The next day Allison walked towards the river with her cousins.
"Are you sure," she asked Asher.
"Yea," Asher said, "your parents and auntie Meg are there so are your nana and opa."
"You had a good talk with opa yesterday," Allison said.
"Are you okay," Asher asked.
"Her legs," Allison said.
"I know I'm worried two," Asher said, "we're going tubing. It's the first time I get to see your new bathing suit."
"I don't like it," Allison said, pulling the top down further.
"You look good Allie," Catrina offered.
"Tummy," Allison pouted.
"I have one and I haven't had a baby," Catrina said.
"Ellie," Allison complained to Catrina while Ellie ran ahead talking to her dad and brothers.
"Is too thin," Catrina said, "but so is Annie. You can see all of Ellie's ribs."
"Doesn't help my thyroid doesn't work now," Allison complained.
"Al I have a challenge for you," Leo said.
"What," Allison asked.
"Go 1 hour with out talking about Everly," Leo challenged.
"What's in it for me," Allison asked.
"I'll babysit one night this week so you and Asher can go for ice cream or something," Leo suggested.
"Who's timing," Allison asked.
"Josh," Leo replied.
"He never wears a watch," Allison countered.
"Annie," Leo suggested.
"She can't do it," Catrina teased.
"I can I just don't do anything else right now," Allison said, "I've spent 2 months with her. This is only the second time I've been away from her. She's all I've really thought about for the last year."
Annie had caught up to them.
"You okay bean," Annie asked.
"I guess," Allison said.
"Leo, Cat, Asher catch up with Josh and my kids please," Annie commanded.
"Annie," Leo complained
"I said now," Annie directed.
They reluctantly followed Annie's directions.
"So miss bean," Annie said, "what's going on."
"I want to go back," Allison said, "I left my baby to do what go play in the river?"
"Allison you need time to be you," Annie said, "you have to be you sweetheart. Everly can't be the only thing in your life. Josh and I would go on dates when our kids were that little."
"I don't look like Ellie and Cat," Allison whined.
"Two things," Annie said, "you're 4.5 and almost 5 years older. Ellie is just 14 and Cat is still 13. You're just that much older that it makes a difference. And you've just had a baby. You've been cleared to exercise for what 2 weeks now?"
"10 days," Allison said.
"Allie bean," Annie said, "give yourself six months before you stress. You're looking good."
"I can't wear a bikini," Allison said, "I have stretch marks."
"So do I," Annie said, "I think I notice them more than anyone else. Josh has never said a word."
"Asher," Allison said.
"Loves you," Annie assured, "he keeps looking over his shoulder at us."
"I love him," Allison said, "I know were young but I want to marry him."
"You know you know," Annie smiled, "Allie what's going on."
"There's something wrong with Everly," Allison said.
"Her legs," Annie said, "it'll be okay. We'll be here and we'll help you figure it out. Today we're not going to find any answers now. Today you are going to relax and enjoy being with your family. Today you can just be 18 for a couple hours. Mama is the very best babysitter. Auntie Meg is there, she'll be so spoiled. When I left my babies with mama they were so spoiled and think how much you loved to help. Heather is with them. She loves playing with Everly and being the big girl. It's such a privilege for her to be the helper."
"Is she okay with mom," Allison asked.
"Both the little girls are," Annie assured, "sometimes I'm a better mom when I take time for me. I do things just for me when I need to."
"Like what," Allison asked.
"I dance, I go for a run, when I hang out with you or mama with out my kids, I spend time with Jenna and Steph," Annie said.
"Can I," Allison asked.
"You are today," Annie said, "I'm not saying every day. I'm saying once a week even an hour will feel good."
"School," Allison asked.
"Is your job," Annie said, "consider your classes your job. Josh and I managed fellowships with children. Consider your classes and studying your job. Put it on your schedule, classes and homework time and commit to it. I'll babysit for you to study. I can do the Friday we talked about so you can have the day to do what you need. I miss babies."
"Having another," Allison asked.
"4 is plenty," Annie said, "I can't do another pregnancy."
"Labour," Allison asked.
"Hard and painful but I found mine bearable," Annie said, "you went through hell. That was the worst I've seen."
"How did you decide to have another," Allison asked.
"Ellie was 3 before I had a second," Annie said, "I had time. I was 29, 33, 34 and 38. For 10 years I did all that. That was my 30s."
"I don't think I'll ever have another," Allison said.
"Maybe not now," Annie said, "in 10 years you might feel differently. At your age I said I never wanted kids."
"Your Mary Poppins," Allison said.
"I wanted to dance and study," Annie said, "I was single."
"This wasn't the plan," Allison said.
"I know," Annie said, "this isn't what you expected. Heck I wasn't mama's plan."
"I know," Allison said, "neither was I. She said we're the best surprises ever."
