Driving to the cabin Leo was pouting in the back seat, "why can't I drive?"
"Your not taking my car," Teddy said, "it's amazing yours can be fixed after you ran into a tree."
"Allie got to drive," Leo snapped.
"That's Asher's truck and the six of us do not fit well in our truck with the car seat," Owen said, "we've done 5 and it's tight."
"Why can she go with him," Leo asked.
"We've explained this," Owen said, "we have to let them be their family of three within our bigger family. Family's grow and change."
"It's not fair," Leo said, "the cabin is family time he's not family just her baby daddy."
"He is family," Owen said.
"Leo family doesn't just mean blood or marriage," Teddy said, "they love each other. I was part of this family years before dad and I were together."
"Do you know why my mom is nana and not grandma," Owen asked.
"She didn't want to be," Leo said.
"She chose it when Annie was about 20," Teddy said.
"Why nana," Leo asked.
"Annie had grandma and grandmere," Teddy replied, "so Evelyn is nana to have her own name."
"It's always about the girls," Leo pouted.
"That's before we even dreamed of you and Allison," Owen said, "mom was my very best friend but I was married to someone else. "
"You were married before," Leo asked.
"We both were," Teddy said.
"What happened," Leo asked.
"Christina Yang and I wanted different things in life so we divorced and she moved to Switzerland to run Klausman," Owen said.
"My first husband Henry had VHL and passed from complications in surgery," Teddy explained.
"Did Annie get to meet him," Leo asked.
"She did. She was 19 when we got married and 21 when he passed," Teddy said, "Annie split her time on school breaks between Henry and I and Dan and Leslie."
"Why does she call dad uncle Owen," Leo asked, "no one else calls their step dad uncle."
"Because I decided she was my niece before mom and I were together. Mom was my best friend so her daughter was my niece," Owen said.
"How did you just accept her," Leo said, "your best friend had a kid."
"Because I love mom," Owen said, "we love each other. And when I first learned about Annie I saw how torn your mom was. How much she loved her daughter how badly she wanted to be with her."
"Why didn't you," Leo asked, "Allie did."
"The reason I'm so hard on you about how you treat women and how hard I push the girls to stand up and use their voices," Teddy said, "Annie's biological father hit me. It was not safe for her or I. I made the choice I did one that has hurt me for 44 years to keep her safe. To make sure she's loved and cared for. My parents weren't able to help me the way dad and I can help you and Allie. Leo were able to help and we will."
"He hit you," Leo said.
"Yes," Teddy replied, "which is why I'm so hard on you about how you treat women."
"I would never," Leo said.
"I hope not," Owen said, "and I've made my mistakes over the years. With your mom especially. "
"Why did it take you so long," Leo asked.
"It just wasn't our time," Teddy said, "we weren't ready to be more than friends. I loved dad I always have but we had to do other things first. Things we had to learn about ourselves and about being loved and loving others."
"Why did Allie stay with Asher after he did that to her," Leo asked.
"First your sister isn't a victim," Teddy said, "they both made choices to drink and to do that. They made choices to work together to figure out how to be parents together."
"They've made a choice to be together," Owen said.
"I think you're jealous," Teddy said.
"Jealous of what," Leo asked.
"Allison," Teddy replied.
"Why," Leo asked.
"We've been preoccupied with helping her sort things out," Owen said, "and I think you're jealous of her relationship with Asher."
"Girls don't like me," Leo said, "a few dates but then they ghost me."
"What are you doing when you hang out with them," Teddy asked.
"Chilling," Leo said.
"You have to do something," Owen said, "hike, go to the beach, mini golf, go do something so you have something to talk about."
"Theres no point now," Leo said, "Summer's half over maybe when I go back to school."
Standing in the driveway Nathan was arguing with Megan.
"I'm going to the cabin," Megan snapped.
"We have to talk Meg," Nathan pressed, blocking the door to her car.
"I promised Cat cabin time this weekend," Megan said, "we're all going up for the weekend. David is christening Everly. She's 7 weeks now. Cat was asking to go tubing on the river with the other kids."
"No one told me," Nathan said.
"We're separating," Megan said, "we getting divorced part of that is not being included in all family events."
