"How did today go," Asher asked when Allison came in after her last final of the semester.
"Good," Allison replied, "you took over time today though? I had to scramble and drop Ev at Annie's for Ellie to babysit."
"We had to get the cable pulled and connected today, we lost half the day yesterday with the rain," Asher said, "I told Stewart but they needed everyone."
"It threw me," Allison said.
"I know," Asher replied, "how was your exam?"
"It felt pretty good," Allison said.
"Three weeks off," Asher smiled.
"I took extra shifts on days I'd normally be in school this week and next," Allison said, "like we talked about weeks ago."
"They were still open," Asher asked.
"They're desperate. I have 40 hours the next 2 weeks," Allison said, "I've never worked that much in my life but we need me to."
"It's only this week we need extra babysitting right," Asher asked.
"A bit of next on Tuesday and Thursday," Allison said, "then after the break I'll work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday."
"You said three," Asher said, "why did you take a fourth."
"Because we're always arguing about money," Allison said, "so either I take a student loan to cover some living expenses or I work more and I don't want to put us in debt for me to go to school. Last night you pointed out the money thing again. I know I only make $14 an hour and you're getting almost $40 but I don't have that skill. I want to go to college and I want to help kids like Ev, families like ours. That's going to take time."
"I know," Asher said, "Allie, why would you go from stressed and no time with school to working full time? When are you taking a break?"
"When we go to the cabin, Christmas Eve and Christmas day," Allison said, "and I logged into the store app so I could pick up extra shifts. After our fight last night I felt bad about the money so I changed my availability to take on one more shift and picked up the open ones for the Christmas rush."
"You're at school one more day a week," Asher said, "and longer days. I was tired and mad because I lost 3 hours of my regular day and 2 hours of overtime yesterday. I got 3 hours of overtime today but we count on my OT."
"I can work more so we don't have to," Allison said.
"How about you try it for 2 weeks when you go back and see," Asher suggested, "if it's too much you go back to 3 shifts. And drop some of the extras you picked up over the break. I was looking forward to time the three of us."
"You can't get mad at me about you supporting us and then tell me not to work," Allison said, "she's almost seven months. I was in daycare full time at three months old. Why is this so hard Ash?"
"I know," Asher said, "why don't you go put your headphones in and run on the treadmill?"
"I hate the treadmill," Allison whined.
"Headphones and go dance," Asher said, "I like when you dance. When was the last time you got real exercise?"
"Ev and I went for a long walk today with Kristen," Allison said, "I didn't have to work today and my test was later so when she texted Ev needed fresh air so we went."
"How's Kristen," Asher asked.
"She joined a sorority," Allison said, "lots of parties. Do you feel like we're missing out sometimes?"
"Sometimes," Asher agreed, "I don't know if we skipped a bunch of things or if we're missing out but we're different from our friends."
"Sometimes it's easier to be with Eden and Carmen," Allison said, "they get it. Ev needed to be changed on the walk and Kristen looked so disgusted. She asked what was wrong with Ev."
"I hate when people ask that," Asher agreed, "there's nothing wrong with her, she's not broken."
"I feel like Ava is the only one who actually tries," Allison said, "I want to go to her party next weekend."
"We're going," Asher said, "didn't Olivia invite you tomorrow?"
"Girls night," Allison said, "I feel bad."
"Why," Asher asked.
"Leaving you and Ev," Allison said.
"Go for a bit," Asher suggested, "go chat then don't stay over."
"They like to drink at girls' night," Allison shrugged, "I can't."
"One," Asher offered, "I'll drop you off and pick you up."
"We have no way to get anything," Allison said, "and my medication it's not smart."
"Why don't you go tomorrow night," Asher suggested, "and I'm home with Ev. Tyson is home tomorrow and wants a bunch of us to come play some games on Saturday night."
"So I'll stay with Ev Saturday and you go see the guys and we move down stairs on Sunday," Allison said, "mom and I are cleaning it on saturday."
"I'll help, on Saturday it's our place," Asher said.
