Sunday afternoon.
"Move the couch that way," Allison pointed.
"You're still mad about last night," Asher commented.
"Yes," Allison snapped.
"Allie," Asher said, "I didn't plan on it."
"But you did," Allison said, "you were buzzed. You promised me one and you had more than that."
"I had two," Asher admitted.
"Thats double what you promised," Allison snapped.
"I know," Asher said, "I'm sorry."
"I've seen you with two your not like that with two," Allison snapped.
"And we haven't drank in 16 months," Asher said, "I had two then stuck to water. I know I told you one. I didn't think so when Blake handed me the second one."
"Ash," Allison sighed, "this can't be a habit. It's not fair to Everly."
"I know," Asher agreed, "I thought I would stop at one. I really meant to."
"Did you have anything else," Allison asked, "you were pretty out of it."
"No," Asher said, "Blake is doing the same things you're complaining about with Liv."
"Why do you see him, he's a jerk," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said, "I wanted to see Tyson, Jonah and Micah. Allie I honestly wasn't paying attention when Blake opened another beer for me and put it down. I didn't think I'm sorry. Why are you so upset about it?"
"Because if you make that a habit I'll be alone with Ev," Allison said, "mom told me stories about Annie's bio dad. One of the reasons she didn't keep Annie as an infant was because he drank and it wouldn't have been safe for Annie. Ash that scared me. We have a baby, we can't get drunk, we have to be in control."
"I know," Asher said, "I'm sorry. Allie, I messed up."
"It scared me that it would be a habit and I'd be on my own with Ev," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said, "I'm sorry. Allie, please forgive me."
"It can't happen again," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said, "I'm so sorry. It won't happen again."
"Apology accepted," Allison replied before hugging him.
"We good," Asher asked.
"We are," Allison said, "I just had to say it."
"I know," Asher agreed, "I promise it won't happen again."
Allison nodded into his chest.
"Do you want to finish the living room then her room," Asher asked.
"It's just her crib to be placed," Allison said, "Ava and I did a lot of it yesterday."
"I saw,' Asher said, "I like the pink."
"For princess Everly," Allison smiled, "I'm glad we got grey bedding for her room so it still matches."
"Do you like her room," Asher asked.
"I do," Allison said, "we need to make our bed. I want to decorate but we don't really have stuff to decorate with."
"Didn't you buy some yesterday with Ava," Asher asked, "there's more Ikea bags then there should be from our list."
"A few things more for Ev and her toys then anything," Allison said, "mom told me to use her visa so I did for the stuff that we hadn't planned on."
"What did you buy," Asher asked.
"Only things we needed," Allison promised, "I know you don't like when I do it and I'm working more so will pay her back."
"How much," Asher asked.
"400," Allison winced.
"What did you buy," Asher asked.
"New bedding for our bed," Allison said, "that pink stuff mom and I picked out years ago. Before you moved in. So about $200 was for our bedding. It's grey with blue polka dots. Top blanket, sheets, pillow cases and a white cover for the fluffy quilt because I know you hate my pink and white checked one."
"We didn't need it," Asher said, "your pink stuff was fine."
"I wanted it to feel less like mine and more like ours," Allison said, "then I did get some baskets, a couple decorative things for Ev's room. The stuff for organizing our bathroom, a shower curtain, towels."
"I didn't think of that," Asher said, "we still need dishes, pots and pans."
"Mom said not to worry about that," Allison replied, "I think those might be Christmas presents from people."
"So tonight our first night in our own place," Asher said.
"We're making dinner for the three of us," Allison smiled, "we need to go grocery shopping. Mom mentioned taking the card and stocking our pantry the first time."
"I hate doing that," Asher said, "I hate using your mom's card. Allison we can't."
"It's groceries," Allison said, "we have literally nothing. We don't have the money to do it all now."
"Then we don't," Asher said, "I know you're used to your family having money and that it's always there. That's not real life. We can't just use your mom's credit card to fill gaps when you want something. If we need it for diapers is one thing but because you want coffee at school or to go for lunch with Ava not at all. "
"Groceries this once then I'll take it out of my wallet," Allison tried.
"It stays at home," Asher said, "we don't have the cash, we don't buy it. Use your bank card."
"I guess we need a meal plan," Allison said.
"We do and not just dinners," Asher replied, "my mom always planned all of it."
