Annie was running around the house trying to get everything ready for Josh's birthday.

"Katie," Annie answered her phone.

"Hi Grace," Katie replied.

"Who are you with that it's Grace and not Annie today," Annie teased.

"Cardio study session," Katie admitted.

"Am I on speaker," Annie asked.

"Not yet," Katie replied.

"Do they know who you're calling," Annie asked.

"Yes," Katie replied.

"It's Josh's birthday and I'm trying to get things ready so ignore Ellie squealing in the background. She likes hearing her own voice and trying to talk to the cat," Annie laughed.

"How is Ellie," Katie asked.

"She's good," Annie smiled, "almost 18 months. She's grown since you scrubbed in. You're going to come scrub after finals?"

"If I'm allowed," Katie said.

"Yang or Grey," Annie asked.

"Yang, Pierce, Altman, Altman, cardio Riggs maybe girl Hunt," Katie replied, "your step dad scares me."

"I can do that. Dad's roar is worse than his bite," Annie laughed, "do your friends know how you know me?"

"Our dads are brothers but you chose your mom's last name professionally," Katie said.

"Are you applying for the sub internship here," Annie asked, "you can stay with us. I know our office isn't the most comfortable so mama's guest room could be an option."

"I'll apply," Katie said.

"I'll put in a good word with the residency director and the chief," Annie promised.

"You can do that," Katie asked.

"It's a make sure you look at her application," Annie said, "I will tell you mama is a perfectionist and a stickler for details."

"My friends are staring," Katie said.

"What's your question," Annie asked.

"Our project is on a cardio surgery of our choice," Katie said.

"An Altman," Annie asked.

"Yes," Katie replied, "that was the most amazing thing I've seen."

"Put me on speaker so I can answer your questions," Annie said, "warn your friends my daughter is loud."

"You have a daughter," a voice said.

"I do she's 18 months so she did my fifth year of residency with me," Annie laughed, "she's trying to talk to the cat right now. And scattering toys across my living room. But we should get to work. I'm dr Grace Altman the younger and shorter of the two Altman's. Katie usually uses my family nickname Annie which is the short form of my middle name. I'm a second year fellow at Grey Sloan Memorial specializing in pediatric cardiothroatic surgery. Training with Teddy Altman, Christina Yang and Margaret Pierce. What do you want to know about the Altman procedure?"

"Everything," a mans voice said.

"Whoes your cardio prof," Annie asked.

"Anne Milner," another man said.

"Let her know you talked to me," Annie replied, "when I was pre med I worked as her undergrad research assistant. Katie, that's your job. Dr Milner is good friends with my mother Teddy, they were roommates in medical school. Dr Milner was there when I was born."

"She mentioned in class she knew both of you," Katie said, "she knew you when you used McKellar."

"Enough stories," Annie said, "I need to get organized for Josh's birthday. I'm trying to do two things at once. What questions do you have?"

Annie walked around her house getting organized for the weekend while answering the medical students questions about the procedure and how they had been using it. The students were most curious about its inspiration and the fact that it required total teamwork and the ability to read the other surgeon.

"Thank you so much dr Altman," one of the women said.

"Any time," Annie replied, "I'll be up to visit before Christmas Katie."

"Grandmeres wreath making day," Katie asked.

"I'm going to try," Annie said, "me and Ellie."

"I can't wait to see Ellie again," Katie said.

"She's a happy girl," Annie said, "she'll understand Christmas this year. She slept through most of Christmas last year."

"Dr Altman," a woman asked, "how do you have your daughter, be married and have a surgical career?"

"My husband is a trauma surgeon," Annie said, "Josh and I are a team. We have an incredible support system here. My mother and step dad, nana, aunts and uncles, my brother and his fiancé are in seattle with their little boy, friends. I've told Katie this already don't let medicine take over your life. Josh and I dated through med school and our first couple years of residency. He proposed at the end of our second year, we got married three and a half years ago and had our daughter as fifth year residents. It's a whirl wind, it's never calm but it's worth it. Live, have a life outside of medicine."

"That's so much for all your time Annie," Katie said, "I can hear Ellie whining so well let you go."

