With Leo and Theresa home to stay, the young drs decided to make a weekend trip to the cabin. Allison was bringing all three kids including six week old Carly and Ellie had three week old Ben with her. Carly had been an induction as at 37 weeks while Ben had arrived 4 days after his due date.
"How are you holding up," Allison smiled at Ellie.
"I need sleep," Ellie admitted, "he cluster feeds around the clock and I'm not sure he's eating enough. He's always fussing and trying to nurse."
"It's hard," Allison agreed, "you could try supplementing so people can help you."
"I don't have formula," Ellie admitted, "I want to breastfeed."
"I have an oversupply," Allison replied, "what if I gave you a couple bottles while we're at the cabin and see if it helps settle Ben."
"What do you mean," Ellie asked.
"You're going to try triple feeding it's hell but it got me to be able to do 50/50 with Andy," Allison replied, "you feed him, give Ben a bottle of pumped milk or formula then pump. I have some ready to feed formula as a back up and I brought frozen milk and my pump. Have you tried power pumping?"
"I don't really pump," Ellie admitted.
"You need to," Allison replied, "I had to guess and try it out. You have me. You should be baby wearing and doing skin to skin and contact naps two. All of that helps the mommy hormones for milk production."
"I also have smaller boobs," Ellie replied.
"I did with Ev this is called being on my third and I'm still super engorged and leaking," Allison replied.
"That doesn't really happen," Ellie replied, "I just get sore if he hasn't fed in a couple hours."
"It didn't for me with Andy, I just got sore and they would get hard," Allison replied, "you do what you can El and supplement the rest. Formula won't hurt Ben. He needs it to start growing. How often is he nursing?"
"Every two hours around the clock, usually every half hour in the evening ," Ellie replied, "I just need someone to give him one bottle so I can sleep for more than an hour."
"Ask for help," Allison insisted, "ask Catrina if she can help when she's home. Your mom was going to stay once a week with you."
"Cat helps during the day but once we go to bed I'm alone," Ellie replied, "should I have taken Caleb back?"
"No," Allison replied, "he visits though from Tacoma."
"On his days off but I can't leave Ben with him," Ellie replied.
"You can," Allison replied, "Caleb is his dad. Would you take him back?"
"I want to so badly but the trust is broken," Ellie replied.
"You could try talking to him," Theresa suggested.
"We have done couples counselling ," Ellie replied, "I just can't do the secrets and him hanging out with other women. I know it's insecure but he lied to me about it."
"If you want someone to help with Ben I'm happy to," Theresa offered, "I love baby snuggles and I change diapers and give bottles. Plus I need to learn. "
"Theresa," Allison asked.
"Mid April," Theresa smiled, "Leo said I could tell you. We're just starting to say something."
"The first niece or nephew I can really be auntie to," Allison beamed, hugging her sister in law, "do our parents know?"
"Not yet," Theresa replied, "we wanted you to know first. And I get to be auntie to and spoil your three and any others you have"
"We're done," Allison replied, "Ash has an appointment in a few weeks."
"Snip snip," Theresa joked.
"Yes," Allison laughed, "I don't want to be on birth control for ever so he can man up and get the vasectomy and it's way less invasive than me getting my tubes tied. This is your first, are you excited?"
"Yes but it's not my first pregnancy," THeresa replied, "it's the first baby I can keep."
"What happened," Allison's voice softened.
"I was 18," Theresa said, "and it was a one night stand and I didn't have the strength you did. She's 16 and lives in Portland. She wants to meet me."
"What are you thinking," Allison asked.
"Leo and I are driving down in a couple weeks," Theresa said, "I've talked to Aliyana on the phone a few times and we face timed yesterday. I'm coordinating with her mom. I want to see her. And we have to tell your parents."
"Mom will get it, so will Annie," Allison assured, "mom had Annie at 21 and then Annie was adopted and they didn't meet until Nee was 19."
"I don't know how to do this without my mom," Theresa said.
"You have sisters in law," Allison replied, "I've done it three times, Annie has four."