"I want to get a Christmas tree," Allison said, "just a little one or a fake one but I think we need one down there."
"We can find a little one and some ornaments," Asher agreed.
"Do you mind if I go tomorrow for a bit," Allison asked, "just to say hi and hang out. I
Teddy and Owen sat in a staff meeting rolling their eyes.
"You're out of touch," Owen shouted at the young OB presenting.
"Excuse me Dr Hunt," the OB said.
"You're talking about young girls who have unplanned pregnancies," Owen said, "like they had no idea. Most do. You're saying they're incapable of supporting their children or being parents. You don't know."
"How many have you treated," the OB asked.
"How many do you know personally," Teddy asked, "how many hands have you held while they sobbed over losing their childhood, their innocence, their senior year. How many nights have you had to force yourself to stay in your room when you hear then struggling with their child but know they have to do it on their own and you have to wait until they ask for help."
"You have experience with this," the OB said.
"Our youngest got pregnant at 17," Owen said, "Allison turned 18 in January and had her daughter in May."
"Until you've held your daughter's hand and sat with her trying to help her sleep when she's 9 months pregnant and having braxton hicks you don't get to judge the girl or her family," Teddy said, "we talked to our kids about safer sex. We made sure our kids knew they could come to us no matter what. She told me the same day she found out she was pregnant. She told her older sister first. She's raising a special needs child at 18. Your comments are based off what?"
"The outreach I do with the school district parenting students program," the OB said, "I've seen every girl in that program for the last 4 years."
"We declined the medical care portion for Allison," Teddy said, "we wanted her with Carina Deluca."
"That was a first," Carina said, "I delivered Allison then 18 years later delivered her daughter."
"The parents," the OB said.
"You don't know the family's story," Teddy said, "I had Grace when I was 21 and she was not planned. Until you have been in those girls' shoes, that family's shoes you don't understand. No parent chooses that for their child. We didn't, Asher's parents didn't but the kids are making it work. We have a beautiful granddaughter named Everly."
A group of interns and residents stared at the former chief and her husband.
"No one's past is what you think it is," Teddy continued, "you only see what they want you to see and want you to know. We guard information about Allison, Asher and Everly. We guard information about our histories and our kids. Privacy is important. Your patients will do the same. You and I will talk about this and looking for the whole picture."
The next night Allison parked in Olivia's driveway at the same time as Belle.
"Allie you came," Belle said looking shocked.
"Asher's home with Everly," Allison replied, "he's going out with the guys tomorrow. It's the first time we've done this."
"I haven't met your daughter," Belle said.
"Didn't you see her at the end of summer beach party," Allison asked.
"But I didn't get to hold her," Belle said.
"Not many people had then," Allison said, "I think only Ava has spent much time with her. How's school? Do you like being on campus?"
"Classes suck but I like the freedom," Belle said, "did you go?"
"UW, I finished my last final yesterday," Allison said, "what are you majoring in?"
"General for now but I'm thinking of Linguistics," Belle said, "you?"
"I pre med," Allison said.
"How will you," Belle asked.
"It'll work," Allison smiled.
Olivia let them in, "Allie you actually came! No Everly?"
"She's home with Asher," Allison said, "first time in how long I've been out without her to see friends."
"She came to a few girls' nights last year," Olivia tried.
"I dragged her," Allison forced a laugh.
Amanda appeared behind Olivia, "Allison, how are you?"
"Good, happy the semester is over," Allison said.
"How is Everly," Amanda asked.
"She's good," Allison smiled, "she rolls from her tummy to her back now and she's so close to going from her back to her front."
"Sitting, eating," Amanda asked.
"With support and she likes her cereal, bananas, apple sauce, avocado and squash," Allison said, "it's still just tasting though."
"Olivia mentioned something was going on," Amanda said, "are you okay?"
"Figuring it all out," Allison said, "Ev is super social, she loves people and tries to have conversations. We don't know where she gets it Ash is an introvert unless its with me."
"You're pretty outgoing," Amanda said.
