Six weeks after her surgery Everly turned 3.
"She's 3," Allison smiled as she got out of bed.
"We have a preschooler," Asher replied.
"We're 21 with a preschooler," Allison echoed, "we made it through the first three years."
"We did it," Asher agreed, "three years as a family."
"Our family," Allison agreed as she grabbed her clothes from the dresser, "do we want to move out of here once we're married?"
"Let's see what you're doing for school," Asher said.
"We can stay here," Allison said, "or Faroke and Nisha want to move out of the cottage."
"So we go from paying your parents rent to your sister," Asher said.
"Pretty much," Allison agreed, "rent would be more though."
"If you're in medical school we can't afford that," he said.
"I know," she sighed, "I want more independence. Annie got to live away from all of her parents for med school, Leo has gotten his independence, I just want more independence from mom and dad."
"Maybe we enforce our boundaries a bit more," Asher replied.
"Except for miss I can crawl up the stairs to grandpa," Allison laughed.
"But she can't open the door with the door knob cover on," Asher replied, "just put it on and close the door."
"Josie," Allison said, "we can't keep my cat just down here she's used to roaming the whole house."
"Mommy daddy," Everly called.
"Coming princess," Asher said, he grabbed his sweatpants and pulled them on before walking into Everly's room.
"Happy birthday," Asher smiled seeing Everly.
"My birthday," Everly said.
"It is your birthday," Asher confirmed, "let's use the potty then you can get dressed and we'll put your new braces on."
"Swimming," Everly asked.
"We do have swimming lessons today," Asher said, "and because you're a big three year old you get to go in the water without mommy and daddy. You go with your teacher."
"Miss Lauren," Everly asked.
"Miss Lauren is still your swimming teacher," Asher said, "you go with two other kids your age, just the three of you."
"Party," Everly asked.
"We'll have your party after swimming lessons," Asher confirmed.
"Swimming party," Everly asked.
"Unicorn party," Asher replied.
Allison joined them, her hair still in the braid she always slept in to keep her hair from getting tangled.
"Happy birthday princess," Allison beamed, hugging Everly.
"Pancakes please," Everly asked.
"Are you hungry," Allison asked.
"Yes," Everly answered.
"Grandma is making waffles for your birthday breakfast," Allison said, "let's get dressed and go upstairs. You need to use the toilet."
"I'll take her," Asher said.
"We're potty training," Allison said, "we got there."
"Every hour on the hour," Asher said.
"Let's try it," Allison agreed, "pull ups in case."
"Let's go," Asher said, "we'll get you cleaned up and dressed."
Once everyone was dressed they walked upstairs, Asher set Everly's gait trainer on the floor and lifted her into it.
"Gama gapa," Everly yelled, "my birthday!"
"It is your birthday," Teddy beamed, bending to hug and kiss the little girl, "happy birthday princess."
"I three," Everly said, holding up three fingers.
"You are," Teddy beamed.
"Mom," Allison said, "too fast. She's three, she's back in her gait trainer for a couple weeks then we can work towards crutches."
"That's big," Teddy smiled.
"And we got the okay to try potty training," Allison said, "every hour on the hour but we'll get it."
"She will," Teddy replied, "she won't go to kindergarten in diapers."
"If she does it won't be lack of trying," Allison said, "that's the CP not her or us. She hates diapers and pull ups."
"Are you trying undies," Teddy asked.
"We are at home," Allison said, "she picked them out yesterday."
"She has a pull up on so she doesn't mess up your space," Asher said.
"She won't learn," Teddy said, "we have hardwood down here and leather couches let her wear them and we'll help with putting her on the toilet every hour on the hour."
Owen came down the stairs, "there's our birthday princess! Happy birthday Everly!"
"I three," Everly yelled.
"You are," Owen beamed, "happy birthday."
"Waffles are almost ready," Teddy said, "we have berries, whipped cream, turkey bacon."
"I miss real bacon," Asher said.
"Do you know what it does to your arteries," Teddy asked, "we make it sometimes. I like it on burgers or sandwiches."
"Her party today," Owen asked.
"Backyard," Allison said, "unicorn themed."
"I have to finish icing the unicorn cake," Teddy said.
"It's 3D," Allison said, "how did you do a 3D unicorn?"
"The horn is an ice cream cone," Teddy said, "and it's a special pan I ordered."
"You bought a unicorn cake pan," Allison asked.
"It was cheap online," Teddy said, "it's a horse head that I added the horn to with the ice cream cone."
"Food today," Owen asked.
"Fruit and veggies, unicorn snack mix I have to finish during nap then pizza," Allison said, "we have pink unicorn decorations for the yard and a pinata."
"Her friends," Teddy asked.
