"I feel like your kid," Tyson joked in the backseat of Asher's truck.
"Do you need a snack," Allison teased, "a drink? A toy?"
"No mom," Tyson laughed.
"Mom," Asher asked.
"She's offering me snacks and drinks," Tyson replied.
"You're sure you're okay camping with us," Allison asked.
"It'll be fun and Blake got a ride up with Jonah and his girlfriend," Tyson said.
"Little Joshua," Allison smiled, "it's too bad Carmen couldn't get the weekend off work."
"Two babies is enough," Tyson said, "Joshua walks now."
"Everly is crawling," Asher said, "she started two days ago."
"Will she walk," Tyson asked.
"We hope so," Allison said, "she's 14 months so her gross motor is about 6 months behind."
"How can I help," Tyson asked.
"Keep playing with and talking to her," Allison said, "is she still asleep?"
"She is," Tyson assured, "sucking on her fingers."
"She had a pacifier," Allison said.
"She threw it on the floor," Tyson said.
"You could have told us," Asher said.
"She's asleep, she's fine," Tyson tried.
"Can you pass me the pacifier," Allison asked.
"I put it in the baby backpack," Tyson said.
"Thank you," Asher said.
They reached the campground and found their group site.
"How many of us," Tyson asked.
"Three couples, you and Blake, two kids so 10," Allison said, "we should unload the truck and start getting organized."
"We will," Asher said.
They worked together to unload the truck and set up the two tents.
"Mama," Everly called.
"Hi princess," Tyson said looking into her car seat in the truck.
"Mama," Everly demanded.
"It's okay Ev," Allison said, unbuckling her and lifting the toddler out of the truck.
"Milk," Everly demanded.
"Let's get your cup," Allison said.
"No cup," Everly said.
"Ash, I'm going to take her into the tent," Allison said.
"Okay do you two want lunch," Asher asked.
"I'll give her lunch in a few minutes but I'll wait for the others," Allison said.
"Her chair," Asher asked.
"Put it at the table for now," Allison said.
Asher and Tyson finished putting the canopy over the table.
Ava and Luke got out of Ava's car.
"Where's Allie," Ava asked.
"Tent with Everly," Asher said, "they'll be out in a minute."
"Hey," Allison called from the tent, "she's just crawling around in here Ava."
"Can I see her," Ava asked.
"Come in," Allison asked.
"She's really crawling," Ava beamed, slipping into the tent.
"Everly who's that," Allison asked.
"Va," Everly said.
"Yes auntie Ava," Allison beamed, "can you crawl to Ava?"
"Is this okay," Ava asked, sitting down beside Allison. Ava looked around the large tent and saw the pack and play on one side and the large air mattress on the other side with some open space for the baby to play in in the middle.
"Where did you get the tent," Ava asked.
"It's Annie's," Allison said, "they can get all of their kids in here with them. Mom and dad's tent isn't big enough for the pack and play. It worked last summer when we had her bassinet but she's too big for that now
"You camped last summer without me," Ava asked.
"Just with Annie's family the weekend we always go when mom and dad go to their army reunion weekend," Allison said, 'I could not have done a friend trip last year. It was really hard, she was only a couple months old. None of us were really sleeping yet, she was still feeding every 2 or 2 and a half hours. I sat in my chair hold her most of the weekend and let Annie do everything. You know what a mess I was last year."
"You were pretty stressed," Ava agreed, "you're doing better?"
"I'm good," Allison said, "I'm still on medications for my thyroid and depression but that's okay. I feel good, I'm calm, I'm content."
"Content not happy," Ava asked.
"My therapist said the goal is content," Allison explained, "happy 24/7 isn't possible. Most days are good and they have happy moments but it's not all happy and it's okay. There are parts of the day that are hard but we get through them."
"What's hard," Ava asked.
"Her physio is hard for all of us," Allison said, "it's getting easier now that she's more mobile. It's a lot to accept her diagnosis to be reminded of it every time I adjust her braces. But then she snuggles with me or calls mama she's a happy kid."
"Are you okay doing this with everyone," Ava asked.
"I'm good," Allison said, "it was Ash's idea. He didn't say anything to anyone else until he talked to me. What about you?"
"I'm excited," Ava said, "it feels normal to do this with friends and Luke."
"Luke knows there's two kids and it's not a party trip," Allison asked.
"Do you care if we have a couple," Ava asked.
"Ash has beer," Allison said, "like a six pack for the two nights."
"Will you," Ava asked, "I can share."
