The first Monday in October Asher took the day off to go to Grey Sloan with Allison and Everly.

"I can't do this," Allison cried into Asher's shoulder as Everly was wheeled away.

"You can," Asher assured.

"No," Allison sobbed, "we have to go with her."

"We can't Allie," Asher soothed, "we'll have to wait here. She has Annie, Jenna and your mom. She's okay. She's got people who love her and know how to help her. Your mom said she would do all the transfers herself. She's okay. We have to trust your mom."

I'm the MRI room Teddy transferred Everly to the table herself.

"Chief," an intern said.

"It's my granddaughter," Teddy said.

"Granddaughter," the intern said.

"Dr Wong," Teddy snapped.

"I'm sorry ma'am I wasn't aware you had children," dr Wong said.

"I have three. You've been on my eldest's service," Teddy replied.

"I thought you were sisters," Dr Wong said.

"I'm flattered but no. Grace Altman is my daughter," Teddy replied.

"Mama Atman is Everly good," Jenna called.

Teddy chuckled, Jenna was the only other intern from Annie's class remaining , usually she was Teddy to Jenna now after having been married to Chris for 10 years but Teddy knew why Jenna was using mama Altman today.

Owen walked into the waiting area to sit with Allison and Asher.

"She's okay," Owen said, "she has our very best. Mom is there, so is Annie."

"What if she's not okay," Allison sobbed.

"Today you get answers," Owen said.

"She's hungry," Allison said.

"I know but you had to hold that feeding before she went under," Owen said.

"It's mean," Allison whined.

"It keeps her safe," Owen said, "she'll be done soon and you can feed her as soon as she's up."

"She's never been that long without food," Allison said.

"She'll be okay," Owen assured.

In the MRI suite images were coming up.

"She needs surgery," Jenna said, "how have they not caught this."

"What," Teddy asked.

"Hydrocephalus," Jenna said pointing it out, "she needs a shunt ASAP. Teddy?"

"You'll have to get Allison and Ashers permission," Teddy said.

"And from our observations and the scans it's CP," Jenna replied, "I've seen way worse on scans but it's CP."

"I think it's only her legs affected from my observations," Link said.

"You need a really clear plan before you talk to Allison and Asher," Teddy said.

"I want the shunt in this week," Jenna said, "today or tomorrow if possible. Everly isn't having too many problems yet we caught it early. Teddy, did you notice anything?"

"She spits up more than other babies I've seen and is a really slow eater," Teddy replied, "but Allison hasn't complained so I didn't think to look into it. Everly is gaining weight and growing. She's a little baby but Allison was the same size and Annie's babies are always small."

"Does Everly have insurance," Annie asked.

"I don't know how their insurance for her works," Teddy admitted.

"How did no one notice," Jenna asked.

"Allison and Asher are 18. It's their first baby," Annie defended.

"Everly is alert, she interacts and sleeps, she's fussier than Annie's kids were," Teddy said, "but I thought that was Allison's anxiety and her feeding off of Allie. Allie has been pretty stressed for the last month being in college. And none of us are neuro."

"It's minor, she may not be fully symptomatic but I want to fix it before it becomes a major problem," Jenna said, "it's a 45 to an hour minute procedure. If we can keep her sedated now it will be easier."

"I need more time to plan for the foot," Link said.

"One thing at a time," Teddy said, "the shunt can't wait her foot turning in can."

"I can probably cast it or put a brace on it," Link said, "I don't think she's surgical yet."

"Do that first," Teddy said, "as your chief and her grandma least invasive first."

"We know," Jenna said, "this has to be done though."

"I know," Teddy said, "Jenna let's go talk to Allie and Asher."

Teddy picked up Everly and carried her back to her parents with Annie and Jenna following.

"Mom," Allison said taking her baby back.

"Have a seat," Jenna said.

"What's wrong," Asher asked.

"I need to operate today or tomorrow," Jenna said, "Everly has Hydrocephalus excess cerebrospinal fluid in her brain."

"Is it dangerous," Allison asked.

"It can be," Jenna said, "right now it appears mild and that we've caught it early. I have some questions for you."

