Teddy and Allison walked through the streets of Paris.
"Have you been here before mom," Allison asked.
"Years ago with Annie," Teddy said, "we did different things. She doesn't love art and museums like you do. We didn't go to the Louver. It's been on my list for years. I want to do it with you."
"And we have all morning," Allison asked.
"All day if you want it," Teddy smiled, "spend as long as we want in the museum and go for lunch."
"Everly," Allison said.
"Annie was going to a playground with a carousel with her and Heather," TEddy smiled, "dad, Josh and all the boys are doing the catacombs."
"Why would you do that," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Teddy agreed, " I would have gone with Annie and the little girls if we didn't do this."
"So would I," Allison said, "Annie thought it would be until Lunch time then she was going to go to a little zoo with them."
"Lets do our morning then check in," Teddy said.
"I have Heather and Annie's boys tonight," Allison said, "her and Josh are going for dinner just the two of them."
"Ellie," Teddy asked.
"Doesn't need to be supervised," Allison said, "she's 16 she'll hang out with us. It's nice to have time with Ellie and really talk to her. She's easier than Cat."
"What's going on with Cat," Teddy asked.
"She won't listen to me," Allison said, "she's drinking and partying and there's a couple different boys."
"Did you tell her," Teddy asked.
"She knows," Allison said, "she won't listen to me or Auntie Meg. She asked me to cover for her a couple weeks ago to say she was sleeping over when she was at a boys. She wanted me to cover so she could have a sleepover with a boy. Just them."
"Did you," Teddy asked, "with you in the basement I wouldn't know if Cat came over. Your friends use your outside door."
"It's easier," Allison said.
"It is," Teddy agreed, "did you cover for her?"
"No," Allison said, "mom I wouldn't. I only did it once. I told you we were at Kristen's and we were all at Jonah's."
"Did you stay at Jonah's," Teddy asked.
"No," Allison said, "I got scared and you and dad were out of town so I called Nee."
"You called your sister," Teddy said, "you did the right thing."
"She wasn't too happy," Allison said.
"Did she use her mom voice on you," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "she never does that to me."
"She doesn't use it much with her kids," Teddy replied, "you use one now two."
"You have a grandma voice," Allison teased.
"Only with Ev," Teddy said, "you all got that as real little ones."
"She's not so little," Allison said.
"No she's not," Teddy agreed, "our trip is this what you always dreamed of?"
"Yes and no," Allison said, "the places but it's better with Ev and Ash."
"I know having all 12 of us wasn't your original dream." Teddy said.
"I like the time more now," Allison said, "the one time I want a weekend away just me and Ash is for a honeymoon."
"You were 7 months old, you came with us," Teddy said.
"You left Annie behind," Allison asked.
"She offered to keep you for the three nights so dad and I could have the time," Teddy said, 'but you needed me too much."
"Where did we go," Allison asked.
"Malibu and hung out on the beach," Teddy smiled.
"You like the beach," Allison pointed out.
"I do," Teddy agreed.
"Snow is better," Allison argued, "everything is still and quiet and clean. It's like a big fluffy blanket on the world."
Teddy watched her youngest as they walked. Today without the stroller or her daughter on her hip Allison could be any college kid, she looked relaxed with her reddish blonde waves loose down her back carrying just her purse.
"It feels weird not to have a diaper bag," Allison said.
"You've taken one everywhere for two years," Teddy said.
"When does it stop," Allison asked.
"What's in it now," Teddy asked.
"Diapers, wipes, her advil, snacks," Allison said, "clean clothes."
"I'd say when she's out of diapers," Teddy replied, "have you thought?"
"We've talked to OT and PT and they want a little more independent movement before we start," Allison said, "she will but it might be delayed. She needs more control and to know when she has to go. She doesn't know the way some of my friends kids do."
"She'll get there," Teddy said, "she won't go to middle school in diapers."
"What if she never learns," Allison asked.
"We'll cross that bridge if we get to it," Teddy assured.
"Ava wants me to meet a guy when we get home," Allison said.
"Do it," Teddy said.
"I'm excited to," Allison said, "he goes to school with her. She wanted to invite him to her BBQ but wasn't sure because she was invited Eden and Carmen so we all had kids there."
"I like how Ava has become part of that group," Teddy said, "your own group."
"Ya," Allison said, "Ava is closer to Carmen than Eden."
"But they're both in nursing school," Teddy said, "they have classes together don't they?"
"All their classes," Allison replied, "Eden and I have the same child development class in september. It's the first time we'll have an in person class together."
