"How's college," Allison asked when she picked up Leo's call.
"Good," Leo replied, "senior year?"
"Not so great " Allison said.
"What no date to home coming," Leo asked.
"Asher Blouin," Allison replied.
"Why are you still hanging out with that ass hole," Leo asked.
"He's not as bad as you think. Mom and dad are coming around," Allison said, "not like they have a choice."
"What's going on Al," Leo asked.
"You wouldn't get it mr perfect. Trying to be an army trauma surgeon because dad is," Allison snapped, "you don't care as long as I make you look better. Guess what you win. At least miss perfect has a heart and still loves me but you won't."
"What did you do that made Annie mad," Leo asked.
"If you actually takes to me rather then putting me down all the time I might tell you " Allison screeched.
"What's wrong Al," Leo asked.
"Hmm," Allison said, "depression so bad I'm in therapy twice a week and on medication, Hashimotos, anemic and I'm 9 weeks pregnant."
"The last one again," Leo snapped.
"I'm pregnant and I think I'm keeping it," Allison said.
"So last year the rumors about you being a little slut were true," Leo yelled, "congratulations on fucking up your life. Good luck getting into or through college now. You disgust me."
"Daniel Robert Altman-Hunt," Teddy said taking Allison's phone.
"Mom," Leo gasped.
"You were on speaker on the kitchen counter," Teddy said, "if you can not be supportive of your sister we will have a huge problem. "
"It's a mistake baby and unplanned," Leo said, "she's a slut."
"Careful," Teddy said, "would you say the same things about Annie? About me?"
"You did the right thing and gave Annie up," Leo said.
"Think very carefully about your words," Teddy warned, "you were adopted."
"After I was abandoned," Leo said.
"You have a choice to support your sister and this can bring our family closer together or this can drive a wedge in our family," Teddy said.
"You and dad are just okay with this," Leo asked.
"That doesn't matter right now," Teddy said, "we are a family and dad and I are always happy to meet our grandchildren."
"You want this," Leo asked.
"I want my child," Allison said, "I know it will be hard. No matter what I choose it will be hard."
"You still get to go to homecoming," Leo said.
"Asher and I are going," Allison said.
"Is Asher the father," Leo asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "I don't know your problem with him and I don't care. He's stepping up to be here with Allison. He's at work right now. He starts his apprenticeship in February."
"So you'll let her go to home coming, the winter formal and prom knocked up," Leo hissed.
"Prom is debate able," Teddy said, "it's a month after her due date."
"When does Allison have the baby," Leo asked.
"The last week of May," Teddy said, "prom is the last week of June. We'll see how things are going."
"When I come home for thanksgiving," Leo asked.
"Normal family thanksgiving," Teddy said, "Allison sits out the football game."
"Allison's grad trip," Leo asked.
"It depends on what Allison decides to do," Teddy said, "that's not for you to worry about."
"Good job ruining your life," leo said, "your an embarrassment."
Teddy hung up the phone and pulled a now sobbing Allison into her arms.
"I messed everything up mom," Allison said.
"Your plans have changed," Teddy said, "what did nana say earlier?"
"That she needed more yarn," Allison said.
"You're sure," Teddy asked.
"I want my baby," Allison said, "it will be hard but that's okay."
"We'll be here every step of the way," Teddy promised, "I was thinking that since we won't do Europe now that you and I could do a smaller trip to New York for a week in February. Your online school starts the second week so go the first week. Go have some girl time?"
"I want to," Allison said.
"The big museums and Broadway," Teddy suggested.
"Please," Allison responded.
"I'll get it all worked out," Teddy said.
"Can you help me apply to UW," Allison asked.
"We will," Teddy said, "we'll apply to the local schools. Dad and I have always said we would pay tuition and housing on campus."
"What does that mean," Allison asked.
"We will pay your tuition and your living here with us," Teddy said, "so we will cover all school costs. Books, supplies, everything related to school."
"Mom I have a job," Allison said.
"I know," Teddy said, "I don't think you realize how expensive babies are."
