Leo sat in the back seat of Asher's truck on the way to the cabin. He kept looking into Everlys car seat and holding her hand or her foot.
"Leo, can you stop, she won't nap if you keep playing with her," Allison groaned, "we want her to nap in the truck on the drive that's why we left when we did."
"Her eyes are half closed," Leo said.
"Stop touching her and let her sleep," Allison said, "she's comfy in her car seat, she has her blanket and her soother, her braces are off."
"You took them off," Asher asked.
"This long in the car seat she gets marks from them," Allison said, "its one day."
"Then we'll do it on the way home," Asher said.
"We start the casting in a couple months," Allison said.
"We have to before she's ready to walk," Asher said.
"Casting," Leo asked.
"Her muscles and tendons are really tight. Lincoln wants to do a 3 months series of casts to stretch them gently and change them every couple weeks," Allison explained.
Leo's phone buzzed in his pocket, he smiled seeing the name.
"Ciena," Leo greeted.
"Not face time," Ciena asked.
"No," Leo said, "I'm in the car with Allison, Asher and Everly we're heading to the cabin."
"Are you driving," Ciena asked.
"Asher is," Leo said, "I'm in the backseat with Everly."
"So your brother in laws car," Ciena said.
"Asher's truck," Leo confirmed.
"But your sister and her," Ciena started realizing she didn't know what Allison and Asher were.
"Her boyfriend," Asher said, "my older sister has 4 kids so my parents took 2 of theirs. My older nieces Ellie and Heather. 14 and 5."
"Only because Annie has Josh's truck and he's not coming up until tomorrow," Allison said.
"Ciena my sister seems to want to be part of the conversation," Leo said.
"It's a small truck," Allison replied.
"I'll meet your sister," Ciena said, "Allison is your younger sister."
"She is," Leo confirmed, "you're on speakerphone."
"Hi," Allison called.
"It's good to have a voice to put with the name," Ciena said, "Leo talks about you and Everly all the time."
"She's trying to nap but she's used to truck naps and Asher and I talking or having music on," Allison said, "Leo keeps trying to hold her hand and waking her up."
"My brother is like that with my son," Ciena said.
"How old," Allison asked.
"Almost four," Ciena replied, "Jake is a good kid. How old is your daughter?"
"Seven months," Asher replied.
"You two are doing okay," Ciena asked.
"We're good it's hectic with school and work but we can do it," Allison said.
"What are you studying," Ciena asked.
"I'm Pre Med like Leo and Asher is an electrical apprentice," Allison replied, "you?"
"Trying to get into nursing," Ciena said, "I need to upgrade a couple more science classes and I should be in. then it's 4 years full time."
"Full time is a lot with a child," Allison agreed.
"You're going full time," Ciena asked, "how?"
"I work about 60 hours a week," Asher replied, "Allie goes to school Monday to Friday and works 2-3 shifts a week at Safeway."
"I work full time and do 2 classes," Ciena said.
"We debated it," Allison said, "so what else do you do?"
"I serve 5 nights a week and hang out with Jake," Ciena said, "it's just him and I in my parents basement."
"We're in Allie's parents basement," Asher said.
"Do you live with them," Ciena asked, "and your Everly's dad?"
"I am," Asher replied, "my name's Asher."
"How long have you been together," Ciena asked.
"Just over a year," Asher said.
"We started dating after we found out about Everly," Allison said.
"Hows Jake," Leo asked.
"Good," Ciena said, "he loves the animals you got him. You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to," Leo said, "he's a good kid. I'd like to see him again."
"Soon," Ciena agreed, "the first weekend your back he's with his dad."
"His dad," Leo asked.
"For the first time in a year," Ciena said, "we'll see if he shows I haven't told Jake yet. I don't want to let him down."
"I know a few of my friends struggle with that," Allison agreed.
"You know other people who had kids in high school," Ciena asked.
"I did an online program last year for second semester," Allison said, "there was a family studies class I had to take that was all moms in tenth to twelfth. I met two of my good friends in that class. Their babies are a couple months older than Everly."
"We should talk again," Ciena said.
"That would be good, someone who's going to college and raising their child," Allison said, "it's lonely sometimes."
"It is," Ciena agreed, "I'm lucky Leo kind of understands."
"Kind of," Leo said.
"Allison is your sister but I know you love your niece," Ciena said, "you always show me new pictures of Everly."
"She's all Allie texts about," Leo said.
"You ask," Allison responded.
"How long are you at your cabin for," Ciena asked.
"Five nights," Leo said, "just family time."
"I'll let you go," Ciena said.
