"Back to school today," Asher smiled as Allison made breakfast.

"I feel like I haven't had a break in a couple years," Allison said.

"Why I told you and your parents said to take the summer off," Asher argued.

"She's overslept," Allison changed the subject.

"We put her to bed late," Asher said, "and she was up over night."

"The BBQ wasn't a good idea," Allison said.

"It was for us but not for Ev," Asher agreed.

"It was good to go out and see the guys you work with," Allison said, "your crew is nice."

"They are," Asher agreed, "and they like seeing Everly."

"Mama," Everly called.

Allison walked into the nursery and picked up Everly who wrapped her arms around Allison's neck and kissed her mom.

"Good morning princess," Allison smiled, "you're happy this morning."

Allison got Everly ready for the day and put her in the high chair with her breakfast. Everly ate her toast and boiled egg independently, making a mess but smiling as she ate.

"How did physio go," Asher asked as Allison finished her coffee.

"Fine," Allison said, "we go Friday. She's with auntie Meg today."

"Monday you're home all day then night classes, today she's with Megan, Wednesday she's with your dad, Thursday you have a morning class and a night class, Ava is babysitting in the morning then Friday she goes to Annie," Asher confirmed.

"Yes," Allison said, "3 in person and 2 online classes. I work Wednesday, Friday and Saturday."

"Still three," Asher said, "I got a raise you could cut back again."

"No," Allison said, "I have to. It's not fair to you."

"You're going to drop her to Megan then go to school," Asher said, "what's today?"

"Bio chem, anatomy and calculus," Allison said, "9-7. I have a bio chem lab and a French tutorial. It's my long day. You have bed time."

"French minor," Asher asked.

"Yes I love it," Allison said, "I don't know what it will do for me long term but it's a second language."

Upstairs Teddy reread an email for the fifth time.

"Owen read this," Teddy said passing Owen her iPad.

"Who is it from," Owen asked.

"Steven," Teddy said, "I shouldn't have read it but the subject Sorry caught my attention."

"What does he say," Owen asked.

"He's asking for my forgiveness and Annie's," Teddy said, "read it."

Owen took the iPad and read.

Dear Teddy,

I know this is at least 40 years too late. I'm going through the steps and getting sober now. I need to apologise for how much I hurt you. I know now that hitting, kicking you and forcing you the way I did was wrong. It was wrong of me to abandon you and our child when you told me. I know you told me years ago it was a daughter. I think you called her Annie. She must be in her 40s now. Last time we spoke you were in touch with her, I think I was told you work together. Could you pass my apologies along and maybe send me a picture of her.

Did you ever find happiness Teddy? I know when I saw you 20 years ago you were married, do you have other children?

How is our daughter? Is she married? Do we have grandchildren? Do you still work together? Is she happy?

Teddy I'm sorry and I know this is too little too late. I should have made it right with you 40 years ago. I should never have hit you or forced you. How I treated you is something I regret.

Sincerely,

Steven Thompson

"Forced you," Owen asked.

"It's 45 almost 46 years ago," Teddy said, "but there were a couple occasions that he manipulated me or pushed me to sleep with him even when I didn't want to."

"Teddy that's rape," Owen said, "what if our girls? Our granddaughters?"

"I'd kill him. I nearly killed Asher 2 years ago," Teddy said.

"I know we both did," Owen said, "but Everly is 15 months. Teddy, do you need anything?"

"I talked it all through years ago in therapy," Teddy said, "it happened. Yes he was incredibly violent and he forced me a few times. Particularly around when Annie would have been conceived. But I don't want Annie to know that because I would destroy her. I don't know if I should forward his email to Annie or tell him anything about her."

"She's almost 45," Owen said, "she can handle it. At least give her a choice and tell the rest of the story. She knows he hit you. I was with you when you told her."

"She's had so much and the last year with Leslie I just don't know," Teddy sighed.

"Leslie has althizmers," Owen said, "that's a long hard road and I've heard her talking with Meredith about it. At the same time she seems okay. I think she got the closure she needed when her and Chris packed up the house."

"She said she read Leslie's journals," Teddy said, "that she understands more now."

"Is she okay, she's been quiet," Owen said.

"She's good," Teddy assured, "we talked yesterday a good talk no kids."

"She's happy," Owen asked.

"She talked to Leslie's doctor," Teddy said, "Leslie is in hospice. Her and Chris were going up. She's okay with her brother. Her and Chris have been each other's biggest supporters as long as Annie's been in my life."

