Late Christmas Eve Allison snuck down to Asher's room
"Allie," Asher whispered when she sat on his bed, "what's wrong?"
"I'm lonely," Allison whispered.
"What time will your parents be up," Asher asked, reaching for his phone.
"They're both on call," Allison said.
"So anytime," Asher said.
"My door is closed and so are both bathroom doors," Allison replied, "they won't open my door. They know that wakes me up."
"Should I set the alarm for 4:30 so you can be back in your bed by 5," Asher asked, "it's midnight."
Allison nodded and Asher set the alarm on his phone for 4:30 and a back up at 4:45.
"Don't leave me alone," Allison whispered.
"Never," Asher promised.
"Can I," Allison asked.
"Come here," Asher whispered, gently pulling her into his arms to lay down. This was only the second time Allison had ever snuck down to see him. Last time Allison had come down she had argued with Teddy that night and cried herself to sleep in Asher's arms.
Allison laid down beside him.
"You're facing away from me," Asher said.
"This side is more comfortable," Allison replied.
"Trade me spots then," Asher whispered.
"Just put your arms around me like you did on the couch earlier," Allison said.
"But I can't kiss you here," Asher said.
"We need names," Allison said into the dark.
"We agreed on my last name," Asher said, "boy names? I think it's a boy."
"Of course you think it's a boy," Allison said, "I really think it's a girl."
"Do you want to know," Asher asked.
"Not until we meet them," Allison said, "boy names what do you think?"
"Daniel," Asher said.
"No, that's Leo's real name," Allison said.
"Alex," Asher suggested.
"Allison, Asher and Alex," Allison smiled, "I like that. Alexander?"
"Alexander," Asher smiled, "we'd be the A team."
"We would," Allison giggled, "a girl I'd like to name her after nana."
"I don't love Evelyn," Asher said, "I was leaning towards Emily."
"I competed against a girl named Everly when I was younger," Allison suggested, "could that be a compromise? I really want our daughter to be connected to nana."
"Everly," Asher said, "I like it. Middle names?"
"I don't know," Allison said, "you?"
"What's yours," Asher asked.
"Eloise, it's the same as Auntie Megan's," Allison said, "yours?"
"David," Asher responded.
"Alexander David," Allison smiled, "I like it."
"Alexander David Blouin," Asher said, "other ideas for a girl's middle name? What's your mom's?"
"Grace but it's Annie's legal first name," Allison said, "she's Grace Annabeth Altman."
"Your mom gave her her name not Annie's dads," Asher asked.
"Annie changed her name when she was in med school," Allison explained, "she was Annabeth Grace McKellar. Grace was mom's choice for her."
"Annie is married and she still has your mom's last name," Asher said.
"Neither of them changed it, auntie Meg didn't either," Allison said, "it was a career thing for them. Annie's kids are Altman-Riggs like I'm Altman-Hunt. Annie got called when I walked out of chem because the fumes bugged me, the teacher went through the system and just found Altman. My sister got me out of it."
"Grace is out and I don't like Eloise. It reminds me of a book my mom read us as kids," Asher said.
"I don't want to use our parents' names on either side," Allison said, "Annie's kids have family middle names."
"What are they," Asher asked.
"Ellie is Elizabeth Grace, Matt is Matthew Owen Ian, Henry is Henry Nathan Daniel, Heather I think is Heather Marie Beverly. Grandmere was Dan's mom and her name was Marie," Allison explained.
"So Annie took them got it," Asher said, "at least Heather isn't too much older ours has a cousin to play with."
"Ellie and I are 4 years apart," Allison said, "Jo March in Little Women has always been one of my favourite book characters."
"I like Jo," Asher said.
"Josephine," Allison said.
"Maybe not that," Asher said.
"Jillian," Allison said.
"Everly Jillian," Asher said, "it's perfect."
Allison yawned.
"I heard you yawn," Asher teased.
"You have another human growing inside you," Allison retotred, she rolled to her back and turned her head to look at him.
"Too tired for this," Asher asked, kissing her.
"No," Allison giggled, returning the kiss.
"You are beautiful," Asher whispered before he kissed her again.
She returned the kiss as he slipped his hands under her shirt. Slowly he slid her shirt over her head while she ran her hands over his bare chest.
They tentatively explored each other, touching exposed skin for the first time. Their first time together there had been no gentleness, no love. Allison slipped her hand into his boxers, she was shy, hesitant. Asher's hand slipped under her pj pants, she moved her hips getting closer to his hand.
"I like that," Allison whispered.
"Do you want me to keep going," Asher asked.
"Don't stop," Allison whispered.
They continued to explore with their hands under the blankets and each other's clothes.
Lying in the darkness with her head on his chest Allison asked, "what was that?"
"Are you okay," Asher asked.
"I feel really good," Allison said, "are you okay?"
"I need to clean up," Asher whispered, "you get comfy."
"I need to pee," Allison said.
"How's the baby," Asher asked, "could we hurt them like that?"
"I don't know and I can't ask," Allison said, "they're moving."
"Your sister," Asher asked.
"No," Allison said, "Annie was raised very religious. I'm pretty sure she's only ever been with Josh."
"You haven't asked," Asher said.
"No," Allison said, "she's very clear that her sex life is off the table."
"She has 4 kids," Asher said.
"She's nuts," Allison said, "I couldn't do those first few weeks again. She did tell me her youngest wasn't planned at all."
"Your sister," Asher said, "she's so calm and collected."
"Fuck no," Allison said, "Annie is a facade. My sister is not calm ever. She has the same thyroid thing and the iron issue I'm dealing with. Her other sister almost murdered her twice before I was born. I'm pretty sure she's anorexic. A couple years ago we were swimming and I could count every one of her ribs and vertebrates, then mom got really worried. Thats when she stopped working Fridays."
"Thats why she can pick us up," Asher said.
"Annie doesn't work Friday unless it's a life or death emergency," Allison said, "she says it's her sanity day. But I'm not asking her about this and can't ask mom."
"Your aunt," Asher asked.
"Megan adopted both my cousins," Allison said, "we see dr deluca this week. Maybe her?"
"Would she tell your mom," Asher said, "your mom is her boss."
"I don't think she can," Allison said, "Annie couldn't when she did the test for me."
"Let's go to bed," Asher said, "figure it out later. It's almost 2. You need sleep."
"Only if you cuddle," Allison said.
"How are you comfortable," Asher asked.
"On my side," Allison said, "I miss sleeping on my stomach."
"How do you normally sleep," Asher asked.
"On my stomach," Allison said, "and with as many blankets as possible."
"I have lot's of blankets," Asher said.
"I'm warm," Allison said, "your warm."
"Sleep," Asher said putting an arm around her and pulling her close so her back was against his chest.
"Stop poking me," Allison complained.
"I'm not trying to," Asher replied, "it does what it wants."
"Stop," Allison groaned.
"It'll stop," Asher said, "relax and try to sleep."
"Feel this," Allison said, moving his hand on to her bump.
"I can feel them now," Asher said, "good night Allie."
"Night Ash," Allison replied. She smiled when he softly kissed the back of her neck.