"My pregnancy with Aliyana was easy until 35 weeks," Theresa said, "I was hardly sick."
"Not fair," Allison groaned, "I've been on medication for all three, and something happens at the end for each of them, Ev had the cord in her neck, Andy l went into labour a week before the planned C-section and everyone heard what happened with Carly.
"She was a c-section," Theresa replied, "I had pre-eclampsia. At the time I had a few risk factors, I was young, it was my first and I was overweight before I got pregnant."
"Unplanned," Allison guessed.
"Three day failed induction then the c-section," Theresa confirmed.
"I was induced with Carly and it worked right away but," Allison said.
"She was your third and your body knew what to do," Theresa replied, "I had no clue but my mom was by my side for the entire thing."
"If you want a sister to lean on I'm here," Allison promised, "pregnancy sucks, I'm always really sick but I never get that big so it's a trade off."
"I was huge and I feel like it's starting already," Theresa said.
"How many weeks," Allison asked.
"9," Theresa replied.
"I started noticing changes around then with both Andy and Carly," Allison replied, "be comfortable don't stuff yourself into tight pants."
"Annie," Theresa asked.
"My mom adores babies," Ellie assured, "she'll try to take care of you."
"That's Annie," Allison laughed, "treats Leo and I like her kids."
"She is a bit of a mother hen," Theresa agreed, "I am looking forward to Leo not being able to say no to massaging my back or calves."
"Hips," Allison said, "when he slowly digs his fingers into the sides of my hips when the baby is really low. Releasing the tension. And belly rubs."
Ellie shrugged.
"I was alone with my first," Theresa said, "I get it."
"Make sure you let Leo feel the kicks and give you belly rubs," Allison smiled.
"I hated belly rubs," Ellie argued.
"Different relationships," Theresa replied, "Leo and I are engaged. Allie and Asher are married , you and Caleb are in a weird place. It totally makes sense that you don't love him touching you. Who was with you when Ben was born?"
"My mom," Ellie replied, "I was going to have Caleb there then it was making me more nervous so it was mom and I. But Benny was an unplanned C-section because I wasn't making progress and pitocin didn't work for me."
Catrina joined them, "more baby talk," she laughed, "I'm always surrounded by baby talk."
"Are you next," Ellie teased.
"Perk of being a lesbian," Catrina laughed, "when I get pregnant you'll know it was very planned."
"Would you," Allison asked.
"I want a baby one day," Catrina replied, "I know what I'm in for my sister in law is an OB. I'll have seen Nisha, Allie and Ellie go through it. I can talk to my birth mom."
"Do you remember meeting her," Theresa asked.
"I was about 2 but I don't remember details," Catrina replied, "we always saw her every couple months. My parents wanted an open adoption for me."
Allison was sitting on the couch nursing Carly when Ellie got off the floor and sat beside her.
"Can I join you," Ellie asked, "Ben's hungry and I don't want to go upstairs."
"Have a seat," Allison smiled.
"You've freaked out at me before for being too close when you were breastfeeding," Ellie replied.
"With Ev when I was young and scared and you didn't get it," Allison replied, "I got more confidence with Andy and now with Carly it's no big deal."
"Can you write me a reference to change my residency," Ellie asked, "I can't do surgery as a single mom and it was never my first choice."
"What did you find," Allison asked.
"Seattle Children's as a paediatrician ," Ellie replied, "I want a family practice paediatrician life style. I need a 9-5 Monday to Friday. Being a family practice paediatrician was always my first choice. I know I'll let everyone down."
"Cats doing emergency medicine," Allison replied, "and you have to do what's right for you and Ben. What's going to make you happy?"
"Changing," Ellie replied, "but my parents and your parents."
"Honestly we've all questioned if your heart was in it," Allison replied, "you're a great diagnostician and problem solver but you don't seem to enjoy cutting."
"I don't like doing surgery," Ellie admitted, "I hate cutting and the sounds and smells of the OR. I don't want to do it."
"Then transfer," Allison replied, "there's no saying you can't switch back in a few years if you change your mind. You could always apply and any other experience only makes you stronger. We're moms we have to do what's best for our kids."
