally we don't know. She's so young. She just wants Allie and Asher."

"But school, babysitting," Nisha asked.

"Allison is talking about taking her to classes," Owen said, "which she didn't do as even an infant. Ev is okay with Teddy and I."

"School," Allison said, "I know she has to go but I don't know."

"We can keep her home this week with the concussion," Owen said.

"Hopefully," Allison said, "she cried all the way here."

"She's recovering from the concussion," Owen said.

"She is," Allison agreed. Allison sat down on the floor where Everly and Khitam were playing.

"Allison, if she'll let me, can I take a look," Jenna offered.

"Yes," Allison agreed.

Jenna knelt on the floor near where Everly was playing with Asher, "hi miss Everly."

"Hi Jenna," Everly said, giving her a cautious wave.

"Can you look at me please," Jenna asked softly.

Everly cautiously looked at Jenna.

"I'm going to take your hands and you're going to take two steps to me," Jenna said.

Everly looked at Asher the at Allison, they both nodded.

"It's okay," Asher assured, "go see Auntie Jenna."

Jenna gently took Everly's hands and watched as the little girl walked to her. Jenna interacted with Everly for a moment carefully observing her.

"Minor concussion," Jenna declared, "neuro looks fine. Allie, Asher she'll be fine."

"Are you sure," Allison asked.

"Allison I have known you since you were a newborn," Jenna said, "have I ever lied to you?"

"No,' Allison agreed.

"We're all looking out for her," Jenna said, "but as a neurosurgeon she's okay."

"Allie this is really hard and it's scary," Annie said, "I've been there. I was Everly, the people who were supposed to love me for who I am hurt me. It's hard and it's scary. But you are protecting her. You are surrounding her with people who love her and want the very best for her. We love her and we are always here to help."

"Whatever you need," Josh said, "we are here. It was my parents. I remember uncle Nathan and Meg seeing it."

"We almost brought you to Boston," Megan smiled at the memory, "but your grandparents stepped in."

"Allie we are here and we will help however we can," Josh said, "you tell us. Asher, you have to tell us."

"We're here," Chris assured, "I can take her out. I have the training. I can take Renee out and make it look like an accident."

"20 years ago," Annie teased.

"You never forget," Owen replied.

"We are here," Nisha assured, "for all of you."

"We love you and we will stand with you whatever comes next," Megan assured, "and anyone foolish enough to go against us."

"Is a dumb dumb," Owen finished.

"Dumb dumb," Everly echoed.

"Auntie Meg," Allison gasped.

"It's fitting," Megan laughed, "and if that's the worst thing she's ever echoed."

"Nope," Leo said.

"What," Allison asked.

"I was babysitting, dropped a jar of tomato sauce and dropped an f bomb," Leo said, "then she said it about 10 times. I was so worried you would hear it and murder me."

"When," Allison asked.

"When you got engaged," Leo said.

"It was funny," Teddy remembered, "Ev was just two and sitting there saying the F word."

"When she used it in conext after she dropped a popsicle," Owen chuckled.

"No longer her favourite," Allison said.

"She grew out of it eventually," Teddy agreed, "right now it's fishy crackers."

"Easier to bring everywhere," Allison agreed, "I keep pulling them out of my purse."

"You brought a bag though," Charlotte said.

"I'm still in the habit of bringing a bag for her," Allison said, "snacks, clean clothes, pain meds, lotion, books."

"A diaper bag," Annie said.

"When did you stop carrying one," Allison asked.

"When Heather went to kindergarten," Annie agreed, "but it evolves."

"It does and it's not the same bag," Allison said, "it's smaller."

"You still have your diaper bag," Teddy said.

"It's in the back of my car with more of the emergency stuff," Allison said, "but hopefully we won't need it too much longer."

"How is she doing," Annie asked.

"We can't be out of her sight," Allison said watching Everly play happily with Khitam and Heather help the two little girls.

