Allison ran into the basement suite, "Ash I did it! I got in!"
"Med school," Asher asked.
"UW," Allison confirmed.
"Dr Blouin," Asher beamed, spinning her around.
"Can we do it," Allison asked, "can we really afford it?"
"We'll make it work, we're not going on a honeymoon, " Asher said, "I'm done with my apprenticeship. It's a big raise, it's not doctor money but it's more than my parents make."
"Student loans," Allison said.
"Probably," Asher agreed, "minimum we can."
"My tuition and we pay the rest," Allison said, "is it fair to Everly?"
"To see her mom become a doctor," Asher said.
"She'll be 8 when I finish is it really fair," Allison asked.
"Allie you need to follow your dreams," Asher said, "we'll do it together."
"Our wedding," Allison asked.
"This summer," Asher said, "we'll do it. Babe we can have it all."
"I know we will," Allison smiled.
"Mom," Everly walked into the room using her crutches, she was getting more confident with them at home and using them for physio at school.
"Hi princess," Allison said, hugging her daughter.
"Are you done school," Everly asked.
"For the weekend," Allison said, "six more weeks then it's summer and I'm home more. I have 4 more years of school though. I'm going to be a surgeon like grandma, grandpa, auntie Annie, uncle Josh, auntie Megan and Fraoke."
"Grandma," Everly asked.
"Is at work," Allison said, "can you set up for our tea party while I call her."
"Allison," Teddy picked up on the first ring.
"Mom I did it," Allison yelled, "I got into UW for med school. I start in September."
"Yes," Teddy cheered and turned to Owen who was sitting beside her, "Owen she's in UW."
"I know it's not Harvard like Annie and dad," Allison said, "I know it's a state school not Ivy League."
"Allie, it's a great school," Teddy said, "you did it. Speciality?"
"Paediatrician maybe," Allison said, "or peds surgeon, something to help kids like Ev, families like mine."
"You did it baby girl," Teddy said, "I'm so proud of you. Everything you've done, how hard you've worked. You've had to work so hard to get here. I'm thrilled. I went to a state school. Did that hold me back?"
"No," Allison said.
"And Texas Southwestern is not as well known as UW," Teddy said, "UW has a partnership with GSM already."
"My residency," Allison said.
"Four years away," Teddy replied, "but you go where you match. Asher can work anywhere in the country, you'll be okay."
"Everly," Allison asked.
"Will be so proud of her mom," Teddy answered.
"She'll be 8 by the time I finish med school and 13 when I finish residency," Allison said.
"And you'll still be young," Teddy replied, "30?"
"31/32," Allison said, "I'm 22 now. I know Annie started Med school at 21 but."
"You took 4 years to do your degree," Teddy said, " that's normal. Your sister was running from a different set of circumstances, she was trying to get out of Cloverdale at all costs. Allison, you have a degree in biology focusing on biomechanics. You did it on time and raised a beautiful daughter, doing it all with your fiance. Leo still has a year left. You're done before your older brother."
"Almost," Allison said, "finish the semester."
"You did it and raised your daughter," Teddy said, "and you've still had a life. You get married this summer."
"If I'm going back to school can we stay in the basement," Allison asked.
"As long as you are in school yes," Teddy replied, "we told you two that 3 years ago."
"Asher got a raise so we can finally start paying proper rent," Allison said.
"I know you've supported yourselves on an apprentices wages and what you get at Safeway for years," Teddy said, "you do well. So we only charge you utilities. We will do that as long as you're in school."
"Mom," Allison said.
"Your dad will agree," Teddy said, "and he'd miss all of you too much. Who else will pounce on grandpa demanding a popsicle?"
"Just dad," Allison asked.
"Me two," Teddy agreed, "Allison we both know med school is hugely expensive. We're not going to ask you two to pay more than your share of the utilities until you graduate. You and Asher worry about your other expenses first."
"I feel like we're taking advantage," Allison said.
"No honey," Teddy said, "you two pay your cars, food and other living expenses. Dad and I don't need the money. Asher does all the yard work you do a lot of house work for me. You contribute all the time."
"And how much do you babysit," Allison asked.
"That's the fun of being grandma," Teddy smiled, "I get to do it way more for Everly then I did for Annie's kids."
"Heather is 8," Allison said, "Ellie is finishing her first year of college. She's still not happy about UW."
"Well she wasn't ready to leave and she isn't 18 yet," Teddy said, "what are your plans for the weekend?"
"Liv is home," Allison said, "I like catching up but it's hard. She travels doing nothing really, nothing to tie her down. It's been two years since I've seen her. We've hardly talked."
