"Santa," Everly cheered as they made their way through the mall, she took her deliberate steps through the mall hanging on to her walker, they had parked as close as they could to the door thankful for the handicapped sign hanging from the rear view mirror. Everly was slowly becoming more determined to move on her own and not to be in the stroller or carried by her parents.
"Yes," Asher said, "time for pictures with Santa."
"What are you going to ask Santa for," Allison asked.
"Dolly," Everly said.
"You want a doll for Christmas," Allison confirmed.
"Allison," Olivia called.
"Liv," Allison said, "I really can't talk today. We have a Santa picture appointment booked then Leo and his girlfriend are waiting for us for game night."
"Leo has a girlfriend," Olivia said.
"Charlotte," Allison replied, "Liv text me we're going to be late to see Santa."
"Can we grab coffee," Olivia asked.
"We have an appointment to see Santa," Allison said
"I'll walk with you and catch up," Olivia tried.
"We're at Ev's pace," Asher warned.
"Text me," Allison said, "I'm with my family. Olivia I have things to say that I won't say in front of Asher or Everly. Text or call me and we'll set up coffee or dinner."
They lead Everly to see Santa.
"What's your name," Santa asked when everly was on the bench beside him.
"Everly," Everly smiled.
"How old are you," Santa asked.
"Two," Everly smiled, holding up two fingers.
"And what do you want for Christmas," Santa asked, "you've been a very good girl."
"Dolly," Everly replied, "pease"
Allison gave Santa a thumbs up, they had ordered a doll for Everly that wore pink braces on her legs and came with a wheelchair, crutches and a walker. They had found a doll that looked like their daughter. Everly had other baby dolls but this one was made just for her, they had spent more than they should have but it had the same hair and eye colour as Everly, they were even able to order her braces in the same colour as Everly's.
"I'll do my very best," Santa said he saw Allison nodding, "I think you'll get one on Christmas morning."
"Weally," Everly asked.
"Keep being a good girl and you will," Santa promised, "do Mommy and Daddy want to join us for a picture?"
"One of her and one with us," Allison said.
They took the photos and made their way to get hot cocoa.
"Yummy," Everly smiled.
"Is your cocoa good," Asher asked.
"Yes," Everly smiled.
"You have whipped cream on your nose," Allison giggled, wiping it with a napkin.
"Cookie," Everly asked.
"When we get home," Allison agreed.
Leo and Charlotte were hanging out with Owen and Teddy helping with some Christmas preparations.
"Dad, do you need help," Leo asked.
"I can put together a kitchen set," Owen replied.
"But it's a two man job," Leo said.
"Does Everly like pretend play," Charlotte asked.
"She does," Teddy replied, "and cooking with adults. We got her a kitchen set and pretend pots, pans and dishes as her big thing from us."
"I got her a shopping cart and food," Leo replied, "I know Allie and Asher got her some special doll that looks like her and wears braces."
"That's her big Santa gift," Teddy replied, "but a lot of what people are getting her is to encourage her to stand and play and move."
"I didn't know," Charlotte said, "I picked out a sweater and some books."
"Charlotte that's a lot," Teddy smiled, "you didn't have to."
"I wanted to she's such a sweet kid," Charlotte replied, "Allison works hard with her."
"She does," Teddy agreed, "are you both done? Leo I know you were mailing packages here from all your online shopping."
"I am," Charlotte replied, "I just need to finish wrapping."
"So do we," Teddy replied, "I'll do it tonight. Go up to the office, put a good movie on the computer and do it."
"Still mad I missed cookie day," Leo said.
"You never bake with us," Teddy replied.
"But I like stealing cookie dough and eating them right out of the oven," Leo argued.
"Do you want me to make some now," Teddy asked.
"I wanted Nee's thumbprints," Leo said.
"I have some," Teddy replied, "Charlotte favourite Christmas cookie?"
"Gingerbread," Charlotte answered.
"I have those," Teddy replied.
"What time is Allie home," Leo asked.
"They were just doing Santa pictures," Teddy replied.