"Annie said I could have their old crib and change table," Allison said.
"Which one," Teddy asked.
"The white one," Allison answered.
"They got that for one of the boys," Teddy said, "it's a nice one. They spent a lot of money on that set."
"She said I could have all the nursery stuff except the rocking chair," Allison said.
"Dan built that chair just for Annie," Teddy smiled, "she won't part with her chair."
"I like the white stuff. She showed me last week it's still in okay shape," Allison said.
"Allison Teddy," Megan called from the door, "I brought sushi."
"We're telling her," Teddy said.
"Not the be at day for sushi but that's okay Meg," Teddy replied.
"What's going on," Megan asked.
"She'll just yell at me like Leo did. You tell her and I'll wait upstairs for the anger to dissipate," Allison said.
"Auntie Megan," Annie said, "no, brace yourself for one of her squish you until you can't breathe hugs."
"Allison you have news," Megan said.
"Mom and Nee know," Allison took a deep breath.
"What do they know and why do you look scared," Megan asked.
"Auntie I'm pregnant," Allison said.
"Allison," Megan said, "your? How far?"
"Nine weeks," Teddy answered, "we're just starting to tell people. Only family for a few more weeks."
"Whats the plan," Megan asked.
"I'm keeping the baby," Allison replied.
"Another baby," Megan cheered, hugging Allison tight.
"I can't breathe," Allison groaned.
Megan let her go, "how are you feeling?"
"The no puke pills help," Allison said.
"They do," Annie agreed.
"Everything is healthy," Megan asked.
"As much as can be expected," Teddy said, "baby looked good when Carina looked last week."
"Have you had an ultrasound," Megan asked.
"One," Allison said, "mom came."
"The dad," Megan asked.
"Asher," Allison replied.
"Hows that going," Megan asked.
"His parents have disowned him and hes living in our basement," Teddy said.
"So," Megan said.
"We're friends," Allison tried, "we've went on a couple dates."
"Where is he today," Annie asked.
"Working," Allison said, "it's Saturday he's at Target all day stocking shelves."
"You got a job," Annie asked.
"At the grocery store a couple blocks away as a cashier," Allison said, "I work tonight and tomorrow afternoon."
"Where are your kids," Megan turned to Annie, "you don't have your small herd with you."
"Ellie is at a friend's working on a project for history, Heather is at a birthday party and Josh is picking her up, the boys are at an overnight scout thing," Annie said, "I have 3 hours to myself."
"Your four is nuts," Allison said, "if you felt like this I'm surprised you have more than Ellie."
"You kind of forget it," Annie said, "until it happens again."
"Or you have them 25 years apart and have totally different symptoms with the second," Teddy said.
"I like adopting," Megan said.
"We're keeping the baby," Allison said, "we know we have a lot to work out."
"You do," Megan said, "what do you need?"
"We have a crib and change table that we bought when I had Henry hes the only one that used it," Annie said.
"The dark wood set," Megan said.
"No we used that for the other three," Annie said, "the white one."
"Your dark wood set," Teddy asked.
"The crib changed to a kids bed and Heather is still using it," Annie replied, "we should replace it but I still like it and she hasn't outgrown it."
"I didn't know it was still in use," Megan said.
"It just made sense," Annie said, "I've always loved that set. Heather is still using the dresser and we have the change table in the playroom as their tinkering station."
"Should we eat," Megan asked.
"I can't have sushi," Allison said.
"I stopped for something you can have," Annie said, "greek, your favourite."
"Thank you," Allison smiled.
"What are sisters for," Annie teased.
"Was it just Nate and I out of the loop," Megan asked.
"I told Nana and Leo today," Allison said.
"What did they say," Annie asked.
"Nana is happy," Allison said, "she wants someone to take her to get yarn."
"I'm taking her to run errands tomorrow," Megan said, "colours?"
"Let Nana pick," Allison said.
"We're not discussing Leo's reaction," Teddy said, "I almost reached through the phone and smacked him."
"Do I need to call," Annie said.
"Aren't you presenting at UCLA next week," Teddy asked.
