Saturday morning Allison sat on a bar stool at the island looking green.
"Breathe munchkin," Owen soothed.
Allison ran from the room.
"Okay baby girl," Teddy said followings her to the bathroom, "I know this part sucks."
"Can you make it stop," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy said, "I vomited with both you and Annie. I know she has with all four."
"Make it stop," Allison cried.
"I can't," Teddy said rubbing her daughter's back.
"Mom," Allison whined.
"Do you want to try that tea she brought you," Teddy asked.
"The ginger mint one," Allison asked.
"Yes," Teddy said.
"It smelled good," Allison agreed.
"I'll go make it," Teddy said, "go upstairs. Brush your teeth and put your make up on."
"Mommy," Allison whimpered.
"It's okay," Teddy soothed, "it's okay. I'm here."
Allison took a deep breath and went to get ready.
Teddy texted Annie, "how do I help her?"
Annie," what's going on?"
Teddy, "she vomited most of yesterday and it's bad again now."
Annie, "I'm off at nine I'll bring a couple bags of fluids by. Sometimes having Josh put one in right away really helped. Hard with the kids but it might help to get her rehydrated fast."
Teddy, "nothing else?"
Annie, "I got Carina to give me a prescription for anti nausea medication with my younger three so I could function. Don't make her suffer."
Teddy, "I don't know if it's that bad. But she's dehydrated for sure."
Annie, "I'll bring the fluids by."
Teddy, "Asher and his parents come at nine."
Annie, "I'll put the box on the porch."
Teddy, "thank you."
Just after nine there was a knock in the front door. Owen saw the boy standing behind his parents carrying his backpack and a duffel bag.
"Come in," Owen said, "I'm Owen Hunt and this is my wife Teddy Altman. I'm sure you've met our daughter Allison."
"No," the dad replied, "I'm Mark Blouin, my wife Michelle and you know Asher."
"Come have a seat," Teddy said, "breakfast is just about ready. Can I get any one a drink? Tea? Coffee?"
"We're not here for breakfast," Mark snapped.
"We have a lot to discuss," Teddy said, "please join us. Have you eaten Asher?"
"Not yet Mrs Altman," Asher said.
"Teddy," Teddy replied, "you've been here before, wash your hands and find a spot at the table."
"We're just dropping him off," Michelle said.
"Pardon," Owen said, "all six of us need to talk."
"He's not our problem now," Mark said.
"No," Teddy replied, "we all are part of this. They will need both set of parents."
"Your daughter," Michelle said.
"It takes two," Teddy replied, "come sit. Have something to eat and we'll work it out. What happens next is up to Allison and Asher. We can guide, support and give our opinions but they make the decisions."
"The only acceptable solution here is they get married," Mark said.
"Absolutely not," Teddy declared.
"They're 17," Owen said, "no. I am not requiring my daughter to take part in a child marriage to do what?"
"He's a good boy," Michelle said, "it's the right thing to do."
"And my daughter is a good girl that your son tricked," Owen snapped, "your son told her it would be okay, that he would stop but he didn't. He kept giving her alcohol until she gave in. she told us all of it yesterday."
"The kids are not getting married," Teddy said, "why would you even jump to that?"
"How do we face our church," Mark asked, "I'm a pastor."
"With the truth," Teddy said, "I run Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Allison is seeing our head of OB there. The best care for my daughter and her child is at GSM and we'll tell the truth there. I know what people will say but I am doing what is best for Allison."
"You're okay with this," Michelle said.
"Not fully," Teddy said, "but she is our daughter, we will stand by her whatever she chooses."
"Come sit," Owen said firmly, gesturing to the table.
Teddy walked towards her seat and paused behind Allison's chair leaning over to whisper, "hows your stomach baby?"
"The tea is helping," Allison whispered back.
"What did your sister say," Teddy asked.
"No sugar," Allison said, "and little bits."
"Sister," Michelle asked.
"My eldest is 42," Teddy said, "she has 4 children and her youngest is 4. We're encouraging Allison to talk to Annie as well as us."
"Your oldest," Mark asked, "how old were you? Is Allison repeating a cycle? Did your other daughter?"
"I was 21 when I had Annie," Teddy said, "she was adopted by another family at birth and I reconnected with her when she was 19. My oldest was married before she had her first."
"And you gave up your oldest to become a hospital administrator," Mark said.
"Cardiothoratic surgeon and chief of surgery," Teddy corrected, "yes it was my first year of medical school. Annie is a peds cardio suregon."
"Where," Michelle asked, "our youngest sees a dr Altman at Grey Sloan, short blonde woman looks about mid 30s."
