Asher pulled up to Ava's house with Allison still grumbling.

"What are you planning," Allison grumbelled, "why did my parents take Ev?"

"We're hanging out with friends tonight," Asher said.

"We're going to Ava's with Eden and Jonah," Allison said, "we could have brought Ev. i'm sure they have Joshua."

"Lets go in," Asher said.

They got out of the truck and walked to the door. Ava threw it open.

"Happy Birthday Allie," their friends yelled.

"What," Allison gasped.

"Happy birthday," Ava hugged Allison.

"What," Allison asked, "why?"

"It's your 20th," Asher said, "Ava and I wanted you to have a birthday party."

"Why," Allison asked Asher.

"You should get a celebration two," Asher smiled, "Allie you do things for everyone else's birthdays and special things. Let us celebrate you babe."

"Thank you," Allison beamed hugging Asher then Ava.

"Can we party," Jonah yelled.

"Is there music," Allison asked.

"Music, appetisers, cake," Ava said.

"Drinks," Olivia cheered.

"I don't drink," Allison whispered, "Ash."

"Ev will be in bed when we get home," Asher said, "it's okay."

Allison shook her head.

"Ask your mom," Ava suggested in a whisper.

Allison texted Teddy, "mom they threw a surprise party for me. Liv wants me to have a drink with her but my meds?"

Teddy, "I don't like you drinking your 20. You can drink on synthroid. Your sister does. Let me check your other one."

Allison, "what do I say if I can't?"

Teddy, "blame Ev."

Alliosn, "I'll try. But I want wine with you in Paris this summer."

Teddy, "I pulled the info sheet in the app. You can have one or two. It says a moderate amount is safe. No more than 2."

Allison, "okay. I don't even know if I want one."

Teddy, "then don't. It's always your choice. Have fun baby girl. Ev is good. Dad's just giving her her bath then a movie and ice cream."

In the basement Everly pointed at the gait trainer, "play."

"Do you want to play," Owen asked.

"Play," Everly repeated pointing again.

Owen put Everly in the gait trainer and watched as she tried to push herself forward.

"Come on Ev," Owen cheered, "you're getting so strong princess. Go Everly Go!"

"What are you two doing," Teddy asked, "I thought it was bath time."

"She wanted to play," Owen said.

"She's scooting on it," Teddy smiled, "and happy."

"She'll walk," Owen said.

"She will," Teddy agreed, "some how,"

"She's getting it," Owen said, "Everly can you come to grandpa?"

"Ga pa," Everly yelled.

"Yes grandpa," Owen smiled, "come here."

When she finished crossing the room and Owen lifted Everly out of the adaptive device.

"What happens with this when she's too big or too strong for it," Owen asked.

"They borrowed it," Teddy said, "the Fox foundation's adaptive equipment library is based here in Seattle. So when Ev out grows it they take it back and another kid can use it."

"That makes sense," Owen said, "they've had it a couple weeks."

"A month," Teddy said, "but Ev wanted to use it or did you push extra physio."

"She was pointing at it saying play," Owen said, "so we played. Teddy other kids Ev's age run around and play if she wants to do that she should."

"I know Allison puts her in it for big chunks of time and lets her scoot around," Teddy said, "but look what it's doing to the walls."

"I saw that at a couple corners," Owen said, "it's just bumps and scratches. Paint will fix it."

"I know," Teddy said, "and Everly's equipment as she grows."

"What about a stair lift," Owen asked.

"Why," Teddy asked.

"There will come a day that Ev is too big for us to carry and will need to get down here," Owen said, "even if she walks stairs will be hard. I don't want Allison carrying a 7 or 8 year old up and down those stairs or the outside ones in the wet and rain and slipping."

"I see what you mean," Teddy said, "but we don't need to do it now. Will Everly need it?"

"Maybe," Owen said, "I'm also looking at a hot tub."

"For Ev," Teddy asked.

"Us but yes it will be good for Ev," Owen agreed, "you like to sit in the hot tub and read with one of your tropical drinks on vacation. I thought we could get one and put some sort of cover over it so we can use it year round. Sit in it and relax. Bathing suit."

"Owen Hunt," Teddy exclaimed, "you are impossible. We're how old?"

"And I think my wife is gorgeous," Owen beamed.

"This might work if you weren't babysitting," Teddy said, "you are holding our youngest grandchild."

"When the baby goes to bed," Owen smiled.

"I told Allison I would sit down here and listen," Teddy said.

"Will they be late," Owen asked.

"I don't know," Teddy replied, "but I like the hot tub idea. Put it on the far end of the patio we don't use. Sit out there and relax."