"How do we do that," Allison asked.
"Tonight we're home," Asher said, "tomorrow is your family dinner at Annie's then you parents are doing Wednesday dinner for all of us so we need to pick 5."
"Lunch," Allison asked.
"Lets think about dinners we like that can be lunches," Asher suggested.
"How do you know how to do this," Allison asked.
"Because there were weeks that all we had to eat was macaroni and cheese and instant noodles," Asher said, "I hadn't seen 3 or 4 different vegetables at one dinner until I moved in here. Your dad makes steak whenever he wants to. My parents had to plan and budget the whole week around wanting steak."
Teddy knocked on the open door at the bottom of the stairs.
"Mom," Allison said.
"You two okay," Teddy asked.
"Half organized and trying to figure out a meal plan for the week," Allison said.
"I'm going to do what I did when Annie moved into the little place in Boston with Steph then when she moved to Seattle for her intern year," Teddy replied, "dad agrees."
"What," Asher asked.
"This time I will do a complete fridge and pantry stock up all the essentials then the two of you are responsible for keeping up with what you need," Teddy replied, "like with Annie when she was in med school we will help cover groceries when things are tight. When she was in Boston I did about one grocery shop every six weeks for Annie her last couple years."
"How did you," Allison asked, "you were in Germany."
"She had my visa," Teddy answered, "dad would go to conferences in Boston and would take Annie out for dinner and buy her groceries. We want to help you two."
Owen joined them, "what do you need?"
"Food," Allison said.
"Okay," Owen said, "munchkin go with mom and get groceries. Asher you and I can assemble the Ikea stuff, mount the TV and move the stuff from your current room down."
"We can't let you completely support us," Asher said.
"We appreciate that," Owen said, "but let us help. Asher there is nothing wrong with accepting a hand when you need it. You two are really good at doing as much as you can on your own but you're only 18."
"My tuition, rent, the car," Allison said.
"We would have been paying that if you went away to school," Owen said, 'we always said your college degree we would cover then help as much as possible with anything beyond that. If you went away to school a meal plan would be way more than helping with groceries."
"What if we gave you the same amount a month for groceries we pay for Leo's meal plan," Teddy asked.
"That's too much," Allison said.
"It's $750," Owen said, "it's there if you need or want it. Personally I would use it today and fill your cupboards and pantry. We pay Leo's on the 1st of the month."
"That's a ton of money," Asher said.
"Go stock the pantry and it's always available if you need it," Teddy said, "it's part of what we've saved for Allison to go to school."
"We want to do as much as we can," Allison said.
"We appreciate that," Owen said before sitting on the bottom step, "we also want to help. Allison we can help and will as long as you are in school. You are better long term to accept some help now to focus on Everly and school. I know you two want to stand on your own two feet."
"Allison, Asher, you don't need to do this alone," Teddy said, "we want to help you, we are in a position to help you. We're offering to help with groceries when you need them. We will keep paying all of Allison's tuition and school expenses. Allie your phone is still on our family plan and there's no reason to switch it."
"Can we talk," Allison asked.
"I'm going to get the stuff to stock the pantry and fridge in about an hour," Teddy said, "I am doing that because you need it."
"Mom," Allison said.
"Compromise," Teddy suggested, "we do this today then you two figure out what help you need there is that amount for a meal plan which we can use to help with groceries. It is there if you two decide together to use it or that you need it sometimes but not others."
"How about we do this," Owen said, "you two have that visa with Allison's name on it linked to ours. Use it up to that amount if and when needed. Groceries for 3 meals and snacks everyday is more then you two think. Do what you can and then we can help when you need it. You're really responsible with the card now. I think I saw a few tanks of gas last month?"
"Use it as a fall back," Allison said, "when we can't make it work?"
"That would be okay," Asher agreed, "but we support our family."
"We will," Allison said.
Leo pounded down the stairs.
"Leo," Allison said, "come look."
"This doesn't look like our playroom," Leo said.
"It's not anymore," Allison smiled, "Ash can I show him?"
"Why are you asking," Asher asked.
"So where's the princess," Leo asked.
"Her new room in the pack and play," Allison said, "she'll be up soon."