"No my meds," Allison said, "but only you and Asher know that. I'm still feeding her."
"Not like you were," Ava said.
"No," Allison said, "but when everyone else gets here we should swim."
"Can Ev," Ava asked.
"She loves swimming. We take lessons three days a week," Allison said, "if the lake is cold we won't stay in long."
"You need help with your tent," Asher asked Luke.
"Yours is already up," Luke noticed.
"And beds made," Asher said, "Allie is organized like that."
"Food," Luke said, "Ava said Allie was shopping then we pay you back. How much do we owe you?"
"$75 each for adults and $25 for the kids," Asher said.
"That's a steep weekend for you two," Luke said.
"And we brought what Ev likes," Asher replied.
"Everly can't eat what we do," Luke asked.
"Most of the time," Asher said, "but we have some favourites that's easier sometimes."
"Like what," Luke asked.
"Plain yogurt, oatmeal, cheerios," Asher said, "but she'll eat things cut up for meals. The pasta without sauce we'll give her the meat chopped up on the side. Breakfast is easy, lunch and dinner we just chop up what were eating."
"Can I help," Luke asked.
"Just play with her and talk to her," Asher said, "let Allie have space when she's hit her max."
"Is Allie okay? I know Ava worries about her," Luke asked.
"She's good right now," Asher said, "Allie and Ava worry about each other."
Still watching Everly play Ava asked, "will Eden judge me in my bathing suit?"
"Eden will not judge," Allison said, "she's worried about sharing a tent with Jonah."
"That worries me," Ava said, "do you have your own sleeping bags?"
"We do but we're using them as blankets" Allison said, "we've shared a bed for over a year we have a blanket on the airmatteress, our sleeping bags and a couple other blankets. I'll put Ev in a sleep sack and footie pajamas."
"If she's cold," Ava asked.
"Our bed," Allison said, "it's warm during the day but nights are still cold."
"Luke," Ava asked.
"Talk to him," Allison said, "Asher and I had to talk about a few things before we did."
"We talked about the things you told me to," Ava said.
"Good," Allison said, "this weekend with our friends here though?"
"You guys," Ava asked.
"Snuggles," Allison replied, "that's what our room with real walls and a locking door is for."
"We both live with our parents," Ava complained.
"So do I," Allison said.
"With a whole floor in between," Ava said, "you have your suite."
"We need it," Allison said, "for Ev and my parents sake."
"I like your place," Ava said, "it's comfortable."
"We like it," Allison agreed, "it's home now. But I still spend a lot of time upstairs with my mom. I need my mom."
"You two are close," Ava said, "your mom is cool."
"My mom," Allison gasped.
"Nothing makes her mad, she's always calm with our stupid shit," Ava said.
"Thats called mom is 66 and spent way too much time in the army she learned not to show she's worried or upset," Allison said, "she does lose it. She cries with me over Ev stuff. She loses it and rants to dad or goes and drinks a couple bottles of wine with Annie and Auntie Megan and rants."
"You rant," Ava said.
"I know," Allison said, "should we go see the guys?"
"We should," Ava said.
They came out of the tent with Everly in Ava's arms, the toddler was enjoying her time with her favourite auntie. Ava was Allison's best friend but with how close the two girls were Ava had been elevated to best aunt status.
Soon everyone had arrived and all the tents were up.
"Swimming," Allison proposed.
"Yes," Jonah agreed.
"I don't know," Eden said.
"What's going on," Allison asked Eden, guiding her away from the group.
"Jonah hasn't seen me in a bathing suit yet," Eden said, "my stomach."
"I have a tankini and my bikini if you want to borrow my tank," Allison offered, "I was going to wear my one piece but if you want it."
"I have a one piece," Eden said.
"Ava has a one piece," Allison said.
"That makes it easy," Ava said.
"The guys," Eden said.
"I know Asher doesn't mind we swim all the time," Allison said, "the bikini is from before Ev. It fits but I don't love it."
"What does Asher say," Eden whispered.
"He's never said anything," Allison admitted.
"He's Ev's dad," Eden said.
"He is," Allison agreed, "and we were together before she was born."
"When did you start dating," Eden asked.
"End of November," Allison said.
"But she's born at the end of May," Eden said.
"We were not together yet," Allison said, "we were friends when that happened."
"But he stuck around," Eden sighed, "why could he stick around when Carter couldn't and we were dating."
"He's not a man," Allison quipped.
"He's not," Eden agreed.
"When was the last time you saw him," Ava asked.
"October," Eden shrugged, "he doesn't show, he doesn't call."