"Any time Katie just call," Annie said, "Ellie is getting hungry. We should have lunch and then her nap before I take her to mamas."

"Talk to you soon," Katie said.

"Talk to you soon," Annie replied before hanging up.

"Lunch and nap miss Ellie," Annie said.

"Eat cookie," Ellie asked.

"Maybe at grandmas," Annie said, "we don't have cookies. I have noodles and chicken for lunch. Are you hungry Ellie?"

"Ellie hungry," Ellie replied.

"Say I'm hungry," Annie coached.

"Hungry," Ellie said.

Annie put Ellie in her high chair with her food and a spoon before sitting at the counter with her own plate. Annie loved her Weekends at home with Ellie. Both her and Josh were off tonight and completely off. Because his birthday was the next day she had tickets to see one of their favorite bands and a hotel room near the stadium for the night. It was something she had wanted to do for him a year earlier but her eating disorder and mental health hadn't been in a good place so they did both of their birthdays low key. This year Annie had a perfect Josh weekend planned for him. Tonight was the concert and staying in the hotel. In the morning they would pick up Ellie and go for a long drive finishing at his favorite restaurant with their family and friends.

"Nap time Ellie," Annie said after she cleaned up lunch.

"No nap," Ellie whined.

"Yes your sleepy," Annie said, "what story should we read?"

"No story," Ellie said.

"Okay straight to bed then," Annie said, "let's wash your face and hands first."

Annie picked up Ellie and carried her to the bathroom helping her wash her hands and damping the wash cloth for Ellie to wipe her own face. As much as it was hard for Annie to see her baby getting more independent and changing to a little girl she knew it was time. Even days in the crib were numbered and they had talked about getting a big girl bed soon. Ellie had tried to escape a couple times at daycare when napping in a crib but hadn't tried at home yet. Some

Days it was all too fast for Annie.

Annie set Ellie on the nursery floor, "go pick a book."

"Mommy pick," Ellie said.

"Okay I'll pick a story," Annie smiled, she grabbed one of the pigeon books that always made her giggle and took Ellie's hand leading her to the rocking chair for a story and cuddle.

"Milk," Ellie asked almost asleep.

"Just a little there's not much left," Annie replied, "it's nap time. Have your milk then I'll tuck you in. Not much longer of this, there won't be my milk much longer."

Annie carried Ellie to her crib and laid her down tucking her in with her favorite blanket and putting her stuffed kitten beside her.

Annie put the lullaby playlist on using her old phone that was connected to the dock in Ellie's room. She would have about two hours to get ready. She hoped in the shower and did her hair in the curls Josh loved before packing a bag for the two of them for the night. She grabbed jeans and a low cut blue top for herself. It was one that she knew he would love. She even had new sexy pajamas packed.

Josh was off at four and would come straight home. He was curious what Annie was planning. Her secrecy had him excited.

"Do you have any idea what Annie is planning," Josh asked Jenna.

"No," Jenna said, "I know your kid free tonight."

"Where's Ellie going," Josh asked.

"Teddy," Jenna replied.

"You have no idea," Josh said.

"No," Jenna repeated, "I've heard the words fun, just us and surprise."

"Chris," Josh asked.

"He helped her hide part of it," Jenna laughed, "but he hasn't said anything to me."

"Why would she need his help," Josh asked.

"I don't know," Jenna said, "this is not how I wanted to spend my first day back. Being interrogated by my brother in law."

"You missed me," Josh teased.

"Maybe a little," Jenna agreed, "not like we don't see you all the time."

"You and Annie are attached at the hip," Josh replied.

"Who else would I have gone to for everything about Tyler," Jenna asked, "is she off today?"

" she is. She's straight Monday to Friday right now and sticking to it. But It's not like Annie to keep secrets from me," Josh said, "usually when she's not telling me something it's not good."

"Josh you don't need to worry," Jenna shook her head, "Annie is good. I thought she was past hiding not doing well."

"She'll always struggle," Josh admitted, "her eating disorder recovery she'll always work on and we'll have to keep her talking."

"This is a good secret," Jenna said.

"Hint," Josh asked.