"But I went to Sunday dinner last week," Nathan said.
"Because Annie and Josh hosted," Megan yelled, "you didn't go the week before to Owen's."
"So after all these years I'm not part of the family anymore," Nathan roared.
"I'm not doing this now," Megan said, "I'm going to get Cat from her friends and go. You need to calm down."
"Megan," Nathan begged, "please don't throw it all away."
"You already did," Megan shook her head, "the moment you kissed someone else you threw it all away."
"Please," Nathan said, "I can do better."
"But you haven't," Megan replied, "you say that then you don't. I don't want to do this now. Nathan that I have always and will always love you in some way will never change. I can't do this again, I won't. The last two times I fought for our kids, to keep their lives stable and put my own needs aside but this time I'm fighting for me. Our marriage is no longer healthy for me. I'm doing the work, I'm getting counseling but to move on we can't be a couple. I can do friends, I can even do living in the same house but the master bedroom is mine. I'm going to repaint and redo it for me and me alone."
"Where am I going," Nathan asked.
"Nate were really good roommates," Megan said, "for now make the basement room and en-suite yours and the upstairs one is mine. I'm not rushing to file divorce papers. I think we work things out in time. This weekend with my mom is not the time. My mom can't handle our drama. You're scheduled to work cardio anyway."
"You had me scheduled," Nathan snapped.
"I do the schedule now," Megan said, "Teddy and I are going to try to co chief and split it all 50/50 for a while she needs a break and to step down."
"You," Nathan said.
"I've been doing it," Megan said, "with you running away to play hero again. Nathan for there to be even a remote chance of us working things out you can't run. You can't leave every time we fight. I stayed, I took the fall out from our daughter, the pity from other parents at ball. I know I can manage as a single mom. I'd rather do it with you. Right now we figure out how to co exist in the house as friends. Most women would not be as understanding as I am."
"I know," Nathan said, "One more chance please. Megan, I'm begging you, just one more chance."
"We can live in the house as friends," Megan said, "that's all I'm willing to do now."
"Is there hope," Nathan asked.
"Nathan I'm not doing this now," Megan said, "you and I have too much to work on in one conversation. Take some time to figure out what you want. I will not go back to what we were before. I will work out exactly what I am willing to do and let you know."
"Please," Nathan said, "I'll do anything."
"Stop begging," Megan snapped and let me leave before our daughter thinks I abandoned her.
Nathan looked dejected as he stepped away from the car letting Megan open her door.
"Take the weekend to think," Megan said, "think about the changes you have to make."
"Have fun," Nathan shrugged.
"We will," Megan said.
"I wanted to see Everly's Christening," Nathan said, "could I come up for the day on Sunday?"
"Your working," Megan reminded.
She got in the car and drove away.
Allison and Asher were already at the cabin with Everly. Allison found her nana on the porch swing.
"Nana can we join you," Allison asked.
"Always darling," Evelyn smiled, "how are you?"
"I'm good," Allison said, "I might try swimming with everyone tonight. We have a swimsuit for Everly and I found a tankini I like at target."
"Hows being a mom," Evelyn asked.
"Hard," Allison admitted, "way harder than I thought it would be. Nana are you up to holding her?"
"I am," Evelyn smiled, "I want to hold her. Allison she's gorgeous."
Allison put Everly in her great grandmother's arms.
"There's something wrong with her legs," Allison said, "she doesn't move them the same way my friends babies are. I've seen the other girls babies they move more."
"But she's looking at me and smiling," Evelyn said, "she's smart."
"She is," Allison said, "she makes happy sounds now and a lot of them."
"Can she hold her head up," Evelyn asked.
"Almost," Allison said, "she can hold it up for a few seconds. I know her physical milestones are behind."
"What are you doing," Evelyn asked.
"Dr Hayes is watching and we've been referred to a developmental pediatrician and to Jenna," Allison said.
"Allison you're doing the right thing for your baby," Evelyn said, "you're being a great mom. She's growing and happy."
"Nana, can I really do this," Allison asked.
"You can," Evelyn said, "one day miss Allison you'll be the one to hold the family together. "
"But Annie is the oldest," Allison said.