"I'll talk to you when we get up there and I'm alone," Leo said.
After Leo hung up he kept texting with Ciena.
Ciena, "your family has unique names."
Leo, "my name is actually Daniel Leo is a nickname. My mom is Teddy. What do we expect."
Cienna, "Teddy has to be a nick name."
Leo, "Theodora. But my dads name is Owen and my older sister is Annie. Asher is my brother in law. I have two of those. Asher and Josh. Josh is Annie's husband."
Ciena, "you don't say much about Annie."
Leo, "she's 24 years older than me. It's hard to be close to her the same way. Her kids are closer to our age."
Ciena, "you have the same dad?"
Leo, "mom. But I'm adopted. My parents were in their mid 40s when they had Allison and adopted me."
Ciena, "after med school what do you want to do?"
Leo, "I owe the army some time. Doing what dad did going through college and med school getting some training then when I'm done I'll serve. But it's 6 years away. I could do a residency in a VA close to you."
Ciena, "it's 6 years away but what about us?"
Leo, "for now we keep dating. One day I want the life my sisters have with a partner and children. I really like you and spending time with you and I want to get to know Jake."
Ciena, "when your back come over one night."
Leo, "I will. Will Jake and your parents be okay with that?"
Ciena, "it's my basement suite and Jake likes people."
Leo liked Ciena but he didn't like how she was assuming he would change his plan completely for her. They had only been dating a few weeks, they hadn't even said I love you yet. He knew her priorities were different but he needed more time to decide what he wanted.
"Allie," Leo said, "hypothetically if you were to date someone else."
"What the fuck," Allison snapped, "Asher and I are happy."
"It's about Ciena," Leo clarified, "every time we've talked life after college she doesn't seem impressed with me serving like mom and dad. It's like she expects me to stay around for her."
"Eden has said it's hard to keep Jonah in a good place and balance it," Allison replied, "Carmen won't date."
"Jonah is in love with her," Asher said, "the way he talks about her."
"She wants what we have though," Allison said, "she is in love with him. She trusts him with Joshua. Jonah had her stroller when we went to the light walk."
"He did," Asher said, "I had Ev in our carrier so you and Eden just walked and chatted."
"Have you spent time with her son," Allison asked.
"I've seen him twice," Leo said, "maybe 20 minutes total."
"Eden said that was huge for her seeing how Jonah played with and was with Joshua," Allison said.
"Joshua fell asleep on Jonah a few weeks ago," Asher said, "we were at Eden's for movie night."
"He was half asleep when he took Joshua from Eden," Allison said, "but it's cute when you and Jonah have the kids."
"I like watching you with Everly," Asher said.
"How big of a deal is getting a long with her son," Leo asked.
"Huge," Allison said, "I'm even finding that I'm distancing myself from friends who can't be supportive."
"I haven't seen Olivia around much," Leo pointed out.
"She's partying a lot and it's just not me," Allison said, "I miss her being around but her drinking and the pot."
"It's more than pot," Asher said, "her boyfriend at Ava's party."
"I don't think she's that stupid," Allison said.
"He was," Asher said, "he offered it to me."
"You said no," Allison said.
"Thats when I came and got you to leave," Asher said.
"Why didn't you tell me then," Allison asked.
"You were having a good night," Asher said, "your finals were done, you were relaxed."
"We had fun that night," Allison said, "at least I thought we did."
"We did," Asher agreed, thinking of what had happened after they got home and sent Ellie up to Teddy's guest room.
"Leo, if you're not 100% serious about Ciena and getting to know Jake I wouldn't go there as great as she seems," Allison said.
"I like her but it's Jake I don't know if I can be a dad right now," Leo said.
"It's hard," Asher admitted.
"I want to do the right thing and I like her but," Leo said.
"Jake makes it hard," Allison agreed, "what does Annie say?"
"Choose what makes you happy," Leo said.
"Think about it," Asher replied, "give it some thought."
"What do you want life to be," Allison asked.
"We don't go out with our friends and when we do go out we have to make sure Ev can come or we have a babysitter and we pay Ellie when she has," Asher said.
"Annie, mom and Meg won't let us pay them," Allison said, "even Chris and Jenna have babysat."
"She doesn't like making weekend plans when she's off," Leo said, "I like her but I don't like being an after thought."
"Everly comes first," Allison said, "and we're together she comes first for both us. It's a lot to balance and sometimes we miss out on things. We don't go on dates, we don't go out. Listening to some of my friends and seeing their Instagram and tick toc I'm missing out. My college experience won't be the same as yours is or Annie's was. I don't get to sneak drinks in a dorm or go to a big party. But I have my family and I come home from class to Ev reaching for me and putting her arms around my neck. I know Ash is there and when I've finished my homework we'll have our time."
