"I want to do this but I feel guilty leaving Everly," Allison said as they threw their overnight packs in the truck.
"It's two, maybe three nights," Asher assured, "she's two babe. She's home with your parents."
"I know," Allison said, "I just feel guilt going with out her."
"Let us figure out back packing without her then she'll come next time," Asher said.
"We can carry her now but what about when she's too big," Allison asked.
"We'll figure it out," Asher said, "and if it's one or two weekends in the summer your mom or sister will take Ev."
"I hate asking," Allison said.
"We stayed with Annie's kids last weekend so they could go away," Asher said.
"Mom and dad would go and leave us with Annie for a couple nights," Allison said.
"Ev knows we love her," Asher said, "we've never done this."
"She's always been there when we go away," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said, "three days just you and I."
"Are you sure she's okay," Allison asked.
"She is," Asher assured, "she's home and you know how much your parents spoil her."
"They do," Allison smiled, "how many new toys this time?"
"Pool toys," Asher agreed.
"She loves the pool," Allison agreed, "she's doing so well in swimming lessons."
"She is," Asher smiled.
They drove for a while happily chatting.
"She should be up," Allison said looking at the clock on the dash, it was 7 AM and they had already been driving for 2 hours.
"I'm sure she is," Asher said, "we said goodbye before she went to bed last night and tucked her in upstairs."
"She's almost out of the crib," Allison said.
"We're just taking that side off and lowering it to the ground," Asher said, "it's time."
"It is," Allison said, 'she's two. Ash we did it. She's two she's walking and talking. She's a real little person."
"She looks more like you everyday,' Asher said.
"I see you," Allison replied.
"She's mommy's girl," Asher laughed, "you've just been home with her so much more."
"Because you don't want me to work more," Allison argued.
"Allie work a few hours a week, I know right now you're doing 40 for the summer but during the school year go back to 2 shifts, you're a lot happier, Ev is happier," Asher said, "ya it's a bit tighter but I got a raise again."
"I know you did," Allison said, "but I hate feeling like I'm not contributing."
"You are," Asher said, "you do 95% of the house stuff are the more hands on parent and cook."
"But it's not fair," Allison said.
"Allie I would say something if it bugged me," Asher said, "I would much rather you be calm."
"I still have 6 years of school," Allison replied.
"I know," Asher said, "you start studying for your MCAT soon?"
"After europe and take it a year from now," Allison said, "mom said she would help that she helped Annie."
"You have lots of help," Asher said, "isn't Leo going to do it around the same time?"
"He is," Allison confirmed, "we'll work together."
"Good," Asher replied, "ready for this?"
"I think so," Allison replied, "you?"
"Yes," Asher said.
"Do we have enough food," Allison asked.
"We do," Asher said.
They reached the trail head and laced their hiking boots before grabbing their bags. They enjoyed the hike, able to relax and be quiet together.
At the house Owen was trying to get Everly to do her physio.
"No stretch," Everly yelled.
"We can have a cookie after this," Owen coaxed.
"No cookie," Everly yelled.
"Do you want to do it now or after we get dressed," Owen asked.
"No stretch," Everly sobbed.
"We have to princess," Owen said, "we'll stretch. Get dressed, grandma is making waffles, then we're going to your swimming lesson."
"No mommy stretch," Everly yelled.
"Mommy and daddy aren't here," Owen answered.
"Mommy," Everly yelled crawling out of the room.
Owen grabbed her and pulled her back, "come back."
"No," Everly yelled.
"Everly we're going to do this,' Owen scolded.
"No." Everly yelled, "mommy."
"Mommy isn't home," Owen said, "she'll be back in 2 sleeps."
"Mommy," Everly yelled again, "want mommy."
"She's not here," Owen said.
"Mommy come home," Everly asked.
"In two sleeps," Owen said, "today we're going to play in the pool then go to auntie Annie's."
"Maybe I can try," Leo offered.
"Everly do you want to play with uncle Leo," Owen offered.
