"How did we send our teenage daughters to a bachelorette party," Megan asked Annie as they scrubbed in.
"It's Allison's," Annie replied, "anyone else I would have said no. It's camping at deception pass."
"How did they get there," Megan asked, "I'm so out of the loop. Catrina is keeping secrets from me."
"She goes to college in a few weeks Meg you have to let her go," Annie replied, "letting Ellie go was hard but I have to trust she's ready and can take care of herself. I get calls crying when she's had a bad day or doesn't know how to do something but she gets through it."
"This surgery," Megan asked, "I haven't scrubbed with you in months."
"Your not really here to work," Annie admitted, "I need you to watch Kim Raver. Fourth year resident almost 5th that I want to give a fellowship offer for Peds Cardio but I'm on the fence."
"Why are you on the fence with Raver," Megan asked.
"Great soft skills, excellent with kids and parents, has knowledge and can discuss topics and theories with a lot of detail and precision, encyclopaedic memory," Annie listed, "driven."
"But," Megan asked.
"Some issues with technique," Annie replied, "nothing that with time and effort can't be fixed but peds cardio especially infants is so tiny and intricate."
"I'll have her work with me today when she brings the patient up and see," Megan agreed, "have you asked Teddy to evaluate her?"
"I have but mama isn't going to have time until after the wedding," Annie replied.
"Why do you want to take a risk on her," Megan asked.
"She was a heart kid," Annie said, "she wants it. Christina treated her as a fellow, she's one of the first HLH kids to have the 3D printed graft then got a transplant in highschool."
"Annie separate the personal and professional," Megan said, "if she wasn't a former patient."
"I did her transplant " Annie said, "my second as an attending."
"You're to emotionally invested. I want other eyes on this," Megan said, "she might not be grey sloan calibre for a fellowship. You need to make sure you're looking external as well."
"I have two spots for the next intake," Annie said.
"Dr Altman, Dr Hunt," Kim greeted.
"Anything come up," Annie asked.
"No Dr Altman," Kim replied.
"Dr Raver change of plans you're going to scrub with Dr Hunt and work on the descending aorta and the abdominal repair first then if I go to an Altman come assist me," Annie directed.
"With the chief," Kim gulped.
"You can do it," Annie assured.
"Annie do you know how all of the girls were getting to deception pass," Megan asked.
"Allison, mama and I did a three way swap," Annie replied, "Allie, Ava, Ellie and Cat in my Van with most of the camping gear then Carmen and Eden in Eden's car."
"I didn't know you two were friends," Kim said.
"We're not," Megan said, "I know you transferred to as a year ago. Dr Altman is my niece."
"I knew the two Altmans were related," Kim said.
"Yes," Annie replied, "but the two Hunts are siblings and Nathan Riggs in Cardio is my husband's uncle."
"Husband," Kim asked.
"Trauma Riggs," Annie replied, 'we work with him all the time."
"You don't wear rings I didn't think you were married," Kim said.
"20 years and 4 kids Josh and I are very married," Annie replied.
"I expect you to be more observant," Megan scolded.
"My last hospital told us personal lives were to be left outside the hospital," Kim replied as they walked into the OR.
"Not here," Annie replied, "I work with my husband, mother, step father, brother, sister in law aunt and my husbands uncle. My family is here and has been my whole career. My first solo cardio case my husband's uncle was my attending. I did it with Uncle Nathan with my mom and step dad in the gallery. My first appy, the intern one, my step dad came to wish me luck and hug me in the scrub room and sent my mom a play by play of the whole thing because she was in Germany for work. Surgery is not a solo sport. We have to be a team and know and rely on each other. My favourite trauma nurse is my brother. I know Chris McKellar is always going to come in calm and steady. I know when I get on a medivac chopper with him and other pilot I'm going to have hands I trust and someone I know. I've noticed you haven't made friends with the other residents."
"I don't usually," Kim admitted.
"Why,' Annie asked.
"I was always the sick kid in the hospital or transplant girl," Kim said, 'I was an oddity."
"And here no one cares," Annie said, "you have a scar. So what. I have a few."
"I had a transplant," Megan said, "that doesn't slow me down. The scar doesn't stop people from liking me."
"You have to be a team player," Annie said, "we're starting to evaluate your class for fellowships. I don't believe in hiding anything from my residents. It's like my kids I'll tell you the truth because secrets and mincing words don't make us better."
"Okay," Kim said.