"I am," Annie said.
"Go talk some sense into your brother," Megan urged.
"He doesn't listen to me," Annie replied, "he's not Chris."
"Did you call him a dumb dumb," Megan asked.
"I only do that to Chris," Annie laughed.
"Leo," Owen answered his phone, "I'm driving what's up?"
"I just talked to Allison," Leo said.
"Yes," Owen said, "we know what's going on. She went to Annie first then told mom within half an hour. I knew two hours after mom did."
"And your letting her stay and see the guy," Leo roared.
"Your sister needs our support," Owen said.
"Dad," Leo said.
"Leo," Owen said, "mom could have been Allison. Mom wasn't a lot older."
"But she gave Annie up," Leo said, "she gave Annie away she didn't want Annie."
"Have you ever asked your mother why she made the choices she did," Owen asked.
"To go to med school," Leo said.
"No," Owen replied, "because it was best for Annie. We always do what is best for our kids. It's called being a parent."
"Why isn't she getting an abortion," Leo asked.
"She chose not to," Owen said, "it's her decision and her decision alone."
"Does she know she's running her life," Leo asked.
"She has a job, she goes to school and work," Owen said, "she has a plan for second semester to finish her classes before the baby is born."
"Dad it's wrong," Leo said, "it's a mistake. Does she want to go her whole life with this mistake?"
"Enough," Owen roared, "the judgement you are passing on Allison is not helping. She needs your love and support. We have to put our own feelings aside."
"This child is a mistake," Leo said.
"So Annie is a mistake," Owen asked, "mom should always be judged based on that?"
Leo fell silent.
"Didn't think that through did you," Owen asked.
"When mom first told you Annie existed," Leo asked.
"I was surprised," Owen said, "but I knew your mom loved her and always had. Mom explained her reasons to me and why. Mom didn't have the same support from her parents that you and Allison do. There wasn't the extended family to support them. Mom wanted more for Annie then she thought she could give her."
"Dad," Leo argued.
"Leo," Owen said, "it's not a choice you would make but it is the choice Allison is making. You can feel what ever you want about it but your judgement of her is not helpful."
"Dad," Leo argued.
"You can choose to support your sister and this can bring our family closer together or you can choose to treat her poorly," Owen said, "which will drive a wedge between you."
"Annie and Josh," Leo asked.
"Annie actually was the first to know," Owen said, "they're supportive."
"I can't stand for this," Leo said.
"You are choosing to drive a wedge between your self and your sister," Owen said, "she needs you. She needs her brother."
"You can't honestly say your happy about this," Leo said.
"I'm not," Owen said, "and she knows that Asher knows that. But she is my daughter and your sister. Our family will stick together."
"Dad," Leo said.
"Leo, your sister is going through a really hard time," Owen said, "not only is she having a baby, she's been diagnosed with depression and hashimotos. Our feelings about it need to be put aside. You're shocked, we all were."
"Is she keeping it," Leo asked.
"She wants to," Owen said, "so you get a niece or nephew at the end of May."
"What do I have to do," Leo asked.
"Just be kind to Allison and make an effort to get to know Asher," Owen said, "he's in our lives."
"Allison and Asher," Leo asked.
"They're friends," Owen said, "he's being really kind to her. He's polite to me and your mom."
Allison went upstairs after lunch.
"Teddy, are you okay," Megan asked.
"Trying to be," Teddy admitted.
"What can I do," Megan asked.
"Just listen," Teddy said, "can you grab a glass of wine with me somewhere tonight?"
"Yes," Megan said, "Nate is working, why don't you come over for a glass tonight."
"I can," Teddy said.
"So the boy," Megan asked.
Teddy replied, "living in our basement. He's been kind and helpful. He's been here almost a month."
"Why haven't you said anything," Megan asked.
"Allison wasn't ready for us to," Teddy replied.
"She seems to be doing better," Annie observed.
"She is," Teddy said, "we've got the medications working and her thyroid is coming under control."
"You knew," Megan gasped.
