Allison smiled walking into the school with Everly. She was loving her new class and teacher. She came home smiling from school now.
"Mommy come on," Ev called at the door as she went in with her classmates.
"She's excited," Trianne smiled.
"It's reading week so I can come on her first field trip," Allison replied, "I don't get to do this enough."
"Where do you work," another mom asked.
"I'm still in school," Allison replied.
"What are you taking," the mom asked.
"My MD," Allison replied.
"What is that," the mom asked.
"Jayda she's in medical school," Trianne said.
"It's my second year " Allison explained, "almost done the classroom phase and moving more into clinicals."
"You can do it with Ev," Jayda asked.
"We make it work," Allison replied, "my husband, her dad is really supportive."
"What does he do," Jayda asked.
"Asher is an electrician," Allison replied, "where do you work?"
"I'm not," Jayda said, "I worked from home for a bit but we have three kids and daycare the way it is we're better if I stay home."
"Daycare is expensive," Allison agreed, "my mom picks ups three days a week and she goes to after school care two."
"Why medical school," Jayda asked.
"I want to be a surgeon," Allison replied.
"Ev," Jayda asked.
"She doesn't know me not in school," Allison said, "she knows daddy works and mommy goes to school. It works for us."
They joined the students in the classroom. Allison watched how confidently Everly made her way through the room and to her spot in the carpet.
"She's doing well," Trianne smiled.
"She is," Allison said, "Talia looks happy."
"It's a good class for them," Trianne said, "Ms Mackenzie's daughter has CP as well worse than our girls."
"I'm glad she understands," Allison agreed, "this room is so open and inviting. Ev can get every where on her own. She can help her self to just about anything."
"What she can't the kids probably shouldn't be in any way," Trianne laughed.
"Likley," Allison agreed, "and she'll figure out how to get it anyway."
"Is there a story there," Trianne questioned.
"She helped herself to the peanut butter cups I had at the back of the top shelf of the pantry," Allison said, "cleared the entire top shelf in the process but got the peanut butter cups. Ash was doing the breaks on my car, I had just gone for a run with my mom and was in the shower and Ev cleared the top shelf."
"How," Jayda asked.
"Got herself up on a step stool which is a new skill," Allison said, "then used one of her crutches to clear the top shelf. She's used her crutches to reach for things for a long time. Drives my sister nuts."
"Why your sister," Trianne asked.
"Because Annie puts things out of her reach that Ev wants and Ev helps herself," Allison smiled, "she's determined and a bit mischievous sometimes. She's a 5 year old."
"When is she six," Jayda asked.
"End of May," Allison replied, " Carly?"
"Not until October," Jayda answered.
The teacher got the parents attention and projected the groups for each car load.
Allison smiled getting Everly and two other little girls Annabelle and Mika.
"Hi girls," Allison smiled crouching beside the three 5 year olds.
"Hi Mrs Blouin," Mika said.
"You can call me Allie," Allsion smiled, "I don't like being called Mrs. Blouin."
The teacher asked, "are you sure?"
"Mrs Blouin is my mother in law," Allison said, "I go by Allie unless it's my parents."
"Allie, before you go I have two epi pens and a puffer for you," the teacher said, "I thought you might be our best parent to do this with your education."
"Second year med student," Allison asked.
"Are you comfortable giving epi pens," the teacher asked.
"I have," Allison replied, "to myself and my youngest niece."
"And the puffer," the teacher questioned.
"Yes I know how and when to use them," Allison replied.
Allison lead the three little girls to the car and put the other girl's booster seats in the back seat of the car.
"Music please," Everly asked.
"Of course," Allison smiled, "what do you want to listen to Ev?"
"Kids Bop," Everly replied.
Allison put the Kids Bop playlist on in the car as they drove to the Zoo.
"Ev are you going to walk or ride," Allison asked, "it's a lot of walking in the Zoo."
"Ride," Everly agreed.
Trianne parked next to them and got Talia's wheel chair from the back of her car.
"Ev is going to be relieved," Allison smiled.
"It's easier when they're together," Trianne agreed, "to have a buddy."
"We need to get a new one soon," Allison said, "she's getting a bit big for this one."
"When did you get it," Trianne asked.
"She was three," Allison replied.
"She's grown a lot since we met you," Trianne said.
"But she still likes to be carried," Allison replied.
The little girls got out of the car and Everly plopped down in her wheelchair not fully happy with needing to use it for the long day at the zoo. They spent the day exploring the zoo and playing with Everly's classmates. Allison enjoyed being able to talk to other parents with kids the same age as Everly. She had become friends with Trianne, bonding over similar experiences.