"Khitam, Taylor and Joshua plus the kids in her class at school," Allison said, "all but one from her class are coming. We have games, I talked to her teacher for ideas, we have games all the kids can play. Asher's family is coming, so is Annies. Charlotte said she would help with the games and has a craft for the kids. That's her talent not mine."
"Did she offer," Teddy asked.
"She did," Allison said, "we bought the supplies she told us to."
"Good," Teddy replied.
"Mom how is she three," Allison sighed.
"I know it's fast," Teddy agreed.
"Does it ever slow down," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy shook her head, "it's okay."
"I three," Everly said again.
"I know baby," Allison smiled, "you're a big girl now."
"Waffle," Everly asked.
"Yes," Teddy said.
"What do you want on your waffle," Allison asked.
"Chocolate," Everly said.
"I don't have chocolate now," Teddy said, "you can have some later."
"Gapa chocolate," Everly tried, knowing Owen always gave in.
Allison shook her head.
"We don't have any princess," Owen said.
"We'll have some later," Asher promised.
"Do you want berries or syrup," Allison asked.
"Syrup," Everly said.
Allison cut a waffle into strips for Everly and put a little bit of syrup on her plate for dipping.
"You okay munchkin," Owen asked.
"She's three dad," Allison shook her head.
"She is," Owen said, "and so smart. She's a tough little monkey."
"She is," Asher agreed.
"She's mobile again," Owen said.
"In the gait trainer again," Asher said, "it feels like were going backwards."
"She's moving pretty fast," Owen said, "after breakfast should we show her the yard?"
"Her playhouse," Allison said, "it's so cute."
"How have you kept her out of it," Teddy asked.
"We've been going to the park," Allison said, "and she hasn't wanted to go out in the gait trainer. She wants her walker back."
"When," Teddy asked.
"Hopefully in a couple weeks," Allison replied.
After breakfast they carried Everly into the back yard.
"Should we see what daddy and grandpa built for your birthday," Allison asked.
"Build," Everly asked.
Owen and Asher jogged ahead and grabbed the tarp that was hiding the play house.
"Three, two, one," Owen counted.
"Happy birthday princess," Asher smiled as the tarp fell.
"Me," Everly asked.
"It's your playhouse," Asher said, "let's come look."
Allison carried Everly off the patio and towards the playhouse.
"Mine," Everly asked.
"It's all yours," Asher said, "we built it for you. Just for Everly."
"It's from mommy and daddy and grandma and grandpa for your birthday," Allison said, "go look."
Allison set Everly on the play house porch making sure she was holding on, she wasn't quite weight bearing again after her surgery. She had made huge strides in the two weeks since the casting and braces had come off and was back in the style of braces she was used to. They had noticed that her posture was better and her leg movements had been much freer in swimming lessons the last week.
"Hold on," Asher reminded.
"I do it," Everly said.
"Careful," Allison cautioned.
They had hand rails in the play house to give her something to hold onto to support her balance.
"Mommy look," Everly said.
"Can I come in," Allison asked.
"Yes," Everly said.
Inside the playhouse had little benches built into the walls giving Everly places to sit or put things.
They let Everly explore her playhouse before it was time for swimming lessons.
"Look," Everly shouted when she was bobbing in the water with her class with no parent in the water.
"Are you having fun," asked Asher.
Everly splashed towards her parents on the pool deck making Allison jump back and laugh. They sat on a bench near where Everly's class was and Asher took Allison's hand.
"She's three," Allison shook her head.
"We did it," Asher said, "we have a preschooler."
"And she's getting stronger," Allison said.
"She'll walk on her own," he said, "she'll do it. She doesn't like being back in the gait trainer."
"She hates it," Allison agreed, "we have to go with physio."
"Walker then crutches," he said.
"Then on her own," she smiled, "so wedding in a year."
"A year," he agreed, "we'll be ready."
"You'll be done with college and getting ready for Med school," he said.
"And you'll be done your apprenticeship," she said, "but can we afford it. I know we're doing it in the back yard and mom and dad are paying for food and my dress."
"I think I should do a couple out of town blocks before then," Asher replied.
"When," she sighed, "I hate when you go."
"Could we do July," he asked, "then maybe November."
"Your birthday," she said, "February?"
"July and February," he asked, "I don't want to but I think we need the money."
"We do," she agreed, "especially if I get into med school."
"We'll make it work," he said, "you have to go."
"I need to work on my applications," she said, 'mom, dad and Annie said they would help. I need to get my references from the hospital it's hard when I have so much family there. I should get the chief of surgery but she's my aunt and can't."
"How did Annie do it," Asher asked, "your mom and dad worked there."
"Mom and dad weren't married," she explained, "Dr Webber was chief back then so he would have, she observed a lot with dad and mom so I think dad would have for her and maybe Bailey."