"You first have done really well," Teddy said.
"We've all had support and our families," Allison said, "Eden is living with Jonah."
"Joshua," Teddy asked.
"Family of three," Allison said, "Jonah is dad now. We see them a bit more then Carmen and Taylor because it's more fun for Asher."
"What's Jonah doing," Teddy asked.
"Plumbing," Allison replied, "he's enjoying it."
"Trades are good," Teddy said.
"But you and dad," Allison said, "Annie, Josh."
"Trades are important," Teddy replied, "we need them. I can't do 99% of the stuff Asher does. It's different skills."
"I'm worried that when I'm a doctor it could cause problems in our relationship," Allison said.
"The time or the income," Teddy asked.
"Both," Allison said.
"So income it's flipped of what you have now," Teddy replied, "you two share money now don't you? I'm not sure how you're working it right now."
"One bank account and visa account," Allison replied, "it's hard though knowing he makes 4 times what I do in an hour and works 5 times the hours I do."
"I had that with Henry," Teddy replied, "we had a joint checking and visa for house stuff and living. What about your spending money if you want to grab coffee or lunch at school, a new outfit?"
"Clothes are in the budget," Allison said, "and it's tight. We each have 40 a week in just spending money so I use that. My work is our fun money and spending money. We survive because we don't pay a ton of rent to you and dad. This is the first time Asher has left the country! He had to get a passport for this."
"I didn't realize he needed one," Teddy replied, "yours we had just renewed before Ev you need one soon."
"2 more years," Allison replied, "wait till after the wedding and do it in my new name."
"You want to change it," Teddy asked, "is it you or him?"
"Me," Allison said, "I want to match him and Everly. We didn't hyphenate because I would have had to choose half of my last name and I couldn't pick. My last name is long and people always drop the Hunt part."
"I know," Teddy replied, "but is it your choice. Do you want to keep your name? It's a big part of your identity."
"Why didn't you change yours," Allison asked.
"I was 46," Teddy said, "I had built my reputation on Altman. To suddenly be Hunt would be weird. Talk to Annie I know she really debated."
"She changed it eventually," Allison said, "her passports are hyphenated."
"They are, she is Altman-Riggs like her kids legally but works only as Altman," Teddy answered.
"I want just one last name," Allison said, "is that okay with you?"
"It's your choice baby girl," Teddy smiled, "you have to do what's right for you and your family. You know how to do that. I've watched you do that for three years."
"But you and dad chose that for me," Allison said, "we really talked about her last name."
"We decided to hyphenate and put Altman first," Teddy agreed, "and it wasn't an alphabetical thing. I wanted my kids to match as much as possible. We almost just did Hunt. Then it started to bug me that my girls wouldn't match. I needed you to be connected to Annie in name. We chose Altman-Hunt for me."
"Will dad be okay if I change my name," Allison asked.
"I want you to think about it," Teddy replied, "Allison give it some good thought. Bounce ideas off me and Annie. I know Megan is thankful she never changed hers."
"I don't want to think that divorce is a possibility," Allison said, "isn't marriage forever?"
"With the right person it is," Teddy agreed, "it's also a lot of work to change your name. You only want to do it once."
"Annie," Allison asked.
"Her change from Annabeth McKellar to Grace Altman was for her safety," Teddy replied.
"If she had stayed as McKellar would you have still chosen Altman for me," Allison asked.
"I've never thought about it," Teddy replied, "I think I would have still. You've gotten so good at choosing for yourself. Of my kids I think you're the best at it. Allie do what's right for you."
"Is it weird to change your name," Allison asked.
"I never have," Teddy said, "a new last name would be an adjustment. But you'll still be Allison and we'll still call you Allie."
"And if I don't," Allison asked.
"Then you and Asher are still married and in love," Teddy said, "Everly will still have two parents who love her so much."
"I want to get married," Allison said, "I know we should wait until I'm done school but what if we did next summer?"
"If you want to," Teddy said, "talk it though with Asher. But wedding planning and your MCAT Allison that's going to be hell. It might be doable if it was just you and Asher. You can't raise Ev, spend time with Asher, go to school, study, work, prep for your MCAT, and plan a wedding. Allison you can't do it all and be healthy."
"Did you," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "planning our wedding. I was on maternity leave with you for 3 months of it. Then it was you dad and I at home, Annie was an intern and working 100 hour weeks so we saw her when we could away from work. My time off was my time. I wasn't researching."
"Do you want us to get married," Allison asked.