"Then don't," Annie replied, "the best thing mama did when I was injured and scared was not leave me."

"Allie," Ellie squealed, coming upstairs with Catrina.

"El," Allison greeted, "how's college?"

"There's a hot boy," Catrina blurted.

"We will talk before you go back," Allison agreed.

"So tonight," Ellie said, "I have to drive back tomorrow."

"I don't know," Allison said, "Ev needs me and now she understands things."

"We've all talked about boys while you held her before," Catrina said.

"As an infant," Allison said, "she's three and a half."

"Is she liking preschool," Ellie asked.

"She loves school," Allison said, "and has made friends. We go on playdates. I need to host a few kids but it's hard."

"Why," Catrina asked.

"We're in my parents basement," Allison said, "most of the other parents are in their 30s. I'm 21."

"Does Ev like playdates," Ellie asked.

"She does," Allison said, "but after Thursday I don't want her out of my sight."

"Renee Blouin is a cow," Ellie said, "I was in a split class with her in elementary school. I think I was in third and she was in second and it still gives me nightmares. Then when I dated Mitch. She called me a W word just because I'm related to you."

"We're pressing charges," Allison said, "but I still don't like Ev out of my sight."

"Our family," Catrina said, "they just wrap her in pillows."

"She looks okay," Allison said, "she likes playing with Khitam."

"She's smiling," Megan pointed out.

"The first time in days," Allison said.

"Stay close but stop hovering," Annie advised, "she knows you're in the room but not right on top of her."

"Allie come sit," Ellie encouraged as she dragged Allison towards the couch.

Teddy, Annie, Megan and Nisha slipped into the kitchen to finish making dinner.

Allison kept her eye on the two little girls who were happily playing together with the tea set and Everly's doll.

"So this boy at school," Cat asked.

"Aaron," Ellie giggled, "he's hot."

"Pictures," Charlotte asked joining the other girls.

Ellie showed the other girls a picture.

"Wow," Charlotte giggled.

"Go Ellie," Catrina laughed.

"He's hot," Allison agreed, "age? Major?"

"18 and engineering," Ellie replied.

"So," Cat pressed.

"We've kissed," Ellie blushed.

"More than that," Allison teased, "you're bright red."

"Kissing," Ellie said, "so not there yet. We're just starting to date."

"Do you like him," Allison asked.

"I do," Ellie smiled, "he's really sweet. My parents are coming up next week for a conference at UBC and will meet him then."

"My mom is going," Allison said, "something about her and your mom always doing it together."

"They usually go just the two of them," Ellie said.

"But this boy," Cat pressed, "how did you meet?"

"Calculus," Ellie said.

Everly noticed her parents were not right with her and looked around panicked, "mommy?"

"Right here princess," Allison called softly, "turn around I'm right behind you."

Everly turned and seeing Allison crawled over to her mom.

Allison lifted the little one up and gave her a hug, "you can play with Khitam. I'm right here with Ellie and Cat."

"Mommy," Everly whined, "I have to pee pee."

"Okay," Allison said, "let's go to the bathroom."

"Now," Everly whined.

Allison picked Everly up and ran her to the bathroom.

"This boy," Cat bugged Ellie.

"Where's Drake," Ellie countered.

"I'm grounded," Cat whined, "mom caught him in my room."

"I've been in Aaron's room," Ellie said.

"You," Cat said.

"Studying," Ellie said, "please I've known him for six weeks."

"Would you," Cat asked.

"Cat my mom's right there," Ellie gasped.

"Elizabeth," Annie questioned.

"Mom," Ellie groaned.

Allison returned to the other girls and tried to set Everly on the floor to play again.

"Do you want Kiki," Allison offered, "you can have your dolly."

"Mommy," Everly said, "Ipad?"

"No I didn't bring the ipad," Allison said, "you don't need it."

"Please," Everly tried.

"No," Allison repeated, "you can't use the ipad until your head is better."

"Please," Everly asked again.