"Mommy," everly pouted.
"The first time Allie left her overnight," Leo said, "I'll take her out this afternoon."
"You are not using your niece to pick up girls," Owen replied.
"I'm not," Leo said, "the opposite. This girl keeps following me when I run. Toddler is a deterrent."
"Leo," Owen said, "did you talk to her?"
"No she's not my type," Leo said, "she's shorter than Annie."
"Don't discount her for being short," Owen said.
"I don't want to commit to anything," Leo replied.
"Why," Owen asked.
"I haven't met a girl I really like and I don't want to lead any one on," Leo said, "I have another couple years of college then med school. And then I have to serve and who knows where I'll go."
"Just be open with whoever about your plans," Owen encouraged.
"I am and it doesn't go over well," Leo replied.
"It was hard," Owen agreed, "and it lead to me and her being unhappy."
"What happened," Leo asked.
"Ms Whitman, your middle school principal and I dated," Owen said, "med school, my years with the army. We were even engaged but she wasn't right. I didn't do it well. We had different views for what we wanted out of life. Be honest and open."
"I don't know if I even really care," Leo said, "I think you and mom want me to date more than I do and Annie always asks."
"Your sister didn't really date much at your age," Owen said, "Annie didn't date in med school."
"She did," Teddy said, "but dates not relationships. She would call me and we would laugh about how weird some of them were."
"But Josh," Leo asked.
"Her best friend until her third or fourth year and it gradually became something more," Teddy said.
"I just don't have time," Leo said, "I can only handle 4 classes, studying and working."
"Then that's what you do," Teddy said, "why isn't Everly dressed?"
"She won't do her physio," Owen said.
"What if one of you does it two," Teddy suggested.
"I'll help Ev," Owen said, "Leo you're up."
"Everly can you do this," Leo asked showing Everly the first stretch.
Everly was intrigued by what her uncle was doing and copied him.
"Let's get you dressed," Leo said picking Everly up after her physio was finished.
"Leo," Teddy asked.
"I can get her dressed and change her diaper," Leo said, "I have baby sat and Allie always lays out all her clothes."
"I guess I'll finish breakfast," Teddy said, "one or two waffles Leo?"
"Two," Leo said, "waffle bacon sandwich?"
"I made sausages," Teddy said.
"Eggs," Leo asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied.
"Still making a waffle sandwich," Leo answered.
Teddy laughed, "I wish I could still eat like that."
"Come on mom you want to try it," Leo teased.
"No I don't," Teddy said.
"Did you ever," Leo asked.
"I used to eat what ever I wanted," Teddy replied, "but now I have to watch it."
"Should I," Leo asked.
"You're healthy and working out every day," Teddy said, "how did you get Ev to calm down?"
"I did her stretches," Leo replied, "I'm going to walk with her later."
"She's getting good," Owen said.
"Can she just walk at the park," Leo asked.
"On smooth grass or walk ways she's not ready for the wood chips or gravel yet," Teddy said, "our yard she can toddle about all she wants."
"And I take her to Annie's tonight to babysit Heather," Leo asked.
"No she's staying here," Teddy said, "Allison and Asher can do the transfer when she's asleep but the rest of us it won't work."
"Do you want me to take her for the day," Leo asked.
"You've come a long way," Owen replied, "when she was first born you yelled at Allison for feeding her."
"I was jealous of all the attention Allie was getting," Leo admitted, "it was bend over backwards to make Allie comfortable, to calm her down, help her and I got ignored."
"We know," Teddy said, "I'm sorry."
"It was never Everly," Leo said, "except feeding her on the couch was weird at first."
"It was different," Owen agreed, "just that it's Allie and she was so young."
"She seems older then any of the girls I date," Leo said, "I think that's it I compare to how calm the girls are. Sometimes it feels like I'm having dinner with Ellie or Cat. Actually they think more than most girls I go out with."
"Thinking is important," Teddy agreed.
"I can't date a girl who cant think," Leo said.
"Thats good to know about yourself," Owen replied, "so she needs brains."
