"I can't believe you talked me into this," Teddy laughed.
"It'll be fun teddy," Owen promised, "four days away to relax."
"Your mom, Nikki." Teddy said.
"And we have our own tent," Owen said.
Teddy nodded, "your mom is going to notice."
"Teddy she knows you're pregnant," Owen sighed, "you don't have to hide it."
"It's weird," Teddy said.
"Beautiful," Owen replied, reaching across the truck to put his hand on the tiny bump. Teddy placed her hand on top of his.
They drove in silence for a while both listening to the radio, words weren't needed, they were comfortable with each other.
"Owen, Teddy," Nikki yelled as they got out of the truck.
"Hey squirt," Owen replied, "come help me unload?"
"Owen I can do it," Teddy said.
"I don't want you lifting," Owen said.
"My bag, groceries I'm fine," Teddy scolded.
"Teddy," Owen sighed, "just relax."
"I've been relaxing all morning," Teddy retorted.
"You did the trauma last night," Owen said, "that was major."
"You did it two," Teddy replied, "we were together."
Evelyn walked back to the campsite, "Teddy sweetheart when did that happen?"
"This week," Teddy replied.
"This is exciting," Evelyn said, "half way?"
"Almost," Teddy agreed.
Nikki met Owen at the back of the truck.
"How was camp," Owen asked.
"It was awesome," Nikki beamed, "we went hiking and swimming, they got a zip line and I did the whole high ropes course!"
"High ropes," Owen asked.
"Its like 80 feet off the ground and there's all sorts of obstacles you have to swing and climb on," Nikki explained.
Owen smiled seeing how animated Nikki was.
"You did it all," Owen asked.
"I did and the tower of terror," Nikki bragged.
"What's the tower of terror," Teddy asked.
"You climb a telephone pole and jump out to a trapeze bar, I caught it with Breanna," Nikki said.
"It sounds like you had fun," Owen said, "you said there were watersports what did you do?"
"Tubing, wakeboarding, kayaking and swimming," Nikki said.
"Were you still at all," Owen asked.
"Only to sleep and eat," Nikki said, "I don't like being still."
"I know you dont," Owen chuckled, "Derek wants to do a functional MRI of your brain."
"Nope I have to be still," Nikki said, "when he can figure out how to do it and let me move."
"Thats not how they work," Teddy said.
"And they put that cage on my head last time," Nikki complained.
"How many girls were in your room," Teddy asked.
"Eight of us and Kristen was our counselor," Nikki said, "she's really cool. She's from the college group and is studying history and music. She wants to be a teacher."
"Did you have fun," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Nikki said, "it was my last summer of camp. I'm going to miss it."
"New adventures are coming," Owen said, "don't you get to tour this spring with the company?"
"If they choose me," Nikki replied, "there's a mini tour for the Nutcracker in December just around Washington."
"Will you do that," Owen asked.
"All seniors go," Nikki replied, "I went last year. They take half the juniors and a few sophomores then local studios provide the kids for the party scene and the extras. I really want Sugar Plum or Snow Queen this year. Auditions are at the end of September."
As Nikki helped Owen set up the tent Teddy chatted with Evelyn.
"What's the plan tonight," Teddy asked.
"Walk down to the beach this afternoon," Evelyn said, "the tide should be out and we can walk a ways. Come back and make dinner. Just burgers, salad and corn on the cob tonight. Camp fire and theres a meteor shower Nikki wanted to stay up for but you do what you need to."
"I'll try to stay up for the meteor shower," Teddy said, "I've been going to bed early and getting up late."
"Do what you need to do sweetheart," Evelyn said, "do you and Owen want to trade the cabin for the tent? Would you be more comfortable in a bed?"
"It's not a problem," Teddy said, "it's only three nights."
"If your not comfortable you tell me and we'll switch," Evelyn said.
"Are you sure all of this is okay," Teddy asked.
"All of what is okay," Evelyn questioned.
"Me and Owen, baby, crashing your camping trip with Nikki," Teddy said.
"The camping trip was always what ever kids are around. It's our family trip. You are family now and not just because of the baby," Evelyn said, "Teddy you were one of mine the first time you came to visit and I saw how you just fit with my kids. You understand and love Owen, you see Nikki for who she is and don't try to change her. You're part of this family now."
Teddy's eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't mean to make you cry," Evelyn said.
"I don't control my emotions like this right now," Teddy said trying to blink back her tears."
"You're okay darling," Evelyn soothed, giving Teddy a hug.
"I know," Teddy replied, "it's a lot of changes."
"It is," Evelyn agreed, "we're happy to have you."
"Nikki," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Evelyn said, "she looks forward to her time with you."
"We like having her around," Teddy said, "the week she stayed was good for all of us."