"We do when you're ready," Teddy smiled, "don't rush it baby girl. The wedding ring or changing your last name won't change your commitment to each other or your love or how much you love your daughter. That is the important part, your love for and commitment to each other."
"Are you sure it's okay with you," Allison asked, "I know you would have wanted me to wait like Annie did."
"I always knew your life would be different from hers," Teddy replied, "what do you want? Allison this is about you and what's going to make you happy."
"I want to be married," Allison said, "I've basically been married since I was 18."
"You have," Teddy agreed.
"Mom we don't want to use his dad's church," Allison said, "if we do that we can't have Everly as our flower girl. It's not accessible for her. We want her to walk and not be carried. She needs a safe accessible space."
"Then you tell them that," Teddy pushed, "where would you like to have your wedding?"
"Can we have it in our back yard," Allison asked.
"We could," Teddy said, "it's one option. Why home?"
"I like our yard and Ev can navigate it," Allison explained, "we will move out one day. Once Ash is done his apprenticeship we can pay you more rent and save for a down payment."
"Save," Teddy said, "dad and I are okay. We don't need the money."
"But it's not right," Allison said, "we should be supporting ourselves."
"You are," Teddy said, "Allie let dad and I help where we can. Not charging market rent is one way. As long as you are in school we will do so. Even when Annie rented to cottage I didn't charge her market rent. I could have gotten 500 or 600 more a month from someone else. But I charged Annie and Josh what my mortgage payment was, they were both working and it was fair."
"How hard is it to get a mortgage," Allison asked.
"It will depend on jobs, how much you're making, if your responsible with your bills and credit card," Teddy said, "student loans for you all of it. If you can save a down payment."
"We'll try," Allison said, "but we have 4-6 years of me in school depending on if I do med school or physio."
"You do," Teddy said, "you're a college junior."
"I am," Allison agreed.
They reached the Louver and spent most of the day exploring and looking at works of art.
"Are they all going together," Asher asked when Teddy, Owen, Josh and Annie left.
"No," Allison said, "Annie and Josh are doing some sunset boat ride and dinner. My parents are going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and having dinner somewhere."
"So we're incharge," Asher asked.
"Of the boys and Heather," Allison said, "Ellie is just hanging out."
"What are we doing for dinner," Ellie asked.
"I thought we could just go to the grocery store a couple blocks over and grab something," Allison said, "we can cook here. Perk of Air BNB."
They all walked to the grocery store and grabbed stuff for dinner.
On the way back Ellie asked, "can I carry Ev?"
"No," Everly said curling into Allison.
"She was with Annie all day," Allison said, "I needed the time with my mom but Ev gets clingy after that."
"Is Cat okay," Ellie asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "but I won't gossip"
"She's asking me to lie for her and I think she's partying," Allison said.
"She is," Allison confirmed.
"How do we stop her," Ellie asked.
"We don't," Allison said, "she has to have a reason to stop. I did."
"What was yours," Ellie asked.
"Two," Allison said, "El I fight with severe depression. It's getting a lot better and I'll probably always be on medication and when I started finally telling my parents about it they suggested I stop partying and grounded me for a month. Then the big one is Ev. I couldn't drink for the 9 months then I just don't now. I've had one or two but I won't drink excessively again. I have to be sober to parent."
"When was the last time you did," Ellie asked.
"I've had a couple this trip but one with dinner and I won't tonight," Allison said.
Walking further behind, Mat now 13 asked, "have you ever kissed a girl."
"Matt," Asher warned.
"It's an honest question," Matt said, "have you kissed a girl?"
"Allie," Asher replied.
"Your wife doesn't count," Matt argued.
"Only person I've kissed," Asher replied.
"Seriously," Matt said, "two girls this summer at camp."
"Really," Asher asked, "you were gone a week."
"They were hot," Matt said.
"How do you ask a girl out," Matt asked.
"Ask Leo," Asher deferred.
"I don't date," Leo said.
"Don't you like girls," Matt asked.
"I do," Leo said, "I just don't really have time."
"Matt are you playing football this year," Asher asked, changing the subject.
"Practice starts when we get home," Matt said, "Defense again."
"It's middle school, they still rotate you," Asher said.
"I want to be a running back," Matt said.
"Then talk to your coaches and practice," Asher said, "I can practice with you."
"But you're always busy," Matt said.
"Not too busy for this," Asher assured, "we want you around."
"Everly," Matt asked.
"She likes her cousins," Asher said, "she's having fun with Henry and Heather."
"Why does Ellie get to carry her," Matt asked.
"Ellie is a bit older," Asher said, "she's more familiar with Ellie because she comes over more."
