Allison walked out of the bathroom after getting ready for her first day of medical school. She hoped she had chosen the right outfit. Neat black pants, a soft purple top and her black jacket with heels. She didn't know what medical students wore but it was her first day and she was dressing to impress. Her hair hung in waves down her back while her green eyes were emphasized by thick lashes.

"Breathe babe," Asher said, "it's just school. You're good at that."

"Medical school," Allison gulped.

"You've got this," Asher said, "I made your coffee and there's toast in the toaster for you."

"Ev to school," Allison asked.

"Your dad it's Wednesday that means grandpa day," Asher said, "it's your first day you can't be late. Allie, you're ready. Medical school dr Blouin. My wife is a doctor."

"Medical student," Allison corrected.

"But you will be a doctor," Asher countered.

"Surgeon," Allison smiled, "the family business. We might have to move for my residency."

"We'll cross that bridge then," Asher promised, "breathe babe you're going to be great. Your Allison Blouin, how could you not be."

"I'll wake Ev up before I go," Allison said.

"What do you want on your toast," Asher asked.

"Peanut butter," Allison replied, "don't you have to get to work?"

"It's a shop day before the next job we're 9-5 today," Asher replied.

"I'm done at 3 so I'll pick her up," Allison said, "this week is orientation week then next week is the real schedule."

"I know," Asher said.

Allison walked into Everlys room.

"Wake up princess," Allison smiled, sitting on the edge of Everlys bed and kissing her forehead.

"Mommy," Everly yawned.

"Time to rise and shine," Allison said, "we go back to school today."

"Dr school," Everly asked.

"For me and pre k for you," Allison smiled, "let's get you up and dressed."

"Can you carry me," Everly asked.

"To the bathroom," Allison smiled, "I have your tights the thick ones so your braces don't rub and a brand new dress."

"Is it pink," Everly asked.

"It is with stars on it," Allison promised.

Allison carried Everly to the bathroom and helped her with her morning routine.

"I have to go," Allison said once Everly was ready for the day, "it's your first full day of pre k. I love you so much princess. Your going to have so much fun. Grandpa will take you to school and I'll pick you up from daycare."

"Can you come," Everly asked.

"I came for the half day yesterday. Grandpa is taking you today," Allison replied, "you liked Ms Younger. You'll have fun I promise."

"Really," everly asked.

"Really," Allison promised, "Ev I have to go to school."

"Bye mommy," Everly said reaching for a hug.

"Bye princess," Allison smiled hugging her, "I'll see you at 3:45 and we'll go swimming."

"Promise," Everly asked.

"I promise," Allison assured.

"Good luck, Dr Blouin," Asher said, kissing her.

"Still have to change it at school and legally," Allison reminded him, "I applied and registered as my maiden name, I need to go toe the registrar and change it when I get my newID."

"Either way my wife's a doctor," Asher smiled, "have a great day."

"You two," Allison smiled, kissing him quickly, "love you."

"Love you too," Asher smiled.

Allison drove the familiar route to campus and made her way to the medical school building. She signed in and found her name tag with her name written on it in green. She grimaced seeing Altman- Hunt on her name tag. She looked around for blanks to change it to Blouin. She was going to use her married name so she got to stand on her own two feet. She wasn't going to ride on her parents names. She was her own person.

"Hi," a woman with long dark hair greeted.

"Hi," Allison smiled, "I'm Allison Altman-Hunt. Sorry Allison Blouin. I got married three weeks ago the name is new."

"Mona Avril," the woman smiled, "Altman-Hunt? Any relation to Grace Altman or Theodora Altman?"

"Teddy is my mom and Grace is my sister," Allison replied, "so your cardio bound then?"

"Cardio thoracic surgery," Mona said.

"Taking the cardio elective with Theodora Altman," Allison asked, "and the peds cardio with Grace Altman."

"I am, are you," Mona asked.

"No it's been dinner table conversation my whole life," Allison said, "I'm interested in peds or Everly."

"Where did you go to college," Mona asked.

"Here," Allison replied, "you?"

"Connecticut state," Mona replied, "you're from Seattle?"

"My whole life," Allison smiled, "you?"

"Dallas," Mona said, "so Seattle do you want to show me around after class?"

"I have to get home right away," Allison said.

"Hubby is waiting," Mona asked.

"Husband and daughter," Allison replied.

"So you're coming back to school after a while then," Mona guessed.

"No," Allison replied, "I just finished college. Everly doesn't know me not being in school."