"We don't get out much though," Allison said.
"It's hard with a little one," Amanda agreed, "she's 7 months now?"
"Almost," Allison said, "the 20th."
"Your feeling good,' Amanda asked.
"I'm really good," Allison said, "I was going to start dancing once a week again in January but I might work an extra shift instead."
"Thats a hard decision sweetheart," Amanda smiled, "which is better for you?"
"It's better for my family to have me work," Allison said, "but it's another night of missing bedtime. Dance doesn't start until 8:15 so she's sound asleep by the time I leave and won't wake up for a feed until midnight so."
"Still waking up at night," Amanda asked.
"Once or twice," Allison said, "I'm okay. She sleeps 7:30 to midnight then 12:30-5:30 or 6."
"She's still nursing," Amanda asked.
"She is," Allison said, "trying for her first year."
"I'd like to see her again I haven't since she was a new born," Amanda said.
"Liv hasn't been having us over as much," Allison shrugged, "and it's hard to get a babysitter. I don't like taking advantage of my parents."
"I understand," Amanda smiled, "just talk to your mom. She's worried about you."
"Mom always worries," Allison said, "it's like her super power or something. Hers and Annies."
"I'm working with your sister again," Amanda said, "brilliant woman."
"Annie is," Allison agreed.
"Allie stop hanging out with my mom," Olivia said, "hot tub time."
"I can actually go in," Allison said.
"You can now," Belle asked.
"Since July," Allison said.
"You brought a bathing suit," Ava asked.
"Two," Allison replied, "I can't decide between the tankini and my black bikini."
"Lets see," Ava said.
"My stomach," Allison whispered.
"Allie, have you seen mine," Ava asked.
"I don't like the stretch marks," Allison whispered.
"I do," Ava said, "my hips why do you think I wear high waisted bottoms."
"Its my whole stomach," Allison said, "and my boobs."
"Don't worry about what the others are wearing," Ava whispered, "wear what you want."
"Tank then," Allison said.
The girls got ready and headed outside to the hot tub.
"This feels normal," Allison commented.
"Because it is," Kristen rolled her eyes.
"I don't do this much," Allison said.
"What do you do these days," Carly asked.
"Raise my daughter, school, work and spending time with Asher," Allison said.
"You and Asher are still together,' Brooke asked.
"We are," Allison said, "we move into our basement suite on Sunday."
"Your own place," Lily gasped.
"Sort of," Allison said, "my parents redid the basement into a two bedroom suite. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, our own entrance."
"Wow," Brooke said, "so things with Asher?"
"We're really good," Allison said.
"No drama," Olivia asked.
"We argue," Allison said, "when we're over tired or stressed."
"How's your daughter," Brooke asked.
"Everly is doing better," Allison said, "she had surgery a couple months ago."
"Is she okay," Lily asked.
"She has hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy," Allison said, "she's doing better now. She had a shunt put in in October to drain the extra fluid in her brain and she started to get really social and alert after that. She loves people and being played with."
"This week's new skills," Ava asked.
"She rolled from her tummy to her back, she's almost sitting on her own, she's close to rolling from her back to her tummy," Allison smiled.
"I didn't see her this week," Ava said, "finals week it didn't work."
"Next week come see our place," Allison invited.
"Is Asher the one," Carly asked.
"He is," Allison said, "he gave me a promise ring in July."
"You had his baby and all you got is a promise ring," Lily snorted.
"We talked about getting married but we're not ready," Allison said, "I think it was perfect. I love it."
"But you live with him as a couple," Lily asked.
"We've shared a room for months," Allison said, "before Ev was born. I can't sleep with out him now."
"So not sleeping over," Belle asked.
"No," Allison replied, "Ev still wakes up needing to be fed over night."
"Can't Asher give her a bottle," Brooke asked.
"He can and he will at bedtime because I'm here but there's only one bottle in the fridge she needs me," Allison said, "she's still breastfeeding."
"So you can't have a drink with us," Brooke asked.