Owen's phone went off.
"Teddy," Owen groaned.
"I'll finish that dad," Leo replied.
"You're going to be called," Owen told Teddy, "MVC full thickness burns. Maggie and Winston are out of town. Nathan is away."
"Yang," Teddy snapped.
"In the OR you're on call for cardio," Owen said.
"Trying to pretend I'm not," Teddy groaned as her phone went off.
"Leo, do you mind finishing this and hiding it in the garage," Owen asked.
"I will," Leo agreed.
"I'm so sorry Charlotte," Teddy sighed.
"I get it, Duncan does it," Charlotte answered.
At Annie's she was wrapping Christmas presents with help from her kids.
"Enough shopping," Josh teased.
Annie pointed to the bins she had laid out, "Allie and Ash's family, Chris and Jenna's, Meg's, Mama and Uncle Owen, Dad."
"Our family goes crazy," Josh said.
"We have the money," Annie replied, "we do birthday and Christmas gifts, not everyday spoiling."
"But this is all going out," Josh said.
"And my parents will spoil the kids," Annie said.
"And us," Josh replied, "Teddy is Christmas crazy still."
"Come on," Annie teased.
"Will you finish before we meet Duncan," Josh asked.
"Most of it," Annie replied, "I have Elves."
"What did we get Everly and Khitam," Ellie asked.
"Books of course," Annie smiled, "then Ev has a doll stroller and a tea set, with some other kitchen things. She's discovered the house centre at school and loves playing with it. She showed me the tea set 4 times the last time I picked her up."
"She likes school," Josh said.
"She does," Annie replied, "and I like having my Friday morning back. I love Everly and helping Allie out but it is nice to get some stuff done. Ev is high needs."
"She is," Josh agreed.
"Mom will she ever walk on her own," Henry asked.
"I hope so," Annie replied, "all the toys she got from people have been to help get her up and moving. She doesn't need more sit and play toys. She needs to move."
"Do you know what your dad did," Josh asked, "she's still little enough he's building for her."
"He made the table and chairs for her kitchen set," Annie smiled.
"Allison has a wheel chair for her now," Ellie said as she put a bow on a present.
"I know," Annie said, "they don't really use it. The school likes Ev to have it and practice with it."
"I went Christmas shopping with Allie," Ellie said, 'she just used a stroller when Ev got tired."
"She does," Annie agreed, "but they won't always be able to. Ev will eventually get too big for the stroller."
"Hi bean," Dan let himself in.
"Dad," Annie called, "in here wrapping. Ellie get the lids on the bins please."
"You're wrapping early," Dan said.
"I have a lot to do," Annie said, "we're a huge family."
"We are," Dan agreed, "is this what you wanted?"
"It is," Annie replied, "you went to see mom how is she?"
"Completely unaware," Dan said, "it's been such a long slow decline."
"I had a couple lucid moments with her and she said some things that brought me comfort," Annie said, "when she does know me she thinks I'm still 17 or 18 but when Josh and I went two weeks ago she knew me for a moment, maybe 30 seconds she knew my name. She said she loves me. She can't filter now she's too far gone for that. She loved us and I'm holding on to that."
"When we brought you home was the happiest I had ever seen her," Dan replied, "Annie I'm sorry I didn't see it when she started to get sick."
"Dad you were in survival mode two," Annie replied, "we all were. And when you saw it when you knew you made a change. Yes I really really missed you for years but we made it through. You know my kids, you're in my life every day."
"But I didn't see you become a doctor or get married," Dan said, "I never got to walk my daughter down the aisle."
"Next summer is our 20th anniversary," Annie said, "and we're doing a vow renewal. Can you walk with me then?"
"I will," Dan agreed, "20 years late but I will."
"We weren't talking then," Annie replied, "I wanted you. I should have had both of you. I wanted mom and mama there. You were missing."
"You weren't at mom and dad's wedding," Matt asked.
"No," Dan said, "things were weird between your mom and I for a while."
"But not at her wedding," Matt said.
