The following Saturday Teddy met Annie for a cup of coffee at their favourite coffee place.
"Mama what's wrong," Annie asked, "you wanted to see me alone alone?"
"I never get you alone alone anymore and I heard from Steven Thompson," Teddy replied.
"My sperm donor," Annie clarified.
"Still hate that term but yes," Teddy answered, "he asked about you."
"Why," Annie asked, "does he want an organ or something."
"You're in a cynical mood," Teddy replied.
"I've never actually met the man," Annie replied, "we've been in the hospital at the same time and you found ways to keep him away from me since I was 19. I'm almost 45 mama what does he want now?"
"He's getting sober and making amends and that includes you and I," Teddy replied, "I talked to Amelia about this."
"What did she say," Annie asked.
"We don't have to accept it or have a relationship with him," Teddy said, "but I should acknowledge I got his email."
"Can I read it," Annie asked.
"Yes," Teddy said, "but I need you to know that there were a few occasions that he coerced me into having sex with him and a couple times where it was rape."
"Am I," Annie asked, "mama?"
"No," Teddy said, "by the time you would have been conceived I had learned to just lay down and give in."
"I knew it wasn't loving," Annie said, "mama I'm sorry."
"No," Teddy said, "it's not your fault and it's not my fault it's his. Sweetheart I have never thought of you as part of that. You are what made me get strong. I finally had the guts to leave him for you. I love you and that will never ever change. I have loved you for 46 years and that will never stop."
"What does he want," Annie asked.
"He apologised," Teddy said, "he finally acknowledged you are his biologically."
"I don't want another father," Annie said, "two moms and two and a half dads is enough."
"Half a dad," Teddy asked, "Dan and Owen are your dads then Henry?"
"Ya," Annie said, "I just didn't spend as much time with him. Dad is my dad that won't change. Uncle Owen has been there since I met you. My first scrub cap, the first time I held a retractor, the big surgery, my wedding."
"We have three kids," Teddy smiled, "and a half. Chris is our half."
"So back to Steven," Annie asked.
"Do you want to read the email," Teddy asked.
"I do," Annie said, "I don't know if I want to meet him or know him though."
"That is your choice," Teddy said.
"I do want to know if I have other half siblings," Annie said, "we came close when I was a resident."
"I'm sure if we asked," Teddy replied, she passed her phone with the email to Annie.
Annie read it through a few times, "mama tell him I'm happy, that I'm married with 4 kids. Basics you could google about me."
"Your bio from the hospital website," Teddy asked.
"Basically," Annie agreed.
"You write it," Teddy said, "then I'll add my own stuff."
"If I wanted to phone and ask for the information," Annie asked.
"I think you could but do you want to," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Annie responded, "can I talk it through with Josh or does it have to stay between us?"
"Talk it through with him," Teddy agreed, "what do you want to know?"
"I want the family medical history on his side, I know we did the genetic tests but thats not the whole picture and I want to know if I have other half siblings," Annie said, "I'm not looking for a relationship. I don't need one and the games he's played with you."
"Your relationship with him is what ever you want," Teddy said, "but you have a right to know."
"Why now," Annie asked, "he never wanted me, he never wanted us."
"I know," Teddy said.
"I have battled with him rejecting me for how many years," Annie said, "I really think a lot of my not trusting some relationships and parents is that I was rejected by my sperm donor. Why didn't he want me?"
"I don't know," Teddy said," you could ask."
"Is it worth it," Annie asked.
"Would knowing having the closure help," Teddy asked.
"Maybe," Annie said, "my last real visit with mom helped. She told me she loved me and was proud of me. She thought I was about 18 but she said she loved me and was proud of me. That she knew I was going to do amazing things. She cared. She was sick, she didn't know how to show it. But he chose to walk away, he wanted you to abort me."
"I know," Teddy said, "he said that and that's something I want to address and let him know you know. I have always been honest about it with you. Annie I have wanted and loved you from the moment I knew. I wish I had been as brave as Allison, that I had the same support Allison has to have kept you. I would have kept you if I could."