"She knew before I did," Teddy said, "Allison needed her big sister."
"The nursery furinture mama," Annie said, "is she keeping the baby?"
"She doesn't want to give it up," Teddy said, "she'll keep her baby it'll be hard."
"But she has all of us," Megan said, "what do we tell the other kids."
"Ellie knows because they go to the same school," Annie said, "they've been hanging out again."
"The furniture Owen and I are going to buy for her," Teddy said, "she's also said she doesn't want a baby shower or a big fuss she knows people aren't thrilled."
"Could we send the three older girls out one afternoon and decorate a nursery for her," Annie asked.
"That was my thought," Teddy said, "she doesn't want to move to the basement she's so scared."
"Where is it going then," Annie asked.
"Leo's baby room that's our home office right now," Teddy said, "that shares a bathroom with her room."
"Because Leo moved to the guest room when he stopped wanting to share the bathroom," Annie said.
"What colour is that room," Megan asked.
"Grey," Teddy answered.
"Painting," Megan asked.
"No I only had it painted a year ago," Teddy responded.
"We'll do a nursery then," Annie smiled.
"We will," Megan said, "does my mom know?"
"She told Evelyn today," Teddy said.
"So everyone knows," Megan asked.
"The adults," Teddy said, "your kids and 3 of Annie's don't."
"This has lead to some hard conversations with Ellie," Annie said, "things I wasn't ready to talk about with her."
"Like what," Megan asked.
"Actual mechanics of things," Annie said, "my 13 year old. But I told her the truth. We've talked about protection. There's been a lot of gossip in the PE locker room."
"I know they have the same block," Teddy said.
"Can Allison," Annie asked.
"Basketball right now yes," Teddy said, "I'm calling her teacher Monday to discuss an alternative to football next month."
"Does the school know," Annie asked.
"Not yet," Teddy replied, "they don't have a program though they would send her else where and I want her with her friends as long as we can."
Allison came back downstairs.
"You okay," Teddy asked.
"Mom can I borrow your car tonight," Allison asked.
"Why," Teddy asked.
"I want to go to for pizza with Olivia and Ava," Allison said, "then Olivia's mom said we could sleep over."
"I'll make you a deal," Teddy said, "I'll drive you to meet them then pick you up around 11:30. No sleepover. Your mornings are too rough still."
"I'll be okay," Allison said, "I only threw up once today."
"No," Teddy said, "I want you sleeping in your own bed. You can go for pizza, hang out with your friends. Careful with the junk food."
"I know," Allison said.
"No alcohol no matter what," Teddy said.
"A trick I used to get out of drinking in highschool," Annie said, "take your water bottle or an empty vodka bottle and fill it with water. No one will know you only have water."
"No," Teddy said, "juice, soda, water."
"Can I go," Allison asked, "If I take your car no one will question why I don't want to drink."
"Thats why you wanted it," Teddy said, "I'll get dad to drive me to auntie Megan's."
"Thanks mom," Allison smiled.
"You need to see your friends," Teddy said, "what have you been telling them?"
"Still grounded," Allison said.
That night Allison walked into the restaurant to meet her friends.
"Allie your parents let you out," Ava cheered, "and let you have a car."
"I have to be home by 10:30," Allison said, "the rules change when I'm driving."
"Whats going on you've been really distant and missed a lot of school lately," Olivia said.
Allison paused, "can you two both keep a huge secret?"
"How big," Ava asked.
"Big big," Allison said.
"Omg are you dying," Olivia said, "do you have cancer or something?"
"No," Allison whispered, "I'm pregnant."
"What," Olivia said.
"Who's the dad," Ava asked.
"Asher," Allison said, "it's all a bit of a mess."
"Are you keeping it," Ava asked.
"Yes," Allison said, she was sure of this part, "we're keeping the baby. I don't know what happens next."
"When," Ava asked.
"My due date is May 27," Allison said, "but mom thinks it could be late. She said Annie was late and all of Annie's have been late."
"Your parents," Olivia asked.