"I just couldn't be there," Dan said, "I was taking care of your auntie Jessica who had a brain tumor."
"Did you try granddude," Ellie asked.
"I did," Dan said, "I was all packed and had my bag in the truck. I was going to go on my own. Granny couldn't have left Auntie Jessica but I wanted to be there. When Uncle Chris sent me all the pictures and the videos. I sat in Papa's garage seeing them all come in and cried that I couldn't see my baby girl get married. That I had to miss her medical school graduation. I never got the invite to that. Your Granny and Auntie Jessica were very sick and they didn't give me the information. I wanted to be there. I wanted those days with your mom. To see her celebrate, to watch the person she was becoming in person not through texts. I didn't see her for 8 years and when I saw her again she amazed me."
"Dad," Annie whispered hugging Dan.
"I wanted to be there," Dan said, "I'm so sorry Annie Bear."
"You're here now," Annie said, "and my kids won't remember you not being here. I know now it was Jessie and mom being sick."
"I should have seen it and done something," Dan said, "I'm sorry Annie."
"Dad I'm over it now," Annie smiled, "are you sure you're okay with the kids?"
"Christmas movies, pizza," Dan said, "I still have it."
"You do," Josh agreed, "Ellie can skip the dishes to order dinner for all of you when you're ready."
"I was going to take them," Dan said, "we need to go out."
That night Annie and Josh met up with their old roommate.
"Grace, Josh," Duncan greeted, "you two never change."
"We've aged," Annie said.
"This is my wife Carly," Duncan introduced, "Grace and Josh were my roommates during residency."
"It's nice to meet you," Carly said, "I've heard stories."
"Of me hiding from his army buddies," Annie laughed.
"You teaching him to cook," Carly said, "thank you. Do you guys have kids?"
"Four," Annie replied, "you?"
"Two," Carly answered, "Charlotte is 22 and Liam is 12."
"We've met Charlotte," Annie replied, "she's dating my little brother."
"Leo Altman-Hunt is your little brother," Carly said.
"Car I told you," Duncan replied, "I baby sat Leo a few times. Grace's mom was our chief during residency."
"She's stepped down Megan is now," Josh said.
"Major Altman stepped down," Duncan said, "is she okay?"
"In her 60s and wanted more time for her and Owen," Annie replied, "she was burning out. She's working 3 days right now and really happy doing more mentoring and teaching."
"What insane top secret project do you two have now," Duncan asked.
"Classified," Josh laughed, "I don't even fully know what Annie is doing."
"Annie," Carly asked.
"Childhood nickname it's the short form of my middle name," Annie replied, "mama chose Grace, Dad chose Annabeth, but dad and mom prefered Annabeth but it was too long so it's Annie."
"Duncan you used to switch," Josh remembered, "Annie at home and Grace at work."
"How long did you live with them," Carly asked.
"Four and a half years," Annie said, "moved in October of our intern year then moved out 6 weeks before I had Josh and my oldest. I was beginning to panic that he would never leave and Ellie wouldn't have a nursery."
"How is Ellie," Duncan asked.
"16, she's driving," Annie sighed, "in grade 11. Faroke and his wife are in the cottage now with their daughter."
"Time for the next generation," Duncan asked.
"We still own it and one day Faroke and Nisha will want to move, they're residents," Josh said.
"I'm still trying to understand how my 22 year old daughter is dating your little brother," Carly glared at Annie.
"Our mother was 21 when I was born," Annie replied, "Leo is adopted but we're 24 years appart. Then we have a sister as well. Allison and I are 25 years apart."
"Leo mentioned both sisters," Carly said.
"But he made it sound like Allison has a daughter," Duncan said, "she should only be what 21 now?"
"In january," Annie replied, "she was 18 and in grade 12 when Everly was born."
"I don't want to see Hunt and Altman learning that new," Duncan said.
"I helped Allie tell Mama," Annie replied, "she was calm. She told her it would be okay and they would work it out. I know Uncle Owen was in shock but they supported her."