"Grace Altman," Owen asked.
"Yes," Mark said.
"Annie is her family nickname," Teddy said, "thats our oldest. She's said she'll help Allie and Asher as much as they want and they can always talk to her and her husband."
"The way we see it marriage is the only way to go," Mark said.
"If it was your daughter," Owen said.
"I'd say the same thing," Mark replied.
"No," Teddy said, "that is not an option."
"What do you want us to do," Asher asked.
"What do you want to do," Teddy asked.
"I only found out Thursday," Asher said, "I don't know yet. Allison wants it to live and I agree with that."
"We will help you figure it out," Teddy said.
"Mom," Allison said.
"We'll help," Teddy assured.
"What did we tell you yesterday munchkin," Owen said, "we're here. You can always call Annie and Josh."
"Where are the kids going to live," Mark asked.
"Allison is going to stay here," Owen said, "it's her home."
"Asher," Mark asked.
"With you," Teddy said, "in his home."
"No," Mark said, "if they don't get married he can't stay. They can both stay with us if they get married or he is on his own."
"Stop talking about us like we're not here," Allison snapped.
"Allison," Mark said, "let the adults make the decision."
"It's our lives," Allison said, "our baby. I'm not marrying Asher. We're not even dating. It was one night. Yes I've known him since first grade but thats not enough to marry him. Friends maybe, but not my husband."
"We have to let them have their voices," Teddy said, "we're guides and supporters, it's their lives."
"Your okay with this," Michelle asked.
"It's not up to us now," Owen said, "yes it is taking everything I have not to yell at both of them."
"We've learned a good lesson," Teddy said, "and they have to take responsibility for their choices."
"The only responsible choice is to get married," Mark repeated.
"No dad," Asher said, "thats what you want. You haven't asked me what I want. You haven't even talked to Allie."
"You don't marry the girl you're out of our house," Mark said, "you have your backpack. Tell us when you find a place and we'll drop your stuff off."
"There are other solutions," Owen said.
"No theres not," Michelle said.
"We haven't decided yet if we're keeping the baby," Allison said.
"What else would you do," Michelle asked.
"Adoption," Allison said, "I'm talking to my mom and will talk to my sister about it. I haven't made any decisions yet."
"You can't give away our grandchild," Michelle said.
"If that is what Allison and Asher think is best for themselves and the baby that is what they will do," Teddy said.
"They get married and raise the baby or we're not in their lives," Mark said.
"Then get out of our house," Owen roared, "you are not helpful, this is unproductive, and you are stressing our daughter out. Allison has a voice and a say in this. She makes the final decisions for her body and for her baby. As much as this isn't what we planned for them and we hoped would happen, it is what is happening."
"This doesn't have to derail their whole lives," Teddy said.
"No they get jobs and figure it out," Michelle said.
"I have an interview at the grocery store after school Monday," Allison said, "I applied before I found out about the baby."
"I'll apply for jobs this week," Asher said.
"Medical care," Michelle asked.
"Allison can stay on ours as a dependent until she finishes college," Teddy said.
"Asher is on his own," Mark said, "once he's out of the house he's on his own."
"You can't disown your son over this," Owen said.
"Michelle lets go," Mark said.
"Dad," Asher said.
"Figure it out," Mark said.
"My step father was a pastor," Owen said, "he speaks about love, forgiveness and understanding. Loving the person even when they do something wrong. Forgiving."
"This is enabling," Mark said.
"We are parents," Teddy said, "they are our children no matter what. We are preparing them for independence ,but at 17 in their senior year, they're not ready. They have enough going on without losing your support."
"Your oldest, what about her father," Michelle asked.
Teddy took a deep breath, "I left her father when I found out because he was physically abusive. She has never met him by her own choice. I gave her the information when she asked me. The best thing I did for her safety and my own was not staying with Steven. I will not force my daughter to get married to someone she is not head over heels in love with."
"They should have thought of that before," Mark said.
"Yes we should have," Allison said, "we didn't think it though or talk about it. We know that. This baby will live no matter what it does to my body. I will have this baby. I want Asher to be as involved as he wants to be as my friend. He's not my boyfriend. I need a friend. "
"We're leaving," Mark declared, "you figure it out with them."
"Dad no," Asher tried.
"Time to man up son," Mark said, "you got yourself into this mess you figure it out."
"I'm sorry Asher," Michelle said.
"Michelle," Mark barked, "we're going. Asher figure it out."
Mark grabbed Michelle's hand and dragged her out of the house.
"You two go for a walk," Teddy said, "Owen and I need to discuss something."
