"Hi princess," Owen smiled one Wednesday in December, "what are we going to do this afternoon?"
Everly smiled and babbled at Owen.
"Do you want to go out or should we play here," Owen asked.
Everly waved her arms and wiggled her legs.
"Good girl," Owen smiled, "mommy is doing your exercises with you isn't she."
Everly kept waving and wiggling.
"Let's play on your blanket for a bit then decide what to do," Owen smiled.
Owen laid Everlys blanket on the floor and sat down with her. Allison had asked that if he had time he did her exercises with the baby so Owen tried to make the physio activities a game. Owen chuckled as they played and Everly smiled and giggled.
"Okay princess," Owen said, "we should check your diaper then we're going out I need to get some stuff for dinner. We're going to make your mom's favorite. You can have a taste of the sauce."
Owen stood up then picked up the baby. Knowing he had a couple things to do in the house he turned on the stereo and bounced Everly in time with the music dancing with her.
Teddy came in and watched before laughing, "don't let me interrupt."
"Teddy," Owen said, "what are you doing home?"
" I scheduled an early day. Perk of not being the chief and just working in cardio. Answering to Pierce is frustrating but less hours is nice," Teddy replied, "what have you two done today?"
"We went for a walk, played on the floor, had lunch, she liked her avocado, then a nap and now we're going to go get groceries for dinner," Owen said, "I talked to the contractor. They think by the end of next week we'll have occupancy down stairs."
"Allison liked avocado at that age," Teddy smiled, "she had a final today."
"She did," Owen said, "I've had Ev most of the day. Allie wanted to do some Christmas shopping after her exam."
"I hope those two are being reasonable," Teddy replied.
"I haven't seen anything other than Allison's gas on the visa for weeks," Owen said, "she's not using it."
"I told her to go get an outfit for Ava's christmas party," Teddy replied, "I used to tell Annie to do the same. Use my card to get an outfit for something important or special. Her interview outfit for grey sloan had to be the most expensive."
"That was her residency interview," Owen smiled, "I remember her running into the pit to tell me she had gotten the offer."
"Did you know before I did," Teddy asked.
"I did," Owen replied, "she was to come work with me in the pit that day."
"She was so young," Tedy shrugged.
"20 years ago," Owen replied.
"Just about," Teddy agreed, "she was 24."
"I can't believe she's in her mid 40s," Owen replied, "that she has 4 kids."
"I don't like thinking of that because it reminds me I'm in my mid 60s," Teddy replied.
"We're in our 60s," Owen said, "three kids, 5 grandkids."
"This will be fun for Christmas," Teddy smiled.
"Do I want to know," Owen asked.
"Please you saw the visa bill," Teddy laughed, "90% is for the kids and grandkids. I might have gone overboard for Allie and Asher. There's lots for Leo two."
"They need so much," Owen said.
"They do," Teddy said, "she needs clothes. She's still wearing a lot of stuff from 11th grade and her tops don't fit great. But when I offered to take her shopping she said no. But I can see what she looks at online because her accounts for her favourite brands are on my email and visa."
"You ordered them," Owen asked.
"I did," Teddy replied, "I used my work email so she won't know."
"So Mrs. Claus," Owen laughed, "how crazy did you go?"
"Our three needed spoiling," Teddy smiled, "then a first Christmas and grandkids. Sons in law."
"Sons in law," Owen asked.
"What do we call Asher," Teddy asked, "he's more than a boyfriend."
"I know," Owen said, "and she loves that little promise ring."
"It was a good step for them," Teddy smiled.
"You have your quiet afternoon Ev and I have errands to run," Owen said.
"Baby hog," Teddy teased.
"She chooses me," Owen said.
"She's 6 and a half months," Teddy said, "she doesn't make choices."
"She has preferences," Owen said, "me, avocado not peas I tried both, her braces off, music."
"The braces are necessary," Teddy said.
"They are but I did give her a 10 minute break from them when I changed her," Owen said, "she had a diaper explosion so she shad a quick bath to clean her up and I let her kick her legs in the water for a while. She was happy."
"Did you do her physio with her," Teddy asked.
"I did and Allison said she did before she left," Owen replied, "Asher will probably do it again later two."
"I think we all do it with her," Teddy replied.
"Only going to help her," Owen agreed.
"It is," Teddy replied.
"I think she was about to roll today," Owen said.
"She's almost there," Teddy replied, "did she do the pushing up on her hands thing?"
"She did," Owen agreed.
"Now Hunt stop hogging the baby," Teddy whined.
"Ev do you have a hug for grandma," Owen asked Everly.
Everly reached for Teddy cooing and babbling.
"Hello pretty girl," Teddy smiled, taking the baby, "you are getting so smart."
Everly babbled back.
"Yes," Teddy agreed, "you look happy today. Why don't I come on your adventure with grandpa?"
Asher walked in at that moment.
"Asher what's wrong," Teddy asked, seeing the young man.
"Rain closed the site," Asher said, "we can't work in this mud. It's like quicksand."
"Are you okay," Teddy asked.
