When Valerie found out she was pregnant, the timing was less than ideal. She and her boyfriend, Greg had only gotten together a few months prior and she wasn't entirely sure he was taking their agreement to see each other exclusively very seriously. A college sophomore, she considered terminating the pregnancy. Though she had always adored children, she'd never expected them this early on and wondered how she'd ever finish her degree, but she found herself unable to book her appointment after watching an episode of her favorite talk show devoted to women struggling with infertility. As young as she was, she decided to go through with the pregnancy, wondering if this might be her only shot at raising a family, even if it was under less than ideal circumstances.
She expected Greg to be as distressed as she had been at the news, but also figured that like her, he'd eventually get over the shock and maybe not be excited, but at least respect her decision and ask what he could do to make things easier for her and the baby. Though she was disappointed when he told her he wanted nothing to do with her or what would eventually become their daughter, she accepted it as best she could, determined to give her the best life possible.
After Allegra was born, she decided to go back to school, though not to finish the art degree she had been working toward. She deciding that becoming a nurse would be much more practical. They never never went out of demand, after all and she wanted to make sure she had a career that would help her and Allegra live comfortably. She struggled to juggle her schoolwork and caring for her daughter and often wondered how she'd be able to make ends meet, but she eventually graduated and became an RN by the time Allie started school.
Money was still tight around the Harrison household, but Allie never went without what she needed, especially when it came to love and attention. She would grow to appreciate her mother's knack for thrift and quiet determination, traits she would learn as she got older. She was a relatively well adjusted child and whenever report card time came around teachers would comment on how she was great at getting along with just about anyone, always eager to help her peers. In truth, there were some she couldn't stand but having long since realized that she was probably never going to get a sibling, Allie was simply happy to be in the company of just about anyone her own age.
As she got older, she stopped trying to be everyone's best friend. Kids splintered off into groups like they so often do and by the time graduation rolled around she had a small, but pretty solid social circle. And no idea what she wanted to do with her life. She considered following in her mom's footsteps. Nursing was a practical career and one she figured would be exciting because no two days would ever be alike, but deep down Allie knew she was too tenderhearted (and terrified of even the fakest movie gore) to work in a hospital. She tried her hand at various jobs in an attempt to make money but nothing really stuck, but after holding a yard sale to get rid of some things in an attempt to make rent, she found the perfect fit. She'd always had a head for numbers and an eye for nice things, often spotting them in thrift shops long before her mother did. A firm believer in saving money and materials whenever you can, Allie sees Second Chances, the consignment shop she opened two years ago as a way for people to do just that. Though they primarily sell clothing, Allie will take (and spruce up if need be) just about anything she thinks can make a profit spending her week at the store and her weekends plowing through yard sales and other similar shops to add to her inventory.
Though she'd never admit it, she sort of envisioned herself with someone by the time she reached thirty, but her commitment to her business and a few relationship issues mean that romance has never really been in the cards for more than a few months at a time. Besides, her mother, having decided her daughter is finally old enough to deal with her seeing someone has started dating again. Sticking her nose in Valerie's love life (aka finding fault with every guy she so much as mentions) keeps her plenty busy.
personality soon!