"If you had to put it in order," Leo asked.
"Everly, Allie, work, house stuff, other family," Asher said.
"Ev, Asher, school, house stuff, family, work," Allison listed, "you?"
"School, fun, family, survival," Leo said.
"What is Ciena," Allison asked.
"Fun," Leo admitted.
"Is that what she wants," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Leo answered.
"Talk to her," Allison said.
Everly began to cry.
"Leo what did you do to my baby," Allison asked.
Leo looked at the baby, "she spit out her soother."
"Can you give it back to her," Asher asked.
"Sure," Leo shrugged. He gave the soother back to the baby and she quieted down.
"Having someone in the back seat helps," Asher said, "uncle Leo is a good manny."
"Manny," Leo asked.
"Male nanny," Asher replied.
"Leo there's snacks in her diaper bag," Allison said, "and my water."
"You want snacks," Leo asked.
"Yes and water," Allison said.
"Do you ever stop eating," Leo teased.
"I do," Allison retorted, "i'm just hungry. Everly is still reliant on me for food."
"But she had food this morning," Leo said, "you were sitting with mom and giving her baby food."
"She gets both," Allison said, "and she only likes real food half the time. She only likes banana, avocado and cereal."
"She's had too many holiday treats," Asher said.
"Dad giving her tastes of ice cream is not helping," Allison groaned.
"I thought he stopped," Asher said.
"It's dad he wont," Allison said, "he said he gets to spoil because he's grandpa."
"Your parents are the worst for that," Asher joked.
"I didn't think they would be," Allison said, "they've always been so fair with us and Annie's kids. But they totally spoil Ev."
"She's the baby," Leo said.
"How's she doing," Allison asked.
"Asleep," Leo assured.
They continued their drive to the cabin with Allison napping for part of the trip. Asher glanced over and smiled. He knew Allison was exhausted and ran herself ragged. The days at the cabin where she could slow down, no work, no school, lots of help with Everly would be good.
They pulled into the driveway at the cabin.
"This is tricky," owen said.
"How so," Allison asked.
"We didn't know Faroke and Nisha were coming," Owen said.
"We can go to the loft with the other kids and Ev,"'Allison said, "take the mattress on the floor and but her in a pack and play beside us."
"Couch and pack and play," Asher suggested, "the fold out couch is okay."
"Uncle owen we'll take the couch," Faroke said, he didn't love the idea and wanted to be in a room alone with Nisha but they realised the baby would need somewhere quiet for bedtime and naps.
"What about I go to the couch and Faroke and Nisha take my room," Megan suggested.
"Are nana and opa coming," Allison asked.
"Not this year it's just too much for her," Teddy said.
"Could someone use nanas room," Allison asked.
"I hadn't thought of that," Owen said.
"Let's do Faroke and Nisha in moms room," Megan suggested, "leave Allison and Asher where they've been. Leo, Ellie, Henry, Matt and Cat in the loft. Chris and Jenna in their room and their boys in the loft."
"Keep Heather on the trundle bed in our room," Annie said, "my dad isn't coming."
"I'm going to help Ash unload, Ellie and Cat stole Everly," Allison said, "we're in our room."
"You have your room," Owen agreed.
They smiled as Allison walked away. She seemed calm and content today.
"It hasn't been this complicated before," Teddy shook her head.
"Two more essentially married," Megan said.
"I know and she's so young," Teddy sighed.
"She is but she grew up fast," Megan said, "is she skiing?"
"One day," Teddy said, "Asher doesn't and she doesn't love being away from Everly."
"I remember that with baby Cat," Megan agreed.
Ellie and Catrina were throwing snowballs outside.
"Allie are you coming," Catrina yelled.
Allison paused.
"I'll take her," Nisha offered, "I hardly know her we're so busy."
Allison froze.
"Allison go play," Nisha suggested, "your only in the yard. Everly is asleep and your parents and Faroke's mom are inside."
"I should," Allison said.
"I'll come get you if she needs you," Nisha said.
"But," Allison said clearly torn between wanting to go play and her need to be with her baby. She looked over to where Asher was chopping wood with Leo.
"It's okay," Nisha said, "babies are the best part of my job."
"But you see newborns," Allison said.
"I like this age two," Nisha promised, "if we're going to be cousins she needs to get to know me."
"I guess," Allison said, "but if she wakes up or fusses you'll come get me?"