"Everly is," Mona asked.

"My daughter, she's 4," Allison replied, "I started college when she was 3 months old. She's a great kid. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," Mona said, "we broke up when I came out here. Your husband have single friends?"

"Not really," Allison said, "lots of couples in our group and most couples have kids or will soon."

"What does your partner do," Mona asked.

"Asher is an industrial electrician," Allison answered.

"And you're in med school wow," Mona said.

"It works for us," Allison replied.

"How old were you when you got married ," Mona asked.

"We got married a month ago so 22," Allison said.

Mona quickly did the math, "you were 18."

"Still in high school," Allison shrugged.

"So your challenge essay," Mona asked.

"About being a young mom and still pursuing my dreams with a special needs daughter," Allison said, "Everly has cerebral palsy; she was diagnosed at 5 months. But today is her first day of full day pre-k and she's excited."

"Do you have pictures," Mona asked.

"I do," Allison said, she showed Mona the one Asher had taken of her and Everly that morning ready for the first day of school.

"She's gorgeous," Mona smiled, "she looks like you."

"I see more of her dad," Allison said, "my eyes but the rest is all her dad."

"So Seattle," Mona said, "what do you know about the hospitals."

"I'm really comfortable at Grey Sloan. My mom was chief of surgery there for like 15 years," Allison said, "and we do most of our surgical time there and a few other rotations."

"If I wanted to observe," Mona asked.

"You ask," Allison replied, "dr Ndugu is the person for cardio he does the medical student stuff and Jr residents . Grace will and so will my mom but go through Ndugu. Winston is really nice. Or Nathan Riggs."

"You know them," Mona asked.

"Nathan is my uncle," Allison replied, "he's with my dad's sister. Why here?"

"The Altman's," Mona said, "birthplace of the Altman method, the Yang- Altman- Robbins. Heart in a box. Dr Yang and dr Pierce are here. Only 2 men in their main cardio team. Women who have done it. Altman's, Yang, Pierce."

"Sounds like a dinner party," Allison laughed, "don't ask Yang to bring food but she brings the best wines. Pierce can really cook."

"So why here," Mona asked, "your name you could go anywhere."

"My daughter," Allison admitted, "we didn't want to take Everly away from everything she's ever known. She's so attached to my parents and we live in their basement suite."

"Allie," Xyuan said, joining them.

"Hey," Allison smiled, hugging her friend.

"So married life," Xyuan asked.

"It's great," Allison smiled, "first day you ready?"

"I am," Xyuan said, "you?"

"Yes, getting Ev ready for her first full day of pre-k was hard," Allison said, "but she's so excited."

"Did Asher take her," Xyuan asked.

"My dad," Allison replied, "it's grandpa's day."

"You know each other," Mona observed.

"A few years now," Xyuan said, "Ev wasn't walking yet."

"Three," Allison replied, "Xyuan this is Mona we met this morning."

"You got green group two," Mona said, "we're all green group."

"We need to sign up for surgical observations," Xyuan said, "we have two choices. Grey Sloan and Seattle Presbatarian."

"I'm going to do Seattle Pres," Allison said, "I want to do it on my own. Annie got to at Mass Gen, Leo is in Texas. I need to do it on my own."

"Who's Annie," Mona asked.

"My older sister," Allison replied, "family nickname. Easy way to tell if the person working with her is some one she's really close to or known for a long time."

They made their way into the large lecture theatre for the welcoming session and information. Allison made a few notes and nodded as they went through expectations for the first year and what would be expected for them when they visited hospitals and clinics. She was signing up for rotations where she could be away from Grey Sloan, not that she didn't love the people there, but they were too close, she had know them for too long, she needed to start fresh as Allison Blouin, not as Owen and Teddy's daughter or Grace's sister. She had to do this for herself on her own merit.

Driving home that night Allison called Leo.

"Allie how did it go," Leo asked.

"Pretty good," Allison said, "so glad I changed my last name."

"Being an Altman here when she's a star alumni is hard," Leo said.

"My name tag had Altman-Hunt," Allison said, "so people saw that and jumped to Mom and Nee."

"You get to change your name," Leo said, "I'm stuck. Altman - Hunt in a program with a lot of army links."

"You could," Allison said, "Nee did."

"She had a reason to," Leo said, "We've talked a lot about it since I found my grandparents."

"What did she say," Allison asked.

"You have to ask," Leo replied,

"Will we ever be out of their shadows," Allison asked.

