With baby Everly now 6 days old Allison gave into her friend's pestering for a visit.
Asher met Ava and Olivia at the door, "Allie's just feeding Everly."
"Where are they," Ava asked.
"Upstairs," Asher said, "Allie likes to hide."
"The baby," Olivia asked.
"Everly will sleep after this we hope," Asher said.
"Asher," Teddy said, "you know better than to chat in the doorway. Come in girls. I'll go up and tell Allie you're here."
Teddy looked at Asher and mouthed, "not long she's done."
Asher nodded, "do you want drinks?"
"We brought starbucks," Ava said holding up the tray, "we asked Allie what you guys like."
"How long ago did she go up," Teddy asked.
"45," Asher guessed.
"She probably fell asleep," Teddy said, "I'll get her."
The two girls followed Asher to the living room, they could see evidence of the baby's arrival in the blanket left on the couch and the swing in a corner near the TV.
Teddy walked into the nursery up stairs and found Allison half asleep in the rocking chair feeding Everly.
"Allie," Teddy whispered.
"Mom," Allison said.
"You look relaxed," Teddy smiled, "your friends are here."
"Already," Allison said, "I told them half an hour."
"When," Teddy asked.
"One ish," Allison replied.
"It's 1:30," Teddy replied, "so miss Everly."
"She did the fall asleep thing again when she was eating," Allison whispered, "mom this still hurts."
"I know baby," Teddy replied, "let her finish and bring her down. Ava and Liv brought Starbucks."
"Do I look okay," Allison asked.
"Your hair needs to be brushed," Teddy said bluntly.
"Can you," Allison asked.
"I can," Teddy agreed, "you take care of your baby I'll take care of mine."
Teddy got Allison's brush from the bathroom and began to pull her hair into a ponytail.
"This is pretty greasy," Teddy said, "let her finish and a two minute shower?"
"My friends," Allison said.
"I'll tell them she threw up on you and is now sleeping," Teddy replied, "finish that, lay her in her bed for a minute and shower."
Allison nodded, "I haven't had time to shower for a couple days."
"Allison she's okay with Asher, dad and I for you to shower," Teddy said, "you need to let her out of your sight. Everly is good. I'll go down and tell your friends."
Teddy walked back down.
"Is she okay," Ava asked.
"Baby vomit in her hair she's showering," Teddy said, "she said two minute shower."
Asher looked at Teddy with a worried look.
"Let's get some snacks," Teddy said.
Asher followed.
"She just finished feeding and needs a shower badly," Teddy said, "has she slept?"
"No," Asher replied, "she's not sleeping and she's not looking after herself. I don't know if her depression isn't back."
"She's at risk for postpartum," Teddy agreed, "take Everly, physically take her from Allison to make sure she eats, showers and sleeps. Asher this is where you have to step up and be the dad. Make Allison rest, eat and shower."
"I'll try," Asher replied.
"We're still here to guide both of you," Teddy reassured.
"Thanks," Asher smiled.
They grabbed the snacks and walked into the living room.
A couple minutes later Allison came down with Everly wrapped in a purple blanket.
"Allie," Ava yelled.
"Shh," Olivia scolded.
"Hi," Allison whispered.
"Is that," Ava asked, rushing to her friend.
"This is Everly Alexandra Grace Blouin," Allison beamed at her daughter.
"Can I," Ava reached for the baby.
"Go sit first," Allison said, "I just got her to sleep before I showered."
Allison sat in the middle of the couch and her friends sat on either side of her.
The two girls leaned in to look at the baby. Allison unwrapped Everly. Laying the baby on her lap, Allison kept one hand under the baby's head while the other hand steadied the baby.
"She's perfect," Olivia whispered.
"You are gorgeous," Ava said, stroking the baby's cheek.
"Can I," Olivia asked.
"Careful with her head," Allison cautioned before re swaddling her baby and laying her in Olivia's arms.
"How are you," Ava asked Allison.
"Exhausted," Allison said, "but so in love with her. We waited so long for Everly."
"How bad was it," Ava asked.
"It hurt," Allison admitted, "I think our walk last week is what started it. I was so done. "
"You were grumpy," Ava agreed.
"Massive, not sleeping, she had dropped and I was scared," Allison said.
"Why did you hide to feed her," Olivia asked.
"She hasn't had a bottle yet," Allison said.
"But babies get bottles," Ava said.
"She will soon but not yet," Allison said.
"Then what does she eat," Ava asked.
"I'm breastfeeding," Allison said, "it's weird and it hurts but it's good for her."
"Hiding," Olivia asked, "why?"