"Who are you going to ask," he asked.
"Jenna, Link, Dr Robbins, Dr Hayes," Allison said.
"Ev's team," he asked.
"They know me best," she replied, "I could ask Dr Yang but she scares me."
"Have I met her," he asked.
"You have," she replied, "asian woman, mid 50s ish, opinionated. Mom trained her and she's dad's ex wife. They all work together. Annie did her fellowship with Yang."
"Did your sister know it was your dad's ex wife,' he asked.
"She knew," Allison replied, "there's pictures of her and Chris with dad and Dr Yang and Mom and mom's first husband Henry at the cabin."
"But the really old ones of Annie and Chris," he said, "your parents are with them and another couple."
"Dr Yang and Henry," Allison replied, "I was Ev's age or a bit older when Yang came back to Seattle to work on some research. I think mom brought her in to train Annie."
"Annie doesn't like her," he said.
"She respects her as a surgeon but doesn't like her socially," Allison said, "this afternoon did your parents ever get back to you?"
"They're coming, Mitch and Siena," Asher said, "I don't know about the rest."
"Who ever comes comes," Allison said, "we can't expect them all to every year."
"It's her birthday," he said, "they should be there."
"I don't think they always know how to take us and my family," Allison said.
"Siena won't know how to take your sister," Asher admitted, "25 years older. I found Annie hard at first."
"Because my sister told us what we would do," Allison said, "she's like that."
"I know," he replied, "she always means well."
"They're done," Allison pointed to where the teacher was lifting kids to the pool deck.
They walked over and Allison wrapped Everly in a towel.
"How was it," Asher asked.
"Fun," Everly said, "more swim?"
"Not today," Allison said.
"We have to go home and wash your hair then after a nap it's time for your unicorn party," Asher said.
"No nap," Everly whined.
"You need a nap," Allison answered, "you don't have to sleep but you do have to lay in your bed. Mom and dad will have quiet time too."
Once Everly was laying in her bed Allison finished the snacks then went up to help decorate the backyard.
"What can I do," Owen asked.
"Can you help Ash with the folding tables," Allison asked.
"We can do the tables and chairs," Owen agreed.
"The cake," Teddy asked.
"Let's leave it inside until cake time," Allison said, "mom she's three and having friends at her birthday party."
"It's good," Teddy smiled.
"It is," Allison agreed, "mom we did it."
"You did it," Teddy agreed.
"Are we at the right place," one of the moms from Everly's class asked another.
"It's the right address Chelsea," another mom said.
"I don't know Trianne," Chelsea said, "Allison is younger than us and her husband is an electrician but she's in school.'
"They live in a basement suite," Trianne replied, "her parents I think and she's premed."
"That's not fair to that little girl," Chelsea said.
"Allison might be 21," Trianne said, "she's young. She said she had her daughter in highschool."
It's a good neighbourhood," Chelsea said, "we looked but the house here are a couple million at least."
"It's her parents," Trianne said, "I don't know what they do but she said her mom is semi-retired."
Soon Everly's friends and family were gathered in the backyard for the party. Allison rushed about trying to make sure everyone was comfortable and had everything.
"Thank you so much," Allison whispered to Charlotte as she set up a game.
"I wasn't expecting so many needs," Charlotte said.
"Her class," Allison said, "we're doing a different group for preschool in the fall. Still school district early intervention but more with physical needs and fewer cognitive ones she was in a general group this year and they group them more next year."
"Preschool," Charlotte asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "she's three. It's hard to believe!"
"She's having fun with the kids from her class," Annie said joining them.
"She is," Allison said, "she made friends."
"She did," Annie said, "how are you bean?"
"I'm okay," Allison said, "she's growing up. She has friends and it looks like she might be able to use crutches or walk on her own."
"Hope," Annie said.
"Hope," Allison agreed.
"But you after the last few weeks," Annie said.
"Now," Allison said, "tired but good."
"Have you had blood work," Annie asked.
"Monday," Allison said, "probably need more synthroid."
"You might," Annie agreed, "mine shifted at 21 but that was the start of med school. I remember calling mama telling her it was off and her trying to fly to Boston."
"She would," Allison said.
"It's mama," Annie replied, "she really out did herself this time with the cake."
"She did," Allison said.
"I think she likes really being grandma to Ev," Annie said, "she never got the chance to do that with my kids. She was working full time, had you and Leo at home. But she's enjoying being that for Ev."
"Are yours okay with it," Allison asked.
"Heather loves when mama picks her and Ev up from school," Annie said, "I like them at the same school."
"I don't know about Ev after pre K," Allison said, "I may move her where I went and in the neighbourhood."
"Hey," Trianne said looking at Annie, "I don't think we've met. Which one is yours?"