"You did it with two," Ellie said.
"I wouldn't have on my own. I wanted to quit several times in my first couple years," Allison replied, "but I had Asher. I think our conversation would be different if you and Caleb were in a better place and he was more supportive."
"He tried to be but it's not right," Ellie replied, "I'm happier at the cottage with Ben and Cat. She's said she'll help with him when she can and Cat won't leave the same way."
"Stick together," Allison agreed.
"I forgot about the whole sore boobs thing," Theresa complained.
"It's awful," Ellie agreed.
"When even showers make them feel like they're going to explode," Allison agreed.
"It's not that bad;" Theresa said, "I had that after Aliyana was born. Engorgement is hell."
"I hate it," Allison agreed, "the first trimester sensitivity is brutal. It was better with Ev because my parents enforced some boundaries about being alone together in high school. I have to remind Ash the whole first trimester and lots of the third that I get really sensitive everywhere."
"I don't know how much to tell Leo," Theresa said, "I need him but don't want to scare him off. He doesn't need to know I'm nauseous 24/7 and that even wearing a bra is too much. Or that things that I usually like now feel weird and uncomfortable."
"Go braless when you can," Allison suggested, "I do at home even when I'm not pregnant."
"Your parents are upstairs," Theresa said.
"And the other part tell him," Allison encouraged, "he's a doctor he at least understands the physical side. Leo I'm more worried about becoming a dad. Our dad is amazing but it still bugs him that he knows nothing about his biological father."
"I know," Theresa said, "we've talked about it. He wants to be a dad. This wasn't planned. We were going to be home and in our own place before we tried but birth control didn't come in the pharmacy shipment when we needed it to and I was closest to discharge so I didn't have it for a couple months. You always read 3 months to get it out of your system first."
"Do you want the fetus," Cat asked.
"I do," Theresa said, "I'm ready to be a mom. To have a family and build one with Leo. I want to be a mom."
Outside Leo and Asher were chopping wood for a bonfire.
"So Theresa's pregnant," Leo blurted.
"Wow," Asher smiled, "congrats man. You ready?"
"Yes and no," Leo said, "we knew we wanted kids but not quite yet."
"I get that," Asher said, "I've learned they happen when it's the right time. How's she feeling?"
"Nauseous, not eating much and really fatigued," Leo replied, "not wanting to be touched and she usually likes it."
"Allie feels really gross the first bit and doesn't want me to touch her," Asher replied, "then around 13/14 weeks the nausea and vomiting slow down and her energy comes back. Her belly starts to grow and she's more comfortable with it until the last three or four weeks again. "
"The food thing," Leo asked.
"When we had Ev Annie and Josh told us that all that mattered when she's really sick or having bad food aversions is getting something in," Asher replied, "Allie loves goldfish crackers. If she eats it and it stays down it's fair game. The baby will take what it needs. Apples and bananas seem to help so do sour foods. Allie will suck on lemons or limes. And when she has cravings you make it happen. Allie it's always orange juice, frozen raspberries and blackberries, and buffalo chicken strips."
"The fatigue," Leo asked.
"Take over what you can at home," Asher advised, "make her comfort foods. Stay on top of house work, top up her gas. Lighten her load physically and mentally. Your in a good place. Your older than us, both surgeons and vets you have a support system."
"She's almost 35 it's geriatric," Leo said.
"It's a number," Asher replied.
"What about you guys are you having another," Leo asked.
"No," Asher replied, "Allie can't physically handle another pregnancy. They're so hard on her and the complications at the end this time with the high blood pressure and the hemorrhage. We had decided before Allie got pregnant Carly would be our last. I have an appointment in a few weeks."
"How your not 35," Leo asked.
"We applied for a waiver," Asher replied, "the no permanent options before 35 law is rediculous. We got it because we have three already. I can't believe it was all legal and easy in Annie and Josh's day. Washington is one of only ten states that allows termination now when it used to be a federal right."
