"Owen," Nikki screamed, running up the stairs tears streaming down her face.
Hearing the scream Teddy sprang off the couch and ran to the tip of the stairs.
"He's at work," Teddy said, "what's wrong?"
"Jeff dumped me," Nikki sobbed.
"Okay I'll get you a glass of wine and we'll talk," Teddy said.
"No wine," Nikki said.
"No wine what's going on," Teddy asked.
"You can't drink," Nikki said.
"Who told you," Teddy asked.
"Owen," Nikki said, "Tuesday when we ran. Congratulations Teddy."
"What happened with Jeff," Teddy asked.
"He dumped me because I won't do what he wants me to," Nikki cried.
"What does he want you to do," Teddy asked.
"You can't tell mom or Owen," Nikki said, "I need to figure things out before I tell them."
"Nikki what is it," Teddy asked.
"Don't get mad," Nikki panicked.
"Okay stop panicking," Teddy said, "there's nothing we can do until you tell me what's happening and we talk about it."
"I can't," Nikki said.
"Then we'll play 20 questions," Teddy replied, "did he hit you?"
"No," Nikki said.
"Has he ever hit, pushed or shoved you," Teddy asked.
Nikki nodded but didn't say anything.
"Did he cheat," Teddy asked.
"No, maybe, I don't know," Nikki said, "don't yell and don't tell Owen."
"I promise," Teddy said.
"You can't tell him," Nikki bawled, "he's going to kill me. Like shoot me dead."
"Nikki there's nothing you could do to make him that angry," Teddy soothed, "what is it?"
"Teddy I'm pregnant," Nikki sobbed.
"How far along," Teddy asked.
"Seven weeks ," Nikki cried.
"Have you seen a doctor," Teddy asked.
"Just dr Frankle not an OB yet," Nikki said, "that was Monday. I'm waiting for the referral. Frankle said everything looked good.
"It's Thursday so you've known a few days," Teddy said, "I'll give you the name of mine. Addison Montgomery is excellent. She worked at Grey Sloan when I had Allison but works privately now, she has privileges at Grey Sloan. I'll send you her info. Let her know you're related to me and Owen. We work together a lot. She's an excellent doctor. I'll text her and tell her that she needs to take you on. When did you find out?"
"I suspected last week so I took a test Friday before school. Then Jeff didn't come home until like one AM so I told him when he got up on Saturday. I'm scared," Nikki said.
"So was I with Allison," Teddy said.
"I didn't plan this," Nikki said.
"We didn't plan Allison or this one," Teddy said, " we tried for a third for a while then after a year and a half gave up. Then six months after we give up I'm Pregnant ."
"Jeff wants me to get an abortion," Nikki bawled.
"That's why we've heard you two fighting since Saturday," Teddy said.
"You heard that," Nikki asked.
"Your voices raised and the tones," Teddy said, "I was waiting for you to come up and talk to me."
"I was scared," Nikki said, "mom and Owen are going to kill me."
"Tell them what you told me," Teddy said, "can I ask you a few questions?"
"I guess," Nikki said.
"How are you feeling," Teddy asked.
"My stomach isn't happy but I don't know if that's baby or stress," Nikki said.
"Throwing up," Teddy asked.
"Four or five times in the morning, a couple times when I got home from setting up at school," Nikki said, "I'm really scared."
"You can be scared," Teddy said, "you have me and Owen and mom. We'll help you. "
"This shouldn't have happened. I was on the pill," Nikki said, "but I got strep and didn't realize the antibiotics made the pill not work."
"How long were you on antibiotics," Teddy asked.
"14 days," Nikki said.
"That's enough," Teddy said, "what did Jeff say?"
"He never wants kids and he's not ready to be a parent," Nikki said, "I won't kill my baby. Teddy I've only known a week and I love my baby."
"Do you want this baby," Teddy asked.
"I do," Nikki said, "the moment the test was positive I loved them."
"Do you have a due date," Teddy asked.
"April 12," Nikki said, "so off most of April, May and June then my normal summer."
"Do you think you can teach," Teddy asked.
