If you are familiar with Long Lost Daughter you'll know that I play with the time lines when I write to make things work how I need to, I will keep the general sequence of events but may change the length of time between events.
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Owen picked Leo up from the airport.
"Hey buddy," Owen greeted.
"Dad," Leo said, "can you be cool?"
"No," Owen said, "how was your flight?"
"Quick," Leo said, "where's mom?"
"OR 8," Owen replied, "she's trying to get out as fast as she can."
"Is Asher still there," Leo asked.
"Unless they break up he's here to stay," Owen said.
"How's Everly," Leo asked.
"She has a cold," Owen replied, "she's pretty clingy with your sister."
"Is Allie home," Leo asked.
"It's tuesday she's at school," Owen said, "she won't get home until 10:30. She might hang out for a few minutes but Asher will be in bed. He gets up at 5:30 and is out the door by 6:15."
"When we get home," Leo asked.
"We'll get home around 8," Owen said, "mom will eat when she's out of surgery. Allison and Asher do their own dinner Tuesday and Thursday because she leaves for school at 6:15. You up for a burger?"
"The good place by Annie's," Leo asked.
"We can," Owen agreed.
Owen and Leo pulled into the burger place they liked.
"I haven't been here since you went back to school," Owen said, "the girls hate it."
"Mom," Leo asked, "she likes burgers."
"Not here," Owen said, "she loved this place 25 years ago but things changed."
"Her first husband," Leo asked.
"Her and Henry used to come here a lot," Owen agreed, "it was mom that introduced me to it."
"Did you meet Henry," Leo asked.
"I did," Owen said, "he was good for her and for Annie."
"Annie," Leo asked.
"Annie was 19 when they got married and 21 when Henry passed, he used to call your sister kiddo it was Henry that started waffle mornings with Annie," Owen said.
"Did you like him," Leo asked.
"I did," Owen agreed, "your mom loved him so did Annie they would come to the cabin the three of them. Mom was a lot more serious then, it was harder to make her laugh. But he could."
"Did you love her then," Leo asked.
"I always loved her," Owen said.
"When she told you about Annie," Leo asked.
"I was shocked but then she told me the story and I heard how proud she was of Annie and how much she loved her even if they couldn't be together," Owen said, "why are you asking?"
"Theres this girl in my biochem class that has a son," Leo said, "Ciena is my lab partner."
"What are you thinking," Owen asked.
"I want to ask her for coffee when we go back to school," Leo said, "she's pretty and smart."
"Ask," Owen said, "but you know her son will always come first. I knew as soon as mom met Annie and Annie was around a lot that anyone else would come second to Annie. I bribed Annie into liking me at first with scrubbing in and her first scrub cap. I picked the otters for your sister."
"How do I bribe a three year old," Leo asked.
"Get their mom to trust you first," Owen said, "Ciena what else do you know?"
"She's trying to get into nursing but the program is competitive so she's taking classes that will help her build her application," Leo said, "she likes coffee and pink."
"Anything else," Owen asked.
"She's single, lives with her parents, she should be a senior but is a sophomore she takes 2 classes at a time and works," Leo said.
"Have you spent any time with her," Owen asked.
"Just before or after class to work on assignments," Leo said, "I like her."
"Her son," Owen asked.
"I haven't met Liam," Asher replied, "just pictures. He's a kid."
"So things with your sister," Owen asked.
"We text. She sends baby pictures," Leo said.
"Everly is growing," Owen smiled, "we don't know what she's saying but she's a chatterbox."
Allison was sitting in class trying to avoid Matt as usual. But he found her on the break.
"Do you have plans for Thanksgiving," Matt asked.
"My parents are hosting so I'll help my mom with everything," Allison replied, "we're using the break to check out a daycare for my daughter next semester."
"You and your ex," Matt asked.
"Asher and I are together," Allison told him like she did every time they had a class together.
"Do you want to get a drink after class? There's a place on campus that doesn't ID," Matt tried.
"No," Allison said, " one, I don't drink at all, two, I don't want to spend any time with you. I have a boyfriend that I love and we have a beautiful daughter. I'm going home to see them and have some time with Ash. Plus my brother is home from UCLA today for a week."