"Okay," Allison gulped.

"Has her head grown quickly," Jenna asked.

"No but she's always had a big head," Allison said.

"Okay," Jenna replied, "does she seem very sleepy or drowsy?"

"There's not a lot of awake time," Asher said, "she's up to eat, plays for a bit then goes back to sleep."

"Theres been no seizures," Jenna confirmed.

"No we would have brought her in," Allison said.

"Her eye movement appears normal," Jenna asked.

"She doesn't always look up," Owen said, "it's inconsistent."

"Okay so she has some symptoms," Jenna agreed, "I want to do the shunt as soon as I can get into an OR."

"We need time to call insurance," Asher said, "get it covered."

"Because you're family I'm giving you my time," Jenna declared.

"Jenna," Allison said, "we can't accept."

"No," Jenna said, "I'm doing it."

"What has to happen," Asher asked.

"I go in through a part in her hair and place the shunt under her skull into a ventricle then the tubing allows the fluid to drain into her abdomen. The surgery is about an hour. I do these all the time."

"The shunt," Allison asked.

"There's after care but she should go home 24-48 hours after the surgery," Jenna explained.

"Risks," Owen asked.

"Infection, blockage in the tubing," Jenna said, "she will need it changed as she grows but we'll do our best to keep it minimal and hopefully go into the same spot each time."

"What would you do," Allison asked looking at Teddy.

"I would be booking the surgery," Teddy said, "Allie this isn't one that's cosmetic or can be delayed. This is her brain, her ability to coordinate her limbs, learn to walk and talk."

"Can we have a minute," Allison asked, "with our family."

"Of course," Jenna said. Annie and Jenna stepped out.

Annie was paged to the pit.

"What do we have," Annie asked, running into the pit.

"Cardiac trauma, pulse lost on route," Josh yelled, "horse trampling."

"This is why our kids don't ride," Annie said, "Heather wants to."

"No," Josh said, "too many crush injuries."

"I said that to her," Annie replied, "I got but mommy I want a pony."

"You said no," Josh assumed.

"Yes," Annie replied.

"Rig is 4 minutes out," Josh yelled running to the ambulance bay.

"Ready to work," Annie said.

"Always," Josh said, "were a team."

The patient came in and Josh took charge. They ran the tests and rushed to the open OR.

After they scrubbed out they made their way to Josh's office both sipping their coffee before Annie spoke, "Allie is going to need us. Jenna is going in on Everly this week."

"What," Josh asked.

"Hydrocephalus, " Annie said.

"It's a shunt," Josh said, "routine."

"It is," Annie agreed, "Allie is going to stress."

"So would you," Josh said.

"I miss having a baby," Annie said, "a tiny one. I don't get enough time with Everly."

"I know you do," Josh said, "Annie can you really handle another child?"

"I think so," Annie said, "5 though would we be crazy."

"We talked about this last winter before Allie made her final decision," Josh reminded, "I agreed that Allie's baby and keeping them with our family was the right thing and something I wanted but I don't want to put you through that again. I don't want to live with you and your anxiety in the first six months after having a baby again. Every time we have a baby your eating disorder flares up. Annie, we can't do that again."

"I don't want to have one myself," Annie argued, "I want to look at adopting. I'm almost 44, I don't want to have another now. I know mama did it but."

"There were some scares," Josh remembered, "the Thanksgiving we were interns."

"I want to look into adopting," Annie said, "I was adopted and it's something that we can do to pay it forward and help another child. We had people that stepped up and looked after us because those that gave birth to us weren't ready then."

"Annie we have lots of ways we help families," Josh said, "you look after Everly on Fridays so Allison can go to school and work, you mentor and help her. How much pro bono work do we do for low income families and foster kids?"

"It's not the same," Annie said, "I miss having a baby. I want another baby."

"I was happy to have Everly if that's what Allison had wanted because I wish someone had been in the position to do that with me," Josh said, "she chose to keep Everly and it's hard for them but they'll be okay and we can support them in other ways."

"It felt like it was a way to change the story," Annie said, "the years of confusion and pain for me. How much it traumatized mama, we could have given them a different ending."

