A month later Ellie got into Annie's van after school, "mom you won't believe it."
"What won't I believe," Annie asked, "you look mad."
"Everyone is talking about Allison," Ellie said.
"We knew that would happen," Annie said, "are you okay?"
"She was crying in the PE change room," Ellie said, "can you wait and give her a ride. I told her you would."
"Does she know where I park to pick you up," Annie asked.
"I sent our location," Ellie replied.
"Nee," Allison said opening the back door of the van.
"Hi Bean," Annie said, "bad day?"
"Horrible," Allison said, "I need mom."
"She's doing an Altman," Annie said, "she went into the OR an hour ago it was an emergency one. Do you want your dad?"
"Mom," Allison sniffled.
"Let me call her and see if I can tag her out," Annie said, "tell me what happened."
"Some one noticed I'm gaining weight," Allison said, "then I threw up after lunch. I saw Asher for a hug between classes and he whispered something about the baby and Lily heard and she started yelling it in the hall. By the time I got to PE everyone knew and a few girls started making fun of me and called me a slut and a whore and one took my shorts to see if they have the stretchy part yet.."
"Your not there yet," Annie said.
"Soon," Allison said.
"Be comfortable," Annie said.
"I like my black boot cut leggings," Allison said.
"When I was your age we called them yoga pants," Annie laughed.
"I got your clothes back," Ellie said.
"Thank you," Allison sniffed.
"Okay," Annie said, "I told Meg I would pick up Catrina so the back will be squishy," Annie said.
"Allison do you want to switch spots," Ellie offered.
"I'm okay," Allison said.
"Okay," Annie said, "the boys from their school then Catrina and home," Annie said.
"Allie, can I have a hug," Heather asked.
"Yes," Allison said, hugging Heather. Heather gave her aunt a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks H," Allison forced a smile.
"I have an idea," Annie said, "Allie text mama that your with us. There's no school tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Let's stop at the store when we have everyone and each of us can pick a pint of ice cream and a type of candy."
"A papa special," Ellie asked.
"I think so," Annie said.
"Ice cream castle," Heather cheered.
"Yes," Annie said, "Bean what do you think?"
"Pistachio," Allison said.
"That could just be yours," Annie said, "Ellie? Heather?"
"Oreo," Heather cheered.
"Cookie dough," Ellie replied, "mom?"
"Mint chocolate chip," Annie answered.
"Henry will want plain vanilla," Ellie said, "and Matt always gets raspberry."
"Because all of you inherited my allergy to strawberries," Annie said, "Catrina predictions?"
"Caramel," Allison said, "always."
Annie pulled up in front of the boys school and they hopped in.
"Mom, why is Allie here," Henry asked.
"She needed a ride home," Annie said, "but we're going to go get Catrina, stop at the grocery store and then go home for a papa special."
"On wednesday," Matt asked.
"Yes," Annie said, "we need a treat today, we have to make Allie smile."
Matt turned to look at Allison, "are you really having a baby?"
"Yes," Allison said, "at the end of May."
"Am I it's uncle," Matt asked.
"No," Allison said, "your cousins. Because your mom and I are sisters."
"Cousins like Tyler and Colton," Henry asked.
"Yes," Annie said, "Allison is your aunt and her baby will be your cousin."
At the hospital Owen found Asher's parents in the waiting room, "Mr and Mrs Blouin can you come talk to me."
"Eden our youngest is having surgery," Michelle said.
"Dr. Karev," Owen asked.
"A Dr Riggs took her in the emergency room, she fell off the swings at school," Mark said.
"How old," Owen asked, "we have two dr Riggs."
"About 40," Michelle said.
"My son in law," Owen said, "he's a peds trauma surgeon."
"Married to Teddy's oldest I guess," Mark said.
"Yes," Owen said, "phenomenal surgeon. I trained him for trauma and then our head of peds did his peds fellowship."
"So he has kids," Michelle asked.
"Four," Owen said, "my grandkids. Elizabeth, Matthew, Henry and Heather. He will make sure Eden gets back to you."
"How's Asher," Michelle asked.
