The weeks when by and Owen and Teddy figured out the pace of the hospital, they were called in to discuss coordinating with the Navy Hospital Ships to provide add to the west and east coast of the USA to combat the epidemic which had come back in full force. Mid meeting a private came in
"Major Altman, Major Hunt we have some news from your hometown, a friend of yours Amelia Shepherd has passed away, I'm sorry for your loss".
"What"?! Owen was shocked
"Are you sure"? Teddy asked holding Owen's hand. "From what did they say"?
"Something about her brain tumor returning, and the illness that is going around, Ma'am".
"Holy shit". She said looking to Owen as he got up and left.
"OWEN! Owen! Wait"! She followed after him
"Hey," she said grabbing his shoulder He turned around and held onto her. She knew nothing she could say was going to make it any better "I'm here Owen… Your kids and I are still here". She could feel him sob her shoulder soaked with tears.
"Altman, you're needed in surgery, immediately "Coming," she said worried about her husband "Go home be with the kids, I'll be home soon". She said holding his face as she pulled away.
3 hours into her surgery "Has anyone heard from or seen Major Hunt, can someone please give me an update on him"?
"yes, ma'am".
7 hours later as she was finishing up one surgery, another surgical case was inbound
"Dr. Altman we have another cardiac patient being flown in; they should be here in 5 mins".
"thank you "She just wanted to get home to Owen *damn it she thought*
"Has anyone heard from MY HUSBAND"?! She became irritated
"Have you called him ma'am?" an intern asked
"OF COURSE, I HAVE! He won't pick up".
"Dr. Altman your LifeFlight pt is here".
The pt was burnt so badly she was barely recognizable, the smell of burnt flesh overwhelmed Teddy causing her to throw up.
"Ma'am, are you alright"?
"Yes, I'm fine".
Owen could barely breathe, his friend gone. He didn't realize he'd have such an emotional reaction to Amelia's passed, but it wrecked him. He had to disappear so Teddy would not see him in this state, he didn't want her thinking he had other feelings for another woman. He did, he cared about Amelia as a friend, but nothing more. He and Teddy were it, he realized that before Allison was born.
"Owen" he heard her say as he rushed out of the room. He felt her grab his arm. "Owen please look at me" she quietly said He turned around and held her so tight he heard her groan… he didn't mean to hurt her. He could feel her heart beating, it was slow and steady but strong, he could feel her breathing. She was real He was afraid of letting her go, he could not handle losing her or their sweet children. "Go home" he heard her say
He opened the door to their house went upstairs and looked at Leo, Allison, and Daniel peacefully Sleeping. After dismissing the nanny, he crawled into bed and slept.
Back at the hospital Teddy finally had a moment to catch her breath and process everything. Her chest hurt; she knew she needed to get home to feed Daniel. But her heart was broken for her husband.
She got home to find Owen in their bed asleep * thank God * She thought to herself
She went over placing a kiss on Owen's cheek, suddenly he grabbed her causing her to Shriek
"OWENNN! What are you doing "? She smiled slightly nervous
He started kissing her aggressively "Owen we shouldn't be doing this right now, not in your state of mind". She tried to wedge herself out from under him
"Please, Teddy! I need to feel something "I need to be in you" She could feel his desire against her legs. He felt good, her body screamed yes, but her mind kept saying NO, knowing he was not in a good mental state.
"Teddy, please" he grabbed her making her back curl "NO"! her head screamed "NO"!
"Owen, stop! we don't have protection… I can't get pregnant"!
He fell on top of her sobbing, body shaking sobs. She held him, she let him work it out.
"I'm so sorry" he sobbed
"There's nothing to be sorry about, love". She quietly ran her hand through his hair, kissing his cheek "It's okay". She whispered she waited till he fell asleep to make sure he was okay.
The next morning, she woke up and Owen was gone. * Damn it * She thought. She was worried about her husband.
After getting herself and the kids ready for the day she headed off to work hoping to find her husband.
"Good Morning Ma'am "echoed in the halls
"Morning, have you seen Major Hunt"?
"Yes, he's in OR 3 "
Half an hour later
"Oh Hey! Good Morning!" He said wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
"What is going on Owen, are you okay? * he continued to hold onto her* It's just …. I don't know after yesterday's news you seem a little off… RIGHTFULLY So, she was a good friend to you and ….. your ex-wife. Do you have plans… want to go back to Seattle to be with family? I can stay here with the kids".
She pulled back from him
"I mean … we're good right"?
"YES. YES! Teddy yes, we have never been better. Listen, I am sorry I haven't processed this well. No, I'm not going back for her funeral, it's not a good time to travel with the epidemic, I wouldn't want to be a carrier of it and bring it back to you or the kids. And OMG * he put his head in his hands* I am sorry for forcing myself on you. I should have never done that to you".
"no stop, it's fine. I totally would have been fine if we had protection". She chuckled "I mean, pregnancy isn't the greatest look on an active-duty military surgeon".
"would you want another kid"? he asked
"Maybe, I mean we have never actively tried they both just happened. I wouldn't be mad about it. But…. Don't even think about it now"! she laughed
He pulled her into an on-call room
"Dr. Altman !" they heard her name
"NICE TRY Buddy"! she grabbed his shirt and kissed him
"You're a tease" he complained
"Ya well… find some protection around here or get snipped ".