"Took it better than I thought," Allison said, "only Leo seems mad at me. He called me some pretty mean names."
"When did you and Asher," Ava asked.
"Your birthday party," Allison admitted.
"School," Olivia said, "college?"
"I finish this semester then mom said I can do second online," Allison said, "I'm applying to UW as my first choice and then a few of the smaller local schools."
"What about Asher," Ava asked.
"He's being a good friend," Allison said.
"Friend," Olivia said, "just a friend?"
"I don't know," Allison said, "he's been good. He sits with me when I feel like crap and watches whatever I want. He wants to help with the baby and is reading everything he can about this."
"I heard his parents threw him out," Ava said.
"They did," Allison said, "he's in our basement."
"Your parents are okay with that," Olivia said, "your dad is a total drill sargent."
"Army parents," Allison said, "they offered while he sorts it out with his parents. They're trying to get him to go home but his dad."
"How long have you known," Ava asked.
"A month," Allison said.
"Your family," Olivia fixated.
"Annie and Josh seem okay, Auntie Megan found out today, Nana want's yarn to start knitting for the baby," Allison said.
"The whole school," Ava said.
"No one but you two and Asher know yet," Allison said, "I don't want people at school to know."
"But pregnant women get fat," Olivia said, "people will know."
"Mom said that I should be okay leaving school at the end of first semester," Allison said, "she doesn't think it will be obvious."
"So then you just hide at home," Ava said.
"Online school, I'm working at Safeway as a cashier," Allison said, "so that. Theres some other classes I have to go to."
"Asher," Olivia said, "your new BF?"
"No," Allison said, "my friend. He's kind and gentle and tries to make me smile. He's out with Jonah and Tyson tonight."
"Do they know," Olivia asked.
"Know what," Asher asked walking over with his friends.
"I told them," Allison mumbelled.
"I told today two," Asher said.
"Have you ordered," Jonah asked.
"Not yet," Olivia said.
"There's room for 6," Allison said sliding into the corner of the booth on her side.
"Is it okay," Asher asked.
Allison nodded.
Asher slid in beside Allison. Under the table he took her hand.
"Have you eaten," Asher asked.
"I had lunch with mom, Annie and Auntie Megan," Allison said.
"I was at work all day," Asher said, "are you?"
"I'm fine," Allison said, "I slept in. I work most of the day tomorrow."
"So do I," Asher said.
"Work is good," Tyson said, "money."
"I need a car," Asher said, "and we have a lot to buy."
"How did you get here," Allison asked.
"Jonah," Asher replied.
"I have mom's car," Allison said.
"Why doesn't everyone watch the movie at my house," Olivia offered.
"Then I'll drive us home," Allison said.
They spent the night with their friends and walked through the door at the same time.
"Hey you two," Owen called.
"Your both home," Teddy said.
"10:30 curfew," Asher said.
"I had your car," Allison said, "they guys met us at the pizza place and we all watched the movie at Olivias."
"Good night," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said "we told our friends. Hopefully they keep it quiet."
"If they're true friends they will," Teddy agreed.
"I know you said home by 10:30," Allison said, "but I'm not ready for bed yet."
"What time do you work," Owen asked.
"11," Allison said, "to 6."
"So your up at 9," Teddy said, "be reasonable."
"We were going to head up," Owen said.
"Both in your own rooms by 1," Teddy said.
"Thanks mom," Allison smiled.
"Tea Allie," Asher asked.
"And popcorn," Allison said.
Teddy hugged Allison, "good night baby girl."
"Night mom," Allison smiled.
"Night munchkin," Owen said.
"Night dad," Allison replied.
"Good night," Asher called.
"Night," Teddy replied.
Allison and Asher settled in for a movie on the couch, each on their own side and with their own blankets.
At the end of the movie they tidied the living room and walked to the stairs.
"I liked when you held my hand today," Allison said.
"I liked that two," Asher agreed.
"Maybe we go slow," Allison asked.
"Very slow," Asher agreed.
"Well good night," Allison said, then quickly hugged him.
"Good night," Asher replied, returning the hug.