"What's the difference between this and last night," Owen asked Teddy.
"Tonight is the story ballet," Teddy explained, "last night was all their other pieces."
Walking through the theater lobby they spotted Richard and Adele.
"Cheif," Owen greeted.
"Hunt, Altman I didn't expect to see you here," Richard said, "I wouldn't have said either of you were ballet fans."
"My 16 year old half sister is Coppelia," Owen replied, "we're here for Nikki."
"Your sister is the lead," Adele asked.
"She is," Teddy replied, "Nikki is a good dancer."
"That's quite the age gap," Richard observed.
"17 years," Owen replied, "I've really only gotten to know Nikki since I came back to Seattle."
"I have a brother whoes 14 years younger," Richard said, "I always felt like a second father to him."
"I get that," Owen replied, "my mom has been on her own a long time she raised us by herself."
"Your sister must love having you home," Adele said.
"She prefers Teddy," Owen chuckled.
"She's a good kid," Teddy said.
"We saw her a few months ago," Richard replied, "she caused quite a stir in the Pit."
"She didn't want me she would only deal with Teddy," Owen said, "but I've learned a lot about ballet injuries this year. I want to send her feet for X-rays."
"Owen," Teddy said, "you can ask her to be part of Derek or Callies research not both."
"I was going to let her choose," Owen said.
"Callie," Teddy declared, "she doesn't do still long enough for Derek."
"What brought you to the ballet tonight," Owen asked Richard.
"We donate a scholarship each year," Richard said, "so they invite us to the big productions."
"Thank you sir," Owen smiled, "Nikki is on a partial scholarship our whole family appreciates what the donors do. I'm impressed with the program over all. Teddy and I are going to do some teaching here soon around first aid."
"I'm on the board of directors," Adele added, "we're trying to add a sex education program but are getting some push back from the more conservative members of the board. I wonder if having two doctors teach it would help."
"It's not either of our specialty," Teddy said, "but I can help. I've gotten to know a few of the girls in the 11th grade this year. We helped them with their map of the human body project."
"That was fun," Owen said.
"You attacked me with markers," Teddy teased.
"Hunt, Altman I have to say it as the Cheif," Richard began, "you do need to tell HR about your relationship."
"I expected that in the army but not here," Owen said.
"There was an incident a couple years ago," Richard said, "so we ask all staff to tell HR just to cover everyone's backs."
"In that case I'm pregnant," Teddy said, "and we live together."
"Congratulations," Adele smiled, "when are you due?"
"February," teddy replied, "I'll work right up to the end don't worry about that."
"Altman you take care of yourself," Richard said.
"I will sir," Teddy replied, "I'm going to find the washroom then our seats."
"I will see you Monday," Richard said.
"Have a good night sir," Teddy replied walking away.
"Owen," Beth called.
"Miss Whitman," Owen replied.
"What's with the last name," Beth whined.
"You're my sisters english teacher," Owen replied.
"So you and desert storm Barbie," Beth complained.
"Teddy," Owen stated, "yes."
"How long," Beth asked.
"Four months," Owen admitted, "you and I broke up almost two years ago Beth. Let it go and move on. I wasn't happy. Let it go. I'm going to go find my seat and wait for Teddy."
"You never watched Nikki dance before," Beth pointed out.
"I wasn't home when she was preforming," Owen replied, "we're done here and I'm going to take a seat."
Owen took a seat next to his mom leaving the aisle seat open for Teddy. The lights dimmed and the curtain rose above the stage revealing a village scene.
At the end of the first act Owen clapped and cheered as loud as he could. On stage Nikki smiled, she heard her big brother the loudest voice in the room cheering for her.
"Owen," Teddy hissed, "it's a ballet."
"I promised I would be the loudest voice in the room," Owen said.
From stage Nikki thought she heard another voice joining with Owens, she knew it was in her imagination but somehow it made her happy.
After the show the dancers were all brought on stage for end of year awards. They gave awards in each class for exam results in their formal ballet exams, academic awards and some special awards.
Madame took the microphone, "this is the first time we are presenting this award. Our faculty both dance and academic have chosen to honour this young lady with an award for courage, the courage to rebuild and to let people in again. We have watched not only her but her family rebuild and grow after a crushing loss. Tonight we would like to recognize Nicole McCrae for her unending courage, dedication and strength to always move forward. Congratulations Nicole."
With out thinking Owen jumped to his feet, "way to go Nikki! Well done Squirt!"
Teddy stood beside him applauding and cheering.
Evelyn joined them with thundering applause.
After the show Nikki met her family in the lobby of the theatre.
"Congratulations darling," Evelyn said pulling her into a hug.
"Well done squirt," Owen said offering her a high five.
"That was great Nikki," Teddy praised.
"We have a plan but need your opinion," Owen said.
"What is it,"Nikki asked.
"I'm going to drive Teddy home," Evelyn replied.
