Allison waited outside the room for her board exam, the one that would make her officially a surgeon and allow her to practise independently. Their third child squirmed and kicked low in her belly, she looked and felt like she could go into labour at any time despite being only 30 weeks. She was also feeling so much more prepared for this little one who would arrive at the beginning of August.
"Dr Blouin," an examiner called from the door of the room.
"Good morning," Allison smiled.
"I'm dr Viyal," the woman greeted, "do you need anything before we start?"
"I'm good," Allison assured, "I went to the washroom and have my water. It's only a 45 minute set."
"You're," the woman started.
"30 weeks," Allison supplied, "just very round this time. It's my third baby. Everything stretched out a bit easier compared to my first and second."
"Three pregnancies as a resident," dr Viyal said.
"Two as a resident one in high school," Allison replied, "all full siblings. My husband and I are high school sweethearts. He's home with Everly and Andrew while I'm here. Baby girl is with me."
"Your older children," dr Viyal asked.
"Everly is 13 and just finishing eighth and Andy is almost three ," Allison answered, "my husband has been beyond supportive of my education and training. He's an industrial electrician but wants to take over the business side and do less climbing on huge port cranes and grain elevators."
"Why orthopaedics," Dr McKay a second examiner asked.
"My oldest has cerebral palsy," Allison replied, "I chose ortho and specifically peds ortho to find a way to help Ev. I chose medical school, surgery and ortho to help my daughter and children like her. The hip reconstruction surgery I've been piloting I hope to have some one else do on Everly's bad hip. She needs it. I don't want another family to fight like we have."
"You had children before medical school,"Dr Viyal asked.
"In high school," Allison replied, "my husband and I have been together since we were 17. We've done my training as a family. I can't do it and wouldn't want to do it with out them. They are my why."
"I like when people are passionate and have a personal stake in what they've chosen," the senior examiner said.
They went through the exam questions before turning to Allison's research. She detailed her reasoning for what she had done and her hope for the outcome.
"You've had some illustrious names helping you," Dr Viyal said.
"Dr Lincoln and Dr Schmidt have worked on Everly since she was a baby," Allison replied.
"But the Altmans," Dr Viyal asked.
"My mom and sister," Allison replied, "they haven't had a big part in the surgery or its design. I bounce ideas off my mom and my sister comes in when children have cardiac complications. I changed my last name when I got married to have some space from my family and to be seen as myself not as Teddy Altman and Owen Hunts daughter or Grace Altmans baby sister."
"I understand that," Dr McKay said, "my dad was a surgeon and my mom was an OBGYN. It's hard, good for you for changing your last name and having the courage to stand on your own two feet."
"Except for matching at Grey Sloan," Allison laughed, "but it was best for my kids."
"Fellowship plans," Dr Viyal asked.
"I've applied to the University of Washington and Grey Sloan as my top choices," Allison replied, "as well as Boston Childrens."
"Staying in Seattle," Dr McKay asked.
"It's best for my kids," Allison replied.
"You'll get your results in 48 hours," the lead examiner said, "Dr. Blouin we're done here."
"Thank you," Allison.
Allison left the room and walked back to her hotel room. She called Teddy.
"How did it go," Teddy asked.
"I think it went well can you as Auntie Megan to pull the results early," Allison replied, "my fellowships and my family's future rides on it."
"You will land on your feet and get something good," Teddy assured.
"What if I don't," Allison asked, "if I don't pass it's my whole education wasted."
"No," Teddy replied, "you do an extension year and test again in 12 months. You test again when you're focused, when you're not pregnant."
"If I failed mom how can I look anyone in the eye," Allison asked.
"I've never told anyone this," Teddy replied, "the first time I tried I failed my fellowship exam. I didn't prepare. I was cocky and I failed my first attempt at the cardio board exam. I was able to keep working and did it again six months I learned. If you fail you retry in a few months. Allison you are a great doctor, you care deeply for your patients. That comes out when you speak."
"But theres the black mark on my file from the incident with Renee," Allison replied.
"Not on you," Teddy replied, "that's not your fault."
"Mom if I failed Ash will be so disappointed," Allison replied, "I can't keep putting him through this and my training. It hasn't been fair to him."
"He knew when the two of you decided you would attempt medical school," Teddy assured, "he has done nothing but encourage you. If you need time he will support you."
"Dad," Allison asked.
"Will understand," Teddy promised, "so will Leo. but Allison you're not going to fail. I do these exams every year. So does Annie and we both helped you study. Allison you did well. You know your stuff your a good communicator. Kepner failed her boards 35 years ago and has it stopped her?"
"No she runs the out reach and trauma programs for the whole foundation," Allison replied.
"Worst case you do it again," Teddy replied, "but between you and me I'm more worried about Leo's boards. He's too narrow and too focused. He doesn't have the depth you have or Annie did going into her boards. He's skipped a lot of residency basics."
