Leo opened the results of the DNA test, it was a match for the Dickinsons. He called Teddy, "mom it's a match."
"What do you want to do," Teddy asked.
"Can we send them the pictures," Leo asked.
"I'll send you the ones you can use," Teddy said.
"Annie gave me permission to use the one from the end of summer camping trip," Leo said, "with all their kids."
"It's up to you what you send and share," Teddy said.
"When you and Annie first started talking," Leo asked.
"We emailed and sent photos. We asked three questions at a time and answered them," Teddy said, "I started with things like what makes her smile and where her favorite place is."
"Coffee, kids, kittens, fishing," Leo listed.
"Now," Teddy agreed, "tell them about you and share the photos you want. And keep talking to Annie."
"I'm going to text her," Leo said.
"Go talk to your big sister and don't ignore your little one," Teddy said.
"She's too busy for me," Leo said, "and she's been whiny with Asher away."
"Asher gets home tonight," Teddy assured.
Allison was anxiously pacing her living room. Everly was in bed and Asher was on his way. It was already 10 and he had said he would be home at 9. She just wanted to see him. She kept anxiously checking her watch. Finally at 10:30 she heard footsteps on the outside stairs. She rushed to open the door.
"Asher," Allison yelled throwing herself into his arms"
He dropped his bag and pulled her close, "Allie."
They kissed on the back steps, the rain soaking them.
"Let me unload and shower," Asher whispered.
"I'll help," Allison said, "then we shower together."
"I want to enjoy it tonight," Asher whispered, "go slow, take our time."
"I just want to be with you," Allison said.
"We have all night," Asher said, "I'm home."
"I took tomorrow off so we could have the day with the three of us," Allison said as they walked to his truck.
"I'm glad," Asher said, "we need to be our family. How is she?"
"She's good," Allison said, "she fought bed time tonight and kept yelling dada."
"I want to see her," Asher said, "tomorrow morning I want to get her up and give her a bottle."
"Up and snuggles," Allison said, "I get her morning milk. Thats the one she knows I do."
"You don't have bottles," Asher said.
"We do," Allison said, "I'm trying to taper it down."
"What do you want," Asher asked.
"I'm ready," Allison said. "She's 16 months. I'm hoping it's done by Christmas."
"Is that doable," Asher asked.
"She can switch to cow's milk and her bottles during the day are a mix," Allison said, "but your home."
"I'm going to shower, tuck Ev in tighter then catch up with you," Asher said.
"Go fast," Allison said.
"I will," Asher said. He turned into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
As he showered, Everly began to cry, her legs had been bothering her more with her new braces, she hadn't adjusted to them yet.
"Hey princess," Allison said lifting up her daughter, "are your legs sore again? Daddy is in the shower so we'll have to wait to get your medicine. Come snuggle with mommy."
Allison carried the fussy baby to the couch and laid the little one on the couch to massage her legs.
"Shh," Allison soothed, "shh Ev it's okay. You're okay. We'll relax these muscles."
Allison kept massaging Everly's legs then instead of putting her back to bed when she settled a bit she snuggled her daughter. Everly pulled at Allison's top.
"Are you hungry," Allison asked, "do you want milk?"
"Milk," Everly's sleepy voice mumbled.
"Tonight," Allison agreed.
Asher came out of the bathroom and found Allison and Everly on the couch.
"Hi princess," Asher said stroking Everly's foot, "she's having a rough night?"
"Her legs seized up again," Allison said, "it's been bad Ash. I know you didn't want to start the cycle but maybe she should get the shots. It's been 3 or 4 nights a week the last couple weeks."
"What's working," Asher asked.
"Massage, sometimes the rice bags, tylenol, and then half the time she wants this," Allison said, "I need to get her back out of this habit."
"Is it only nights she wakes up," Asher asked.
"Ya," Allison said.
"When do we go to the dr," Asher asked.
"Monday," Allison said.
"We'll ask about the injections," Asher said.
Everly finished and Allison asked, "Ev who's that?"
"Dada," Everly smiled.
"Hi princess," Asher beamed taking Everly from Allison, "I missed you and mommy so much. I missed my princess. You've grown so much. I missed you."
"Dada," Everly said.
"We love daddy don't we princess," Allison smiled leaning into Asher and taking Everly's hand.
"Lub dada," Everly said.
"Yes I love you," Asher said, "you need to go to sleep though. It's way past your bed time."
"No bed dada," Everly protested.
"It's bed time," Asher repeated, "i'll read you a story."