"I'm better to teach then you operate," Nikki said, "some parents at school won't be thrilled."
"Your 23," Teddy said.
"24," Nikki replied, "I have my math degree and my teachers. I'm supposed to be doing my masters."
"You'll do your masters," Teddy said, "you'll do it with your baby."
"How are you so calm," Nikki said.
"I wasn't with Allison," Teddy said, "what do you need right now?"
"I don't know," Nikki said.
"Have you eaten today," Teddy asked.
"Not really," Nikki said.
"Do you want toast and a cup of tea," Teddy offered, "I have a chamomile and ginger that helps my stomach you could try."
"Sure," Nikki replied.
"You'll feel better when you eat," Teddy said, "have you been sleeping?"
"On the couch," Nikki said.
"Where is Jeff," Teddy asked.
"I don't know," Nikki said, "we yell he leaves and I wait on the couch for him to come home."
"Owen will be home soon," Teddy said, "we should tell him. I'll be with you. Owen won't be mad. He was calmer with Allison than I was."
Nikki began to sob.
Teddy hugged her whispering, "you're going to be a mom squirt. You're having a baby."
"I am," Nikki agreed.
"You can do this," Teddy said, "tell your mom soon. We were going to tell your mom this weekend but will wait, you need your mom. The sooner you tell mom and Owen the easier this will be. He'll know when he comes in and finds you up here crying that somethings wrong."
"Can he get Jeff out of the basement," Nikki asked.
"We can," Teddy said, "we never put him on the agreement when he moved."
"We didn't," Nikki remembered, "we didn't do a new one when Julie moved out and he moved in. We don't have one we kept forgetting."
"Nikki," Jeff screamed up the stairs.
"Stay here," Teddy hissed.
"Nikki," Jeff yelled again.
Teddy stormed down the stairs, "Jeffery you do not speak to her like that. I'm going to supervise and you have twenty minutes to get your stuff and get out of my house."
"You can't do that," Jeff said.
"Neither you or Nikki have a valid rental agreement with Owen and I," Teddy snapped, "meaning you are guests in our home. So I can."
"I won't," Jeff said, "I have nowhere to go."
"I don't care," Teddy said, "I suggest you do it now."
"No," Jeff said.
"Then I'll do it," Teddy replied, "Nikki will listen for the girls I have time."
"She's a slut," Jeff said.
"Don't you dare," Teddy hissed
"She's pregnant," Jeff yelled, "Nikki is pregnant."
Owen walked in the door hearing this echo up the stairs.
"Owl," Nikki cried on the couch.
Owen dropped his bag and jacket before going to the couch.
"Is it true," Owen asked.
Nikki nodded.
"Who knows," Owen asked.
"Jeff and Teddy. I told Teddy tonight," Nikki said, "don't be mad."
"Never," Owen said.
In his eyes his baby sister could do no wrong. In this moment Nikki needed him.
"I'm scared and moms going to kill me," Nikki sobbed, "Jeff dumped me because I won't kill my baby. He doesn't want me or our baby. I can't kill my baby. He called me trash and a whore. He said that if I keep it I'm on my own."
"How far," Owen asked.
"Seven weeks," Nikki said.
"Doctor," Owen asked.
"Frankle on Monday to confirm," Nikki said, "due April 12. Teddy gave me the name and number for her doctor to call tomorrow."
"I worked with Addison today," Owen said, "we're sharing a patient I can text."
"Not now," Nikki said, "I'll call tomorrow she can't change anything tonight."
"Teddy made you toast," Owen noticed the plate on the coffee table, "you should eat."
"Not hungry," Nikki said.
"Where is Teddy," Owen asked.
"Getting Jeff out," Nikki said, "he's leaving. He doesn't want the baby. He wants me to kill my baby. Mom did it. I can do it alone."
"You're not alone," Owen said.
"I am. Owl I'm going to be a single mom," Nikki sobbed, "no one will want me after this."
"Let's focus on this," Owen said, "get through tonight. We'll go see mom tomorrow."
"Can I stay up here," Nikki asked.
