After a small church service at the community centre near the cabin, Owen quickly lined up all the kids in the yard at the cabin, "welcome to Grandpa's easter egg hunt!"
"Hunt," Megan giggled.
"You do this every year," he groaned, "okay we have three zones set up. On the porch we're ready for Everly and Khitam. On the left side of the path we are ready for Heather, Matt, Henry, Ellie and Catrina, on the right of the path Allison, Asher, Leo and Charlotte."
"We are going to do one zone at a time," Teddy said.
"Starting on the porch with Everly and Khitam," Owen said, "ready girls?"
On the porch the eggs were easy to see and reach, the surface of the porch was smooth enough that Everly could move on her own.
"Do you want your walker," Allison asked.
"I do it," Evelry said, "eggs."
"Okay I have your basket," Allison smiled at her daughter, it was the first time Everly was physically able to look for her own easter eggs.
"One, two, three go," Owen said.
Allison and Nisha held their daughter's hands as the two little girls looked for the eggs and giggled. Everly threw her eggs into the basket while Khitam gently placed them.
"Okay find your bunny," Allison said once Owen signalled that all the eggs had been found.
Everly crawled around looking for a chocolate bunny.
"That's Khitam's," Megan said when Everly picked up a yellow stuffed bunny.
"You have a pink one," Teddy said.
"Mom," Allison said.
Teddy answered, "the easter bunny brought the little girls stuffed rabbits instead of chocolate."
Soon Everly found her pink toy bunny behind a flower pot by the porch swing.
"Okay," Owen said, "the little girls have found their treats. Those of you in school are next the those in college or doing apprenticeships are last. The rules for the second hunt. Hands to yourself, hands in your own basket, touch only your coloured big eggs and the bunny with your name on it. The small eggs are fair game for all."
"Colours," Teddy announced, "Ellie purple, Catrina yellow, Matt green, Henry blue, Heather pink."
"On your marks get set go," Owen bellowed and the five kids took off running.
"I don't like not having Chris's family here," Annie said, "but they went to California to see Jenna's family and celebrate Passover."
"They do that well showing their boys both sides," Teddy said.
"They do," Megan agreed, "have their boys decided."
"Not yet," Annie replied, "they don't need to yet. They know all the stories and the traditions and the boys will choose when they're ready. I know Dad wants to see them baptised and Jenna's mom wants them to do their bar mitzvah but that's not what they want."
"I would like to see all of them baptised," Dan added, "Ellie isn't yet."
"Dad she has to choose," Annie said, "I know I was 14 and Chris was 13 but I think older is better. I wish I would have waited. I didn't know what it really meant, I didn't fully understand. Josh did after we got married. He under stood a lot more what it meant."
"I understand that," Dan agreed, "you might not have been ready. I think you did it for your mom."
"I did," Annie admitted, "I do still miss her in some ways."
"So do I bear," Dan agreed, "there are things about her I will always miss. It's okay to miss her and I know she hurt you but you can miss her. She was your mom."
"She's in heaven with grandma and grandpa and Jessie," Annie said.
"She is," Dan agreed, "she was proud of you bear. She didn't know how to say it but she was proud of you and loved you."
"I know," Annie said hugging Dan, "dad I know. Jessie never got to hold her own baby or watch them play. She never even held mine."
"I know," Dan said, "she was too young."
"Her and mom are together," Annie said, "they're together and healthy. They're not in pain now."
"They aren't," Dan agreed.
In the yard the kids ran around gathering eggs and filling baskets. Josh laughed at how the boys were trying to sabotage the girls and distract them from the chocolate eggs.
"Henry cool it," Josh yelled.
"What," Henry asked.
"You're following your sister then ducking around her to get the egg," Josh scolded.
"So," Henry asked.
"Go find your own eggs," Josh replied.
On the porch Everly pulled her self up on Evelyn's leg.
"Do you want to sit with Nana," David asked.
"Opa up," Everly asked, "hug?"
"Come sit with us, Everly," David said, lifting the little girl up to sit on the swing between himself and Evelyn.
"Did you find a bunny," Evelyn asked.
"My bunny," Everly smiled hugging the soft toy.
"Does the bunny have a name," Evelyn asked.
"Hop," Everly said.
"Her name is Hop," Evelyn finished the sentence.
"Yes," Everly smiled, "Hop is pink."
"She is pink," David praised.
"I have chocolate," Everly asked.
"You can have chocolate," Evelyn agreed, reaching into Every's easter basket and unwrapping a single egg.