"One day," Leo said, "one day you'll be better than mom and Annie put together and I'll out rank both mom and dad."

"I want ortho," Allison said.

"Then you be the best at it," Leo said.

"What if we let them down," Allison asked, "we're not perfect Annie."

"She's not perfect," Leo said, "her and mom have some very intertwined trauma. Dad sees it."

"I've never talked to dad about it," Allison said, "I just can't let them down again."

"You won't," Leo said, "you'll be a doctor."

"But state school," Allison said.

"So am I," Leo replied, "so did mom."

"But you're going where she went," Allison said, "Annie went to Harvard."

"And you get to be yourself," Leo said, "you get to go in as Allison Blouin."

"I don't think they're thrilled," Allison said.

"Mom's the last Altman," Leo replied, "she wants the name to live on."

"She has you, Matt and Henry," Allison quipped, "Dad doesn't have to worry he has you and Faroke is just Hunt."

"Why did you do it," Leo asked.

"Match my husband and daughter," Allison replied, "Leo Asher is the most supportive person in my life. It's unconditional. There's no link to my success or failure. I don't have to measure up to Annie. I can just be me. I can tell him things I can't tell anyone."

"Your lucky," Leo replied, "Charlotte has no clue sometimes how hard it is."

"We've also lived together since we were 17," Allison replied, "we have to rely on each other. Mom and dad don't support us financially the way you or Annie have been supported. Ash and I pay our own rent, our half of the utilities, food, medical insurance, medical bills. Ya sometimes they help up front but we pay it back."

"They're paying some of my rent," Leo admitted.

"I get it, I'm married," Allison said, "ash works more than full time. I have my scholarships that cover all of my school expenses."

"What do you pay in rent," Leo asked.

"500 plus utilities so about 650," Allison replied, "you?"

"Total rent on my place that's half the size of yours with a roommate is 2400," Leo said, "mom and dad pay 600 of my 1200."

"So it's even," Allison replied, "our place market rent is 2700 a month."

"And you get to use the back yard," Leo replied, "we don't. I can't even have a bbq."

"We have the side patio by our stairs but ash and I also do 95% of the yard work," Allison replied, "my garden is a passion project. I know it started as my LID project in elementary school on plants but I love it and having my veggies and fruit."

"I stole some of your jam from the pantry in the garage," Leo admitted.

"Of course you did," Allison replied, "you always do. I make more than we can eat. Annie and auntie Megan steal it two so does Ellie."

"My roommate likes it," Leo said.

"What's with the divide and conquer approach right now," Allison asked, "mom is in Texas with you and dads here."

"Both starting med school," Leo replied.

"I wanted mom to see Evs first day of real school," Allison admitted.

"How did it go," Leo asked.

"She loved it," Allison said, "I got to do the half day orientation with her yesterday. She was so excited today but dad took her. Parents can't go in today anyway. Dad sent me pictures."

"Can you send me some," Leo asked.

"I will," Allison agreed.

"The army stuff there's a pension and life insurance," Leo said, "I want to put it in Evs name. I need her Social Security number."

"I'll get it at home," Allison said, "but my daughter?"

"Yes," Leo said, "if I ever marry or have kids I'll change it but Ev is special."

"What about the keep it fair with Annie's kids thing," Allison asked.

"But you and I have a different relationship," Leo said, "we're siblings in a way we're not with her. We didn't all grow up together. Annie is our sister but she acts more like an aunt. Her kids are like Cat and Faroke. More like cousins. "

"I guess Ellie is more of a friend but Heather isn't," Allison agreed.

"Your closer to them than I am," Leo said, "Ellie is 5 years younger and Matt is almost 10."

"Matt is almost 4 years younger than Ellie," Allison said.

"So will you," Leo asked.

"After school," Allison replied, "you?"

"I don't know," Leo said, "I'll have to serve and I don't want to do that to a kid. I talked to Chris."

"I want to keep talking but I'm just pulling up to Evs school," Allison said.

"Text me later," Leo said.

"I will." Allison replied.

Allison parked and walked to the classroom.

"Mommy," Everly called.

"Hi princess," Allison smiled as Everly made her way over, "how was your day?"

"We made castles and played out side and we got to eat in the cafeteria with the big kids," Everly said, "I saw Heather!"

"You saw Heather at lunch," Allison asked.

Everly nodded.

"What was for lunch," Allison asked.

"Chicken and rice and apples," Everly said.

"Did you have a snack," Allison asked.

"Yes," Everly replied.

