The next afternoon Asher pulled up to his parents house still in his work clothes.
"Asher," Mark said as he opened the door.
"Dad, we need to talk," Asher declared.
"Is everything okay," Mark asked.
"No," Asher said, "I need to talk to you, mom and Renee for sure."
"Renee isn't home," Mark said, "what's going on?"
"In your office," Asher said.
"Coffee," Mark offered.
"Please," Asher said.
Mark made a pot of coffee, "how's work?"
"Hectic," Asher said, "but it's my last month before I'm in classes for 6 weeks."
"Will you guys be okay," Mark asked.
"It'll be tight," Asher admitted, "but Owen and Teddy said not to worry about rent for that block and I'm going to pick up a few shifts at Safeway with Allie. She told her manager and they need someone who can haul veggies at night. I don't like it but it's only a few weeks and opposite nights to when she works."
"If you guys need groceries or diapers let us know," Mark said, "we can help a bit."
"We will," Asher said, accepting the coffee cup from his dad and helping himself to milk and sugar.
"You wanted to talk," Mark said as they walked into the office.
"That last couple times we've been here Allie has cried when we got home," Asher said, "I know you and mom don't always agree with all of our choices but bullying Allie has to stop."
Mark paused thinking of the last couple times Allison had come over, "I thought the last couple visits went well."
"With you and mom," Asher said, "but she knows you don't approve. Really it's Renee and Jordan."
"Your brother misses you, you were so close," Mark said.
"Dad I want to spend time with him but he calls Allison a whore," Asher snapped, "I won't accept that. We know we did things that you wouldn't have chosen but Mitch is starting down that path as well and trying to bring my niece with him."
"When did you get a niece," Mark asked.
"Ellie Altman-Riggs," Asher said, "is Allison's niece so mine now two."
"But you and Allie," Mark snapped, "you're not married. You did things you can't judge your brothers. They're exploring. You did and had sex with Allison and God knows who else."
"Honestly dad we're each other's first and hopefully only," Asher said, "I told her it would be okay that you couldn't get pregnant the first time but I was wrong. You opted me out of sex ed at school and never taught us at home. What I knew was from locker room gossip. Everly will know all of that we will teach her or get the medical people in the family to help. Their discussions of the human body are pretty open. Dad, calling Allison a bad person because we did that. That was both of us."
"What have they said," Mark asked.
"Renee told Ellie that Allison is a whore and shouldn't be allowed in the house. That Everly's CP is because Allison sinned," Asher ranted, "that we deserve a special needs child as punishment for premarital sex."
Mark stared wide eyed at his oldest son.
Asher continued, "Renee has repeatedly told Allison that she is not good enough for our family. That she will never be part of it. She said that Everly shouldn't exist. Jordan is no better. He told Allison she didn't do the most basic thing a woman is here to do properly. I know you disagree with a lot of Allison's family's values but I can't agree with all of you here. Allison is smart, kind, loving, hard working and the best friend I've ever had. Every time they put Allie down they drive both of us further away. Yes we're not married yet and I will propose one day. I can't afford a ring yet and I want it to be special. I don't know if you can be in our lives if you keep treating Allie that way. Dad I can't watch her come home from here crying anymore."
"What do you want me to do," Mark asked.
"Talk to Jacob and Renee," Asher said, "dad she blames herself enough with everything going on with Ev. She cries over it at least once a week on her own. She does not need Renee telling her it's her fault. Dad, you don't know everything going on with Allie or I. We can only tell you the good and what's going well. Things are hard. Harder than I expected and the way Allie is being treated when she's here is making it worse."
"What's going on," Mark asked, "the whole picture. We know Everly's diagnosis is hard and it's a lot for you. Eden was hard for us and your mom and I were adults with 5 kids already. We felt helpless and at fault and lost. I almost left the church over that. I questioned God."
"This isn't a crisis of faith," Asher said, "I don't know what I believe right now because what you say about God and faith is different from when I've talked to David."
"You've gotten to know him well," Mark said.
"He's Allie's Opa," Asher said, "step grandfather, we go see him and Evelyn Allie's nana pretty often. But that's not the point dad. You preach about love and forgiveness and loving people even when they make mistakes. But you're not doing it. Your love for me and for us is not unconditional."
"What," Mark roared.
"You love an idea of me not me," Asher said, "I know it, Allie sees it. Like you and mom didn't. I was born 6 months after your wedding."
"We were engaged," Mark said.