"But," Matt tried.
"Stop Matt," Allison said, "I have a boyfriend who I love. I live with him. Leave me alone."
"Whoa," Matt muttered.
"I have been telling you all semester I'm not interested," Allison said, she took her coffee from the counter and walked back to a couple friends.
"What was that," Kristen asked.
"Matt will not leave me alone, he's in three of my classes and does not get it," Allison groaned.
"What if you had Asher and Everly come one night," Kristen suggested.
"It's bed time Ev," Allison said, "I'm not keeping her up for that. It's not worth her being off her routine."
"Your ring," a new friend Lauren asked.
"It's a promise ring," Allison said, "Ash gave it to me in July."
"It's pretty," Lauren said, "I would like to meet your baby."
"We have that group project we could work at my house," Allison said, "plan it for nap time."
"Nap time,' Lauren asked.
"She gets our full attention when she's awake," Allison replied.
"Is she okay," Kristen asked, "she had surgery not long ago."
"Her shunt seems to be okay we'll see her neuro surgeon on Friday but theres been no signs she's not okay," Allison said, "we go on Monday to get braces on her legs to hopefully stop her left from pigeon toeing as much."
"How old is she," Lauren asked.
"Six months," Allison replied, "she's a chatterbox now. She likes to hear her own voice."
"Does she crawl," Lauren asked.
"Everly has cerebral palsy," Allison replied, "her movement is delayed. She's ahead verbally and with her communication but she's not rolling or sitting yet."
"Soon," Lauren asked.
"Maybe," Allison replied, "she can sit with support and this week started to keep her head up a bit longer when she's sitting and is still rocking side to side on her tummy. She lost 2 weeks where we had to keep her pretty still in October when her shunt was put in."
"My cousin has CP," Lauren said, "she uses crutches or a walker in public but thats it."
"That's what we're hoping," Allison said, "we'll see."
"I'm sure my aunt would talk to you if you wanted she works with the local Cerebral Palsy foundation," Lauren said.
"That would be good," Allison said, "thanks giving plans?"
"I'm going home," Lauren said, "my parents are in Bellingham. You?"
"Thursday is dinner at Ashers and Saturday at my house," Allison said.
"Saturday," Kristen said.
"My parents are both surgeons and work Thanksgiving and Black Friday to get Christmas day and New Years off," Allison said, "I have to figure out Ev's first Christmas."
"Santa pictures," Kristen asked.
"Of course," Allison replied, "Friday Ava and Liv are coming over for Friendsgiving Kristen you in?"
"We're going to my grandmas in Vancouver," Kristen replied, "another time. How are Ava and Liv?"
"Ava is great, we see her a lot, Liv has been distant," Allison replied, "she's not doing much and I'm so busy."
"It will be good to see them then," Kristen said, "say hi for me. Are you drinking coffee anagin?"
"Its decaf," Allison said.
"Why don't you drink real coffee," Lauren asked.
"Everly doesn't tolerate it well," Allison said, "and she's totally reliant on me for nourishment."
"What," Lauren asked.
"Never mind," Allison said.
"Can you come to a party next weekend," Lauren asked.
"I don't drink but we might come," Allison said, "I can ask Ash if he wants to go and see if we can get my parents to babysit."
"Girls night," Lauren clarified.
"Thats harder," Allison replied.
"Your boyfriend," Lauren asked.
"My daughter," Allison said.
"She can come to girls night," Lauren suggested.
"Maybe next time," Allison said, "but Monday we could do our group project at my place. Ash is working it'll just be Ev and I home."
"What time," Kristen asked.
"1 she goes down for her nap at 12:30," Allison said, "I'll text you my address."
Owen and Leo got home after having burgers.
"Ev's still up," Owen asked.
"She won't go down and Allie is at school," Asher said, "I've tried her bottle and she won't take it. The snot sucker helps for a bit then she's all plugged up again."
"Can I look," Owen asked.
"Shes pretty upset she just stopped crying," Asher replied, "welcome home Leo."
"What's wrong with Everly," Leo asked.
"Just a cold," Owen said, "I'm going to go get a thermometer and a stethoscope."
"Can I hold her," Leo asked as Owen walked away.