Leo looked around seeing the newly renovated basement with the small kitchen, the TV mounted on the wall opposite the windows and the grey sectional that had been in the basement for a couple years facing the TV. The alcove that had once been home to bean bags and book shelves now had low cubby like shelves in it with Everly's books and toys. There was a dining table and chairs tucked into a corner near the kitchen two of the chairs were against the wall and two others were by the door so that the table was set up for 2 adults and the high chair.
"Can I get my perfect niece," Leo asked.
"If she's not up in half an hour," Asher said.
"How long has she been asleep," Teddy asked.
"An hour," Allison said, "it's her second nap. She'll play for a bit then cat nap before dinner again."
"How many naps now," Leo asked.
"Two good ones for 60-90 minutes for sure and a cat nap most days in her swing or the stroller before dinner," Allison answered, "we were trying to get some stuff worked out while she's asleep."
"She grew again," Leo commented.
"She has but it's only been a month Leo," Allison said.
"I miss you guys," Leo said, "I might transfer back to UW next year, take over your old room and Ev's."
"You need a better reason than missing us," Teddy said, "UCLA is a good school."
"I was teasing," Leo said, "and my girlfriend is in LA."
"Girlfriend," Allison gasped, "you didn't say."
"It's new," Leo said, "Ciena. Its slow. But I met her son Jake."
"That's big," Allison said, "my new friends from school haven't seen Ev yet."
"No," Leo asked.
"No she knows Ava best then Carmen and Eden," Allison said.
"Is Ava coming over," Asher asked.
"During the short nap," Allison said, "just for me to do her hair."
"And she wants to see our place," Asher said.
"She was helping yesterday," Allison said, "can the three of you move our bed down then I'll make it?"
"Lets go boys," Owen commanded.
"Allie, you and I can do the night stands," Teddy said.
They walked up stairs and Teddy grabbed the night stand on Asher's side of the bed.
That evening Leo knocked on the basement door.
"Hey Leo," Asher said.
"Can I hang out with you," Leo asked, "dad and mom are watching some weird war documentary and yelling at the TV that it's wrong."
"Sure," Allison said, "we're just going to get Ev ready for bed soon, then find something to watch."
"You okay being down here," Leo asked.
"It's a bit weird," Allison admitted, "I feel like I should still go up to bed."
"Ditching me up there with both parents," Leo complained.
"Hey you get to be in a dorm two thirds of the time completely away from us," Allison countered.
"Can I," Leo asked, pointing to Everly.
"We need to do physio then you can play with her before her bath," Asher said.
"Your turn to do physio. I've done it 3 times today and she already cried twice," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said.
"So your girlfriend," Allison asked.
"Ciena," Leo said, "she's in a couple of my classes. We've hung out a bunch and Thursday when I dropped off her christmas present I got to meet her little guy."
"How old," Asher asked.
"Three," Leo said.
"And you're okay with it," Asher asked, "you weren't exactly thrilled about Everly."
"I was a jerk," Leo admitted.
"Ciena," Allison said, "do you have pictures?"
"Her instagram," Leo said.
"Show me," Allison said.
At that moment Leo's phone vibrated and he smiled.
"Ciena," Asher asked.
"Yes," Leo agreed.
Leo texted for a few minutes.
"Can I send Ciena a picture of Everly," Leo asked.
"One from earlier when she was happy or one I sent you from her christmas pictures," Allison said, "she's in jammies and grumpy."
"Princess Everly is grumpy," Leo asked.
"She doesn't like physio," Allison said.
"Maybe a story with uncle Leo will help," Leo offered.
"You don't read stories," Allison said.
"Remember when Nee would read them to us," Leo said, "she had so many."
"She always read to us and her kids," Allison said, "she brought me a bunch of books her kids have outgrown."
"Do you have the bear one with the music," Leo asked.
"No," Allison said, "but there is a bear one Ev likes."
"Allie can I read to her," Leo asked.
On the couch Teddy complained, "it's too quiet."
"The kids are just down stairs," Owen said.
"But she's moved down stairs," Teddy said, "our first christmas in this house we were waiting for her. It was our first one together."
"It was," Owen said pulling Teddy to cuddle with him.
"That is one perk of the kids being down stairs," Teddy smiled, "can we find something festive?"
"This is so wrong that ya," Owen said.
"We don't need to watch this," Teddy said, "Owen we lived it. Why do you like watching this stuff?"