"And not to think being adopted is weird," Leo replied.
"Families are families," Teddy replied.
"Being adopted is one way," Owen said.
"I've been on both sides," Teddy said, "the family wanting and loving a little boy so fiercely that you know your heart won't beat if you cant keep them. And then years early kissing your baby good bye, the little girl who had done back flips in side you and kicked your ribs in time with the music for months. Never knowing if you will see your baby smile at you or hear her voice."
"But you did," Leo said.
"I did," Teddy replied, "but most don't work out like that. And you're talking to your grandparents."
"Is that weird," Leo asked.
"No," Owen said, "you should have them in your life."
"I wanted Annie to have both," Teddy said, "for it to be her decision. Do you like having them in your life?"
"I do," Leo said, "they want to see you."
"If you want us to," Teddy said, "the first time I met with Dan and Leslie was scary. I had started to win Annie over but sitting with them, watching her dance. I didn't know what to say to them, I'm sure they didn't know what to say to me."
"What did you talk about," Leo asked.
"Annie, they explained how the competition worked, it was the first time I had seen it," Teddy smiled, "we'll go with you when you're ready."
"Can we schedule it," Leo asked.
"Let us know where and when," Teddy said, "it's weird on all sides. But we will do it for you because we all love you. Have you heard from the Dickinsons?"
"We text," Leo said, "they're jealous of our trip."
"A lot of people are," Teddy agreed.
That night Allison and Asher sat on a log by a lake staring at the stars.
"It's beautiful," Allison smiled, "so peaceful."
"It is," Asher said, "I like time just us."
"I do too," Allison agreed, "this was a good idea as hard as it was leaving Everly."
"It is," Asher said, "we've never had time like this."
"We haven't," Allison said, "it's nice to just be us. To not always be listening for her."
"She's always been there," Asher said.
"The night she was going to stay at Annie's she got a fever and we had to go get her," Allison replied, "but it was weird to think of going home when she wasn't there."
"It was," Asher said, he was getting ready to propose to finally ask her, he would do it tonight, "we make a pretty good team."
"Better than pretty good," Allison argued.
"Excellent," Asher tried.
"That works," Allison smiled, "we can do this can't we?"
"We have so far," Asher replied, "why would we stop now?"
"Is this the life you want," Allison asked.
"It is," Asher replied, "Allison this is the life I want. The two of us, our daughter."
"The three of us," Allison agreed, "but Asher can we do this long haul? I want what my sister or my parents have."
"What is that," Asher asked.
"Someone who loves me who won't walk away when things are tough who will celebrate with me," Allison said, "my first call for everything."
"I want that two," Asher agreed, "with you. We're there. We're each other's first call, we know we can do the hard parts together because we've done it."
"There's a shooting star," Allison pointed out, "make a wish."
"I wish I could be with you forever," Asher replied.
Asher felt for the box in his pocket. He knelt beside the log taking the box from his pocket.
"Allison Eloise Altman-Hunt," Asher said, "I love you and want to be with you forever. We are an amazing team. You are one of my favorite two people on this planet. I can't imagine life without you. I want 100 years of us spending everyday together. You are the love of my life. You are the most amazing person I know. Allie I love you and will love you forever. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Allison squealed, "yes I will marry you!"
She jumped off the log and kissed him.
"This is yours," Asher said holding the ring box out to her.
"I think you put it on me," Allison said, "let me get the promise ring off."
"Leave it and wear both," Asher smiled.
"It's gorgeous," Allison said as he slipped it on her finger, "they match."
"I know," Asher smiled.
"Ash I love it," Allison beamed kissing him, "I love you. We're getting married."
"We're getting married," Asher agreed kissing Allison again.
"Should we go back to the tent," Allison asked.
"Tired," Asher asked.
"We need to celebrate," Allison replied.
"Do you want to head up and put your PJs on and I'll make sure all the food is up in the bear cache," Asher asked.
"I'll help," Allison replied.
