Friday night Allison and Asher stopped by his parents after he finished work, they had already put their costumes on and wanted to show Michelle how her hard work had turned out. Michelle had gone all out and made each of them costumes. Michelle had changed her mind about the princess dress and made Everly a pink and purple Cheshire Cat, Allison was Alice in Wonderland and Asher was the Mad Hatter. Allison liked how Michelle had made her dress button down the front instead of zipping up the back.
"Look at you," Michelle beamed, opening the door.
"Trick or treat," Asher laughed.
"How did you have time to make these and drop them off," Allison asked.
"I love doing it," Michelle said, "I wanted to do fashion design but it wasn't in the cards so I make costumes for my kids or things the church needs."
"They're beautiful," Allison said, "my mom tried making costumes once she dressed Leo and I as zombies. We were 1 and 2. We always bought costumes."
"Annie didn't step in," Asher asked, "she loves all the mom stuff."
"She was a resident," Allison said, "and planning her wedding."
"Wedding," Mark asked.
"My sisters," Allison said, "I was 2 and a half and her flower girl, Leo, was the ring bearer."
"She had both of you," Michelle asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "mom still has a picture of the five of us from Annie's wedding up. Dad walked her down the aisle."
"Your dad," Michelle asked.
"Dan couldn't come," Allison said, that's all she knew was that Dan couldn't come to Annie's wedding. She also knew that Annie and Josh were talking about renewing their vows that summer and making sure Dan would be there.
"Her dad couldn't come," Asher asked, "Annie and Dan are close."
"Not always," Allison said, "she's never told me the whole story but she actually called my dad dad for a while."
"What's your plan tonight," Michelle asked.
"We're here for a bit then we go to Annie's," Allison said, "she does this blood and bones dinner every year and we'll go trick or treating with them. We might take Ev up to a couple doors but we're just in it for the walk."
"Do you think you could drive Mitchelle tonight," Michelle asked, "he wants to go trick or treating with Ellie Altman. I'm guessing you're related, Allie?"
"Ellie is my niece," Allison confirmed.
"Do you want us to bring him home," Asher asked.
"Text us," Mark said, "we told him we would pick him up at 10:30 because that's the time Ellie's parents gave us."
"We won't stay that late," Asher said, "Ev will need to go home and go to bed before that."
"In the next couple weeks can we take her one night so you can go out just the two of you and have dinner or see friends," Michelle offered.
"Next Saturday," Allison suggested, "Ava, Liv, Jonah and Tyson wanted to go for a hike and we said maybe."
"I'm happy to," Michelle said, "just bring her stroller so we can go for a walk. What type of formula does she like?"
"None yet," Allison said, "I'll leave you bottles."
"Solids," Michelle asked.
"Not ready," Asher replied, "she's not sitting stable enough yet even with support."
Mark had Everly now and was showing her around the room. The baby was babbling as she looked around. Mark echoed Everly's sounds making the baby smile.
"Your dad looks happy," Allison said to Asher.
"Mark loves babies," Michelle said, "why do you think we have 6?"
"I'm good with one," Allison said.
"You're young," Michelle commented, "how's school?"
"It's good," Allison replied, "I picked next semester's courses this week. We actually need to ask you about that."
"Do you need daycare," Michelle asked.
"We do," Asher replied, "Mondays for sure, possibly Thursdays. Megan does Tuesday for us, Owen Wednesdays and Annie Fridays."
"I can do Mondays here and will get a car seat base for her carseat or there's room in the daycare at church for both days," Michelle said, "what do you think?"
"Could we see the day care," Allison asked, "meet the staff? Everly's cerebral palsy and shunt."
"We have two special needs trained teachers in the older groups and she would have specific infant and toddler trained teachers now," Michelle said, "I oversee it as part of the children's ministry."
"If she gets sick," Allison said.
"We phone you to come get her or her emergency contacts," Michelle said, "if it's really bad we take her straight to the hospital."
"Cost," Asher asked.
"We should be able to get you on the subsidy program," Michelle said, "it's a state program if you make under a certain threshold as a family you qualify automatically for 80% coverage because Everly has a diagnosed disability the threshold is higher and the subsidy is up to 90%."
"How much for two days without," Allison asked.
"Two days without subsidy is about $400 a month," Michelle said.