"No," Allison repeated, "you can sit with me or play with Heather and Khitam."

"Wheres daddy," Everly asked.

"He's with Leo, Fraoke, Matt and Henry," Charlotte said, "some sort of video game thing."

"Great," Allison groaned.

"Does he often," Charlotte asked.

"We have an X Box," Allison replied, "and he has a computer that does work for it but we don't really have time. When he's off he at night I'm at school or need to study. Ash works 10-12 hour days. After dinner if I'm not in class he goes to the gym. We have house work to do, he'll run errands so I can study at night. Asher likes to read. There's a lot of nights I study and read on the couch and he reads or watches a documentary."

"Leo doesn't," Charlotte said, "I know he likes to but we don't have time."

"Next year," Allison asked, trying to keep the conversation away from boys and where Cat wanted to take it with Ev sitting right with them.

Khitam noticed that Everly was with Allison and made her way to Cat.

"Up," Khitam demanded.

"Hi sweet pea," Cat smiled, "do you want to sit with me?"

"Yes," Khitam responded.

Cat lifted Khitam into her lap.

"I need to find a teaching job," Charlotte said, "and will need a conditional licence wherever we go to start."

"You'll go with Leo," Allison asked.

"I want to," Charlotte said, "you and Asher are doing it."

"We are," Allison agreed, "Charlotte we're in a different situation. We're engaged and Ev is four this spring."

"You know my brother is going to serve," Allison said, "Leo wants to follow our parents."

"I know," Charlotte said, "I don't love it but if it's what he wants one or two tours."

"Med school isn't going to be easy," Allison said, "he won't have much free time and you'll be working."

"I have to do my national board certification," Charlotte said, "thats two years and on top of teaching full time."

"Do you want to do it," Cat asked.

"I need to," Charlotte said, "if Leo and I want to stay together I need to do it. With it I can work almost anywhere in the country and in base schools."

"Thats a good plan," Allison said.

"Ev do you want to come see me," Charlotte asked, "I brought a special story."

"Story," Everly asked.

"You like stories," Allison said.

"Dinner," Annie called.

"Let's get daddy then wash our hands," Allison said to Everly.

Annie had texted downstairs to tell her boys it was time to come up and the young men thundered up the stairs from the basement.

"Daddy," Everly yelled seeing Asher.

"Let's wash your hands princess," Asher said.

After dinner Everly finally relaxed enough to let her parents out of her sight. Allison sat in the kitchen with Ellie and Catrina giggling about Ellie's new boyfriend.

"If you're together he's your plus one for my wedding," Allison said.

"Of course," Ellie agreed, "but I want you to meet him before that."

"El it's hard for me to get up to UBC for a weekend," Allison said, "I want to but I don't have the time."

"He's going to come down for a couple days after exams before he flies to Ottawa Ontario," Ellie said.

"Okay I'll meet him then," Allison smiled, "I want to meet him."

"Double date," Ellie suggested.

"Triple," Allison said, "Cat and Drake or you can all just come over."

"But grandma and grandpa," Ellie said.

"You use my door around the back," Allison replied.

Everly had snuggled in Teddy's lap and was yawning.

"Are you sleepy princess," Owen asked.

Everly nodded and clutched her stuffed bunny, her doll now back in the bag, she liked her stuffed bunny when she was tired.

"You can close your eyes," Teddy soothed stroking the little one's hair.

Allison checked her watch, "we should go get Ev to bed it's already over an hour after bed time."

She messaged Asher who was with the guys downstairs and they quickly gathered their things before taking a nearly asleep Everly from Teddy.

"You did so good today," Allison praised as they got in the car, "did you have fun?"

"Yes," Everly yawned.

"I know you're tired," Allison said, "home, potty, jammies, a story and bed."

"Mommy and daddy's bed," Everly asked.

"Not tonight," Asher said, "you got to fall asleep in our bed last night you can sleep in your own bed tonight but we will sit with you until you fall asleep."

"Okay," Everly yawned.