"You need to," Owen said.

"I'm getting better," Teddy replied.

"You are," Owen agreed, "not being chief has been really good for you."

"It was time to let go of that," Teddy agreed, "I did it too long."

"You did," Owen said, "but you needed to figure it out yourself. You always do."

"You tried to tell me," Teddy smiled.

"I know you though Altman," Owen smiled.

"You know me better then I know myself Hunt," Teddy agreed.

"Ga ma," Everly said leaning towards Teddy and out of Owen's arms.

"Let's have your bath then grandpa can read your story," Teddy smiled.

Teddy carried Everly into the bathroom to give her a bath.

"Allison," Teddy sighed looking around the bathroom seeing Allison's make up on the counter next to Everly's medications and Asher's contact solution.

"She's a mess," Owen agreed looking into the bathroom.

"Make up, medication, toiletries," Teddy said.

"They are 19 and 20," Owen said, "but the medication needs to be put up."

"She did say she left it out for us," Teddy said, "it's just baby tylenol."

"Is it a need or incase," Owen asked.

"Incase," Teddy replied.

At the party Olivia poured a line of shots.

"No thanks," Allison said when Olivia tried to hand her one.

"You used to love shots before you got pregnant," Olivia snapped.

"I'm still nursing Everly," Allison said.

"She's not here," Olivia said, "have one."

"I've had a cider," Allison said, "I'll have another cider but I can only have two."

"Why don't you drink anymore," Olivia asked.

"I'm on medication for my thyroid," Allison said, "having a Ev messed up my thyroid so it doesn't function properly."

Allison knew it wasn't the full truth but it was all she was willing to say.

"Just leave her," Kristen chimed in, "if Allie doesn't want to drink don't push it."

"I'm Jake," a guy introduced himself to Asher.

"Asher," Asher replied, "you go to school with Allie and Ava?"

"I do," Jake said, "it's good to meet you. Allie talks about you a lot and Everly."

"What are you studying," Asher asked.

"Pre med," Jake said, "we have some anatomy classes with the nursing students."

"So you;ll go through the next few years with Allie," Asher said.

"I will," Jake said, "look I know she's very very taken."

"She is," Asher said, "but I'm not the don't study with another guy person."

"I've heard so much about your daughter I was hoping she would be here," Jake admitted.

"Not tonight," Asher said, "Allie needs this. Her parents have Everly."

"Allie has said some stuff in anatomy are you okay," Jake asked.

"We have a 20 month old who needs a lot of extra supports," Asher said, "but we're good. You hang out with Allie and Ava?"

"Ya," Jake said, "I wouldn't mind getting to know Ava better."

"She's great," Asher said, "Allie's best friend. Always ready to help us out with Ev or just listen to Allie."

"Hey," Jonah said, "sorry we're late."

"Babysitter issues," Asher asked.

"Joshua wouldn't go to bed," Jonah said, "Eden's mom is watching him."

"She made you put him to bed first," Asher asked.

"You don't when you go out," Jonah asked.

"Ev is with Teddy and Owen," Asher replied, "we lay her jammies out and leave her meds and they have it. We don't even get her ready for bed. They do it all."

"Allie's parents are way more supportive than Eden's," Jonah said.

"Have your parents said anything," Asher asked.

"She brings Joshua over and my mom loves him," Jonah said, "they worry about me getting attached and him getting attached and us hurting each other but they like Joshua."

"He's cute," Asher agreed, "something the six of us next weekend?"

"Sure," Jonah said, "snowshoeing?"

"Sounds good," Asher agreed, "put the kids in the carriers."

"He's 2 in February," Jonah said, "you'll come to the birthday party?"

"Ya," Asher said, "it's scary that they're two."

"You have a kid as well," Jake asked Jonah.

"My girlfriend does," Jonah said, "we're moving in together next weekend."

"We'll help you move," Asher said.

"He's not yours," Jake asked, "how did you meet?"

"Allie and Eden took family studies together in senior year when they were both pregnant," Asher said, "Jonah and I have known each other since middle school."

"But how did you meet," Jake asked.

"I went over to hang out with Asher and Eden was there with Joshua and her and Allison were hanging out," Jonah said, "then I asked Allie for Eden's number."

"You've been together a year and a half," Asher said.

"This is weird," Eden smiled.

"What," Allison asked.

"You have a drink and no kids," Eden laughed.

"It's my birthday," Allison laughed, "I can have a couple. "

"I've never seen you drink," Eden said.

"It's been what two years," Ava asked.

"Since I got pregnant," Allison said.

"Kids are turning 2," Eden said.

"They are," Allison said.

