Monday night Allison and Asher carried their bags into the house.

"Come tell me everything ," Teddy demanded.

"Mom he proposed," Allison beamed.

"Okay tell me the story," Teddy smiled.

"Where are dad and Leo," Allison asked.

"Mommy," Everly yelled.

"Do you hear mommy," Owen asked, "let's see if mommy and daddy are home."

"Mommy, Daddy," everly called.

"Hi princess," Asher said taking Everly from Leo, "did you have fun?"

"Dirty," Everly said pointing to the dirt on Asher's face.

"Mommy and I hiked for three days," Asher replied.

"Allie can I see your ring," Teddy asked.

"Mom it's gorgeous and it matches my promise ring," Allison smiled.

"Lets see," Teddy said.

Allison showed Teddy her left hand with the two rings.

"That's beautiful baby girl," Teddy smiled giving Allison a hug.

"Tell us how it happened," Owen said.

"We were sitting looking at the stars and talking about our future and what we want," Allison said, "then there was a shooting star and I told him to make a wish. Then he was on one knee."

"What did he say," Teddy asked.

"That he loves me and wants to be together forever and asked me to marry him," Allison beamed, choosing to keep the specifics of what he said between the two of them.

"And she said yes," Asher smiled.

"Mommy happy," Everly asked.

"I'm very happy," Allison smiled, "Daddy asked me to marry him. So mommy and daddy will get married once I'm done college and you'll be our flower girl."

"Done college," Teddy asked.

"I'm going into my junior year," Allison said, "we're thinking after my senior year give our selves two years to plan and save for it."

"We're going to offer you the same thing we did for Annie," Owen said, "we've always agreed we would do this for all three weddings when the time came."

"Okay," Allison asked, "we do food, venue, beer and wine at the tables and your dress."

"We want to celebrate this weekend," Teddy said, "maybe a BBQ?"

"We're going to Ava's on Saturday," Allison said.

"Have you told her," Teddy asked.

"Not yet," Allison said, "her BBQ is her thing I don't want to make it about us. But she wants Ev, Taylor and Joshua to come."

"I'm glad you've been able to bring those groups together," Teddy said, "bring Ava in with Eden and Carmen."

"Carmen and Ava have most of their nursing classes together," Allison said, "so they have their own friendship."

"How is Ava with all the kids," Teddy asked.

"She loves being the cool aunt," Allison replied, "she makes little hats and costumes. Ava's always loved to knit, crochet and sew. She says it gives her an excuse."

"Mommy," Everly said patting Allison's cheek.

"Yes baby girl," Allison smiled, "mommy and daddy are going to get married."

"Married," Everly asked.

"Yes," Allison said, "mommy and daddy love each other and love you."

Asher smiled at his fiance and daughter.

"Put her to bed then come talk to me," Teddy asked knowing it was already after bedtime.

"She's in her jammies so has she had a bath," Allison asked.

"She did when we got back from the beach," Leo said, "she was sandy and it was everywhere."

"You took her to the beach," Allison asked.

"It was supposed to be a walk in the stroller then she wanted to play," Leo said.

"She likes the beach," Allison said, "and sand play. I wish we had a sand box for her."

"You could put one over by the play set," Teddy replied, "just get a good cover for it."

"I was thinking a sand table," Allison said, "one of those sensory table things."

"Have you been doing sensory things," Teddy asked.

"I have a couple rubbermaid bins," Allison said, "I like the idea of the table so that she has to stand to it."

"I can make a frame to fit the bins," Asher said, "a couple 2x4s or 1x4s. Sand and paint it."

"Lets do that," Allison replied.

"I'm looking for a sandbox," Owen replied.

"Dad don't mess up the yard for it," Allison said, "we have her sensory bins she can use year round."

Allison and Asher went through the bed time routine with Everly.

"I'm going to go see mom," Allison said.

"I'll deal with the gear," Asher said.

"I'll do the laundry tomorrow," Allison said.

"I want to put the tent up in the yard and air it out," Asher said.

"The sleeping bags should be unrolled in the garage two," Allison said.

"I will," Asher said.

Allison walked into Teddy's kitchen and flipped on the kettle.

"Hey," Teddy smiled.

"Mom can we talk," Allison asked.

"Always," Teddy smiled, "I made lemon loaf."

"No sweets," Allison said, "we had McDonalds in the truck home I don't need junk food."

"Are you sure this is what you want," Teddy asked.

"I am," Allison said, "we've been talking about it for a few months."

"I didn't know that part," Teddy replied, "thoughts?"

"I want to be 21," Allison said, "I want champagne at my wedding."

"Thats a year," Teddy said, "you're 20 you could next summer."

"We're thinking maybe let me finish college and his apprenticeship," Allison said, "he's got a year and a bit left. We thought if we did two years it would give us some time to save up our part. We'll have the church for free but I've always pictured Opa doing it."

"Compromise," Teddy said, "Mark's church and David does the ceremony if he's up to it or he does it with Mark."

"Is dad okay," Allison asked.

"We knew it was coming," Teddy said, "Asher talked to us before. But you're our baby, our youngest."

"I know," Allison said, "we're not moving unless you want us to. I'm still just down stairs."

"But you come up less and less," Teddy sighed, "you're all moving on and growing up. I'm not used to it. I didn't go through this with Annie."

"When her and Josh got married," Allison asked.

"They were 26 and 27 when he proposed," Teddy said, "I guess I thought I had a few more years."

"Mom," Allison said, "we knew I would be linked to him forever when I decided to keep Everly. Then when we started dating."

"I honestly wasn't sure," Teddy said, "I thought he would run a couple times. But that's my experience with some not so healthy relationships before your dad. "

"When did you think he would run," Allison asked.

"Ev's diagnosis, the games his parents have played," Teddy said, "but that's me and my past. How are you feeling?"

