December…
Ellie rushed down the tunnel between the two hospital buildings to catch up with Allison.
"Allie I don't know what to do," Ellie whispered.
"What's wrong El," Allison asked.
"So Caleb and I broke up two weeks ago," Ellie whispered, "when I went to see him in LA."
"I know that really sucks," Allison replied, "you had it all planned with him. I'm sorry."
"But my period was late and he had been here the week before," Ellie started, " so I took a test"
"Positive," Allison guessed seeing Ellie's face.
"Ya," Ellie whispered, "Allie what do I do?"
"Well you just told your chief resident so I'll put those protocols in place for both of us," Allison said, "then you have to call and tell Caleb and tell your mom. Annie is fantastic with pregnancies and so supportive. Plus we'll do it together. How far along?"
"Together what," Ellie asked.
"Six weeks," Allison shrugged, "it's not a big deal this time. How far along?"
"My math says almost six weeks and an approximate due date of august 9th," Ellie replied, "your?"
"August seventh so we'll do it together. You're not alone Ellie," Allison assured, "my mom might flip being a great grandma but it'll be hearing the I'm getting so old thing not you. Your mom will be happy she loves kids. But do you still want to do this without Caleb?"
"I live with Cat so maybe she'll be open to baby and I staying," Ellie replied.
"It's the cottage your parents own it," Allison replied, "Cat can choose for herself. How are you feeling?"
"Scared, alone, pukey, embarrassed," Ellie said.
"Why embarrassed," Allison asked.
"I'm single and I just dumped Caleb because he was being an ass and vague and we were fighting or having sex never actually talking. I knew the distance would be hard but he broke my trust with some lies," Ellie replied, "you have Asher you've always had Asher."
"This baby was conceived in a relationship," Allison replied, "but El you know what your choices are. You can still choose."
"No," Ellie replied, "I want to be a mom. I'm keeping the baby. "
"Congratulations," Allison smiled, "El you'll be a great mom!"
"How do I," Ellie asked, "what do I?"
"I'm sure I'm okay you grab my appointment with Stephanie Mitchell for this afternoon," Allison replied, "go see her. Get the blood work done."
"My mom doesn't know Caleb and I were trying when we were together," Ellie said, "his residency is only two years for family medicine. We were going to try long distance not thinking it would work seeing each other like once every six weeks. And he was going to call and beg auntie Megan for a job if it happened. You said it took you guys almost a year to get pregnant with Andy. So I thought it would take a while."
"And this one was six months," Allison replied, "I was really in a physically unhealthy place when we were trying with Andy and once I stopped working out as much and ate a bit better it was two months. El tell your mom."
"Have you," Ellie asked.
"I will," Allison replied, "Asher and I wanted to sit on this one for a while . Just enjoy it the two of us. Annie and my parents knew before Asher did with Ev and we told my parents the day we got the positive result with Andy. We want to sit with it and enjoy it just us. We've known almost 10 days now. What do you want to do?"
"I want my mom," Ellie said, "when do I tell Caleb?"
"We can call him together," Allison offered, "you don't have to do it alone."
"Can you tell my mom with me," Ellie asked.
"I can be there," Allison replied, "but you should tell her."
"She's going to be mad," Ellie replied, "she'll think I was careless. But we had a plan, we wanted this. We wanted a baby. Grandma must have wanted to kill you."
"You're 26," Allison said, "I was 17 and it was unplanned."
"I'll be 27 when baby arrives," Ellie said, "but how do I?"
"Caleb first," Allison commanded, "do you want to work things out with him?"
"I don't know," Ellie said, "I don't trust him but he's the baby's dad. The baby needs their dad."
"They do," Allison agreed, "but if you keep doing long distance you have so many people here to love and support you. We'll be off at the same time and I can help out. Ava will be."
"Ava," Ellie asked, "moms favourite nurse practitioner."
"My best friend," Allison replied, "but I shouldn't have said anything. She's end of July."
"She's single, I heard her talking," Ellie replied.
"Ya she chose to do it alone. She got tired of waiting, we're 31," Allison replied, "she'll be excellent. The three of us can hang out and our babies will be close in age. I missed that with Andy having moms in a similar spot."
"Can I," Ellie asked.
"You can," Allison assured.
"I guess I should go find my mom," Ellie replied, "she's easier than Caleb."
"He needs to know two," Allison said, "he's the dad. But you don't have to be a couple. You can co parent without being a couple but he should be supporting the baby."
"Mom first and she can sit with me to call Caleb," Ellie replied, "and grandma. Unless you want to tell your mom today."
