"Auntie Nikki," Allison yelled running down the porch steps.

"Allison come back," Teddy commanded the two and a half year old.

"I've got her," Nikki said, swinging the little girl into the air.

"She's getting fast," Teddy smiled, "and this little girl is growing."

"Two girls that will be fun," Nikki replied, "pink and tutus and ballet classes."

"Do you have a few minutes," Teddy asked.

"Sure," Nikki replied, "can I put my groceries away and come up?"

"I'll come with you," Teddy answered.

In the basement Teddy looked around, she didn't come down often. Nikki would come up to talk to her or Owen but they were all trying to push Nikki's independence.

"You wanted to talk," Nikki said.

"I do," Teddy replied, "I have a question about her middle name."

"Meghan again," Nikki asked.

"No," Teddy said, "would you be okay if we used Nicole as her middle name so both our girls have their aunties names as middle names."

"Thank you," Nikki shouted, throwing her arms around Teddy.

"So it's okay," Teddy asked.

"I like it," Nikki said, "but why me?"

"Because she'll have her auntie Nikki around every day and she has the best auntie Nikki," Teddy said, "you're so good with Allison, I'm sure this new one will love and look up to her auntie Nikki two."

"But I'm just me," Nikki said, "I'm not a hero."

"You're here and you're you," Teddy said, "Nikki you're the only one who sees yourself as less than or different from."

"I am different from my siblings Teddy," Nikki replied, "I'm not smart enough for medicine. I'm too much of a chicken for the army."

"No one thinks that way Nikki," Teddy sighed, "why do you think you've been number crunching for Nathan and I for months? We pay you to do it because your better at it than we are."

"I thought it was a pitty job offer," Nikki said.

"We wouldn't do that to you," Teddy replied.

"Can Nathan lay off about Jeff," Nikki asked.

"No," Teddy replied, "because you do see that he's not treating you well."

"He loves me," Nikki replied.

"He's controlling you," Teddy argued, "when was the last time you saw Sydney or Kendra?"

"A few weeks ago," Nikki said, "Jeff went to see his parents. They didn't want me to visit."

"Nikki that's weird," Teddy said, "a guy should want you to meet his parents and his parents to know the person he claims to love. Did he say why?"

"His parents don't believe in modern medicine or that we should have an army and he knows our family," Nikki said.

"What does he believe," Teddy asked.

"He just finished getting all the shots he should have as a kid," Nikki replied.

"Why," Teddy asked.

"His parents are mormons of some sort," Nikki said, "he calls them morons."

"His lack of respect for people makes me angry," Teddy said.

"That's you being military," Nikki replied.

"No it's being human," Teddy said, "Nikki his words to you don't match his actions. He tells you he loves you but his actions don't always. It's always his way, we see it. Nathan is actually really worried about you."

"Why is it Nate's business," Nikki asked.

"Were all your older siblings and really protective of you," Teddy said, "I don't like the tone Jeff talks to you in."

"That's looking from the outside," Nikki said, "it's my relationship."

"It is," Teddy confirmed, "but I'm worried."

"You don't need to," Nikki snapped, " Teddy I know what I'm doing."

"I know you do," Teddy said, "I just wanted you to know what we're seeing. I've had some toxic relationships squirt especially in college and med school. I had a habit of picking guys that couldn't commit to me, or would talk down to me."

"Thats you," Nikki said.

"It is," Teddy agreed, "but I want you to listen."

"Why," Nikki asked.

"To save you the pain I went through," Teddy said, "listen and think for yourself."

"I guess," Nikki said, "tea? Coffee?"

"Decaf," Teddy asked.

"Rooibos tea okay," Nikki asked.

"I'll try it," Teddy said.

Nikki made two cups of tea.

"Thanks," Teddy said when she was handed the cup.

Nikki sat down at the table opposite Teddy.

"What happened," Nikki asked.

"This is before your brother, before the army," Teddy said.

"Obviously," Nikki quipped.

"I was seeing this guy named Mark," Teddy said, "I assumed we were exclusive then I had a key to his place so I let myself in, we were both fellows and he was with another girl."

"Hanging out," Nikki asked.

"No she was in his bed," Teddy said, "and Mark isn't the worst of it."

"He cheated and that's not the worst of it," Nikki asked.