"I remember when Altman arrived at the hospital," Duncan said, "Hunt brought his hot shot major army girlfriend to work with him."
"Girlfriend," Annie laughed, "best friends at that point. He's Uncle Owen to me because he was her best friend for years before they were together."
"I was 16 when I had Charlotte," Carly said, "my parents didn't take it well."
"We were all shocked," Annie agreed, "but she's Allie and we love her no matter what. She's amazing."
"And Leo," Carly asked.
"My baby brother," Annie answered, "good kid. He was adopted when he was about two. We all looked after Leo in the hospital. Before the Great Mono outbreak of 2016."
"We all got it," Josh laughed.
"Duncan was the worst," Annie teased, "moaning on the couch and gaming."
"You hid," Josh replied, "you laid in our bed with your ipad."
"I was wedding planning," Annie smiled.
"How long have you been married," Carly asked.
"If Ellie turns 17 this year," Josh said.
"19 years," Annie replied, "together since Med School though. How did you meet?"
"When I moved to San Diego she lived across the hall from me with Charlotte," Duncan said, "we were neighbours first."
"You two," Carly asked.
"Med school orientation," Josh smiled, "she came and sat with me then the rest is history."
Allison carried Everly and her walker up the stairs.
"I walk," Everly demanded.
"When we get upstairs," Allison promised.
"Charlie," Everly called the dog.
"I hear my favourite niece," Leo said coming to the top of the stairs.
"Uncle Leo," Everly smiled, "walk?"
Allison placed Everly's walker on the floor.
"I do it," Everly said.
"Okay," Allison said putting her daughter on the floor.
Everly grabbed onto her walker like they had practised and pulled it to her to use.
"Come see me Ev," Leo called.
"I do it," Everly said starting to move towards Leo.
"You're getting so strong," Leo said.
"She looks good," Charlotte said, "that's a very cute dress missy."
"What did you do today," Leo asked.
"Santa," Everly shouted.
"Did you see Santa," Leo asked.
"Santa," Everly repeated.
"We saw Santa," Allison said, "she loved it."
"Allie, we have a bottle of wine open if you want a glass," Charlotte offered.
"Ash and I don't drink," Allison said.
"Never," Charlotte said.
"Rarely," Allison replied, "special occasions."
"You're 21," Charlotte said.
"In a couple weeks," Allison answered, "I have. I don't enjoy being drunk or even tipsy and I can't be a good mom like that."
"Never bothered my mom," Charlotte replied.
"We don't like to," Allison said, "she needs all of our attention."
"She looks happy," Charlotte said.
"She is," Allison replied, "she doesn't realise she's different from other kids yet."
"That's hard," Charlotte replied, "it's still hard for Liam."
"I'm worried about it," Allison said.
"Does she have friends," Charlotte asked.
"She goes to an early intervention program on Thursday's and Friday's," Allison said, "other kids with all sorts of special needs. There's another little girl she likes to play with and a couple boys. Then I was part of a program for teen moms when I was pregnant with her through the school district. I had to do it to graduate but I met two really good friends there. Carmen's daughter is 6 weeks older and Eden's son is 3 months older. We get them all together."
"Can she keep up," Charlotte asked.
"We do things Everly can as much as possible," Allison said, "swimming is her favourite."
"We should all go while Leo and I are here," Charlotte said.
"Your parents just moved here," Allison confirmed.
"Mom and step dad," Charlotte said, "my dad is still in California."
"Are you close," Allison asked.
"To mom and Duncan," Charlotte said, "my dad has been in and out."
"Step mom," Allison asked.
"Not one of those," Charlotte said.
"Can she stay up for movies," Leo asked Allison.
"No," Allison replied, "she has 15 minutes to play with you before her bath and stretch."
"I can," Leo offered.
"Another night," Allison agreed, "why don't you come down to watch movies."
"Dad has a better sound system," Leo said.
"I have better snacks," Allison replied, "If you want both Asher and I we have to be downstairs."
"Don't you have a baby monitor," Leo asked.
"We're trying not to use it," Allison said, "we have to let her grow up she's almost three."