"I'm excited," Allison replied, "I wish we didn't have to wait 2 years but he needs to finish his apprenticeship first. I want this. I know I'm young and life has been on fast forward for three years."

"It has," Teddy agreed, "but you're doing well. I'm excited for this. Asher you found your person."

"I did," Allison agreed, "mom are you sure it's okay? What about dad?"

"I'm really happy munchkin," Owen said, "we would have said something when he talked to us."

"Would you really," Allison asked.

"I would have," Owen said, "but you've shown you're a strong couple and a good team for a long time. We're going to

"We would like to see a long engagement but you're 20 and an adult," Teddy said.

"I want to be 21 and have champagne," Allison said.

"That's January," Teddy said, "a year from now?"

"Maybe," Allison said, "get Ev walking better."

"What do you want," Teddy asked

"I want a real wedding," Allison said, "I want all of our family there and his our friends. I want Ava to be my maid of honor with Ellie and Cat."

"Pick bridesmaids closer to," Teddy advised.

"Who did you have," Allison asked.

"Annie, Megan and Arizona," Teddy replied.

"Nee," Allison asked.

"Jenna, Stephanie, Julia and Cassidy," Teddy replied.

"I don't know Julia or Cassidy," Allison answered.

"They moved away after residency and fellowships," Teddy replied, "Annie sees them on the conference circuit and they did a girls weekend back in March with Jenna."

"If I wanted to have a sleep over with Ava at her house," Allison asked.

"You talk to Asher," Teddy said, "dad and I won't stop you."

"Is it fair to Ev," Allison asked.

"Not every weekend but once in a while," Teddy replied, "dad and I would go away for a night and have you with Annie. I went to conferences, Annie does."

"Not soon," Allison said, "but Ava has mentioned it."

"It's always your choice," Teddy replied.

"We just went away," Allison said, "it's the first time we've been just the two of us like that. "

"Did you like it," Teddy asked.

"I did," Allison said, "to just be us."

"You need that," Teddy replied, "it's important."

"I feel bad taking it," Allison answered, "Ev needs more support then others her age and I feel selfish."

"No," Teddy replied, "you being happy, taking care of your health and your relationship that only benefits her."

"I want to get married," Allison said, "I feel married."

"You act like it," Teddy said, "are you happy baby girl? Is this really what you want?"

'I'm happy," Allison said, "mom I'm really happy. I want this. I love him. I love our life together. It's not always easy but I love him. I love my daughter. We can do this. We will do it together. I know he's there. We have a dream together."

"What's your plan" Teddy asked.

"I want ortho," Allison said, "I want to do what Link does. We're going to do that. He wants to work his way up to running the industrial division. Ash will do some business courses at night once he finishes his apprenticeship and I start med school. Just one class at a time at night to start. School wasn't his strong suit but he thinks a community college associate in business or hr would look good to his company. Maybe a degree we'll see."

"That's careers," Teddy said, "personally?"

"We want to be married," Allison said, "maybe another baby when I finish school and get through a good chunk of residency. Ev shouldn't be an only child. We both like having siblings but it's way way way too soon for another baby."

"It is," Teddy replied, "but 2 or 3 is good. I got the best of having 2 with you and Leo and the best of having three with all of you."

"Annie's 4 is a bit much," Allison said, "how could she go through 4 pregnancies. I know she didn't plan Heather but."

"It's a lot and she wasn't super happy when she found out," Teddy agreed, "she wanted a big family."

"2," Allison said, "I could do that once more."

"That's what I said," Teddy agreed, "my two was enough. Don't let it be as long between. It's been hard to have you be sisters."

"Sometimes Nee feels more like an aunt and her kids are my cousins," Allison said, "I wish I had a sister I could call and tell all about the proposal. I don't feel like I can call and just tell Annie and what will Ellie think?"

"Call your sister," Teddy smiled, "she'll want to know. You knew the same time we did about her and Josh."

"I always feel like I'm bugging her," Allison said.

"This no," Teddy said, "go call your big sister. Annie will be happy. She was the first person you told when you suspected. If you can tell her and go to her for help with that you can tell her you're engaged."

"It won't bug her," Allison asked, "I just appeared in her office that day."

"Call," Teddy said.

"I will," Allison agreed.

"I'm happy for you baby girl," Teddy said hugging Allison again, "I'm excited about this."

"Me two," Allison said, "thanks mom."

Allison hugged Teddy again then walked down stairs.

"Your mom okay," Asher asked.

"Yes," Allison said, "I need to call Nee."

"Call her I'm going to go to read," Asher replied.

Allison grabbed her phone and called Annie.

"What's going on bean," Annie asked, "you usually text."

"I'm engaged," Allison squealed, "Asher proposed two nights ago on our hike."

"Allie Bean," Annie yelled, "congratulations. I'm so happy for both of you. When do we get to celebrate?"

"Soon," Allison said.

"Do you have pictures of the ring," Annie asked.

"I'll send one," Allison said. She quickly sent it and Annie opened it on her ipad."

"That's gorgeous," Annie said, "allie you're engaged."

"I am," Allison giggled, "Nee will you help mom and I wedding plan?"

"Of course," Annie promised, "ideas?"

"Ava, Eden, Ellie and Cat for bridesmaids," Allison said, "dad to walk me down the aisle."

"He walked me," Annie smiled at the memory.

"Ev is our flower girl and I'll probably ask Joshua to be the ringbearer," Allison said, "but I'm just enjoying this. Mom was really happy when I told her."

"She was when I did two," Annie smiled, "I'm so happy for you baby bean."

"Not a baby," Allison argued, "I'm engaged and my daughter is two."

"Always my baby sister," Annie said, "I love you bean."

"I love you too Nee," Allison replied.