"Now you're asking," Owen asked.
"Do you know where he's living," Michelle asked.
"Our house still," Owen said, "he's paying rent."
"Are they," Michelle asked.
"They're keeping the baby," Owen said, "Allison is 13 weeks now. They're doing good."
"Do they know," Michelle asked.
"They want the surprise," Owen said.
"Asher is he working," Mark asked.
"He is," Owen said, "he's working hard. He goes to school every day, played through the end of the football season and since then he's worked 5 days a week. He's working hard, he's kind and helpful at home."
"Him and Allison," Michelle asked.
"Great friends," Owen said, "I don't think it's more than that. She's not ready for anything more. They have fun in their down time, study together. He makes sure she goes for her walk and has her lunch at school. He's gone to a couple of her doctors appointments."
"Where does he sleep," Mark asked.
"Our basement guest room," Owen said, "he's not allowed upstairs where our bedrooms are and they can hang out in family areas."
"Wedding plans," Mark asked.
"No," Owen said, "they haven't even confirmed their dating. We won't force it."
"They need to before she gives birth," Mark snapped, "we would like to meet the baby but can't until they get married."
"Then I guess you're not meeting the baby," Owen said, "I'll check on your daughter for you."
Owen stood and ushered Asher's parents out of his office before walking to the OR.
That night Owen picked Leo up from the airport.
"Dad," Leo called, "where's mom?"
"Emergency Altman," Owen said, "we have to stop and pick up Allison from Annie's."
"Really," Leo asked.
"She had a rough day at school and has last block PE so does Ellie," Owen said, "Ellie told Allison to come with her to meet Annie instead of walking home. She had dinner and did her homework there."
"She really just gets to stay," Leo asked.
"Yes," Owen answered," And you will be supportive."
"If I'm not," Leo asked.
"You're here for five days now," Owen said, "only 6 days at Christmas because you have a week of training. Then during the reading break in February mom has something special planned for Allison so they'll be away."
"She's still getting a grad trip," Leo asked.
"Scaled down," Owen replied, "but yes she still needs that."
"Asher," Leo said.
"Get to know him, "Owen answered, `` he's in our lives."
"If I don't want to," Leo asked.
"Not a choice," Owen said, "Allison is going through some heavy medical stuff right now. You've had a few heart surgeries you understand."
"But that wasn't my choice," Leo argued.
"Hasimotos and depression are not her choice," Owen said, "you have no idea what your sister is going through."
"Mental illness is just being lazy," Leo said.
"You've been lucky," Owen said, "sheltered. We have patterns in our family mostly caused by trauma. It's a physical illness there are biological causes as much as anything."
"This baby is a mistake," Leo said.
"Your birth mother was younger than Allison," Owen said, "she was 15 when she came into the hospital with you. She would have been 3 years younger than Allison is."
"I didn't think," Leo said.
"No you didn't," Owen replied, "your sister is feeling guilty enough without you making her feel worse."
"What do I do," Leo asked.
"Go home, hug her and say you're sorry," Owen said.
"Mom," Leo asked.
"She's okay," Owen said, "pretty focused on Allison."
"Annie's kids," Leo asked.
"Allie is with them," Owen said.
Owens' phone went off.
"Annie," Owen said.
"Can Allison babysit," Annie asked, "she's okay with it I've been called in. Josh will take over when he's out of surgery. 11:30 ish?"
"I'll pick her up or send Leo," Owen said.
"Thanks," Annie replied, "
Annie turned to the kids in her kitchen, "Allison is in charge. Ellie Catrina help out. Matt, Henry absolutely no guff."
"Dinner," Ellie asked.
"Ellie you know my password for Skip the Dishes, you can order pizza," Annie said.
"Annie can Asher come after he finishes work at 6," Allison asked.
"Yes," Annie replied, "feed him two bean."
"I'm scared of him meeting Leo," Allison said.
"Your dad has Leo so that might be okay to have Asher come straight here," Annie agreed.
"How did Chris respond," Allison asked following Annie to her room.
"Bean I have to change," Annie said.