"But we don't need to worry about that," Josh argued.

"I guess I hoped Everly would come to us," Annie admitted, "Allie was so unsure."

"We can help and support them," Josh said, "Annie we're not in a position to have another child. We physically can't."

"I know that," Annie said, "I made you do it weeks after we found out about Heather so it couldn't happen again. I thought I was done. I was happy, then I saw Everly."

"So enjoy our niece," Josh said, "we always knew we would really get to enjoy Allie's kids and Leo's because of your age gap."

"Could we foster," Annie asked, "kids who really need us?"

"No," Josh said, "we'll get attached. Let's shelf this discussion for six months. In six months if you still feel like you need a baby we can talk about fostering to adopt. Our kids are good ages now. Do you really want to start over with diapers and no sleep?"

"Not sleeping would suck," Annie agreed.

"You are a lot better mentally when you sleep," Josh said, "23 years, I know you Annie Altman."

"Altman-Riggs," Annie reminded.

"You never use the Riggs," Josh said, "and I think we had Matt before you changed it."

"With school," Annie replied, "Ellie is lonely at school. We changed it when Ellie went to Kindergarten. Ellie needs friends at school."

"Last fall Allison eased the transition," Josh agreed.

"She did," Annie said, "and her one friend moved to Portland. She's young, she's really missing Cat again."

"They still go to youth group together," Josh said.

"They do," Annie agreed.

"I think this is you needing time off again," Josh said, "you've only taken time off for maternity leaves. I think you might need a sabbatical. You want a baby so you have a reason to take time off."

"No," Annie said, "I'm fine."

"Really," Josh raised his eyebrows, "you came to bed at 1am and got up at 5."

"I had an early surgery," Annie said.

"And what were you doing up last night," Josh asked.

"Research," Annie replied.

"You're doing it again babe," Josh said, "taking on too much. Three things, family, surgery and what?"

"Research," Annie said, "Kevin can teach."

"Then let him know," Josh said, "Annie, you need time for our family. You've taken on too much again. Why do you do this?"

"Mama is stepping down as chief, Megan moves to chief and Pierce is taking Megan's job," Annie said, "there's talk of moving me to Maggie's."

"Do you want it," Josh asked.

"I don't," Annie said, "we'd lose my Friday."

"No, your Friday is sacred," Josh argued.

"I need my Fridays," Annie said, "that's when I get all the house work and errands done so I can actually enjoy the kids on the weekend. Do you ever wonder if we made the right choice?"

"I think we did," Josh said, "but we get pulled into other things here. Because of your mama and step dad."

"With her stepping down," Annie said.

"Focus on us," Josh said, "you wanted to pull the kids from school for a week and go somewhere this winter. Where are we going?"

"We've always said Hawaii and have never been," Annie said, "maybe this year. But can we afford it?"

"We can," Josh assured.

"I wasn't thinking about the money," Annie said, "the time. We make more than I thought we ever would. Even with 4 kids we're more than comfortable."

"We'll book it now for February," Josh said, "that's always a dull month. Your birthday is next week, can we ask your dad to watch the kids for a couple nights?"

"He could, their schedule is a lot for him," Annie said, "why?"

"I booked a couple nights in Victoria," Josh said, "your mama was going to have them stay with her and we were leaving her the van but if Everly needs surgery."

"Megan," Annie suggested, "see if she can help dad or maybe Chris."

"I'll ask Chris and your dad," Josh said.

"It's only Monday we have time," Annie argued, "why didn't you tell me before? I would have helped plan. And how do I pack if I don't know."

"I know how you stress. I was going to tell you after dinner tonight," Josh said, "I've only managed one surprise weekend away for you ever."

"When you proposed," Annie smiled, "that was perfect."

Allison was sitting beside Everly's hospital crib holding the baby, "surgery."

"Tomorrow," Asher gulped.

"We're here with her tonight," Allison said, "Jenna doesn't want us to take her home."

"She needs to start her on some medications," Owen said, "she's being cautious."

"Dad she's only 4 months," Allison whined.