"They've always been good together," Owen said, "the first time I met him I liked him and she was calmer."

"That summer in the cottage with both," Teddy smiled, "they felt like my kids."

"Your kids," Owen asked.

"I instantly cared for and felt protective of Chris," Teddy explained, "the way I checked in with both daily for years. Henry called them my kids. He knew her and we saw more of Annie but they were ours. Chris used to message me a few times a week, especially when he was deployed."

"That cabin trip Chris was only half joking calling you mama," Owen remembered.

"I don't want to tell Annie about this until she's back from BC," Teddy said.

"When did they leave," Owen asked.

"Tomorrow," Teddy said, "trying to do it in a day."

"Dan," Owen asked.

"Going. Leslie never signed the divorce papers," Teddy admitted, "but Steven after 45 years to acknowledge Annie is his that we had a baby."

"You okay," Owen asked.

"I've always wanted him to acknowledge it but like this," Teddy said, "now. I guess I thought I'd feel more."

"What do you feel," Owen asked.

"Nothing," Teddy admitted, "I'm reading it and I feel nothing just empty."

"What do you want to do," Owen asked.

"I should reply but not yet," Teddy said, "I forgave him a long time ago. I forgave him 20 years ago when I finally told you."

"I didn't know he raped you," Owen said.

"I wasn't ready to say it and Owen Annie can not know," Teddy said, "I do not want the kids to know. Annie has struggled so much with her identity and how she fits and who truly loves and wants her that to tell her that would destroy all the work she's done. Owen she can't know. I don't even know if it was one of the two times he raped me that created her. At the time I didn't see it as what it was. I was young, I had no point of reference and he said he loved me. There was no force. It was just manipulation. He told me he wanted me and needed me and that I owed it to him. He said that if I loved him I would do it."

"Teddy," Owen whispered, taking her in his arms.

"It happened twice," Teddy continued, "I was tired and stressed with school. I wasn't in the mood and he kept saying things and touching me until I gave in. I gave in Owen. I gave him permission."

"Because he pushed you," Owen said.

"I wasn't strong," Teddy said.

"No," Owen said, "you were afraid. Everything you've told me about him you were afraid."

"I was. I didn't trust my voice," Teddy said.

"I know," Owen said, "Teddy you're safe. You are safe."

"I know because I'm with you," Teddy replied, letting her head fall on his shoulder. Owen held her and felt her tears start to fall on his shoulder.

"I love you," Owen whispered into her hair, "Teddy you're safe."

"I don't feel nothing," Teddy sobbed.

"You don't," Owen agreed.

"He acknowledged it," she said, "he said it. He said he hurt me he said he raped me he said Annie is his child biologically. She will always be my daughter but not his."

"She is," Owen said, "you did what you did to protect her. I know that."

"She's safe," Teddy said, "I got her away from him. If I had kept her I would never have gotten us away from Steven. I had to keep her safe to be safe."

"You did," Owen said, "she's safe and always has been. She is loved and safe. She has always been loved and safe."

"Don't get mad at me," Teddy said.

"Never," Owen said, "Teddy you are so strong. You've carried this for years on your own. I love you and you are safe."

"Can we stay home today," Teddy asked, "I need to stay home and process."

"We can," Owen said, "I'll text Megan."

"She's off," Teddy replied, "Grey is in charge today."

"She's still doing Tuesdays off," Owen asked.

"Yes and she has Everly," Teddy replied.

"Did Allison and Asher consider daycare," Owen asked.

"They want her with family," Teddy said, "they do so much early intervention and a couple groups that Everly sees people and will start making little friends."

"They're doing well," Owen assured.

That afternoon Megan sat with Everly in her lap reading a story.

"Down," Everly demanded.

"Do you want to crawl," Megan asked.

"Yes," Everly answered.

Megan set the little one on the floor and watched as she crawled around the living room looking for toys.

"Everly come here," Megan called, "come see Auntie Megan."

Everly crawled half way before sitting on her bottom, she smiled at Megan waiting to be picked up.

"Come on Ev," Megan said, "you can come here. You can do it."

"No," Everly said, "up."

Megan decided not to push Everly to crawl further, she knew Allison and Asher would but she didn't know how much to push the little one.

"It's time for lunch, a story and a nap," Megan said, picking up the baby, "do you want yogurt?"

"No gourt," Everly pouted.