"I knew about you before your dad," Annie smiled, "about 24 hours before."
"What," Allison asked, "how?"
"I had just moved to Seattle from Boston to start my residency," Annie said, "and into the cottage with Josh. when they found Meg."
"What does Meg have to do with it," Allison asked.
"Let me finish," Annie scolded softly.
"Okay," Allison rolled her eyes.
Annie smiled seeing the teenage gesture from her baby sister, "so your dad paged me to the pit to go on a field trip, my first field work as a doctor. But instead of going out in an ambulance he told me to get in his truck, that I was the only intern who could do what was needed. We get to the base at Matigan and he runs through the army rigamarole and introduces me as Major Altman's daughter. We waited for a helicopter and it was Meg's transport home. I remember your dad bellowing Altman then seeing Meg look thoroughly confused when I appeared before he explained who I was and she hugged me. She was a stranger and she hugged me."
"You must have loved that," Allison quipped.
"So I did what your dad asked and accompanied Meg back to GSM," Annie said, "then mama appeared the next day in Meg's room to surprise all of us, your dad didn't even know she was coming. I may have lept on her at work."
"You jumped on her," Allison asked.
"I did for years," Annie said, "until she told me about you. Always at the airport. But your mom and I spent time with Meg and she came home with me after work. I offered her wine I was 24 and she had just turned 46. We had been having a glass of wine together for a few years at that point and she turned it down then told me."
"Annie if I want to sleep with Asher," Allison asked, seeing the others were too far ahead to hear.
"In the same bed," Annie clarified, "you tell mama it's her house."
"Like sex " Allison whispered.
"Birth control," Annie said.
"What do you use," Allison asked, 'I can't ask mom."
"What period of my life," Annie asked.
"When you were my age," Allison said.
"I was 20 before I did that," Annie said, 'I used the Pill then I don't remember what brand. Then from the time Josh and I started dating until we decided we wanted a baby I had a copper IUD, I did that again between Ellie and Matt then the pandemic made it hard to get one inserted so I was on the Pill again between Matt and Henry but I was so swamped with 6 kids in my house and homeschooling everyone but Matt that I forgot to take it. Between Henry and Heather we tried the Pill again but again I got overwhelmed and forgetful."
"Now," Allison asked.
"We have a permanent solution," Annie said.
"What should I use," Allison asked.
"I'd say the IUD," Annie said, "set it and forget it. You don't have to worry about it. It lasts 5-10 years. Talk to Carina or Steph. And he has to do his part two."
"Even if we've only been with each other ever," Allison asked, "we've both only once."
"Yes," Annie said, "double protection."
"How do I know if I'm ready," Allison asked.
"It will stop being scary and be exciting," Annie said, "it should feel good. You should feel safe and loved and like it's only the two of you on the planet. You love him and I think he loves you."
They reached the river and launched their tubes with the others.
"Mom come on," Henry yelled.
"I'm coming buddy," Annie smiled, "where's your life jacket?"
"I don't want to wear it," Henry pouted, "Ellie isn't."
"You and Matt are going to put them on or you won't be going," Annie declared, "the three of us will walk back."
"Fine," the two boys pouted.
"Owen, are you enjoying being grandpa or can we go for a walk," Megan asked.
"Can I bring Everly," Owen asked.
"I guess," Megan agreed, "she's so tiny and so sweet."
"She is," Owen said, "Teddy, are you good with Heather?"
"Grandma, can we go to the playground," Heather pleaded.
"We can," Teddy smiled, this was the grandchild she felt like she spent the least time with. Ellie came to visit being closer in age to Allison and enjoyed helping Allison with Everly where she could. Matt and Henry were rambunctious boys that always made their presence known but Heather Annie's baby was often in the shadow of her siblings. Teddy enjoyed having one on one time with Annie's kids when she could.
Owen put Everly in the stroller before sliding his shoes on.
"So gramps," Megan teased, "how's having 5?"
"Good," Owen said, "a few surprises. I think I only actually expected to hear about Matt."
"Annie says her last two weren't planned," Megan replied, "her, Teddy and I were up here with the kids about a week after she found out about Heather and she was not thrilled to be pregnant again."
"She was good with Allison this year," Owen said.
"Annie has always been great with her siblings," Megan countered, "it's been a lot of pressure on her that way."
"She's always rose to the occasion," Owen said, ``she was 25."
"I know," Megan smiled, "my day intern. She was so shy and so sweet. Meeting her on the tarmac I thought you had put Teddy in the dryer to shrink."
"So you wanted to talk," Owen said, "where's Riggs?"
"We're getting divorced," Megan said, "it's been coming for years."
"Why," Owen asked.
"You can't judge," Megan snapped.
"I'm not judging, I want to know why," Owen said.
"He's away so much with his NGO stuff and he's cheated," Megan admitted.
"What," Owen roared, "I'll kill him."