"I know," Allison said, "I'll stay in the hall."
"Chris was excited," Annie said, "but I was 29 and married. Chris and Josh are good friends."
"Leo isn't," Allison said.
"We all deal with our surprise differently," Annie said, "mama and I smother you in love so does Meg."
"Ellie is trying to be my best friend at school," Allison said.
"She's noticed some of your friends pulling away," Annie said.
"I told Ava and Olivia and O's mom is mad," Allison said.
"As a mom I understand," Annie said, "as your sister I hate it. Bean, you're sure you're up to tonight."
"How long," Allison asked.
"No later than midnight," Annie said, "I don't know what I'm going into."
Annie grabbed her bag and walked to the door, "I have to go. Come give me hugs."
Annie hugged each of her kids good night kissing the tops of their heads.
"You're almost as tall as your mom," Allison teased Matt.
"Mom is short," Matt laughed.
"Your mom is," Allison agreed.
"I'm as tall as Ellie," Matt bragged.
"You'll be taller than your mom soon," Allison said.
"Where is our cousin," Matt asked.
"It still has to grow," Allison tried.
"Mom told you," Ellie said, "mom and dad explained it to all of us."
"Can we have Hawaiian pizza," Henry asked.
"Only if you save mom some," Ellie agreed.
"Should we order," Allison asked, "it's 5:30 and I'm hungry."
"I guess," Ellie said, "is Asher your boyfriend."
"I don't know," Allison said, "I don't really want a boyfriend but he's my baby's dad."
"Do you kiss him," Catrina asked.
"Catrina," Ellie laughed.
"I have before," Allison said.
"Would you kiss him," Catrina pressed.
"Maybe," Allison said, "he's my friend."
"Mom says dad was her best friend first," Ellie said.
"My mom says the same thing," Allison agreed.
"Grandma and grandpa," Ellie said.
"My mom and dad, yes," Allison said.
"Are you going skiing at the cabin this year," Ellie asked.
"Not this year," Allison said, "it's not safe for my baby. Next year."
"So I'll be faster than you by then," Matt said.
"Never Matt," Allison said.
"Missing a year of practice," Matt said.
"What else do you miss out on," Ellie asked.
"Hanging out with some of my friends and doing some of that, I have to stop dancing soon," Allison said, "mom was telling Kira."
"Is it true Kira and Faroke dated," Allison asked.
"Until he went to med school," Catrina said.
"Why don't the little three go play and you two can help me with the veggies," Allison said.
"No veggies," Catrina whined.
"Pleasing parents and putting them on the table," Allison said.
When Josh got home Owen came to pick up Allison and Asher.
"Good night babysitting," Owen asked.
"Pizza and movies," Allison agreed, "I don't think Heather gets it."
"You were Heather's age when Ellie was born you didn't really either," Owen said, "I think one time you told Annie she was eating too many cookies."
"I didn't," Allison gasped.
"You did," Owen smiled, "she laughed about it."
"Annie," Allison said, "we don't comment on how she looks ever. We can't even ask about her scars."
"Scars," Asher asked.
"Annie's had a couple trauma surgeries over the years," Owen said.
"Did you do them," Asher asked.
"No," Owen said, "but I was always part of her team for aftercare and follow up to make sure she was okay. I was always there with her and Teddy for the big ones."
"How mad is Leo," Allison asked.
"He's surprised," Owen said.
They walked into the house.
"Allie," Leo called.
"Leo," Allison called hesitantly.
"Hi," he said, hugging her, "where were you?"
"Nee's with her kids," Allison said.
"Babysitting," Leo asked.
"Yep," Allison replied, "Leo this is my friend Asher."
"Baby daddy," Leo asked.
"Yes," Allison answered, "Ash this is my brother Leo."
"It's good to meet you," Asher said offering his hand.
Leo swung, connecting instantly with Asher's cheek.
"Leo," Owen roared, pulling his son back.
"He deserves it," Leo said, "what he did to Allison."
"We both made a choice," Allison said, "I chose to sleep with him."
"Leo enough," Owen growled.
"What's going on," Teddy yelled coming in the door.