"Where will you sleep," Owen said.
"I'm scared to be alone," Nikki said.
"What if I stay on your couch," Owen offered.
"Can you," Nikki said.
"I have an idea." Owen said, "tonight I'll grab the spare sheets from the linen closet and we'll put clean sheets on your bed. Tomorrow go get new ones that are just yours."
"Can you get the clasp of my necklace," Nikki asked.
"I can," Owen said he reached behind Nikki and took the necklace off. He knew it had been a birthday present from Jeff a few weeks before.
"I'm hearing Teddy getting angry and it's not good for our baby. Can you stay here, listen for the girls and I'm going downstairs," Owen said.
Nikki nodded.
"You're going to be a great mom squirt," Owen said.
"I'm scared," Nikki said.
"You'll be excellent," Owen promised.
Owen ran downstairs and motioned for Teddy to go upstairs.
Owen grabbed Jeff by the throat, "you fucking bastard. You have fifteen minutes to get your clothes and get the fuck out of my house. Telling the mother of your child to get an abortion. Telling her you won't be there and support her, that she's not good enough for you. You are not a man."
"She's on the pill," Jeff countered, "this shouldn't have happened."
"But it did," Owen said, "and clearly you didn't take care of your end. I watched mom get hurt after Nikki's dad left. I'm going to tell you how this works. You don't get to play games with her or your child. You decide now in or out. Nikki is a thousand times stronger than you let her be. You limit her and hold her back. Walking away walking out that's the cowards way to do it."
"But," Jeff started.
"I'm not finished," Owen growled, "she is a hundred times the person you'll ever be. I've seen Nikki at her lowest. I was there the day she was born and the night she almost died. I sat with her in the icu when we didn't know if she would wake up. I've watched Nikki work harder than anyone I know for everything she has. You might be a coward who is prepared to walk away from the mother of your child. She'll be fine, yes you'll hurt her but Nikki knows how to fight. She's stronger and more resilient than anyone I know. This leaving that's being a coward and a dead beat. You better not hurt her because I will hurt you if you do. You do not get to abandon Nikki and your child."
"Your not her father," Jeff said.
"Her dad was a dead beat," Owen said, "you don't get to be. You will be here and help support your child. I don't like you I actually hate you. I've watched you talk down to and belittle my sister for years. You say you love her but your actions don't. You have spent years twisting her perception making her dependent on you. Lying and saying you're the only person that could love her. I've spent five years watching you mistreat her. You think your more of a man because you mistreat her you think treating women poorly makes you a man. Your not a man your a fucking coward you have no idea how to be a man. Running away walking out isnt being a man. You are a coward and an ass hole."
"You can't tell me what to do," Jeff yelled.
"This is my house," Owen said, "your trespassing."
"I've done nothing wrong you can't kick me out," Jeff said.
"I can and I am," Owen said, "we can do this two ways. I'll watch and you can get your clothes and computer and leave on your own or I can call the police."
"The cops won't do anything," Jeff said.
"You hurt my sister. Who will they believe the military trauma surgeon that saves their lives or the dead beat running away from his child," Owen threatened.
"I'm going," Jeff snapped before trying to swing at Owen.
"Swing at me again and I will hurt you," Owen said.
Nikki curled in a ball on the couch with her back to Teddy and whimpered, "I want Meghan."
"I miss her too,"Teddy agreed, "do you ever write to her?"
Teddy ran one hand soothingly along Nikkis back. Nikki looked so broken and child-like in that position. Teddy just wanted to pull her into her lap and rock her like she did when her girls were hurt or she had when Nikki was little and Beth teased and tormented her. But Nikki wasn't little; she was 24, she was going to be a mom.
"I still email, it's almost a journal now. I want her to respond. To hug me and say it's okay that I can do this," Nikki bawled.
"Nikki look at me," Teddy coaxed, "look at me please."
Nikki turned slowly, her face and eyes red tears rushing down her cheeks.
Teddy put one hand gently on Nikki's stomach, "you can do this. Nikki you are going to be the best mom for this little one. You don't need Meghan to tell you that. You're going to be a great mom. Nikki you can do this."
