"Okay before you two go meet the bank tomorrow we need to talk," Owen said.
"What's going on," Allison asked.
"Well mom and I haven't been totally honest with you about your rent money since you were in high school," Owen said.
"What happened," Asher asked.
"Teddy and I paid off the house before you moved in," Owen said, "and instead of using your rent money every month we've been putting it in a high interest savings account for you."
"What does that mean," Allison asked.
"We're giving it back to you," Teddy replied, "with the interest. To add to your down payment or to do your accessibility renovations. It's yours."
"Why," Asher asked.
"Because we didn't need the money," Owen said, "when you were younger it was teaching you responsibility. Then you would never have accepted not paying rent; it would have hurt your pride too much. So we saved it ,every rent payment you've ever given us. It was always our plan to save it for your family when you were ready to move out."
"So that's," Allison said.
"$105,000 give or take a few hundred ," Owen said, "including the interest. $1500 a month for 8.5 years at 6.5% interest."
"And we have the 100 from Nana," Allison said.
"You're in a good position," Teddy said, "my advice would be to keep half out for your renovations. You'll need to do a lot for Everly."
"But," Asher said, "why?"
"Because we wanted to be able to help you buy a home," Teddy replied, "there is a little more we're going to add."
"But Leo and Annie," Allison asked.
"When Annie and Josh bought the cottage from me I didn't ask them for market value," Teddy explained, "they paid what I did for it 12 years earlier."
"Why though," Asher asked.
"Because it's your money," Owen said, "it was always our intention to give it back to you. And we want you to use it to make your house your home."
"Thank you," Allison said, "but it's too much."
"It's a way we can help you," Owen said, "you two have been so stubborn about accepting help. It's your money. It's just a forced savings account. We always planned on your family being able to use it when you were ready to buy a home. We've paid Leo's rent for the last 8 years, it's not like we haven't helped him with housing. Mom and Annie had a special deal about the cottage. We have helped your siblings, let us help you."
"It's too much," Allison repeated.
"It's your money," Teddy replied.
"Thank you," Asher said, "it's really unexpected."
"You two work hard and you're ready to move out," Teddy smiled, "we'll miss you but we know it's time."
"It's kinda scary," Allison admitted.
"It is but you're ready and you're not alone," Teddy assured.
"I start work in a few weeks," Allison replied, "thats hard to believe I'm not a student anymore."
"You are so ready to be a doctor," Owen assured, "I think of the three of you you're the most ready to practise."
"Annie," Allison asked.
"She had a lot of growing up to do that first year," Teddy said, "so will you. But it will be different. You were born her intern year."
"I couldn't imagine getting a new sibling now," Allison said.
"I know but that's what happened," Teddy answered, "and it wasn't just you. It was me being in Seattle instead of Germany."
"Getting a new sibling at our age would be weird," Asher said.
"Annie was 25 but yes," Teddy agreed, "you two may have big age gaps if you ever decide to have more."
"We haven't decided yet," Allison replied, they wanted a second but she didn't want her parents to know that yet. They were going to start trying once she was almost through her intern year. She thought if she could get through her intern year she could manage the rest of residency with two kids. Everly was getting older and more independent, and their chances of having the same challenges with a second baby were slim.
"Its totally your choice," Teddy smiled, "it has to be what's right for your family. Have you thought about your new place?"
"We want a bit of a yard," Asher said, "and all one level. We can't ask Ev to do stairs multiple times a day and she's hating being carried more and more."
"I want our own bathroom," Allison said, "a proper ensuite."
"Those all sound do able," Owen replied.
"And lots of natural light," Allison added.
"Totally," Teddy agreed, "have you thought of where?"
"Not yet," Asher admitted, "we need to see the bank first and if we can will cross boundary Everly to her school and then move her closer for middle. We don't want her going where we went."
"Why," Owen asked, "they were good schools?"
"We want her to be her own person," Allison replied, "especially the high school and both are so sports focused we want somewhere that will have extra curriculars Ev can participate in."
"Fair," Owen agreed, "she likes her swimming lessons, piano and choir."
"I'm glad the horse phase is over," Allison said, "I hated going to the barn."
"Too dangerous," Teddy replied, "but it was good for her confidence while it lasted."
"It was," Allison agreed.
"Allie it's time," Teddy said, "I know you're disappointed about staying in Seattle but you have so many exciting things now. You're still an intern at a great hospital, you have a support system here, your daughter keeps her supports and her friends. I know you have been putting her and Ash first for the last 8 years. You still get to have your dreams and hopes baby girl. I did, your dad did, your family will support you. Allison this is a good step, buying a home."
"Only because we have what Nana left me," Allison replied.
"And this is what she would want you to use it for," Owen assured, "a home is huge. You're young still and sometimes we all forget that. Allison is just about to finish med school she's only 26. You two are buying a home. This is incredible."
"I know," Allison agreed, 'it'll be hard to leave. I've lived here my whole life so has Ev."
"And you will still have all of our love and support," Teddy promised, "we will always be a call or a text away. You have to be in a 20 minute radius of the hospital so you can't go too far."
"I know," Allison replied, "it's time."
"It is," Teddy agreed, "you're ready. All three of you."
"We are," Asher agreed.