"How was the zoo princess," Asher asked when he got home.
"Awesome," Everly smiled, "we saw giraffes and monkeys."
"Did you," Asher asked.
"The teacher," Asher asked.
"Was wonderful," Allison smiled, "Ev loves her and she knows her so well."
"And the other kids," Asher asked.
"Great," Allison smiled, "she loves school right now. Mika's mom invited her over afterschool tomorrow."
"What did you say," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison smiled, "she's been invited on a play date with two other girls without us."
"Is she ready," Asher asked.
"She is," Allison assured, "I talked to Mika's mom and they are aware of Ev's mobility. Ev can go play and do crafts. She needs to go."
"She does," Asher agreed.
"Daddy come play," Everly called to Asher from her barbie house.
Asher sat and played with Everly while Allison started dinner.
"What's for dinner," Everly yelled.
"Pasta," Allison replied, "with tomato sauce."
"When are your class mates coming," Asher asked.
"8," Allison replied, "so after bed time."
"You can," Asher started.
"No I can't," Allison said, "because I can't focus on a group project when she's awake and Ev does the look at me thing when my classmates are here."
"Mommy, why can't I see your friends," Everly asked.
"Because we're doing school work," Allison replied, "I'm not having friends over to play."
"Please can I see your friends," Everly asked.
"This once," Allison agreed.
"Allie," Asher asked.
"You have to do your physio without a single complaint or whine, then have your bath, your pjs on then we can read until my friends get here," Allison agreed.
"Is this the right place," Kanta asked.
"She's in the basement," Xyuan said, "I've been here before."
"They rent," Mika, another classmate asked.
"Her parents," Xyuan said, "we've been friends since undergrad."
"What are we doing," Kanta asked.
"It's cardio," Mika said.
"Why here if she's married and has a kid," Kanta asked.
"Her mom is a cardio surgeon," Xyuan said, "and was chief of surgery at Grey Sloan for like 20 years."
"Blouin's mom," Kanta said, "I thought the longest chief at Grey Sloan was the older of the Altmans."
"Allison's maiden name is Altman- Hunt," Xyuan said, "Teddy Altman is her mom and Grace Altman is her big sister."
"Wow," Mika said, "I got to scrub in with Grace Altman a couple weeks ago she was really nice."
"She is," Xyuan replied.
"So cardio project," Kanta said.
"Around back," Xyuan said, "this way."
Xyuan led the way around the back and down stairs.
"Hi," Asher greeted opening the door.
"Asher," Xyuan smiled.
"Hey," Asher said, "come in."
"Hi," Allison called from the couch.
"Hi," Everly waved.
"Miss Everly isn't it past your bedtime," Xuyan asked.
"Mommy said I could say hi," Everly explained.
"But it's time for bed now," Asher said, "you said hi Ev."
Allison stood up with Everly in her arms, "this is my husband Asher and our daughter Everly. Ev, Ash, this is Kanta and Mika."
"Good to meet you," Asher smiled shaking Kanta's hand.
"You as well," Kanta agreed.
Everly began talking to Xyuan who she recognized and had baby sat her a couple times.
"Ev it's bed time," Asher said taking Everly from Allison.
"She's not walking," Mika asked.
"Ev has CP and her braces are off for the night so it's easier to carry her. She's tired," Allison said.
"Can I stay please," Everly yawned.
"No," Allison said, "I'll come say good night and daddy will tuck you in."
"Please," Everly begged.
"No," Allison said, "you've had a busy day. We went to the zoo with your class, you had swimming and you got to stay up and extra 20 minutes. It's bed time."
"No school tomorrow," Everly yawned.
"Yes but we have a busy day sweetheart," Allison said, "we're spending the day with Grandma and going on an adventure. I don't know what she has planned for us."
"Water," Everly asked.
"A quick glass," Asher agreed.
"Any one want tea or coffee," Allison offered, going to put the kettle on.
"Whatever you're having is good," Mika said.
"I'm just having tea," Allison said, "I can make coffee if any one wants it."
"Can I have water," Kanta asked.
"Ice," Allison asked.
Allison saw Everly was done her water and slipped into her daughter's room to quickly say good night.
"So we have to look at the Altman procedure," Mika said, "Allie Xyuan said you might know something about it."
"My mom will come down if we want," Allison said, "who better to talk to that Teddy Altman?"
"The book says Theodora and Grace Altman," Kanta said.
"Theodora prefers Teddy and is my mom," Allison said, "she said she would come down or we can go up if we have any questions but I've seen two done."
"You've seen it," Mika gasped.
"We get to start scrubbing in at 19," Allison replied, "I've seen one for heart disease and one to buy time before a transplant."