"Let's have some soup," Megan said, she had a pot of squash soup in the fridge and thought that it could be a good lunch for the little girl.

Megan sat Everly in the folding highchair at the table and put a few goldfish crackers in front of her while she heated the soup and cut up some leftover roast chicken into little bits. She brought the lunch over to the table and spooned the soup into Everly's mouth.

"Meg," Nathan said, coming in, "you have Everly?"

"It's Tuesday," Megan said, "why are you here?"

"I live here," Nathan said.

"You left six weeks ago for 3 months in Jordan," Megan said.

"I left," Nathan said, "I don't want it anymore."

"We're not doing this now," Megan said, "go shower and nap. Your room is downstairs. I put clean sheets on your bed a couple days ago. Josh and Annie's kids stayed over so the boys were in your room. I washed all the bedding after."

"You're babysitting," Nathan said again, "how's she doing?"

"Everly is good," Megan said, "I think you missed that she's crawling and will stand now if we help her."

"She's standing," Nathan said.

"Allison asked me to practice with her," Megan said, "we sit on the floor and stand Ev up holding around her waist to steady her. They do physio with her 4 or 5 times a day. Anyone who baby sits has to do it after naps."

"What's the plan now," Nathan asked.

"Lunch, story, milk, song, nap," Megan said.

"Can I do any of it," Nathan asked.

"We're having a girls day," Megan smiled, "after nap time we're going shopping right princess. You could shower then get Cat from school. She'll be really happy to see you."

"You're not," Nathan asked.

"Nathan we're divorced," Megan said, "we're good friends and we live in the same house because you're gone two thirds of the time but that's it. We're roommates and friends who have children together. Children who because of circumstances I have done the bulk of the raising."

"Meg," Nathan snapped.

"No," Megan said, "get Cat from school and spend time with her. She doesn't have any sports today."

"Youth group," Nathan asked.

"No," Megan said, "not this week. Go spend time with Cat."

"I was going to pick her up but is my car insured," Nathan asked.

"I don't know," Megan said, "it's in the garage. I don't pay attention to your insurance."

"I'll sort it out," Nathan shrugged and walked away.

Megan fed Everly her soup while the little one fed herself the chicken and some peas.

"Okay Everly let's get you ready for your nap," Megan said when lunch was finished.

"No," Everly whined.

"It's nap time," Megan said, "we're going to change your diaper and put you in the bed. Do you want your doll or your bear?"

"No," Everly whined.

"Can I heat her bottle," Nathan asked coming back into the kitchen in clean clothes.

"Sure it's in the fridge in a sippy cup," Megan said, "they're transitioning her to milk top it off with regular milk."

"Really," Nathan asked.

"It's what Allison asked," Megan said.

Nathan took the cup from the fridge and noticed it was nearly full.

"I can maybe add a tablespoon," Nathan said.

"Just do it," Megan said.

Nathan topped up the sippy cup and put it in the hot water Megan had already heated to warm it.

Megan took it from Nathan and offered it to Everly.

"Where will she nap," Nathan asked.

"My room," Megan said, "about 2 hours. I have work to get done. Nathan I have routines when you're not home. You're gone more than you're here. We're roommates anyway. It's just easier to let you stay here when you're in town than to fight the house out in court and try to buy and maintain two places."

"About that," Nathan said, "I want to date."

"No," Megan said carrying Everly upstairs, "Nathan that's done."

That evening Allison carried Everly upstairs, "mom? Dad?"

"Hey," Teddy smiled, "what's going on?"

"She crawled to the stairs and started yelling pa," Allison said, "she wants to see you guys."

"Isn't it bedtime," Teddy asked.

"It is," Allison said, "Ash was just filling the tub and we thought we'd run up."

"Can I come give her her bath," Teddy asked, "I need time with our princess."

"Sure," Allison said, "she's slippery in the tub and likes her ducky."

"I've bathed babies," Teddy assured.

"Special needs babies," Allison asked.

"She'll be okay with me," Teddy asked.

"Mom, are you okay," Allison asked.

"Ya why," Teddy asked.

"You look distant," Allison said.

"Nothing for you to worry about," Teddy said, "I heard from someone I didn't expect to."

"Who," Allison asked.

"An ex boyfriend," Teddy said.

"Annie's bio dad," Allison guessed.

"Yes but I can't talk to you until I talk to her," Teddy said, "Annie needs to hear it from me when she gets back from seeing Leslie. Her and I are going to talk on Saturday."

