"Ready for Christmas munchkin," Owen asked as they sat down for coffee.
"I am," Allison said, "I just need to get through church tonight with his family."
"Mom and I aren't working and are totally off," Owen said, "do you want us to come to church? It's church they can't really stop us."
"Do you want to," Allison asked.
"We can," Owen said, "we'll go with you guys or Annie's family."
"Come with us," Allison suggested.
"Do you want us to," Owen asked, "you usually go with his family."
"It's church they can't say no," Allison argued, "and I need you and mom there. Dad they've been horrible lately."
"What happened," Owen asked.
"Mitch proposed to Sierra," Allison said, "they're still in highschool and very proudly told Ash and I they haven't in their words had a sleep over yet."
"So they're shaming you," Owen asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "and they get married this summer."
"So they're going before you and you're jealous," Owen asked,
"Not that," Allison said, "we could have gotten married this summer. We're choosing to wait so Ash has finished his apprenticeship and I'm done college."
"Do you want to this summer," Owen asked.
"No," Allison said, "and with Ev's surgery this spring and her needing extra physio this summer it's not a good time."
"It's your choice," Owen said, 'what do you want?"
"I want to wait like we planned," Allison said, "the only way I would move it up is if nana gets worse."
"You want nana there," Owen replied.
"She has to be there," Allison said.
"She will be munchkin," Owen promised, "are you sure you're doing okay?"
"I find tonight hard," Allison said, "we should go to church more than Christmas and Easter and I miss it but the judgement I can't handle. Dad I thought it would stop but it's not."
"Allie you do what's right for you and Asher," Owen said, "we've never been consistent every Sunday people. Do you read Ev the stories?"
"We do," Allison said, "always bible stories on Sunday. We have the preschool bible stories book Annie read to her kids that she passed on to us. But we don't think we can go to church or be part of things because we're not married yet."
"Thats bull shit," Owen replied, "if you want to go you go. What does Opa say?"
"He said it's what's in your heart," Allison replied.
"Then focus on that," Owen encouraged, "tonight mom and I are happy to come. Leo is going to Charlotte's."
"I like her," Allison said, "she doesn't look down on us for being young or Ev's CP."
"She's told mom and I her mom was 16," Owen said.
"And she told me about her brother," Allison replied.
"Leo really likes her," Owen said.
"He brought her home," Allison said, "I wonder if he hasn't brought people home because of Everly."
"No," Owen said, "I didn't introduce mom or Auntie Meg to anyone until I was sure. Taking a girl home gets her hopes up. I always waited to make sure I felt something and it was more than just dates."
"What about mom," Allison asked.
"We were just friends the first time I brought her home," Owen said, "best friends but you know that story."
"What did nana think," Allison asked.
"She loved your mom instantly," Owen said, "I think she liked her more than she liked me."
"Really," Allison asked.
"Your mom just needed to be loved and taken in," Owen replied, "she was alone. At that point I knew about her parents but not about Annie. I didn't understand it yet. Then the next time Meg and I brought her home for Christmas because we couldn't leave her somewhere alone for Christmas."
"But mom loves Christmas," Allison said.
"She does," Owen agreed, "Nana had tickets for her girls to see the Nutcracker in Vancouver BC."
"She saw Annie," Allison said, knowing the story.
"She did," Owen replied, "she was so happy to have seen her dance. They didn't get to talk. But they lined up all of the dancers at the end and mom got to walk by and give her a smile. Annie didn't know and mom wasn't sure. Meg said mom re read the program and cried that night."
"I couldn't imagine," Allison said, "I know that Ash's parents would have preferred we do that since we didn't get married."
"No," Owen said, "none of us really wanted you to do that. It was an option. It had to be your decision."
"I was never going to with or with out Asher," Allison said, "I was keeping her no matter what. I knew that. I knew I had to keep her."
"I know you did," Owen said, "I'm proud of you."