"And he speaks army short hand," Allison replied.
"That two," Teddy agreed, "but I think we'll be 3 for 3 with our kids. You'll score well. And Leo will barely pass but it doesn't matter."
"I'll barely pass I got too advanced and cutting edge." Allison replied, "everyone told me to play it safe and be conservative."
"But that's not you," Teddy laughed, "none of us are overly conservative drs. If they know me or dad ir annie they'd know we go big and take risks."
"You don't anymore," Allison replied.
"Baby girl I'm almost retired," Teddy sighed, "I just do pace makers once a week or less. I'm done sweetheart. I'm ready. I want to be home and do my projects and be with my family. Hug my grand babies and great grand baby. Allison I don't want to operate any more. I'm done. I'm ready to retire and give up my lisence."
"Give it up," Allison asked.
"It's time," Teddy replied, "I can give it up voluntarily or they force and evaluation and i can be forced out due to age. I'm going gracefully and with dignity."
"Do you want to," Allison asked, "I do. Allison I'm almost 80. Sweetheart it's time. I've worked way longer than I planned and I'm okay with that but now it's time. Dad and I still travel and want to do more. We have healthy pensions and savings."
"But I don't know if I can work without you there," Allison said.
"Annie says the same," Teddy chuckled, "it's time and you have your sister if you stay. Megan has a couple years yet Annie and Josh have a long time. You won't be alone. I know you hate being alone."
"I can't do it," Allison replied, "probably a side effect of essentially getting married at 18."
"Yes," Teddy agreed, "you've been in a very committed relationship since you were 17."
"We were young," Allison replied, "it's like Ev in 4 years. I don't know what I'd do. She's no where near ready for a baby and that responsibility."
"You weren't until you had to," Teddy said, "and you two stepped up. You've stumbled and had hard times but you figured out the team work piece early and stuck together. But you want a different path for Everly."
"I do," Allison replied, "easier. Ash and I struggled for a long time we want an easier path for the kids. I'm just praying we'll be able to figure out helping her with college."
"Dad and I put money in an account every year on their birthdays as a trust fund," Teddy told Allison, "all 6 and we'll start for your little girl when she's born. We put 1000 in at birth and 500 on every birthday until they're 21. Only you know about these accounts but by the time Ev is looking at graduate programs or buying a home well likely be gone. It's their inheritance from us. The three of you split everything equally and the grand kids get their trust accounts."
"Ellie's baby," Allison asked.
"We're going to do $500 to start and $250 on his birthdays," Teddy replied, "dad and I have plans and it's all written down with a lawyer. My parents didn't and it was a nightmare to deal with. We won't put you three though that so it's all written out and any decision requires 2 of the three of you to agree medically and consensus for financial and property decisions."
"We've been saving since I started working for their education it not much," Allison replied, "they'll have to apply for scholarships. We have pensions with Ash's union and the hospital. Our plan is still is something happens to both of us the kids go to Annie and you help where you can."
"That's the best choice dad and I are old," Teddy replied, "your sister is in her late 50s so you might want back up to her."
"Leo," Allison replied, "we'll update to him first when he leaves the army."
"That's the right choice I think," Teddy agreed, "I think Annie is going to be overly involved with her grandson. She's not going to give Ellie much breathing room."
"Ellie's pissed about it," Allison replied.
"I know," Teddy replied, "I hovered a lot with your first pregnancy but."
"I was 17 and dumb," Allison cut her off.
"Ellie is a grown adult who made a choice with her partner to have a baby," Teddy replied, "her and Caleb chose but Annie still wants to play the poor Ellie card and baby her."
"I told her to grow up and put her grown up pants on last week," Allison replied, "she's a miserable pregnant person. Ava is so much better."
"So far I think your the easiest going," Teddy replied, "all three. You get sick and your pretty miserable at first but you don't mope around and whine the whole time or use it as an excuse."
"You told me with Ev it wasn't an excuse to be rude, lazy or annoying," Allison retorted.
"I said the first two your brother said the last one," Teddy laughed, "but it's all true."
"Has anyone told Ellie," Allison asked.
"I have," Teddy replied, "why she's not allowed on my service."
"I kicked her out of my OR last week for whining," Allison replied.
"She deserved it," Teddy agreed.
"I should go mom," Allison said suddenly seeing the clock, "my group is going for dinner and I need to change."
"Go have fun," Teddy smiled, "you did it baby girl. You're certified."
"Wait for the results," Allison said.
"I'm confident," Teddy smiled, "go celebrate with your friends."
They hung up the phone and Allison got ready to go out for dinner. She texted with Asher and Everly as she got ready, checking in and making sure everything was running smoothly at home. She would fly home first thing in the morning then was on a light schedule for 6 weeks and completely off once she hit 38 weeks. She didn't think she would go to her due date. Everly had been her latest delivery and was born on her due date.