"I'm Grace," Annie said, "Allison's older sister. My four are running around somewhere as long as my 8 year old is out of the pool I'm okay. What's your name?"
"Trianne," Trianne responded, "my daughter Tallia goes to school with Everly she's in her walker over by the play house."
"I like the accessible play house," Annie said, "they need it."
"They do," Allison said.
"You said four kids," Trianne said, "how old?"
"17, 14, 12 and 8," Annie replied, "two girls and two boys. Do you have others?"
"My son is at home he's 6," Trianne said, "he's with his dad. Your husband must work a lot."
"We both do," Annie said, "where do you work?"
"I don't," Trianne replied, "my husband is a paediatrician so it's better for us if I'm home with the kids. I was an accountant and may do it from home part time again in the fall. What do you do?"
"Paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon," Annie replied, "at Grey Sloan."
"Your husband must be home a lot then," Trianne said.
"No," Annie replied, "he's a trauma surgeon, peds mainly but adults when needed. How did you and your husband meet?"
"On line," Trianne said, "you?"
"Med school orientation," Annie smiled.
"You're sisters," Trianne said, "half for sure?"
"Yes," Allison said, 'but it's always just been sisters."
"Same dad," Trianne guessed.
"Mom," Allison said, "I lost track of my mom though."
"Inside having a heart to heart about college and boys with Ellie," Annie said, "you know her."
"Ellie is," Trianne asked.
"My oldest daughter," Annie replied, "she graduates next month then is going to UBC in September."
Inside Ellie sat on a barstool at the island as Teddy finished the fruit plate for desert and put the candles on the cake.
"Grandma," Ellie said, "when I go to UBC will you miss me."
"I will," Teddy said, "but we'll do what your mom and I did when she was there."
"What was that," Ellie asked.
"You'll text and email and call me as much as you want," Teddy smiled, "send me the pictures of your day, things that make you smile. And I'll come up and visit every few weeks and you can show me your favourite places on campus and we'll get treats."
"What if I don't make friends," Ellie asked.
"You will," Teddy assured.
"I hardly did in high school I have two friends," Ellie said.
"That's all you need," Teddy assured, "but the best thing about college is that you meet people with similar interests. You're with people who like the same things you do and want to be there to learn and grow. You'll meet great friends Ellie. And living in dorms and having roommates helps with that."
"What about during free time," Ellie asked.
"You can join clubs for things you like, hang out with friends," Teddy said.
"If I get home sick," Ellie asked.
"Then you call," Teddy assured, "any time day or night. Your mom used to get so upset her last year at UBC she would get in her car and drive down Friday after finishing classes just to spend the night. You come home on the weekend if you miss your family. Ellie home won't go anywhere. Your mom and dad will be here, grandpa and I, nana, granddude we will all be here. And our love for you won't change. I'm proud of you Ellie this is a big adventure at just 17. You will be great I know it."
"How," Ellie asked.
"Your an Altman," Teddy said hugging her oldest granddaughter.
"What if I mess up or fail a class," Ellie asked.
"You retake the class," Teddy said, "and learn from it."
"And boys," Ellie asked.
"Be your self and be confident," Teddy said, "you have a voice Ellie. You make the decisions and you decide what is right for you. I can't tell you, your mom can't , Allison can't. You have to decide. But no matter what we have your back."
"Even if," Ellie asked.
"Then we do what we've done with Allie, Asher and Ev," Teddy said, "we love you. Our love will never ever change. How we show it changes as you get older and ready for more independence, we give you your space to do things and be independent, you gain trust. But Ellie Bug I promise the amount we love you never changes. There will never be a day I won't think about you and pray for you. You can always come here, our house is always open no matter how grown up you get. UBC is an adventure and I want you to take it and go have fun. Ellie it's a great school and your ready. You are ready."
"I'm scared," Ellie whispered.
"Anxiety about this is okay," Teddy said, "you're on a big adventure. But you have family that loves you close."
"Mom had Granddude and Grandmere," Ellie said.
"She did but you have all your aunts and uncles and cousins in BC," Teddy assured, "and they're excited to see you."
"How do you know," Ellie asked.
"Because I would be," Teddy said, "you're going to go and have fun and grandpa and I are here to cheer you on every step of the way. You need something you call anytime and we are always, always here."
"Promise," Ellie asked.
"I promise," Teddy assured, "can you help me take this all outside?"
"I have the fruit," Ellie said, "I don't want to mess up the cake. I think it's your best ever. Can you teach me?"
"I will," Teddy promised.
Teddy carried the cake out and put it on the table.
Allison guided Everly over to the table.
"Ready princess," Allison asked.
Teddy lit the candles and everyone sang happy birthday before Everly blew out her candles.