"Child support," Allison asked.
"He doesn't work so how can he pay," Eden grumbelled, "I live with my parents Joshua is in my room with me. I work as much as I can. I'm using grants and scholarships to pay for school."
"Loans," Ava asked.
"I will in the fall," Eden said, "you?"
"Half," Ava said, "nursing school will be expensive."
"Nursing school," Eden gasped, "you got it?"
"I did," Ava beamed.
"Ready," Eden asked, "excited?"
"Yes," Ava said, "I want to deliver babies."
"Why," Eden asked.
"You two, Ev and Joshua," Ava said, "what about you?"
"I want to teach kindergarten or first," Eden said.
"What's that going to look like," Ava asked.
"Finish my degree then a one year program so 4 more," Eden said, "Joshua will be 5 when I start teaching. I can do this."
"We can," Allison agreed.
"Says miss pre med," Eden joked.
"We'll do it," Allison said, "and our kids will be so proud of us."
"When your dr Altman-Hunt," Ava said.
"She'll be 8," Allison admitted, "if I do surgery she'll be 13 when I finish my residency but we'll do it."
"What does Asher say," Eden asked.
"He's supportive," Allison said, "so are my parents. We can live in the suite as long as I'm in school."
"So another 7 years," Ava said, "he's okay with your parents."
"It's been almost 2 years now," Allison said, "the suite is good for us having some space. But being upstairs when she was first born and with my mom and dad right there to help when I panicked."
"They still are," Eden said, "those nights they have a cold and just won't sleep."
"Asher and I trade off," Allison said, "but we do ask for help when were overwhelmed. Is your mom getting better?"
"She's good now," Eden replied, "and Jonah is surprisingly helpful when he's around. He baby sits."
"Your ready for that," Allison asked.
"They are good friends," Eden said.
"Do you want more than that," Allison asked.
"I do but timing and space and I can't just go spend a night with him," Eden said, "this is the first time we're spending a night together and it's camping with my son in the tent."
"Having the baby is okay for baby steps," Allison said, "the three of us were in a room until October when she slept for longer. She was better to be in the bassinet where I could reach her easily when she was waking up 3 or 4 times a night."
"Is she sleeping though," Eden asked.
"Most nights," Allison said, "but that wasn't until she was 11 months."
"Really he was 8," Eden said.
"She has some delays physically though," Allison said.
"You're okay with that," Eden asked.
"It's getting better," Allison said, "it's not easy. But did we think any of this would be?"
"No," Eden said, "it's harder then I thought though."
"It is," Allison agreed, "but they're growing up. We made the first year."
"Of the 15 of us in our class it's only you, Carmen and I in school," Eden said.
"Seeing the whats at group blow up with ways to get free or cheap diapers is annoying," Allison said, "but I like seeing how all the kids are doing."
"You don't post much," Eden said.
"Not a lot to say," Allison said, "I don't always like explaining her CP and some of those girls try to play the system so much that I don't know. My life is different."
"It was when we started that class," Eden said, "your parents are way cooler. You never had to come in for check up days."
"Why I had a doctor my parents work with that delivered me and my nieces and nephews," Allison said.
"We have to go to the free clinic at Grey Sloan," Eden said.
"We've used it two for little things for her," Allison said.
"Are we swimming," Tyson yelled.
"We need to change," Allison called back.
"Go fast," Asher said, "they're impatient."
"Can you get Ev ready," Allison asked.
"Did we pack swim diapers," Asher asked.
"A few," Allison said, "in the bin with her other diapers. Her bathing suit is in her bin."
"Life jacket," Asher asked.
"With the floaties," Allison said, "Tyson and Blake can you blow up the floaties?"
"With what," Blake asked.
"Hot air," Allison quipped.
"Theres a mini compressor in the bin with them, plug it into my truck and let the truck idle," Asher replied, tossing Tyson his keys.
Asher followed Allison into the tent with Everly.
"Everything okay," Asher asked.
Allison paused, "you don't find me in a bathing suit repulsive do you?"
"Allie," Asher sighed, "why are you asking?"
"Nothing," Allison shrugged.
"Allie," Asher whispered wrapping his arms around her as Everly crawled on the tent floor, "you were really happy then the other girls said something."
"Stretch marks," Allison groaned.
"Our daughter," Asher said, "you did that. Allie I really don't know what your talking about, did Eden say something?"
"About her and Jonah," Allison shook her head.