"Because my dad and Leo are home," Allison said, "it's weird to have them see it. I don't even love Asher seeing it."
"He's your BF," Olivia said.
"Let Allie do what she needs to," Asher said.
"Are you okay," Ava asked.
"Tired, we don't sleep," Asher said, "thankfully l I'm off work until Monday."
"Already," Olivia asked.
"Stewart was generous," Asher said, "he didn't have to give me time off."
"Liv stop being a baby hog," Ava said.
"Give her a couple more minutes," Allison said, "but you will get a turn, Auntie Ava."
"I want to see her eyes open," Olivia said, "did she get your green ones? Your green is intense."
"They're green," Asher said.
"Green ish," Allison said, "they're not open long."
"Does she sleep all the time," Olivia asked.
"Most of it. A couple hours then she's awake long enough to eat and change her," Allison said.
"Is she healthy," Ava asked, "her heart?"
"Sounding okay," Allison said, "but the cord was around her neck and she didn't breathe right away."
"What does that mean," Olivia asked, making a note to ask her mom about it.
"They think she's okay and she checked out okay with the doctor at the hospital," Asher said, "it was the head of pediatrics doing it. We trust him and Teddy isn't worried."
"My turn," Ava said.
"I'll move her," Allison agreed. She carefully moved her daughter from one friend to the other.
"Hello Princess Everly," Ava whispered.
"What am I missing at school," Allison asked.
"Belle and Carter had a screaming fight in the middle of the main hall this week ," Ava said.
"What happened," Allison asked.
The girls spent time catching Allison up on all the gossip she had missed in the last two weeks since their French exam.
"We left the presents in the car," Ava suddenly realized, "we have birthday presents for princess Everly."
Amanda knocked on the door. Teddy went to open it, Allison had said it was just Olivia and Ava coming over, Teddy would have said it to more friends. Surprised Teddy opened the front door.
"Amanda," Teddy greeted, "I didn't know you were coming."
"I was picking up Liv and Ava then noticed they left these on my back seat," Amanda smiled holding up the gift bags.
"That's nice of them," Teddy smiled, "I was just making tea. Do you want a cup?"
"I'm not going to stay long," Amanda said, "I told the girls it was a short visit today. We don't need to overwhelm Allison. How's she doing?"
"Adapting," Teddy said, "it's harder than she thought."
"My young moms always have the hardest adjustment," Amanda said, "physically?"
"She's not happy about it," Teddy said, "already trying to skip meals."
"Make sure she eats," Amanda said, "she's always been slim, but she danced."
"My oldest has never had a problem," Teddy stated, "I know Allie asked Annie for advice. Come in and say hi."
"I'd love to," Amanda smiled.
They walked to the living room and saw the three teenage girls on the couch.
"Where did Asher go," Teddy asked.
"His dad called," Allison said, "he's in my room."
"Allison, are you going to introduce me," Amanda asked.
"Amanda this is Everly," Allison said, "she's just having another cuddle with auntie Liv."
"Mom, look at her," Olivia said.
"She is beautiful," Amanda said, "Allison can I?"
"Yes," Allison agreed.
Amanda took the baby from Allison and looked at her carefully, "She looks good. How's she eating?"
"Eat, snuggle, sleep, diaper repeat," Allison said, "she's been out about an hour now."
"Longest she's been awake," Amanda asked.
"An hour," Allison said, "I got her to lay on her tummy on a blanket this morning and we looked at books."
"Books," Amanda asked.
"Just some black and white board books Annie gave me she said it's good for their vision," Allison replied.
"You're okay," Amanda asked.
"I am," Allison said.
"Taking care of yourself," Amanda asked.
"Trying to," Allison said, "I just want to be with her all the time."
"Allison," Amanda looked serious, "to do a good job looking after her you have to look after yourself. Eat, shower, sleep, get outside."
"She likes walks," Allison replied.
"You took her with out us," Ava said.
"This morning," Allison said, "you were at school."
"It's Friday," Olivia said, "bring her and come over tomorrow after I get off work?"
Allison looked nervous.
"Our family dinner got moved this week," Teddy said, "maybe in a couple weeks."
Teddy's phone went on the counter and she grabbed it.
"I have to go to work," Teddy said, "all cardio are either out of town or in the OR and there's a massive cardiac trauma incoming."
"Girls," Amanda said.
The three teenage girls looked at her.
"Liv, Ava hugs and lets go," Amanda said.
"Allie hasn't opened her present," Olivia said.
"Fast," Amanda said, "Teddy you go I'll have the other two out in 10."
"Thank you," Teddy replied, grabbing her work bag and shoes, "Allie, call if you need us."