"I know you will be very busy with the baby," Evelyn said, "but don't forget Nikki. She needs both of you. She couldn't take losing you or having Owen pull away again."
"We won't," Teddy promised, "she's asked me to babysit. I told her she could when the baby can hold up it's on head."
"It would be good for her," Evelyn said, "not to be the baby."
"She's almost an only child in a few ways," Teddy replied, "I see a lot of only child traits in her."
"When your siblings are 17 and 14 years older you grow up as the only kid in the house," Evelyn said.
"She said they were more concepts than people sometimes," Teddy replied, "I also hear too many thoughts and not enough brain."
"Yes when she's on warp speed," Evelyn smiled, "tell her to pick one thought. Ask her what the biggest thought or feeling is."
"I sent her to run or swim," Teddy said, "make her move."
"That helps but she needs to learn to pick one thought," Evelyn said, "the thing with her ADHD is that she's 17 but her brain is closer to 13 its 3-4 years behind in things like impulse control and being able to organize herself or regulate emotions."
"She hides it well," Teddy said.
"The discipline of the school helps," Evelyn said, "she's really good on a routine and schedule."
"Tent's up," Owen announced.
"Owen do you want to trade" Evelyn offered, "Nikki and I in the tent and let you and Teddy have the cabin?"
"Teddy," Owen asked.
"Let's try the tent," Teddy said, "see how it goes."
They spent the afternoon at the beach, Nikki managed to convince Owen to try her skim board in the shallow water, Teddy would have tried if she had brought a bathing suit. That night they made burgers and roasted marshmallows.
"I'm going to go to bed," Evelyn said yawning.
"Night mom," Owen and Nikki said in unison.
"We'll leave the door unlocked so you can come in and use the washroom if you need it," Evelyn declared.
"Thanks," Teddy smiled, "have a good sleep."
The three left at the campfire kept chatting until Teddy decided that she was also ready for bed.
Owen checked his watch, "an hour to the meteor shower are we staying up squirt?"
"I can watch on my own," Nikki said.
"I want to watch," Owen said, "but lets grab the picnic blanket and a flashlight. It'll be better in the field."
"What will mom say," Nikki asked.
"You're with me," Owen replied, "I'll tell Teddy."
"I'm getting my hoodie," Nikki said.
"Then tell mom," Owen said.
Nikki slipped into the cabin.
"Not staying up," Evelyn asked.
"Owen wants to watch it in the soccer field," Nikki replied, "I want a hoodie and my sweats."
"Have fun," Evelyn yawned, "where's Teddy?"
"She went to bed," Nikki answered, "Owen was telling her where we were going."
"Go with Owen then," Evelyn agreed.
Owen crawled into the tent.
"Nikki changed her mind," Teddy whispered.
"No," Owen said, "just getting a hoodie and then we're going to the field, better view away from the trees."
"I'll be asleep when you get back," Teddy mumbelled.
"Good night then," Owen said, kissing her.
"I love you," Teddy whispered.
"I love you more," Owen replied, kissing her again.
"Mushy and gross," Nikki teased when she saw Owen.
"Don't you have a boy friend," Owen asked.
"Doesnt mean I want to hear that," Nikki replied.
"How are things with Jason," Owen asked.
"I haven't seen him since school got out," Nikki replied, "he's from Spokane and boards at school. About half the kids board."
"Before that," Owen asked.
"He's good," Nikki replied, "we hang out. Go for coffee or ice cream a couple movies. Mom lets him come over but he has to stay down stairs."
"Meghan and I had the same rule," Owen said, "not upstairs until there's a ring."
"Then what does mom say about you and Teddy," Nikki asked.
"Our age is different," Owen said, "17 and 34 are different."
"It's double," Nikki pointed out.
"Don't," Owen warned.
"Why did mom and Teddy cry when we were playing our instruments and singing," Nikki asked.
"Teddy feels everything really strongly right now," Owen said, "she tears up at everything. It's part of her having the baby. Mom I think it made her happy. We've never done that before."
"You used to," Nikki remembered, "we would do the camping trip and you would play and Meghan would sing."
"We did," Owen said, "I'm surprised you remember."
"I was seven the last time we all went," Nikki said.
"I was in med school," Owen said, "Meghan had one year left of college."
"We built that huge sand castle it took all day," Nikki said.
"You and Meg did," Owen said, "I had to study so I sat with you guys. But we buried you in the sand and made a mermaid tail for you."
"Mom still has that picture in the upstairs hallway," Nikki laughed, "I keep asking her to take it down."
"It's one of the few ones of the three of us she won't," Owen said.
"Were you mad when I was born," Nikki asked.
"I was confused," Owen admitted, "Meg took it better. You were a living doll for her."
"Why were you confused," Nikki asked.
"I was your age," Owen said, "what would you think if mom came home and told you that in seven months you would get a baby brother or sister."