"Excuse ME. That is drastic, don't you think"? Owen said taken back
" I am NOT getting pregnant or giving birth here in Iraq, THAT for sure is not happening ". She glared at him
"I'm a problem solver, my love, and I got to go, figure it out".
"Major Altman, both Hospital ships have been deployed to the west and east coasts of USA ".
"Great, what are the latest reports coming out of Seattle "?
"For right now, they are holding steady, but a few hospitals have requested back up and extra medical supplies. The Naval ship deploys out of San Diego tonight, it will travel up to Alaska and work its way down the West coast back to San Diego".
"Great, Thank you".
It was late when Owen got home and realized Teddy must still be working. SO he decided to pack up the kids and take them to see her at work.
Walking through the halls staff stopped him to meet the little Hunts.
"WOW Hunt, you and Altman make some pretty babies. Clearly, they get it from her".
"Hey"! he joked
"Kidding Major, they're adorable, congrats".
"Knock, Knock…. Go see mommy Bud" he whispered
"OMG * teddy looked up in surprise* MY BABIES! Hi, Hi, Hi"! She picked up Daniel holding him to her, inhaling his Lil baby smell.
"Thank you, "She said walking over and kissing Owen.
"Welcome, thought you might need a Lil light in your day… now night".
"You've no idea, does he need to be fed"?
"Ya, I haven't fed him yet, wanted him to be hungry, thought you might need to … Ya know".
"Yes, thank you"!
After she fed Daniel and finished the work, she needed to do they left as a family.
"Thanks for bringing them "she ran her hand over his shoulders as she looked at Daniel who had grabbed her bun "Ouch bud that's Momma's hair"! she laughed
"OH MY GOSH are these your kids, how old"!?
"They sure are …. LEO… Allison, play where Daddy and Mommy can see you please, Leo watch your sister". Owen Scolded "Leo is 3. 5.. 4 in 1 month, but he thinks he's 40, Allison is 2, 3 in 2 months and Daniel here will be 1 in 2 months :D
"They are absolutely adorable"!
Daniel started crying "Thank you, we should get going "Teddy said looking to Owen bouncing Daniel on her hip "It's way past their bedtime, especially this one "she said trying to console her youngest
"Altman is there any way to get on your service yet"?
"Nope, sorry none of you have impressed me, and flattery will get you nowhere. How bout you …. Owen"?
"Here let me take him, "Owen said as they walked away, Daniel quieted down
"When will you both stop punishing us for talking about you both? this is a military teaching hospital". They heard an echo down the call.
"Pardon me"? Teddy whipped around "Teddy … it's late".
"That it is! WE ARE A TEACHING HOSPITAL, and your year seems to not understand that concept. Some of you think you should have opportunities handed to you like they are candy on a silver platter. How you speak of me … I couldn't care less. I know where my quality of care stands, I am offered jobs because of it. Major Hunt and I have been watching, some of you are close, others are not. I suggest keep working at it".
Turning back to her family
She smiled "You've still got that magic touch, consoling the unborn and born babies".
"What are Dads for" he smiled
"Truth" * he is so dangerous, I AM SOOOO In Trouble! * she thought to herself if the kids were not with them, she'd do him right then and there
"Now we can go home".
Later after putting the kids to bed, he grabbed her as she came out of the shower "I've been waiting to do this for 2 days, its been KILLING ME "
"Fine" She laughed as he picked her up carrying to her bed, he laid her down gently wrapping her hand around the back of her neck her back arched pushing her center closer to him his hands supporting her hips she felt him smile against her lips.
"Teddy" he whispered breathlessly
She nodded she sighed biting his shoulder as he entered her "Owen" he captured her lips as her toes curled, he knew exactly how to excite her, make her feel safe.
This felt right, after all these years it was not just about sex.
Owen felt safe, this was about Friendship, their Family… after all the women he had been with the only one who made him feel was Teddy. His mom was right, why it took him so long to realize it, why he continuously broke her heart he never understood about himself. But she was his Teddy, his reality check. She thrilled him, enchanted him, confused him.
They fell asleep wrapped up in each other's arms… Owen woke up as the sunlight broke through their curtains – he sat just looking at her JUST as Daniel started crying he leapt out of bed hoping Teddy wouldn't wake up.
He went into the nursery to check on their babies, the children they made from their love, and vowed to protect with their lives. The children they vowed to teach to be good humans. They were the best thing about them.
He felt her come up behind him wrapping her hands around his chest kissing his back. "They're incredible" she whispered She could feel his heart racing under her palms. He was enamored by this woman's capacity to love.
"After a hard day, I come in here and watch them sleep too, they help me remember to keep breathing. They help me remember everything good in this world, everything good about us
. I need that reminder that they're still here". She ran her hands down his abs slipping them inside the front of his pants.
She felt him gasp making her smile.
"Alright! Duty calls! You're on Diaper Duty pal" she said pinching his butt
"You sure know how to kill a mood" he smirked
"Ya, well, I'm a realist and those diapers aren't changing themselves anytime soon". She laughed
"Teddy" he called after her
"Ya she stood in the doorway" staring at him "What" she smiled
"I love you"
"Nice try, the sweet talk isn't working with me this morning" she laughed
"No serious… I love you"
"I know silly, I love you too".
She was perfection, and she always had a way of saving him. No one else could do that.