"And you've been a mom since you were 18," Teddy said, "what has she done?"
"She works for 6/8 months then travels for a few," Allison said, "she comes home when she's out of money.
"Allison you've done a lot you've had a lot of successes," Teddy said, "you got into med school you got a biomechanics degree while raising a special needs child
"She's doing good," Allison said," hopefully we can get rid of the walker soon. She only wants it when she's tired or it's crowded, she's getting better with her crutches . The leg braces will be a while longer."
"Allison you have a child with cerebral palsy," Teddy said, "if she has a limp or uses crutches and braces that's minor."
"She did the stairs without me this week," Allison said, "she went up to see dad."
"She made it all the way to our office ," Teddy said.
"Dad is cute with her," Allison said.
"But don't tell him that," Teddy replied, "Everly is his favourite."
"It's obvious," Allison said, "Annie's kids know."
"I think because she's needed so much extra support," Teddy said.
"I wouldn't have done biomechanics or thought of med school without her CP," Allison admitted.
"I know," Teddy said, "and it's why you'll be an amazing paediatrician or Peds surgeon. You understand what the parents are going through."
"Mommy," Everly called.
"She's waiting for a tea party," Allison told Teddy.
"Congratulations baby girl," Teddy said, "go enjoy your tea party."
Allison hung up and found her daughter sitting at the play table in the corner of their living room.
"Did you have a good day baby," Allison asked.
"No," Everly said, "it hurt."
"What hurt," Allison asked.
"Carly," Everly replied, complaining about the physio therapist.
"What did you do," Allison asked.
"Balls," Everly said.
"Did you kick a ball," Allison asked.
"No," Everly whined, "I fell."
"That's okay baby we'll practice," Allison promised.
"You and I need to talk about physio," Asher said.
"I know I'm questioning," Allison said, "but it's through the school district and we're out of private sessions through insurance until January, six a year isn't enough. I did the Fox foundation forms and will hopefully get approved for more sessions just waiting for Link to sign off. She's walking without her walker at home. It's only on walks and at the park, she's getting good with her crutches at school and out. "
"She is," Asher agreed, "now do my princesses need anything for their tea?"
"Tea," Allison said.
"Really Allie," Asher asked.
"Iced," Allison said, "I made some of that passion fruit one yesterday, it's in the fridge."
"Mommy isn't a princess," everly said.
"What is she," Asher asked.
"The queen," Everly said.
"She can be the queen," Asher agreed.
Leo texted Allison, "so?"
Allison, "you first."
Leo, "Texas Southwestern. You?"
Allison, "UW. staying home."
Leo, "we're going to be doctors. Allie we did it!"
Allison, 'we did. Have you told mom and dad?"
Leo, "I told you first. Have you told them?"
Allison, "yes. Mom was second to know. I told Ash first."
Leo, "what do I tell Char?"
Allison, "the truth. You want this it's your dream."
Leo, "if Asher hadn't supported you?"
Allison, "I would have fought it. It would have been Everly needing me that would stop it. So you're going even further away?"
Leo, "it's time Allie."
Allison, "but Everly?"
Leo, "I'll still do story time, don't worry."
Allison, "congrats Leo!"
Leo, "you too."
That night Allison met up with her old friend for a drink.
"Liv," Allison asked.
"Allie," Olivia called.
"You've fallen off the face of social media," Allison commented, she instantly noticed her friend's rounded belly. She wondered if Liv was pregnant, it looked like a baby bump. Olivia noticed Allison looking and but her hand on her belly.
"This is why I need to talk to you," Olivia said, "I can't be a mom. I'm not ready."
"You can," Allison said, "I said the same thing."
"You have Asher," Olivia said, "how's Everly?"
"She's hardly using her walker now and did the stairs yesterday without holding someone's hand. It's both hands on the railing but she did it ," Allison beamed, "Liv what's going on?"
"I'm pregnant," Olivia said.
"Congratulations," Allison said, "how are you doing?"
"I know you were looking forward to a drink," Olivia said, "I should have told you."
"When are you due," Allison asked.
"May 15," Olivia said, "only my mom knew. I wasn't ready to see anyone."
"Liv," Allison said, "what's happening? Why didn't you call me?"
"You wouldn't get it," Olivia said, "it was a one night stand. He's never called me back."
"One night stand," Allison said, "I wouldn't get that. I was 17, I was so drunk I didn't know where I was or that it was Asher until we woke up in bed the next morning, we passed out drunk after."
"You never told me," Olivia said.
"No one needed to know," Allison replied, "but I'm saying I get what you're going through. What's your plan?"
