Allison sat across from Asher at the kitchen table both sipping their coffee, "what's the plan?"
"That's what we figure out," Asher said, "and you and I talk it through."
"I don't even know where to start," Allison said, "I don't feel like myself."
"This year has been hard," Asher said, "and I've put a lot on you. You're bearing the brunt of it all and picking up the pieces for everyone."
"It doesn't help that Kaylee won't leave you alone," Allison said, "it makes me feel threatened somehow. She's young and pretty and throws herself at you and you work with her every day."
"I'm gathering evidence," Asher said, "for a sexual harassment complaint to HR and the union. I'm union and she's not. The union will back me. The other guys will. Allie she's nuts!"
"Do it now," Allison said, "if I can do it you can. You've been with the company so long they'll believe you. Talk to Stuart."
"He's aware," Asher promised, "they're building a case to fire her."
"Every time you need to report it," Allison said.
"Allie back on topic, what about us and our family," Asher asked.
"I don't know," Allison admitted, "I was mentally prepared for the worst. You wanted the travel job and have been pulling away since Carly and my fellowship."
"That was school," Asher said, "and feeling inferior being the house husband and going to school."
"Eight years," Allison said.
"I know you of anyone would understand," Asher said.
"It's a hard position to be in but that was all I knew," Allison said.
"What now," Asher asked.
"We work and I look for a new job," Allison said, "in Seattle. We can't really move Ev. It's been so hard for her to make friends and she's almost in tenth."
"If it hadn't been for James would you be looking for a job," Asher asked.
"No," Allison admitted, "but everyone there will think I'm a slut."
"Hasn't he been fired," Asher said.
"Not yet," Allison replied, "disciplinary leave while the medical board and residency board look into his actions."
"So what does that mean if you go to work," Asher asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "he's not there but I don't know what the gossip has been."
"And you and I," Asher asked.
"We need a good date asap," Allison said, "preferably overnight alone. But we can't ask my parents or Annie. Cat may be a choice but it's still very dicey."
"Your parents have been helping," Asher asked.
"Only in the first week or two after the attack," Allison replied, "I wasn't working so didn't need as much help. Mom and I go for a walk once a week but I'm not allowed to be inside with her and dad neither are our kids."
"Fuck Leo," Asher snarled, "he's not in charge. I thought we dealt with it."
"Cat or Ellie will break the rules," Allison said, "so will Annie."
"Could all three go to the cottage," Asher asked.
"We can ask if they can tag team all four," Allison agreed.
"Next weekend," Asher suggested looking into the family room. Andy was happily building with duplo while Carly was down for her morning nap,Evrrly being a teenager still hadn't woken up.
"After afternoon naps we'll go out," Allison asked.
"We will," Asher said, "swimming and out for dinner with everyone."
"My parents want to come for dinner but aren't sure if they can make it work," Allison said.
"I'll call Owen," Asher said, "I can't believe Leo and Theresa are still doing this."
"It's ruined the relationship," Allison said, "I'll never trust them again and it's done huge damage with me and my parents. Strained my relationship with Nee."
"Let's figure out help and book a night away next weekend or the week after," Asher said.
"I'm back on the call schedule the weekend after next," Allison groaned, "I hate call weekends."
"Your private practice idea," Asher said.
"It's a reason," Allison agreed, "but that's getting away from the stress and gossip."
"If you need to for your sanity that's fine but don't let him ruin your career," Asher said, "you've worked too hard, we've worked too hard for this."
"But it," Allison started.
"I want you to do this if it is what you want," Asher promised.
"There's an offer in Port Angeles," Allison said, "it's a couple hours a way I could do three days a week and commute."
"We have sites there," Asher said, "if it wasn't for the kids."
"I'd say we take it," Allison said, "but Ev."
"She could use a fresh start two," Asher said, "maybe somewhere with people that havn't known her since preschool."
"Family discussion," Allison said, "ash I want to try it. It's a smaller hospital I'd have a broader scope of ortho. I wouldn't just do CP hip surgeries and hip displaysia."
"Is that what you want," Asher asked.
"I think it's what we need," Allison answered, "it'll be a slower pace. I think I'm burnt out. Let's give it a year."
"A one year trial is good," Asher agreed.
Everly joined them at the table, "coffee?"
"If there's any left," Alison smiled, "dads on his third cup."
"But," Everly started.
"I know," Allison shook her head, "it's usually one or two for me while I get ready, another for the car and one for you."
"When did you start liking coffee," Asher asked.
"It's not coffee the way she has it," Allison teased, "frothy milk, sugar and vanilla syrup."
"Black is gross," Everly said, "mine has flavor."
"Until residency I had cream or milk and a splash of vanilla," Allison agreed, "I still like the vanilla."
"Are we moving," Everly asked.
"What no hi dad it's good to see you," Asher asked.
"Maybe," Allison said, "it's always been a possibility when I finished my fellowship. We're seeing where job offers come from that will be good for all of us. We won't leave Washington."
"Is it the whole uncle Leo thing," Everly asked.
"Adult worry," Allison cut her off, "I'm going to shower you catch up with your dad. It's fend for yourself breakfast then we're all going for lunch."
"Go shower," Asher said, "I need to catch up with Ev."
When Allison was out of sight Everly asked, "has Leo always been a giant ass hole?"
"We've had our differences," Asher agreed, "all families do."
"He doesn't want grandma and grandpa to see us and it's not fair," Everly said, "and moms not allowed to ask any family for help so she's not happy."
"I'm not happy with the situation either," Asher said.
"You could have come home," Everly said.
"Your mom and I talked about it a few times," Asher said, "and made our adult decision together. Her and I talked a few times a day. I tried to talk to Leo."
"He's not nice and controlling," Everly said.
"I'm not happy with it," Asher said. He knew he couldn't Say more. He wanted to say that he was going to kill Leo. But he couldn't.
Once Carly was up from her morning nap they all piled into the van and headed to the pool before going out for lunch.
"Let's go for a drive," Asher suggested.
"All three will car nap," Allison joked.
"I do not," Everly retorted.
"You do," Allison said, "you'll curl up in the van and sleep."
"Can I switch to my chair for school," Everly asked as they got in the van, "it's hard to coordinate all of my stuff and use my crutches."
"It's always your choice," Asher assured.
"Try it and see," Allison agreed, "I want you to keep as much mobility as possible but if it works best at school that's okay. It's time you make your own decisions."
"Physio and daily walking at home is not negotiable," Asher said.
"Deal," everly agreed.
"So what else has been going on princess," Asher asked.
"The student council is planning a dance next week and I designed all the posters and tickets," Everly said, "mom promised I could go help."
"Sure," Asher agreed.
"It's 2010s themed," Everly explained, "auntie Annie said it made her feel old."
"Well auntie Annie was in her 20s then," Allison laughed, "she was born in 1990."
"That's old," Andy said.
"Grandma and grandpa are older," Allison said.
"They're dinosaurs," Andy said.
"Don't let them hear you say that," Allison laughed.
"Let him," Everly said, "they forgot about us."
"Ev," Allison warned, "drop it."
"But," Everly started.
"Not now," Asher said, "mom and I are working on it. Let's just enjoy our drive then we can get fish and chips, go home and watch a family movie."
"Hot tub with popsicles," Everly suggested.
"We can," Allison agreed.