"Me," Allison asked.
"You know your own mind and you use your voice," Owen said, "you're so determined and strong. Allison I'm proud of you and everything you've done."
"Dad," Allison interrupted.
"Let me finish," Owen said.
Allison nodded.
"Munchkin you have done amazing things. You are our strongest in a lot of ways," Owen continued, "of all of you you are most like your mom. You are strong and brave. You know what is best for you and your family and you do it. You think for yourself and always have, you make up your own mind. You are our most independent minded. You love deeply and protect those you love. You are so like your mom, the best parts of her. Her strength, intelligence, determination. But you have something that is all you. Your resilience and openness that you trust others and see the best in them. Allison you see the good in others and trust them unless they show you otherwise."
"The Blouins," Allison whispered.
"They have shown you that they can't be supportive and love you how you are," Owen said, "you are protecting your family. You are protecting your daughter."
"Can you come and help me," Allison asked, "Asher can't stand up to his dad. He gets so upset he can't come up with the words."
"We'll come," Owen agreed, "how formal is their church?"
"Dresses and suits tonight," Allison said, "we have to sit near the front. It's going to be harder to hide Ev's braces this year, that she needs a walker. I have to hide my daughter so we don't embarrass his dad. Because we haven't prayed enough, I didn't make her healthy and safe. I failed, they tell me I failed."
"You didn't fail and you are proud of how far Everly has come," Owen said, "your daughter is beautiful and smart. Her CP is only a small part of who she is. She loves animals and playing outside."
"Swimming," Allison said, "stories, art and popsicles. Bath time and cooking. Baking with mom. She likes the kitchen set at school and playing with other kids. She just doesn't walk like them. She says the nursery rhymes with me now, and sings. But tonight I have to hide her legs. When she was a baby I had her in the stroller with a blanket and I got away with it last year two because it was so cold last Christmas but tonight. Dad how do we?"
"You don't," Owen said, "you take her to church and it's crowded so you carry her."
"We will," Allison said, "are you sure you and mom want to come?"
"Spend Christmas Eve with you always," Owen smiled, "should we head home and get ready?"
"I guess," Allison sighed.
"You can do this," Owen said, "mom and I will be there. You have Asher. And Mark and Michelle will be so caught up in the church spectacle they won't have time to be rude."
"And with Mitch's engagement," Allison said, "I'm glad Ellie dumped him."
"Mitch and who," Owen asked.
"Her name is Sierra," Allison said, "I've never seen her wear a pair of pants and she quotes bible verses. She told me I need to pray more for healing. She's the perfect "good girl" its disgusting. The way she wants to be a stay at home mom. They're 17. Hes 18 in January but still, they're 17. How will they live? Where will they live?"
"Will anyone help them," Owen asked.
"I doubt Ash's parents can. They've never helped us," Allison said, "they organise meals after surgeries or Michelle makes Halloween costumes but that's it. If we didn't live in your basement I wouldn't be able to do more than a couple courses. We rely on you and mom paying for school. I wouldn't be able to go to school or be thinking of med school if we didn't have your support. I would have done something like teaching preschool or a lab tech and wondered what if."
"We would never let you give up on your dreams," Owen assured, "Allison if med school is what you truly want and you want for you we will help as much as possible."
"I want it," Allison said, "do you think we could stay in the basement until I finish med school."
"Of course," Owen replied, "and if you go away from Seattle and it's a good possibility you will need to mom and I will help. We had money put away for your housing and meal plan at school and you haven't used it. You can put that towards med school tuition, you're eligible for scholarships. If you need loans you take them."
"I want to go to UW," Allison said, "I can't move Everly away from all of her support. It wouldn't be fair to her. I'll apply to med school and physiotherapy. I will help kids like her. I want orthopaedic surgery."
"Then you'll do it," Owen replied, "you can do anything. I know you can."
"I'm trying," Allison said, "it's hard."