"No you won't," Megan said, "things weren't working long before that. We were roommates who happened to sleep in the same bed. He's a really good friend and we care about each other but romantically we are not a good match."
"All these years," Owen said.
"We tried," Megan said, "we really tried Owen but I'm tired of fighting, of not being sure of anything. It's taken me 10 years to see this isn't what I want anymore. I've come to terms with it."
"Do you want me to kill him," Owen asked.
"No," Megan declared, "we're still friends. We fell out of love with each other. He's cheated. Neither of us is willing to compromise enough to make it work."
"You shouldn't have to," Owen said, "you don't put up with him cheating. How long?"
"The first time Cat was 3," Megan said, "we never said anything and worked through it."
"First," Owen said.
"Three times," Megan said, "the last was a resident with the NGO and that's when I said enough. I've done everything I can, given him everything I can. Now I'm looking out for me and my kids."
"Are you okay," Owen asked.
"I will be," Megan said, "I'm going to be as happy as possible and he no longer makes me happy. I don't know if I'll date. I'm 58, that's not young."
"It's not old," Owen countered.
"To your 61," Megan teased.
"Teddy is 65 next month," Owen said.
"She's not old," Megan replied.
"She wants to slow down and just operate and research," Owen said.
"I know," Megan replied, "just waiting for board approval for me to be chief."
"I know," Owen said, "I was the only attending not asked to be a reference and see the board."
"My brother, how could you be," Megan said.
"Are you okay," Owen asked.
"Worried about Cat," Megan said, "I've tried not to tell you and Teddy. You have your hands full with your 4 now."
"4," Owen asked.
"Three in your house and your oldest," Megan said, "what is Asher?"
"Son in law," Owen guessed, "I don't really know."
"You're raising him," Megan said.
"We had to," Owen replied, "what's going on with Cat?"
"She's acting out at home," Megan said, "more for me than Nate. But he's gone half the time and I'm mean old mom. I'm strict."
"We thought we were," Owen said, "we had rules and boundaries then we let her go to a party and sleep over and she got pregnant."
"Who's party," Megan asked.
"Belles I think," Owen said, "it was her birthday party we thought the parents would be home."
"Cat doesn't want to go to a party or touch a boy because of Allison," Megan said.
"You told her the truth," Owen asked.
"I did," Megan said, "but it's my daughter. Between Allison and her birth mom."
"We thought Allie knew," Owen said.
"How are things in your house," Megan asked.
"Allie and Asher are good," Owen said, "the two of them without Leo is sometimes easier. There's tension between the boys."
"Asher got his sister pregnant," Megan said, "Leo was pissed."
"But it's not helping," Owen said.
"No it's not," Megan said, "neither is you losing it on Nathan."
"I won't this time," Owen said, "next time he hurts you I will."
Allison was floating down the river with Ellie and Catrina.
"You're allowed to do things again," Ellie said.
"With in reason," Allison said, "still have to take it slow."
"Will you dance," Ellie asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "I want to. But I don't know if I'll really have time."
"What are you doing in the fall," Catrina asked.
"College," Allison smiled, "I'm going to be a teacher."
"What are you taking," Ellie asked.
"General studies," Allison said, "psychology, French, English and math. Cat are you ready for highschool?"
"I guess," Catrina said, "it will be nice to be with Ellie."
"It's good to have family," Allison agreed, "Ellie saved me in the PE locker room a couple times this year."
"Just getting your clothes back," Ellie said.
"But you got my clothes back," Allison said.
"It's a big school," Ellie said.
"Tenth Ellie," Allison said.
"I made the varsity dance team," Ellie said.
"Yes," Allison gave her a high five, "Cat any sports?"
"Volleyball," Catrina said, "Soccer and softball all three."
"You'll love it," Allison said, "and you get real electives now."
"My dad wants me to take leadership," Catrina said, "why does he care he's never home they're getting a divorce."
"I'm sorry Cat," Ellie said.
"He's gone half the time," Catrina said, "mom said dad's going to move to the basement guest room and she'll stay in her room but I doubt it. He's home for a month then back with the NGO for 6."
"Just come over if it's bugging you," Allison said, "my parents don't mind."
"But you're busy," Catrina said.
"I always want the two of you around," Allison said, "it's just another girl to join us."
"She can hang out with Heather," Ellie offered.
"When she's bigger," Allison agreed.
"Asher," Catrina asked, "are you really together?"
"We are," Allison said, "he gave me a promise ring."
"What," Ellie squealed.
"Can we see," Cat asked.
"Back at the cabin," Allison promised, "It's on the dresser in our room."
"How do we get rooms and not the loft," Ellie asked.
"We're only in one because of Ev," Allison said, "it was the girls room at Christmas but then in the spring when I got huge and awkward and uncomfortable I wanted Ash."