"I don't even make enough in a shift to cover a day of daycare," Allison said.
"We'll get you on subsidy," Michelle said, "because you're in school full time it helps."
"Thank you," Asher replied.
"And it's our granddaughter," Mark said, "we can do it that way as well. It's two days a week in an open spot."
"Are you sure you can drive Mitch over to Ellie's," Mark asked.
"We're going there anyway," Asher said, "he'll have to be okay in the back seat with Everly."
"Really," Mitch asked.
"Yes," Asher said, "Allie gets shotgun. I'm driving today but it's her car."
"No truck," Mitch asked.
"The car is easier to park," Allison said, "there won't be a lot of open spots at my sisters. Her neighbourhood is busy."
After hanging out for a while they drove to Annie's with Mitch pouting in the back seat.
"Mitch, why are you pouting," Allison asked.
"I'm in the back seat, it's embarrassing," Mitch complained.
"But you get Everly," Allison said, "so you and my niece."
"Niece, I thought you were cousins," Mitch said.
"No, her mom is my big sister," Allison said, "Annie and I are 25 years apart."
"What is Ellie to me now," Asher asked, "I heard your sister refer to me as her brother in law."
"Niece then I guess," Allison said.
They pulled up in front of Annie's house.
"Look at you," Annie beamed, opening the door, "Allice, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat. Where did you get the costumes?
"My mom made them," Asher said.
"They remind me of dance costumes I had a million years ago," Annie said.
"Remember the year mom dressed us up as the cast of the Wizard of Oz with the Holman's," Chris asked.
"I was Dorthy, you were the Tin Man, Jessica was the Scarecrow, then Carter was the Cowardly Leopard, and Lauren was Toto," Annie remembered, "that was a fun Halloween."
"We never did that with our kids," Chris said.
"I tried a few times," Annie said, "Jenna shot me down."
"Mitch," Ellie greeted.
"I didn't know my brother's girlfriend is your aunt," Mitch said.
"I didn't know you were related to Asher," Ellie countered, "you never mention him or Everly."
"I've only seen Everly a couple times," Mitch said.
"She was about 24 hours old the first time I saw her," Ellie said, "Allie asked me to babysit for a couple hours this Sunday afternoon."
"You get to babysit," Mitch asked, "they haven't even left her with my parents yet."
"At their house, I'm sure grandma or grandpa will be around," Ellie said.
"I heard my name," Owen said.
"I'm babysitting at your house on Sunday," Ellie said.
"I'm working and Grandma is going to San Diego for a conference," Owen said, "Asher picked up over time on Sunday and Allie is working so you're doing the overlap between their shifts."
"She said it would be 2-3 hours," Ellie replied, "mom said she'll drop me off."
"Are you ready," Owen asked.
"I've been waiting months for Allie to ask me," Ellie beamed, "grandpa she trusts me."
"She does," Owen agreed, "you'll do a good job."
"Will she leave a bottle," Ellie asked.
"Always," Owen said, "everything will be there for you."
"But my mom can't babysit," Mitch said.
"Ev knows Allie better," Owen said, "she's still getting to know your parents."
"How can I help," Asher asked Annie.
"Dinner is almost ready," Annie said, "the soup in the crock pot, bread bones are in the oven with the chicken bites. Can you take the veggie tray to the table?"
"Sure," Asher agreed.
The family gathered around the table and Annie pulled a high chair up for Everly.
"Should we try it," Allison asked Asher.
"We can," Asher said, "we haven't yet. Her head still droops when she's sitting for too long."
"This one reclines," Annie said, "we used it with Heather at the table so we could have all 4 at the table. It was just easier for me to get everyone fed."
"You are such a pack rat," Teddy replied.
"Comes in handy," Annie replied.
"But do you need it," Teddy asked.
"So many friends still have little ones," Annie siad, "it's nice to have when people come over."
"I know a lot of your friends are still in the baby stage," Teddy said.
"More toddler now," Annie replied, "for doctors we had our kids early."
"You did," Teddy replied, "you were ready though."
"I was," Annie replied, "Allie's rocking it."
"She is," Teddy agreed.
"Cat, why are you grumpy," Allison asked.
"Mom's working and dad's away again," Catrina sulked.
"Where's your dad," Ellie asked.
"Guatemala," Catrina replied.
"I'm sorry Cat," Allison smiled.