"What's his name," Allison asked, "you never told me his name."

"Steven," Teddy replied, "but let's get this one in the tub."

"Teddy," Owen asked.

"I'm just going to help with Everly's bath," Teddy said.

"I need to see the princess first give her a good night hug," Owen said.

Owen took Everly from Allison and spun her through the air.

"Dad," Allison groaned, "we're trying to get her ready for bed not wake her up!"

"Okay," Owen agreed, "good night princess. I love you."

"Ev say good night to grandpa," Allison prompted.

"Pa," Everly said.

"Okay Ev let's go give you a bath and mommy is going to spend time with daddy," Teddy said.

"More like doing laundry," Allison said.

"How was the first day back," Teddy asked.

"Okay," Allison said, "I miss Ev when I'm at school like that."

"I know you do," Teddy said, "your a good mom."

"Am I though," Allison asked.

"You are," Teddy promised, "you go spend time with Asher while I give this one her bath."

Teddy carried Everly into the bathroom and took her braces off.

"That looks ouchy," Teddy said rubbing her finger over a spot on Ev's leg where the braces had pinched her, "let grandma kiss it better."

Teddy finished undressing the tiny girl telling her what she was doing.

"Ucky," Everly said once she was in the water.

"Do you want your duck," Teddy asked.

"Yes," Everly said, splashing her hands in the water.

"Quack, quack, quack, quack," Teddy said, pushing the ducky through the water towards Everly.

"Quack," Everly tried.

"Yes," Teddy beamed, "you are getting so smart princess."

Everly wiggled in the water, Teddy kept one hand behind her incase she slipped backwards, Everly slipped back more than she fell forward.

"You move so well in the tub," Teddy praised, "you like the water. Maybe this weekend when mommy works you and I can go swimming."

"Swim," Everly smiled.

"Yes you like to swim," Teddy said.

Everly started blowing kisses at Teddy.

"I love you two," Teddy smiled, "are you blowing kisses? Can you say I love you."

"Lub ou," Everly tried.

"Yes love you," Teddy smiled.

"Lub ou," Everly said again.

"Grandma loves you so much," Teddy said.

"Gama," Everly tried.

"Yes grandma," Teddy beamed, "I need to wash your hair."

Teddy picked up the cup and filled it with clean water and gently soaked Everly's hair before washing it, she quickly washed the baby's hair. As Teddy was washing Everly's arms the baby kept trying to grab the wash cloth.

"Are you helping me," Teddy asked, "can we wash your arms."

"No," Everly said, pulling the washcloth away from Teddy.

"Let's do it together," Teddy said, taking the wash cloth back.

"Mom," Allison said.

"Just let me," Teddy said, "she's good."

"But it's past her bedtime," Allison said, "she was up late last night and didn't sleep well. Auntie Meg said she didn't really nap today."

"It might be time to go to one nap," Teddy suggested.

"I know but I want to do it the first time on a day I'm home," Allison said, "I don't know 15 months is young. Mom, I'd rather wait with her. She's good with her routine most days. I think it's just being back at Megans."

"It could be, she hasn't been at Megan's in a while," Teddy said, "I'm almost done. She's having fun."

"She loves her bath," Allison smiled.

"You did two," Teddy smiled at the memory.

"Ga ma," Everly said.

"Am I ignoring you," Teddy asked, "I'm sorry princess. Let's finish washing you then we'll put your diaper on and put you to bed. Have you had your milk?"

"No," Allison said, "mom can you get her jammies on then I'll give her her milk."

"Then can I have her story," Teddy asked.

"You can," Allison said.

Teddy finished helping Allison with Everly's bedtime routine.

"Good night princess," Teddy said, kissing Everly good night, "I love you."

"Lub ou," Everly yawned.

"Daddy loves you princess," Asher said, taking Everly to give her a hug.

"Lub dada," Everly yawned again.

"Yes I love you," Asher said.

"I'll tuck her in," Allison said.

Allison carried Everly to her crib, "mommy loves you so much princess. I love you Everly."

"Lub mama," Everly tried.

"Yes," Allison said, "I love you."

Allison laid Everly in the crib and tucked her in.

"You okay," Teddy asked when Allison closed the nursery door.

"I just need to do some homework," Allison said, "mom go relax."

"I'm staying home tomorrow so bring her up to dad and I when your ready," Teddy said.

"I will," Allison replied.

"Good night," Teddy smiled.

"Good night," Allison and Asher echoed.