"You and I are not Eden and Jonah," Asher said, "we've almost been together for two years. Allison I love you. Relax, breathe, we're good. Allie didn't you have to go get new work pants a couple weeks ago."
"Ya," Allison shrugged.
"Why," Asher asked.
"They were too loose," Allison whispered.
"Allie you're hot," Asher said, "you are gorgeous."
Asher slipped his hand under Allison's shirt.
"Ev," Allison whispered.
"Just hurrying you up," Asher teased.
"I'll change," Allison said, "you have Ev."
Soon they were all ready to swim and made their way down to the lake.
"Lets go," Blake yelled.
"We're coming," Asher yelled back.
"Life jacket, my floatie," Allison said, "her hat."
"Are you going to swim with her," Asher asked.
"Yep you go with the guys," Allison said.
Allison pushed her floatie into the water with Everly sitting on it giggling.
"We'll swim," Allison promised.
Ava grabbed the other side of the floatie, when they were waist deep Allison took Everly off the floatie and laid the baby on her back in the water.
"You like that don't you princess," Allison smiled at the baby.
"She's really moving," Eden commented as she tried to lower Joshua into the water.
"He's not a fan," Allison observed.
"He's never been in a lake," Eden said, "we've only been swimming twice."
"She goes 3 or 4 times a week," Allison said, "she knows that her bathing suits mean shes going to the pool and gets excited. We had her in the river at the cabin a couple weeks ago. She's a fan of the water."
"Can I take her," Ava asked.
"I'd rather hold her in the water," Allison said, "she moves a lot more than she usually does and is slippery even with her life jacket."
Asher swam out to the dock with the other three guys.
"Allie is okay with this," Luke asked.
"She's got Ava and Eden," Asher said, "if Ev is struggling she'll take her out of the water."
"How is she doing," Jonah asked.
"She's crawling now," Asher said.
"So you and Allie," Jonah asked.
"We're good," Asher replied.
"Spending the night," Jonah asked.
"We've been together for a couple years," Asher said, "you have her son in your tent."
"We do," Jonah agreed.
"Not the time," Asher said, "we didn't until Ev was out of our room."
"When was that," Blake asked.
"Halloween," Asher said.
"You went how long," Blake gasped.
"Not your business," Asher said.
"Dude," Blake tried.
"Allie is right there," Asher said, "with our daughter."
"But you do," Blake pressed.
"We have Everly," Asher said.
"Tonight," Jonah said.
"Let her take the lead," Asher said, "I had to with Allie. Do you have your own sleeping bags?"
"And air mattresses," Jonah said, "side by side but."
"Let her take the lead," Asher said, "plans for the fall?"
"Work," Jonah said, "you?"
"Working," Asher agreed.
"School," Luke said, "working part time."
"Perk of apprenticeships," Jonah said, "working and getting your education."
"You're doing what sort of apprenticeship," Luke asked.
"Plumbing," Jonah said, "gives me lots of time to hang out with Eden. what are you studying?"
"Electrical engineering," Luke said, "then Ava got into nursing. Allie is still pre med?"
"She is," Asher said, "I don't know how we'll make med school work when she gets there but she wants it and I can't stand in her way."
"Eden wants to be a teacher," Jonah said.
"She'll do it," Asher said.
"They'll do it for the kids," Jonah agreed.
That night the teens gathered around the campfire with the two toddlers sleeping in their tents.
Allison cuddled in a camp chair with Asher while Jonah roasted marshmallows and made smores with Eden.
"Too many couples," Tyson joked.
"Only three," Asher said.
"Three too many," Blake whined.
"You could date," Jonah suggested.
"Be tied down no way," Blake said.
"Theres perks," Asher smirked earning him a playful smack on the arm from Allison.
"Ash," Allison gasped.
"Knowing I have you to hang out with," Asher said, "waking up with you in my arms."
"You are whipped," Blake said.
"No," Asher said.
Soon the teens went back to laughing and joking around. They watched as the fire died down.
"Tired," Asher asked seeing Allison yawn.
"Yes," Allison agreed sheepishly.
"Eden and Ava have gone to bed," Asher pointed out.
"I'm going," Allison agreed.
"Good night," Asher whispered, "I'll be in soon."
"I know," Allison smiled, giving him a quick kiss.
Allison stopped to brush her teeth then slipped into the tent changing into her pajamas and checking that Everly was asleep and warm enough as the night had gotten chilly. Sure that the baby was warm and sound asleep Allison curled up in her sleeping bag. She knew she wouldn't really sleep until Asher came to bed, she now had a hard time falling asleep without him but she would try.