"Cold and I need a shower," Asher said.
"Go, we were taking Everly on an adventure," Owen said, "take a couple hours until Allie gets home for you."
"Owen," Asher replied.
"Have a hot shower or a bath and get warm," Teddy said, "I can heat you up some soup or make some cocoa."
"A hot bath sounds good," Asher said, "I fell in the mud."
"Injuries," Owen asked.
"Cold," Asher said, "nothing hurts."
"Are you okay if we take Everly," Owen asked.
"I was going to take her to get a christmas gift for Allie," Asher said, "She wasn't here for mother's day but Allie did fathers day. If you want to take her for a bit I can go tomorrow while Allie does her final."
"Are you sure," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Asher said, "text Allie."
"We have," Owen said, "we'll be about an hour and a half or two hours."
"I feel bad," Asher said.
"When was the last time you had even an hour to just do something for you," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Asher replied, "Allie has been so overwhelmed with term papers and finals that I've been doing everything except her milk."
"We know," Teddy said, "take the couple hours. You work hard, you're a good dad and a good partner. Asher, you have to take care of yourself two. Get cleaned up and warmed up. Asher two hours to yourself is good. You make sure Allie takes that time you need to accept it two.
"Okay, this once," Asher agreed, "have fun princess. Be good for grandma and grandpa."
"She's always good," Teddy assured.
"She's having a good day," Owen promised.
"I need a hug before you go," Asher said.
Teddy passed asher the baby.
"Be good princess," Asher said, "I love you so much. See you later then we'll surprise mommy because her finals almost are done."
"She'll just want to study again tonight," Teddy replied.
"I know she's been studying in Leo's room," Asher replied.
"He comes home Friday," Owen replied.
"We know," Asher said, "We'll clean it up tomorrow."
"We're going to head out," Owen said, taking Everly from Asher.
That night Allison sat at the desk in Leo's room.
"Allie come to bed," Asher coaxed.
"Almost done," Allison yawned.
"You're exhausted, you're not going to learn anything now," Asher said, "it's French, you're good at French."
"That was high school, this is college," Allison said, "my mid term was only a C+. I need an A to get a B in the course."
"Your C+ on your mid term was right after Ev's shunt," Asher tried, he put his hands on her shoulders, she leaned back and looked up at him. Asher ducked his head for a quick kiss.
"I need a 4.00 to apply to physio or med school," Allison said.
"It's average," Asher said, "Allie come to bed."
"I can't fail," Allison whispered.
"You won't," Asher promised, "you've studied, you did all the reading. You're speaking it with Annie, Dan and Chris."
"I can't fail again," Allison whined.
"You won't fail," Asher said, moving to sit on the edge of the desk.
"I failed Everly already," Allison stated.
"Allie we've been thought this babe," Asher said, "nothing anyone could had done would have stopped her CP or the hydrocephalus. Allie, please stop blaming yourself."
"You blame me," Allison said.
"No," Asher said, "Allison never. Nothing we did could change it. Everly is Everly. She's happy and healthy."
"She rolled over after dinner," Allison smiled.
"She did roll to her back," Asher smiled, "you need to stop stressing about school and come to bed."
"Another hour," Allison said.
"You're exhausted, come to bed," Asher repeated.
"I don;t think i'll sleep even if I come to bed," Allison complained.
"Allie you'll be up early with Ev and I, come sleep now and study during her morning nap," Asher suggested.
Teddy went to get out of bed, Owen tightened his arms around her.
"Let her," Owen whispered, "she was studying. If she went away to college she'd pull an all nighter and we wouldn't be there to tell her off."
"I've told Annie off," Teddy grumbelled, "I remember texting her good morning and her telling me she hadn't been to bed yet."
"She's in college," Owen said, "if she's exhausted tomorrow she learns a valuable lesson. You need to sleep."
"I can't when I hear the kids," Teddy said.
"It'll be good when they move down stairs," Owen said, "Teddy she is an adult. I know a year ago you would hear her moving around or crying and you would go to her but let her be. Both are up I hear his voice. Let them be a couple. She's almost 19 and she's a college freshman."
"I know," Teddy sighed.
"She's fine," Owen assured, "treat it like she's away at college."
"But she's not a normal college kid, if she was she wouldn't be living here," Teddy argued.
"She might she always had UW on her radar," Owen said, "I know she's not a typical college kid but let her be one when she can."
"But," Teddy tried.
"No," Owen said, "Teddy she's 18. She needs to do it."
"Can you stop distracting me," Allison snapped.
"Do what you want but don't blame me when you're exhausted tomorrow and do not take it out on Everly," Asher hissed.
"I have never taken it out on our daughter, how dare you even suggest that," Allison yelled.
"Do you want to wake up the whole house," Asher asked.
"Go to bed Asher," Allison snapped, "I need another hour. It's not like I'm out with my friends or out at a party. I'm in the fucking house studying for a fucking final. I am going to go to school and do well and have my career. I am not giving up on that dream. I will not be a stay at home mom. Leave me alone so I can study."
