Now we're getting into some chapters I pre wrote weeks ago these will come up fast. We'll see the missing Hunt soon.
The next morning Owen and Nikki met Evelyn for brunch.
"Nikki darling what's wrong," Evelyn asked, seeing her youngest's face.
"Last night was hell," Owen said.
"What happened," Evelyn asked, "you look ready to be sick and cry darling."
"Owl can you tell her," Nikki pleaded.
"You have to squirt but I'm right here," Owen promised.
"Mommy please don't be mad," Nikki begged.
"Just tell me sweetheart I can't help if I don't know," Evelyn said.
"Jeff broke up with me because I'm pregnant," Nikki said, "he said he wants nothing to do with me or the baby and that he's gone and won't be around at all. He told me to get an abortion. I won't kill my baby."
Evelyn paused to gather her thoughts, her baby was having a baby. Nikki was alone and pregnant at 24.
"There's two big pieces of news there, which do you want to talk about first," Evelyn asked, "what's scaring you more?"
"Baby," Nikki said.
"Tell us what you know," Evelyn said.
"I'm 7 weeks today due April 12," Nikki said, "I suspected last Friday and took a test. I saw Dr Frankle Monday and he said everything looks good. I told Teddy last night, she actually knew first. This morning I called dr Montgomery's office and I have an appointment on Monday with her."
"So new grandchild in April," Evelyn smiled, "and Teddy must be due in March?"
"You knew," Owen said.
"She's looked sick for weeks Owen she's not drinking and exhausted," Evelyn said, "and last weekend I noticed she's starting to fill out. Teddy gets a look about her, she did with the girls. Your third it will happen faster, it did with Nikki."
"March 9th," Owen said, "two babies four weeks apart."
"How are you feeling Nikki," Evelyn asked.
"Like I need to throw up," Nikki admitted, "I'm really scared and don't know what to do."
"We'll help you figure this out," Evelyn said.
"Jeff broke up with me because I won't kill the baby," Nikki said, "I have to do this alone."
"I did it darling," Evelyn said, "all three of you on my own since Owen was 9. You have me."
"You have us," Owen said.
"I know this wasn't planned," Nikki said, "and I'm young but I want my baby. I love them already."
"Of course you want and love your baby. You're 24 that's not too young," Evelyn said, "you have a full time teaching position and are doing your masters. You have to finish your masters."
"Are you mad," Nikki asked.
"Surprised," Evelyn said, "not happy Jeff won't be part of this for you. Not mad at you darling. Whatever you need I'm here and want to help."
"What about when they actually come. Isn't the dad supposed to be there and cut the cord," Nikki asked.
"You can pick who you want with you," Evelyn said, "let's worry about that later you have months for that. Let's see if we can get your stomach settled now."
"Mommy I'm scared," Nikki whispered.
"I was with all three," Evelyn said.
"You've got this," Owen said.
Evelyn stood and wrapped her youngest in a hug, "congratulations Nikki. You're going to be an amazing mom."
Nikki nodded into Evelyn's shoulder as her mom held her tight.
"Your first baby," Evenly said, "this is exciting. You can be excited for this little one."
"I want them," Nikki said, "I can't wait to hold them."
"Good. I'm excited to meet them," Evelyn replied, "have you eaten yet?"
"Not today," Nikki said.
"Last time you ate," Evelyn asked.
"Toast last night when Owen and Teddy made me eat," Nikki said.
"Then you need to eat," Evelyn said, "no coffee."
"But," Nikki argued.
"No," Evelyn said, "decaf maybe. Coffee will make your stomach feel worse. Try herbal tea. Mint or ginger may help your stomach."
"Okay," Nikki agreed.
They ordered their brunch and Nikki quietly sipped her tea listening to her mom and Owen catch up, living in their basement, there wasn't a lot Nikki didn't know. Yes she was in the suite and had her own space but they were all back and forth most days. She didn't even bother to lock the door at the bottom of the stairs knowing her nieces would just pound on it until they got their hugs or played a game with her. She loved being involved in the girl's daily lives. Nikki was the back up when Owen and Teddy got stuck at the hospital or called in in the middle of the night.
After they ate, Evelyn said, "we need a list of what needs to be done in the next week, month and before the baby comes?"
"I need my own place," Nikki said.
"No," Evelyn said, "stay where you are. You have support upstairs, you're comfortable there and physically you shouldn't be moving. We will get all traces of Jeff out before you go back to school. Make it feel like yours again."
"I think you should stay," Owen said, "we seriously need your help with the kids when we're on call and we can help you with your count on you being there for those middle of the night calls."
"I have to do this on my own," Nikki said, "mom did."
"You were too young to remember but Owen and Meghan helped a lot with you," Evelyn said, "I had their dad when they were little. Nikki we will be here however you want us. I want to be here for this."