"Ash," Allison said, "she's had 3 tonight and 4 songs. Now a massage and milk."
"Tonight," Asher said, "come on princess a short book and to bed."
They read Everly's favourite Goodnight Moon together and Asher carried her back to her crib.
"Good night princess I'll see you in the morning," Asher said as he lowered Everly into her crib.
"No," Everly cried, "no dada."
"Five more minutes," Asher agreed, sitting in the rocking chair with Everly and rocking her, "shh princess it's time to sleep. Close your eyes. It's bedtime Ev close your eyes and go to sleep."
Asher held Everly against his shoulder slowly rocking and stroking the little one's back. Allison stood in the doorway watching and smiling. Maybe Ev had just needed her daddy. Once the little one was asleep Asher laid her in the crib and tiptoed out of the room.
"So," Asher said.
Allison hugged him, pulling him close, "I missed you."
"I missed you two," Asher agreed, "should we head to bed?"
"We could," Asher agreed, picking Allison up, making her giggle. He carried her to their room kicking the door shut behind them.
Owen came in from a late surgery and woke Teddy up, "Asher's home?"
"I haven't seen him," Teddy said, "I heard them talking and she sounded so happy but I haven't gone down. Let them have tonight."
"He's home safe," Owen said, "his truck is behind her car in the driveway."
"She texted that," Teddy said, "but let them come up when they're ready. How did it go?"
"Stable and in ICU," Owen said, "multiple GSW and crush injuries it reminded me of 30 years ago. How was your night?"
"Leo got his DNA results," Teddy said, "he's going to email them some pictures."
"Positive," Owen guessed.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "he has a right to know what he can. He should know more about her. It's grandparents, they'll probably be about our age though."
"We were old, having kids," Owen said.
"Speak for yourself I was 21 with the first," Teddy said.
"But us," Owen said.
"Three," Teddy smiled, "like you always wanted."
"Not how I expected," Owen said, "but our family. And 5 grandkids. That's it for now right?"
"Annie said absolutely not, she's 45 I was 45 when I got pregnant with Allison but that is a one in a million chance," Teddy said, " Allison will be years. She'll have the biggest age gap if she ever has another. Leo who knows."
"We have a 24 year age gap," Owen said, "it's huge."
"And they're really having to figure things out," Teddy said, "she has to let her siblings grow up."
"She does," Owen agreed, "Leo seems to be easier than Allison."
"Allison is here and there's still some residual guilt with Jessica that gets into Annie's relationship with Allie," Teddy said.
"She has to let it go," Owen said.
"She's working on it," Teddy said, "so tomorrow?"
"Sunday dinner and I'm making lasagne," Owen said, "we should talk to Leo?"
"Probably," Teddy said, "let him lead here. And he has to lead with the Dickinson's. They all have thoughts and fantasies so we'll see."
"Did you," Owen asked.
"Yes and no," Teddy replied, "I had letters. I had 19 years of letters telling me how amazing she was in their eyes. He should talk to Annie."
The next morning Asher woke up feeling Allison cuddle closer to him, he kissed the top of her head and smoothed her hair back, he knew she was still mostly asleep. He could smell the coconut and pineapple scent of her shampoo. Her arm was thrown across his torso and her leg over his. He was home, this was his home with Allison and Everly.
Soon a little voice began to call for her parents. Asher gently untangled himself from Allison and went to Everly.
"Good morning," Asher smiled lifting up the baby.
"Dada," Everly beamed.
'Yes," Asher said, "I'm home. Let's get up and change your diaper and do your stretches before we go see mommy. Mommy is still asleep."
"Dada," Everly repeated snuggling into her dads shoulder.
"Yes daddy," Asher smiled, "I missed you princess."
Asher laid Everly on the changing table and changed her diaper before doing the first round of stretches and physio for the day. He put Everlys braces on her legs and carried her to Allison.
"Mama," Everly yelled.
"Good morning," Allison beamed.
"Milk," everly demanded.
"Okay let's have your milk then I'll make breakfast for you and daddy," Allison agreed.
"What's for breakfast," Asher asked.
"Blueberry pancakes and sausages," Allison suggested.
"That sounds good," Asher agreed, " do we have the stuff?"
"I went to Costco with mom and Annie yesterday," Allison said, "I stuck to the list."
"Any treats for you," Asher asked, "you haven't been spending much on groceries."
"We've eaten with mom and dad a lot," Allison said, "I've only made one or two dinners a week. And mom's been giving me left overs for lunches. She hasn't been eating a lot. Just her snacks."
"Costco," Asher asked.