"Have you drank before," Carmen asked, "we don't when we get together."

"I've seen all of you drink," Allison said, "I did before. This is my second and my last."

"You tipsy," Ava teased.

"Possibly," Allison admitted, "I feel giddy."

"It's your birthday," Carmen said, "relax and have fun."

"Two is my limit," Allison said.

"One shot," Olivia pressed pouring a round.

"No," Allison said, "I don't make good choices drunk. This is enough."

"Please Allie," Olivia pressed.

"No," Allison repeated.

"It's three you won't be drunk," Olivia said, "fuck you used to down more then the rest of us. You could out drink Ava and I combined."

"And I made a decision I wouldn't sober," Allison said, "I love my daughter and Asher but I know if I hadn't been drinking that night she wouldn't have been created."

"Oliva don't push her," Carmen defended, "if Allison says she doesn't want it she doesn't want it."

"She used to be the life of the party," Olivia said.

"I don't want to," Allison said, "Liv I love you and I love hanging out with you. I'm happier sober. I'm okay just having one or two like I did tonight. I know I'll be up by 6:30, 7 at the very latest with Everly. Her and I have girls day tomorrow with mom, Auntie Meg, Nana, Annie and her girls. I don't want to be hung over. I don't need that."

"Liv just drop it," Ava commanded.

"But," Olivia said.

Allison cut her off, "you are welcome to drink I'm not going to stop you. I choose not to for me. Tonight is the first time I have in over 2 years. I'm doing what is best for me. You do what is best for you."

"Cake," Ava suggested.

"Yes," Eden cheered.

"You got cake," Allison asked.

"It's your birthday," Ava said.

"But it's just me," Allison shrugged.

"Exactly," Asher said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, "your you. Allie we're all here to celebrate your birthday babe. When was the last time you had a birthday party?"

"When I turned 17," Allison shrugged.

"Then it's long overdue," Asher said.

"You didn't do her birthday last year," Jonah asked.

"We did the two of us and with her family then her 18th we had the ultrasound where we found out about Ev's heart defect," Asher said, "we've just celebrated with family the last couple years."

"Why did you do this," Allison asked, "it's too much."

"Because we love you," Eden smiled speaking for the others.

"Allie you are there for all of us and are the first to celebrate our successes," Ava said, "we want to celebrate you. I know the last couple years have been really hard. You're always there for all of us and are my best friend. You're the most consistent supportive person in my life. Allie you bend over backwards for all of us. You are there for everyone all the time. We love you."

"Allie," Eden said, "through everything the last couple years you have been the most realistic and grounded person I know. You celebrate with us and hold all of us together. We love you. It's time to celebrate you."

Asher simply hugged Allison and said, "happy birthday party babe."

"Cake time," Ava cheered bringing out Allison's second favourite, chocolate cake.

The group sang and then enjoyed their cake. At some point the music was turned up and everyone began dancing.

"It's almost 1," Allison gasped seeing the time.

"Shit," Asher replied.

"We should go but I'm having fun," Allison said.

"Everly," Asher said.

"Will be sound asleep and my dad is probably passed out on our couch," Allison said, "stay till one?"

"We can," Asher smiled, "is this okay?"

"I love it thank you," Allison smiled.

"Having fun," Asher asked.

"Yes," Allison agreed.

At one they said good bye to their friends.

Allison gave Ava a huge hug, "thank you so much for doing this and being there and being my best friend no matter how stressed and grumpy I get. Ava you are my best friend, the best friend I could ever have."

"I love you," Ava said.

"I love you too," Allison smiled, 'thank you."

"You're welcome," Ava replied.

When they slipped in the basement door Owen startled awake.

"You're home," Owen said, "how was it?"

"Great," Allison smiled, "how is she?"

"She's good," Owen said, "she wanted to play in the gait trainer for a bit so I let her scoot around in it. She went down easily at bedtime and has stayed asleep. She's a great kid. Probably our easiest to babysit."

"You see her every day," Allison said.

"We do," Owen agreed, "so your birthday party?"

"It was great," Allison said, "but can we talk tomorrow dad? I'm about to fall asleep and we woke you up."

"Good night munchkin," Owen said, "Asher."

"Night," Allison and Asher replied.

Once Owen was out of earshot Asher asked, "you're not that tired are you?"

"Tired but not that tired," Allison whispered, "I wanted to get rid of my dad."

"So bed," Asher asked.

"It is our bedtime," Allison agreed, "thank you for doing that tonight. You are amazing, you know that."

"You are the amazing one and I wanted to do that for you," Asher said, "I love you."

"I love you too," Allison said, kissing him.