"Shower and shave," Jenna replied.

"That doesn't help," Josh groaned before being paged to the pit.

Teddy pulled into Annie's driveway just before the end of nap time.

"Mama your early," Annie greeted.

"I wanted a few minutes with you," Teddy replied.

"What's going on," Annie asked.

"Nothing," Teddy replied, "we just havent had time since your birthday."

"I know things have been crazy," Annie smiled, "but the first week of December you and I lecture at UBC."

"Does Katie know," Teddy asked.

"Surprising my cousin," Annie replied, "Ellie is coming with us."

"Why is Ellie coming," Teddy asked.

"Our lecture is Friday the Saturday Grandmere is doing a girls day with a craft project and she wants me, Ellie and Jenna," Annie replied.

"What about Tyler," Teddy asked.

"Only boy allowed," Annie smiled, "Chris is driving them up and hanging out with Dan. Josh will come if he can get his ER shift covered. Its a week before cookie day and the week after the tree farm. I'm trying to balance it all."

"I know you are," Teddy smiled, "are you okay with it?"

"I like it," Annie said, "it's what I wanted. What I should have always had."

"It's what I wanted for you when we met," Teddy agreed.

"It feels right," Annie said, "I need both."

"You do," Teddy said.

"I still don't fully understand why Leslie wasn't willing to share," Annie said, "my dads can share."

"You and Owen chose to make that work you both tried," Teddy said.

"So did you and I," Annie pointed out.

"I always knew I would be in your life as much as you wanted me," Teddy replied.

"I know," Annie replied.

"So tonight," Teddy asked.

"Concert, hotel, his favorite wine, new PJs," Annie smirked.

"Grown up night," Teddy asked.

"Much needed," Annie said.

"Do you have sippy cups for me," Teddy asked.

"Bedtime only," Annie replied, "she can have normal milk in the morning. It's only for before sleeping now. Next week not at nap hopefully. It's still easier to get her to stop if I'm not there. So I'm only sending regular milk to daycare starting Monday."3

"It's time," Teddy agreed.

"Totally I want my body back," Annie replied.

"Have you talked about a second," Teddy asked.

"Not yet," Annie said, "we want another but Ellie isn't two yet and I'd like some time still. I'm only 31."

"You are," Teddy said, "it's young. But I don't recommend being 45/46 either."

"Not that long," Annie said, "maybe in a year or two start trying."

"She's what 18 months," Teddy said.

"Next week," Annie replied, "she's not my baby now."

"She isn't," Teddy said, "she's a little girl."

"Then she curls up in my arms for a snuggle and story and it's my baby again," Annie replied, "this morning she crawled in my lap with a story and fell asleep on me and I let her nap for like half an hour because I missed my baby."

"I went through this with Allison," Teddy said, "and an extra snuggle nap once in a while is okay."

"She's fun," Annie said, "we discovered that we could meow at the cat this week."

"So she'll meow at mine," Teddy laughed.

"Probably," Annie giggled, "are you sure you're okay with her overnight?"

"It's a grandma night," Teddy laughed, "I like having her. I wish I had more time to be the type of grandma Evelyn is."

"You see her almost every day," Annie said, "you're the only person I trust with Ellie overnight other than Josh."

"Her usual bedtime routine hasn't changed," Teddy asked.

"Brush her teeth," Annie replied, "her tooth brush is in her bag with her toothpaste. You do it she'll try to take over then there's toothpaste in your hair. Her usual bath, jammies, story, milk and snuggle, brush teeth and tuck in. She's down about 7:30 right now and should sleep to about 6:15."

"If she goes to bed at 8 with Allison and Leo," Teddy asked.

"She'll be okay. 8:30 is pushing it. She'll get really cranky and refuse to sleep because she's too tired," Annie replied, "keeping her up doesn't make her sleep in."

"Movie night is okay," Teddy asked.

"Jammies first and her sippy cup when you sit down to watch," Annie said, "she falls asleep fifteen or twenty minutes into a movie. I just snuggle her until she's sound asleep then put her to bed."

"Will she fall asleep on her own in the pack and play," Teddy asked.