"Why did we get this one," Kanta asked, "I was interested in the Norwood."
"Norwoods are interesting but I'm not a cardio fan," Allison said, "I like ortho."
"Allie," Asher asked.
"Ya babe," Allison replied.
"You cool if I go to the gym for an hour," Asher questioned.
"Ya but don't feel like you have to go," Allison said.
"I really need to work out," Asher replied, "I've been using the treadmill in the garage but I need to do some weights. I'm going to meet Jonah."
"Sure," Allison replied.
"Do we need anything on my way back," Asher asked.
"Milk," Allison replied, "and bread. I don't have enough for toast tomorrow."
"You can have something other than toast and peanut butter for breakfast," Asher teased.
"Scrambled eggs and toast, avocado on toast," Allison listed, "french toast, nutella toast, toast and jam, boiled or poached eggs on toast."
"Breakfast does not mean toast," Asher laughed.
"No toast is worse than no coffee," Allison groaned.
"Toast that's your go to," Mika asked.
"Every day for the last like 7 years," Asher laughed.
"It started when I was a kid," Allison admitted, "I like toast."
"I'm going to go," Asher said giving Allison a quick hug and kiss.
"Married life," Mika asked once the door closed behind Asher.
"It's good," Allison smiled, "we've been together since we were 17. Ash is my person."
"Why is Altman punishing us in Vascular," Kanta asked bringing the group on topic.
"Because she hates me and my mom," Allison said.
"What," Mika asked.
"My mom and Dr Williams were roommates in New York like 30 some odd years ago," Allison explained, "they lived together for a couple years with a third roommate. Then 9/11 happened and the other roommate was in one of the towers and it ended their friendship."
"And the third roommate," Mika questioned.
"Mom's best friend Allison Brown," Allison replied, "I was named after her and it bugs Williams I guess. I think it's too many memories."
"So she's punishing you," Mika questioned.
"I don't know," Allison said.
"We should work," Xyuan said.
"We should," Allison agreed, "do we want mom to come down?"
"I think we've got it if we need something we can call her," Mika said.
"She goes to bed early," Allison replied, "she's 70, she gets tired now but won't admit it."
"How old are you," Mika asked, "if your mom's 70."
"24," Allison replied.
"But you have a 5 year old you were 19," Mika gasped.
"I was 18," Allison said, "my birthday is in January and Ev will be 6 in May."
"Wow," Mika said, "and this?"
"My dream," Allison said, "we'll make it work. Ash and I always do. He's amazing."
"Work," Kanta said impatient tapping the table.
They turned their attention to the project and worked through what they could until it got to the inspiration for the project.
"I'll do this part of the report later," Allison said, "I don't mind doing it with mom."
"Why," Xyuan asked.
"The date of the first one," Allison said, "it's a couple months before she would have moved to Germany after her first husband died. Let me text my sister first."
Allison, "Nee does the date Jan 29 2012 ring a bell?"
Annie, "Henry Burton died that day why?"
Allison, "we have a report on the Altman and I want to ask mom about the inspiration and the first one."
Annie, "no. don't. Not the first one. She did the first one as Henry was dying, she was in the OR still on it when your dad called to tell me Henry had died. I knew before Mama did."
Allison, "oh."
Annie, "I know. Ask her about the inspiration for the whole thing."
Allison, "alone?"
Annie, "yes."
Allison, "what do you know?"
Annie, "I know your dad called me before he told mom. By the time he called Henry had been dead for over 90 minutes. He had time to call time of death and talk to Webber. He had time to book my flight to Seattle. He had my flight booked and paid for, he had Jackson Avery and April Kepner arranged to meet me at the hospital. He had Arizona ready to take care of Mama and I."
Allison, "I didn't know."
Annie, "I never told you."
Allison, "why?"
Annie, "they've had two major fights that I know about. That was one of them she didn't talk to them for almost 3 months."
Allison, "the other one?"
Annie, "I don't know over what but when I finished med school they were fighting."
Allison, "you graduated the summer before I was born I know that story."
Annie, "I know the time line but I don't know what happened. They weren't talking when I started my intern year unless it was about me. But he got the cottage ready for me and even stocked the fridge for me. He wished me luck before my intern appy and was in the scrub room to hug me and tell me I didn't fail after I dropped my purse strings. He was there and when I cried after because Grey yelled at me he just hugged me and told me I did well. He was texting mama play by plays of it even though he was pissed at her."
Allison, "I missed a lot."
Annie, "it was before you were born."
Allison, "I should go finish this project."
Annie, "I can help if you need to call me. I was in her OR as we refined it. I was her right hand on it."