"My chocolate," Everly smiled.
"Yes those are your Easter Eggs," Evelyn said, "do you like Chocolate."
"Yes," Everly smiled, "what's Easter."
Allison heard the question and nodded at David, he lifted the little girl into his lap and began to tell her the Easter story.
When he finished the story, Everly hugged him and said ,``Love you opa."
"I love you too, Everly," David smiled, hugging her and kissing the top of her strawberry blonde hair. He thought how different his life had been since he met Evelyn and her family had accepted him as one of their own, the grandchildren and great grandchildren he had christened and baptised and now he got to teach Everly and Khitam the youngest of them the stories that were full of love and joy and hope. He had taught many children these stories over the years but it was having his grandchildren and great grandchildren in his lap to tell them the stories that felt most important.
Owen started the final egg hunt for the college age kids, "again plastic eggs are colour coded."
"Purple for Allison, Pink for Charlotte," Teddy said, "Leo you have Blue and Asher you get green."
The four college kids took their baskets from Teddy and raced through their part of the yard.
"What did you put in their eggs," Annie asked.
"Amazon cards, coffee cards, each has one small aeroplane sized bottle of vodka, hair things for the girls and nail polish," Teddy said, "the guys have that weird fancy shaving stuff they like. What did you and Meg do for your group?"
"Similarly," Annie said, "hair things, socks, gift cards, Heather had some colouring things and bubbles."
"We did that for Ev and Khitam," Teddy said, "more toys than sweets."
"They don't eat it," Annie said, "I make mini egg cookies and chocolate eggs into cookies."
"So do we," Teddy replied.
"Everly looks happy with Opa," Annie said.
"He loves her," Teddy said, "I was most worried about him when Allison got pregnant. But he's been so loving and so steady."
"His version of God and Jesus is much more loving than what I grew up with," Annie said, "it's about love and loving people no matter what. Everyone should be loved. Jesus didn't like the rules he loved people and relationships. Opa's version makes sense, what I grew up with never sat well with me after high school. I never understood why I would be given the skills and knowledge to heal if that wasn't to be my role in the world. Opa's version of love and help and care makes sense."
"I like his version two," Teddy agreed, "love everyone, build everyone up."
"I miss him preaching," Annie said, "now he tells the kids bible stories and life lessons."
"They should learn it from their Opa," Teddy said.
"It'll be good memories," Annie said, "being held by him and told stories. I remember papa and grandmere holding me in their lap and reading to me or telling me stories in french. It's important and special."
"It is," Teddy agreed.
"Travelling the coast with dad telling stories about places," Annie said, "every place had a story."
"You do it two," Teddy said, "you use stories to make connections and teach your kids."
"Stories are connected to places," Annie said.
"That's how you grew up," Teddy said.
"It is," Annie smiled, "they're all happy."
"Heather is doing okay," Teddy asked.
"She's still getting tired but she's almost 100%," Annie said, "that was hard. I can take other people's kids into that OR but seeing my baby go."
"It's hard," Teddy said, "you could have called."
"Ev had a cold and Allie needed you," Annie said, "Josh and I can do it. Chris and Jenna checked in while she was in the OR. it's an appy, Josh does 5 or 6 a week. I did one my first day as an intern. Failed it but still."
"But for you sweetheart," Teddy said.
"I was okay," Annie said, "anxious but I've been able to keep it in check. Mama I'm okay. And you did help. You drove the other kids and stayed with them, you baked and made meals. I needed you with my other kids while Heather was in the hospital. That was the best thing you could have done for us, keeping my house running."
"You're okay," Teddy asked.
"I am," Annie said, "I'm good."
"Eating," Teddy asked.
"I am," Annie said, "I'm not afraid of food and a few pounds anymore."
Allison and Asher joined Evelyn and David on the porch.
"Opa," Allison said, "we'd like to ask you something. And you can say no if it's too much."
"What is it," David asked.
"Would you marry us next summer," Allison asked.
"Me," David asked, "not Mark?"
"We want you," Allison said.
"We've talked a lot about it," Asher said, "you baptised Allison and christened Everly we want you to marry us. You supported us through all of this. You've prayed with us and encouraged us."
"Opa you are such a huge part of our lives we want you to do the ceremony," Allison said, "I've pictured you doing it since I was a little girl. You know us, you know our family and we love you. Our wedding is about love and celebrating with the people we love and who love us."
"I would be honoured," David beamed.
"It's not too much," Allison asked.