"I have to move somewhere cheaper," Nikki said, "I can't do the whole rent and have money for food and diapers on my own. I've always had a roommate."
"I'll confirm with Teddy but just pay us the half of the rent you already do there's no need to double your rent," Owen said, "we don't need the money. Your only one person down there it's not adding to the utilities. You use our WiFi, cable and Netflix anyway."
"Thank you," Nikki replied.
After noon plans, "Evelyn asked.
"Julie and I were going back to school shopping for a few classroom things and first day of school outfits," Nikki said, "I don't know how much I should be buying in terms of clothes."
"Dresses, tunics," Evelyn said, "keep it loose. Maybe go up a size. You have a while before anyone will know. Julie is your best friend you could tell her. The more people know the more support you have. Pick a couple friends to have in on your secret then announce it when you're ready."
Nikki shrugged, "I should go meet Julie."
They got their bills and left the cafe.
"She's about to break," Owen said after Nikki drove off.
"What happened," Evelyn asked.
"I threw Jeff out for the way he was yelling at Nikki and Teddy," Owen said, "he said he won't be a father that he never wants kids and if she keeps it she's completely alone. She was sobbing on our couch. She asked Teddy and I for Meghan."
"She hasn't asked for Meghan in years," Evelyn sighed, "I know you have your hands full but you physically see Nikki more than I do. I need you to keep your eye on her. Don't hover just make sure she's doing her normal things seeing her friends, getting organized for school, her normal coming and going."
"I will," Owen said, "the three of us were up pretty late she was sobbing. I sat with her until three when she fell asleep. She's upset about breaking up with that ass hole."
"She loves him," Evelyn said, "she was hoping he would propose. She wanted to marry him, she thought it might happen."
"I never expected him to propose," Owen said, "there's something else going on. He's been coming home later lately and now this."
"I know she's complained about it," Evelyn said, "I was not expecting this at all."
"None of us were," Owen agreed, "you didn't see the sheer panic she was in. I think she was as afraid to tell me as she was to tell you."
"She probably was. She would have thought she let you down. But it looks like you worked through that last night she wanted you to tell me. She'll figure it out," Evelyn said, "she's strong."
"She learned from you," Owen said, "but Teddy wasn't feeling great so I'm going to get the girls from day care and day camp and take them swimming so that Teddy can relax. This one is kicking her butt. Two kids, being down a cardio surgeon and doing her research. Teddy needs to slow down."
"Have fun," Evelyn smiled.
"We will," Owen said.
Teddy walked out of the cardio meeting after signaling Nathan to follow her.
"Thirteen years of Altman says," Nathan joked.
"Fourteen or fifteen," Teddy replied she unlocked her office and they both sat down.
"Nathan I need you to run cardio from late February until mid May or June," Teddy said.
"Four months," Nathan said, "Teddy I wanted to talk to you about one more tour starting in January."
"I can ask someone else to cover my leave," Teddy replied, "I have to be home with all three kids then."
"Three," Nathan said, "congratulations! When do I get to meet the new one?"
"Due early March," Teddy replied.
"A new niece or nephew this spring," Nathan smiled.
"Two," Teddy said without thinking. She had unwittingly given Nathan a clue that Nikki was also pregnant.
"Twins wow congratulations," Nathan beamed, reaching to hug Teddy.
"Not twins," Teddy said, then she froze; she had given Nathan too much information.
"The only other woman in our family is Nikki," Nathan said.
Teddy stayed silent.
"She's pregnant with that ass hole's baby," Nathan guessed.
"They broke up last night," Teddy replied. That she knew she could reveaL Nikki had changed her relationship status on Facebook, it was public knowledge.
"He left her and a kid," Nathan said.
Teddy shrugged, technically she hadn't said anything Nathan had guessed.
"Is she okay," Nathan asked.
"We were both up with her until midnight and Owen until three. They have their once a month brunch with Evelyn, the three of them today," Teddy said, "Nikki is going to need her mom and siblings. She thought Jeff was going to propose it had been 5 years."
"I'll talk to her sometimes. She's a bit more candid with me than you, Owen and Ma." Nathan said, "she must be crushed."
"Crushed, scared and not feeling well," Teddy said, "what ever happened in Kenya you became the favorite sometimes."
"She's the most like ma of all three," Nathan said, "she'll be okay. I think she learned to trust me as me over there. I stopped being Owen's friend or Meghan's fiancé and just became me. She's brilliant and strong."
"But she doesn't see it," Teddy said, "your dad walking out as an infant makes you wonder if you're worth loving. Jeff wasn't good to her but she never saw it. She thought that's what love looks like. She'll be okay on her own."
"Teddy yes or no I need an answer is Nikki pregnant," Nathan said.
"I can't say Nathan you know that. She will tell you what she needs you to know when she's ready," Teddy said, refusing to confirm or deny.
"I'm her doctor this could affect her heart. You know that," Nathan said.