"And you're the next girl," Evelyn said, "Annie and Josh are kinda a half generation between you and your cousins and your parents. They've never fully fit in either category and their kids are more like your cousins."
"Everly won't have close cousins," Allison said.
"Heather isn't too much older once they grow up a bit," Evelyn said, "but her name darling where did Everly come from?"
"I wanted to name her after you," Allison said, "Asher didn't love Evelyn and I competed against an Everly for a few years."
"For me," Evelyn beamed.
"Yes nana," Allison smiled, "you."
"This is the last great grand baby I'll get to hold," Evelyn said.
"Nana," Allison gasped.
"I'm 89 darling 90 this fall I'm not young and while I'm okay for now I'm old and I'm living with cancer and Parkinson's. It's treated and managed and I feel good darling," Evelyn assured, "I want to soak up all the baby cuddles I can."
"What about when she gets hungry," Allison asked.
"I told Annie this years ago," Evelyn said, "you do what's best for you and feed her where you feel best doing so. She is your baby, not your moms or your sister's baby."
"Mom and Annie have been pretty good," Allison said, "is it always this lonely ?"
"It will get better," Evelyn assured, "your young and your friends don't get it yet. You will make new friends and I think you made some good ones in your family studies class."
"I did," Allison said, "we hung out with Carmen, Eden and Celeste from my class yesterday and took the babies to the beach."
"Good," Evelyn smiled, "how was it?"
"Easier then with Liv and Ava," Allison admitted, "but they've been good friends through it all."
"They've really tried and they really love you," Evelyn said, "Allie you're okay. You have a family that loves and supports you, Asher, your friends."
"What if something is wrong with her legs," Allison asked.
"Then you get her the help she needs," Evelyn said.
"Ashers worried his parents won't be okay with it," Allison whispered.
"Our family will love them no matter what happens," Evelyn promised, "if there is something wrong you will give her all the love and care you can. Allison I'm proud of your strength. You're doing well."
"I need a nap," Allison said.
"Why don't we go in and lay on the couch," Evelyn suggested, "I could use a lie down two and this little one is almost asleep."
"I should feed her first," Allison said.
"It's just us we can all sit on the couch. Maybe you can find a movie for us," Evelyn suggested.
"Nana did I hurt her," Allison asked, "what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing," Evelyn assured, "god knows which angles he's making extra special. Allison, your mom told me how hard your labor was and about the cord on Everlys neck. You couldn't have prevented that no one could."
"Her heart, the cord on her neck, I hurt her. She was mine to protect and keep safe and I didn't," Allison sobbed.
Evelyn reached one arm to Allison and pulled her close, "you put your head on Nana's shoulder and have a good cry darling."
Allison continued to sob, "I didn't make her safe and healthy. I had one job to make her healthy and I failed. I hurt her before she was even born. That's all me, it's all my fault."
"Allison you had a rough start to your pregnancy with figuring out your mental health, thyroid and the worst morning sickness I've ever seen," Evelyn said, "then you had a nightmare of labour and delivery. You've been through a ton in the last year. Darling it's okay to be tired and overwhelmed. That's what nana is here for to share some of that with you. You don't have to be strong all the time, let your family carry you for a while. This weekend while we're up here your job is to be with your beautiful baby and Asher and do the things that make you happy. Show them your favorite summer spots, splash in the river with your cousins, go for your hikes and show your daughter the trails her mom loves. Show Asher how to feed the whiskey jacks. Allison let us do the hard stuff with you, you're not alone darling. I know being a new mom feels like being alone, but you will never be alone. Let us carry the three of you lean on us."
Allison nodded against Evelyns shoulder and slipped one finger into Everlys grasp.
Evelyn kissed the top of Allison's head, then Everlys.
Teddy and Owen pulled in finding Allison sobbing on Evelyn's shoulder.
Teddy took a seat on the other side of Allison, "baby girl what's going on?"
"I didn't do the one thing I was supposed to," Allison contributed to sob.
"You did," Teddy assured, "she's healthy and loved. She's hitting most of her milestones."
"But her heart, her legs," Allison sobbed.
"Baby girl you are being a great mom," Teddy assured, "her heart that's so common. It's nothing to worry about now. It's not affecting her. You can get Annie to check again but she thinks you're fine. Her legs you're getting it looked at. She's going to be okay. She has the most important thing."
