"Let's go home princess," Asher whispered as he strapped Everly into her car seat for the first time.
"Is she secure," Allison asked.
"She is," Asher assured, "she's good. She's still asleep, Allie."
"We're taking her home," Allison smiled.
"We're going home," Asher agreed.
"What if," Allison started.
"Your parents are there, we get your mom," Asher replied.
"I'm ready for my own bed," Allison remarked.
"We both need sleep," Asher agreed.
They finished gathering their things and Asher ran the last bags down to his truck. He had bought a well used 10 year old 4 door pick up a couple weeks before.
"It's time to go home," Allison said, stroking Everlys cheek, "we'll go home and you can see your room and meet uncle Leo."
Owen came in to see them before they left.
"Heading home munchkin," Owen asked.
"We are," Allison said, "moms waiting and hopefully Leo."
"Your brother might be at work," Owen said.
"We haven't seen him yet," Allison said, "Leo hasn't even answered my texts. I sent him pictures."
"He's having issues right now two," Owen said, "you need to be patient with him and he has to be patient with you."
"Dad he's always high," Allison said.
"We know," Owen said, "we're helping him."
"He got mad at me a few days ago," Allison said, "when you and mom weren't home."
"What happened," Owen asked.
"We were in Everly's room putting a few things away," Asher said, "and he didn't like me being upstairs. Allison tried to explain that we were doing baby stuff but he doesn't want me upstairs."
"We need a family meeting for all five of us," Owen said, "it might be worth moving some bedrooms around."
"Can Asher and I just share," Allison asked.
"I'm going to say okay until we can all have a family meeting," Owen said.
"I can do an air mattress in Everly's room as well," Asher offered.
"Try the next couple nights and see how you feel," Owen said, "where is Everly sleeping?"
"In the bassinet by my bed," Allison said, "that's her bed."
"It is until she's a bit bigger," Owen agreed.
Carina came in, "Allison you're ready to go. I'll see you in a few weeks for your check up to make sure your doing okay. If you have any questions just call me."
"I will," Allison said.
"Let's go," Asher said.
"Your chariot munchkin," Owen said, pointing to the wheel chair.
"Dad, I can walk," Allison said.
"Hospital policy," Owen said, "mom will meet you at home."
Grudgingly Allison got in the wheelchair.
Annie met them in the hallway with Josh.
"Heading home," Annie smiled.
"We are," Asher said.
"I still can't get over how gorgeous she is," Annie smiled at the baby in the car seat .
"She's gorgeous," Josh agreed.
"Now the scary part begins," Asher said.
"Your job is to change diapers and look after Allie," Josh said, "you'll be okay and Teddy took time off to help you. She always takes a few days with ours. I think she took a whole week to help with the older three when Heather was born."
"Ready to go home," Annie asked.
"Scared," Allison admitted.
"Mama is there and you can always call or text me," Annie said, "you have tons of support."
Everly opened her eyes.
"Her eyes," Annie said.
"They look green like Allie's," Asher said.
"The Altman green," Owen said, "Teddy, Annie, Allie, two of Annie's kids, now Everly."
"We'll let you guys go home and relax," Annie said, "bean shower, comfy clothes, not pajamas, real clothing, have something to eat and then sleep. You need rest. Go enjoy that perfect baby. I'll text you tomorrow and maybe bring my kids by to meet their cousin. Let me know if you want us to come. I don't want to overwhelm you."
"Maybe your girls," Allison said, "Ellie and Heather?"
"We could, the boys have scouts tomorrow night," Annie agreed.
"Let's go home then figure it out," Asher agreed.
"Can Ellie come over after school," Allison asked.
"Talk to mama and see but I can drive her over," Annie agreed.
They said their goodbyes and Asher drove Allison and Everly home.
Teddy was standing in the kitchen talking to Leo.
"Why did you call in to work," Teddy asked.
"I over slept," Leo replied.
"Why," Teddy asked, " I heard your alarm go off."
"I hate that job," Leo said, "hammering nails all day."
