The summer passed quickly with the kids settled into their routines and the adults busy at work. They had welcomed the change when Meghan and Nathan had spent a few days with Faroke at their house. But summer was ending and Teddy wasn't happy about it.
"I don't want our summer to end," Teddy groaned when the alarm went off.
"You're only in Washington for four days," Owen said.
"And six nights away from you and the kids," Teddy whined, "they'll miss me and be out of sorts."
"What can I do," Owen asked.
"Find a way to take my place," Teddy suggested.
"No you'd still miss me and I would miss the kids," Owen said, "I can do less than a week with them on my own."
"I haven't left Allison for one night now I have to go for six," Teddy said, "as much as I don't like it maybe I can take her with me?"
"How could you do that," Owen asked.
"I've done it before," Teddy said, "they assigned a babysitter for her because she was 6 months and still nursing."
"Can we all go," Owen asked.
"No, I need you running things here," Teddy sighed, "I tried to make it work."
"So I'll be here with the kids," Owen said, "it's better for them."
"I don't want to be away from you and them," Teddy said.
"Go stock up on peanut butter cups and taco seasoning," Owen teased.
"I'm almost packed," Teddy said, "I used to like these trips but with you and the kids it's hard."
"I don't like you going either," Owen said, "it's only a few days."
"We move when I get back," Teddy said.
"I'll keep packing the kids stuff and my stuff," Owen said.
"I'll just have to do the rest of my clothes and the kitchen and living room when I get home," Teddy said.
"We're going up a floor to the identical lay out for the living area," Owen said, "just two kids bedrooms and adding a master bath."
"More space and our own bathroom will be nice," Teddy agreed, "I want to pack because I want to go through stuff and get rid of things we're not using."
Owen helped Teddy finish packing and drove her to the airport with the kids.
"No mommy don't go," Leo sobbed.
"Six sleeps Leosaurus," Teddy promised, I'll be home in six sleeps."
"No," Leo yelled grabbing onto Teddy.
"You have to be here with daddy and Ali," Teddy said, "give me a hug then I need to go."
Teddy picked both kids up and held them close kissing the tops of their heads and trying to remember everything about her babies.
Setting the kids back in the stroller Teddy threw her arms around Owen, "don't have too much fun with out me."
"I'm going to miss you," Owen whispered.
"I love you," Teddy said kissing him.
"I love you too," Owen said, "call me when you land."
"I will," Teddy promised.
"I love you," Owen said kissing her again before resting his forehead against hers.
"I love you,' Teddy whispered, "and you're making it really hard for me to go."
"Go be awesome," Owen said, "I have the kids."
"I'll be home soon," Teddy said.
"I know you will," Owen replied.
"I have to go," Teddy sighed.
"I know," Owen said, giving her another kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too," Teddy said, then stepping away she crouched by the stroller and gave each of the kids another hug and kiss.
Teddy walked towards security looking sadly over her shoulder at her family she just wanted to run back and hold all of them.
Getting home Owen found a note on the counter.
Owen,
You just got home and found this but I miss you already. While I'm away you have a note a day hidden and theres treats for the kids hidden as well. Today they need to find a special story and you have something hidden with the book was well.
Love,
Teddy
Owen smiled reading her note and texted her a picture of the kids playing happily on the living room floor. Teddy sighed when she received it, she wanted to be with her kids.
"Everything okay Altman," another cornel asked.
"I miss my kids," Teddy said, "how are you Jones?"
"I'm good," Jones replied, "I didn't know you have kids. How old?"
"Two and a half and sixteen months," Teddy replied, "Leo and Allison."
"Where are they," Jones asked.
"At home with their dad," Teddy said.
"You're married," Jones said looking surprised.
"No," Teddy said, "Owen and I have been together a while now. I'm sure he'll propose when he's ready to."
"You have two little kids," Jones said.
"We do," Teddy agreed, "life is busy but Owen works at my hospital which helps."
"He's military," Jones asked.
"Major Owen Hunt," Teddy replied, "we met in 2002 working together. Your family?"
"My son is 18 now and doesn't return my calls or texts," Jones said, "I divorced a long time ago. The job is too much for a family."
"It can be a lot," Teddy said, "I was single for a long time."
Teddy's phone buzzed again.
"He wants to see you," Owen said when she answered, "he wont nap. You're on speaker phone."
"Leo you need to nap for daddy," Teddy said.
"Mommy back," Leo cried.
"Six sleeps baby," Teddy promised, "you're good with daddy and Ali. I miss you two baby boy."