"You still did," Asher said.
"I know," Mark said, "your mom and I were not fair to you."
"It's not just kicking me out," Asher said, " it's the way you judge. The way you talk to Allison. You can't keep looking down on her. She's trying! Do you know how hard she works? How she goes days with no sleep. That she is the most incredible woman on the planet."
"Is this what you want," Mark asked.
"I made this decision when I found out Allison was pregnant," Asher said, "I love her. Dad, this is what I want. I've manned up. I've stood by my family. You refuse to see it. You refuse to see her."
"Your siblings," Mark said, "they don't understand."
"Neither did Leo but he talked to us and spent time with us and we learned," Asher said, "I could be friends with Leo if he wasn't at UCLA. We hang out when he's home. We like the same TV shows, and games, things Allie won't play or watch with me. He gave me a chance. They've never given her a chance."
"Her parents," Mark asked.
"Push me," Asher ranted, "demand my best. My best semester of school was living with them. I needed help with math and instead of telling me to google it they helped. Owen or Teddy sat with me and helped. They want us to be independent, they don't coddle us. I don't know if they love that I'm an electrician and doing an apprenticeship and not college but college was never in the cards for me."
"If you wanted to," MArk said.
"I can't now," Asher shouted, "we can't do the student loans. My apprenticeship was always plan A. Now I have to support my family. I work 50 hour weeks dad. I'm a man. I support my family. You may think that we're less than you, less than perfect because we didn't think beforehand and were drunk. But I will never call my daughter a mistake. She is unplanned but Everly is not a mistake. She is the best surprise we could ever have. You have to stop judging us. You sit there and preach forgiveness but you don't forgive!"
"Asher," Mark yelled back, "do not speak to me in that tone."
"No dad," Asher yelled, "it's time you listen."
"Get out of my house," Mark yelled.
"Fine," Asher screamed, "then I won't come back. You kick me out. You refuse to stand up for me. I don't need this, Allie doesn't and it certainly doesn't help Everly!"
Michelle entered the office.
"Ash what's going on," Michelle asked.
"Jordan and Renee have said that Ev deserves to be special needs," Asher roared, "that Allison isn't good enough for your family. That they don't want her around. They said she was a bad person and a sinner. They called her a whore!"
"Asher no," Michelle sighed.
"Yes," Asher said, "mom, dad it's not fair to Ev or Allie. Allie is going to break. She is so stressed she's not eating or sleeping. You are making that worse. Allison is struggling and I can't take much more."
"Do you want me to come babysit so you can have time together," Michelle offered.
"Owen and Teddy do, Annie and Josh, Megan, Faroke and Nisha, Ellie, Catrina, Chris and Jenna," Asher said, "we have babysitters that love and know Ev. People that don't think my daughter is a mistake and her needs are a punishment for me and Allison."
"That is not true," Mark said, "it doesn't work like that. Everly is just her."
"Jacob and Renee have been saying that since she was diagnosed. I'm sick of it," Asher said.
"We'll talk to them," Michelle said.
"Until you do and they reach out you're not seeing Everly," Asher declared.
"You're 18 you can't make this decision," Mark said.
"I don't want to but I have to," Asher said, "I don't like not seeing you but my daughter comes first. They get the idea from somewhere. I'm already late getting home and Ev will be excited to see me."
Asher stood up and walked out of his parents house.
Allison sat in the university library with Ava.
"You okay," Ava asked.
Allison pretended to ignore the question.
"Allison what happened with Asher," Ava asked.
Allison kept studying.
"Is Everly okay," Ava asked.
Allison ignored her friend.
"Are you pregnant again," Ava asked, "the last time you ignored me you were pregnant and not telling anyone yet."
"I'm not, he's fine, she gets casts on Friday," Allison snapped.
"What do you need," Ava asked.
"To finish this problem set," Allison said.
"We'll do it together since we're in the same class," Ava suggested.
"Ava I don't have the energy to be social right now," Allison said.
"Let's walk," Ava suggested, "something is bugging you."
"It's too much Ava," Allison said, "I haven't slept through the night in over a year. The next few days with Ev will be hell. It has been when they've changed her braces before this is even more restrictive."
"How long is it for," Ava asked.
"Six weeks. Changed once a week then a new set of braces," Allison said, "hopefully she'll be ready to crawl around her birthday."
"That will be good to get her moving," Ava said.