"It's a trade," Teddy said, "hard work will not hurt you. You've been spoiled. Tomorrow you have to go."
"Does Asher," Leo asked, "he missed 3 days of work now."
"His boss is giving him time with Allie and Everly," Teddy replied, "Asher works over time most days. 10-12 hour days a lot of the time. Leo, we're asking you to do your 8."
"Do you do a full 8," Leo asked.
"Usually 10-12," Teddy replied, "I average 60 hours a week at the hospital."
"Actually operating," Leo asked.
"Probably 30 in the OR," Teddy said.
"You keep checking your phone," Leo said.
"Allie and Everly were discharged, they're on their way home," Teddy said, "and you are going to accept that Asher will be upstairs now at any time to help care for Everly."
"He doesn't sleep in her room," Leo tried to dictate.
"We'll cross that bridge later," Teddy said, "they're adults, they have a daughter."
"Would you let me have my girlfriend in my room," Leo asked.
"That would require you having a girlfriend," Teddy said, "when your sister and her family get home you need to respect them. Allie is exhausted and she's in pain."
Asher pulled into the driveway and Teddy ran out to greet them in her bare feet.
"Welcome home," Teddy beamed.
They got out of the truck and Asher took the car seat from the back seat.
"Hi, Everly, welcome home," Teddy smiled, stroking the baby's cheek.
They walked inside together.
"Leo," Allison greeted, "this is Everly."
Asher set the car seat on the hall table and Allison cautiously lifted her daughter out.
"Hi baby," Allison smiled, "this is home. Welcome home."
"She's awake," Teddy smiled standing beside Allison.
"She is," Allison said, "Leo do you want to meet her?"
Teddy suggested," go sit first."
"We both need showers," Allison complained.
"Okay," Teddy said, "why don't I go snuggle this one and she can have time with grandma and uncle Leo and you two can shower."
"She has to be with us," Allison said.
"Ten minutes for you to shower with me is okay," Teddy assured.
"What if she's hungry," Allison asked.
"I'll bring her to you," Teddy promised.
"But I don't want to be away from her," Allison said.
"Okay I'll sit in the nursery with her," Teddy said, "you'll be able to hear us."
Everly began to cry.
"Diaper," Asher guessed.
"It's my turn," Allison said.
"Let's take her up," Asher said.
Allison carried the baby upstairs and laid her on the change table for the first time. Together they changed the baby's diaper.
At Megan's Catrina was on zoom with Nathan.
"Dad Allie had a girl," Catrina said.
"Have you met her," Nathan asked.
"No," Catrina said, "mom has. Auntie Teddy said Ellie and I could come over after school tomorrow."
"What's her name," Nathan asked.
"Everly," Catrina replied, "she's really cute in the pictures. When do you come home?"
"July 2nd," Nathan said, "just over a month kitty cat."
"Are you coming back here," Catrina asked.
"I am," Nathan said, "I'm going to stay in the guest room."
"Do you not love mom any more," Catrina asked.
"I love your mom," Nathan said, "we have a lot to work out. I've done a lot of thinking. I want to come home and be with you and your mom."
"What if it doesn't work," Catrina asked.
"Then I will be here for you every day," Nathan said, "you're always my kitty cat."
Megan came into the room, "Cat who is that?"
"Dad," Catrina said.
"Hey," Megan said sitting down with Catrina.
"Cat told me we have a great niece," Nathan said.
"Everly," Megan confirmed, "there's some concerns. The cord was around her neck and there was a delay getting her to breathe. Annie was there to support Allie with Teddy and Asher that god, because Annie had to help Carina get Everly breathing. So far she's checking out normal."
"Is Owen freaking out about being grandpa again," Nathan asked.
"Seeing that it's Allison he's feeling old," Megan agreed, "he'll come to terms with it. It's not the first time."
"We all felt old then," Nathan agreed, "hows Allison doing?"
"Okay when I saw her yesterday, she's tired and overwhelmed but she has Teddy and Asher."
