"Ev is asleep you wanted to talk to me," Allison asked, walking into Teddy's kitchen.
"You get married tomorrow," Teddy sighed, "my baby is getting married."
"And I've lived like it for how long," Allison asked.
"But it's different," Teddy said, "and changing your last name."
"I want to match Asher and Ev," Allison said, "we couldn't triple hyphenate her name so chose Blouin for her as a baby and I want to match."
"But tomorrow you get married," Teddy said, "you're not my baby anymore. 7 pounds 8 ounces of perfection. You were gorgeous and absolutely perfect."
"Mom," Allison rolled her eyes.
"I get to," Teddy smiled, "you get to with Everly, I can with you."
"Annie said you did something weird with her leading up to her wedding," Allison said.
"I had a box of letters Leslie and Dan wrote to me every month that Annie and I read in the months before her wedding and then a couple days before her and I looked at all her photo albums," Teddy said, "I wrote you a letter on your birthday every year about your year and how you were growing and changing and I have your photos. So we're going to order your favourite take out, I have champagne and cupcakes and we're doing this the two of us."
"Just us," Allison asked.
"Yes," Teddy smiled, "Asher is at Annie's tonight so you're appart the night before."
"It seems so weird," Allison said, "I hate not having him home."
"I know," Teddy said, "I feel that way with your dad. I accept it because we've always done it but we don't like it."
"When you really retire," Allison asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "and when we travel. We'll keep travelling. You and Leo don't need us as much. Tomorrow you're married woman."
"Finally," Allison said, "I feel like we've waited a long time for this."
"You have," Teddy agreed, "are you 100% sure this is what you want?"
"It is," Allison assured, "mom I want this."
"Good," Teddy smiled, "so do you want the letters or the pictures first?"
"Letters," Allison said, "I've been doing little video reels of Everly's year for her every year."
"I'm old school," Teddy said, "I wrote to you."
"The first one," Allison asked.
"When we brought you home," Teddy smiled.
"Can I read it," Allison asked.
"I want to read it to you," Teddy replied, "ready?"
"Yes," Allison replied.
"Here we go," Teddy began, "welcome to the world baby girl. You were born two days ago eight days before your due date. You were met by me and daddy. Your big sister was so excited to meet you. Your auntie Megan said that Annie ran to see you and nearly knocked over 3 residents, a patient and 2 attendings to go see you. You are 7 pounds 8 ounces of pure perfection. You have your dad's red hair and my green eyes. You were named after the person who led me to your dad, the best friend I've ever had, Allison. Your middle name Eloise is your auntie Megan's as well, your dad's sister. Baby girl I prayed for you for 20 years. You are the best surprise and one of the biggest gifts I've ever gotten. You have a family that already loves you so much daddy and I and your sister Annie, she's 25 already. You also have your Nana, daddy's mom, auntie Megan, Uncle Nathan and your cousin Faroke. Baby girl I can't believe you're here, I feel like we waited years for you instead of nine months. For months you have liked to roll around in my belly and kick me when I'm doing surgery or trying to sleep. Right now you're asleep in your bassinet and I'm sitting on the couch watching you sleep while I write this. You're making a little snoring sound in your sleep and are all wrapped up in a pink blanket. I love you so much little one. You are a gorgeous baby girl. I love you, mama."
"I was that early," Allison asked.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "and we knew exactly when dad came to see me. Do you want the next one?"
"Please," Allison asked.
"Okay your first year," Teddy started to read, "one! A year with you my precious Allison. You're walking and saying a few words. You say mama, dada and nee. We think nee means Annie. This year you've been to the cabin a few times and had your first Christmas and liked playing in the snow. You have the biggest smile with your 4 little teeth. Your favourite foods are salmon and avocado. You giggle at everything and love to play outside and be taken for a walk even when it's raining. This year has just been magical baby girl. My miracle baby. The one I prayed for for years. The best days are the days we spend as a family with your daddy and sister, when we're all home and our family is together. You love to be snuggled and your bedtime stories. You haven't slept through the night yet, but I don't mind, we get our late night cuddle while you have a middle of the night snack. This year I'm writing this as you nap in your crib, sitting on the floor in the doorway of your room watching you sleep."
They read through the letters together year by year Teddy's thoughts about how much Allison had grown.
"Mom," Allison asked as Teddy opened her 18th birthday.