"She's behind," Allison said, "and Asher's family blames me. His brother and sister said that it's all my fault."
"No," Ava gasped.
Allison nodded, tears welling in her eyes.
"Allie," Ava sighed, hugging her friend, "when?"
"Last Saturday and because Ellie is dating his brother Mitch she's heard things," Allison said, "she told me. She's breaking up with Mitch because of it."
"What about Asher," Ava asked.
"He's going to talk to his parents today," Allison said, "I can't do this without him but if they hate me this much should I be with him?"
"Are you thinking of breaking up with him," Ava asked.
"I don't want to," Allison said, "I love him. It would destroy me to lose him. But I can't spend my life with people who hate me. Who despises my daughter's existence. I love Asher. I would marry him if he asked. But is it healthy for Ev? We can't keep exposing her to that."
"They don't hate her," Ava said, "how can anyone not love Everly? She is the most perfect princess ever."
"They don't love her," Allison said, "but we have to study."
"Can you," Ava asked.
"We have a quiz in class so we have to," Allison said, "I need As. Anything less is not an option."
"Coffee," Ava offered.
"No I just need to work," Allison said, "please Ava can we just be quiet?"
"We can," Ava agreed, "if you need anything I'm here."
"I know," Allison said, "I just needed a moment to vent."
"Allie don't hold it in," Ava said, "you've only ever kept one secret from me."
"Mom said I had to keep that for a few weeks," Allison said.
That night when she got home Allison went in through the front door instead of the basement. Owen jumped up hearing the door open, he knew Teddy was upstairs reading.
"Muchkin is everything okay," Owen asked.
"Can I talk to you and mom," Allison asked.
"I'll go get her," Owen said, "she's in our room."
"I'll just go up," Allison replied, turning to the stairs.
Owen followed Allison.
"Mommy," Allison called from the door.
"Baby girl what's wrong," Teddy asked.
Allison broke down crying, "I don't know if I can do this anymore. I can't live with them hating me. With me never being good enough. I know I hurt Everly and it's my fault but they don't need to remind me of it everytime I see them."
"Who," Teddy asked.
"Renee and Jacob and if they say it his parents must be," Allison sobbed, "I hurt her and the cast this week will even be worse and I can't keep seeing her hurt. I know she was a surprise and we didn't plan it but she's my daughter and I love her."
"What do you want to do," Owen asked.
"I want to make them stop," Allison sobbed, "I can't do this. I can't watch her in pain every time they change her braces or cast her or she needs another surgery. I can't make her pain go away and she doesn't understand and she cries. And one day he's going to realize his family was right and leave us because I messed up. I was the one in the wrong, I'm the broken one."
"Never," Teddy said, "baby girl come here."
Allison collapsed on the bed beside Teddy.
"We're here munchkin," Owen promised, "we're here."
"What if he believe them and leaves," Allison panicked.
"What has he said to you," Teddy asked.
"He said he was going to talk to his dad to try and get them to stop," Allison said.
"And does Asher always keep his promises," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison agreed, "but what if?"
"Then you and Ev stay here and you have us," Owen promised, "Allison is this about Asher or his parents?"
"His parents and siblings," Allison said, "but dad I can't do this. I can't always be less than and not good enough for them. I'm tired of being called a whore. They've called me that for the last year and a half."
"I hate that word," Teddy agreed, "I've been called it a few times."
"Who, when," Allison asked.
"Annie's biological father," Teddy said, "he never believed she was his. But I know and she knows the truth. You and Asher know the truth."
"I've only ever been with him I promise," Allison said.
"We know," Owen agreed, "we believe you."
"I can't spend my whole life being called that," Allison said, "with Renee and Jacob saying we deserve everything that's going on with Everly that it's my fault. That if we had been married she wouldn't struggle."
"No," Owen said, "no Allison."
"Allison we don't know why CP happens fully," Teddy said, "we do know that nothing you did caused it."
"Is it a punishment for my depression," Allison asked.
"No," Owen said, "it just happens. Nothing anyone could foresee or change."
"Why do they blame me," Allison sobbed.
"I don't know baby girl," Teddy said, "I don't know. We can help you talk to them or ask them to back off."
Allison shook her head and continued sobbing, her parents wrapped their arms around her and let her cry.
"We're here," Owen promised.
"We won't go anywhere until you're ready," Teddy promised.
"Why do they hate me," Allison sobbed, "I try. I do it their way when I'm there. I'm nice. I don't know what they want from me."