"I know," Annie said, "and we've talked about this. It was 19 out of 45 years we didn't talk. I know you knew what I was doing and that you prayed every day and I wish that the year you saw Nutcracker we could have met but I understand now. I was 16 that year and you thought you were protecting me."
"I had to follow the adoption papers," Teddy said.
"I know that legally you couldn't," Annie replied, "but you saw it."
"I did," Teddy smiled, "I knew it was you. I was proud of you that day. You make me proud Annie. What ever happens with Steven will never change how much I love you or Owen or Dan."
"Mom doesn't know us anymore," Annie said, "maybe another 2 or 3 weeks."
"And we'll come to the service," Teddy said.
"I need you there," Annie admitted, "she's still my mom."
"I know," Teddy agreed.
"I don't know if I can handle Leslie dying and any sort of contact with my biological father," Annie said, "mama I'm not sure I can say good bye to mom."
"Then do one thing at a time," Teddy said, "you don't have to email Steven now or in six months or ever. I am going to respond but you've never had a relationship with him and if you choose not to have one you can. You're 45 sweetheart you don't have to. You don't owe him anything."
"Neither do you," Annie replied.
"I am going to respond and I would like your permission to CC you on my email," Teddy said.
"I want to see what you tell him about me first," Annie replied.
"I can do that," Teddy agreed.
Allison walked up stairs into Owen and Teddy's kitchen.
"Dad where's mom," Allison asked.
"She's with Annie," Owen said, "something that the two of them need to do on their own."
"Annie's bio dad," Allison asked, "mom mentioned that he emailed her. Dad do you know what happened?"
"Mom will tell you when she's ready," Owen said, "she doesn't want to say much until her and Annie have talked and Annie has had a chance to deal with it."
"Are they okay," Allison asked.
"They are," Owen said, "just something that's been 46 years in the making. Something your mom really needed to hear."
"Will mom be okay," Allison asked.
"I think this might actually be good for her," Owen said, "what did you need?"
"I was going to ask her to go for a walk with me," Allison said.
"I'll go," Owen smiled, "stop for cocoa?"
"Sure," Allison said, "just let me put Ev in the carrier."
"Where's Asher," Owen asked.
"Down stairs but," Allison said.
"She's fine with her dad," Owen said, "let him know."
"She needs it he goes for that work trip tomorrow," Allison said.
"Then the three of you go and you and I can hang out this week," Owen suggested.
"I don't want him to go," Allison said, "Dad I don't think I can be a mom with out him here."
"You can," Owen said, "it's a month. You have mom and I here to help and you know that Megan, Annie and Josh will help at a moments notice. You can do it."
"But what if he doesn't come back," Allison asked.
"He'll come home," Owen said, "Asher is so in love with you and Ev he'll come home."
"I don't like it," Allison whined, "what if he meets someone else."
"Those camps are going to be like a base not a lot of women," Owen said.
"You met mom on one while you were dating someone else," Allison pointed out.
"I did," Owen said, "but my relationship with Beth wasn't healthy, it wasn't what either of us wanted or needed. Asher will come home munchkin. He's going for a month. I was gone for years."
"I don't like it," Allison said, "can Ev and I stay upstairs."
"Try to sleep in your room," Owen said, "Ev is better in her own room but you are eating with mom and I."
"I don't want him to go," Allison whined.
"I know," Owen said, "and you two can talk and face time every day."
"Its not the same," Allison complained.
"I know," Owen said, "it'll be hard but you can do hard things. Go enjoy the day with him."
"I don't want to say good bye," Allison said.
"It's not good bye," Owen promised, "he will come home munchkin. Asher will be home it'll go fast your so busy with school and work."
"I know," Allison said, "but I can't be a single mom."
"You have a lot of help," Owen promised.
"Dad what if," Allison asked.
"Then you get though it," Owen said, "I'll be here and so will mom. He'll be here. You two have some through so much already that you'll miss him for the month but he'll be home."
"He's my best friend," Allison said, "dad I don't think I could live with out him and Ev."
"I know," Owen said, "it's a strong feeling. You love him and he loves you. You have to trust that."
"But what if," Allison asked.