"I'd like to interview you for a fellowship," Annie said, "I've talked with Dr McKidd and we agree that in our department you show potential. You have some of the skills that are harder to teach but I'm also seeing big gaps that make me worry."
"Dr Altman," Kim asked.
"You rush," Annie said, "you drop sutures or place them inconsistently. To succeed as a surgeon especially in cardio it has to be perfect. We want to work with you because you could be great. Let us work with you."
"That's myself," Megan said, "both Altmans, Nathan Riggs. We're going to help you get those technical skills. When I've observed you and talked to your attendings it's technical skills. The good thing Dr Raver is that we can teach those. Those are the easy things to teach. When we're done you need to go to the skills lab and put in a couple hours on basic sutures. Go home and when you're watching netflix or listening to music practice."
"That's it," Kim asked.
"Go back to basics Dr Raver," Megan said, "you were allowed to fly too high too soon. Go back to basics and fill in the gaps. It happens when residents are knowldgaebale and show promise. We push you with flashy things and neglect the basics."
"There was about six months when I was in college that my mother had to hold Dr Yang back for the same reason," Annie said, "you're not alone. Dr Silverstone had to do it as a resident."
"How do you know that about Dr Yang," Kim asked.
"She was ranting about it at my mothers one THanksgiving," Annie replied, "but you need to turn your attention to the patient. We have multiple crush injuries we'll be here for hours."
"Music," Megan asked.
"Yes," Annie agreed.
At the campsite eight young women set up their tents.
"So three tents," Ava said, "I have Eden Carmen, Charlotte and Ellie and Catrina together then Xyuan, Allie and I?"
"Works for me," Carmen agreed.
"Cat catch," Eden said tossing Catrina a can of beer.
"She's 17," Allison objected.
"We all did," Carmen said, "that's why we have kids."
"Don't call them that," Allison gasped, "we know but we don't have to say it."
"It's a beer," Xyuan said.
"Ellie and Cat are under age," Allison repeated.
"I have,' Ellie said, "at school."
"So have I," Catrina agreed.
"I do not want to know where you got it or how you got it," Allison said, "I have no part in giving it to you."
"Got it," Ellie agreed.
"Yep," Catrina agreed.
"Beach and tide pools," Allison suggested.
"I'm swimming," Eden replied, "I can just enjoy it."
"Swimming for sure," Carmen cheered.
They gathered there stuff and headed down to the beach. Allison explored the tide pools with Ellie and Cat showing Xyuan what they were seeing.
"How do you know all this," Xyuan asked.
"Annie," Allison replied.
"Who,' Xyuan asked.
"My older sister," Allison replied, "Ellie's mom. We do this a lot as a family."
"With Everly," Xyuan asked.
"Some," Allison replied, "it's hard because it's so slippery for her and to come in on her crutches is hard. If its a safe enough surface we carry her. She prefers digging in the sand."
"So honeymoon," Xyuan asked.
"No," Allison replied, "the Wedding is enough. We'll go up on the family fishing trip for the first time with Everly. I haven't been since I was 17. It was too much with a new born then the summer she was one my parents couldn't get the time off and I was scared to go with out them. When she was 2 we had just done the casting and were learning to walk again, last summer Ash worked out of town. So we'll go for the first time as a family."
"Are you excited," Ellie asked.
"I am," Allison said, "Ash likes fishing with dad and Uncle Dan."
"So I'm going to move in with Eason," Xyuan said.
"Oh," Allison smiled.
"I need your and Eden's advice," Xyuan said.
"Joshua was nearly 2 before Eden lived with Jonah," Allison said, "Ash and I started living in the same house when I got pregnant and the same room the Easter before she was born. My parents knew I was going down to his room at night. But officially up in my room once Ev was born."
"My mom isn't too happy," Xyuan said.
"They'll come around," Allison said as they walked back to the rest of the group, "mine took a lot of adjusting."
"I'm a little worried about the sleeping aspect," Xyuan said.
"Have you," Allison asked.
"Yes," Xyuan said, "how often? When? Do you go to bed at the same time?"
"When we want to," Allison said, "not every night, a couple times a week. We rarely go to bed at the same time. I stay up late and he gets up early."
"Pyjamas," Xyuan asked.
"Depends on the night," Allison answered, "I have cute things, I bought something sexy for our wedding night but I often wear his old shirts to bed with pj shorts or pants. Camping or at the cabin it's pj pants with matching tshirts."
"So wedding night," Carmen asked.