"We know your pro choice," Leo chuckled, "but if Allie had with Ev."
"I would have supported it," Asher assured, "that's what I thought she wanted when she first told me. We were 17. I thought she wouldn't want to keep Ev. I was shocked when she said she was going through with it. Happy but shocked. We were 17."
"Allie told me that she's pro choice but that means all choices," Leo said, "that all choices are valid and all choices are right. "
"She knew she had the support and a family to back her up," Asher replied, "you ready to be a dad?"
"I am," Leo smiled, "can't believe Annie is a grandma before I'm a dad but."
"She's Annie," Asher shrugged, "she will steal your baby."
"She has a grandson," Leo replied.
"Still steals Carly when she can," Asher replied.
"I hope so but I get it if Ellie is relying on them," Leo said, "she's in a mess."
"It'll work out," Asher assured.
"How's school going," Leo asked.
"Good," Asher replied, "harder than I thought but I stopped going to actual academic classes in January of our senior year."
"Bachelors," Leo confirmed.
"For now," Asher rolled, "I want my MBA."
"Do it," Leo encouraged.
"We're 32," Asher said, "I should have gone to college 14 years ago. But I thought I wanted my apprenticeship. I didn't know a 4 year college was a choice for me. It was apprenticeship or 2 year Bible college."
"Those fake Bible schoolers," Leo asked.
"My dad went to one so it was the only option other than a trade " Asher explained, "I started to wonder about more Allie's third year of med school but she was in school and we were broke. Now I do two courses a semester and I have my company paying half my tuition."
"Good deal," Leo smiled.
"Now that Allie's done residency and works normal and predictable hours I'm going to do three classes a semester and hurry it up," Asher said.
"Online," Leo asked.
"On campus at night and two online," Asher said, "I've been doing two and two."
"Fuck man a full course load, Allie being chief resident while pregnant and two kids then upping it with three," Leo shook his head, "have you two ever relaxed."
"No," Asher replied, "I want to get this done then I move to the office and project managing is a huge raise and no overtime. Commissions on projects. They'll pay my whole MBA. I want to work up to running the company."
"Good for you," Leo smiled.
The four young women came out with the kids. Everly leading the way to the fire pit while Cat held Andy's hand and Theresa carried Carly. Allison ran to Leo.
"You're going to be a dad," Allison squealed, "you're a dad."
Allison threw her arms around Leo.
"Allie," Leo asked.
"I'm so happy for you guys," Allison gushed, "you're going to be amazing parents. Do mom and dad know?"
"Not yet," Theresa said.
"We wanted you to know first," Leo said, "and we'll tell Nee after mom and dad."
"She'll be so excited," Ellie beamed, "another to add to the cousin pack."
"Your cousin," Leo teased.
"Shhh," Ellie laughed, "Ben's cousin. Same age right. We never called you auntie or uncle and Allie's kids call me auntie."
"Theage group thing works," Cat said, "I'm excited Leo. My parents will be two."
"Will Megan," Leo asked, "she's always looked sad for a second when she finds out one of the girls is pregnant."
"My mom had a few very early miscarriages then couldn't get pregnant after her transplant," Cat said, "she loves all the babies and little kids but I think part of her is a bit jealous she never got to. Faroke and I are both adopted but I think part of her wanted to have a baby."
"Maybe," Allison agreed, "but you were adopted as a new born."
"My mom was in the room when I was born so was Annie," Cat said, "Annie was one of the doctors working on my birth mom."
"Lots of us are adopted," Leo said, "Cat, Faroke, Annie sorta, me."
"I gave up a little girl for adoption when I was 18," Theresa said, "she's 16 now."
"Thats a hard choice," Asher said, "I don't know how you did it."
Knowing Everly was there Theresa didn't ask if they ever considered it.
"You okay," Allison asked her sister in law.
"Ya," Theresa said taking her hand to her stomach, "we will be."
Leo put his arm around her, "we will be great."
They quickly lit a bonfire and settled in to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire before putting the kids to bed. Once the kids were asleep the young doctors sat in the living room laughing and chatting.