"He's a good man," Owen said, "his actions have shown that. Your both young but he has shown that Allie you have to trust that he'll come home to you. Does he know you're worried?"
"No," Allison said, "I don't want to be that clingy girlfriend."
"Tell him," Owen encouraged, "tell Asher. This isn't just dating munchkin. You live together and have a daughter."
"I'm scared," Allison said, "Joshua's dad left Eden and Taylor's dad left Carmen."
"When did they leave," Owen asked.
"As soon as they told the dads they were pregnant," Allison said.
"Asher stayed," Owen said, "Asher came here and has been right with you every day. Trust him."
"I'm trying," Allison said, "but what if."
"No," Owen said, "we're not playing this game."
"Dad," Allison whined.
"No," Owen said, "go tell him. Allison you have to use your voice with Asher. Not with me with him."
"Dad," Allison complained.
"You can do it," Owen said, "go down and tell Asher."
"Daddy," Allison whined.
"No," Owen said, "you can use your voice and tell him. Go tell Asher. You came up to avoid telling him. You need to go tell him."
"What do I say," Allison asked.
"What you just told me," Owen said, "that you'll miss him and you're worried about him coming back. Be honest with him munchkin."
"I'll try," Allison said.
"You can do it," Owen said giving Allison a hug, "you're strong."
Allison walked down stairs and joined Asher on the couch, he had just laid Everly down for her nap.
"I thought you were walking with your mom," Asher said.
"I can later this week after you go," Allison said, "and she's with Annie."
"Somethings bothering you," Asher said, "two years together I know you and your moods."
"I don't want you to go," Allison said.
"I have to," Asher sighed, "I don't want to either."
"It's a whole month," Alison whined.
"I know," Asher said, "I'm sorry babe. I don't want to go but I need the hours banked before Ev's next surgery and we need the money."
"But it's 9 hours away," Allison complained.
"I know," Asher said, "they fly us in tomorrow."
"I don't think I can do this without you," Allison admitted.
"You can," Asher assured.
"What if her shunt backs up," Allison asked.
"You call me and I come home," Asher said.
"What if you don't come home," Allison whispered.
"It's safe," Asher said, "I know the accident Matt had a few weeks ago scared you."
"No not that," Allison whispered, "what if you meet someone else?"
"No," Asher said, "I love you. I am coming home to you and to our family. Allison, how can you think like that."
"Eden and Carmen's exs," Allison said.
"No," Asher said, "I am coming home to you."
"I don't know if I can get through my day without you," Allison said.
"Its not even a month," Asher said, "28 days. We can do this. Allie we have to. We need the money. If we didn't need the money I would have said no but I can't say no to the pay. It's time and a half starting and triple time after 10 hours a day. They say we'll work 15-16 hours a day. Babe think of that."
"I'd rather have you," Allison said, "Ev needs you. She needs her daddy here."
"I'll call every day and facetime," Asher said, "we'll get through it. It's temporary. We can do this Allie, we have to."
"I don't want to," Allison said.
"What would make it better," Asher asked.
"Can you hold me," Allison asked.
"I can," Asher said putting his arms around Allison, she turned her face into his shoulder and began to cry.
"Allie I will come home," Asher promised, "we'll facetime everyday."
"I don't want you to go," Allison sobbed.
"I don't want to go either," Asher said, "once Ev gets up from her nap let's go to the park then come home and order greek. Just be the three of us tonight. We won't be apart until I leave in the morning."
Allison nodded, "okay."
Asher held her close and stroked her back, memorizing how she felt in his arms.
"I love you," Allison whispered.
"I love you more," Asher replied, giving Allison a soft kiss.
"How am I going to sleep without you in our bed," Allison asked.
"You will," Asher assured.
"I haven't since before she was born," Allison said.
"I don't know how I can be away from you and Ev," Asher said.
"What if you meet someone else," Allison asked.
"I won't," Asher promised, "because no one is you. Who else is going to bring the flowers from the yard in because they make her smile. Or plant strawberries because I like them even though she's allergic to them. You're the only one that does Scottish dances with their daughter on her hip. Who else is going to watch ancient movies with me and laugh even though we've seen them a thousand times."