"I'll haven't decided when to tell her ," Allison replied, "it's my third. I've already done it twice so you get to lean on me and your mom did it four times so between us we've got you. But I actually have a lunch break and am eating with Ava."
"I can do this," Ellie said.
"You can," Allison reassured.
Allison made her way to the cafeteria she was to meet Ava in.
"How are you feeling," Allison smiled, putting an arm around her closest friend.
"Still nauseous," Ava shrugged, "but I want this."
"Lemonade," Allison suggested, "orange juice. They worked for me with Andy."
"I wish this little one would have a cousin close in age " Ava said, "my parents are thrilled. Not too happy I'm alone but I want this. There's never been a good guy and I want to be a mom so I made it happen. I can't believe it worked first try."
"You're lucky," Allison smiled, "and your little one will have cousins. You have our three."
"Ev, Andy and," Ava said, "you're?"
"About 2 weeks behind you," Allison smiled, "we can be belly buddies."
"I'll be huge and you'll have a cute little half bump," Ava said.
"Third no way," Allison said, "I was way bigger with Andy than with Ev. I expect to be the size of a small whale. But I get to throw your shower."
"You," Ava asked.
"I've had two," Allison replied, "we knew we wanted a third after Andy so it's all in our crawl space it'll just be gender specific clothes and diapers. We're good. We don't need anything. And for the third it's tacky. It was borderline with Andy and only okay because it was 10 years between."
"Who knows," Ava asked.
"Asher, you and Ellie," Allison replied, "I need to tell my mom but she's been out of town and I've known for over a week. Asher and I were enjoying just the two of us knowing. The kids don't know yet."
"Everly," Ava asked.
"She's 12," Allison replied, "she'll be 13 and I'll be done my residency when this one comes. She had such a hard adjustment with Andy. I'm hoping this will be easier."
"Two babies," Ava smiled, "I'm happy for you. Hopefully we'll have little best friends."
"I'll have two of each either way," Allison smiled, "what do you think yours is."
"I got my nipt results," Ava smiled, "it's a girl and we're all clear."
"A baby girl," Allison beamed, "she's got the best mommy. And auntie is very excited to meet her."
"Will you," Ava asked.
"We will but I'm not doing the nipt we were tested for genetic markers when Ev was a baby and neither Asher or I are carriers for anything major," Allison replied.
"They'll be friends either way," Ava smiled, "will you still be with me for the delivery?"
"Of course," Allison assured, "I will be with you to support you and be your person in labour."
"But if you," Ava asked.
"Mine won't be first two weeks apart no," Allison replied, "I'll be very pregnant but I'll be there."
"Yours," Ava asked.
"Asher will be with me," Allison replied.
"You and my mom," Ava replied.
Ellie walked into Annie's office and found Teddy sitting with Annie having a cup of coffee.
"Mommy," Ellie whimpered, letting herself in.
"Bug what's wrong," Annie asked.
Teddy slipped out and closed the door behind her.
Ellie broke down in tears, "you're going to be so mad at me."
"What's going on," Annie asked.
"Caleb and I were planning for ever and we weren't being careful and decided not to use any birth control and," Ellie sobbed harder.
"You're pregnant," Annie guessed.
Ellie nodded.
"Come here," Annie whispered to her oldest pulling her in close, "what do you want to do?"
"I want my baby," Ellie said, "I want to be a mom."
"You've wanted to be a mom since Ev was born," Annie replied, "does Caleb know?"
"Not yet you and Allie," Ellie replied, "I'm scared."
"I was every time," Annie replied, "have you been to OB yet?"
"Allie did the referral and blood work," Ellie replied.
"I did it for her with Ev," Annie remembered, "do you want me to come with you?"
"Ya," Ellie whispered, "what about dad?"
"He'll love being grandpa," Annie smiled.
"Grandma and grandpa, grandude," Ellie asked.
"Will love being great grandparents," Annie promised, "do you have a guess for a due date?"
"August ninth," Ellie replied, "how do I tell Cat?"
"Caterina might be upset and might move out," Annie replied, "or she's going to surprise you. Sweetheart, you have choices."
"Allie told me," Ellie replied, "I don't want to terminate or look into adoption. I'm a doctor I might need to change my residency as a single mom. We didn't think it would happen now before Caleb finished his. Family medicine is 9-5 we thought we could make it work."
"Would you try to make things work with Caleb," Annie asked, "he has to know. What would it take for you to fix things with him?"
"Him in Seattle like we planned and he deletes those girls numbers and blocks them," Ellie replied.
"How long have you known," Annie asked.