Allison, "we might later."
"So did your sister have any ideas," Kanta said.
"If I want to talk about the very first I have to talk to mom alone," Allison said, "but we can talk to Annie about the process of refining it now, she was mom's resident."
"I thought it was Grace Altman as the fellow on it from the article," Mika said.
"Annie and Grace are the same person," Allison explained, "Mom and Annie's dad didn't agree on her name and because mom was in school and serving in the army she was it Dan as a kid. Dan called her Annabeth with the nickname Annie and it's still her family nickname, she just uses Grace professionally."
"Okay," Mika said.
"Mommy," Everly yelled, "my legs hurt."
"Two minutes," Allison told her group.
Allison knew Everly was over tired and would likely be in pain today, she always had pain flare ups when she was over tired.
Allison grabbed the children's tylenol from the cupboard over the fridge and a glass of water for Everly.
"Here we go princess," Allison said, "we'll have some tylenol and it'll take a minute but you'll feel better."
"Can I sit with you," Everly begged.
"If you sit quiet you can come sit in my lap," Allison agreed, "until daddy comes home from the gym."
Allison carried Everly to the kitchen table and sat with her in her lap as they worked on the project, the medical terms somewhat familiar to Everly. As they worked Allison gently massaged Everly's legs.
"Allie," Mika asked.
"Her muscles are in spasm," Allison said, "we need to do another round of injections but we try to stretch it as long as we can between hoping she'll stop needing them."
"A prescription or OTC," Kanta suggested.
"I don't like the side effects she's so young," Allison said, "we've tried."
"Mommy," Everly whimpered.
"I've got you," Allison whispered, "close your eyes princess. I've got you. Mommy's here. I know you're tired."
"Can I help," Xyuan asked.
"We're good," Allison assured, "so the project. I can do the inspiration and process of developing it."
"I want to do next steps," Mika said.
"I'll get you in touch with Grace," Allison promised, "my mom isn't researching or doing big suregies anymore. She's teaching, stent's, pace makers, the odd valve she doesn't want to do the big stuff now."
"I'll look at patient outcomes and comparing to alternative techniques," Kanta volunteered.
"So I have the process and when or how to use it," Xyuan said.
"Add contraindications," Allison told Xyuan, "they have specific criteria."
"Okay," Xyuan agreed.
Allison felt Everly relax in her arms and shifted her daughter holding her against her body like she had as a baby with Everly's head on Allison's shoulder.
"I've done this her whole life," Allison said, "as an infant I read my text books to her. She just needed to hear my voice and language."
"She's gorgeous," Mika praised.
"Thank you," Allison smiled kissing the top of the sleeping girl's head.
Asher came in a while later and noticed Everly in Allison's arms.
"Allie," Asher asked.
"Pain," Allison said, "I don't want to move her yet. She's asleep."
"I'll take her and hold her for a bit," Asher said, "you finish up."
"I'm good she won't do this too much longer," Allison replied.
"You get your work done and I'll take her into our room," Asher said.
Allison nodded.
Asher carefully lifted Everly from Allison and carried her into her parents room. They knew that on bad pain days bringing Ev into their bed was often the one thing that would soothe her.
Allison finished up her group project and tidied up after her classmates left. She got ready for bed and joined Asher in their room.
"She's woken up twice," Asher said, "Allie we need a better solution."
"We were talking about something last week in pharmacology that might be okay," Allison said, "but it's by prescription only. I want it as a back up for nights like this. We don't need it day to day. The side effects though I don't know."
"She's just getting bigger," Asher said.
"I know she's almost six," Allison agreed, "but I don't want to start Baclofen if we don't have to. The side effects and I'd want to know more about the long term effects ."
"We need to ask," Asher said.
"I'm not doing stronger pain killers," Allison said, "no way will we cross the line to narcotic pain killers. I'm okay with NSAIDS but no narcotics ever. We can look at other options and prescription strengths but I don't want to do more than that. She's 5. We could look at surgical options."
"You'd rather her have surgery than medication," Asher asked.
"I'd like to look," Allison said, "I don't want to create life long dependence on medications if we can avoid it. We start her on it now she'll only need more and more over time.
"Let's talk to her doctors," Asher suggested, "all I'm saying."
"But she's with us tonight," Allison guessed.
"She is," Asher replied.
"Okay," Allison sighed, "I'd like to find a solution to this first."
"So would I," Asher agreed.
"I might move her while you shower and then see if she'll stay in her bed," Allison suggested.
"Try it," Asher agreed.
Allison picked Everly up while Asher grabbed a clean pair of boxers from the dresser.