Allison opened the bag and found a tiny pink blanket and a couple frilly pink dresses for Everly.
"She needed girl things," Olivia said.
"Theyre adorable," Allison said, "thank you."
They said their goodbyes and the other two left with Amanda.
A few hours later Allison called Annie
"Nee," Allison said, "question for you moms is working ."
"I know I'm looking at her," Annie answered.
"How do I know if Everly is eating enough," Allison asked.
"How long is she feeding for," Annie asked.
"15 minutes before she falls asleep," Allison said.
"Then wake her up and offer the other side," Annie said, "I know you're exhausted. It's day 6. You're okay. Where's Asher?"
"Changing her," Allison said.
"Try offering her the other side," Annie advised, "you'll both feel better."
"I hate Asher watching," Allison said.
"It was weird at first with Ellie," Annie said, "but you're home."
"I can't," Allison said.
"You can," Annie replied, "I'm in the gallery. I'll tag mama out and she can call you back."
"Can you come," Allison asked.
"Lean on Asher you two are a team," Annie said, "I did this when Ellie was a couple days old to mama. She's doing a trauma and she could be a while. I had to find my resident."
"Please," Allison said, "it hurts, I'm exhausted and I want sleep."
"Here's the plan," Annie said, "finish feeding her, have dinner and sleep. Asher can hang out with her. Or what I've done is curl up with Josh, my baby and a movie. Then I fall asleep five minutes in and it's okay."
"Dinner and a movie," Allison asked.
"Yes," Annie said, "I'm going to go, you lean on Asher. Mama was going to head out as soon as she's done. You've got this Allie Bean."
"Thanks nee," Allison replied.
Annie put her phone back in her lab coat pocket.
"How's Allie," Owen asked.
"She's a new mom," Annie said, "she needs you and mama. It's a lot and her relationship with Asher is newer. She's young."
"18," Owen said.
"Why are you in the gallery? You've seen her do this a million times," Annie said.
"I never get tired of watching Teddy operate," Owen said, "she only gets better with time."
"You two are disgusting sometimes you know that," Annie teased.
"Seriously," Owen asked.
"You two are my mom and step dad," Annie teased.
"Mom," a med student asked.
Annie turned, "dr Grace Altman head of peds cardiothoracic surgery."
"The chief is Altman," the med student said.
"My mother," Annie replied, "we have two Altman's."
Teddy called up to the gallery, "Annie it's an Altman bring another resident with you. You and I haven't done one in a while."
"It's an adult," Annie replied, "when was the last time I worked on an adult."
"Not an adult," Teddy said, "17. Come on, I don't see you these days."
Annie scrubbed in with Teddy and picked up her half of the heart.
"Husbands to do the chest reconstruction," Annie teased.
"Megan," Teddy replied, "it's a full female staff today in here."
"Your good at doing that," Annie said, "what did they call it in that article wonder women."
"That was a great article," Teddy smiled behind her mask.
"This feels like 10 years ago. " Annie said.
"Since you finished your fellow ship you hardly scrub in with me," Teddy said.
"I got so focused on the kids," Annie said, "I want to bring Everly in for an echocardiogram and check her heart properly."
"Talk to your sister," Teddy said.
"Mama how is she doing honestly she called me freaking out about making sure everly is eating enough," Annie said.
"Your anxiety with Ellie but 10 years less maturity and no real understanding of the whole process," Teddy said, "she's beyond anxious she's having a hard time getting feeding established."
"Did we check get thyroid," Annie asked, "mine being off really affected it."
"I'll suggest it," Teddy said, "I think she needs her big sister and her mom. I can remember Ellie was about a week old and we had a dinner at Megan's and you basically melted down on me in Megs room."
"I remember that day," Megan said from Her side of the OR table, "what are we doing?"
"Total Altman 17 year old male," Teddy said.
"Chest cavity," Megan confirmed.
"Yes," Annie said, "check the scans again."
"You may need an X lap," Teddy said, "Tick Tock challenge gone wrong."
"When will they learn," Megan asked.
"I don't know," Annie sighed, "you both could have warned me about teenagers."
"Ellie was good yesterday," Teddy said.
"She's feeling pushed out," Annie said, "I get it Allison has more going on then Ellie is mature enough to comprehend. She's feeling left out with Allie and Cat."
"I noticed that yesterday," Megan said, "Cat had just heard my end of a call to a divorce lawyer."
"Your going through with it," Annie asked.
"Fact finding," Megan said, "weighing my options. He's home in a month."
"I think Cat and Allie have both had their worlds totally shaken up and are leaning on each other," Teddy said, "Allie and Cat talk a lot."