"Of course," Nisha agreed, "and Allison I know I'm still a resident but I am an OB if anything ever comes up."
"I'm good with Dr. Deluca," Allison said, "but thanks Nisha."
Nisha took the baby from Allison and carried her inside. Nisha liked playing with the baby, they were talking about kids but weren't quite there yet, they had just gotten engaged.
"She's a good baby," Nisha assured, "I'm happy to play with her or answer any questions."
"Allie come on," Catrina called.
"I'm coming," Allison shouted back before giving Everly another kiss on the top of her head.
Teddy watched out the window smiling as Allison picked up a handful of snow and flung it at the other girls.
"She's good Teddy," Owen smiled, joining Teddy at the window.
"She is," Teddy agreed, "she looks relaxed."
"She does," Owen agreed, "now can you relax super mom?"
"I'll try," Teddy agreed.
"We're at the cabin," Owen said, "read, ski, drink wine, relax, snowshoe."
"Sledding," Teddy asked.
"Your love of snow never fades, does it," Owen teased.
"Nope," Teddy said, "later we'll take Ev I hope."
"Allie said so," Owen agreed.
A while later the girls came in stamping the snow off their boots and hanging their snow gear up.
Everly saw her mom and reached for her while babbling. Allison took the baby from Nisha and held the little one close to her.
"So princess," Allison said, "we're going to have some lunch and a nap then we'll go for a walk in the snow."
Everly babbled back at Allison.
"Lunch missy," Allison said, "today we have carrots, yams and chicken. You liked your egg this morning."
"She likes eggs," Teddy agreed.
"The last couple days she's liked food," Allison said.
"What are you doing for food," Megan asked.
"Solids at lunch because she's happy, milk when she wants it," Allison said, "if she's showing interest in our food she gets tastes when we're eating."
"Okay so your plan now," Megan asked, "we all want to be part of her first snow walk."
"Carrot, yams and chicken then milk if she wants it," Allison said, "nap for a couple hours. I want to read then when she wakes up, more milk and then our walk. I want to take her for a snow walk."
Allison went through Everly's lunch and nap routines then joined the rest of the family for lunch.
"Mom it's snowing," Allison said sitting beside Teddy on the couch.
"How much longer will she nap," Teddy asked.
"An hour ish," Allison said, "she's off her routine and needs to do what she does."
"How are you baby girl," Teddy asked.
"Good," Allison said, "we're finally sleeping enough at night."
"Since you moved down I don't hear when she wakes up," Teddy said.
"Still once but then just feed and back to sleep," Allison said, "she's a good baby."
"She is," Teddy replied.
"We get new braces next week," Allison said, "hers are getting small."
"She's growing," Teddy smiled.
"It's fast," Allison said.
"It is," Teddy said, "then you'll blink and she's a mom."
"Hopefully she's older than I am," Allison said.
"Then you teach her," Teddy said, "tell her your story like I told you mine."
"She's going to be okay won't she," Allison asked.
"She is," Teddy said.
Allison and Teddy continued chatting until Everly woke up.
"I'm going to get her ready," Allison smiled.
"Go," Teddy replied.
Allison and Asher got Everly ready to go outside while the others bundled up.
Finally ready to go outside Allison carried Everly down the porch steps and set her in the baby sled, the same one she had used.
"Princess are you ready," Asher asked, "we're going out in the snow."
"She's ready," Allison said, "she's going to love it."
"Is she warm enough," Asher asked.
"She is," Allison said, "I think."
"Are we going," Teddy asked.
"Let's go," Allison said.
Asher took the handle of the baby sled and pulled it forward slowly. Everly looked up Allison.
"Do you see the snow Ev," Allison asked, "it's snowing."
"Oh," Everly tried.
"Snow," Allison said, "is the snow pretty?"
"Oh," Everly tried again.
"She's bright," Annie smiled, "do you like the snow Everly?"
"Oh," Everly tried again.
Allison crouched beside the sled seeing the Asher had stopped pulling it. She lifted Everly out of the sled and placed her in the snow. Allison put a little bit of snow in Everly's mitten covered hands and giggled when Everly tried to eat the snow.
"She's an Altman," Teddy declared crouching down with them, "she loves the snow."
Owen took his phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture of the three playing with the snow. Everly's cheeks were rosy and the baby was giggling. Allison kissed her baby's cheek. When Everly had enough of the snow Allison placed her back in the sled and walked beside her to join the rest of the family on their snow walk. This was one of Allison's favourite traditions, the snow walk all together on their first ski trip of the year.