"This morning," Ellie replied, "I think I want to do it alone and not take Caleb back."
"He has to know and you have to coparent," Annie replied, "but you don't have to be a couple. How are you feeling bug?"
"Gross and embarrassed," Ellie replied, "it's a mess."
"It is," Annie replied, "but it's not the first unplanned baby in the family. Grandma didn't plan me or Allie Henry and Heather weren't planned. Tyler wasn't. You'll be okay. You have a huge family here that loves you and will support you."
"I want to puke," Ellie whined.
"That's going to last for a while," Annie replied, "I've had hyperemesis twice with Matt and Heather. I want you to watch it. I was borderline with you and Henry."
"How do I," Ellie asked, "I have to work."
"You do," Annie agreed, "but there's medication if it gets really bad. It's part of being pregnant and it's miserable but you'll get through it. What about Caleb?"
"Can you call him with me," Ellie asked.
"Always," Annie assured, "I'll do every step of this with you. Do you want to tell your dad or can I?"
"I want to," Ellie replied, "and grandma."
"She knows something's up and you're scrubbing in with her today," Annie replied, "let's call Caleb and tell her after. She'll understand messy and not sure what to do more than anyone."
"Let's call Caleb," Ellie gulped.
"I'm here," Annie assured hugging her eldest. While it was sooner than she thought and unexpected she was going to be a grandma and it was a baby. A baby was always a blessing no matter how it joined the family, a baby was a gift and would be loved.
"Ellie," Caleb answered on the first ring, he had been trying to call her for days to talk it through and work things out.
"I'm pregnant," Ellie replied, "almost six weeks due august 9."
"Wow," Caleb gulped.
"It doesn't change what happened between us but you're the dad and have to know," Ellie replied.
"I want to make it right," Caleb said, "that's why I've been calling you."
"I don't know," Ellie said, "you broke my trust and now I'm pregnant and I'm scared."
"Ellie, can I fly up this weekend and we talk face to face," Caleb asked.
"Ya," Ellie agreed.
"So I'll come see you and see if I can find a job near you," Caleb suggested, "there's an oncology resident position open in Tacoma. Then I can at least be close for you and the baby."
"And you wanted oncology as a back up anyway," Ellie replied.
"So I'll fly up Friday after work and get an Uber to your place," Caleb said, "your cousin?"
"Cat is working nights in the ER this weekend," Ellie replied.
"I will see you Friday," Caleb said, grateful for the opportunity to see and talk to Ellie and hopefully work it out.
"The baby, what do you want to do," Ellie asked.
"We'll talk Friday," Caleb said, "but we were half trying. We both wanted a baby. And I know I was stupid. How are you feeling?"
"Gross," Ellie admitted, she did want him around she wasn't sure in what capacity but she still loved Caleb and wanted him around but the trust was broken.
"Have you seen an OBGYN," Caleb asked.
"In about 10 minutes they can squeeze me in," Ellie replied, "my mom is coming with me. Then I'm operating with my grandma and she said I could open the chest."
"Miss third generation," Caleb teased.
"I know," Ellie groaned.
"Ellie call me tonight ," Caleb said, "I know you have to go to your appointment. Text me your test results and any pictures and I want to know everything. Can I bring anything when I come?"
"No," Ellie replied, "I'll call you tonight and tell you what's going on."
"Who knows," Caleb asked.
"Mom and Allie," Ellie replied, "I'll tell my dad later and grandma."
"Keep it to family," Caleb asked.
"I will," Ellie replied, "good thing my chief resident is my aunt and my chief of surgery is my great aunt."
While Ellie was with Annie Allison found Teddy.
"Hey mom," Allison smiled walking up behind Teddy.
"Allison," Teddy greeted with a hug, "your not usually in this building."
"I was looking for you," Allison smiled, "I have exciting news."
"Fellowship decision," Teddy guessed knowing decisions and interviews were happening.
"Still hoping for the CP stuff at UW but it's pending my boards," Allison replied, "staying in the area I hope but that's not my news."
Teddy surveyed her youngest, she was pale and her cheeks were flushed.
"Are you feeling alright," Teddy asked.
"As good as I can expect," Allison replied, "I've been through this twice before."
Teddy paused, "Allie?"
Seeing the hallway was empty Allison decided not to wait any longer. She knew Ellie probably should get all the love and attention and she got it, Ellie was single it was her first baby and this was Allison's third with her husband. But Allison thought she could just tell Teddy, it was her mom.
"Mom I'm pregnant, " Allison smiled, "I'm due August 7th."
Teddy pulled her daughter instantly into a hug.