"It reminds me the people were real, Dan Mooney was real," Owen said.
"They are real Owen," Teddy assured, "they were very real. We played soccer with them, we held their hands."
"They should have lived," Owen said.
"I know," Teddy said, "I think about it all the time and I always will. That's the trauma we went through. I pray everyday none of ours ever has to see that."
"Leo," Owen said, "Allie isn't going to and Annie is too old."
"He might," Teddy said, "he's talking about doing what you and Meg did. He could if he could get his act together and get his grades up."
"I know," Owen said.
"If he goes Owen I don't think I can do it," Teddy said, "I can't send our son into that. Not knowing what we do."
"I know," Owen said, "there's no major conflicts now."
"There wasn't when I enlisted,' Owen said, "I didn't want him to."
"He wants to be like you," Teddy said, "he's said trauma surgery."
"So we'd have cardio and trauma," Owen said.
"Allie I think we'll see something with Peds or Neuro," Teddy said.
"Pediatrician," Owen said, 'she won't do a 5 year surgical residency with Everly. Pediatrician is 3 years."
"Maybe," Teddy said, "she'll decide. I just don't want to see Leo in combat. Something like Landsthul would be okay. Close enough to something to really help but far enough not to be in the line of fire."
"And if he is we know how to help him," Owen said, "we'll understand."
"He's just so young," Teddy said.
"It would be years away Ted," Owen said, "it'll be okay. He's only a sophomore now he'll get some more training in the summer. He's technically reserves anyway. College, med school then see."
"We'll be in our 70s," Teddy groaned.
"You're 65 now," Owen said.
"I don't like that number," Teddy shook her head.
"I've known you 33 years," Owen smiled.
"Half my life," Teddy answered.
"Did it turn out how you thought," Owen asked.
"From when I met you," Teddy said, "I was so lost."
"I know then finding out about Annie," Owen said, "you used to light up getting Dan and Leslie's letters."
"Annie is up there this weekend," Teddy said, "her and Chris are packing up the house so it can be sold."
"Just Chris," Owen asked.
"They decided to do it together," Teddy replied, "Josh, Jenna and the kids went up but I don't think they're in the house."
"Leslie," Owen asked.
"Althimers," Teddy said.
In BC Annie and Chris walked together into the nursing home down the street from their highschool.
"You okay Ann," Chris asked.
"Maybe," Annie replied, "we're okay C we have to be."
"She won't know us," Chris replied.
They walked into the nursing home and Chris lead the way to Leslie's room.
"Mom," Chris called from the door.
"Chris," Leslie asked.
"Yes mom," Chris answered, "and Annie."
"Annie my Annie," Leslie asked.
"I'm here mom," Annie whispered.
"My little girl," Leslie smiled, "you grew up."
"I did," Annie said.
"Why did you grow up," Leslie asked.
"I had to," Annie said, "my girls are growing up and so are my boys."
"You have daughters," Leslie asked.
"Two girls and two boys," Annie said, taking a chair by the Leslie, "14,11,10 and 5. Ellie is in grade 10, Matt is in grade 6, Henry is in grade 5 and Heather is in Kindergarten. She turned 5 two weeks ago."
"You don't visit," Leslie said.
"I live in Seattle mom," Annie replied, "I'm a kids heart surgeon there."
"You went to medical school," Leslie asked.
"Harvard," Annie said.
"Did I ever tell you about your birth mom," Leslie asked.
"I know her," Annie said, "you've met Teddy mom. When Matt was born you stayed with her and Owen."
"I don't remember," Leslie said, 'she was really young Annie. She was so scared. She didn't want to give you up. She wanted you. She loved you. I would always write Teddy letters and she always wrote me back. Always."
"I know," Annie smiled, "Teddy showed me your letters 16 years ago when I got married."
"You're married," Leslie said.
"His name is Josh," Annie said, "we've been together 23 years we met in Med school. He's at Greenaway park down the road with the kids. Chris's wife is there two with their kids."
"You're my first baby," Leslie said, "you made me a mom."
"I know," Annie said, "Ellie made me a mom."
"Dad and I prayed for years," Leslie said.
"I know," Annie replied, "mom I have to go. My kids are waiting."
"I love you," Leslie said.
"I love you two," Annie replied.
"When is Jessica coming," Leslie asked.
"Soon," Annie said, "you'll see her soon."