"Giant sized baby snacks yes," Allison said, "I bought a couple treats for us and a few necessities that made more sense costco size because it was a dollar more for triple the amount."
"Will we use it," Asher asked.
"Shampoo, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, paper towels," Allison listed.
"We'll use that," Asher agreed, "so today we get to relax what do you want to do? We have some extra money to do something fun."
"Lets take Ev to the museum of popular culture," Allison suggested, "she's old enough."
"And lunch out," Asher said, "she just eats bites of ours."
"She does," Asher agreed, "I want a good walk with you two today."
"A park," Allison said, "something out of the neighbourhood?"
"Throw the carrier and stroller in the back of your car," Asher suggested.
"Let's have breakfast, pack the backpack and go," Allison said.
"Breakfast, I'll play with her while you shower then we'll go," Asher suggested.
"You need to shave," Allison giggled, "you're all scratchy."
"You like it," Asher teased, kissing her.
"Asher," Allison laughed, "it tickles."
"Dada," Everly said reaching for Asher.
"Let's play while mommy makes breakfast," Asher said.
After breakfast and getting ready they carried Everly and the backpack to Allison's car. Allison tossed Asher her keys.
"I'm driving," Asher asked.
"You are," Allison said.
Owen came out front taking the leaf blower out of the garage.
"Hey," Owen called, "welcome home."
"It's good to be home," Asher agreed.
"How was it," Owen asked.
"A lot of work and not enough sleep," Asher said, "I think we slept more with a newborn."
"How much were you working," Owen asked.
"15-17 hours a day and probably sleeping 5 or 6," Asher said, "one day off in the whole time I was away."
"Those are hard," Owen agreed, "I did them for a couple tours with the army. It was challenging. Home tomorrow?"
"No," Asher said, "my crew has a shop day before the next job. Only 9-3 so I'll sleep in and have some time with Allie and Ev tomorrow."
"I have school," Allison said, "its her auntie Ava morning."
"How's Ava," Asher asked.
"Good," Allison smiled, "her and Carmen are really getting along and have a lot of the same nursing classes. Dad, we're on our way out, can we all catch up tonight?"
"Go munchkin," Owen smiled, he could see Allison was much more relaxed with Asher home.
They drove to the museum and put Everly in the stroller. Inside they ran into one of Allison's classmates.
"Allison," the guy called.
"Jake," Allison said, "you work here?"
"Pays for books and coffee," Jake said, "babysitting?"
"This is my daughter," Allison, "and my boyfriend Asher."
"You weren't joking," Jake said.
"I never joke about Asher and Everly," Allison said.
"What are you studying," Jake asked Asher.
"I'm an industrial electrician," Asher said, "I work Allie is in school."
"How old is your baby," Jake asked.
"Everly is 16 months," Allison said.
"She doesn't want to walk," Jake asked, "my nephew that age doesn't stop."
"She's not walking yet," Allison said, "she has cerebral palsy. She's not ready yet. She's crawling a bit and standing with support."
"She was doing really well standing this morning," Asher said.
"She is," Allison said, "maybe we can try steps soon."
"Are you just taking the one class," Jake asked.
"I have 5," Allison said, "what's your major?"
"Undecided," Jake said, "you?"
"Pre Med," Allison said.
"Do you want to work on the bio chem project together," Jake asked.
"No, I'm working with Ava and Carmen," Allison said, "we've all been friends for a while and we work around the kid's schedule. Carmen has a daughter a little older than Everly and Ava knows both kids well."
"Coffee," Jake tried.
"No," Allison said, "Jake this is my family Asher and Everly we are a family. We're going to go explore and I'll see you around campus."
They continued to explore the museum and helped Everly go down the toddler slide in the play area then pushed her on the swing making Everly laugh. After the museum they drove to a favourite park for a walk with Everly napping in her car seat.
"That guy," Asher asked.
"He's hit on me in class a few times," Allison said, "I keep saying no. I want nothing to do with him but he won't listen. It's typical."
"Why is it typical," Asher asked.
"I say no guys don't listen," Allison said, "he's not the worst. I say no, I walk away, I put headphones in but there's a couple guys at school who don't understand. I have a boyfriend. I'm not interested. I tell them. My computer back ground is our family picture from last Christmas. I want a new one soon."
"Christmas," Asher said.
"Probably," Allison said, "mom wants family photos with ALL of us over thanksgiving break when Leo is home."
"Leo found grandparents," Asher said.
"Did he tell you," Allison said.
"We text," Asher said, "but he hasn't said much. Just that they exist."