"What's that," Allison asked.
"A mommy who loves her, a daddy that loves her and a family that loves her," Evelyn said, "she has so much love."
"She is so loved, baby girl," Teddy assured, "Allie that this upsets you this much is being a good mom. You love her and you want her to have everything."
"I don't know how to make it better," Allison said.
"What are you doing," Teddy said.
"You love her and keep her safe and happy," Evelyn said, "she's happy and healthy."
"Her legs," Allison said, "their so stiff and they cross when we pick her up," Allison said.
"That's why we're watching it," Teddy said, "she's hitting all her other milestones. She smiles and makes happy sounds. She notices when you leave and fusses when she knows you've left. Allie it's one thing. Jenna and Linc are watching."
"Jenna means her brain," Allison said.
"Nervous system but yes," Teddy agreed.
"Mom," Allison whined.
"You can do this," Teddy said, "you will get through this. Allie we all have to do impossible things. You're really young to be doing things that feel impossible. I know this feels impossible right now."
"It is," Allison whined.
"Let us carry you," Evelyn said, "let your mom and I help you. Allie Bean we can help you. We all have things that feel impossible and it's never when we think we can do it. I lost your grandpa when your dad was 9 and raised 2 kids on my own. Then your auntie Megan was captured and held for 10 years. It felt impossible, I didn't know how I was going to put 1 foot in front of the other some days."
"How did you do it," Allison asked.
"Your dad and auntie Megan needed me," Evelyn said, "so I pretended I was strong and okay around them then would call my mom and cry. Right now you need to sit with us and cry."
"Evelyn I'll take Everly," Teddy said seeing Evelyn's sight tremor.
"Please," Evelyn said, "we'll each have our grand baby."
"Allie I have done impossible things," Teddy agreed, "it's hard and it feels impossible."
"Annie," Allison whispered.
"That and when I lost Henry and moved to Germany," Teddy said, "I almost didn't do that. It felt impossible and I was alone but your dad pushed me to because he loves me. He knew I needed to do that and was always there to talk and listen."
"What about Annie," Allison asked.
"Your sister still has hers," Teddy assured, "her two biggest scars are from her impossible things. Your sisters eating she does and she always always fights with that. We all have things."
"What if everly isn't okay," Allison asked.
"We will help you put every treatment and every support in place," Teddy assured.
"I can't," Allison said.
"We will help," Teddy promised.
"I'm so tired," Allison whined.
"I know," Teddy said, "I hear every time your up with her at night. You're tired, you need some real sleep. What if I took Everly for a bit and give her a bottle if she wakes up and you go nap. Asher is out for a walk with Opa."
"Can you sit with me," Allison begged.
"I will," Teddy said.
Teddy stood up and waited for Allison, she carried Everly into Allison and Ashers room and laid the baby in the bassinet.
"Allie lay down," Teddy said before sitting on the side of the bed.
"Ev," Allison whispered.
"Not if your asleep," Teddy said, "I'll move her bed and you can hold her hand."
Allison shook her head.
"She's asleep," Teddy assured, "give yourself an hour. Just take some time for you. I have your daughter. Allison when was the last time you were away from her?"
"Prom," Allison whispered.
"Okay," Teddy said, "this weekend dad and I will keep Ev for a bit and you go with the other girls or with Asher and have some time."
"Can I go tubing tomorrow or were you going," Allison asked.
"Go," Teddy said, "go tube with the other kids. I have your baby."
Allison yawned.
"Okay you two sleep," Teddy said.
"Stay," Allison pleaded.
Teddy looked at her youngest, in this moment Allison was her baby, she needed her mom. Allison had handled the last year with surprising strength and maturity but today she just didn't have it. Today Allison needed her mom and to be babied. Teddy hummed softly as she sat beside Allison on the bed, out of habit Teddy smoothed Allison's hair, over and over lulling her daughter to sleep like she always had when Allie was upset or sick.
"Just sleep baby girl," Teddy whispered to her sleeping daughter, "I'm right here. Mom is right here. I have you and Everly. I'm here and I love you. I'll love you forever."