"Mom I'm not up to it," Allison said.
"Go," Teddy said, "you and baby need exercise. A walk is good for both of you."
"I'm going to puke again," Allison whined.
"Allison please try," Teddy said, "I know you're miserable and starting to get a bit dehydrated. Take some juice or more of the tea with you. Annie is dropping off some IV fluids on her way home. If the vomiting continues like it did yesterday we'll get you set up with some and a good movie."
Allison reluctantly put on her shoes and grabbed her coat.
"Hey bean." Annie called seeing Allison come out.
"Nee," Allison called.
"Take this in to mama then you look like you need a hug," Annie said.
"Nee this is Asher," Allison introduced.
"Dr Grace Altman," Annie introduced herself.
"Asher Blouin," Asher responded.
"So two for the pumpkin patch tomorrow," Annie asked, "get mama to drive you to my house then boys with josh in the truck and girls in the van with me."
"I don't know," Allison said.
"Not sick," Annie said, "I know you're not feeling great but doing your normal things helps."
"How do you know," Allison asked.
"Because with Ellie I gave in and let myself wallow in feeling bad but with my other three there wasn't time to wallow. Do your normal things. I was on overnight and haven't seen my kids since Thursday. I'll see you tomorrow," Annie said.
"What's in the box," Asher asked.
"Some IV fluids, our mother asked for them," Annie said.
"Why," Asher asked.
"To make sure Allison doesn't get dehydrated," Annie replied, "did that tea help?"
"Sort of," Allison said.
"We balancing your thyroid for the first time and this," Annie said, "it's a lot for your body."
"How long for the synthroid to work," Allison asked.
"When they adjust my dose it takes a week or two," Annie said, "what did they start you on?"
"100," Allison said.
"Okay," Annie said, "I'm 75 normally but 150 when I've had my kids."
"Do I need more," Allison asked.
"No, your numbers weren't as bad. At your age I was on 25 or 50," Annie said, "did the iron make things any better?"
"I have another after school monday," Allison said.
"Take a good book," Annie said, "and I'll pop by if I'm not in the OR."
"Does Ellie know," Allison asked.
"Her and Josh," Annie said, "I swore them to secrecy and Ellie knows I will kill her if she says a word at school or dance."
"Mom's not sure I should dance," Allison said.
"If you feel good and your balance is okay," Annie said, "I did until my balance shifted. But I wasn't competing. Listen to mama and ask Dr Deluca."
In the house Owen ranted, "they just disown their son! Like it's only our family affected, like hes not 50% responsible. And to demand they get married. It's not 1950, it's 2032 for god's sake. Yes they didn't use protection and I thought we talked to her about that. Marriage won't solve it. I am not making her marry that boy. He could hardly stand up for her."
"We're not," Teddy agreed, "you're taking this better then I thought."
"Annie," Owen said, "if you can go through that and be as amazing as you are so can allison. Allison has you, you've been there."
"I was 20 Owen not 17," Teddy said, "she'll be 18 when she has the baby it's 3 years younger. 3 years less brain development. How did they just abandon their son? That's wrong. He's legally a child."
"We have to report it," Owen said.
"We do it's abuse and we're mandated reporters," Teddy agreed.
"I'll call," Owen said.
"Owen what if we offered him the basement room," Teddy said, "put some real rules and stipulations on him and give them the guidance and boundaries they need. He can be here to support her."
"No," Owen said, "that boy will not be under my roof. Not after that, not after how he allowed his parents to talk to her today. They tried to silence her, they told her not to speak up."
"He's going to be around," Teddy said, "he has to be."
"He can hang out, he can have dinner with us every night but he does not sleep here," Owen said, "he has to go somewhere else."
"He has no where," Teddy said, "at their age the foster system will do nothing."
"Megan," Owen asked, "her spare room for him?"
"I don't want to tell her yet," Teddy said, "Allison isn't ready."
"We need to," Owen said.
"Not until Allison gives us permission," Teddy said.
"How can his parents be so obtuse," Owen ranted.
"I don't know," Teddy agreed, "they are. She needs our support, he needs someone to show him how to be a man. I don't want to push a relationship on them. It doesn't sound like that's what she wants."
"Where do you suggest he goes," Owen roared.
"I think he stays here tonight," Teddy said, "let his parents cool off. We help them come up with the start of a plan. Tomorrow he talks to his parents about going back. Then he is welcome to visit during awake hours and not upstairs whenever they want."
"It's not like he can get her pregnant again," Owen snapped.
"I know that," Teddy replied, "but the hormones make you think and feel things and I don't want that confusion and temptation for her. They're kids and they're lost Owen. she's terrified."