"Meg we need to talk," Nathan said.
"Cat, can you give us some space," Megan asked.
"Mom," Catrina whined.
"I'll call you tomorrow kitty cat," Nathan said.
"Bye dad," Catrina pouted before leaving the room. She would sit halfway up the stairs where Megan couldn't see her but she could hear everything.
"Nathan I'm not taking this road again," Megan said, "I've done it twice since I've been home. You and I it's either high highs or the lowest lows we don't have a middle ground. We're good friends and we can always be friends but this time Nathan I can't. I have to protect myself. We can be good friends and you're always going to be one of my close friends but as a couple we're not working."
"The kids," Nathan tried.
"Nate no," Megan said, "we can figure out how to co parent Cat and cohabitate in the house but we're done. I can't keep doing this. I can't keep questioning everytime you go out, who your emailing or texting. I don't have the energy to do this again. Nathan as a couple we are done. We'll figure out custody when you get home."
"Custody," Nathan gulped.
"We need to work it out," Megan said, "Nathan this separation I'm happier. I'm at peace, I'm trusting my instincts. Nathan you and I can figure out specifics when you get home but you and I as a couple are done."
"Cat," Nathan said.
"Will be crushed," Megan said, "but we won't tell her or Faroke the reason why. We can't tell them. Teddy knows because I had too much wine one night and started crying. We can be friends Nathan, we can work together, I still care about you and part of me will always love you."
"Megan," Nathan tried, "I love you. I want to work this out."
"I love you," Megan said, "this isn't about love. It's about trust. Right now I don't trust you. I don't trust our relationship. I don't know what it will take for me to trust you again that way. You come home in a month. We will work out details then. I'll move my stuff to the guest room."
"I'll move," Nathan said, "the basement one."
"We'll do details then," Megan agreed.
"I'm sorry," Nathan tried.
"So am I," Megan said, "I'm going to go. I need to get Cat to ball."
Catrina was still sitting on the steps and scrambled upstairs to get changed for ball.
In the car Catrina asked, "are you and dad divorcing?"
"Most likely," Megan said, "dad and I have a lot of details and we'll probably fight a bit but it's not about you. It's between me and dad."
"What happened," Catrina asked.
"It's a lot of things over a long time," Megan said, "you and I are doing okay."
"Will he come home," Catrina asked.
"He will," Megan promised, "he's going to live in the house in a different bedroom. Dad and I might be okay as roommates, we're just not a couple. We're still friends."
"Do you not love him," Catrina asked.
"I do," Megan said, "you don't need to worry. Cat you have pitching and catching now then batting practice."
"I don't want to," Catrina said.
"I know your stressed," Megan said, "moving always makes it better. You're pitching throw that ball has hard as you can. I know dad and I are stressing you out and making you mad it's okay to be mad that things are changing and to be upset. Right now go take it out on the ball."
"Why can't we go see Allie," Catrina asked.
"I talked to Teddy," Megan said, "Allie is exhausted and adjusting to being a mom. You and I are going to visit after school tomorrow with Annie and Ellie. The middle and high schools have a half day so we'll go for lunch."
"Heather," Catrina asked.
"She's in full day pre k this year," Megan said, "she loves it."
"Do you think I can hold Everly," Catrina asked.
"Let Allison decide," Megan said, "probably. I got to hold her yesterday."
"Was she in the hospital a long time," Catrina asked.
"They kept her 2 nights instead of the usual one," Megan said, "there was a problem with Everly."
"Is she okay," Catrina asked.
"We think so," Megan said, "she's gorgeous."
"Allie sent me pictures," Catrina said, "in the group chat with Ellie, I can't wait to meet Everly."
"Tomorrow," Megan said, "I have to go get groceries while your at practice. Requests for dinner?"
"Chicken burgers," Catrina asked.
"With," Megan asked.
"The ones with jalapenos and guacamole," Catrina asked.
"On the side," Megan asked.
"Salad and fries," Catrina said.
"Tonight," Megan agreed.
