"Thanks for coming, Owen," Asher smiled.
"On your own with two kids and working I'm happy to help for the week," Owen replied.
"Allie is looking forward to this," Asher smiled, "just her and Teddy to go somewhere."
"Teddy wanted to do this with her when you guys finished high school, then Allie didn't want to leave Ev after college and then after med school you guys were moving and she went straight to residency," Owen said, "chief resident is a huge deal. They tagged a conference on the last day or two to justify it but the week will be good."
"It is," Asher agreed, "she really needs the time with Teddy."
"They do," Owen agreed, "so what does the schedule look like?"
"You know the kids' activities," Asher replied, "if you can take Ev to school and pick her up. I'm still on the hospital project. I like this 3 year expansion there and seeing Allie at work most days. I'll take Andy to daycare."
"When does that finish," Owen asked.
"Six months till the deadline. But we'll be over and we're already over budget," Asher replied.
"How do you know," Owen asked.
"Higher ups are on me about the over time," Asher replied, "but we need it."
"You did good running massive jobs at your age," Owen smiled.
"I got accepted to business at UW as a mature student," Asher told Owen, "starts in September. One night a week in person and 2 online classes. I want my business degree in project management. I don't want to be a labourer into my 40s and 50s. I've seen those guys and how beat up they are. I want to be able to do more of the leadership side."
"I'm proud of you," Owen praised, "Asher you've worked incredibly hard. You make us proud. The man you've become."
Asher blushed, "thank you. You and Teddy helped more than you know."
"You just needed some encouragement," Owen replied, "the grit and brains were there all along you just didn't see it for your self."
"Leadership and project management will be better for the kids," Asher said, "Allie and I talked about classes for years and me applying but something always stopped me."
"Timing," Owen replied, "your kids are older, Allison's schedule is more predictable."
"As stable as a surgeons can be," Asher replied, "but we'll make the schedule work. I don't want to stop at my bachelors, I want my MBA."
"Go for it," Owen replied, "you should. The more skills you have the better. And being a mature student is going to give you different perspective and real world experience to apply to it."
"I don't know if it's not too late," Asher replied.
"It's never too late," Owen assured, "and don't be in a panic to do it fast. How long does UW give you to complete it?"
"7 years," Asher replied, "I'm aiming to be done in 5. I wish I would have done it 13 years ago but the timing with Allie in school and Ev one of us had to work full time."
"We would have helped more," Owen replied, "if you had wanted to do you bachelors then we would have covered living expenses for the three of you and helped with your school costs where we could."
"But you paid all of Allie's school costs and some for med school," Asher said, "we'll never be able to pay you and Teddy back for that."
"No, you pay for your kids' education," Owen replied, "education is important. College, a trade, certifications; those can't be taken away from you."
"Stand on your own two feet and support your family," Asher replied.
"You've done that since you were 19," Owen replied.
"You and Teddy covered a lot of gaps," Asher replied.
"You were kids," Owen replied, "you would do the same for your own kids and grandkids. We helped how we could when you needed and wanted it. We wanted to do a lot more than the two of you let us."
"You took us to Europe," Asher replied.
"We wanted to," Owen replied, "and we debated it if just Teddy and I went on that trip or made it a family thing."
"I didn't have a passport until after Ev was born," Asher replied, "you guys opened up a world I didn't think I could be part of. Electrical was a huge step up from what I grew up with in terms of stability and pay. At 20 I was making as much as my dad. My family survived because the church provided the house and cars."
"Hospitals don't provide that," Owen replied, "moving allowance or a housing stipend to get new doctors settled for a set period but not that. We had student loan forgiveness and Allie will be eligible for that once she finishes her fellowship."
"We're counting on it," Asher admitted, "it could be a lot worse but it'll be nice to get it off our backs."
Owen nodded.
"Your last conference trip mom, are you okay," Allison asked.
"I'm ready," Teddy smiled as they unpacked in their hotel room, they had a few days in Ottawa, Ontario before the conference. Allison had struggled leaving her kids but everyone convinced her that a few days was okay.
"Are you sure," Allison asked.
"I'm in my mid 70s baby girl," Teddy sighed, "it's time. Dad and I are both going to retire and I want to. I'm tired. I've given medicine so much of my life, put dreams aside hurt my children more than I want to admit. Medicine takes, it doesn't give to doctors or their families. I didn't realise it until Ev was born, until I saw you get the time with your kids I didn't get or even know I wanted. Surgery is all consuming."
"Maybe not," Allison suggested.
"For your generation," Teddy replied, "mine it was 100 hour weeks. There were few women. I only had one other woman in my residency class. Meg and I were the only women on our team in Iraq at one point. And there was a narrtive that women could have it all and do it all if we only sacrificed enough. Your generation and taking care of mental health, work life balance thats all new. It's incredible. The 50 hour week for residents."
"Usually ends up being closer to 60 because things always run over," Allison replied.
"But thats half what my cap was," Teddy replied, "mandatory 24 hours off after a 24 hour shift. The 48s being banned starting next month. Weekend calls limited."
"Its better," Allison said, "but medicine will always need people 24/7. I'd like to see a more regular call schedule. Like I know the last weekend of the month I'm on trauma call for ortho not every sixth night."
"Thats team conversations," Teddy replied, "speak up. What about you? What's going on at home?"
Allison took a deep breath, "Ash and I want another baby. We want three. And not to wait much longer. I'm 31. I know you had me in your 40s and Annie had Heather in her late 30s but I don't want a baby in my late 30s and to have big age gaps. Andy is old enough the c-section was 2 years ago."
"If it's what you want," Teddy smiled, "you can have it all Allie. Just because I couldn't balance it doesn't mean you can't. Fifth year might not be the best timing with your boards. I'd make sure your due date is clear of your boards by a couple months if you can time it. Annie struggled with final prep and Ellie. I would wait a few months to try so your boards are well before your due date."
"It's still a discussion, we haven't made final decisions but it's easy enough once we start," Allison replied, "its a game of timing."
"If you can't," Teddy asked.
"We don't have another," Allison replied, "we have one of each. I'd be disappointed but would be okay."
"Okay," Teddy replied, "I have to check. You're still my baby."
"Mom," Allison groaned.
"My one in a million chance," Teddy smiled.
"Leo," Allison asked.
"One in a million we got two lightning strikes," Teddy smiled, "dad and I were lucky."
"Do you still regret what happened with Annie as a baby," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "Her and I worked through that and Ev helped me see a lot of it. I didn't have your strength. I wasn't always strong or assertive thats why I pushed you to be."
"Its not easy," Allison replied.
"It isn't but you do it well," Teddy smiled, "if your unpacked I thought we were exploring. Where do you want to start it's still early."
"Lets do the mint today it's the shortest tour," Allison replied, "save the Museum of Civilization for tomorrow?"
"You're in charge here baby girl you decide," Teddy smiled.
"Lets do that but I need coffee," Allison replied.
"Coffee on our way," Teddy agreed.
"I'm glad we get to do this just us," Allison smiled.
"So am I," Teddy agreed, "I've waited a long time for this. We should have done it sooner but timing never worked."
"We're doing it now," Allison smiled.