"You can try if she'll go to you," Asher said, "it's been Allie and I only all day. She fought your mom earlier."
"Come see uncle Leo Everly," Leo said, reaching for the baby.
Asher passed the baby to Leo. Everly began to scream.
"Hold her upright, she can't breathe on her back with her cold," Asher said, "Allie sat in the rocking chair with her all night last night."
Leo adjusted the baby so she was sitting on his arm the way Asher had been holding her.
"I missed you missy," Leo whispered to the baby, "can I hold you for a minute?"
"Can you I need to use the bathroom," Asher said.
"She's good with uncle Leo," Leo replied.
"You've gotten so big," Leo said to the baby, "when did you get so big. I go to school for 3 months and you double in size. I know you have a cold but grandpa and grandma will know how to make it better. You have hair now."
"She's always had hair," Owen chuckled.
"More of it," Leo said.
"True," Owen agreed.
"She looks like a little person," Leo said.
"She does," Owen replied, "she babbles."
"Allie sent me a video," Leo replied, "it's cute when she smiles and chatters."
Allison finished her class and drove home.
"Why is Everly up," Allison asked.
"We can't get her down," Asher said, "I've tried, your parents, even Leo."
"Hey do you just need mommy princess," Allison asked her baby.
"Hi sweetheart," Teddy said coming down the stairs, "she's pretty congested."
"What would help," Allison asked.
"The only thing we can't do and haven't tried is nurse her," Teddy replied, "she's refusing the bottle."
"I'll try it," Allison said, "I'll take her up."
Allison took Everly up to the nursery.
"Allie," Leo said walking into the nursery.
"Leo," Allison said, "I have a sick, cranky baby, sorry if she keeps you up."
"We've had some cuddles and I got covered in baby snot," Leo said.
"Did uncle Leo hug you princess," Allison asked.
"She's calmer," Leo observed.
"She just needs mommy and I need to feed her," Allison said, "I know you hate it when I do."
"I was an ass," Leo said, "can we catch up?"
"Tomorrow," Allison agreed, "she needs me."
"I'll sit with you," Leo offered.
"Are you sure," Allison asked, "in the summer you told me to go to my room."
"I was an ass I'm sorry," Leo said, "I've missed the two of you."
"She's grown since you went back to school," Allison said.
"She has, I think she's doubled," Leo said.
"Almost," Allison said, "she's changing fast."
"Hows school," Leo asked.
"Pretty good," Allison said, "I've missed some classes with Everly but my profs are pretty understanding."
"The people," Leo asked, taking a seat on the foot stool by the rocking chair.
"Pretty good," Allison said, "I've made a few friends and picked a major."
"What's your major," Leo asked.
"Family business," Allison said, "pre med. You?"
"Pre med," Leo agreed, "you said you wanted nothing to do with medicine, why did you change your mind?"
"Seeing what Jenna did to help Everly," Allison said.
"Mom said she's sick what's going on," Leo asked.
"This is a cold, she's had one before," Allison said, "but she has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus."
"We talked about cerebral palsy in my anatomy class," Leo said, "you okay? How bad is it?"
"Shes got some motor skill delays but they won't know how but it really is until shes 4 or 5 and she's had some time to grow and develop her movement," Allison explained, "her social and cognitive milestones seem to be okay. I'm sorry she's not at her best today."
"It's a cold," Leo said.
"She's doing better after her shunt," Allison said, "her movement is better and more coordinated. We're doing physical therapy every day and she's getting stronger when she gets a bit older we'll do occupational therapy. But she's smart, she babbles, we have no clue what she means it's all nonsense but she does."
"The videos are cute," Leo said, "Asher?"
"We're good," Allison smiled, "girl friend?"
"No," Leo said, "I like a girl in one of my classes but it's complicated."
"Why is it complicated," Allison asked.
"Her son, Jake is three," Leo said.
"So you hate me for having Ev in highschool then like a girl with a three year old," Allison said.
"I know," Leo said, "how do I get Ciena to like me?"
"Ask about Jake," Allison said, "spend time with her but go slow. She's going to be scared. None of my friends from Family Studies are ready to date. They just want to focus on their babies."
"You," Leo asked.