"I could but I'm driving," Allison replied, "I have to drive home. I'll stay until 11 ish. People have to be more interesting than my life."
"Brooke has a boy friend," Lily said, "hes hot."
"How hot," Ava asked.
"Movie star," Brooke giggled.
"How far," Olivia asked.
"Like any of us are virgins," Lily said, "we know Allison isn't."
Ava blushed.
"Don't worry," Allison whispered to Ava, "the first time isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"You have since," Ava whispered back.
"Not until Halloween, Ev finally moved out of our room," Allison said, "the other stuff is more fun anyway."
"Ava you seeing anyone," Lily asked.
"No," Ava said, "too busy with school and work."
"Anyone cute at school," Belle asked.
"That guy from your english class," Allison said.
"We text and talk after class but," Ava said, "it never goes beyond that. I don't think Luke is that into me."
"The day he had coffee with us," Allison said, "he was only looking at you."
"But its me," Ava said.
"Exactly it's you," Allison beamed, "you're a great friend, a wonderful auntie, funny, smart, loyal, kind. What wouldn't he like?"
"Really," Ava rolled her eyes.
"Ava come on," Allison said.
Olivia reached over the side of the hot tub and grabbed a vape.
"Anyone," Olivia offered.
"No," Brooke said.
"Never," Lily agreed.
"Why," Belle asked, "Liv what's going on?"
"It's a party," Olivia said.
"Why though," Allison said, "what's the point?"
"It helps me relax," Olivia said.
"Liv," Allison sighed, "whats in it?"
"Weed," Olivia said.
"I can't be around it," Allison said, "we don't know how it would affect."
"Just because you have a kid doesn't mean you can be the mom of the group," Olivia snapped.
"She is the group mom," Brooke defended.
"If anyone needs rides home I'm completely sober and will stay so," Allison said.
"Will you ever," Brooke asked.
"When Ev isn't nursing," Allison said, "if Asher and I go up to the fishing camp I can legally have one in BC."
"What do you mean," Belle asked.
"I can drink at 19 in Canada it's legal there at 19," Allison said, "we didn't go fishing last summer and I don't know if we'll go this year with a one year old. Annie brings her kids up as infants but it's uncle dan's side and she's got it easier asking for help with all the kids."
Allison spent the rest of the night relaxing with her friends, just before 11 she had enough and decided to head home.
"Everly is going to need to be fed soon," Allison said, standing up and grabbing her sweater.
"Can I get a ride," Brooke asked.
"Sure," Allison said, "I need to go now though."
"I'm coming," Ava said.
They said their goodbyes and headed home.
"How was it," Teddy asked when Allison came in.
"Ava, Brooke and Lily were great," Allison said.
"Liv," Teddy asked.
"She had a vape pen with pot in it," Allison said, "I can't do that. Mom she's dating a guy who's like 23 and he wants her to party with him. He's buying her alcohol and pot and she's sleeping at his place a couple times a week. I've said no to her using me as a cover. Like she would logically sleep over here now."
"Amanda knows," Teddy said, "we still talk."
"I love Liv but she's not making choices I want to be around," Allison said.
"Then tell her you love her but distance yourself for a while," Teddy suggested, "you see Ava more and are closer to Ava now anyway."
"We're trying to figure out how to get this boy from her English class to see her away from school," Allison said.
"Just ask him," Teddy shrugged.
"She won't," Allison said, "I suggested it. I'm going to go up and see Ash and Ev."
"But Ava is good," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "she's going to come tomorrow night while Ash is at Tyson's and help me with Ev's new room. We're ordering pizza."
"That's good," Teddy smiled, "good night baby girl."
"Good night mom," Allison smiled walking up the stairs.
Allison walked into her bedroom and softly kissed Asher's cheek, waking him up.
"You're home,' Asher said.
"I am," Allison replied, "I'll be in bed in a minute. I just need to kiss Ev good night."
Allison tiptoed into the nursery and followed the soft glow from the night light to the crib. She softly stroked the baby's cheek before whispering, "I'm home baby. Mommy is home. I love you so much."