Annie and Josh walked along the banks of the Sien hand in hand.
"Its been a while," Josh said.
"Just us it has," Annie agreed, "did we do the right thing?"
"Leo is 21 and Allison is 20," Josh assured, "they were going for a walk and having dinner. Theres 8 of them."
"Heather though," Annie asked.
"You know how Ellie is with her and Allie is good," Josh said.
"So we have 4 all in school," Annie replied, "what's next?"
"You said you wanted to research again when they were all in school and she's going to second and you havent," Josh said, "what's holding you back?"
"We're in a good place," Annie replied, "I don't really have an idea yet. You know my ideas they come when I have a patient that inspires them. You're teaching more and with the peds hospital opening next year Meg offered me chief of cardio there. I may wait it out."
"I'm taking the chief of trauma there," Josh said.
"I know," Annie agreed, "are we just mirroring Mama and Uncle Owen in peds," Annie asked.
"I guess we are," Josh chuckled, "who's going to be chief over there?"
"I heard Robbins or Karev was coming back for it," Annie replied, "I vote for Robbins."
"You always preferred her," Josh agreed.
"My very first intro to him was not pleasant," Annie replied, "what the fuck since when has Altman had a kid."
"How old were you," Josh asked.
"19," Annie said, "resident's locker room."
"She sent you with who," Josh asked, "she lets Allison use the attending's."
"Christina," Annie replied, "who then gossipped with Mereidth and left me with April. I miss April."
"You talk to her," Josh said.
"Not the same," Annie replied, "but they want to come back. He might do more of the peds plastics and reconstruction in the new peds building."
"Jackson Avery as chief over there," Josh questioned.
"Then Robbins or Karev as chief of general," Annie agreed, "a hospital in a hospital."
"I think that's the plan," Josh replied, "is anything shared? You've been more active on the planning committee then I have."
"The new tunnel labs," Annie replied, "one MIR and one CT but we'll get peds sized stuff. I've actually been more on the child life then the equipment side. They wanted the surgeon and mom of 4 to weigh in."
"You see it differently," Josh said, "I've been so focused on training trauma surgeons and teaching. Babe it's time to come out of the shadows again."
"I'm happy," Annie said, "I'm not happy when I'm striving and pushing. Thats when I don't eat or when I stop sleeping. Josh this is better."
"But what do you want," Josh asked.
"Our family," Annie smiled, "time with you and the kids. You?"
"Us," Josh replied, "do you not go back on Friday to help Allie?"
"A little," Annie admitted, "I know for us it's financially better for me to go full time but."
"You want to help your sister because we didn't always have that help," Josh replied.
"We did a lot more on our own," Annie agreed, "but they're getting married. I know they've basically been married for years but still it's Allison."
"I remember the day she was born," Josh replied.
"So do I," Annie smiled, "what's next for us? Ellie is in grade 12, she graduates."
"She's off to college," Josh smiled, "then it will be the boys."
"We have Heather for a while yet," Annie agreed, "last year of Matt in middle school. This three schools thing is tough."
"It is," Josh agreed, "but their ages."
"I know," Annie agreed, "our little surprise keeps surprising us. You should have heard her today."
"What did she do," Josh asked.
"The way she was talking to Everly," Annie smiled, "it was cute. Ev was getting mad I wouldn't let her walk."
"Why didn't you," Josh asked.
"Crowds, strange city, she's so unstable," Annie replied, "I kept her in the stroller. I know Allie and Asher have a carrier for her but she's too long for me in a carrier now."
"She's going to be tall," Josh agreed.
"Her parents are," Annie replied, "all of ours will out grow me. Ellie is a couple inches taller, Matt is taller, Henry is my height. Heather is even catching up."
"Ellie is most like you," Josh said.
"Matt is most like you then the others are a mix," Annie agreed.
"When mom is 5'3" on a good day she's easy to out grow," Josh said.
"No need to call me short," Annie teased, "we can't all be 6'4"."
"Has Ellie talked to you about Catrina," Josh asked.
"A little," Annie said, "her and Allie. Allison was going to talk to Mama. Did the boys say something?"
"Leo was asked to buy her alcohol," Josh said, "he said no."
"I think they all learned a very valuable lesson with Allison, Asher and Everly," Annie said, "Josh what's next for us?"
"We raise our kids, spend time together, work," Josh said, "then we see. Annie we don't have to decide now."
"I do want more time the two of us now that the kids are a bit bigger," Annie said, "date nights and even the odd night away."
"We do need that," Josh said, "dates."