"What about all the things with Ev," Allison asked.
"I hate missing any time with her," Asher said, "it's a month. I don't have a choice, Allie. We don't have a choice here."
"You don't have to go," Allison whined.
"We talked about this months ago that it's good for us long term," Asher said.
"But I'm going to miss you, Ev needs her dad," Allison said.
"I'm only a phone call away," Asher promised, "call me anytime. We'll face time every night."
"But you won't be here," Allison complained.
"I know," Asher said, "I don't like it either."
"I know we need the extra money but I wish you could come home on weekends," Allison said.
"I know," Asher agreed, "I want to two. But I'm going to work 7 days a week while I'm away, then during your fall break from school I'm going to take the week off with you," Asher said, "maybe we can ask to use the cabin that week and go the three of us."
"I can ask," Allison said, "its only our family that uses it."
"Lets look at that," Asher said, "a few days at the cabin the three of us. No school, no work."
"I'll still have to work on my homework," Allison said.
"But it'll be us," Asher said, "we can hike and hang out and go swimming, light the fire and cuddle."
"But thats six weeks away," Allison complained.
"Something to look forward to," Asher said, "Allie don't do this. I know you don't want me to go but don't spend all day crying."
"I'm not trying to," Allison said, "I'm scared."
"I'm always a phone call away," Asher promised, "just call. I'll call every night."
"What about when I can't sleep," Allison asked, "you always know how to help me turn my brain off."
"What if we call when you go to bed," Asher asked.
"I guess," Allison said, "so the park after her nap and out for dinner?"
"Yes," Asher said, "the swings?"
"She loves the swings and the slide," Allison forced a smile.
"She does," Asher said.
"You're coming home," Allison confirmed, "back to Ev and I?"
"Always," Asher promised, "is that what you're worried about?"
Allison nodded.
"I will not leave you, I will not leave Everly," Asher said, "I will come home."
"We're 19 what if," Allison asked.
Asher shook his head, "we'll work it out. It might be hard but we'll do it."
"Can we do it," Allison asked.
"We have so far," Asher said, "she should sleep for another hour. What are we doing?"
"I should go get a bunch of the apples from the yard," Allison said, "want to go up the ladder and pick the tall ones?"
"I can," Asher agreed, "is everything almost out of your garden?"
"The last of the corn, zucchini if we pick a couple I can make the zucchini bread you like before you go," Allison said, "the squash and pumpkins need more time. I still have potatoes and sweet potatoes in their bags."
"Do you need help," Asher asked.
"I like doing it," Allison said, "my garden is peaceful. It's relaxing."
"I know it is for you," Asher said, "I just like eating it."
"It's been nice to have," Allison said, "the apples will freeze with the berries and the rest of the fruit. The potatoes will be fine for a while in the garage. The corn we'll eat this week."
"It tastes better when you bring it in from the yard," Asher said, "and you've done so much work with it all. Your tomato sauce, the jam."
"I did it with nana," Allison said, "learning from her and Opa. We froze a ton. Dad bought another freezer for the garage."
"I know we did it together," Asher said, "then using it?"
"We eat what we want, mom and dad use what they want," Allison said, "I like giving it to Ev knowing it's all organic."
"She likes it and being in the garden with you," Asher said.
"I like having her dig with me," Allison said, "maybe one day she'll love it two."
"More than eating dirt and leaves," Asher laughed.
"Yep," Allison replied, "but she loves being outside."
"She does," Asher agreed, "lets go outside for a bit."
"Do you have the monitor," Allison asked.
"I do," Asher replied.
They spent the rest of the day as a family, enjoying being together and spending time with their daughter.
"I love you," Asher whispered as they snuggled in bed.
"I love more," Allison whispered.
"One more," Asher winked.
"Round three," Allison giggled.
"Round three," Asher agreed.
"Then we have to sleep," Allison said, "you're driving all day tomorrow."
"I know," Asher agreed.
"I'm going to miss you," Allison said before kissing him.
He returned the kiss and rolled her to her back and began kissing her neck.