"Teddy it's not working," Owen said.
"I don't know Owen," Teddy said, "if I could come home I would. Six nights. You can do this. It's just our two kids."
"I miss you already," Owen said.
"I miss you too," Teddy agreed.
They called her flight to board and she found her seat, keeping her novel with her to read. She had always liked reading but hadn't had much time in the last year being busy with her kids. Teddy enjoyed the flight to get caught up on some reading and to write the draft of an article she was publishing.
Owen struggled with nap time then called Megan.
"It's early dumb dumb," Meghan snapped.
"Nap time here," Owen said.
"Where's Teddy," Megan asked.
"Flying to DC," Owen replied, "meetings unfortunately."
"Single dad," Megan said.
"Six days," Owen groaned, "I should have asked mom to come out."
"You can do it," Megan said.
"When she comes home I want to propose," Owen said, "I need to make it special."
"It's Teddy," Megan said, "she'll say yes because it's you and Teddy."
"Megan, it's not that simple," Owen said.
"It is Eeyore," Megan said, "you should have proposed to Teddy 20 years ago. You two are together now and happy."
"Us and our kids," Owen said, "I have two kids with Teddy."
"You do," Megan said, "you and Teddy have two cute kids. I miss them already."
"They miss you," Owen said, "but we'll be at mom's for Christmas."
"You're coming home for Christmas," Megan squealed.
"We are," Owen said, "us and the kids."
"Of course you're bringing your kids," Megan laughed, "I get to spoil those two rotten."
"No," Owen said, "remember we have to fly back here."
"I have my ways," Megan cackled, "but you're finally going to propose to Teddy."
"I am," Owen said, "I have mom's ring and I want it to be perfect."
"Is there a baby sitter," Megan asked.
"We have one," Owen said, "PhD in education, Canadian married to one of our surgeons, just waiting for her work permit and teaching license. She's amazing with them. I have Carly helping a couple times this week."
"So you pick a weekend your both totally off and get the babysitter," Meghan said, "go for dinner some where nice and ask her."
"It has to be perfect because she's Teddy," Owen said, "I messed it up before this one has to be perfect."
"It's Teddy," Megan said, "she's loved you for decades."
"I've loved her that long," Owen said, "I just messed it up too many times. Now there's Teddy and our kids. Leo was heartbroken when she had to leave."
"She's coming back," Megan said.
"She is," Owen said, "but Leo doesn't understand that yet."
"He's two and a half," Megan said.
"I've had him for two years," Owen said.
"And Teddy was pregnant," Megan commented.
"Not like I knew," Owen said.
"Because you didn't reach out to her," Megan replied.
"That's between Teddy and I," Owen said, "I learned when I was married to Christina that complaining to someone else outside the relationship doesn't fix things."
"Let me guess you complained to Teddy," Megan said.
"Yes," Owen said, "she's Teddy. And I did the same with Ameila and complained to Teddy. I'm trying something different here."
"Complaining to me that she's not there," Megan teased.
"That she's not here," Owen said, "I miss her. The apartment feels empty with out her. There's two kids and it still doesn't feel right with out her."
"Doesn't help that it's her place she decorated for herself," Megan said.
"Mom sent some of my stuff," Owen said, "we're going to make the new place ours."
"Tell her," Megan said.
"I will," Owen agreed.
"I have to go," Megan said, "you'll figure out your perfect proposal."
"Talk to you soon," Owen said.
Owen walked into the bedroom to put a load of laundry away, he felt silly putting some of Teddy's stuff away but didn't want it to sit on the dresser all week so he put her pajamas in their drawer as he did so he found another note.
I thought you would put all the laundry away. Thank you. I don't know how long into my trip your finding this. I miss you and our kids. I'm looking forward to our movie night and treats on the couch when I get home all of us. I don't know how I'm going to do the next few days with out you. I've always prided myself on my independence and now I don't want that anymore. I want to be with you and have you by my side everyday.
Love Teddy
Teddy had reacher her hotel and was un packing. Her meetings didn't start until the morning so she ordered room service and hung up her clothes. She noticed a piece of paper flutter out as she hung up a dress.
Teddy,
I miss you already. This week with out you is going to be hard. I have never dreaded some one going as much as I am dreading this trip. I am going to miss you and sitting on the couch with tea after the kids have gone to bed talking and laughing. I have no idea how I'm going to fall asleep with out you in my arms. I've never felt this way before. I love you in a way I didn't know I could love another person. I'm counting the hours until you're home.
All my love,
Owen