Late that night there was a soft tap on Allison's front door. She wandered over and peeked though the front window. Seeing the short woman with nearly white blonde hair she knew it was her sister.
"Nee I can't," Allison sighed opening the door, "and you'll get in trouble."
"I don't care," Annie said, "I didn't realize they were pushing you out. You never said anything. I am coming in. I have food and wine. I'm guessing your overwhelmed and not able to cook much. So I gave you some time to chill after that text and prepped some meals. I have a couple tortiers, a big pan of enchiladas, some squash and sweet potato soup that Ev loves, jambalaya you just have to add the rice to, pasta sauce with ground turkey and Italian sausage and some things Ellie and Cat made."
"I'll get in trouble," Allison whispered, "Leo was very clear. No in person contact with anyone."
"He doesn't make those rules," Annie said, "I wish you would have told me Allie bean."
"I thought I was overreacting," Allison said, "and being too sensitive. I've had hard deliveries and scary ones but not premies."
"But you of all of us are a medical mom," Annie said, "Lottie will be fine. Jacob is perfect. I'm going to do a psych referral for both Leo and Theresa as Lottie's surgeon. They never had counseling after leaving the Middle East. They came straight home and she was having twins. It's not an excuse by any means for how you've been treated."
"They still want me to pump for them," Allison said, "he got mad that I stopped."
"Did you tell him today," Annie asked.
"And he called me selfish and entitled," Allison replied.
"No sweetie," Annie reassured, "it's very selfless, feeding them for three months, that was self less and respecting your body to say enough is being kind to yourself. I pumped for cat for a few months but when I couldn't sustain it Megan was fine. You have to look out for you and speak up."
Allison stepped back and whispered, "it felt wrong when they need so much help and your first is hard then having two."
"Mean is never excusable," Annie declared, stepping in pulling her folding wagon behind her.
"Nee that's more than we bring prepped to the cabin," Allison gasped.
"Josh and I, Ellie, Cat," Annie said, "Megan will drop some stuff off tomorrow and mama is baking. I'm sorry we didn't see it bean. I should have been paying more attention."
"You have your four and it's heathers first year out of high school," Allison said, "culinary school sounds crazy busy."
"She's doing her own things for you," Annie replied, "I'm not allowed in the kitchen tomorrow at all. She's going fancy. I went comfort food I know you and the kids love. And your doing this with Asher away."
"That was planned," Allison replied, "six weeks down, 10 more to go. "
"Let me help," Annie said, "if Leo is going to be so controlling maybe we tag team and you and I work together."
"I want to see mom," Allison admitted sheepishly.
"Of course you do," Annie agreed, "we're trying to work it all out. The plan now is that I'm here with you. Mama and Owen are trying to get Leo and Theresa help. Mamas medical licence is still active. They have 48 hours to get themselves help willingly or mama will 5150 Theresa. We're 85% sure it's her. Part of it is her prior experience with adoption and giving up her baby, part is not having her parents and a lot is postpartum. We're going to force her to get help. And force Leo to stop enabling her destructive behaviours."
"It's too late," Allison sighed.
Everly limped into the kitchen leaning on one crutch, "Auntie Annie!"
"Hi sweet pea," Annie smiled, "I've missed you."
"Are you scared of us two," Everly asked.
Annie looked at Allison who nodded.
"Uncle Leo and Theresa need some mental health care," Annie said, "their brains need some help right now and they both need a lot of counselling. We will work it out. I'm sorry you got caught up in it. How are you?"
"Good," Everly said, "I have a big swim meet next weekend. Can you come?"
"I'll be there," Annie agreed, "it's late what are you doing up?"
"I heard your voice," Everly said.
"Do you need your KAFOs," Annie asked.
"I'm getting better at doing a little bit," Everly said, "my new physio is good. The goal is to work down to just an AFO or even an orthotic in my shoes."
"That would be amazing," Annie beamed.
"Hopefully," Everly said, "before college. I don't want to need all my tools in college."
"You do you do," Allison said,"it gets easier as you get older."
"When," Everly asked.
"In college you'll find your people," Annie assured.
"Is grandma coming or grandpa,"Everly asked.
"Not yet," Annie said, "we're working it out with them."
"Why don't they trust us," Everly aske, "do they think we don;t shower?"
"No," Allison said.