"It is but you can do it," Owen said, "you've never walked away from hard things before. You can do it."
"Is me going to Med school fair to Everly," Allison asked, "Asher wants me to but is it fair to my daughter. If I get in right away she'll be 8 when I graduate."
"It is," Owen said, "an educated happy mom. Seeing you work hard and pursue your dreams that's all good for her."
"After Christmas will you help me study," Allison asked.
"Always," Owen agreed, "we should head back and get ready for church."
"So church with Ash's family, then home for appetizers and Christmas movies," Allison asked.
"You don't have to go to the Blouins for dinner after church," Owen asked.
"Not this year," Allison said, "we have the last two so we decided that we're going to alternate Christmas eve's. We were there last year so with you this year. Christmas day we'll do the three of us with our tree then come up and do the 6 of us for Breakfast. We go to his family for lunch then Annie's for dinner."
"Busy," Owen said.
"Ya," Allison said, "Ev will be so done when we get to Annie's she might fall asleep on us."
"Then you let her sleep," Owen said, "she needs a lot of rest."
"She does," Allison said, "more then typical for her age."
"Let her sleep as much as she needs," Owen said, "moving is harder for her two."
"She's getting better. Were finally down to one nap," Allison said, "and I'll let her nap for as long as she needs it. She won't take an afternoon nap forever."
"You were nearly 5 before you stopped," Owen said, "you need the most sleep of all of you."
"Leo and Annie have ADHD," Allison said, "part of that means they can't sleep like normal people. Mom hardly sleeps."
"Your mom has to be fully relaxed to sleep," Owen agreed.
They drove home chatting happily.
"Are you going to be ready," Asher asked, "we have to show we have it together, Mitch and Sienna."
"We will and my parents are coming to church," Allison said, "my dress and Ev's are laid out. You bath her I'll go use the upstairs shower."
"She's bathed," Asher said.
"Her hair," Allison said.
"Still wet," Asher said, "we just got out. I just put her down in the crib to go get her dress and tights from our room."
"I'll dress her and do her hair," Allison said.
"You," Asher said.
"I'll have time to blow dry it and leave the waves," Allison said.
They quickly got ready and met Owen and Teddy in the driveway.
"Do you want to ride with us," Teddy offered.
"Our truck is better," Asher said, "the car seat.
"I didn't think of that," Teddy answered.
"We'll drive," Asher said.
Reaching the church Asher parked near the back of the lot.
"You're not going to use one of the spots upfront," Owen asked.
"Lot's of seniors tonight," Asher answered, "leave the spots for those that need help and can't be carried."
"We'll carry her," Allison said.
"Walk," Everly demanded.
"It's slippery," Allison said, "hold my hand and daddy's."
"No hands," Everly protested.
"Hold hands or we have to carry you," Allison said.
"Walk," Everly demanded.
"Hold our hands," Asher replied.
"No hands," Everly whined.
"What if you held my hand and grandpa's," Teddy offered.
"No hands," Everly whined.
"Mommy and daddy or grandma and grandpa," Allison said.
"Mommy and gama," Everly pouted.
"Okay we can do that," Allison agreed, she set Everly on the ground and held her hand tight while Teddy took the toddler's other hand.
"Asher," Mark greeted at the door, "Owen?"
"Everly wanted to walk in she's with Allie and Teddy," Asher replied.
"Can she," Mark asked.
"Holding hands, or with her walker," Asher replied, "she's doing a lot better. The new braces are making a big difference."
"We don't usually see any of you at church," Mark commented to Owen.
"Teddy and I go to the church where my step dad was the pastor," Owen replied, "our kids come when they can. Allie works Saturdays so it's their day to be a family."
"They should go every week," Mark said, "and be here."
"Dad it doesn't work for us," Asher replied, "and we go to David's church because it's more accessible for Everly. It's all one level inside, Sunday school is on the same level when we choose to go. There's more accessible parking so Everly can walk. Dad she can't go to Sunday school here because it's down the stairs and you don't have an elevator."