"I know she's terrified and ill," Owen said.
"We have her on synthroid which will help some and keep her and the baby safe," Teddy said, "she gets more iron on Monday afterschool."
"So soon," Owen asked.
"We have to get it up," Teddy said, "it's safe. She's so anemic Owen oral wont be enough and fast enough. We need to get it normalized fast."
"Does she have the vitamins," Owen asked.
"Done and iron," Teddy said, "I have that all set up for her."
"You're always anemic and both girls," Owen said.
"I know Annie is watching her girls for signs," Teddy said.
"Her depression," Owen said, "she's on medication."
"It's safe," Teddy said, "she's best to stay on it. Keep going to therapy, we don't take any of that out from under her."
"Asher," Owen said.
"I think we let him stay tonight and then try talking to his parents again tomorrow," Teddy said.
"If we have to keep him," Owen said.
"Rules," Teddy said, "they both get jobs, they need a plan. We help them make a good plan. He lives in the basement and pays us rent."
"Rent," Owen said, "how much?"
"Enough to cover something for food," Teddy said.
"This plan," Owen said.
"It depends what is decided about the baby," Teddy said.
"She still wants college," Owen said.
"She does," Teddy said, "this won't stop her. It might look different but she'll still go."
"Will she keep it," Owen asked.
"It's too soon to tell," Teddy said, "50/50 right now. She's asked me a lot about how I decided."
"I'm glad she has you," Owen said.
"This is really hard," Teddy said, "I'm having a lot of flashbacks to Steven."
"What can I do," Owen asked.
"Just be here for me," Teddy said, "for her. I'm questioning my choices 42 years ago."
"I'm here," Owen said, pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head.
"Are you okay," Allison asked Asher as they approached the park.
"I should be asking you," Asher said.
"Your parents," Allison said.
"I expected it," Asher said, "not in front of your parents. How are you calm?"
"My mom and I talked a lot yesterday," Allison said, "she was 20 when she got pregnant with Annie."
"That was actually your sister," Asher said.
"Yes," Allison said.
"She just expects us to go with her tomorrow," Asher said.
"That's Annie," Allison said, "family days are not negotiable, don't even try it with her. Pumpkin patch, gingerbread houses, Christmas tree farm."
"She knows," Asher said.
"I made her tell mom," Allison said, "she knew first. Sometimes she can temper mom and dad."
"What are we going to do," Asher said.
"We're not getting married," Allison said, "I don't know if I want to keep it and raise it or have another family adopt it."
"Not getting married," Asher agreed, "I like you but we are not a couple."
"Can we be friends," Allison asked, "we were friends until the start of 11th."
"We can be friends," Asher said.
"I need a friend," Allison said, "I can't tell Olivia and Ava."
"Do you have any one," Asher asked.
"Mom and Dad, Annie I'm sure Josh knows," Allison said.
"Who is Josh," Asher asked.
"Annie's husband," Allison replied.
"Anyone else," Asher asked.
"Auntie Megan and Uncle Nathan," Allison replied.
"Who are they," Asher asked.
"Auntie Megan is dad's sister," Allison replied.
"I was supposed to finish my high school course this semester and start my electrical apprenticeship in February," Asher said.
"Why wouldn't you do that," Allison asked.
"I need a job," Asher said, "I have 3 online classes right now."
"I can help," Allison said.
"What are you going to do,"Asher asked.
"Hopefully I get one of the jobs I applied for," Allison said, "work, go to school, therapy."
"Therapy," Asher asked.
"You might as well know everything about me now," Allison said, "I've been fighting with depression for a while."
"What happened," Asher asked.
"Sometimes it just happens apparently," Allison said.
They reached the playground and Allison sat on the swing.
"Allie we'll be okay," Asher said, "we can figure this out. I want to be there for you. We've been friends for years."
"I'm scared," Allison said.
"I am two," Asher said, "we can figure it out together. And your parents will help."
"We should never have been drinking," Allison said.
"We both wanted to," Asher said.
"I just wanted to feel something," Allison said, "something other than numb."
"I'm sorry," Asher said, "I pushed you."
"We both chose," Allison said.
"Now you're paying the price," Asher said.
"What ever happens when this gets out at school don't turn your back on me," Allison begged.
"What about online school," Asher said, "people won't know for a while right?"
"I guess I can talk to my parents, mom mentioned it as a choice," Allison said, "but I want to go to college."
"You will," Asher said, "whatever we decide, Allie you can still go to college."
"I'm thinking maybe UW," Allison said, "I want to keep them."
