Allison walked down the hall towards Ava's apartment. After finishing her nurse practitioner program Ava bought herself a two bedroom apartment not far from Allison and Asher's house.

"You said you had something big," Allison said once they poured their wine.

"I want to have a baby," Ava said, "I love your kids but I want my own. I'm permanently single. I threaten or don't click with most men I meet. I'd love a man in my life but it's not in the cards for me and I won't be a cat lady. I'm going to do it on my own."

"So you're planning to be a single mom," Allison asked.

"Ya," Ava replied, "I talked to my parents and they said they would help me out. We're in our thirties and time is running out for me to get pregnant. I don't want to wait too long and adopt. I want my own baby. I want to carry them and feel all the wiggles and kicks."

"Throw up for weeks, heartburn, Braxton hicks, labour, hip and back pain," Allison asked.

"All of it," Ava replied, "you've done it twice."

"What do you want to do," Allison asked.

"I saw a fertility specialist," Ava replied, "I've had a couple appointments. My numbers and egg count look good. I'm going to start the medication to mature eggs faster and look for a donor."

"IVF," Allison asked.

"IUI first," Ava replied, "it's cheaper the hospital covers it but not IVF. I only pay for the sperm from the sperm bank. I'm going to be a mom on my own Allie."

"You'll be fabulous," Allison said, "you saw all Eden, Carmen and my mistakes so you're a step ahead. You work in peds."

"I need to do this," Ava said, "but."

"You need your person," Allison smiled, "do you want me to come to any appointments so you're not alone? I can drive and wait for you. I can hold your hand."

"Can you come with me," Ava asked.

"Of course," Allison promised.

"And when they come," Ava asked.

"I'll come help as much as possible and you'll be sick of me," Allison assured, "with and without my hooligans."

Allison decided not to tell Ava that her and Asher had decided on a third baby and she was getting her iud removed in a week. Allison had told Ava and only Ava when they were trying for Andy and how frustrated she was when it took eight months to get pregnant especially because they had Ev withouttrying. It was Ava's time to be loved and celebrated.

"What do I need," Ava asked.

"We'll worry about it all when you're pregnant," Allison assured, "I'll make sure you get the good stuff."

"I want a midwife if possible," Ava said, "one of the hospital ones but still."

"After seeing them work more and more I would consider it if we ever had a third. I've had OBGYNs for both," Allison replied.

"Would you," Ava asked.

"We're talking about taking our chances and see if it happens again but we're not in a rush and good if it doesn't," Allison replied.

"How hard is it," Ava asked.

"Hard," Allison admitted, "harder than I've ever said. Andy is easier. But he's my second, I was so much more prepared."

"I want to do it Allie," Ava said, "before it's too late."

"Then do it," Allison replied.

"I'm going to," Ava said, "I just don't want to do it alone. And not have a community of moms. You have Carmen and Eden.l

"Andy is only two," Allison replied.

"How do I get ready," Ava asked.

"Talk to your doctor but with Andy I cut way down on caffeine and alcohol when we started trying made sure I was eating well," Allison replied, "be healthy."

"You have Asher can I do it alone," Ava asked.

"You won't be alone," Allison assured, "I'm always going to be here, Asher will help, Eden and Carmen will be thrilled for you. Your parents and brother. You have a community."

"But at night in my own with a new born," Ava said.

"I'll see if I can swing a few nights where I can," Allison replied, "I'm sure your mom will help. But the nights can be long."

"Asher," Ava asked.

"With both I was up more especially with newborns because he was working," Allison replied, "and I breastfed overnight with both. Andy had formula more during the day and nursed at night."

"Breastfeeding," Ava asked.

"Hard," Allison answered, "I had an easier time with Ev and nursed past her second birthday Andy I struggled my supply couldn't keep up with my little piglet so we supplemented formula. Asher liked the bottles because it let them bond."

"Can I," Ava asked.

"You have to try," Allison said, "but lean on me. Between both I've had clogged ducts, mastitis, thrush, blebs. More with Ev because I was young and things wouldn't feel right and I would leave it too late to tell my mom something was off. I had a few rounds of antibiotics for mastitis Evs first year."

"Did anyone tell you," Ava asked.

"Mom and Annie tried," Allison admitted, "about the clog thing but I didn't want to listen. Apparently being prone to it runs in our family. But I was 18 and trying to be an adult and do it myself so didn't take care of a couple clogs and it got infected and turned into mastitis. Always on my left."

"Why are you telling me now," Ava asked, " not then."

"We were 18 I wasn't going to talk about my infected boob or chapped nipples," Allison laughed, "I was an outcast as it was. Only you of our group from high school tried to understand where I was at. And I did talk with Eden and Carmen when it was the three of us."

"Then with Andy," Ava asked.

"Mom friends," Allison admitted, "you need them. I lucked out with the program finding Eden and Carmen."

"Now," Ava asked.

"I see you, Eden and Carmen," Allison replied, "a few of the other residents. But my life revolves around my kids and husband."

"I want that," Ava said, "I've wanted what you have since Ev was born. So I'm going to make it happen."

"Good," Allison smiles, "Ava this is exciting. I'm happy for you."

"I can't to it totally alone," Ava fretted.

"You have Ash and I," Allison assured, "Eden, Carmen. We'll be your village."

"Are you sure," Ava asked.

"I am," Allison promised, "always, always, always."