"Keeping him, living with my parents and getting a real job," Olivia said, "I'm working on my real estate licence."
"Liv why didn't you tell me," Allison asked.
"I was embarrassed," Olivia said, "you did it and were calm and we were in high school and I'm a mess. I have no career, no savings, nowhere to live."
Allison reached for her friend's hand, "what can I do?"
"Just listen," Olivia said.
"What do you know about your baby boy," Allison asked.
"He moves a lot ," Olivia said, "but it looks like he has a heart defect and something with his diaphragm. I've been sent to a doctor at your mom's hospital."
"Who," Allison asked.
"Grace Altman I think," Olivia said, "she's going to be expensive. I don't have insurance."
"I'll call Annie," Allison said, "Grace is her legal first name. Annie is just a nickname at home."
"It's Annie," Olivia said, "no."
"Annie is the best," Allison assured, "she's spent her whole adult life on this. Trust my sister. I've observed in her OR she's so good with kids. They called her Mary Poppins when she was a resident."
"Observing in her OR," Olivia asked.
"It's been at least two years, Liv," Allison said, "I'm going to med school at UW in september."
"Why," Olivia asked, "you were determined not to."
"Then my daughter got diagnosed with cerebral palsy and I started studying bio mechanics to help her and I want to help kids like her," Allison said, "we have an amazing team. Ortho and neuro surgeons, physio and occupational therapists, early intervention programs through the school district. It's hard being a special needs mom but it's worth it. She was almost 2 before she could stand on her own and 2 and a half before she took her first step. She was 3 before she walked without a walker at all and we only just switched to crutches at home this week. She's still using the walker outside most of the time because it's stable, she uses her crutches at school and is trying on her own at home where she's most comfortable. Everly is the best thing in my life. She's so smart and is already starting to read. She loves books and is picking up French from me, Annie and Chris and their kids. She's 4 in a couple months."
"You have a ring," Olivia said.
"We get married in July," Allison said, "together almost 5 years now."
"When did he propose," Olivia asked.
"Almost two years ago," Allison said, "I was totally surprised. We decided not to rush and have a long engagement, let me finish college and his apprenticeship."
"Not a rush," Olivia said, "you've been together since senior year."
"Because of our daughter," Allison said, "there were times we came close to breaking up with all the stress. We were 17, Liv, that was really young. There's things Ash and I have missed out on."
"Like what," Olivia asked.
"I've never been to a club and gotten dressed up to go out drinking with a group of girl friends," Allison said, "neither of us has been able to stay out all night and party with our friends. Travel, we go to the cabin, camping. I'd like to go back to Europe someday but maybe after residency. We're not doing a honeymoon because I start med school in the fall and we need the money for that."
"You have a degree and some one who loves you," Olivia said.
"We've worked," Allison said, "we've worked and we've fought. Oh, have we fought. A kid is stressful but with Everly's CP it's harder. We have to fight for her and he likes to coddle her and have her be his princess and I know we have to push her."
"Her walking," Olivia asked.
"She'll always need support," Allison said, "the basement suite can be hard with all the stairs. She's figuring out the stairs she clings to the railings to go up and comes down on her bum she can walk down with the railing but she likes sliding down. My dad loves it. She goes up and finds him begging for popsicles."
"Have you thought of moving," Olivia asked.
"We can still carry her easily," Allison said, "dads looking at a stair lift for Everly but we can all carry her. We've toyed with getting an apartment and if I was working right away we would have but with me in school we can't afford it on what Asher makes."
"How does it work," Olivia asked.
"We've always lived on what we make," Allison said, "Liv it's not easy but it's doable."
"Your wedding," Olivia asked.
"Just in the backyard at home," Allison said, "Everly can navigate the yard on her own. It's not a huge wedding. We're hoping this finally stops the fight with his parents."
"Wedding details," Olivia asked.
"White dress, tux," Allison smiled, "Everly is our flower girl and Eden's son Joshua is the ring bearer. Dad's having a hard time even though I'm not leaving the house."
"Your mom," Olivia asked.
"She's good," Allison said, "she's stepped back at work and is teaching more and overseeing all the research projects."
"Leo," Olivia asked.
"He graduates this semester then is going to Texas Southwestern where mom went for Med School," Allison said.
"You beat him," Olivia asked.
"He's had his own challenges," Allison said, "we're close now."
"Everly," Olivia asked, "he hated her."
"He's amazing as uncle Leo and spoils Everly completely rotten. Him and I have worked it out. His girlfriend really helped," Allison said, "Ev likes that he brings presents and will play with her but she prefers Annie. Annie is around more."