"Three kids wow," Teddy smiled, "this is good news Allie. How are you feeling sweetheart?"
"Sick but I'll see OB later and get meds prescribed so I have them if needed. I know I've been borderline HG with both so I'm preparing ahead this time," Allison replied, "we want this mom. Ash and I decided three was our perfect number."
"So this is your last," Teddy asked.
"We think so," Allison replied, "I think this is my last."
"Three was our perfect number two," Teddy agreed.
"But you never had us all living with you at once," Allison replied.
"True," Teddy agreed, "but what are you looking forward to?"
"Time with my kids, those special moments with Asher feeling the kicks and how he talks to my bump," Allison replied, "being round. Once I'm out of the first trimester I don't mind it until birth. And it's the last time we get to do this."
"You're pretty good especially with Andy," Teddy agreed.
"I knew what I was doing," Allison agreed, "I'm a little worried I'll get really big this time. I was bigger with Andy than Ev."
"Andy you were older and your second your body knew what to do and stretched out easier," Teddy replied, "it'll happen this time two. Annie felt like she showed earlier with each baby. Ellie you could hardly tell like you with Ev then when she had Henry and Heather she was very round and cute. With both of yours you've been all bump you should be okay."
"All bump I can do," Allison agreed, "can you not tell anyone other than dad yet? I'm only 6 weeks and want to keep it quiet until I've had the viability scan at 8 weeks."
"Of course," Teddy smiled, "it's your news when you're ready. But Allie I'm really happy for you. You're a great mom, this little one is lucky to have you."
"What do you have next," Allison asked.
"Pacemaker with Ellie as my intern," Teddy replied.
"Getting your third generation cardio goddess," Allison asked.
"Between you and I she's not a surgeon," Teddy replied, "Ellie would be better in internal medicine, cardiology, or family medicine. If I see any of Annie's kids having the personality for surgery it's Heather. If Ellie didn't have her last name she wouldn't be here. We'll see how this year pans out but we could see her switch and will have to be supportive because she'll be upset."
"Then why did auntie Megan take her," Allison asked.
"The chief gets three picks the rest go in based on the formula," Teddy replied, "Ellie got in on the formula. But Megan chose not to use one of her vetos on it she gets two vetos and how would she ever explain it to Ellie or Annie and Josh?"
"So we let Ellie fail," Allison asked.
"No we help her and encourage her but if she comes to the decision herself don't talk her out of it," Teddy replied.
"Have you told Annie," Allison asked.
"Annie sees it," Teddy assured, "so does Josh. We all do. Ellie needs to switch and she could be great in a less competitive, more people focused specialty. I think she might even be excellent in psychiatry. She's so good with people and putting people at ease. She should be great in family medicine or paediatrics as well her interests are too broad. You have to be single minded as a surgeon, she's not single minded enough. But this stays between us."
"Always," Allison agreed, she thought the baby may push Ellie out of surgery anyway. There's no way this was doable as a single mom, Ellie needed a 9-5 residency.
That afternoon Ellie met Teddy in her office to go over the procedure for the pacemaker.
"Ellie is everything okay," Teddy asked.
"No," Ellie replied, "I'm ready for the surgery but my life is a mess."
"What's going on," Teddy asked.
"Caleb and I broke up and then a week later I found out I'm pregnant," Ellie replied with a sniffle.
"How are you feeling about all of this," Teddy asked.
"I'm keeping the baby," Ellie replied, "almost 6 weeks now and due August 9."
Teddy paused that was the day after Allison's due date. They'd have two babies this summer.
"So I'm a great grandma," Teddy asked with a smile.
"Yes," Ellie replied.
"It's time to retire then," Teddy smiled, "who wants a great grandmother operating on their heart. Ellie if this is what you want to do this alone you have my full support. If you want to work it out with Caleb I will help how ever I can. I know how scary being alone and pregnant is. I want you to lean on your mom and I. Allison's had two you can talk to her. Nisha is going to be an excellent person. She's had two and is an OB."
"I'm seeing Stephanie Mitchell," Ellie replied.
"She's good," Teddy agreed, "and has known your mom forever."
"I know they were roommates and I've known her my whole life," Ellie replied, "can you wait for me to tell grandpa? I need to tell my dad , grandpa and cat."
"I will wait," Teddy promised, "Ellie I'm happy for you. You're going to be a good mom."
"Thanks," Ellie smiled.
"This will be good," Teddy smiled, "I'm excited to be a great grandma."
"Nana," Ellie suggested.
"Nana," Teddy agreed, thinking of the last woman to have that title in the family, she could be Nana to Ellie's baby.