"Ellie is noticing and with her and Cat only 4 months appart she feels it," Annie explained,
"I don't know what to do," Teddy said.
"She has other McKellar cousins but we don't see them as much as we used to. With dad here now and grandmere and papa gone I don't have the incentive to go up as often," Annie said.
"Annie does Josh know about Nate and I," Megan asked.
"He told me you were separating," Annie said.
"Did he say why," Megan asked.
"No," Annie said, "I don't think Nate will tell Josh. In a few ways you guys all still see Josh and I as your kids and protect us."
"You are my daughter and I will always have the protective instinct with you," Teddy said.
"Unless you can save me from teenage girls I'm doing good," Annie replied.
"Boundaries," Megan suggested.
"We have that, rules and expectations but the tantrums, it makes my preschoolers' tantrums look like nothing," Annie said, "how did you do 14 and 25 years between kids, the 9 between my girls is a lot."
"We've had our parenting fails two," Teddy said, "then they compare them selves to you, forgetting that I didn't raise you."
"Mama Allie stepped up, yes she was a teenager and drank and made a choice she wouldn't have sober," Annie said, "but she made hard choices and her daughter is gorgeous."
"Have you talked to Ellie about the parties," Teddy asked.
"I really appreciate how honest Allison was with Ellie and Cat," Annie said, "she told the other girls in her own time why she made the choices that she did. I know my kids will do stupid things and will drink my hope is that they'll be as honest with us about it as Allison was."
"My kids being honest with me has never been a problem," Teddy said, "open communication."
"We have that and I'm now questioning letting her skip fourth," Annie said.
"You said fourth," Megan teased
"It's what ever comes out," Annie said, "I've been in the states more than half my life now. Hows Cat doing with whats going on?"
"I'm hoping her life doesn't change too much," Megan said, "honestly Nare and I are better friends and roommates and we have been for years. One thought is that we separate and he moves into the basement suite, leave Cat and I upstairs and she runs up and down as she wants to."
"What will make you happy," Annie asked.
"I could do that," Megan said, "until Cat finishes high school."
"Think long term," Teddy said.
"I haven't yet," Megan said.
Owen came into the OR, "Allison is on the phone Teddy can I tag you out."
"Get me McKidd and you can," Annie said, "anyone from cardio."
"Annie I'll tag out, Owen can be a second to you and I'll talk to Allie," Teddy said.
Teddy scrubbed out and called Allison back.
"Mommy," Allison sobbed when she picked up.
"Allie breathe," Teddy said, "where's Asher?"
"In the nursery," Allison said, "with Everly."
"Where are you," Teddy asked.
"My bed," Allison replied, "she won't stop crying, she didn't eat the last time I tried."
"Diaper," Teddy asked.
"We changed it," Allison said, "she's in her jammies and wrapped up."
"It's warm today," Teddy said, "is she too hot?"
"I don't know," Allison said.
"Try taking her blanket off," Teddy suggested.
"Why won't she eat," Allison asked.
"She's not hungry," Teddy said, "try unwrapping her and let her cool down."
"Can you come home," Allison sobbed.
"As soon as I'm done my part," Teddy said, "it's an Altman I'm about 2 hours in."
"Thats like an 10 hour surgery," Allison complained.
"I have Annie as the other surgeon on the heart and Meg on the chest cavity," Teddy said, "with Annie we can get it down to 6 hours."
"Get some one else to finish," Allison cried, "I need you. And you have Annie and Auntie Meg."
"You and Asher need to be a team," Teddy said, "you two have to do this together. Dad should be home in a couple hours."
"I want you," Allison whined, "you were supposed to be off."
"I know baby," Teddy replied, "I'm sorry. Go unwrap Everly, theres the no touch thermometer in our bottom bathroom drawer if you think she feels warm and want to check."
"I'll check," Allison said, "don't hang up."
"Go check," Teddy said.
Allison got the thermometer and took it into the nursery.
"Mom said to check her temperature," Allison told Asher before pointing the no touch thermometer at the babies forehead.
"37.5," Allison said.
"High but not dangerous yet," Teddy replied, "strip her down to her diaper then try to feed her to make sure she's not dehydrating. Check her again in an hour and bring her in if it doesn't come down."
"Can you come," Allison sobbed.
"I have to finish this Altman there's no one else from cardio around," Teddy said, "try too cool her down like that and check in an hour. If her temperature isn't down bring her in. what is she wearing?"
"Hat, sleeper, blanket," Allison said.
"Try turning the heat pump in her room on and take her hat and blanket off," Teddy said, "call me back if it doesn't change in an hour."
"Come home," Allison whined.