"She sleeping better," Charlotte asked.
"Usually. Thanksgiving we week out of routine," Allison replied.
"May I read to her," Charlotte asked, "I can come down to do it."
"I think that would work," Allison said, "ask her."
Leo brought a basket of blocks out for Everly.
"Uncle Leo look," Everly said, she had stacked 4 blocks on top of eachother.
"Cool tower," Leo smiled, "can we make it taller?"
"Ya," Everly cheered.
"He looks happy with her," Charlotte commented.
"He wasn't super thrilled at first then her first Thanksgiving he changed all of a sudden and absolutely dotes on her now," Allison said, "I like watching it. We never got to be auntie and uncle to Annie's kids, her oldest and I are only 4 years appart."
"Do you have other nieces and nephews," Charlotte asked.
"No," Allison said, "Nee's kids. Asher is the oldest of his siblings. His 17 year old brother just got engaged after 4 months of dating. He's still in highschool!"
"That fast," Charlotte said, "why did they? What the?"
"Ash's dad is a pastor," Allison said, "they didn't talk to us until Ev was 2 and a half months once they found out. He was kicked out of the house. They didn't come to our highschool graduation."
"His brother knows you don't have to get married to," Charlotte said.
"Asher did so I assume so," Allison said, "but Mitchell is trying to be mr perfect to prove he's not Asher. He dated Ellie for a while then she was smart enough to see through his games and my inlaws and broke up with him."
"Not a fan of your in laws," Charlotte said.
"They don't exactly approve of me," Allison replied, "I led him astray. Never mind that the bible is full of stories of acceptance and forgiveness. That god loves everyone."
"You guys really know your church stuff," Charlotte said.
Dad's step dad is a pastor," Allison said, "Opa taught all of us. He baptised Leo and I, Ellie, christened all of Annie's kids and Everly. When I told him he just hugged me and told me he loved me and promised that they would be there."
"I'd like to learn more," CHarlotte said.
"You and Leo could come to church with us on Christmas Eve," Allison offered, "we have a command performance at Mark's church. Come with us."
"Everly," Charlotte asked.
"She goes," Allison replied, "but we have to get her a dress long enough to cover her braces and I'll carry her."
"But that's how she's made," Charlotte said.
"It is," Allison said, "but his siblings have a hard time with it. They have a hard time with Asher not following the plan their dad had."
"Which was," Charlotte asked.
"Apprenticeship, date girl from church, marry young, babies," Allison said, "and we had Ev, started dating after I was pregnant, didn't get engaged until July."
"But he's an apprentice and you're getting ready to take your MCAT," Charlotte argued.
"They wanted some docile little door mat," Allison said, "it's not me. But I do need to get my daughter back from Leo and go get her ready for bed."
"No," Leo argued, "Allie. Please, 5 more minutes. Everly ask mommy for 5 more minutes."
"Not today," Allison said, "Leo she has a 7:30am MRI it's an early morning."
"Are you okay," Leo asked.
"It's hard," Allison admitted, "but Asher took the morning and mom is going to sit with us. Dad is going into the room with her."
"What is she getting done," Asher asked.
"Xray and MRI of her ribs, spine, hips and legs," Allison said.
"So everything but her head," Leo said.
"Yes," Allison replied, "can you be cool uncle Leo tomorrow and spoil her then? I need to get her in bed now so we can be up and ready early."
"Do you still want to do Christmas movies," Leo asked.
"We do," Allison said, "down stairs."
Once Everly was asleep Leo and Charlotte joined Allison and Asher for movie night.
"No kids," Teddy said when they walked in.
"Leo's car is here," Owen said, "so is Allie's and Asher's truck. There's a car I don't recognize."
"Downstairs," Teddy guessed.
"I guess," Owen replied.
"Charlotte seems to do well with ours," Teddy replied.
"It's the first time he's brought a girl home," Owen said, "and she came to hang out today."
"I know how big he's dreaming and the path he wants," Teddy said, "I don't want it to be you and Beth for him."