"It's on them and their mental health," Annie said, "they know you're clean and shower. You are okay."
"Can I have tea with you," Everly asked.
"Not tonight princess," Allison said, "we will set up a day this week to have tea with Annie. Right now I need to talk to her adult to adult about the situation. I know you want time with her but it's late."
"How about I come pick you up tomorrow from the pool," Annie offered.
"Okay," Everly agreed.
"Good night princess," Allison smiled softly giving Everly a hug.
"Night," Everly said making her way back to her room.
Annie and Allison whispered in the kitchen.
"Have you ever questioned your marriage," Allison whispered.
"A few times," Annie admitted, "usually when things were high stress. What are you thinking?"
"Some interns a while ago said somethings about an 18 year old who came in newly married," Allison explained, "made fun of how she'll never do a bunch of things. And I made me think."
"Sweetheart," Annie said, "I only had sex with one guy before Josh and only once at that. I was basically a 24 year old virgin when Josh and I got together."
"That makes me feel a lot better," Allison said, "but mom was married before dad."
"And dated a bit," Annie said, "but that was a line her and I never crossed until she told me she was pregnant with you. Then I knew but no details were ever offered. Personally I think it's a healthy boundary to have with your kids. And physical relationships are constantly changing. What you like changes, I found my kids really changed it after each one."
Allison nodded, "I don't feel attractive after Carly."
"Has he said or done anything," Annie asked.
"No," Allison gasped.
"So is it something you're thinking," Annie pressed.
"Yeah," Allison shrugged, "I feel like my body just didn't bounce back this time. She's 10 months and I still have a little bit of a mom pouch. My boobs sag with out a bra on and I get embarrassed."
"It's hard," Annie agreed, "the sag is real after you nurse a few kids."
"How do you," Allison blushed.
"Really good professionally fitted bras," Annie said, "go to one of the higher end lingerie stores and get fitted."
"But that's for," Allison blushed.
"They have that two," Annie said, "and it's okay to like that and want that. Just because your a mom doesn't stop you from wanting to feel sexy and desired. Allie your 33. You're still a young woman in a lot of ways. Wear what makes for feel good. Try different things on. If the jeans your wearing make you feel self conscious try on other styles until you feel good. Allie you get to feel good and loved and wanted."
"It's selfish," Allison whispered.
"Sweetie you've been putting every one else first since you were 17," Annie sighed, "it's not selfish. Allie it's taking care of yourself. Yes you go to therapy as needed, work out, take your meds, eat well, garden and can but it's okay to want the other things to. The frivolous things. Buy the skin care, get the good bottle of wine, go buy the nice undergarments that lift and shape if you would feel better. Put on a little black dress and go out with Asher. All three of yours can sleep over at my place or I can stay here with them and you book a hotel for the night."
"Nee," Allison gasped.
"Sometimes you need it," Annie said, "and it's okay to need it or even want it. Allie let us help. You don't have to be super woman."
"Leo," Allison whispered.
"Is getting scolded by Mama," Annie said, "and they're being given strict conditions to stay in the suite. Ellie, Ben and Cat are in the cottage so Leo can't ask for that."
"Will they stay," Allison asked.
"Through residency," Annie replied, "then we'll see. Ellie still has a lot to work out with Caleb. But she had a date last weekend."
"I heard," Allison giggled, "she sent pics. She looked really good. She had fun."
"She did," Annie agreed, "and she should date. She's not a nun."
"She'd be a horrible one," Allison laughed.
"Cat would be worse," Annie giggled.
"Can you imagine Cats potty mouth in a convent," Allison cracked up, "the nuns would die on the spot. But who actually becomes a nun?"
"Grandmere had a sister who was a nun," Annie said, "Sister Roberta. She lived in a convent in Delta, we often had Robbie Burns dinners and highland comps in the gym of the school on their convent grounds. If she was free Sister Roberta would walk over and watch. She liked music. She was a teacher as well, grade 5."
"But she would be 100 if she was alive," Allison said.
"Closer to 120," Annie smiled, "you look like you were going to go to bed."
"I was going to curl up with my book," Allison said.
"Lets come up with a plan for the week to help you out then I'll go," Annie said.
They worked out a plan for the week.
"Thanks for coming Nee," Allison said.
"Always," Annie smiled, "next time you call."
"I will," Allison agreed.
The sisters hugged and Annie walked out to her car.