"Leo punched Asher for no reason," Allison yelled.
"Owen take Leo to his room," Teddy commanded, "Asher come with me, let's get some ice."
"Mom," Leo yelled.
"I said go upstairs," Teddy said, "we do not hit people unprovoked in this house."
"Mom," Allison whispered.
"Come with us," Teddy said.
Teddy silently got an ice pack from the freezer for Asher.
"Allie just sit with him," Teddy said, "you remember the signs of a concussion?"
"Yes mom," Allison said.
"Come get me or dad if you see one," Teddy said, "you two go downstairs please."
"Yes mom," Allison replied.
"Yes Teddy," Asher answered.
Teddy stormed up to Leo's room.
"Don't you dare pull something like that in my house again," Owen yelled.
"What were you thinking," Teddy asked.
"That he should have kept away from my sister," Leo shouted.
"It's too late for that," Teddy said.
"What did we talk about earlier," Owen asked.
"What have I talked to you about," Teddy pressed.
"You weren't much older," Leo said, "but you were in college."
"Leo we know this is a surprise," Owen said, "we were all shocked and we've had more time to sit with it."
Teddy tried a new approach, "Leo, I was in Allison's shoes. And I had less support then she does because I was the only child of only children. Allison has our family and that includes you. She needs you. I know you don't understand what she's going through fully and thats okay. We're not asking you to know everything. The best thing my family did for me was to love me and listen, to be there."
"Annie's dad," Leo asked.
"He was violent with me," Teddy said.
"We know you have a temper," Owen said, "I did when I was younger."
"He did," Teddy agreed.
"I've even swung at Nathan a few times over the years," Owen said, "because I thought I was protecting Megan. But it only made her mad at me and things harder for all of us."
"I want to be there for her but he pisses me off," Leo said.
"You don't know him," Teddy said.
"Take tonight and cool down," Owen said.
"The three of you can talk tomorrow," Teddy said, "now you need some time to think."
Teddy and Owen walked out of Leo's room leaving their son alone to think. Both made their way downstairs.
"Allison," Teddy sighed seeing your youngest sobbing.
"Leo will never forgive me," Allison sobbed.
"Hes still shocked," Teddy said, "you're okay. The two of you have fought before."
"Asher I want to look at that cheek," Owen said.
"It's fine," Asher said, "I've had worse hits before."
"You had a tough day at school two," Teddy said.
"Everyone knows and is calling me horrible words," Allison sobbed.
"Where were your friends," Teddy asked.
"It was in the PE change room," Allison cried, "someone stole my gym strip to see if it was fat clothes."
"Allison what happened," Teddy asked.
"Ellie is in my block and she got it back some how," Allison said, "and it was last block."
"Thats why you went to Annies," Teddy said.
"You were in the OR and I needed her," Allison admitted.
"You have a great big sister," Teddy agreed.
"Why do people say those things," Allison asked.
"Because they probably don't know you very well," Teddy said, "but it's okay baby. You had Ellie."
"And I threw up at lunch," Allison said.
"Where was Asher," Teddy asked.
"Not in the girls bathroom," Allison said.
"She found me right after," Asher said.
"Do I have to go back," Allison asked.
"You have to finish the semester," Teddy said, "you can do the second one online. It's too late to move you on line now. Three weeks to Christmas break then 2 weeks of school after that. Only 5 more weeks actually at school."
"Can you tell them I'm sick," ALlison asked.
"You're off now till Tuesday," Teddy said, "it will die down by then."
"Do I have to go to Auntie Megan's tomorrow," Allison asked.
"You do," Owen said, "she'll just come get you if you dont."
"I know," Allison said, "her and Annie."
"Thats how they show love," Teddy said, "smothering you in it."
"I'm tired," Allison yawned.
"You should go up to bed," Asher said.
"Are you okay," Allison asked.
"Black eye but I've had worse," Asher said, "good night."
"Night," Allison said giving him a quick hug.
Teddy smiled, over the last couple of weeks she had seen more contact between the two of them and Allison learning to talk to him about what was going on and what she was experiencing.