"She should. She falls asleep in her crib on her own," Annie said, "she likes snuggles when she wakes up. She gets a cup of regular milk and we sit in our chair with it before breakfast."

"Even on work days," Teddy asked.

"She's up at 6:15," Annie said, "I get up at 5:30 to shower and get ready. Josh gets her cleaned up and dressed when I shower. We snuggle while Josh showers and we all have breakfast together. I leave between 6:45 and 7:00 for 8am rounds. I love not having pre rounds."

"I've noticed you come later now without early surgeries," Teddy said.

"I need time with Josh and Ellie." Annie said, "she's clingy in the morning. I'm there at least 45 minutes before before rounds to look over charts."

"This weekend you're getting couple time," Teddy asked.

"Yes and we haven't had a date since august," Annie said, "we need it. His shifts have been opposite to mine for weeks."

"You can ask me to babysit or Meg or Nana if you two need a date night," Teddy reminded gently.

"We're so busy that when we're both off we like family time to be a normal family," Annie said, "I'd like to go back to Tuesday to Saturday. Because Josh always had the 36 or 48 starting Friday at noon. It gives us Mondays to be together more often."

"Why did you switch," Teddy asked.

"Maggie," Annie replied, "I need to jump her hoops because I want the peds cardio attending job we don't have one person. I know I still have 15 months on my fellowship but I'm Being proactive. Dad offered Josh an attending trauma surgeon when he finishes his fellowship in May."

"Is Josh taking it," Teddy asked.

"We think so," Annie replied, "I have to talk to Maggie and see if there's a spot for me to stay as an attending. Or I start looking locally first. There's local hospitals that would take me, a couple private practices have reached out as well."

"Private," Teddy looked shocked. Working in private practices had never really been on her radar. She strongly believed everyone should have access to care and she was better able to do it in a hospital setting.

"You run into people at work they notice what you're doing. They came to me. I don't know if I agree with some of the things these private practices have said," Annie said, "but I'd rather stay in a hospital setting. I know there's work at a hospital, it's more stable."

"We've been discussing you," Teddy admitted, "Maggie and I always planned to keep you but you have 18 months left on your fellowship. We can't do your offer for a year."

"I'm doing the work of an attending," Annie said, "I am peds cardio."

"We all see that," Teddy agreed, "your doing research, teaching and operating it's good. How is your project coming?"

"I get my first group of mice in January," Annie replied.

"When can I know more," Teddy asked.

"When I'm ready to show you. When I actually have something to show right now it's all theoretical," Annie said.

"I can bounce ideas if you want me to," Teddy offered.

"I'm trying to do this on my own," Annie said, "mama I need to do this."

"I know," Teddy said, "I can be mama or your chief but I do want to know when you have an idea."

"Okay," Annie said, "you're meeting us for dinner tomorrow?"

"We are," Teddy said, "is this what he wants?"

"He told me he wants a family dinner," Annie said, "tonight he will love."

"I think you're excited," Teddy said.

"It's a real date and I can surprise him," Annie said.

"Mommy," Ellie called.

"She's up," Annie said, "I'll change her then she's ready to go."

"Car seat," Teddy asked.

"By the door," Annie replied.

"I'll go put it in my car," Teddy said.

Annie walked into the nursery and picked Ellie up, "let's clean you up. New diaper and clean clothes to go to grandma and grandpas."

"Weo ," Ellie asked.

"Yes Leo and Allison," Annie replied, "your auntie and uncle."

"Ma," Evelyn said.

"Grandma that's right," Annie said.

"Hi baby," Teddy said standing in the nursery door.

"Hi Ma," Ellie echoed.

"Should we all have a snack before you go," Annie offered.

"Snack," Ellie echoed.

"Do you want bananas," Annie asked.

"Cookie," Ellie asked.

"No cookie," Annie said, "banana or yogurt?"

"Nana gurt," Ellie said.

"Banana and yogurt," Annie asked.

"Yes," Ellie said.

"She's a hungry girl," Annie said.

"She always has been," Teddy smiled.

"Josh," Annie laughed, "she has her dads appetite."

"Are you doing okay with eating," Teddy asked.