"I know," Owen said, "she's strong."

"Can you ask Jenna if we can feed her," Asher asked.

"She's scheduled for the first OR slot of the day, 6:30 am so you can until 2:30," Owen said, "It should be a 45 minute to an hour procedure and then one more night. You can take her home Wednesday."

"What did I do wrong," Allison asked.

"Absolutely nothing," Owen assured, "munchkin you can't keep blaming yourself. Everly is a very loved happy little girl."

"But she's sick," Allison said.

"She has some disabilities," Owen agreed, "but now you know. You'll be able to start physio next week."

"Insurance," Allison said, "I just got her on the school one."

"With you in school we found a way to get her on ours," Owen said.

"I don't know how we'll pay for tomorrow," Asher said, "my insurance only covers 60%."

"They would have already called," Owen said, "and gotten it authorized."

"Mine doesn't cover non-emergency surgery," Allison said.

"Mom was trying as chief of surgery," Owen replied, "you know her. And if she can't get it that way we'll help."

"I'll pick up more over time, maybe some of the weekends that Stewart is offering," Asher said.

"No," Owen said, "Allie and Everly need you home."

"I guess I'm going back to work sooner than we planned," Allison said.

"No," Owen said, "let mom and I help."

"She's our daughter Owen," Asher argued.

Teddy came in, " Jenna is doing it pro Bono because you're family. I got insurance to cover 80%. With her diagnosis there's other support you're eligible for for her care, some through the Fox foundation. But the 20% dad and I will work out. You two are going to worry about your daughter and not the money."

"Teddy, we have to support our daughter," Asher said.

"Today let us worry about this," Teddy said, "we know you're doing the very best you can. I've put it out to the Fox foundation, Jackson will let me know in the next few hours."

"Asher, Allison," Owen said, "we have programs here to help and for kids with disabilities like Everly's. We are going to get them involved to help you."

"For tomorrow," Allison asked.

"For tomorrow I've already given billing my visa," Teddy said, "we'll work it all out later."

"We can't," Asher said.

"The surgery has to happen," Owen said.

"We'll pay you back," Asher said.

"We're not going to worry about it now," Teddy said.

"You worry about Everly," Owen said, "the money isn't an issue. Don't worry about it."

"I hurt her," Allison sobbed.

"No," Teddy assured, "Allison Eloise Altman-Hunt you have done everything right. You love her and care for her. Allison, Asher there is nothing that you could do that would change any of this. Sometimes it just happens."

"But brain surgery," Asher said.

"I know Jenna walked you through it," Teddy said, "would it make you feel better if Owen or I scrubbed in?"

"Scrubbed in," Asher asked.

"Were in the OR with Everly," Teddy explained, "Jenna can't say no to me."

"Dad," Allison said, "he's her favourite person."

"I'll go," Owen agreed, he had wanted to sit with Allison and Asher but realized his presence may also help Everly.

"Asher have you called your parents," Teddy asked, "I know things are strained but they might want to know."

"I called," Asher said, "they're going to come see her tonight. They knew about the MRI but I called my mom and told her about the surgery and to come here."

"Okay," Teddy said, "the two of you have been here all day and will be here overnight. Asher, what time were your parents coming?"

"After 6," Asher said.

"It's 3:30," Owen said, "we can stay with Ev, you two run home it's only 7 minutes away. Get her blanket, comfy clothes for both of you and a few changes of clothes for the three of you."

"Ash go," Allison said, "I can't leave her, she'll need a feeding soon."

"I'm not leaving her," Asher said.

"One of us has to go get her monkey," Allison said, "she needs a sleeper and diapers."

"We have diapers and she'll be in a little gown," Teddy said, "the two of you need to take the 40 minutes to run home and get what you need."

Teddy knew Allison was about to break she thought sending her to get her things at home would be helpful.

"I'm staying," Allison said, "she'll be terrified without me."

"If Allie isn't going I'm not," Asher said.

"Okay," Teddy said, "do I have your permission to go into your dressers, closet and bathroom drawers?"

"Fine," Allison said, "my bathroom drawers are on the right of the sink."