"Are you trick or treating," Catrina asked.
"No," Allison said, "we're going to walk with you and might take Everly to a couple houses. I'm 18 and I'm too old anyway."
"Is Everly okay," Catrina asked.
"Sort of," Allison admitted, smiling down at her baby.
"Allie can I," Catrina begged.
"Yes," Allison agreed, letting her cousin take the baby from her.
Catrina smiled and cooed at the baby, "when can I babysit?"
"Soon," Allison agreed.
"Is she okay," Asher asked.
"Playing with Cat," Allison smiled.
Everly began to whine.
"It's her dinner time," Allison said, "Ellie can I use your room?"
"Or mine," Annie offered.
Catrina, wanting to talk, followed Allison upstairs.
"Cat space," Allison groaned.
"It's not like I don't have boobs two," Catrina argued.
"I hate an audience," Allison groaned, "my friends think it's weird."
"We're family and mom explained it," Catrina said, "not like we didn't all see Annie feed Heather wherever."
"Annie stopped caring when we all lived with them for 4 months in COVID," Allison agreed.
"We lived with them for half of the pandemic," Catrina countered.
"Any time it locked down," Allison agreed, "you and I shared a room with Ellie."
"They were still in the cottage," Catrina remembered.
"They still own it," Allison replied.
"When can Ev have baby food," Catrina asked.
"At least another month," Allison said, "she should be 6 months and sitting really well. She's not there yet."
"Will she," Catrina asked.
"When she's ready," Allison said, "we're close. She likes to rock side to side now and push up on her arms."
"She's cute," Catrina said.
"Seriously Catrina I need to feed her alone," Allison said, "go."
"Allie I have a boy question," Catrina whined.
"Come over tomorrow Cat," Allison said, "I hate having an audience. Go please."
"This once," Catrina begged.
"We can sit back to back," Allison groaned.
"You sit with Annie or my mom," Catrina said.
"Annie has done this 4 times," Allison argued, "I have to feed Ev before she screams."
"Fine," Catrina said sitting on Ellie's bed facing the wall.
"What's going on," Allison asked once Everly was settled.
"I really like this guy at school," Catrina said, "he wants to hang out but my mom said no."
"It's Auntie Meg once she makes up her mind," Allison said.
"How do I convince her I will be okay," Catrina asked, "she doesn't trust him because hes a junior."
"I don't know," Allison said.
"How did you get your parents to be okay with Asher," Catrina asked.
"I'm actually a couple months older for one and we weren't dating when we created Ev," Allison said, "then we worked it out and slowly started to date. Cat we haven't dated a year yet."
"But your baby," Catrina said, "I assumed."
"Most people do," Allison said, "we let them. But this guy do what Ellie's doing with Mitch."
"What," Catrina asked.
"Bring him to your house when your mom is home," Allison said, "let them get to know him."
"That's it," Catrina asked.
"That's what I would try," Allison said, "Cat, Ash is my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first everything. I don't know what to tell you."
"Your first kiss," Catrina asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "Cat I love him and I like being with him. But things are not easy, having a baby in high school was not easy, she's special needs that's hard. Cat you think I've got it figured out but I don't. I'm terrified half the time."
"You," Catrina asked.
"It's crazy," Allison said.
"Can I help," Catrina asked.
"Theres not a lot anyone can do," Allison said, "your boy whats his name?"
"Liam," Catrina replied.
"Is he hot," Allison asked.
"Yes," Catrina giggled.
"Ask your mom and have him over," Allison said.
Down stairs Mitch asked Asher, "where did your wife go?"
"Girlfriend and upstairs with her cousin," Asher replied, "it's good. I think she was feeding Everly."
"Why doesn't she give Everly her bottle around people," Mitch asked.
"Everly doesn't get usually bottles," Asher said, "not when Allie is around at least. Bottles are for when Allie is at work or school."
"Why," Mitch asked.
"Allie feeds her," Asher said, "Ev is breastfed."
"Gross," Mitch said.
"It's Allie's choice," Asher said, "with everything going on for Ev its better."
"Why aren't you married," Mitch asked.
"Go find your girlfriend," Asher said, "I'm not talking about this."
"Mom where are Allie and Cat," Ellie asked.
"Allison is feeding Ev and I think Cat followed her," Annie replied.