"I'm okay," Annie said, "I'm always going to fight it. I'm still working on understanding when I'm hungry. I eat because I know it's time to eat."

"You did okay before Ellie," Teddy pointed out.

"I was constantly ravenous with her," Annie said, "but I'm either not hungry or starving I don't recognize the signs I'm getting hungry."

"The rest of us do," Teddy said, "you get grouchy."

" I don't," Annie argued.

"Just eat now," Teddy said.

"Yogurt and fruit okay with you," Annie asked, "I have some raspberries and blueberries."

"Works for me," Teddy said, "I miss strawberries but don't buy them because Allison likes them but is allergic."

"Have you ever been tested for allergies," Annie asked, "what is the genetic link?"

"I've never had a reaction," Teddy said, "I didn't think to."

"Just curious," Annie said, "we haven't tried strawberries with Ellie yet."

"Will you," Teddy asked.

"Maybe at work," Annie said, "close to the ER. we haven't tried Cashews yet either."

"Sesame," Teddy asked.

"A little with sushi but we were ready to go in case," Annie said.

They continued chatting and finished their snacks and Annie got Ellie ready to go with Teddy.

'Mama are you sure this is okay," Annie asked.

"We're happy to,"Teddy said, "Annie stop worrying about it. Ellie has done a night with us before. Sweetheart you and Josh need to still go have fun just the two of you. "

"It's just hard to not take her but she would hate a concert," Annie said.

"She would," Teddy agreed, "it's time for us to go."

"One more hug," Annie said.

"Walk out to the car with us," Teddy said.

Annie slid her feet into a pair of flats by the door. At Teddy's car she bucked Ellie into the car seat with a kiss on her cheek.

"Bye bye Ellie see you tomorrow," Annie said.

"Mommy bye bye," Ellie echoed.

"Yes," Annie said, "I love you."

"Wuv you," Ellie lisped.

Annie's eyes filled with tears that was the first time Ellie had echoed that.

"Annie we have to go get Ali and Leo," Teddy said, "they're both at playdates."

Josh came in a few minutes later, "Did your mama come over today?"

"She picked up Ellie," Annie answered.

"Why was she picking up Ellie," Josh asked.

"You, me and no baby tonight for your birthday," Annie smiled, "shower and change we're going out."

"What do you have planned," Josh asked.

"A night with out Ellie," Annie said, "dinner, concert, night in a hotel."

"This is your surprise," Josh asked, 'what concert?"

"Thats for me to know and you to find out," Annie smirked, "go shower you smell like hospital."

"I know," josh said, "do I need anything specific?"

"On our bed," Annie replied.

"Okay," Josh agreed.

Once Josh was in the bathroom Annie changed her top to a new one she knew he would like with a lower cut neckline than she usually wore showing off a little.

"Wow," josh said seeing Annie in her outfit of jeans the low cut blue tank top and her jean jacket with a pair of tall black heels.

"Ready," Annie asked.

"I am," Josh agreed.

"I'll drive," Annie said trying to keep their plans a secret.

They drove to the hotel chatting about their days and his surgery that morning. Annie checked them into the hotel when they arrived and they went up to their room. It wasn't fancy but they were only there for the night and wouldn't be in the room long.

"Wow," Josh said, "how did you hide all of this and get tickets?"

"C helped me when the tickets went on sale so he bought them for me because he was home," Annie said.

"Will we see our family," Josh asked.

"Everyone but Dan," Annie replied, "he just can't do Sunday nights."

"I know that," Josh agreed.

"So tonight is the concert, we'll grab something quick for dinner and come back here tonight," Annie said.

"Dinner thoughts," Josh asked.

"Your choice," Annie replied.

"Mexican," Josh suggested.

"Sure," Annie responded, "I'm ready to go."

They walked out of the hotel and found a little mexican place for dinner before the concert. They got to the stadium just before the concert started and found their seats as the lights dimmed for the opening act. Annie glanced over at Josh seeing the broad smile on his face as his favourite band came on stage. After the show they slowly walked back to the hotel hand in hand chatting.

"I'm going to change do you want to open the wine," Annie asked.

"You brought wine," Josh asked.