They walked back to their tent and checked their gear. They were staying in one of the remote sites with two other groups. The three couples had all chatted over dinner and shared treats.
"Having a good night," a man smiled.
"We are," Asher smiled.
"Congratulations," a woman in her early 30s said, "we heard you accept."
"I should text my mom," Allison said, "I know we agreed not to but I have to tell her."
"Wait until you see her," the woman said, "your mom will want to see you not get a text and the reception up here is too bad to call or facetime."
"I know my sister did that," Allison said, "she just came in for a family dinner and told us. At least that's the story. I was only about 1."
"How old is your sister," the woman asked.
"45," Allison replied, "Annie and I are 25 years appart. Same mom."
"She must have been very young," the woman said.
"She was," Allison replied, "then we have a 2 year old."
"Really," the woman said.
"Yes," Asher smiled, "her name is Everly."
"She doesn't hike with you," the man asked.
"This is the first one we've done," Asher reminded the man, "we might bring her later in the summer but not yet. Then one of us would have to carry her the whole time."
"Two could do the flats," the woman said, "we did it when our daughter was 2."
"Everly doesn't walk independently yet and diapers on the trail," Allison said, "she has cerebral palsy. We were heading to bed were trying to do the loop in 3 days. And want to be up early."
"Up here you'll wake up at first light anyway," the man replied.
"Congratulations you two," the woman said, "good night."
"Good night," Asher replied.
They headed to their tent and got ready for bed.
"I'm texting," Allison said.
"I knew you would," Asher replied, "who?"
"Mom, Dad, Leo and Annie," Allison replied.
"Okay," Asher replied.
Allison quickly texted her family, "Asher proposed!"
Teddy, "what did you say?"
Allison, "yes! Of course!"
Owen, "congratulations Munchkin."
Annie, "OMG I'm so happy for you! Are you excited."
Allison, 'excited, happy, still processing."
Annie, "when?"
Allison, "couple hours ago."
Annie, "and you told us right away I made mama and Uncle Owen wait 2 nights."
Allison, "I had to tell you."
Leo, "congrats. Did he get you a real ring this time?"
Allison, "it's gorgeous. I'll show you when we get home."
Annie, "pictures?"
Allison, "I want to show you all in person."
Teddy, "can we celebrate when you get home? Invite his parents?"
Allison, "maybe Tuesday night? We get back on Monday but don't know what time."
Teddy, "we will with your favorites."
Allison, "did Ev go down okay?"
Teddy, "she's in her bed it's easier. Leo is on your couch tonight. She went down no problem."
Allison, "give her kisses for us Leo."
Leo, "I will."
On the couch Teddy turned to Owen, "they're engaged."
Leo came up the stairs, "did you know?"
"Asher talked to us a few weeks ago," Owen replied.
"This is okay," Leo asked.
"They want it," Teddy replied, "they live like it and act like it anyway so why not."
"I'm happy for her," Leo said.
"We'll celebrate when they get home," Teddy replied.
"Does this get presents," Leo asked.
"No," Owen said, "just a celebration."
"I'm going to go check on Everly," Leo said.
When Leo was out of ear shot Teddy said, "he's matured."
"They all have," Owen said, "but he's really come around with Asher and Ev."
"The girls have their own families," Teddy said, "partners and kids."
"He will," Owen said, "he needs to find out who he is first."
"He does," Teddy agreed, "but I'm happy for Allie and Asher."
"I am two,' Owen said.
In their tent Allison asked, "when we get married can I change my last name?"
"Do you want to," Asher asked, "your mom kept hers, your aunt and sister did."
"They were all doctors already," Allison said, "I'll still be a student. And I want to match you and Ev."
"If you want to," Asher said, pulling her closer, "I like the idea."
"I'll do it when we get married," Allison smiled.
"We don't have to decide now," Asher said, "I have a better idea."
"It's a good thing we're used to being quiet," Allison smiled.
"I love you," Asher said before kissing her.
"I love you more," Allison smiled before kissing him back.