"Just be yourself," Teddy assured.
"But it's not good enough," Allison bawled.
"Then they're the ones in the wrong," Owen said, "munchkin you are doing everything right. You love and fight for Everly, she is loved and well cared for."
Teddy took over, "you and Asher are learning to be a team and a couple. You are working so hard. Allison are you taking both medications and the vitamins?"
"Yes," Allison said, "but I don't know. I'm tired of being the wrong person for them. Maybe if I was smarter or prettier or quieter or I don't know anything but me they might like me."
"Renee is younger than Ellie and Cat isn't she," Teddy asked.
"A year or two," Allison said, "Jacob is a year younger than us."
"So Renee doesn't know what she's saying," Teddy replied.
"But last year Ellie knew and Cat," Allison said.
"And we've raised all of you to be a lot more open minded," Teddy said.
"They keep saying that it's in the bible but I asked Opa and it's not," Allison said, "there is no veres specifically saying parents have to be married."
"Listen to Opa," Owen said, "he's seen and been part of a lot. He knows his stuff."
"Then why," Allison asked.
"Control," Teddy said, "they're trying to control you and Asher and using the bible to manipulate you. Stand your ground and use your voice."
Asher carried Everly into Teddy and Owen's living room, "Allie? Where are you?"
"Go see him and you two talk," Teddy said.
"I'll try," Allison agreed.
Allison walked down to the living room, Asher saw her tear stained face and the makeup running down her cheeks.
"Allie," Asher whispered, "Everly is that mommy."
"Mama," Everly babbled.
Allison smiled for the first time all day, "hi princess. Mommy is just tired."
Allison took Everly from Asher and held her close the baby put her little arms around Allison's neck and buried her face in her mom's hair.
"I love you," Allison whispered to the baby, kissing her head and breathing in the sweet smell of her baby's shampoo, "you're almost ready for beddy by time. Lets go have some milk and read your story."
"Allie," Asher asked.
"When she's in bed," Allison said, "come on baby girl let's get you tucked in. You look sleepy princess."
Allison carried Everly down and put the baby to bed.
"Mama," Everly babbled as Allison laid her in the crib.
"Yes mommy loves you so much princess," Allison whispered, "you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you and I always will."
Allison stayed by the crib for a few more minutes watching as Everly fell asleep.
"How were your parents," Allison asked sitting on the couch with Asher.
"That didn't go well," Asher said, "why were you crying?"
"Renee texted me again," Allison said, "on my way home from school."
"I want to see it," Asher said, "and we need to forward it to my dad. They don't believe us."
"I'm not going this week," Allison said, "and you're not taking our daughter."
"We're not going," Asher said, "they don't see how much they're hurting you and the rejection of Ev because she has CP is too much."
"Your family though," Allison said.
"We'll take a break," Asher said, "I'm too mad to talk to my parents right now."
"I can't keep being called that word," Allison snapped.
"I told them that," Asher said.
"What are we going to do," Allison asked.
"Not see them until they can accept us," Asher said, "mom might visit but dad and the others don't see it."
"They keep treating me like this, trying to control me. I don't know if we can be together if it continues," Allison said, "it's not healthy for me."
"Are you going to break up with me," Asher asked.
"No," Allison said, "I don't want to. But I have to be healthy. I'm really really depressed and anxious right now."
"I know," Asher said, 'that's why I went to see them. I know you're not eating or sleeping and that's what you do when you're not doing well. Allie, we'll take some time away from them. We don't need to see them for a while."
"I can't do this," Allison said, "I've had enough. I just can't."
"I know," Asher said, "this week then reading break next week."
"I'm done Ash," Allison said, "I'm exhausted and stressed and just done."
"I know," Asher said.
"But I can't take time off work because you go back to school," Allison said, "I have to work more then or we ask for help."
"Maybe have to ask before it destroys us," Asher said.
"Just for diapers and groceries," Allison said, "I can walk to work its only 4 blocks and take the bus to school."
"We'll figure it out," Asher said, "have you eaten?"
"No," Allison said.
"Theres a frozen pizza," Asher offered.
"Let's just do that," Allison agreed, "I'm too tired to cook."
"So am I," Asher said, "pizza, have a bubble bath and we'll go to bed."
"Okay," Allison agreed.
Asher was worried about the comment around leaving him but also knew she was over tired and over stressed. He wouldn't push it today. He knew when she was in this type of mood she said things she didn't mean.