"If it was just me and Ev I wouldn't date," Allison said, "that Asher and I are a couple and can support each other is amazing. I love him. My friends with kids don't have time to date. We don't have time for dates and dinner or movies out. There's no time to date when you're raising a kid, going to school and working. There's not a lot of time for me and Ash. A couple hours after I finish homework if I was organized during the day and Ev napped, we'll do it."
"So Ciena," Leo asked.
"Be her friend," Allison said, "start there. Coffee."
"That's it," Leo asked.
"Any girl," Allison replied, "what else do you know about her?"
"She wants to be a nurse," Leo said, "she loves everything pink, she's from LA. She has toy dinosaurs fall out of her school bag all the time."
"Jake must like them," Allison said, "I pulled Ev's toy giraffe and a rattle out of my purse today when I got coffee at school."
"Is she okay," Leo asked.
"She's falling asleep," Allison said, "I have to wake her up a bit."
Allison woke Everly up a bit to finish eating.
"Can she get real food soon," Leo asked.
"Soon," Allison replied, "the pediatrician wants her sitting up a bit more first. Maybe another month."
"Christmas," Leo said, "her first one."
"It is," Allison smiled, "playing Santa will be fun."
"What does she want for Christmas," Leo asked.
"Toys and books," Allison said, "she'll start teething soonish."
"What type of toys," Leo asked.
"Stacking things and blocks," Allison said, "she likes animal pictures."
"You," Leo asked.
"I need new clothes but that's what I told mom," Allison said, "what I have is stuff from junior year."
"Gift card where," Leo asked.
"American Eagle," Allison said, "it's still my favourite. You?"
"Clothes but I told mom that," Leo said, "you and Asher shouldn't worry about buying me something."
"I have an idea," Allison said, "don't worry. It's not big but we will do something."
"Allie," Leo said.
"We have a plan, don't worry," Allison said, "it's not like you have money either."
"I got a job," Leo said, "if you can work I can."
"Where," Allison asked.
"Just stocking shelves at the grocery store near my place," Leo replied.
"Grocery stores aren't bad," Allison said, "I check out people's groceries. It's mindless but it's work."
"It is," Leo agreed, "but it's nice not asking dad for cash."
"I've had to a few times," Allison said, "we were a couple days from either of us getting paid and needed diapers, so I used the emergency card."
"You still have one," Leo asked.
"I only use it for gas or diapers when we're totally broke," Allison said, "they know that."
"I got mine taken away last spring," Leo said, "I was smoking pot and used it to buy some."
"I know you were using it then," Allison said, "when did you stop?"
"August," Leo said, "after mom and dad threatened not to let me back in the house. Annie wouldn't let me in her house either."
"That sounds like Nee," Allison replied, "I think her following mom into cardio will make it easier for us to get to choose."
"Trauma," Leo asked.
"Dad got Josh," Allison replied, "we'll get to choose when it's time. I want to be a pediatrician."
"I'm thinking of family or sports medicine," Leo said.
"We'll get to choose," Allison said, "and residencies without mom hovering."
"You'd have to move," Leo said.
"County and Seattle Prysbetarian have residency programs and if I do pediatrics theres more options," Allison replied, "it's 3 years away and who even knows if it's fair to Everly me in school her whole childhood."
"Be happy," Leo said.
"Isn't that Nee's line," Allison asked.
"Maybe she's right," Leo replied.
"Ev is ready to be tucked in," Allison replied, "do you want to say good night?"
"Yes," Leo replied, taking the baby.
"And you're singing with me," Allison said, "en francais."
Allison got up then took her baby back, zipping her into a sleep sack and laying her in the crib before beginning the old french lullaby, Leo joined in with the song, the one they remembered from when Annie babysat them as kids or when they had stayed with Annie during the pandemic, that had been sung to all of the babies in the family.
Teddy stood in the hall listening, Allie and Leo were making amends, truly making amends. Leo was starting to see his sister's world and the path she had chosen and Allison was in a better head space to accept Leo's choices.
Walking out of the nursery Allison said, "I still don't like you being away."
"I have to Allie," Leo replied, "I need to do this my way."
"I know," Allison sighed, "I just miss my brother."
"I miss you too," Leo agreed.