"How do you know," Nikki asked.
"Because I've seen you with the girls," Teddy replied, "auntie Nikki is a second mom to them."
"But I have to be mom and dad," Nikki said.
"And you'll be there. Plus they have auntie Teddy and uncle Owen," Teddy assured.
Owen slowly made his way upstairs.
"He's gone," Owen said, "his clothes, toiletries and electronics. Teddy can you help me change the bedding downstairs?"
"Nikki, do you have spare bedding," Teddy asked.
"No," Nikki said.
"I'll go get our extra stuff and bring it down," Teddy said, "you're going to shower or have a bath and see if it helps you calm down."
"A bubble bath would help," Nikki said.
"Go use our tub," Teddy said, I'll bring you pajamas."
"Thank you," Nikki said with a weak smile. She liked the tub upstairs better then the one in her bathroom. It was a rare treat to be able to soak in the tub that was deep enough to cover her whole body and have the jets on. Tonight she knew the warm water would help some of her anxiety.
Owen and Teddy went down to the usually tidy basement to clean up the mess Jeff left.
"She's pregnant," Owen said.
"Due four weeks after ours," Teddy smiled.
"They'll grow up close," Owen said.
"I'm worried about her," Teddy replied.
"So am I," Owen agreed, "tonight let's get this tidy and remake the bed with the spare bedding."
"I'm going to grab her pajamas and her shampoo," Teddy said. She opened the dresser and took out soft comfy looking pajama bottoms and a loose cotton tank top.
"I'll be back," Teddy said.
"I'll deal with the living room. He just had his gaming stuff there," Owen said, "but threw things around to make her mad."
"Thank you," Teddy said.
Teddy came back down with her arms full of clean sheets, pillow cases and blankets.
"I'll make the bed," Owen offered, "clean sheets always feel nice."
"Not having the bedding she shared with him will help," Teddy agreed.
"How's our little one," Owen asked, wrapping his arms around Teddy.
"Good," Teddy sighed leaning into him, "it's not making me sick today."
"This ones making you really sick," Owen observed.
"Maybe it's our boy," Teddy pondered, "this whole thing has felt different from the girls since day one."
Nikki walked back into the basement seeing that they had tidied up everything.
"Thank you," Nikki said, "I know I screwed everything up. I messed everything up. I know .I'm so sorry."
"It's not planned but it's a baby," Teddy said, "babies are always good."
"It's all wrong," Nikki said, "everyone is going to kill me."
"No one will," Owen promised.
"I'm going to head up," Teddy said, "I think you two need time. Nikki you're going to be great. You'll know what to do for your baby. You're a mom now. Congratulations squirt."
Teddy pulled the door closed at the bottom of the stairs on her way up.
"Why didn't you tell me," Owen asked softly the love and concern evident in his voice.
"I only wanted to tell Jeff," Nikki said, "I couldn't tell anyone, especially you. I just want to protect my baby and it's all screwed up. Owl I screwed up. I let everyone down. I just want to protect my baby. I've messed everything up. The baby's dad wants me to kill it. I can't kill it."
Owen didn't say a word and pulled his baby sister into a hug. This was Nikki, the baby sister he had grown to love fiercely, the first child he had watched grow up. He had imagined his kids growing up with cousins but had thought those would be Meghans kids. After Meghan disappeared he had thought their cousins would be many years younger given the age gap between himself and Nikki. Their kids would be close and he would be the best uncle for Nikki's baby.
Nikki began to sob, "everything is all screwed up. I screwed everything up."
"Nikki, Squirt, Nicole," Owen soothed, "you're having a baby."
Nikki nodded.
"It's not screwed up," Owen said, "it's a gift. You're going to be a great mom. Your baby is lucky to have you."
"I don't know what I'm doing," Nikki cried.
"You will," Owen said, "congratulations. Nikki you're having a baby. This is good."
"I already love them owl," Nikki whispered.