"Michelle," Allison greeted as the came up the front steps.
"Down," Everly whined, "no carry, down."
"It's too busy Ev," Allison said, "you can stand when we get to our seats. There's too many people and we don't have your walker."
"Hi Everly," Michelle said, "do you have a hug for Granny?"
"She's in a determined mood," Allison said, "she needs to and wants to move."
"We haven't seen you in a few weeks," Michelle said, "how's she doing?"
"More determined than ever to move," Allison said, "school and the team there are so good for her. The teacher and aids know how to get her more engaged in moving and they have a PT and an OT that she works with there. She's gotten so much more independent since she started school."
"Down," Everly demanded kicking Allison.
"Do not kick me," Allison said, "Everly kicking hurts. There are too many people here for you to walk safely."
"No," Everly whined.
"Santa is watching," Allison whispered, "we go to papa's church now then we can go home and Auntie Annie and Uncle Josh are coming over and Heather, Matt, Henry and Ellie. You can play with them and show Heather the water table daddy built you."
"Allison and Everly right," a short girl with long straight black hair said.
"You must be Sierra," Allison smiled, "it's good to meet you. We keep missing you. Congratulations on your engagement."
"Thank you. You're Asher's wife," Sierra confirmed.
"Fiance," Allison answered, "and our daughter Everly."
"May I," Sierra asked reaching towards Everly.
"It's not a good idea today," Allison said, "she just wants down and is fighting me."
"I can walk her around," Sierra offered.
"She's better with me and her dad for now," Allison said.
"Its Christmas," Sierra tried.
"No," Allison replied, "she'll stay with us."
"We're family," Sierra said.
"We just met tonight," Allison said, "Everly has Cerebral Palsy and needs mobility aids that we don't have because it's too crowded tonight."
"Sierra Allie and Asher have to be really careful with Everly," Michelle said, "get to know them when they come over."
"They never come over, Mitch said.
"We're pretty busy," Allison said, "it's hard to get over there."
"How you're a mom," Sierra said, "you should be home all the time."
"I'm premed at UW and work at Safeway," Allison said, "Ash usually works 50-60 hours a week and sometimes 6 days. We have therapy appointments for Ev and her swimming lessons and parent and tot music. She goes to school 2 mornings a week."
"Pre med," Sierra asked, "why?"
"I want to be an orthopaedic surgeon," Allison replied, "help kids like Ev, be better at helping her. What are you going to do after high school?"
"Michelle offered me a job helping out in the day care," Sierra said, "we want kids right away. You guys did."
"We were still in highschool," Allison said, "what's Mitch doing?"
"He's going to be a carpenter," Sierra said, "we'll get by my grandparents have a basement suite we can rent then help them with the yard work."
"We're in my parents suite and do the same thing with the yard," Allison said, "will you do your ECE?"
"Why," Sierra asked.
"Good to have something," Allison said, "a couple girls I know did theirs with kids at home."
"But your daughter must go to day care," Sierra said.
"No," Allison said, "my mom has her while I'm in class on Monday and Tuesday. My dad has her Wednesday. Thursday my cousin has her after school and I switch off then my sister picks her up from school Friday. She's always with family and with doctors."
"Doctors," Sierra asked.
"My parents and sister are surgeons and my cousin is an OBGYN," Allison answered, "but have you started wedding planning? Thats this summer?"
"July," Sierra answered, "here. Mark is doing it. My mom and I picked out my dress last week."
"Are you excited," Allison asked.
"Yes," Sierra said, "and a little nervous. We've never really been alone."
"We've lived together for three years," Allison said, "we get our time once Ev goes to bed."
"Your parents were okay with it," Sierra said.
"Yes," Teddy jumped in, "they're happy."
"Mark," Sierra said.
"Make your own choices," Teddy replied, "you think for yourself."