"You're beyond exhausted," Asher said.
"Go," Allison snapped, pointing to the door, "I will come to bed when I am happy with these conjugations."
"What about Everly," Asher asked, "what's your plan tomorrow when your exhausted from staying up all night?"
"The same as I do every Thursday," Allison hissed, "spend the day with her. Do our laundry, make dinner then go take my exam. Do you think I like staying up all night. And she's going through another sleep regression and up at night. She cluster fed from the time mom and dad brought her home until she went to bed so I got nothing done. I need more time to get this done and be ready for my exam."
"How can you be hands on for Ev if your up all night," Asher asked.
"I wouldn't be up all night if you let me work," Allison hissed, "I've done it on no sleep since she was born. I feed her even if you give her the bottle I'm still the one feeding her. I have kept her alive for the last 16 months. I do a full course load at a very competitive college, I work and am the primary caregiver to our daughter. I know you work more hours at a paid job but that doesn't mean my work is less than yours. We agreed that we would do this. And doing this, you backing me going to school means giving me time to study."
"And I work a full time job 60 hours a week," Asher snapped, "I am the one financially supporting our daughter, supporting you."
"You agreed," Allison said, "it was our idea to do that."
"Because your parents can't support us forever," Asher grumbelled, "we already let them help with Ev's surgery. We don't really pay rent. They pay for you to go to school and your car. I don't see gas coming out of our account for your car so I'm guessing you still carry that credit card linked to theirs."
"I use it for gas to get to school," Allison admitted, "I talked about it with them. Until I can handle working more hours they said they would do that.
"Why do you have to do four courses at a time," Asher snapped, "if you did less classes you could work more."
"I don't want to take 10 years to do college," Allison yelled, "you're doing your apprenticeship like you planned. The plan had always been college in 4 years. Your apprenticeship is 4, college is 4. We can be done training when she goes to kindergarten if we do it this way."
"If you choose medical school no," Asher said, "when she finishes middle school you'll be done."
"It's a thought Ash," Allison sighed, "one thought, if I do physio she'll be 6. We agreed a year ago the three of us would do this together. That we would support each other's dreams."
"I know," Asher said, "and I do. I hate seeing you stressed out."
"This is normal stress I think," Allison said, "college finals that's normal people stuff. I think we've forgotten how to be normal."
"When was the last time we were normal," Asher asked.
"Before I told you I was pregnant," Allison said, "I don't even remember what it's like. Not being stressed, not constantly worrying if she's okay, if you're okay. You gave up everything for us."
"You're my family," Asher said, "it's harder than I thought and there's days I'm on a ladder or scaffolding and I'm thinking about you. I was on a boom over the ocean yesterday worrying about you and Ev because she was grumpy that morning."
"At least you've had control of your own body," Allison argued.
"Do you want to stop breastfeeding," Asher asked, "it's 1000% your call when you've had enough. It's your choice."
"We can't afford formula," Allison said, "I'm hoping to get to a year."
"Can we not do this tonight," Asher asked, "I didn't want to fight. I just wanted you to come to bed."
"It's 1 Am," Allison said, "go to bed. I will sleep when I am ready for this final."
"Put the book away and go to bed," Asher argued.
"You go to bed," Allison said, "you need more sleep than I do. I'll do this probably have to feed Ev then go to bed."
"Once she's had that last middle of the night feed you'll come to bed," Asher asked.
"I will," Allison agreed.
"You'll sleep in our bed not falling asleep in the chair like monday night," Asher asked.
"I'll try," Allison agreed.
"Good night," Asher said leaning towards her.
Allison turned her head, he realized she was still to upset for a good night kiss.
"Night," Allison replied turning back to her textbook.
She worked for a while longer before Everly woke up to be fed. She turned off the light in Leo's room and slipped into the nursery slowly rocking in the chair while she fed her daughter. She was frustrated with life, it wasn't really Asher even though she had taken it out on him, she was angry at the world right now. She loved Everly and given the choice again would choose her daughter but it was hard and sometimes she got jealous of her old friends moving on and the parties her classmates invited her to but she couldn't attend. She felt like life was passing her by while she held her daughter. She wanted to go out with friends for a night and not have to worry about her daughter or if she left enough bottles for the babysitter. Most of all she was tired of being looked down on. People pitied her, she didn't want pity, she didn't want to be coddled, she wanted to stand on her own two feet. She was tired of the judgement and the stares and people who couldn't mind their own business. The old ladies who had to comment on Everly's leg braces when they went for a walk, insinuating that Allison had hurt her daughter somehow.
Allison laid Everly back in her crib with a kiss on the cheek then quietly got ready for bed.
"I'm sorry," Allison whispered as she crawled into bed.
"I picked a bad time," Asher said.
"I just needed to explode today," Allison admitted, "it wasn't you. It was everything coming to a head and I just needed to blow."
"What happened," Asher asked as she laid down.
"The usual," Allison sighed.
"Can you sleep now," Asher mumbelled.
Allison nodded, "can you hold me?"
"I can," Asher agreed.