"I did," Annie smiled, "your favourite."

"Your changing to what," Josh asked.

"You'll see," Annie smirked, taking her bag into the bathroom.

"What are you doing," Josh asked.

"Wait and see," Annie giggled, just pour the wine.

"Annie," Josh groaned, "what are you up to?"

"Just enjoy it," Annie laughed, closing the bathroom door.

She quickly ran a brush through her hair before changing to a short pink and white nightie, it was similar to the one she had worn the night they got engaged, with spaghetti straps. It was trimmed with lace and clung in all the right places.

"Wow," Josh said, "that's new."

He passed her a glass of wine.

"Happy birthday," Annie said, giving him a quick kiss.

"I like this," Josh said running his hands down Annie's side, "it's sexy."

"You like it," Annie asked.

"Like it," Josh said, "I love it. It looks like what you wore when we got engaged."

"Similar cut," Annie said, "the same colour but this is new for your birthday."

"This is a great birthday," Josh smiled, "the concert alone."

"We need a real date night," Annie said closing the gap between them.

"We do," Josh agreed kissing her passionately.

They began to kiss passionately and Annie in buttoned his shirt.

"Bed," Annie whispered.

Josh laid her on the bed before kissing her passionately again.

"It's been a while since we had a night like this," Josh whispered.

"Before Ellie," Annie agreed, "just after our first anniversary."

"Probably when we made Ellie," Josh said.

"The last time it was the two of us in a hotel room," Annie said, she noticed it was after midnight officially his birthday, "happy birthday love."

"You've said that already," Josh whispered.

"It's after midnight," Annie said, "officially your birthday."

"I have an idea," Josh said sitting up in bed.

"I think I know," Annie smiled.

"Shower," Josh asked.

"Bath," Annie countered, "we don't have to be up early."

"Shower in the morning then," josh agreed.

"Of course," Annie laughed as she grabbed the bottle of wine, "might as well finish it."

Around two in the morning they crawled into bed to actually sleep.

At six thirty Ellie began yelling in the play pen, "mommy, mommy, mommy."

"Good morning Ellie," Owen smiled scooping her up.

"Pa," Ellie babbled.

"Yes grandpa," Owen said, "should we go make breakfast?"

"She's awake," Teddy asked.

"She is," Owen replied, "I'll go start breakfast."

"It's 6:30," Teddy groaned, "just give Ellie a snack."

"Did Annie say anything," Owen asked, "is there a bottle or sippy cup in the fridge?"

"No," Teddy said, "she only sent the one sippy cup. Just give Ellie regular milk in a sippy cup."

"Really," Owen asked.

"Really," Teddy replied, "Annie's had enough. It's just bedtime now."

"Ellie is 18 months," Owen said.

"Next week," Teddy replied.

"Already," Owen shook his head, "Allison turns 6 soon."

"I know," Teddy said, "don't remind me. They grow too fast Owen."

"The do," Owen agreed.

"I miss this phase," Teddy said getting out of bed and taking Ellie.

"Do you want to change her or should I," Owen asked.

"Change and dress," Teddy replied, "Annie likes her dressed."

"None of us really sit around in our pajamas," Owen acknowledged.

"Easier to go do things if we're dressed and ready for the day," Teddy replied.

"Our two will sleep in a bit longer," Owen guessed.

"I think so," Teddy said, "they were up late with the movie. I liked that one."

"One of the better disney ones," Owen agreed.

"The kids like disney," Teddy said shaking her head.

"Milk," Ellie asked.

"Let's get dressed then you can have some milk," Teddy agreed.

"Where mommy," Ellie asked.

"With Daddy they will be here soon," Teddy said.

"Mommy hug," Ellie whined.

"When she gets here," Teddy said.

"Mommy, daddy," Ellie sobbed.

"Your okay Ellie bug," Teddy soothed holding the little one close, "mommy will be here soon. Grandma has you."

Teddy laid Ellie on the bathroom counter to change her diaper.

"No,' Ellie yelled kicking her legs.

"Ellie we're going to change your diaper and get dressed," Teddy said, "you're going to be happier when your clean."