"No," David said, "I want to. I've gotten to baptise and christen all of you. That you would think of asking me to marry you. That you want me. I never had kids of my own. It wasn't the plan for me. I have loved watching all of you grow up and being part of your lives seeing you grow and change and face adversity and how you rise to it."
"We want you to do it," Asher said.
"Opa it wasn't pastors or youth pastors that have taught me the stories and what matters," Allison said, "I learned it from you. You are the one that taught me about faith and God and Jesus. When I think of how I learned it I think of you. And you've done it with so much love and care. You did it today. You sat with us and read us a story or told us a story. Seeing you holding my daughter to teach her about Easter and tell the story."
"I will hold her and tell her stories for as long as I can and as long as she'll let me," David assured, "and I'm looking forward to your wedding. You two are ready. A lot of young couples I've seen I've wondered and worried. You two I know are ready."
Catrina sat on the porch steps with Megan, "why can Allie bring her fiance, and Leo can bring his girlfriend but I can't bring Drake?"
"Because you're 16," Megan said.
"Allison did at 17," Catrina said, "next winter?"
"No," Megan said.
"Allie did," Catrina countered.
"Everly isn't," Megan said, "and and Ellie are the same age."
"She's leaving me," Catrina whined, "she's going to UBC."
"I hear that you're feeling left out," Megan said, "Ellie is off to college in BC Allie is getting married and has Everly."
"But it's Allie this and Ellie that," Catrina said, "no one notices me. I'm not special. Dad wouldn't even come for me."
"Sweetheart I know not having your dad is hard," Megan said, "I miss him two."
"I asked dad to come and he said no," Catrina snapped, "we don't matter to him he's with his girlfriend."
"I'll talk to him," Megan assured.
"No one notices me," Catrina complained, "dad is too busy with his girlfriend and she's not much older than me. Faroke is always busy with Nisha and Khitam and work. Ellie is leaving, Allie has Everly and Asher. Who do I have?"
"Me," Megan said, "I'm here and I will not leave. I will talk to your dad. "
"You adopted me you both chose me why does dad not love me now," Catrina cried.
"I don't know," Megan said, "I don't like that you feel this way. I know your dad loves you. I don 't know what's going on with him. I wish I knew sweet heart. Kitty Cat I'm sorry."
Faroke sat on the other side of Catrina, "I'm sorry I've been so busy Cat."
"You're never around," Catrina said, "you have your wife and your daughter and don't want me anymore."
"I do," Faroke said, "you stopped coming over. I miss you coming over. You used to come over once a week. Why did you stop?"
"I didn't think Nisha wanted me with Khitam," Catrina said.
"No," Faroke said, "Tuesdays again? I'll pick you up from ball and we'll do dinner and I'll take you home when you're ready."
"Nisha," Catrina said.
"Wants you around," Faroke said, "what do you want for dinner Tuesday?"
"Can we have her chicken and the rice with all the veggies in it," Catrina asked, "the one she said her mom makes."
"We can," Faroke said, "carrot cake?"
"Yes," Catrina smiled.
"We'll do it," Faroke said, "every week. I promise Kitty Cat."
"I don't do anything special," Catrina said.
"You're the only one that plays ball," Faroke said, "you're the only one to play an instrument. Did you bring your violin?"
"I did," Catrina said.
"Can you show me what you're working on," Faroke asked.
"No one wants to hear me," Catrina said, "your one year old is not a person here."
"But she loves her auntie," Faroke said, "Cat dad is not about you. I don't know and he's making me mad. I will talk to dad. Him and I have a surgery together on Wednesday so I will talk to him."
"Okay," Catrina said, "I still don't get why I can't bring Drake."
"The rule had always been when you're in college," Megan said, "that was what Teddy, Annie and I agreed on with my mom. Teddy and nana decided to make an exception when Allison was pregnant because of the situation with Asher's family. That he was living at Owen and Teddy's."
"But she was allowed to share a room with him," Catrina said.
"The easter," Megan said, "with conditions and only because she was like 35 weeks pregnant. That Christmas you and Ellie shared the open room, Allie was with her parents and Asher was in the loft with the boys."
"I didn't expect Drake and I to share a room," Catrina said, "I thought I would stay with Ellie like I normally do on the mattress in the kitchen because Leo and Charlotte are in the storage room and Drake could stay in the loft with Henry and Matt."