"And both Owen and I have told her to call you," Teddy said, "Nathan you know I can't tell you either way. It's up to Nikki who she talks to and when."
"You're not denying it," Nathan said.
"Nathan I can't say anything," Teddy said, "I've already said too much."
"She is," Nathan said.
"She's only talking to me and Owen," Teddy replied.
"Mom," Nathan asked.
"I don't know," Teddy said honestly.
"Take care of her," Nathan said.
"We always do," Teddy said, "she's our little sister. When you met them would you ever have expected to be part of their family?"
"Once I got to know Meghan," Nathan said, "you and Owen were obvious right away it was only you who didn't see it."
"I was in love with him but he was with Beth," Teddy replied.
"Now look at you guys married 5 years, two girls and another on the way," Nathan smiled, "the first time you came to Ma's what did you think?"
"I was home," Teddy said, "Evelyn just treated me like her own. And once Meghan got Nikki out of her room and off the stairs she just wanted me to play with her."
"It was summer time," Nathan said, "Nikki was all over you. It was the first time she opened up to someone that fast."
"We went on that hike and swam in the waterfall," Teddy said, "Owen and Beth were so mean to her. I called him on it. I don't know if it wasn't him going along with Beth."
"He secretly loved Nikki," Nathan said, "I remember in college and med school he researched the best toy for her age for her birthday and Christmas. It had to be perfect and the best. He didn't know how to show that he liked his baby sister other than the perfect toy."
"He still researches toys," Teddy laughed.
"Beth didn't like his sisters and she manipulated him," Nathan said, "Ma liked you instantly. You came in and liked all of them. You connected with all three. The waterfall day didn't you teach Nikki to climb the rocks so she could jump in."
"I did," Teddy smiled, "she was about 9. She just wanted to jump in like Owen but he was with Beth and she was being mean, you and Meghan were tanning and flirting, so I figured out the path up and had Nikki follow me. She was my buddy on all our trips home."
"Stopped you from being the fifth wheel," Nathan said.
"I didn't care," Teddy said, "she needed all the attention she could get and role models other than Evelyn. We all had aunts and uncles around, grand parents but Nikki didn't get that. We've had funny roles with her. Older siblings, the cool aunt and uncle, mentor, friends."
"She's our baby sister," Nathan said.
Teddy changed the subject, "Nathan have you been seeing anyone?"
"I've gone out with Grey a couple times," Nathan said.
"Meredith," Teddy clarified.
"Yes," Nathan confirmed, "just a couple dinners. It still feels like cheating."
"It's been nine years," Teddy said, "it's okay Nathan you can be happy."
"She's still out there, Nathan said.
"Nine years it's okay. Meghan wouldn't have wanted you to put your whole life on hold for her," Teddy said, "you can love Nathan."
"I'd settle for a friend right now," Nathan said.
"Then go spend time with Meredith," Teddy encouraged, "she probably gets you more than you know."
"She does," Nathan said, "she understands the dream."
"The dream," Teddy asked.
"Meghan's home I roll over in bed and she's there asking for coffee," Nathan said, "she has her own about Derek. She gets it. Teddy she has three kids."
"And you like kids," Teddy said, "you're good at being uncle Nathan. The girls love you. This little one will too."
"Her kids are great," Nathan said, "I'm having them dinner tomorrow night but don't know what her kids will eat."
"If you were babysitting what would you make for our girls," Teddy asked.
"Pasta," Nathan said, "but that's not date material."
"Check with her," Teddy said, "pizza always works with kids. Pasta goes over well, our girls like tacos."
"Mexican I could do," Nathan agreed, "have her kids pick what they want in their tacos."
"You have toys and games," Teddy asked.
"Some for your girls," Nathan said, "I can't be cool uncle Nathan without toys."
"A movie or two," Teddy said.
"Netflix," Nathan smiled, "I have kid sized dishes and utensils for your girls."
"You're ready," Teddy smiled, "have fun. Let me know if you need help."
""Don't you have your hands full already," Nathan asked, "almost three?"
"I have a few months," Teddy replied, "the girls are in a good routine."
"You and Owen wanted a big family," Nathan said.
"We do," Teddy said, "but three is enough. It's minivan territory."
"Minivan," Nathan asked.
"I know," Teddy groaned, "my car is too small for three kids. Two booster seats and a baby seat. I'm going to be that mom in the van."
"Mom mobile," Nathan chuckled.
"Yes," Teddy groaned, "Owen gets to keep the truck and I move to the van."
"Pick the least mom like one," Nathan said.
"I'm trying," Teddy said, "I'm not being that suburban mom and joining the PTA."
"You might kill those moms," Nathan agreed, "you're not the school fundraiser, gossip about the teachers and bake sale type."
"I don't mind the bake sale," Teddy said, 'I like to bake. We just volunteer for the parts we like and can do. We both work and we have three kids."