"You and I are going for ice cream," Owen said, "go celebrate your first principal role."
"Are you sure," Nikki asked.
"We are," Teddy replied.
Richard walked by, "Hunt, Altman, what did you think of the show?"
"It was excellent," Owen said, "cheif Webber this is my little sister Nicole McCrae. Nikki this is our chief of surgery or boss Doctor Webber."
"It's nice to meet you," Nikki smiled.
"Well done tonight and congratulations on your awards," Adele said.
"Thank you Mrs. Webber," Nikki replied.
"We're going for ice cream to celebrate," Owen said.
"Nikki I'll take your bag and get the flowers in water for you," Evelyn said.
"Thanks mom," Nikki said.
"Owen, not too late," Evelyn reminded, "I want her home and in bed by 11:30."
"It's 10 we have time," Owen said.
"Have fun," Teddy said giving Owen a hug,
"Don't stay up too late," Owen said.
"I won't," Teddy said, "I'll probably go to bed and read."
"You've been exhausted, go sleep," Owen said.
In the truck Nikki asked ,"is Teddy okay?"
"Just worn out," Owen said, "she's okay you don't need to worry."
"Why are we keeping Teddy's baby a family secret," Nikki asked.
"It's our baby, I'm it's dad. A few more weeks," Owen said, "you can tell your friends when summer session finishes in July. Why do you have summer term?"
"We go longer because we don't get as much school time because of dance," Nikki said, "so we go through July to get all the hours we need to graduate. My summer term is mainly dance though."
"What school subjects do you have in summer," Owen asked.
"Physics, Anatomy, English, French," Nikki replied, "I finished the senior math book so they're letting me have the math block off. Then we have dance history and notation with the summer intensive kids that join us. But no school uniform for summer term."
"What's wrong with a uniform," Owen asked.
"We all look the same, it's boring," Nikki whined.
"That's the point of a uniform," Owen replied, "easy to know what to wear."
"From the man that lives in scrubs," Nikki teased.
"If I'm going to be a dad any advice," Owen asked, he wanted to feel out how his little sister felt about the baby.
"How would I know," Nikki said, "never had one."
"What should I do," Owen asked.
"No yelling," Nikki replied, "don't disappear. My dad disappeared before I could even remember him. You were gone most of my life and when you were around it was to yell at or tease me."
"You were six months," Owen said.
"Mom doesn't even have pictures," Nikki replied.
"I know," Owen replied.
"Could you help me find him," Nikki asked, "I want to know what he looks like."
"I don't know," Owen said, "it's hard to find people."
"Don't you have top secret army ways to find people," Nikki asked.
"Not for this," Owen said, "you have to talk to mom about it first."
"She doesn't like when I ask," Nikki replied.
"When your a bit older she'll tell you the whole story," Owen promised.
"Is Teddy really having a baby," Nikki asked.
"We are," Owen replied, "it's June so we have to wait until February to meet them."
"Will it be a boy or a girl," Nikki asked.
"We don't know yet it's too soon to tell," Owen answered.
"Will you stay in Seattle," Nikki asked.
"We will," Owen replied.
"Always," Nikki asked.
"That's a long time," Owen said, "you might go somewhere one day. You'll move away to dance or go to college. The only reason we would leave now is if we got better job offers somewhere else and it has to be good for both of us. I'm ready to be home and Seattle is home. You and mom are here."
"But Teddy is from New York, what about her family," Nikki asked.
"Her parents and brother have both passed," Owen said, "she doesn't talk about it often."
"She had a brother," Nikki looked shocked.
"She was 12," Owen replied, "he lived 11 months. It's what made her be a heart surgeon. He needed a heart transplant and never got one. Don't mention it to her unless she brings it up."
"I won't," Nikki promised.
"I probably shouldn't have told you," Owen said, "but I trust you."
"Will you argue with my english teacher at every school event," Nikki asked.
"You're only hear another year," Owen replied, "she doesn't want to admit I chose Teddy. I should have chosen Teddy sooner."
"Why didn't you," Nikki asked, "she never wanted to be part of our family."
"Fear," Owen admitted, "it was another thing tying me here beyond you and mom. Then when we lost Meghan Beth wasn't there. I asked her to check on you and mom, to be there for all three of us and she wouldn't."
"She just told my whole school about it," Nikki said, "but never talked to me. She would talk all about you and never let me be part of the conversation. Even when we did the letters to soldiers activity she wouldn't let me write to you because that was her sample."
"Who did you write to," Owen asked.
"Teddy," Nikki replied, "I knew if the box went to you and you saw Teddy on the front of an envelope you would give it to her."
"I saw your writing and was a little hurt you wrote to Teddy instead of me," Owen said.
"I wanted to do it to both of you," Nikki replied, "but I wasn't allowed."
"I'm sorry," Owen replied.
They got their ice cream and sat down.
"The other night were you serious about getting to know me," Nikki asked.