"Not yet," Megan said, "maybe next year at this time if you're still together we can talk about it. You've been together for two months. I like Drake and you two have fun. In a year if you are still together or even towards the end of the summer we will discuss it. But I need to see a few things from you. I need more honesty about where you are and who you are with, you answer your phone when I call or text, I will not ask you more than once to do your chores. You want adult privileges like bringing your boyfriend to the cabin you show me adult behaviour at home. I will not be allowing you and Drake to share a room until you are both in college or college age. That includes him in your room at home."
"His parents invited me to their cabin in May," Catrina said.
"I want to talk to his mom," Megan said, "and we will need to have a very serious talk about protection and protecting you."
"I don't want to," Catrina said.
"Don't want to what," Faroke asked.
"Have a baby," Catrina said, "I'm not ready."
"You're not," Megan agreed, "so if you want to go on this trip with Drake's family we need to get a couple things in place. It doesn't mean you have to but it will make sure you're safe if you change your mind."
"I don't want to," Catrina said, "I just want to go to the lake and they have a boat like Annie and Josh's."
"You want to go play on the lake," Megan said, "that's fine. Go."
"His grandparents will be there and his parents and a lot of his aunts and uncles and cousins," Catrina said, "he said they do everyone who's not married in bunks in the basement. Girls in one room, boys in the other."
"That makes me feel better," Megan said, "I still need to talk to his mom. Our rules still stand."
"Can I go," Catrina asked.
"I'll talk to his mom and we'll talk more at home before I decide," Megan said, "I want to talk to your dad about it."
"Cat are you coming swimming," Ellie asked.
"Mom," Catrina asked.
"Who's going," Megan asked.
"Allie, Asher, Leo, Charlotte, Matt, Henry, Everly, Heather," Ellie listed.
"Go," Megan said, "you'll be back by dinner."
"Yes," Allison said, "we'll go for a couple hours. Ev will have enough and get tired."
"She looks sleepy," Megan said seeing the little girl on Allison's hip.
"I just woke her up," Allison said, "give it a minute. Once we get to the pool she'll be wide awake."
"Have fun," Megan agreed, "back by dinner."
"We will be," Leo assured.
At the pool the kids spread out to their favourite spots. Ellie and Cat floated near Allison and Everly.
"She's a good swimmer," Cat smiled, "I haven't seen her swim in a long time."
"Christmas," Allison said.
"Ev can you swim to me," Ellie asked.
"Go," Allison encouraged, "go see Ellie."
Everly began swimming between her mom, Ellie and Catrina, giggling when she reached the next person and they turned her to her next goal.
"She okay," Asher asked coming by.
"Ya," Allison smiled, "we're just playing."
"Do you want to do a couple laps and I'll hang out with her," Asher offered.
"I'm happy here," Allison said, "go have fun with the guys."
"Can I join you," Charlotte asked, "see this little bunny swim."
"She's part mermaid," Allison smiled.
"She looks very happy," Charlotte said, "she moves so well."
"The water is easier and swimming uses muscles that aren't so tight," Allison said.
"My brother likes the pool," Charlotte said, "he's an okay swimmer but still needs a life jacket."
"She does," Allison said, "we don't for lessons but playing and in a crowd I feel better. You graduated! What's next?"
"UCLA still for my teaching," Charlotte said, "two years."
"Congratulations," Allison smiled, "masters?"
"Bachelors of Ed," Charlotte said, "but I'll have to do a masters later."
"Where," Ellie asked.
"I don't know," Charlotte said, "did you pick a school?"
"UBC," Ellie answered.
"Canada," Charlotte said.
"My mom has dual, so do all of us have American and Canadian passports," Ellie said, "and I'm in dorms."
"Your mom but your grandma served with my step dad," Charlotte said.
"Her mom is American but her dad is Canadian," Ellie replied.
"So you could go anywhere in North America," Charlotte asked.
"I could," Ellie agreed.
"You'll have fun at UBC," Charlotte said, "Cat have you started thinking?"
"East coast," Catrina said, "I like mom's stories from her time at Harvard."
"Go for it," Charlotte said, "and ball scholarship?"
"I'm trying but who knows yet," Catrina said, "scouts have been watching me play."
"Good," Charlotte said, "Cat that's big. Go where you get a ball offer."
"I probably will," Catrina said.
"Do it," Allison encouraged, "then don't forget me when you get all sorts of great adventures."
"I won't," Catrina promised.
"Ellie," Allison asked.
"I'll be home all the time and you can bring Ev up to see me," Ellie suggested.
"In all my free time," Allison said.
"Come visit and I'll be home a lot," Ellie promised.