"Allie won't like that," Allison said.
"She won't," Annie agreed.
Allison brought Everly back downstairs and passed her back to Asher.
"You okay," Asher asked.
"We are," Allison agreed, "let's try her in the chair?"
"We could," Asher agreed.
Soon everyone was at the table kids crowded on to the benches on either side of the table and the parents taking the chairs.
"Allie," Teddy laughed seeing Allison take a chair.
"I'm a parent," Allison said.
"Sweetheart on the bench with the others there's not enough chairs today," Teddy said.
"Ev," Allison said.
"You'll be beside her," Teddy assured.
They are dinner then finished getting everyone dressed to go trick or treating. Allison pushed the stroller with Asher walking beside her.
When they returned to Annie's they decided to take Everly home. She was already up passed her bedtime and getting cranky.
"Mitch do you want a ride," Asher offered.
"Leaving already it's only 8:15," Mitch asked.
"It's already an hour after bed time," Asher said, "Everly needs to go to bed."
"She needs a bath," Allison said.
"You sound like an old man," Mitch said.
"We have a daughter," Asher said.
"She needs to go to be Ash," Allison said, "by the time we get her down it'll be after 9."
"We'll go," Asher agreed.
They said their goodbyes and headed out.
Walking upstairs Allison tried to soothe Everly, "shh baby girl. We're home. We'll have a quick bath then your milk and a story."
"Will she make it through a story," Asher asked over the cries.
"I think she's just over stimulated," Allison said.
"Can I do her bath," Asher asked.
"Let's both do it," Allison said, "I want out of my costume."
"So do I," Asher said.
In their room Allison took off her costume and grabbed a tank top and pair of pj pants.
They got the baby ready for bed and tucked into the crib in her own nursery and then sat on their own bed.
Allison leaned over and kissed Asher slipping her tongue into his mouth, he deepened the kiss leaning into her and guiding her back onto the bed. The continued to kiss each other with hands wandering. Soon he slipped her tank top over her head and I clipped her bra. She slipped her hands into his pants teasing him. Asher slid his hands into Allison's pants.
"Please," Allison moaned, "I want to."
Asher continued kissing her neck and shoulder, "I do too."
"Ash I'm ready," Allison said, "I want you."
"Are you sure," Asher asked.
"I am," Allison assured.
Later they lay panting in eachothers arms.
"That was," Allison started.
"You're incredible," Asher said.
"Is that what it's supposed to be like," Allison asked, "I feel tingly."
"I think so," Asher said, "I've only been with you."
"That felt good," Allison said.
"It did," Asher agreed, "you and I this is forever."
"Forever," Allison sighed, "I love you."
"I love you so much," Asher whispered into her hair.
Teddy and Owen walked into the house.
"Did they go to bed," Teddy asked.
"The lights except for the stairs are off," Owen said, "she was tired."
"She was," Teddy said.
"They moved Everly," Owen said.
"It was time," Teddy agreed, "the basement is getting close. It'll just be us up stairs soon."
"I know," Owen said, "we've never really been alone here."
"No," Teddy smiled, "when we bought it we were waiting for her."
"Our kids are grown up," Owen smiled.
"They are," Teddy agreed, "but two still need us."
"Three," Owen said, "you and Annie were whispering about something."
"She just needed me for a few minutes," Teddy said.
"Is Megan okay," Owen asked.
"Worried about Cat," Teddy said, "Cat isn't eating. She was talking to me and Annie."
"Annie," Owen asked.
"Annies the one who over came it but then she told me that what Meg was asking her was triggering."
"Annie admitted that she was triggered," Owen gasped.
"She was Catrinas age when it started," Teddy said, "she's going to help but it caught her off guard."
"You," Owen asked.
"I can support Meg and Annie can help Catrina," Teddy said.
"Are you okay to," Owen asked.
"Allison and Asher aren't stressing me out now," Teddy said, "Everly is special needs but they seem to be okay for now."
"So you and I with no kids up there," Owen asked.
"Soon," Teddy smiled, "I see the look Owen."
"What I can't find my wife attractive," Owen asked.
"After 30 some odd years," Teddy smiled.
"Always," Owen said pulling her in for a kiss.
"Owen," Teddy laughed.
"I love you," Owen smiled.
"I love you more," Teddy beamed before kissing him.