"Let's sign you out," Allison said, "we'll go home, have ice cream and go swimming."

"Yay," Everly said, "can grandma come?"

"Grandma is still in Texas with uncle Leo," Allison said, "we can facetime her when we get home."

Allison grabbed Everlys crutches letting her use her walker.

"Mrs Blouin," a teacher called.

"Hi," Allison greeted, "it's Allison. Mrs Blouin is my mother in law."

"I have a couple questions for tomorrow afternoon," the teacher said.

"Okay," Allison replied, "ask away."

"We have water play tomorrow afternoon," the teacher said, "can Everly participate."

"She loves the water," Allison replied.

"We have a sprinkler and a couple splash pools," the teacher replied.

"I'll send a swimsuit and towel with her water shoes," Allison replied, "she can't wear her braces in the water. She has to use the walker in the sprinkler."

"Is it safe," the teacher asked.

"She's had swimming lessons since she was 12 months," Allison replied, "we have an above ground pool in the back yard. She's very confident in and around water. Her movement is a lot better in the water."

"Okay," the teacher said.

Allison finished signing Everly out and they made their way to the car.

As they walked into the basement Allison's phone buzzed in her pocket.

"Hi mom," Allison answered.

"So tell me how was the first day," Teddy asked, "I wish I was there to see it."

"You couldn't come to class anyway," Allison.

"I will be there for your white coat ceremony," Teddy replied, "yours and Leo's are then days apart so dad and I can go to both together. Yours is at the beginning of October, then we leave on Oct 8 for Leo's on the 9th. We're just going for 48 hours."

"You go away soon though," Allison said.

"It got pushed to March. Doctors without borders needs us from the end to the end of May. We're back five days before Evs birthday," Teddy replied.

"Did you go to Annie's white coat," Allison asked.

"I didn't," Teddy said, "hers was at the start of her second year and I was just moving to Germany. But your dad was in Boston for a conference so she had him see it."

"Dad went to Annie's white coat," Allison asked.

"He did because I couldn't," Teddy replied, "I tried. And I watched the video when it was posted after but it wasn't the same. I didn't get one as a student. Yours is the first one I get to go to."

"Really," Allison asked.

"Yes," Teddy promised, "so the rest of your day how was orientation?"

"Jackson spoke," Allison said, "he was good. I need plain grey surgical caps."

"We'll get some," Teddy assured, "but the people?"

"A couple seemed nice," Allison said, "it was a lot of stand here, sit here, get your photo taken. But we get Cadavers in two weeks."

"Taking a person apart," Teddy said, "you're excited."

"I am," Allison replied, "we have to do some training first."

"You do," Teddy agreed, "but you've seen surgery."

"On live people," Allison said.

"Did you have a good day baby girl," Teddy asked.

"I did," Allison said.

"And Ev's first day," Teddy asked.

"She loved it," Allison replied, "they have a water play day tomorrow."

"Her after school program," Teddy checked.

"Yes," Allison replied, "I have a lot of paper work for the school. Signing off on the IEP and 504."

"You're okay with them," Teddy asked.

"I am," Allison replied, "we can adapt as the year goes. I'm more worried about the 504, there's not a lot of learning needs in the IEP. It's focused on her mobility and learning to communicate when she needs help with her braces and mobility aids. They will help her with the bathroom until she's more independent."

"She hasn't had an accident with me in a while," Teddy replied.

"A couple recently," Allison replied, "she's good when we're on the schedule and still in pull ups at night."

"Is she tired," Teddy asked.

"Ya," Allison said, "we're going to go float in the pool and relax."

"Have fun," Teddy replied, "I'm home on Friday and you and I are going for breakfast and pedicures on Saturday?"

"Yes," Allison replied, "I'm not working right now."

"You shouldn't be right now," Teddy agreed, "you and Asher are okay?"

"For now," Allison replied.

"And you'll tell dad and I when you need help or use the visa," Teddy confirmed.

"I will," Allison said.

"Mommy let's go," Everly yelled.

"I'll see you Friday baby girl," Teddy said, "you're being paged. Text me after bed time and tell me more about your day?"

"I will," Allison replied, "talk to you later."

Allison helped Everly remove her braces and the two of them made their way out to the pool to float for a bit before dinner.

Authors Note:

I know I am writing slower than I would like to be and than readers would like. I still have lots of ideas for Allison and how her story is going to unfold. I appreciate all of the feed back and suggestions. There are some shake ups coming for everyone in the family soon. Please be paitent with me and the delays in posting chapters.