"We're going to a hotel downtown near Pike Place," Allison said, "two nights. I feel really guilty though."
"Why," Ava asked.
"Leaving Everly us going for two nights just us," Allison said.
"She's been there your entire relationship with him," Ava said, "but you need to be the two of you as well."
"Why is it okay for you but when Drake and I wanted to last summer," Cat asked.
"22 vs 16," Allison replied, "and we'll be married."
"You were dating and got a room at the cabin," Cat spat jealously, "in highschool."
"Everly changed the rules for us," Allison said, "it's not like when they allowed it I could have had a second baby. Did you really want to share a room with me, massive, tried, emotional and not sleeping?"
"It demoted us to the loft," Ellie said.
"I know," Allison replied.
"With nana not able to come anymore I guess we can use her room," Cat suggested.
"Maybe," Allison agreed.
"Because Faroke and Nisha have their room, all of our parents, you and Asher," Ellie said.
"How do you get rooms at the cabin," Ava asked.
"Engaged or have kids," Allison replied, "we got one when I was pregnant."
"We're getting Allie drunk this weekend," Carmen declared.
"I don't," Allison started.
"No husband no daughter," Eden shrugged.
"When was the last time you," Allison asked.
"A couple months ago when Jonah and I got engaged and were away for a couple nights," Eden said.
"My parents had Taylor a few weeks ago and I went out with some people from my nursing practicum," Carmen said.
"I haven't since the night," Allison started.
"Allie it's just us," Ava assured, "you know and love all of us. I know you scared yourself last time."
"Ellie Cat our moms don't get to know," Allison said.
"Okay," Ellie replied.
"Then you can't tell mine I'm drinking," Cat replied.
"I won't," Allison agreed.
"Drunk Allie this should be good," Eden said.
"It's not," Allison replied.
"It's been almost 5 years," Ava replied.
"For a reason," Allison replied, "I don't remember that night. I have a lot of nights I don't remember. Anyway were swimming and tanning."
"Tan lines," Carmen said.
"Not like this," Allison smirked, sliding the straps of her bathing suit off her shoulders before laying down on her towel.
"Your dress," Eden asked.
"Isn't strapless," Allison said, "and I have sunscreen on."
"More,' Ellie asked, "you burn."
"I do,' Allison agreed, "I should put on more burn and tan lines in my wedding photos."
The girls stretched out on their towels reading or chatting quietly.
That night they sat around the campfire with drinks.
"Allie is actually drinking," Ellie said.
"My third," Allison laughed, "I feel giggly."
"You're tipsy," Ava said, "shots?"
"No," Allison said, "I haven't since."
"Allie it's safe," Ava assured, "I know that you're thinking of that night."
"Losing my V Card," Allison said, "being so drunk I don't remember it until we woke up the next morning and he was in bed with me."
"He was your first," Carmen asked, "I didn't know that."
"Both of our first time," Allison said, "we've only been with each other."
"Really," Carmen asked, "I was like 13."
"14," Eden said.
"17," Allison replied.
"16," Catrina said.
"17," Ellie added.
"20," Ava blushed.
Xyuan sat silent.
"You've never," Carmen asked
"22," Xyuan said.
"So none of us a virgins," Eden said, "so Allie wedding night?"
"We're spending two nights downtown in a hotel," allison said, "I have sexy new things for both nights. But it's Asher. He's seen me at my worst and least attractive."
"Your worst," Catrina asked.
"He was in the room when I had Everly," Allison said, "he saw that and how massive I was that spring then how long it took to feel like myself again."
"How do you make it work with a kid," Xyuan asked.
"Every is in bed at 7:30," Allison said, "we have our own room. She's been in her room since she was six months old."
"Do you ever get the mommy, daddy call in the middle," Eden asked.
"Ya," Allison said, "not often. It's maybe happened three or four times ever."
"Walking in," Carmen asked.
"One time her mobility issues are helpful," Allison said, "she can't get out of bed with out us."
"Not at all," Xyuan asked.
"She can," Ellie replied, "she did it at the cabin a couple weeks ago."
"She can but she won't unless she's really determined," Allison said, "she wiggles out of bed then can hold onto things and walk or craw. It's really hard for her with out her braces."
"So what does the wedding change," Catrina asked.
"My last name," Allison said, "I'm changing it."
"No Altman," Ellie gasped.
"No Hunt," Catrina questioned.
"Blouin," Allison replied, "to match my husband and daughter. Everly has always been Blouin."