"I know you do," Owen said, "I'm here, Teddy is here. We'll help you figure it all out. Tomorrow we have brunch with mom, just the three of us."
"Can you help me tell mom," Nikki asked, "she's going to be mad at me and I'm scared. I want this baby. I love them."
"I'll be with you when you tell mom," Owen promised.
"I want my baby. I have to protect them," Nikki cried.
"Congratulations squirt, it's your first baby this is good," Owen released Nikki from the hug. He thought he was probably the first person to hug and congratulate Nikki.
"Sit," Owen gestured to the couch.
Nikki took a seat and grabbed the throw pillow clutching it in front of her.
"Do you still have mr bear," Owen asked.
Nikki nodded.
"Where is he," Owen asked.
"Top of my closet in a blue rubbermaid," Nikki said.
Owen walked into Nikki's room and took the bin from the top of the closet, finding the stuffed bear at the top of the pile of mementos in the bin.
"I think you need him," Owen said, returning with the old bear.
"Almost time to pass this on," Nikki said, "he's been mine my whole life and been there to hold when I was scared or hurt."
"We'll find a mr bear for your baby," Owen said, "leave that to uncle Owen."
Nikki giggled, "that sounds funny."
"Uncle Owen and Auntie Teddy," Owen said, "you've been auntie Nikki for years now."
"Sorry I dragged you into my mess," Nikki whispered.
"We're family," Owen said.
"But every time I get scared or mess something up I run to you," Nikki said.
"I'm your big brother, it's what I do best," Owen said, "I'm always right here. You can come to me anytime for anything."
"I have to do this alone don't I," Nikki said.
"Not alone," Owen said, "our family will be here. Me, mom, Teddy. We all have your back squirt. Nathan will be around once you announce it, he's family."
"My other big brother," Nikki said.
"He is. He still calls you his little sister. Tell the family," Owen said, "Teddy and I know. We're right upstairs any time. We can leave the door open and we can all go up and down as we need to. Come up any time, we'll come down, the girls will be down a lot of the time. Nikki we can make this work as a big family, share cooking, you and Teddy can help each other once the babies come."
"I'm okay down here," Nikki said, "it's home now. I've been here 5 years."
"You've been here almost as long as we have," Owen smiled, "why don't we change up the way we've worked it if it's just you and baby down here we can be more flexible. Leave the door open, what's there to lose?"
"My cat," Nikki said.
"Abbie is a nice old cat," Owen agreed, "the girls love her."
"She likes to hide under beds and couches," Nikki said, "I know Teddy isn't the biggest cat fan. Door closed contains my fur ball."
"What are you going to do about the litter box," Owen asked.
"My cat I clean it," Nikki said, "I always have since you and Meg got her for me."
"No," Owen said, "you can't touch the litter. Nikki it could hurt your baby."
"I use a scoop," Nikki said, "I'll just wash my hands really, really well after."
"Gloves please," Owen said.
"What do other people do," Nikki asked.
"Get someone else to do it," Owen said, "I'm offering."
"I'll figure it out," Nikki said.
"Just let me do it," Owen said, "it's what once a week?"
"Every day," Nikki said, "Abbie likes it clean. She gets grumpy with me when it's not cleaned daily. I miss Meghan, she should be here. Nine years and I just want her to come home and be here."
"She should be with us," Owen said, "but I think I know what she would say."
"What," Nikki asked.
"You're a mom squirt," Owen smiled, "this is exciting."
"Is there any chance," Nikki asked.
"I don't know," Owen said.
"I hate not knowing," Nikki said, "I want to tell her and hear her voice."
"I saw your letter in the bin with Mr Bear," Owen said.
"I know," Nikki said, "it was things I was hiding from Jeff. mr bear, my letter and a few other things."
"What would Meg do if she was here," Owen asked.
"When you guys were home and she would baby sit she would lay on my bed with me until I fell asleep," Nikki said, "but I was just a kid then. I was 13 last time I saw her. It was 18 months between her last leave and that day."