"Mine are on the left," Asher said, "I think what I need, tooth brush, toothpaste and deodorant is on the counter anyway."

"I'll grab shower stuff and you can use the one in the attendings locker room," Teddy said.

"Okay," Allison said, "I guess I just need leggings and sweaters?"

"I'll pack you a bag," Teddy replied, "both of you. I know this is hard. This is really hard waiting for your baby to have surgery and waiting to hear when they're in the OR is hard."

"Have you ever done it," Asher asked.

"I have," Teddy said, "Annie and Leo. It's only Allie that hasn't had surgeries."

"What surgeries has Annie had," Allison asked.

Annie who had been walking in to check on them said, "emergency laparotomy when I was 19, lost half my liver and shredded my spleen and a C-section when Matt was born."

"A what," Asher asked, still not used to the way medical terms were thrown around causally. He was getting better after a year but it didn't roll off his tongue the way it did for the rest of them.

"My big scar," Annie said, "I had an emergency surgery on my abdomen after a trauma the summer I was 19."

"Your big scar," Allison said, "that's from Jessica isn't it."

"Yes," Annie replied, "Asher, Jessica was my sister. She passed away about 13 years ago. She had a brain tumor."

"Your sister, not our," Asher asked.

"Me and Chris," Annie said, "my other set of siblings. I'm the oldest of 5 siblings in two families. Chris is coming, he'll come check on you."

"Chris is coming," Teddy said.

"I know he's getting Heather from daycare," Annie said, "then my dad has my other kids at home."

"Nee you don't have to stay," Allison said.

"I can if you want me to," Annie replied, "my dad has my kids."

"No," Allison said, "you go with them, they need their mom."

"I'm only a call or a text away any time day or night bean," Annie said.

"I know," Allison replied.

Annie and Teddy walked out together.

"Mama she's going to blow," Annie said.

"I know," Teddy replied, "I'm going to stay here tonight. Not right with them, they don't want that but close by."

"Allison you need a walk," Owen commanded, "give Ev to me she needs grandpa time, you two both go get a cup of coffee."

"Dad," Allison said.

"15," Owen said, "it's good for you both to stretch."

"Dad," Allison argued again.

"Not negotiable Allison," Owen said, "go now."

Reluctantly Allison let Owen take Everly from her arms and stood up. Asher led Allison from the room.

"I don't know where I'm going," Asher said, "is there like a garden or something?"

"There's a balcony with plants off the peds cardio unit," Allison said, "Annie always has plants there. "

"Let's go sit there for a minute," Asher said, "we can talk."

Allison led the way to the quiet balcony.

"How did I," Allison choked out.

"No," Asher said, "she's just born that way."

"I hurt her," Allison sobbed.

"Allie we're okay, she's going to be okay," Asher said.

"You hate me," Allison bawled.

"Never," Asher assured, "I love you so much. Allison, it's okay. We're all okay. Breathe."

"Can I have a hug," Allison asked.

Asher put his arms around her. He remembered an off handed comment Josh had made in the spring when Allison had been tired and hormonal at a family event. Josh had told him that tight hugs and petting their hair always worked. Asher decided to try it. Running his hand through Allison's hair she continued to sob as she curled into him. Asher began to cry as well, Allison felt his tears on the top of her head and pulled him closer to her. For a while they just sat and held each other while they cried.

Owen cradled Everly, "you're okay princess. We're going to make it all better. Mommy and daddy just need a minute. Grandpa is here. I know your grandpa's girl aren't you princess Everly."

"Princess Everly," Megan asked.

"She's our princess," Owen replied, "she's pretty spoiled at home."

"Living with grandpa and grandma she would be," Megan said, "I heard. How are you holding up?"

"It's hard," Owen admitted, "Everly's diagnosis I can do, it's Allison's reaction. She's so upset and blaming herself. She's not really holding it together."

"Where are they," Megan asked.

"I sent them for a walk," Owen said, "to go have a couple minutes and get something to eat. They'll stay with Everly tonight."

"Teddy," Megan asked.

"She ran home to get their stuff," Owen said.