"Does she get it," Ava asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "she knows mom and dad have always been together."
"Shots," Eden yelled, "Allie you've never had shots with me."
"I made Jell-O shots," Ava said.
"Those are good," Ellie laughed, "I'll have one."
"Ellie's getting drunk," Catrina cackled.
"She's drunk."'Xyuan said.
"Shots, shots, shots, shots," Eden chanted.
The girls took several rounds of shots before falling back into their camp chairs in a fit of giggles.
"Never have I ever," Ellie suggested.
"Yes," Xyuan agreed.
"Never have I ever been skiing," Ava started, three of the other girls instantly took a drink.
"Never have I ever been toe Europe," Carmen said causing Allison and Ellie to drink.
Catrina decided to make the game dirty, "never have I ever done it from behind."
No one drank.
"That usually makes all of my friends drink," Catrina complained.
"Never have I ever spent the whole night with a guy," Xyuan said. Everyone but Catrina drank.
The girls kept playing the game until they finished their drinks. The conversation turned back to boys and dissolved into giggles.
In the tent Ava whispered to Allison, "how do you get Asher to stay? I do all the things you tell me to."
"You haven't met the right one yet," Allison assured.
"I want what you and Asher have," Ava said.
"Don't rush," Allison soothed, "Ava you're so desperate that you're running your chances."
"I hate being single," Ava complained.
"Online," Xyuan yawned.
"Not with pictures," Ava complained.
"My sister takes incredible photos," Xyuan said, "let's as Yiling to take some."
"When I graduate I'm going to save up for weight loss surgery," Ava said.
"No," Allison said, "Ava you don't need it. Your gorgeous. You don't need to change yourself to make a guy like you. I've always been me with Asher."
"Even at first," Xyuan asked.
"We've known him since middle school," Ava replied.
"We weren't dating until I was 4 months maybe 5 months pregnant," Allison said, "we got to know each other slowly. There was no pressure to be the perfect girlfriend. I was just myself because I honestly had nothing to lose. He was going to stay or he wasn't. I didn't have the mental energy to be someone I wasn't."
"Does it work," Ava asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "Ava just be you. If he doesn't like you that's a him problem."
"Ava she's usually right," Xyuan said.
"Would you have more kids," Ava asked.
"After medical school," Allison answered, "school pregnant or nursing a newborn sucks. I've done it once and I don't want to again."
"Ava what are you looking for," Xyuan asked.
"What Allie has," Ava replied, "someone who loves and knows me. A real man. Some one who loves me for me."
"Wait," Allison said, "I wasn't looking."
"I wasn't looking either," Xyuan said, " Eason was in one of my classes and we connected."
"But you're moving in together,' Ava said, "what's he doing next year?"
"Physio degree," Xyuan said.
"So living with him," Ava teased.
"A little worried about him wanting to have sex every night," Xyuan said.
"We do a few times a week but not every night," Allison said, "and never when I have my period that's just gross."
"You don't use the pill to skip it," Ava asked.
"No," Allison replied, "my mom and Dr Deluca suggested an IUD after Ev was born so I have a copper one with no hormones."
"So what do you have to do with it," Xyuan asked.
"Dr Deluca put it in when she did my after baby check up so Ev was about 6 or 8 weeks and it's good for 10 years," Allison said, "set it and forget it. I'm supposed to check I can still feel the stringy things once a month that it's still there but that's it."
"And you're okay with it," Xyuan asked.
"It's one less thing for me to think of," Allison said, "set it and forget it."
"Does Asher," Xyuan asked.
"We trust the IUD," Allison said, "we used other things until we got engaged but we know we're together and if something happens we have another baby."
"You'd be okay with that," Ava asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "we're not going to try until I'm done with school but we've talked about it. If it happens we have a baby. We'd be more prepared now."
"I want a real relationship," Ava said.
"When it's the right guy," Allison said, "what about Micah?"
"He's a good friend," Ava said.
"Then you know him," Xyuan said.
"Spend time with him," Allison said, "my parents were best friends first until she was having me. Annie and Josh were just friends until they finished med school."
"I guess," Ava yawned.
"Okay we should sleep," Xyuan said, "so we can go paddle boarding tomorrow."
"It's weird sleeping without Ash," Allison said.
"I don't cuddle," Xyuan joked.
"I know," Allison said, "I can do two nights. I'm glad we got to do this, thank you."
"We wanted to," Ava smiled in the darkness.