"Is it okay that you're friends with my brother now," Allison asked.
"Friendly," Asher said, "but 2 years ago he was throwing punches so."
"It's progress," Allison agreed, "he's still not super thrilled with me."
"Still," Asher asked.
"Leo is jealous," Allison said, "always has been of me being mom and dad's and Annie being moms. Annie gets him that way. And Leo doesn't have a ton of friends he's a loner."
"Girlfriend," Asher asked.
"He broke up with her," Allison said, "in the summer. It wasn't that she had a kid it was that she was rushing him. She wanted a permanent commitment right away and he's not there."
"What about us," Asher asked.
"You and I the three of us," Allison smiled, "I want that forever. The last month with you not here it felt wrong. My whole world felt off without you. I saw my friends but it's not you. Everything felt wrong without you."
"I want this," Asher said, "us. Would you want to get married one day?"
"One day," Allison agreed, "do you?"
"I do," Asher said, "when?"
"I don't know," Allison said, "I want to be at least 21 first. I want champagne on our wedding day."
"You turn 20 soon," Asher said.
"Don't get any ideas," Allison said, "it's still too soon. We've only been official 22 months."
"How are you that exact," Asher asked.
"Everly is 16 months and I was about 4 months pregnant when we made it official," Allison said, "that was December, it's October."
"So you want to be together longer," Asher said.
"Less reliant on my parents for support," Allison said.
"After the last month working away we're good for a while if we're careful," Asher said, "but marriage?"
"Can we be more committed," Allison asked, "we have a daughter and share a bank account."
"We do," Asher said, "I'm worried about your dad if we did."
"Ask him first," Allison said, "Josh did. I was about Ev's age when Josh proposed to Nee. then 2 or 3 at their wedding."
"Did you go to their wedding," Asher asked.
"I was the flower girl and Leo was the ring bearer," Allison said, "she wanted us. When we do Ev is our flower girl however she does that."
"A ring bearer," Asher asked.
"Joshua," Allison said, "I know who I want for bridesmaids."
"You've really thought about it all," Asher asked.
"Maybe," Allison said, "just daydreams."
"Who knows," Asher asked.
"Ava," Allison said, "she'd be the maid of honour and Ellie, Cat, Carmen and Eden as bridesmaids."
"Five," Asher said, "I don't have 5 guys."
"Jonah, Tyson," Allison suggested, "your brothers?"
"No brothers," Asher said, "at least not mine."
"I want Opa to do it," Allison said.
"I always pictured my dad," Asher said.
"No," Allison said, "not after how he's treated us. How he's treated you. He won't accept Ev how she is. I want Opa to do it. Opa has never turned his backs on us. He loves us exactly as we are. He baptised me and christened Ev."
"How old is your Opa," Asher asked.
"83," Allison said, "Nana is 92. Yes, they're 9 years apart."
"Your nana," Asher asked.
"Is doing better," Allison said, "she'll always have the blood cancer but it's controlled. She's old but I think she's better than this time last year."
"Your Opa if he's up to it when we do it," Asher said, "my dad will be hurt but you're right Opa has been there."
"I know I was a little kid when he first started seeing Nana but I don't remember him not being around," Allison said.
"I thought he had been around since your dad was a kid," Asher said.
"No," Allison said, "we were all at their wedding. Me, Leo, Ellie, Cat, Faroke."
"Have there been lots of weddings," Asher asked.
"In my lifetime, Mom and Dad, Auntie Meg and Uncle Nathan, Nee and Josh, Nana and Opa, Chris and Jenna," Allison listed.
"Wow," Asher said.
"There were 3 in 3 years at one point," Allison said.
"Have you always known Josh," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "they were together like mom and dad. I didn't really know the difference when I was little. He came to see me the day I was born."
"Would you want more kids," Asher asked.
"One day," Allison said, "we're so not ready!"
"Not now," Asher agreed.
"Smaller age gap than me and Nee though," Allison said.
"So within the next 25 years," Asher said.
"After I'm done with school," Allison said, "Annie was a resident when she had Ellie."
"After med school," Asher asked.
"After a wedding, med school and a bit of residency," Allison said.
"The order," Asher asked.
"Negotiable," Allison said, "but wedding before another baby."
"Would you get married in college," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "I want this. I want our life together."
"I do two," Asher agreed, "this last month apart sucked. I missed you."
"I missed you two," Allison said, "I'm glad you're home. We're not doing that again."
"I love you," Asher smiled.
"I love you two," Allison agreed.