Annie knew from talking to the nurses that this was a very lucid day for Leslie. They had been getting fewer and farther between. Between the althimers and the recurring pneumonia that kept sending Leslie to the hospital Annie knew it was only a matter of time.
"Don't tell Jessica but you're my favourite daughter," Leslie said, "Annie is the smart one, the one who will do something with her life."
"I'm a doctor," Annie said, "a very good one."
"Tell the nurse that I want Annie's graduation picture up," Leslie said.
"I will," Annie replied, she sat back down. She didn't know if she would get another lucid interval with this woman. Her relationship to Leslie was complicated and so were her feelings about the woman but today this was almost the mother she remembered as a child. For the first time in years Annie took the woman's hand.
"My Annie made me a mom. Annabeth Grace McKellar," Leslie said, "we adopted her. Her birth mother chose her middle name she called her baby Grace. If you talk to Annie tell her that her birth mom's name was Teddy and she was an american. I think she was a soldier or a doctor."
"She was both for a long time," Annie said, "I know her. I work with Teddy every day. You are my mom and you raised me and Teddy is my mama. Tell me about Annie."
"She's 18 and she's going to UBC," Leslie said, "she's taking biology and she's going to go to medical school one day. She's so smart. You would not believe how smart she is. And gorgeous, blonde curls that she keeps straightening even though I prefer her curls, emerald green eyes. She's short, maybe 5'2". She's a dancer, ballet and highland and dances on the UBC team. She won worlds last summer. She's good. She's so sweet and good with little kids but super shy. She doesn't talk much unless she knows you really well then she talks a mile a minute. She's my one to watch. Of my three Annie will change the world. I don't know where she gets it, maybe her birth mom but I don't know. She's going to do amazing things. I'm already so proud of her. I wish I could tell her how much I love her but I can't make Annie listen. She thinks she doesn't belong because she's adopted. But her dad and I we chose her to complete our family. We tried for years and I lost a few before we decided to adopt then it took a couple years. The moment I held her our family was complete. Those huge green eyes then she didn't stop moving. Annie doesn't stay still. She bounces everywhere. She's going to be someone to watch."
"She will be," Annie said, "mom I'm Annie. I grew up and I became a doctor, I have an amazing husband and four beautiful children, two of each like we always talked about. You were right, my family Josh, Ellie, Matt, Henry and Heather that is the best thing I've ever done. I wish you would have known them years ago before everything happened. You would have liked Josh. Dad really likes Josh and my kids."
Josh was standing in the door with Chris listening.
"She's not wrong," Chris said, "but mom doesn't have much time."
"I know," Josh said, "she's gone down fast in the last year and then the pneumonia. I'm glad Annie is hearing this. I've never heard about her though Leslie's eyes before she got sick."
"Neither have I," Chris said, "I don't remember ever hearing this about us before the diagnosis. Mom did this with me yesterday when we were alone. I think she's saying good bye."
"So do I," Josh said, "but I think for Annie to have closure she needs to hear this."
"She does," Chris said.
"I have to go," Annie told Leslie having had enough, "I'll come again soon mom."
"Please," Leslie said.
Annie stood and hugged the woman blinking back tears, "I have always loved you and I will always be thankful for everything you and dad did for me. I forgive you. I love you mommy."
"I love you to the moon and beyond the stars Annie Bear," Leslie said hugging her tighter, they were the same words Leslie had tucked Annie in with every night until she had moved out to go to UBC. Words she hadn't heard since she was 19.
Annie stood and walked out of the room in the hall she collapsed against Josh crying, "she did love me. She was just too sick to show it."
"She did," Josh said.
"That's the last time we'll see her lucid," Annie said.
"I think so," Josh agreed, "it's like my dad."
"I know," Annie replied, "it's hard."
"It is," Josh agreed, "do you want to get the kids and go home?"
"Yes," Annie replied, "they'll be up way too late but it's a school day tomorrow. Heather and Henry have a concert rehearsal tomorrow and the performance on Tuesday, Matt's concert is Wednesday and Ellie has the dance team show Thursday."
"Then let's head home," Josh said, "do you need to call Teddy?"
"We're having coffee tomorrow before both of our surgeries," Annie replied.
"Jenna has the kids in the lobby," Josh said.
"Let's get them and go," Annie agreed.