"Dates," Annie echoed.
As they walked Teddy and Owen chatted softly.
"Retirement," Teddy asked.
"Soon," Owen agreed.
"What will we do," Teddy asked, "Owen I've worked since I was 14."
"Slow down slowly like you've been doing," Owen said.
"I'm going to only 4 day weeks," Teddy said, "Tuesday to Friday so we both get Monday."
"I'm doing 4 only and I'm asking for no more weekends," Owen agreed, "I'm the old guy. I want long weekends with my wife. We could head to the cabin after work Friday and come back Monday after dinner. I want to spend more time with my mom."
"I know," Teddy said, "she's declining. I'm worried about Annie."
"Annie seems good," Owen replied.
"Leslie," Teddy replied.
"She's on her last legs," Owen agreed.
"It will be hard for Annie," Teddy replied, "I know the relationship has been tough but it's still her mom. That's still the mom that raised her."
"It is," Owen agreed, "she'll take it hard. She'll go to you."
"Us," Teddy replied, "are we ready to walk our oldest through losing a parent?"
"I think she knows it's coming," Owen said, "I know how hard it is."
"It's going to be hell," Teddy replied, "she'll relapse and not eat."
"She will," Owen agreed, "but you'll be there, Josh, Megan, me we'll all be there. Our family is strong."
"We are," Teddy said, "together. We did it. Owen we did it."
"We did," Owen agreed, "we're still doing it."
"Did you ever imagine this years ago in the sand," Teddy questioned.
"No not like this," Owen said, "the kids yes. I never got beyond that."
"Our three," Teddy said.
"Not how I expected but three kids, two sons in law, three grand daughters, two grand sons," Owen said.
"The grandkids," Teddy said, "I never pictured that but now I couldn't imagine not being grandma. Even if 4 speak better french than I do."
"It's cool to watch them use it and be confident with it," Owen said, "that was a real gift Marie gave all of them."
"It is," Teddy said.
"You never kept the german with the little two you tried to start it," Owen said.
"Annie's french won out once she started having kids," Teddy replied, "Chris there were more of us speaking french."
"Your german came back," Owen said.
"It surprised me," Teddy smiled, "I hadn't used it in 20 years."
"I wish someone had taught me a second language or I had learned one years ago," Owen said.
"Retirement hobby," Teddy suggested, "we need hobbies as we slow down. I think we need to find things to do as we stop working."
"You've been researching," Owen asked.
"I have been," Teddy said, "I want to learn to play the piano. We got lessons for Leo and Allison it's still in the living room I want to play. Lets hike and travel. Get kayaks. What do you want to do?"
"Fish," Owen said, "hike, travel. I want to write a book."
"Lets do it," Teddy said, "we have time. We're not that old."
"Grey but not old," Owen said.
"Grey and wrinkled," Teddy agreed, "but we've lived. Owen look at the life we built, the things we survived. It's not the awards or medals. It's our family. All those years that we searched and struggled."
"This is right," Owen agreed, "mom always said Megan and I were the best thing she ever did. I agree, our kids, the grandkids."
"That was fun Ev and Heather in our room this morning," Teddy said, "but how did Ev?"
"I heard Matt," Owen said.
"Because Heather can't lift Ev but they're 4 and 4," Teddy said, "it's Leo, Ellie, Matt and Henry then Heather went in the room with Allie, Asher and Ev."
"They knew then," Owen replied.
"She brings Ev up to see me first thing at home," Teddy replied, "still in their pajamas on days her and I are both home. There's still mornings when you're working and Allie comes to sit with me on our bed. She just brings Ev now."
"She's always come to our bed like that," Owen replied, "sit on the foot of it and talk to you."
"We have a lot of important conversations like that," Teddy agreed.
"Two more nights," Asher whispered in Allison's ear as they finished cleaning up dinner.
"I know," Allison whispered, "baby in her own room."
Asher wrapped his arms around her from behind and playfully kissed the side of her neck.
"Annie's kids and my brother," Allison laughed.
"Watching a movie," Asher replied.
"So we have no privacy," Allison sighed, "two nights."
"We haven't been alone in 17 days," Asher replied.
"Worth the trip though," Allison said.
"I just want more then a good night kiss," Asher whispered.
"I know," Allison said, "two nights. Then we'll be home and have our place to ourselves."
"This is why I like having a floor between us and your parents," Asher replied.
"I agree," Allison said.
"Allie, are you coming," Ellie called.
"In a minute," Allison replied.
The younger girls in bed, the older kids and young adults sat around the table to play cards.