"What's she doing," Olivia asked.
"She's head of Cardio now," Allison said, "Ellie is at UBC, pre-med of course. Matt is in ninth, Henry is in 8th and Heather is in third."
"Is she still married," Olivia asked.
"Josh yes," Allison said, "those two wouldn't know how to function without each other."
"Have you been here before," Olivia asked.
"All the time," Allison said, "Ava serves here."
"Do you see her," Olivia asked.
"Not as often as I want to but she's busy with nursing school and working and I'm in school, working and my family," Allison said, "we talk most days still."
"How is she," Olivia asked.
"Ava is great, " Allison smiled, "she's my maid of honour."
Ava approached the table.
"Allie, where's Everly," Ava asked, "you and Asher usually bring her. I was about to make a Shirley temple for her."
"Cat is babysitting. I'm here, Ash is with Jonah and Tyson," Allison said.
Ava did a double take of the person sitting across from Allison , "Olivia?"
"Ava," Olivia said.
"I'm off in 15 wait for me," Ava asked.
"Yes," Allison smiled.
"Do you still talk to anyone else from high school," Olivia asked.
"Carmen and Eden," Allison said, "Carmen is in nursing school with Ava and Eden has a year left to be a kindergarten teacher. The kids are four or almost and we still get them together once a month. We just took all the kids to the cabin last weekend."
"With their dads," Olivia asked.
"Ash is the only dad involved but Carmen's boyfriend is wonderful and good with Taylor. Eden is engaged to Jonah. She started seeing Jonah from our school when the kids were about six months," Allison said.
"Jonah and Tyson," Olivia asked, :"Asher's dopey buddies."
"Yes," Allison said, "Jonah is engaged to Eden they met in our first year of college . Tyson has a girlfriend and they come to play the cool aunt and uncle. I like Celeste. Ev loves uncle Tyson and auntie Celeste. Celeste is training to be a speech therapist and has the best games for Ev that make her talk and think."
"Can she talk," Olivia asked.
"All day if we let her," Allison smiled, "she's very verbal. Always has been. Cienna just has her expanding her vocabulary."
"Does this really work," Olivia asked, "with a kid?"
"Yes," Allison said, "I don't regret it. Olivia I'm glad I kept Ev even without Asher I would have kept her. It would have been a lot harder but I could do it."
Ava finished her shift and joined them.
"Olivia and Allison wow," Ava said.
"We have stuff to talk about," Allison said, "things that still hurt."
"Calling Everly defective," Olivia said.
"Liv what if that was your baby," Allison said, "what if someone said it about your little boy?"
"I know," Olivia said, "Allie I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
"I can," Allison said, "it's going to take awhile before you can see Ev though."
"My baby," Olivia asked.
"I'll help as much as I can," Allison said, "and I can answer any questions. She's almost 4 we survived the baby years."
"Everly is amazing," Ava said, "she's a great kid."
Allison smiled.
"Ava kids, boyfriend," Olivia asked.
"Nice order," Allison laughed.
"Single as usual," Ava replied, "I have a first date tomorrow though."
"Which guy," Allison asked, "you were talking to three."
"Xray tech," Ava replied, "I met him on my last practicum."
"You have one more year," Allison confirmed.
"I do," Ava said, "have you heard?"
"UW," Allison smiled.
"Yes," Ava squealed, hugging Allison.
"Maybe we can work together," Allison suggested.
"I'm going to do my nurse practitioner," Ava said, "paediatrics."
"You're amazing in peds," Allison said, "you've been so good with Everly."
"She's hard to treat," Ava said, "I'm too emotionally involved. But Liv, what are you doing other than having a baby?"
"Working on my real estate licence," Olivia said, "back at my parents."
"Hows that," Allison asked.
"Frustrating," Olivia said, "my mom watches my every move, every walk I go on everything I eat."
"Mom was like that when I was pregnant," Allison agreed, "I hover with Ev when she's not 100%. It's being a mom."
"She's really the mom friend," Ava teased, "I'm sure she has bandaids, kids and adult tylenol, wet wipes and snacks in her purse."
"You forgot the crayons and stickers," Allison said.
"She always carried snacks," Olivia teased.
"I like snacks," Allison smiled.
"Are we eating, grabbing drinks," Ava said, "Liv I make great virgin cocktails."
"Food," Allison said, "I didn't have lunch."
"Just food," Olivia replied, "I'm good with water."
"Allie," Ava asked.
"Water is good," Allison replied, knowing how hard it was to be the one not drinking.
The three friends spent the rest of the evening catching up on the last couple years.