"Jacob in med school ," Teddy said, "he was threatened by my intelligence and that I was driven. He would do a lot of the things I see Jeff do. He decided what we were doing, he controlled when we could see his family or my parents. He only saw my parents if I begged. He was a teacher and didn't understand why I wanted surgery why I had to learn to fix hearts. He made me question if I should pursue the career I wanted. He made me question if I was worth anything as a person. It took me years after that to let a man in. I didn't until Owen. Jacob manipulated and twisted my thoughts so much that I questioned my own worth. I'm worried squirt because I'm starting to hear Jeff say similar things to you. He would say the cruelest and most hurtful things that made me feel worthless then turn and tell me he loved me. I was confused and scared and had no one to talk to. I'm starting to hear Jeff say things or refuse to help that worry me. Just be aware."

"He's not like that Teddy," Nikki said, "you decided you don't like him so you're looking for reasons not to."

"Easter, camping," Teddy pointed out.

"He's not used to how our family works," Nikki argued.

"He's been around enough now," Teddy argued.

Nikki shook her head, "you just don't like him."

"I like him but I don't think he's right for you," Teddy argued, "he's trying to hold you back. And you don't notice it yourself at first because they take little pieces at a time until there's nothing left to take. I'm seeing that happen. You're not seeing some of your friends, we don't hear you playing your violin. I miss hearing that. You go to school, work and Jeff's. I just want you to be aware. I know the only adult relationship you've ever seen is me and Owen."

"Mom didn't date," Nikki agreed.

"You just need to make sure he listens to you and you use your voice," Teddy said, "you don't let him get away with putting you down ever. Every time you say something."

"I do," Nikki said.

"Make sure you do," Teddy said, "do you have weekend plans?"

"I'm on standby for you tomorrow," Nikki said, "tonight we're going bowling with a couple of his buddies and their girlfriends."

"I'm only in the OR another month," Teddy said, "they I'm going to consult and teach but not operate starting mid october."

"Not operating," Nikki asked.

"Its too much," Teddy said, "I was exhausted and had a hard time with long surgeries at the end with Allison. Now with this one and chasing Allie I need more down time. "

"If you want me to babysit more I can," Nikki said.

"You do a lot," Teddy said, "more than we agreed on."

"I like helping with Allie," Nikki said, "I'd like my own once I'm out of school and have worked a bit."

"It'll happen at the right time with the right guy," Teddy said, "get through school and teach a little first."

"I know," Nikki said, "I want at least my masters maybe my PHD one day."

"Finsh this and teach," Teddy said.

"I know," Nikki said, "in a few years. I like Jeff but I don't know if he is the one. He could be."

"Your just 20 you have time," Teddy said, "I was 36 with Allison and I'm 39 now. Your still really young."

"I know I'm only 20," Nikki said, "I can apply for the bachelor of teaching this time next year."

"So do the teachers at 22 and start teaching at 23," Teddy asked.

"Yes," Nikki replied.

"We were still in school at that point it's pretty good," Teddy encouraged.

"My ed masters needs a year in the classroom then I can apply. So apply the summer I'm 24 and start that January," Nikki said.

"Good plan," Teddy said, "then two years on a masters?"

"Three ish," Nikki said, "it's part time because you're supposed to be in the classroom full time while you do it."

"Do you get any sort of residency," Teddy asked.

"During my bachelor of teaching year about half my time is in a school teaching and the other half on campus taking courses," Nikki explained, "I went to the info session this week."

"You have a plan," Teddy smiled.

"I do," Nikki agreed, "you're off soon what are you going to do?"

"Spend time with my girls," Teddy said, "Owen is taking from when the baby comes until New Years off so we'll just have some good family time."

"I'm excited for this new one," Nikki said, "baby cuddles are awesome."

"They are," Teddy agreed.

"If you need me to help with anything let me know," Nikki insisted.

"We will," Teddy said, "when this one comes can you look after Allison while were at the hospital?"

"Yes," Nikki replied, "just don't go into labour while giving me boy advice again."

"Don't go through a breakup the week before my due date," Teddy teased.

"Seriously," Nikki asked.

"I had been feeling off all day," Teddy replied.

"Jason was an ass," Nikki said, "he didn't know what no meant."

"Does Jeff," Teddy asked.

"He does," Nikki replied.