A couple weeks later Allison and Asher met Teddy and Owen for coffee.

"Good to have you home," Owen smiled, shaking Asher's hand.

"It's good to be home," Asher agreed, "start sorting the mess out."

"That's what we wanted to talk to you about," Teddy said.

"Mom it's too late the damage is done," Allison said, "we've both taken one year job offers with the option to extend out of Seattle."

"Where are you going," Owen asked, looking shocked.

"I got offered an attending position in Port Angeles at the UW hospital there," Allison said, "I've accepted as a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon."

"I've taken the job as the lead project manager at our new office and yard there," Asher said, "it's the right move for us. We'll go when Everly is done school for the summer."

"That's only three weeks," Owen said, "are you seeking your house?"

"No," Asher said, "because it's a temporary assignment for me my company is paying to rent a house for us for the year so we'll rent ours as well. There's a couple residents from GSM that are interested for the year there."

"Can we," Teddy started.

"No," Allison said, "mom we have to do this. We have to move away from your shadow and dads and Annie's. And I don't belong anymore. I'm not wanted I can see that and my kids are feeling that. Being a couple hours away gives an easy out for all of us."

"Is this because of Leo," Owen asked.

"It's a big push," Asher said, "he's been such an ass to Allison. He's pushed her out."

"I haven't felt this alone since I got pregnant with Ev," Allison said, "I know Leo thinks I've always been the family slut. Not like his twins were planned. But I get it I was 17. To isolate me and tell me I can't reach out to any of you. To have to sneak around to see family. You didn't stop him, whatever help they're getting hasn't fixed anything. And I've always been in Seattle. It's our turn to fly the nest."

"We've both only signed 12 month contracts," Asher said, "we'll come visit when we can and you're always welcome to come see us."

"I'm proud of you," Teddy looked at Allison, "you found an attending job on your own and in your specialty. You didn't use any connections to get that job. You're the only one of the three of you to do that. "

I always wanted to," Allison said, "I had hoped to match elsewhere for residency then the timing wasn't right to move for a fellowship."

"It's the right decision," Owen said, "but were going to miss you."

"It's not like we've seen much of you for the last for our five months," Allison said, "Leo really pushed us out. I don't feel like I belong here. I don't feel safe at GSM anymore. I have to leave Seattle to be able to stand on my own two feet career wise. It's not the best time to move Everly but we've talked to Annie and if she needs to come back to Seattle she can live with Annie."

"Annie," Teddy asked, "we would."

"Leo won't," Allison said, "and Leo runs the show. Or should I say Theresa."

"This is a good opportunity for both of us," Asher said, "it's good timing for Andy and Carly. They'll grow up in a smaller community and in a town. The school district is pretty good. We've been playing with the idea for a couple months but wanted to make a decision before we told anyone."

"Can we help you move and settle in," Owen offered.

"We have a moving truck and movers booked," Asher said, "because I'm on a temporary assignment for the year my company is doing all of that."

"Why don't you come when we're settled," Allison said, "we found a swim team there that will take Ev and she's sending her audition video to a couple of choirs and will do school choir."

"What about daycare help," Teddy asked.

"We'll work it out," Allison said, "I have for the last few months. I've really learned that I am a lot more capable than I thought. It's not fun and I haven't always liked it but I can do it. And with the two of us it'll be fine. Asher is in office and its 8-4. I don't have night call or weekend call in the hospital but on 30 minute call out. It's a smaller rural hospital it's more planned clinic work but covering a lot for the whole Olympic Peninsula."

"You get to build your program then," Teddy smiled.

"You might like rural medicine," Owen said, "more creativity, only you at times."

"No residents as extra hands will be missed on big things," Allison replied.

"It will be," Owen agreed, "but you get to do more and isn't there a push for more rural resident rotations."

"Yes," Allison said, "and it's a test site for rotations of residents. The new program where they have to do 6 months in a rural setting."

"It's not even that rural," Teddy replied.

"Biggest hospital on the Olympic Peninsula," Allison replied, "mainly rural communities with maybe an urgent care or family dr. It's a level 2 trauma center. They're trying to become a level 1 but need a couple more trauma surgeons and some other specialties. I'm part of that plan and can swing to adults as needed."

"It'll be a lot of broken bones, maybe hip or knee replacements," Teddy said.

"But i can do the more specialised things," Allison said, "they're growing. It's an up and coming hospital."

"Go be happy," Owen said.

They finished their coffee chatting and catching up on the last few months after agreeing to let Teddy help them pack and spend some more time with the kids before they moved.

Driving home Owen said, "we really let Leo fuck that up."

"I want to know what else was said," Teddy replied, "he's said more than either of them are saying."

"He has so has she," Owen replied.

"She's hurt," Teddy said, "Annie knows something and isn't saying it. I don't know what to do."

"Neither do i," Owen admitted, "but if they want to take that position."

"I think she should," Teddy replied, "it'll be good for her to build her reputation like that. She's good but she doesn't love the pace of what she's been doing. A smaller community and smaller hospital might be the best of both worlds for her. She'll be more in control of her schedule. Yes she might get called in at night but she'll still be home."

In the car Allison opened her email and pressed send on her resignation email to Megan. Her aunt wouldn't be shocked her fellowship was ending and they had discussed Allison wanting to try a different hospital. After sending the official email she sent the mass text to the whole family, "We're moving! Asher and I have both accepted one year positions with the possibility to extend in Port Angeles. I've accepted an attending paediatric orthopedic surgeon position and will be the only one at the hospital and on the Olympic Peninsula. Asher is the project manager running a major port project for West Coast Industrial Electric. We will be leaving Seattle for our new home on July 5th."

Annie, "wow! Congratulations both of you! We're going to miss having you around."

Josh, " Well done. I knew you'd get that position Bean."

Ellie, "no warning? Why?"

Allison texted Ellie privately, "we need a new start. We need to be away from the shadows and to be allowed to be ourselves and happy."

Megan, "congrats. We'll have to come see your new place when you're settled."

Nathan, "we're happy for you. Can't wait to come see your new place and town."

Cat, "I'll miss you."

Nisha, "well done. You two have worked so hard for this. You've earned this."

Faroke, "running your own department right out of your fellowship! Allie thats amazing! And Asher running everything there."

Noticeably Leo and Theresa didn't reply.

"Allison is leaving," Theresa said looking at Leo.

"I guess," Leo said, "how can she turn down her own department and service."

"But we've worked for it," Theresa said, "we served, we did it all in the right order."

"She's worked hard two," Leo said.

"But a little community hospital," Theresa said, "they're talking it up but it'll be a glorified clinic."

"So," Leo said, "you got your way. My sister is gone. Her kids won't know my parents."

"My way," Theresa said.

"You wanted her kids out of the way so ours can have all the attention," Leo said, "you win."

Leo walked out of the basement grabbing his keys and gym bag on the way.