Teddy walked upstairs and into what had been Allison's room but was now shared with Asher. She felt weird going in and going through their dressers now. Not so much Allison's and getting her daughter's things but Asher's.

Teddy knew where Allison's stuff was in her dresser and quickly put it in her daughter's bag. She grabbed a couple pairs of leggings, clean socks, underwear and tshirts. Teddy was more hesitant grabbing Asher's things from his dresser, she found what she needed and quickly packed the rest of the things she thought they would need for a couple days.

After dinner Asher's parents appeared at the door of Everly's room.

"A private room," Michelle whispered to Mark.

"Her mom runs the place," Mark replied.

"Dad," Asher said, "mom, come in."

"How's she doing," Michelle asked, walking to where Asher was bouncing Everly near the window.

"She's okay," Asher said.

"The two of you," Mark asked.

Allison shook her head.

"It's a lot I know sweetheart," Michelle said, "we went through it with Asher's little sister."

"I haven't met his siblings yet and they haven't met their niece," Allison said.

"Soon," Michelle said, "get this little one feeling better first. She's grown."

"She has," Asher agreed.

"May I," Michelle asked.

Allison shook her head not trusting her own voice.

"Ev's been pretty freaked out today," Asher said, "we can't even get her to go to Teddy who she loves and sees every day. She's realized she's not home and isn't letting anyone other and Allie or I touch her."

"You're both anxious," Michelle said, "what can we do?"

"I don't know," Allison said, "we get through tomorrow and if it goes well we go home on Wednesday with her."

"Can I pray," Mark asked.

"Please dad," Asher replied.

Mark moved to stand with the young family and put his hand gently on Everly's back before praying softly for strength, protection and wisdom. Asher's parents didn't stay long seeing that their son and his family were just overwhelmed and they might be making it worse.

"What can we do," Mark asked as they walked out of the hospital.

"We tell the church," Michelle said, "they know about Everly and Allison. The three of them and her parents need some support. Can we get a meal train going?"

"We could," Mark agreed, "that's your area of expertise."

"I'll call Bre," Michelle said, "and I should let their friends know."

"They would have if they wanted friends here," Mark replied.

"He's not our little boy," Michelle said, "from last year to now."

"He's a man," Mark said, "with his daughter and girlfriend."

"They look like a little family," Michelle said, "he doesn't look like our little boy. He looks like a man. He's working like a man and supporting his family."

"Isn't she in school," Mark said.

"She is," Michelle replied, "she wants to be a teacher. They're handling it like adults."

"Her parents hover," Mark said.

"She's very close to them and they live in their house," Michelle said.

"Owen had mentioned that they were putting a suite in the basement to move the three of them down there," Mark said.

"Teddy told me," Michelle said, "they have a plan to make them independent and to stand on their own feet. They won't support them forever."

"What do you know about the plan," Mark asked, "you've talked to Teddy more than I talk to Owen."

"Allison has to be in school and working towards a career and Asher has to be working on his apprenticeship," Michelle said, "they cook dinner 3 nights a week and Teddy or Owen does the other 3. They have a family dinner every Sunday with Owen's family."

"His family," Mark asked.

"Her parents have passed and she's an only child," Michelle said, "Annie who we know as Dr Grace is Teddy's oldest and Annie's dad is around but it sounds like they've just absorbed Annie's brother on her dad's side."

"Have you seen Annie," Mark asked.

"Yes," Michelle said, "she did our Eden's heart. Short blonde woman. She popped by when I've gone to see them."

"We should come tomorrow afternoon," Mark said.

"I want to but we have to let Asher make the call," Michelle said.

"He's a man," Mark said.

"Sooner then we thought but he manned up," Michelle agreed.

"It still bothers me that they won't commit," Mark said.

"He gave her the promise ring," Michelle said, "he might in time. I don't think we can push it now. Let them worry about getting Everly healthy and her on track. They are doing what they need to do."

"I'm trying to accept it," Mark replied.

"It's their life," Michelle said, "they'll do it their way."

"They need tomorrow to go well," Mark said.

"They do," Michelle agreed, "tonight we pray."