Allison brought a sleepy Everly downstairs just before dinner.
"Leo, do you want to hold her," Allison offered, sitting on the couch with her daughter.
"Where's your baby daddy," Leo asked.
"Ash is sleeping," Allison said, "he watched her so I could nap now it's his turn. Do you want to hold Everly?"
"I'll make her cry," Leo said, "Heather hated me."
"Heather only liked Annie and Josh," Teddy said.
"She's asleep, you can hold her," Allison said.
"I'm okay," Leo said.
"Are you sure," Allison asked.
"I'll just look," Leo said.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Leo turned on the TV.
Owen came home from work and leaned over the back of the couch, "how do you like being home Everly?"
"She slept in her bed for the first time and she's pretty much slept since we got home," Allison said.
"She was awake for a bit when you got home," Teddy said.
"She was awake for a bit upstairs," Allison said, "we just held and talked to her she was trying to look at me."
"Can I," Owen asked.
"I'm kinda happy with her right now," Allison said, "she's asleep."
"Tonight," Owen asked.
"Yes," Allison promised.
Asher came down.
"Good nap," Allison asked when he sat beside her.
"Yes," Asher said, "hows she?"
"She was awake for a few minutes and she's holding my finger," Allison smiled.
"Changed," Asher asked.
"She hasn't cried so I haven't," Allison said.
"How are you," Asher asked.
"Tired," Allison said, "my nap was not enough."
"Have you eaten or drank anything," Asher asked.
"I finished my water bottle," Allison said, "I'm waiting for dinner."
"Allie eat if you're hungry," Teddy said.
"I'm not really hungry," Allison said.
"You are eating a proper dinner," Teddy said.
"I need sleep more than food," Allison said.
"Your energy is low because you haven't eaten much and you're anemic," Teddy said, "I wanted to do an infusion but Carina says it's too soon."
"Bring one home," Allison asked, "when I had them before it helped."
"It's not like giving you fluids when you're dehydrated," Teddy said, "we'll monitor."
"Ash can you take her for a minute," Allison asked.
"You okay," Asher asked.
"Washroom," Allison said.
"Can I," Owen asked.
"You can," Allison said, "Ash?"
"Go for it Owen," Asher said.
Owen took the baby from Allison and walked around the living room showing the baby the room and the photos on the walls.
"Leo," Owen asked, "what do you think of your niece?"
"It's a baby," Leo said, "it sleeps and cries."
"How was work today," Owen asked.
"He didn't go," Teddy replied, "we'll go to Grey Sloan tomorrow morning."
"What," Owen asked.
"Drug test," Teddy replied.
"How long until dinner," Owen asked.
"I just put the baked potatoes in," Teddy said, "chicken needs to go on the BBQ and I have salad."
"I'm taking you now Leo," Owen said, "you want to stay here you go now or you pack your bags."
"Fine," Leo huffed.
"Teddy I can BBQ," Asher offered.
"I can," Teddy said.
"I've got Everly Owen," Asher said.
"Try her in the swing," Teddy suggested, "give yourselves a moment to breathe both of you."
Allison came back, "we thought about trying the stroller and going around the block after dinner."
"That would be good for all of you," Teddy agreed.
"I texted with Ellie and Cat," Allison said, "their schools get out at 11:30 tomorrow. They're coming over with Annie and auntie Meg."
"Girl time will be good for all of us," Teddy agreed.
"I want Ellie and Cat to meet Everly," Allison said, "and Cat was texting about the Megan / Nathan thing again."
"Let her talk," Teddy said, "the three of you need each other."
"We do," Allison agreed, "Liv and Ava want to come but tomorrow just family is enough."
"Give her a few days," Teddy agreed.
"Maybe early next week," Allison said.
"After the weekend for sure," Teddy agreed.
"There's lots of time," Asher assured.
"Can we just be our family for now," Allison asked, "I'm not ready for people."
"We will do people when you're ready," Asher agreed, "I don't want them around yet either. I don't like sharing my girls."