"A promise ring you'll marry him," Ellie said.
"It's a promise," Allison said, "maybe he'll really propose one day. We're too young now and we still live with my parents."
"Will you move out," Cat asked.
"No," Allison said, "I'm not really working and Ash is an apprentice. "
"I heard grandma talking about putting a suite in the basement," Ellie said.
"In the fall," Allison said, "they're going to turn the basement into a suite and add a kitchen. We'll move down slowly."
"Every time I come over you're down there and all your baby toys are down there," Ellie said.
"It's nice to spread out her stuff," Allison said, "and to have space just Ash and I to watch a movie or TV we like different stuff from my parents. My parents are old! Mom turns 65 next month."
"So my mom's 44," Ellie said.
"That's normal," Allison said.
"65 isn't that retirement age," Catrina asked.
"She's not going to be chief but wants to keep operating and researching," Allison said.
"Back to you getting a basement suite," Ellie said.
"They don't start working on it until October or November so maybe after Christmas," Allison said, "hopefully by the time Ev is one."
"She's so sweet Allie," Cat said, 'when we get back can I snuggle her again."
"You can," Allison said, "I'll have to feed her first."
"I remember that," Annie said joining the three teens, "being away from your baby for a couple hours and you just need them."
"It gets uncomfortable," Allison said.
"It does," Annie said, "we're almost done the float then Mama and Uncle Owen are picking us up."
"I hope with Everly," Allison said.
"They have his truck and my van," Annie replied.
"Drive back, some baby time then we're on dinner," Allison said.
"The three of you," Annie said.
"Four," Allison replied, "Ash is helping."
Further down the river Leo was floating next to Asher and tried to flip his tube.
"Hey man what's your problem," Asher asked.
"You think you can waltz in here and just replace me," Leo snapped.
"I'm not," Asher said, "your parents took me in after mine threw me out."
"They threw you out," Leo asked.
"Because Allie and I aren't married," Asher said.
"They threw you out for that," Leo said, "some parents."
"My dad hasn't met our daughter," Asher said, "I know you hate me."
"I don't get it," Leo said.
"I love Allison," Asher assured, "I'm trying to be friends man."
"You ruined her life," Leo snapped.
"Yes our plans have changed this year with Everly," Asher said, "but Ev makes our lives better. We love our daughter. Leo, I don't want to replace you. I appreciate everything your parents have done for us and taking me in."
"Will you marry her," Leo asked.
"Maybe one day we're 18," Asher said, "right now we're focused on Everly."
"Careers," Leo asked.
"I'll finish my apprenticeship as an industrial electrician and do that," Asher said, "Allie wants to be a teacher. We'll be okay."
Allison floated up to them, "are you talking about me?"
"Maybe," Asher teased, "you okay?
"This is fun but," Allison said.
"You miss her," Asher said, "it's okay Allie. Your dad will bring her when he picks us up."
"Maybe not," Allison said, "he can get 5 of us in the truck without Ev. and Leo I went at least an hour without talking about her."
"So," Leo said, "I'm babysitting one night."
"A couple hours," Allison said, "before you go back to school."
Owen and Megan approached the cabin porch.
Owen said, "I should go get them. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I've come to terms with it," Megan said, "but it hurts."
"I know divorce is hell," Owen said, "and after how many years."
"I'll be okay," Megan assured.
"If you need me," Owen said.
"I know," Megan replied, "you're the best brother. Why don't I watch this little angle and you go get the kids?"
"Teddy was taking Annie's van and I was going to take Ev with me," Owen said.
"It's 10 minutes from the pull out to here," Megan said, "this angel needs auntie Megan time."
"I guess," Owen said.
"She's okay," Megan said, "I've got the angel."
"Watch her legs," Owen said.
"I've noticed," Megan said, "has Allison said anything?"
"It's being watched," Owen said, "there's a chance it's cerebral palsy. But she's only 7 weeks so it's too early. Don't bring it up with Allie, she's so stressed about it. She was relaxed today."
"Mom said she cried again yesterday," Megan said.
"She just needed mom and Teddy to hold and take care of her," Owen said, 'I remember when Annie had Ellie she had a few of those days. Pulse Allie is only 18, she's a college freshman."
"She's going," Megan asked.
"4 courses at UW," Owen said, "and Cat starts highschool."
"She's excited," Megan replied.
"She should be," Owen said, "how's she coping?"
"One reason Nathan is staying in the house is for her," Megan said.
"Does that work for you," Owen asked.
"He's gone so much that it's fine," Megan said, "hes home for 6 weeks tops then goes for 4 or 5 months. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure," Owen asked.
"I am," Megan promised, "I always am Eeyore."
"Seriously," Owen chuckled.
"I have to sometimes to remind you not to pout," Megan said.
"If you need anything," Owen said.
"I know," Megan said giving Owen a quick hug.