"Lets get all of the information," Asher said.
"It hurt mom so much to give up Annie," Allison said, "I'm not that strong. I'm not as strong as mom."
"If we choose adoption we can miss them together," Asher promised.
"I need to go home," Allison whined.
"We'll walk back," Asher said.
"I need to go home, I think I'm going to puke again," Allison whined.
"Okay we'll go," Asher said, he reached for her hand to help her off the swing.
Getting back into the house Allison ran upstairs with Teddy following.
"Asher sit down," Owen commanded pointing at the table.
"Yes sir," Asher responded.
"Teddy and I are prepared to have you stay here while you work things out with your parents," Owen said, "we have some expectations for you."
"I know I need to look for a job," Asher said.
"Two weeks," Owen said, "we are giving you two weeks to find a job. You will pay us rent each month. The amount we will figure out soon. If you choose to raise the baby or if Allison chooses to keep it, you will be responsible for supporting it together. Allison also knows she needs a job. You will need to pursue college or training to have a career to support yourself what ever happens with the baby. You must graduate."
"I'm supposed to graduate at the end of January when this semester ends," Asher said, "then I'm in an apprenticeship to be an electrician in February"
"Good, it's a stable job and a trade," Owen said, "we have some ground rules. We won't negotiate."
"Of course," Asher said.
"You do not go up stairs," Owen said, "not even one foot on the bottom of the stairs. You help around the house like you would in your parents house. You do your own laundry and are on litter box duty. It's usually Allison's job and it's yours now, she can't touch the litter. Home work is done nightly and your assignments are done on time. You maintain your GPA or improve it."
"I have a B average," Asher said.
"All Bs," Owen said, "school is non negotiable. You go every day unless Teddy or I decide you are too sick for school."
"Do you want me to start raking the leaves," Asher offered, "I can get the yard work done."
"Right now get yourself settled," Owen said, "before dinner tomorrow it should be done."
"Yes sir," Asher replied.
"I'll show you your room and the bathroom you can use," Owen said, "I found your bag on the porch, it's down there."
"Thank you," Asher replied.
A while later Teddy suggested, "let's go down stairs."
"No," Allison said, "can I just lay in bed? I'm too tired."
"Let's go down, I'm going to put the IV in and give you some fluids," Teddy said, "I haven't seen you keep anything down since yesterday. We're going to get some fluids in you and you'll feel better. I know this happens to Annie as well. I'm going to ask Carina to call in the medication so we can pick it up."
"But Asher is here," Allison whimpered.
"If he wants to be with you and by your side then he gets to do all of it," Teddy said, "trust him. Let him be your friend. I'll get you set up on the couch. You're dehydrated Allison. I have to treat that. What do you want to watch?"
"I don't know," Allison shrugged.
"Bring your pillow and come down," Teddy said, "you've got clean comfy clothes."
Teddy lead Allison down stairs.
"You okay," Asher asked.
"No," Allison said.
"Just give us space Asher," Teddy said, "a few minutes then you can come keep her company."
Owen's phone went off.
"Incoming trauma, highrise building fire all hands on deck," Owen yelled.
"Let me place this IV," Teddy said, she quickly slipped the needle into the back of Allison's hand and taped the IV down.
"Ow," Allison whined.
"That should take a while to drip in," Teddy said, "don't take it out of you hand when the bag is empty. Untwist where it attaches to the tubing. Leave it in your hand until some one who knows comes to take it out."
"I've helped change my baby sisters IV bags at home she's got a lot of disabilities and gets these a couple times a week," Asher said.
"Just remove the bag," Teddy said, "Allison I have to go. I know you're not doing well baby girl. I'm going to work. Order skip the dishes if you want to for dinner. No raw sushi rolls baby."
"I don't like sushi anyway and they always use sesame seeds," Allison said, "the one place that doesn't, doesn't do skip the dishes."
"We're going munchkin," Owen said, "call if you need us."
"We will," Allison said.
Teddy and Owen both hugged Allison before grabbing work bags and leaving.
"Do they do that often," Asher asked.
"It happens when something massive comes up," Allison said, "dad's a trauma surgeon and mom is a heart surgeon but has done a ton of trauma. They both were in the army as surgeons."
"Thats how they met," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "do you mind if I nap?"
"No," Asher said, "I told your dad I would rake the leaves. Where's the rake?"
"Garage," Allison yawned.
"Do you want anything," Asher asked.
"Sleep," Allison yawned again.
"You sleep," Asher said, "I'll see what your dad has for yard tools and try to get the front and back yard done."
"Thank you," Allison yawned.