"I know," Owen said, "then I didn't see you until you were 16. It was three years because I couldn't face you and mom. I know I'm not Meg and I never will be but do you want me to sit with you until you fall asleep. "
"You know me better then she did," Nikki said, "by now I've spent more time with you actually talking."
"Go to bed," Owen said, "you need to rest and not just for you. Your baby needs you to take care of yourself."
"I don't like being alone," Nikki said.
"I know you don't," Owen said, "so I'm going to sit with you until you fall asleep then I will stay on your couch tonight."
"Teddy needs you," Nikki said.
"She knows you need me," Owen said, "she understands. You know you can go to Teddy if you need anything or have any questions."
"I have tons," Nikki admitted, "she already gave me the name of a good Dr. the one she sees. But I want mom."
"You can ask me two," Owen said, "I am a doctor."
"You patch up holes in people," Nikki said.
"Still had to do the basics," Owen said, "we have two kids and are having our third."
"What about the fact that Nathan still follows up on my heart every six months," Nikki asked.
"That has to happen," Owen said, "you just saw him."
"Eight weeks ago," Nikki replied, "it was all good then."
"Tell him," Owen said, "it's him being extra cautious because you're you but this should be followed up on and he should know. Give him a call in the next couple weeks and see what he says about it."
"Do I have to," Nikki asked.
"Soon," Owen said.
"After I tell mom," Nikki said, "she's going to kill me."
"No she'll want to kill Jeff," Owen said.
Nikki yawned.
"Okay bedtime squirt," Owen said, "it's almost two in the morning and we meet mom at 8:30."
"Too early," Nikki said, "I've felt like shit until two or three in the afternoon the last few days."
"Just tell mom," Owen said, "I'll be there. She won't kill you. It's a baby. Babies are always exciting."
"It's not planned," Nikki said.
"Neither was Allison, or our new baby or you and look how that turned out," Owen said.
"Mom and Teddy weren't 24 and trying to get careers going," Nikki said.
"Bed," Owen commanded, "you can keep talking but you are going to lie down."
"Fine," Nikki said, getting up off the couch keeping her old stuffed bear in one hand and using the other arm to scoop her cat out of the basket on the table behind the couch.
Just after three Owen slipped into bed with Teddy.
"She's asleep," Teddy said waking up.
"Why are you awake," Owen asked.
"Why do you think," Teddy questioned.
"That's starting already," Owen asked.
"11 weeks," Teddy said.
"We can find out soon," Owen agreed.
"Boy," Teddy insisted, "it feels too different."
"Are you okay," Owen asked.
"Just need to go to the bathroom then sleep," Teddy said, "hows Nikki?"
"Exhausted, stressed, worried she messed up," Owen said, "I've volunteered to clean the cat box for her, and were leaving the basement door open and unlocked."
"Our girls will be down there to play with her constantly," Teddy pointed out.
"Nikki will come up," Owen said.
"Being on her own," Teddy said, "she's afraid of being alone. She'll only go down to sleep or do homework."
"It's my sister, are you okay with that," Owen asked.
"Our sister and she'll need us," Teddy said, "she'll lean on me and your mom. She's going to need other women who've done this. If he's really gone, which we've wanted for years, who will hold her hand, rub her back."
"She'll ask who she wants to be there," Owen said, "mom probably maybe you."
"She's not going to get those sweet moments," Teddy said, "the first hint of a bump, first kicks, picking names, coming home and just putting her feet in his lap."
"They've never been super affectionate," Owen said, "she'll pick who she shares things with."
"She's always talked life decisions through with us before telling him," Teddy said.
"She has," Owen said, "he's never understood her. But now even if they're not a couple he'll always be in her life."
"He has to be for that baby," Teddy agreed.
"He's a coward," Owen hissed.
"He is," Teddy agreed, "Owen you can't fix this now. You can't change any of this. What happens next is up to Nikki. You have to listen and trust her to do what is right for her and her baby."
"I know," Owen said, "I told her we'll be there how ever she needs us when she's ready."
"What ever she needs," Teddy agreed, "right now we both need sleep."
"We do," Owen agreed, "good night Teds."
"Good Night," Teddy yawned.
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