"Should we all find seats," Michelle asked.
"We'll find spots near the back," Allison said.
"Sit with us," Michelle commanded.
"We'll sit over to the side so Ev can stand and move a little," Allison said, "we don't want to be front and centre."
"Teddy it was nice of you to come," Michelle said, "we don;t usually see you at church. What about your other kids tonight?"
"Annie and Josh went to a service with her dad and their kids like they always do," Teddy explained, "Leo is at his girlfriends and this is the first Christmas Eve in 15 years both Owen and I have been off and not on call. We thought we would come to church with Allie's family then we're doing appetisers at home after."
"A quiet night," Michelle asked.
"We'll have treats and we always watch the Polar Express," Teddy answered, "read the Night Before Christmas."
"Down," Everly continued to protest.
"Not here princess," Allison said.
"Come to grandma," Teddy said taking the toddler, "let's have a different view."
"Down," Everly whined, "gama down."
"No sweet heart," Teddy said, "lets go see what we can look at."
"Down," Everly whined, "walk. Gama walk."
Asher was talking to Mitch.
"So your baby mama," Mitch said.
"My fiance," Asher corrected, "the person I love. Who knows me better than anyone."
"Why did it take so long," Mitch asked as they approached a group of boys.
"I did when she was ready," Asher said, "I would have a year earlier but Allie wasn't ready. We're good though."
"We haven't got a wedding invite," Mitch said.
"We're not till after Allie finishes college and I'm done my apprenticeship," Asher said, "Ev will be 4, she's two and a half."
"Why so long," Mitch asked, "we're sending our invites next week."
"Time," Asher said, "saving for our part."
"The church is free," Mitch said.
"Not accessible enough for my daughter," Asher said, "Allie was carrying her."
Mark made his way into the sanctuary and they all rushed to find seats. Asher and Allison chose seats on the far side of the front row. Staying in the front row like was expected with him being the pastor's son but moving to the side to have space for Everly to move and stand safely. Teddy and Owen sat with Allison and Asher.
"Gama stand," Everly demanded.
"You can stand," Teddy agreed setting Everly on the floor so she could hold onto the chair.
Everly stood through the songs then Asher held her through the rest of the service.
When they got home Allison changed Everly out of her dress and into pyjamas.
"Play," Everly smiled.
"Yes it's time to play," Allison smiled, "what do you want to play?"
"Charwee," Everly smiled.
"We can go up and play with Charlie," Allison agreed, "we can play with the dog."
They spent the rest of the night in Teddy and Owen's living room enjoying treats and watching Christmas movies with Annie's family.
"She gets it this year," Allison smiled.
"She does," Annie agreed.
"She's having fun," Allison said, "Annie she can really play and do things. She's able to move and to walk."
"Her third Christmas," Annie said, "she's grown so much."
"You think she has," Allison groaned, "she's my baby. How did she go from the little baby in my arms to walking and talking. Heather is so nice to her."
"She likes Everly and feeling like the big girl," Annie said.
"It's important," Teddy said.
"Will Ev ever get to," Allison asked.
"She will," Annie assured, "she'll have her chance to be the big girl and the helper. She's only two and a half."
"She is," Allison said, "she's over tired."
"Her and Heather are almost asleep in the bean bag," Teddy said glancing over, "where did that come from?"
"My room," Leo said, "Ev loves it."
"I know," Allison said, "we steal it sometimes."
"I thought it had popsicle stains," Leo chuckled.
"She's still obsessed," Allison groaned, "most kids it's chocolate or cookies. My daughter wants popsicles."
"Henry was salt and vinegar chips," Annie said, "Ellie was jelly beans. Matt is still oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Heather will do anything for frozen raspberries."
"Healthy," Allison said.
Annie glanced out the window, "mama, bean it's snowing."
"Christmas snow," Teddy beamed.
"Christmas snow," Allison agreed, "a white Christmas."