"No," Ellie screamed trying to wiggle away from Teddy.

"What about a bath," Teddy offered.

"No," Ellie yelled.

"We are going to change your diaper," Teddy said. She knew Annie had mentioned a few rough mornings recently with Ellie not wanting to be changed. Teddy wondered if Ellie was almost ready to potty train.

Teddy struggled through the tantrum to get Ellie's diaper changed. She took both shirts Annie had packed out, "do you want the pink shirt or the green one?"

"Green," Ellie said pointing to the green shirt.

"Arms up Ellie bug," Teddy smiled, slipping the green shirt over Ellie's head.

"Which sweater," Teddy asked, holding up the white cardigan and the grey hoodie.

"No sweater," Ellie said, "hot."

"Are you hot," Teddy asked.

"Hot," Ellie repeated.

Teddy held her hand to Ellie's forehead; she didn't feel warm.

"Let's wash your face and do your hair," Teddy said, handing Ellie a washcloth.

"No hair," Ellie said.

"We have to brush it," Teddy said gently brushing Ellie's hair.

She had forgotten how difficult it was to get a one year old ready.

In the kitchen Teddy set Ellie in the high chair, she was glad they had kept the one Allison had used, even then Ellie wouldn't need it too much longer.

"Water or milk," Owen asked the toddler.

"Milk," Ellie replied.

"Annie said mornings get milk and a cuddle," Teddy said.

"I'll do breakfast," Owen said.

"I'll cuddle Ellie," Teddy said.

"Do you want me to read to you," Teddy offered.

'Meow," Ellie yelled seeing the cats run across the room.

"Yes the cats say meow," Teddy praised.

"Mom I'm hungry," Allison said running into the kitchen.

"Dad is making breakfast," Teddy said, "do you want to come cuddle with Ellie and I."

"Can I have chocolate milk," Allison asked.

"We're out of chocolate milk bean," Owen said, "I have normal milk for you."

"Can we get more," Allison asked.

"When we go grocery shopping," Teddy said.

"What's for breakfast," Allison asked.

"Waffles, Turkey bacon, fruit," Owen said, "we have whipped cream."

"Waffle," Ellie yelled.

"Do you like waffles Ellie," Allison asked.

"Waffle cream," Ellie said.

"You can have whipped cream with your waffle," Teddy said.

After breakfast Teddy went down to the basement playroom with the kids and watched the three play together. Ellie was stacking blocks while Leo build with lego.

"Mama can we have playdough," Allison asked knowing Teddy had put it out of the kids reach.

"We can," Teddy said, she lifted the containers off the top shelf and set them on the table. She watched closely as Ellie tried to copy what Allison was doing with the playdough.

Around noon Annie and Josh let themselves in.

"Mama, dad, Ellie, Allison, Leo," Annie called.

"Their down stairs Annie," Owen said coming down the stairs.

"Good morning dad," Annie said.

"Happy Birthday Josh," Owen said, seeing Josh in the entryway.

"Thanks," Josh smiled, "how was Ellie."

"Go see your daughter," Owen said, "she's been asking for you."

"How was she," Josh asked.

"She was good last night," Owen said, "she was looking for you this morning. "

"I'll go," Annie said.

She walked down the stairs to the basement.

"Ellie who is that," Teddy asked pointing to the stairs.

"Mommy," Ellie screamed running to the stairs.

"Hi baby bug," Annie said scooping Ellie up and kissing her cheek, "did you have fun?"

"Yes," Ellie said.

"How was she," Annie asked.

"This morning was rough. She didn't want me to change her," Teddy said.

"She's fighting changing sometimes," Annie said, "I'm starting to wonder about potty training."

"She's still pretty young," Teddy said.

"I know but she hates being changed right now and is taking her diapers off when they get wet or dirty," Annie said.

"Just watch and see," Teddy advised.

"I'm good to be done with diapers," Annie admitted.

"In the next few months," Teddy said, "how was your night?"

"Really good," Annie smiled, "we needed a night."

"You do sometimes," Teddy agreed, "did he like his surprise?"

"He loved it," Annie smiled, she new Josh had enjoyed the whole evening.

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