"This was hard," Teddy said, "so baby girl you're 18 today and this year has not been easy and things might get harder before they get easier. In May you'll have your own baby girl. Yes I saw the gender on the ultrasound today, a baby girl. She's going to be as beautiful, smart and strong as her mother. Allison you are showing an amazing amount of strength even when you feel like the whole world is turning it's back on you. In so many ways you are still the baby girl that dad and I brought home 18 years ago, feisty, determined and so loved. Last night you came and snuggled with me on the couch, you've been doing that a lot again and I understand why, you just need your mom and to feel safe. We got to talk and dream together and you let me feel your baby kick. Allison, you graduate in a couple months and are ready to start college, I wonder what your major will be and the path you'll take, no matter what dad and I will stand right behind you and hold you up. You will never be alone. This year you've found your voice, you're trying to use it more and more everyday. I am proud of you, I know it doesn't feel like it in this moment and we're pushing your pretty hard to grow up way faster than we wanted to but we are proud of you. Allison of all of my kids you are most like me and not just having your first baby young. You love so deeply and know your own mind and what you want for your life and you trust your gut. Allison I am so proud of you baby girl. I love you more than I can say. Mom."
Allison blinked back tears, "you knew?"
"I did," Teddy said, "why do you think there were pretty pink things when she came home. Dad and I didn't do that over night. But you wanted the surprise. Allison I am proud of you and how strong you are, how well you know yourself and what is right for you and your family.
Teddy poured them each a glass of champagne before opening the photo albums, they chatted, giggled and reminisced looking at all of the photos of Allison over the years, baby pictures, family photos, school and dance ones, the candid shots of Allison's life the moments that had lead to this point.
"I don't remember this one," Allison said.
"You wouldn't," Teddy said, "I snapped it when they first put Ev in your arms. The first time you got to hold her and see her."
"She was so tiny," Allison said.
"So were you once," Teddy replied.
"Why didn't you share these before," Allison asked.
"Tradition," Teddy replied, "the night before dad and my wedding you, Annie and I looked at my albums from me growing up."
"So you and Annie looked," Allison said, "I was what 7 or 8 months?"
"7 and a half," Teddy replied, "but yes you were there. Then when Annie got married I shared the letters Leslie and Dan had written to me and the photos they had sent with her and now it's your turn."
"Has she seen these," Allison asked.
"No they're your letters," Teddy said, "I have Leo's as well. I hold onto these and I'll keep writing you can have them all one day. I want to keep them safe for now. I have a box of letters in the top of my closet with all of your names on them."
"This is morbid," Allison said.
"Maybe for tonight," Teddy agreed, "and we have one other tradition before bedtime. Because our bride needs her beauty sleep."
"What," Allison asked.
Teddy stood and got the gift bag from where she had hidden it, "it's not new but it's yours."
Allison opened the gift bag slowly, "pearls?"
"My grandmothers," Teddy said, "my mom's mom's. Her mother gave them to her when she married my grandpa. This set is yours for your wedding day. I want you to wear it as your something old. You had gotten the costume jewellery ones, these are real. Dad and I had them restrung. These are over 100 years old Allison."
"Why me," Allison asked.
"Your wedding pearls," Teddy said, "it's a family tradition."
"Yours," Allison asked.
"The set I have and I wear the earrings from was my other grandmas," Teddy said, "when the day is right I'll have them restrung and pass them onto Leo's wife."
"But Annie," Allison asked.
"Has my mom's," Teddy replied, "there's one set for each of my kids."
"Your grandmas," Allison said, "the one you were really close to?"
"Yes," Teddy said, "you have her pearls."
"Why do you give us the heirloom jewellery," Allison asked, "most families get them when someone dies."
"I thought about it," Teddy replied, "but I want you to have it and to wear it and to see you enjoy it. "
"Can I wear it tomorrow," Allison asked.
"You can if you want to," Teddy smiled.
"I want to," Allison said.
"Last check," Teddy said, "something old?"
"My pearls," Allison said.
"New," Teddy checked.
"Dress and shoes," Allison answered.
"Borrowed," Teddy asked.
"Hair clips from Annie," Allison said, "the jewel and pearl ones Grandmere gave her for her prom."
"Blue," Teddy asked.
"Garter," Allison giggled, "and pale blue undies."
"Okay you're ready," Teddy smiled, "how do you feel?"
"I'm nervous and excited," Allison said.
"Vows," Teddy asked.
"We wrote our own," Allison replied, "I have them memorised."
"Okay as much as I love you and love our nights you need your beauty sleep baby girl," Teddy said.
"I do," Allison agreed, "good night mom. I love you so much."
"I love you too baby girl," Teddy said, "you're getting married in the morning."
"I'm getting married," Allison agreed.
Allison gave Teddy a final hug and walked down stairs she checked on Everly who was sound asleep with the cat on the foot of her bed and her favourite doll tucked in beside her. Allison softly kissed Everly's head before getting ready for bed herself.