"Leo is stronger than I was," Owen said, "I'll talk to him though. But he wants to bring her to the cabin."
"Why not," Teddy replied.
"Space," Owen replied.
"Nisha and Faroke aren't coming," Teddy replied, "they're going to see her family. As much as I don't want him to actually have to deploy and go overseas, I don't want him to hold back because of a girl."
"When I was to go for 8 months it was okay," Owen said, 'then the longer I served the more tours I did the worse it was with Beth. I did 3."
"We were there 5 or 6 years," Teddy agreed, "I worry Leo going and the trauma and what he'll see. I know how it affects us, Megan, Chris."
"And we support him through it," Owen said, "we've seen it, we've been there and head to learn about our triggers and PTSD and managing it. Getting help."
"I had trauma before I joined the army," Teddy replied, "Owen my parents, 9/11, Annie."
"I know," Owen replied, "my dad. And this could be mom's last Christmas."
"I know," Teddy said, "that's hard. I find it hard. I can't even begin to imagine you and Megan."
"She's 92," Owen replied.
"She's still your mom," Teddy answered, "I don't know how any of us will cope. She's been there for me longer than my mom."
"She got to hold 6 great grand kids," Owen said.
"She did," Teddy replied, "one day we might."
"Hopefully," Owen agreed, "give us a few more years for that please. Another 10."
"Ellie at 26/27 depends on what she chooses in life," Teddy replied, "I will feel very old that day. The day we found out about Ellie, I felt ancient and I was only 50."
"Do you feel like we cheated Annie's kids out of grandparents," Owen asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "they know we're there and we love them. They've had Dan to be the doting grandpa and we spoil and do adventures. Yes we know Everly better but timing and circumstances."
"Is it fair," Owen asked.
"It's as fair as can be," Teddy replied, "I know Christmas is dollar amount fair between kids and grandkids. The one it's not balanced with is Charlotte but we have something little for her."
"Asher and Josh are different then Charlotte," Owen said, "the first Christmas for either of them we kept it smaller."
"They're adults she'll understand," Teddy replied, "and she's with her family that day anyway."
"She is," Owen agreed.
"Owen, are we doing the right thing," Teddy asked as they climbed the stairs, "with the kids?"
"Leo is in college and looking towards med school," Owen said, "Allison is on track with school and to go to med school. Asher was on track with his apprenticeship and will catch up now that he can work again."
"But are we making them independent," Teddy asked, "are we making them adults who can stand on their own two feet."
"Allison and Asher together will be okay but she's dependent on him. Allison on her own I think she would go to school and raise Ev but I think she," Owen said, "Leo I think will be okay on his own. Right now neither would survive financially on their own."
"That we expected until they finished school," Teddy agreed, "without Asher Allison would be way more dependent on us. They pay us rent, usually buy groceries and diapers."
"We've helped the last couple months," Owen replied, "because he's been out of work but he tried to send me way too much money the other day."
"What," Teddy asked.
"He got the compensation for his accident and tried to send me money for the groceries we bought them," Owen replied, "I refused it."
"No we did that because they need the help not expecting to be paid back," Teddy said, "we would have helped out if they had been 35 and in that situation."
"I talked to him," Owen said, "he wants to be the man and stand on their own feet."
"Part of that is knowing if and when you need help," Teddy said.
"That's what we talked about," Owen replied.
"Owen will they be independent," Teddy asked.
"One is," Owen replied, "ya you helped her in in school and we both bought her groceries or took her for dinner in med school but that was temporary."
"Will they be independent," Teddy asked, "that's our biggest job with them."
"They will be," Owen said, "watching Allie the last couple months. Teddy she's doing well. It's been hard but she's asking for help when she needs it. She's been the pillar for her family. She will be on her own and independent one day. They will do it. She's good."
"She's talking more and coming to me more," Teddy replied.
"I'm proud of her," Owen said, "her strength."
"Tell her," Teddy encouraged, "we don't tell them that enough."
"Tomorrow," Owen replied, "her and I are hanging out tomorrow."