Owen smiled, "I am. We both are. I know you feel safer with Teddy than with me but I want you to trust me. You knew about Teddy and I before mom did."
"Viewing day she was leaning on you," Nikki began, "she kissed you the night I was at your place doing homework and you put your arm around her a lot."
"I liked viewing day," Owen said, "seeing all of your classes because mom was working."
"It was nice to have someone there," Nikki agreed, "you have to have been bored in my academics though."
"I offered your anatomy teacher to bring you all on a field trip to the hospital to play in the skills lab with our models," Owen said, "neuro and ortho agreed to help."
"Will they treat me like a lab rat," Nikki asked, "that work friend of your brain surgeon with black hair treats me like a lab rat."
"Derek would like to include you in his research," Owen replied, "we've talked about you a little, I was trying to understand how you think so I went to the brain expert. Derek is researching ADHD in gifted teens, I think you fit all his criteria and he would just need an IQ test from you. The hospital will do it all."
"Will he think I'm crazy," Nikki asked.
"No," Owen replied, "you would need an IQ test and an MRI of your brain. The hardest thing will be you staying still for the MRI."
"Can I read," Nikki asked.
"No," Owen replied, "you have to be totally still."
"Really," Nikki asked, "I don't even do still in my sleep."
"Think about it, you can talk to Derek and see what you think," Owen offered.
"I will," Nikki agreed, "tomorrow after the show can you drop Teddy off at our house then go home?"
"Why," Owen asked, "she's helping you get ready for your date."
"Because I don't want you being all scary big brother on Jason," Nikki said, "I'll never get another date if you do that."
"Jason is the boy who dropped you," Owen said.
"A couple times," Nikki replied, "we nailed the lift tonight."
"I still don't like any guy that holds my little sister like that," Owen replied.
"It's choreographed," Nikki said, "it means nothing."
"I still don't like where his hands were," Owen said.
"That's the lift, it's the best spots for balance and my safety," Nikki said, "I trust Jason. Owen I really like him."
"How old is he," Owen asked.
"17," Nikki replied, "his birthday is in April."
"Are his parents picking you up," Owen asked.
"He has his license and a car," Nikki replied, "can you convince mom I can take my road test."
"Drive with me or Teddy a few times," Owen said, "I don't know about this."
"At 17 did you get to drive on dates," Nikki asked.
"I did," Owen replied.
"Then why can't Jason pick me up," Nikki asked.
"He better be a good driver," Owen said.
"He wont run over a snowman," Nikki replied.
"You remember that you were like 4," Owen said.
"I remember you freaking out about your truck and Meghan laughing," Nikki smiled.
"That was funny," Owen agreed.
"You killed my snowman," Nikki fake pouted.
"Then we built a bigger one and went sledding," Owen said.
"Meghan let the chicken soup boil all over the stove that day," Nikki added.
"And you wouldn't go to bed until we sang you every christmas carol we knew," Owen said.
"The first time you brought Teddy home the three of you built a huge fort in the back yard and we camped out in it," Nikki smiled.
"That was fun," Owen agreed, "I think you Meghan and Teddy slept in the fort and I had to go inside."
"Why," Nikki asked.
"Beth," Owen said, "she wouldn't stay out there."
"I don't remember her being there," Nikki said.
"She came later in the day after we had built the fort," Owen said.
"Did you like Meg more than you liked me," Nikki asked.
"Differently," Owen said, "you've always been my baby sister in my mind. I remember the day you were born all pink and helpless and crying. I didn't know how to connect with you until you got a bit older than I was away so much. This year is the first time since you were 2 we've lived in the same city."
"I know," Nikki replied, "I like having you around. Will you still hang out with me when Teddy has the baby?"
"Of course," Owen replied, "give it a few weeks but you can come play with the baby whenever you want."
"What do babies do," Nikki asked.
"You cried," Owen replied, "a lot. You were not a happy baby."
"Really," Nikki asked.
"Really," Owen said, "you only stopped crying for mom. I was proud of you tonight. Watching you dance this week I get it now."
"Really," Nikki asked.
"Really," Owen replied, "I see why you want to dance. You're good at it and it makes you happy. "
"What if there's not a future in it," Nikki asked.
"First you're going to give it everything you have," Owen said, "and if it doesn't work what would you like to do?"
"I think I want to teach math when I'm done dancing," Nikki said, "I won't be able to dance forever."
"Teaching would be a stable career," Owen said, "maybe if you've performed a lot and built a professional reputation you could go to college after and teach at a school like yours."
"Teach other kids like me," Nikki asked.
"It would work you would understand them," Owen said, "you must have a favourite teacher."
"Madame or Mr. Collins my math teacher," Nikki replied.
Owen checked his watch, "it's after 11. I told mom I'd have you home in 10 minutes."
"Thanks for doing this Owl," Nikki smiled.
"Any time Squirt," Owen replied.