"I'm trying," Teddy said, "as soon as we have a cardio person to tag me out I'm coming home. Allie did you eat dinner?"
"Sort of," Allison said.
"You have to eat," Teddy reminded.
"Everly needs me," Allison said.
"Go look after your baby," Teddy said.
Asher had unwrapped the swaddle from around Everly, Allison slipped the little pink hat off her head.
"Can you turn the AC on in here," Allison asked.
"Can we," Asher asked.
"Mom said to cool her room and ours," Allison said, "if we close the doors between her room and the hall and our room and the hall it seals the cold air in."
"Our room," Asher asked.
"Can you just get the room to cool down," Allison asked, "both have to be cooling or it's really slow."
"What are you doing," Asher asked.
"I don't think long sleeves and pants were a good idea," Allison said, "I might put her in just a onesie."
"What if you change her then try to cuddle her in bed," Asher asked, "she seems to relax when you hold her in bed."
"I might see if she'll eat," Allison said.
They changed the baby and Allison sat on the bed with her.
An hour later they checked her temperature again and it had come down to 37, normal.
At nearly midnight Owen knocked on Allison's door, "munchkin is everything okay?"
"Everly got a bit warm," Asher said, "we might have over dressed her."
"Can I see her," Owen asked.
"She's asleep," Allison said, "she just took a full feeding."
"Do you have the thermometer," Owen asked.
"We do," Asher said.
"Grab it for me and I'm grabbing a stethoscope," Owen said.
"Her heart," Allison asked.
Owen gave the sleeping baby a quick check up.
"She's fine," Owen said, "you two should sleep while she is."
"Dad can Asher move up here," Allison asked.
"Let's talk all together when we've all had some sleep," Owen replied, "you two are exhausted."
"I am," Asher said.
"Sleep," Owen said, "Everly is, Allie is in pajamas. Good night you three."
"Night dad," Allison replied.
"Night Owen," Asher echoed.
"I have to brush my teeth," Allison said.
"So do I," Asher replied.
They brushed their teeth and got into bed.
"Relax," Asher said, putting an arm over Allison's waist.
Allison scooted away from him.
"What's wrong babe," Asher asked.
"She's not there anymore," Allison said, "and I'm all mushy."
"I love you," Asher said, "I know she's not there because she's in her bed."
"You'll never think I'm pretty again," Allison said, "I don't look like I did a year ago."
"I know," Asher said, "a year ago we didn't have Everly. You did that, you made her. Allison I love you for you. We've spent most of the year getting to know each other. I know you, I love you."
"What if," Allison asked.
"Allie I'm here," Asher whispered pulling her closer, "I'm here. I love you. When I said we can do this together. I'm all in. I love you."
"I love you too," Allison whispered, "can we do this?"
"We can," Asher assured, "sleep Allie."
"I'm too anxious to fall asleep," Allison said.
"What can I do," Asher asked, "what helps? Before Ev it was rubbing your back. Do you want me to do that."
"Don't leave," Allison whispered.
"Can I hold you," Asher asked.
"Please," Allison agreed.
"Close your eyes," Asher whispered.
"Everly," Allison said.
"Allie sleep," Asher tried again, "half an hour for me please. Everly is right beside us she's okay."
Around 4 am Teddy slipped into her room startling Owen.
"Hey," Teddy whispered, "anything from them?"
"She was over tired and freaked out when I got home," Owen said, "I heard a cry about an hour ago and some whispering but they haven't come gotten me."
"I should check," Teddy said.
"She'll come if she needs us," Owen said, "Teddy independence remember. We went to those parent groups. It's a transition to adulthood plan. She knows we are her to fully love and support but she has to try first. Come to bed."
"She's my baby Owen," Teddy argued.
"She's okay," Owen said, "you'll see her in the morning. We did the right thing tonight letting them figure it out."
"I wanted to go home to her and hug her," Teddy said.
"You would have taken over," Owen replied, "come to bed and you can see them in the morning. You don't wake sleeping babies or sleeping teenagers and theres both in that room."
"Where's he," Teddy asked.
"In there," Owen said, "She wants him to move up here."
"He could," Teddy replied, "we could get the contractors in to turn the basement into a proper suite, it just needs a kitchen."
"We could then transition them down stairs," Owen said, "but I'm not forcing the relationship."
"Then it's an option," Teddy replied, "they hang out and watch TV down there anyway now. The bigger toys are down there, the swing should be because that's where they relax."
"We'll decide once you've slept," Owen said, "you're doing your obsessive not sleeping mom thing. Teddy, she is okay. Leo seemed sober today when I saw him. And you just saw Annie. They're all good. The kids are good, I'm good now you need sleep."