"She wouldn't," Nikki said.
"Not now," Owen said, "but that's what she did to me and Meg. Mom had only been seeing your dad a few months. He moved in a few days after mom told us. It was a lot of changes. I don't like change."
"Then why did you join the army," Nikki asked.
"Because it was an adventure," Owen said, "I could make a difference. I could keep people safe. And there were rules and structure. Rank and defined roles."
"Did you not want to be around me," Nikki asked.
"No," Owen said, "I was angry and confused. I was mad at your dad for leaving you and mom. All I wanted to do was protect you. I was scared of hurting you. You were so tiny and delicate. You were helpless. Then I wasn't around much and everytime I came home you had grown but you were scared of me."
"You yelled," Nikki said, "and didn't spend time with me."
"I didn't know how," Owen said, "so I let Meg take the lead or Teddy."
"When Teddy has the baby will you forget about me again," Nikki asked.
"No," Owen promised, "closer to the baby being born and when it first comes Teddy and the baby will need me a lot. I'll spend a lot of time with them but I want you to come spend time with us. You can drive now. We'll still come for weekly dinners and we will be at the Nutcracker and your graduation. I want to ski with you next winter."
"I'm not allowed to ski," Nikki said.
"Who said that," Owen asked.
"Madame," Nikki replied.
"Green and blue runs," Owen said, "you have to live. Dance isn't everything."
"It's my shot to get out of Seattle," Nikki said, "you got to leave."
"I went to go to school and to train," Owen said, "my plan was always to come home when I left the army. You were here, mom, Beth."
"I'm glad you're done with Miss Whitman," Nikki said, "I hate her."
"Beth and I weren't a good fit," Owen agreed, "are you okay about me and Teddy?"
"Why do both of you keep asking me that," Nikki asked.
"Because we want to make sure youre happy," Owen said, "whaty do you think of Teddy?"
"I really like her," Nikki said, "she seems to actually like me and mom. She listens to me and doesn't tell me how to do things or who I should be. It's not like I even get a choice."
"I want you and mom to like her," Owen said, "I used to get jealous of the way you would email Meghan or Teddy."
"Sometimes I needed another girl," Nikki said, "I needed a big sister. Theres things I cant tell mom that I can tell Teddy. Mom is really old fashioned."
"Mom has always been strict," Owen said, "you can talk to me two."
"About boys," Nikki asked.
"Yes," Owen said.
"Jason isn't texting me," Nikki said, "what does that mean?"
"Is he just busy," Owen asked.
"He's at his parents farm outside Spokane," Nikki said, "he always complains he's bored."
"Have you called," Owen asked.
"Three times since I got home from camp," Nikki said.
"How much have you texted or emailed," Owen asked.
"A lot," Nikki admitted.
"I used to get annoyed when Beth would send me 5 or 6 emails in a day," Owen said, "Nikki be your own person. Have your own things."
"What if he's seeing another girl," Nikki asked, "he used to have a girlfriend in Spokane."
"Then he's a jerk and I will kill him," Owen said.
"He's scared of you," Nikki said.
"I'm not scary," Owen replied.
"You can be," Nikki argued, "you're loud, and everyone around you has to be perfect all the time."
"You're not the first person to tell me that," Owen said.
"Look," Nikki gasped pointing up at the sky. Meteors streaked across the sky.
"Wow," Owen said, "I haven't seen one of these since I was your age."
"Really," Nikki said.
"They don't happen often," Owen said.
Nikki laid back on the blanket with her hands behind her head.
"It's magical," Nikki breathed.
"It is something," Owen agreed.
The meteor shower finished and they walked back to the campsite.
"Owen," Nikki asked, "the night I did Coppelia I thought I heard another voice cheering with yours."
"I heard it," Owen said, "you know who that was?"
"I do," Nikki said.
"She'll be happy for us," Owen said, "but it's time for you to go to bed."
"Too many thoughts to turn my brain off," Nikki said.
"Pick one," Owen said, "I'm going to come in and brush my teeth."
"How do I turn my brain off," Nikki asked.
"Your book or one thought," Owen suggested.
Nikki walked into the cabin and changed to her PJs while Owen brushed his teeth.
"Night squirt," Owen said as he walked out of the cabin.
"Night Owl," Nikki replied.
Owen crawled into the tent with Teddy.
"How was the meteor shower," Teddy asked.
"Good," Owen replied, "why are you awake?"
"I have to go in there and pee," Teddy said.
"Nikki is still trying to turn her brain off," Owen said, "don't talk to her."
"I know," Teddy said, "we don't talk to her or the whole brain reboots."
"That and you'll wake mom," Owen said.
"I'll be right back," Teddy said crawling out of the tent.
"I'll be right here," Owen said.
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